Shi Zhenxiang, an expert from the inner sect

After saying those words, Dongmen Qianyun felt her cheeks flush so hot she thought she might melt, but when she glanced up shyly, she caught Xie Wuji staring at her, drooling.

“Hey, did you even hear what I just said?” she blurted out hurriedly.

Xie Wuji wiped the corner of his mouth and replied, “Look at this—an Essence-Gathering Cushion. It seems this cushion is made specifically for meditation. When someone sits on it, their rate of absorbing spiritual energy doubles.”

At once, Dongmen Qianyun’s face darkened. “So, Brother Xie, are you saying everything I just said was nothing but hot air?”

“What? Did you say something?” Xie Wuji looked utterly perplexed.

“Get lost!” Dongmen Qianyun shouted, mortified and furious, and stomped down hard on Xie Wuji’s foot. He yelped like a scalded stray, leaping a foot in the air.

Feeling wronged, Xie Wuji was about to ask what had just happened, but at that moment, the shopkeeper emerged from the back of the spiritual artifact store. Rubbing his hands together with an ingratiating smile, he said, “Junior brother, you’ve got a keen eye! Our Essence-Gathering Cushion is the very finest, truly perfection itself!”

“The Essence-Gathering Cushion is the worst of all meditation cushions. You’re really singing your own praises,” Dongmen Qianyun retorted angrily, taking her irritation out on the shopkeeper since she couldn’t direct it at Xie Wuji.

Not everyone in the Scarlet Cloud Sect recognized Dongmen Qianyun, and clearly the shopkeeper didn’t. He replied, “You must be mistaken. This is a brand-new piece, and the quality is absolutely top-notch!”

Without another word, Dongmen Qianyun picked up the cushion and gave it a sharp tug in the center. At once, blackened cotton stuffing spilled out, along with a handful of ordinary stones.

There was barely a trace of spirit stone powder. Dongmen Qianyun snorted coldly. “Refurbished, is it? Clever. And as for the spirit stone dust—though it’s rich in spiritual energy, all of it will be gone in two months at most. This cushion might fool a few outer disciples, but you’re charging a hundred spirit stones for it. Isn’t that outrageous?”

“What do you know? Stop trying to ruin my business!” the shopkeeper snapped, raising his voice toward the back. At once, five or six outer disciples emerged. None of them looked particularly accomplished; all were at best in the Core Condensation stage.

Seeing the shopkeeper summon backup, Xie Wuji positioned himself in front of Dongmen Qianyun, shielding her. This gesture of protection warmed her heart, and her anger dissipated.

Xie Wuji said, “Scarlet Cloud Sect is a prestigious orthodox school. Yet here you are, engaging in such petty deceptions. Aren’t you afraid that, once this comes to light, you’ll be expelled from the sect?”

“You ignorant brat! Do you even know who’s backing us? Our patron is Senior Brother Shi Zhenxiang from the inner sect. You’re just a couple of outer disciples—if you know what’s good for you, get lost and stop interfering with our business,” the shopkeeper snarled, his demeanor turning instantly hostile.

Dongmen Qianyun sneered, “Another one of Elder Ding Desheng’s disciples. His disciples really are something…”

“How dare you refer to the Grand Elder by name! You lot, teach these two a lesson they won’t forget—let them learn the cost of loose tongues!” the shopkeeper roared.

At once, the shop’s hired thugs closed in around Xie Wuji and Dongmen Qianyun.

Previously, it had been Dongmen Qianyun who acted, but Xie Wuji didn’t want her to take any more risks. Fat Dragon and Thin Tiger, his sworn brothers, were only at the Energy Gathering stage, while this group, though not strong, were all at Core Condensation. He couldn’t allow Dongmen Qianyun to come to harm here—it would be unforgivable.

The thugs sneered at Xie Wuji’s attempt to protect Dongmen Qianyun. The gathering crowd grew thicker, nearly encircling them completely. Some onlookers, recognizing Dongmen Qianyun’s identity, deliberately kept silent, eager to watch the drama unfold.

