"Apologies, but we have other matters to attend to. We’ll have to skip the banquet."

Ye Xuan had no intention of attending such a boring banquet. His time was precious.

"By the way, if your Treasure Pavilion has any other Tier Seven treasures for sale, feel free to notify me." With that, Ye Xuan turned to leave.

Heavens, ’That kid actually refused Miss Dongfang Zisi’s invitation...’

"Is he blind?"

"If he’s not going, let us go!"

"Is there something wrong with him?"

...

Everyone was dumbfounded. This was completely unexpected. ’Is that guy blind?’

They were certain that if it were them, they would never be able to resist the allure of Miss Dongfang Zisi.

Miss Dongfang Zisi wasn’t just the young lady of the Divine Walk Commerce Association and a peerless beauty. Crucially, she was also a genius student at Gale Light Academy. At only twenty-two, she had reached the level of a Tier Five First Layer Martial Sect and was a Fourth Grade Alchemist. Countless men in Wukong Ridge admired her from afar.

Yet Ye Xuan had refused without the slightest hesitation. ’Is he even a man?’

Furthermore, Ye Xuan had told her to notify him if there were more Tier Seven treasures for sale. ’Could it be that he has more Spirit Medicine on him?’

Dongfang Zisi froze for a moment, an embarrassed look on her face. She clearly hadn’t expected Ye Xuan to say that; she never imagined someone would refuse her invitation. Quickly composing herself and feigning calmness, she hurried to say, "The two of you, please wait."

As she spoke, she took out a dark Token and handed it to Ye Xuan. "This is the highest-level VIP Token for my Divine Walk Commerce Association. With this Token, you can enjoy a twenty percent discount on any purchase at our Divine Walk Commerce Association shops in the future."

"Thanks." Ye Xuan thought for a moment, took the Token, and turned to Jin Lin. "Jin Lin, let’s go!"

"Wait!" Steward Liu immediately stepped forward, blocking Ye Xuan’s path.

"Steward Liu, is there some reason you’re blocking my way?" Ye Xuan’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them as he stared at the man.

"Young man, don’t misunderstand," Steward Liu said with a chuckle. "I’m not looking for trouble. It’s just that I failed to recognize a great person just now and my heart is filled with trepidation. I’ve come specifically to apologize."

"You haven’t offended me, so I don’t need an apology. If there’s nothing else, you’d best step aside. I’m leaving."

Ye Xuan saw the greedy look in the man’s eyes. Though he didn’t understand his true purpose, how could he not know that greed had taken root in the man’s heart?

"Hey, don’t be like that, young man. I see you seem to have quite a few Tier Five Spirit Medicines, and I hear you even have Tier Six ones. My Tianya Commerce Association is the foremost commerce association in the Dream Realm Plain, and we are very interested in the items you possess. My Treasure Pavilion would like to buy your remaining Spirit Medicines. Just name your price!"

Steward Liu chuckled. Just as he was speaking, a figure had already sped out of the Treasure Pavilion.

A cold glint flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes. Steward Liu was obviously sending for reinforcements. ’Is he planning to rob me of my Spirit Medicines?’

"You want to buy them? Fine! Does your Treasure Pavilion have any Tier Seven treasures? If you have a Tier Seven King Level treasure, I might consider it," Ye Xuan said, crossing his arms with a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile.

If the other party was willing to trade a Tier Seven treasure, Ye Xuan wouldn’t mind making the exchange. But if they were planning any tricks, they had likely picked the wrong person.

Steward Liu’s expression changed slightly. He gave a dry laugh and said, "You must be joking, sir. My Tianya Commerce Association certainly has Tier Seven King Level treasures, but selling one is not a decision I can make. How about this? I am genuinely sincere about acquiring your items. Why don’t we go by the prices Miss Dongfang Zisi set earlier? Tier Five Spirit Medicine for 600,000 Profound Coins each, and Tier Six Spirit Medicine for 6,000,000 Profound Coins each."

"This is already the standard market price for Spirit Medicines. What do you think, young man?"

"I think..." Ye Xuan looked at Steward Liu with that same ghost of a smile. "I think you’re an idiot!"

"Get lost!"

A cold light flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes.

’Trying to buy my Spirit Medicines for a few hundred thousand Profound Coins? Does this Steward Liu really take me for a fool?’

Being insulted so publicly by Ye Xuan, Steward Liu’s face instantly darkened. Fury burned in his heart. He narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "Young man, I suggest you reconsider. You must have just arrived in Wukong Ridge, haven’t you? This place has always been chaotic. You wouldn’t want to accidentally die in the wilderness, where your family wouldn’t even be able to find your body."

"Are you threatening me?" Ye Xuan asked, his eyes narrowed.

"I’m not threatening you, just offering some advice," Steward Liu sneered. "However, my advice usually becomes reality."

"Steward Liu, this is the territory of my Treasure Pavilion. Aren’t you going too far?"

At this moment, Dongfang Zisi finally couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward, frowning.

