Chapter Twenty-Seven: I Didn't Cause Trouble, So Why Are You Coming to Me?

Upon entering the cultivators’ market, it felt as if they had stepped into an entirely different world. Outside, there were only blue-brick walls and tiled roofs—ordinary residences built by common folk. But within the market, miniature palaces and pavilions stood everywhere, grand and imposing. Upon closer inspection, one could see that the outermost layer of every building shimmered with spiritual energy, clearly reinforced by spells.

The market itself was vast, occupying a full fifth of the entire Heavenly Mystery City. In other words, this cultivators’ market stretched for dozens of miles in every direction. At the entrance, a broad avenue unfurled before them, along which cultivators sat here and there, cross-legged, each with a small stall set up before them.

Unlike ordinary vendors, these cultivators paid no heed to their wares after laying them out. They closed their eyes and rested, only opening them to answer a price when a passing cultivator showed interest. Chen Xiang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, “As expected of a cultivators’ market—the atmosphere is truly impressive!”

Li Qiner led the way ahead, not even pausing at the roadside stalls, striding purposefully in a single direction. Unfamiliar with the place, Chen Xiang followed close behind, glancing around curiously. He noticed that most of the people here were at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages, with only a handful at the Core Formation stage. As for Nascent Soul cultivators or above, he saw none. Chen Xiang immediately understood: it wasn’t that there were no high-level cultivators, but rather that they wouldn’t bother with such trivial goods—there must be exclusive trading events for those of higher status.

Before long, the two of them stopped in front of a pavilion called “Treasure Pill Pavilion.”

“Treasure Pill Pavilion? Qiner, do you need to buy pills? Just tell me what you need—I’ll refine them for you,” said Chen Xiang, frowning.

“No need, Young Master. I can’t keep taking your pills. Besides, what we’re buying isn’t anything valuable, just some pills to ward off the cold. Treasure Pill Pavilion has a great reputation, fair prices, and it won’t be any trouble,” Li Qiner replied quickly, shaking her head. She was afraid Chen Xiang might take out a few fifth-grade pills again. He might not feel bad about it, but her heart would ache!

“Oh, well… all right then,” Chen Xiang conceded after a moment’s thought. It made sense—it was quicker to buy than to refine, and he happened to have plenty of spirit stones weighing him down.

Just then, a man in luxurious robes, accompanied by a guard, passed by. As he walked past Chen Xiang, he sneered, “Hmph, ignorant bumpkin.”

Chen Xiang’s eyes widened—what the hell! He hadn’t caused any trouble, yet this guy came looking for it? How could he let that slide? No, he couldn’t.

In a flash, he stepped forward, grabbed the robed man by the collar, and with a casual flick, sent him flying through the air. Instantly, he executed the Three Thousand Lightning Movement and reappeared beside Li Qiner. The whole sequence happened in a split second; to Li Qiner, Chen Xiang’s figure merely blurred, and a streak of lightning flashed through the air.

The robed man, caught off guard, suddenly felt his body go weightless—no, more like it was being flung—then crashed heavily onto the bluestone pavement, landing face-first in a most undignified manner. His guard was startled—he hadn’t even seen what happened, only to witness his young master sent flying. Still, his reaction was swift: he hurried over to help him up.

“Who was it? Who dares lay a hand on me?” the robed man roared in fury. The surrounding cultivators all turned to look. He glanced around but saw no suspicious figures. Still, his gaze locked onto Chen Xiang. “Was it you just now? Speak!” he demanded, looking down his nose at Chen Xiang.

Chen Xiang shot him a glance and replied with just two words, “Idiot.”

With that, he entered the pavilion. Li Qiner, realizing it must have been Chen Xiang’s doing, didn’t interfere. Since the matter had already happened, she would just adapt as needed. She sighed and followed him inside.

The robed man was beside himself with rage. He had never been humiliated like this—sent flying for no reason and then insulted on top of it. It was intolerable.

“Di Jiu, did you see what happened just now?” he demanded coldly of his guard.

Di Jiu’s face was full of shame. Bitterly, he replied, “Young Master, I was useless—I only saw a flash of lightning and couldn’t make out who made the move.”

The robed man’s face darkened. “Useless! What good are you, then?”

Di Jiu lowered his head, not daring to say more. After all, the young master was the clan head’s son, pampered and spoiled. Better to endure and let it pass; he was already used to it.

After venting for a while, the robed man finally calmed down. He didn’t think Di Jiu was lying; rather, the one who struck must have been frighteningly powerful. Di Jiu was a Core Formation second-layer cultivator, yet he hadn’t even seen the move. What level of cultivation would that require?

Though pampered, the man was no fool; he would have to swallow his pride for now.

“Hmph, to dare strike me in Heavenly Mystery City—whether you’re at the Core Formation or Nascent Soul stage, you’ll pay the price!” A shadow crossed his face as he spoke venomously.

His gaze then fell upon the Treasure Pill Pavilion. He had already decided it was Chen Xiang who had acted. That was his way—if he couldn’t find a reason, he would simply invent one. He did this often.

“Heh, that woman with that kid has quite a figure,” he muttered, licking his lips.

“Di Jiu, go fetch Di Yi,” he ordered, then strode into the Treasure Pill Pavilion. That tumble hadn’t hurt him at all—as a Foundation Establishment seventh-layer cultivator, he was unscathed—but his pride had suffered enough.

Inside the pavilion, Chen Xiang and Li Qiner were greeted by a graceful, dignified woman at the counter, smiling serenely. The spiritual energy radiating from her suggested she was at the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Refining.

The interior was classically decorated, with a dozen large display shelves arranged in the hall and tables and chairs in the back serving as a rest area. There were no visible stairs.

On the first floor, all sorts of pills were displayed, mostly first-grade, with a few second-grade ones. Around twenty or thirty Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators browsed intently.

When the woman at the counter saw Chen Xiang and Li Qiner enter, she swept them with her spiritual sense, noticing the identity badges at their waists. Her smile grew even warmer as she stepped forward gracefully.

“Esteemed elders, welcome. What may I help you with, or do you have any instructions?” she asked.

Chen Xiang turned to Li Qiner. “Qiner, what do we need?”

Li Qiner stepped forward. “We need to go to the third floor.”

The woman’s expression flickered briefly, but she quickly recovered her smile. “Please, follow me, honored guests.”

She led the way to a curtain, bowed, and said, “This is the teleportation array to the third floor. Someone will receive you there. Please, go ahead.”

“Oh? Quite impressive!” Chen Xiang muttered. Wasn’t this the classic setup? He was very familiar with it.

Li Qiner glanced over, puzzled. “Young Master Li, what do you mean by ‘impressive’?”

“Oh, ‘impressive’ just means classy, or sophisticated. And there’s also the concept of ‘showing off’—now, that’s really something. Let me explain it to you in detail…” Chen Xiang naturally took Li Qiner’s soft, delicate hand, adopting a solemn air as he began to elucidate.

“To be continued…”