Dongmen Qianyun, unconcerned for herself, worried only for Xie Wuji’s safety.

“Looking for a beating!” the thugs shouted as they charged. Xie Wuji grunted and slipped on his armguards, which immediately began to radiate intense heat.

Since advancing from the third to the fifth level of Core Condensation, Xie Wuji hadn’t had a proper fight. This was a welcome opportunity to stretch his limbs.

Though the thugs brandished swords and sabers, Xie Wuji’s fists were nearly unstoppable. With one punch, he shattered the lead thug’s sword and caved in his chest, breaking several ribs. The man let out a strangled cry, eyes wide with pain, but the agony of broken bones left him unable to rise.

The others, seeing Xie Wuji’s prowess, dared not take him on alone and edged backward.

Xie Wuji flexed his arms, showing off a few moves as he darted among his foes. In a few swift exchanges, he laid them all out. Their strength, after all, was only at the second or third level of Core Condensation—no match for him.

Their fatal mistake was underestimating Xie Wuji, assuming he was just another outer disciple. They rushed him in a mob, only to pay dearly for their arrogance.

The shopkeeper was dumbfounded, his eyes bulging. Lips trembling, he stammered, pointing at Xie Wuji, “Y-you insolent wretch! Do you have any idea whom you’ve offended?”

“I have no idea!” Xie Wuji replied cheerfully.

At that moment, a figure in black robes emerged from the crowd, a long sword strapped to his back—clearly a formidable fighter. Xie Wuji narrowed his eyes, instantly on guard.

Upon seeing him, the shopkeeper rushed over, tears and snot streaming down his face. “Ah, Senior Brother Shi! Thank heavens you’re here!”

“Not long ago, I heard someone intended to wreck my shop?” Shi Zhenxiang said coldly.

The shopkeeper whimpered, “They came here to cause trouble, accusing us of selling shoddy meditation cushions. But these are genuine Essence-Gathering Cushions—sitting on them really does boost spiritual absorption!”

“You switched it out—the defective one was already swapped for another,” Dongmen Qianyun interjected.

Shi Zhenxiang squinted at her. “So it’s you, Second Miss. Back from your training outside, I see. Tell me, has your innate block on spiritual veins been cured yet?”

“Your staff are cheating our own Scarlet Cloud Sect disciples. Will you simply stand by and do nothing?” Dongmen Qianyun demanded angrily.

Shi Zhenxiang’s lips curled into a mocking smile. He was already strikingly handsome, but the sneer lent him an air of wicked charm. “I respect you as the sect leader’s daughter, so I’ll show you some courtesy. But don’t take advantage of it. Remember—your father is just a figurehead. My master is the true power in the Scarlet Cloud Sect. If not for your father, I wouldn’t spare a useless thing like you another glance.”

“Enough with the ‘useless’ talk,” Xie Wuji said through gritted teeth.

Shi Zhenxiang frowned. He had been watching from the crowd, noting the unusual technique in Xie Wuji’s punches, and realized he was not ordinary. Still, Xie Wuji’s cultivation level was nothing he needed to worry about.

“Yapping away like a stray dog. I heard the old gatekeeper’s great-nephew recently arrived. Seems the little mutt has shown up too. Is this all you’ve got?” Shi Zhenxiang taunted.

“Insult me if you wish, but you’re no better. Your name suits you—Shi Zhenxiang. Well, if you like, I’ll give you a couple of choice samples myself. With extra texture,” Xie Wuji replied with a broad grin.

If there was one thing Shi Zhenxiang could not tolerate, it was mockery of his name. Enraged beyond restraint, he said, “If you defeat me, I’ll apologize publicly! But if you fail, don’t blame me for being merciless!”

“Brother Xie, don’t!” Dongmen Qianyun cried out in alarm.

But Xie Wuji was already stepping forward. He could not bear anyone slandering the Seventh Protector—old Master Qin had given his all for the Immortal Longevity Sect, serving with utter devotion. To be insulted by this petty man was intolerable.

With this thought burning in his chest, Xie Wuji advanced, his anger barely contained.