"Miss Dongfang Zisi, what have I done? I was just discussing a business deal with this young man. And you, young man, don’t forget my advice. My Treasure Pavilion’s shop is right across the street. I will be there waiting for your visit."

After saying his piece, Steward Liu gave two cold laughs and turned to leave the Treasure Pavilion.

"I don’t know where that kid came from, but he’s gone and offended Steward Liu of the Tianya Commerce Association. He’s in for some bad luck now."

"What’s to be unlucky about? The man has so many Spirit Medicines and an extraordinary air about him. He must be a disciple from some major power. His background is profound."

"Hmph, so what if he has a background? Do you think this is a place like the Sky Empire? Our Wukong Ridge is utterly chaotic and crawling with bandits. Even if you have the backing of the heavens, a man walking with a treasure is a walking target. They’ll eat you alive, leaving not even the bones."

"I really don’t understand which power these two belong to. How could their experts dare to let two young people come to our Wukong Ridge alone? And these two are idiots, too, daring to reveal the treasures they’re carrying. Isn’t that just asking for death?"

"The Seven-Colored Chaos Soil from the Treasure Pavilion was something several of Black Stone City’s major families have been coveting for a long time. Now that this kid has bought it, how could they possibly let it go?"

"Let’s just wait for the good show."

On the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion, the many guests were abuzz with discussion. They looked at Ye Xuan and Jin Lin with various glints in their eyes—some of pity, some of envy, but mostly, the mocking look one gives an idiot.

"You two, I don’t know which family you belong to, or if you have a place to stay in Black Stone City. If not, you can stay here at our Treasure Pavilion. Then you can send a message to your family and have them come to Black Stone City to pick you up."

Dongfang Zisi suggested. She obviously knew that if the two of them walked straight out the doors of the Treasure Pavilion, they would very likely run into danger.

"Thank you, but if those people really want to come, then let them. It’s easy to come, but not so easy to leave."

Ye Xuan knew Dongfang Zisi meant well, and his impression of her improved slightly. However, he, Ye Xuan, was not someone who needed protection.

Watching Ye Xuan leave the Treasure Pavilion, Dongfang Zisi and Dongfang Ye exchanged a look, couldn’t help but shake their heads, and sighed.

’This young man is truly too naive.’

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Ye Xuan didn’t go to the Treasure Pavilion across the street, but instead walked toward the center of Black Stone City.

"The guy didn’t even go to the Treasure Pavilion. He’s got some nerve."

"Go, follow him! Let’s see where he’s going!"

A group of Martial Artists couldn’t help but follow behind Ye Xuan.

On the second floor of the Treasure Pavilion, Steward Liu squinted, watching Ye Xuan’s back disappear down the street.

’The kid actually didn’t come to my Treasure Pavilion. Is he truly fearless because he has backing, or is he just an idiot?’

"Steward Liu, those two kids didn’t come over. Should we just...?"

A middle-aged man exuding a terrifying aura stood respectfully behind Steward Liu, a vicious glint flashing in his eyes.

Steward Liu shot him a sideways glance and said mockingly, "Are you an idiot? If we make a move now, any fool would know it was our Tianya Commerce Association. If the power behind these two comes looking for trouble, what would happen to our Tianya Commerce Association’s reputation?"

Although Steward Liu’s attitude was arrogant, he was actually meticulous in his thoughts.

For these two kids to be able to produce so many Spirit Medicines, they either had a stroke of incredible luck and found a lost medicinal garden, or they had a major power backing them.

Everything he did earlier was just a ploy to trick Ye Xuan. If Ye Xuan had actually sold them the Spirit Medicines, then it would have been pure profit. It would be a fair trade, and even if the power behind the two came looking for them later, there would be nothing to say.

"So, are we just going to let them leave?" the middle-aged man asked nervously.

"Did I say that?" Steward Liu sneered. "How can I let prey that’s already in my grasp fly away? Send a few people to follow them. Find out where they’s staying, but don’t act rashly. Then, investigate their identities and see if they have any background."

"That kid bought the Seven-Colored Chaos Soil. I refuse to believe the major families of Black Stone City won’t be tempted. Tonight, there’s definitely going to be a good show to watch."

At this, a cold smile spread across Steward Liu’s lips. "Remember, our Tianya Commerce Association is one of the seven great commerce associations of the Dream Realm Plain. We’re businessmen. It’s better to leave the dirty work of fighting and killing to others."

"Steward Liu is brilliant." The middle-aged man bowed and retreated respectfully.

Ye Xuan and Jin Lin walked leisurely, but his Soul Sense was constantly scanning their surroundings.

One, two, three...

In his Soul Sense, at least five or six groups of people were hidden in the shadows, continuously tailing them.

"Your Highness, these guys following us are so annoying. Should I get rid of them?" Jin Lin said, displeased.

"If they don’t make a move, we don’t need to either," Ye Xuan said with a wave of his hand.

’These guys are quite patient, not making a move yet. I wonder if any of these groups are from the Tianya Commerce Association. I bet there are.’

If they didn’t attack, that would be fine. But if they did, Ye Xuan wouldn’t mind teaching them a lesson and letting them know that some people are not to be provoked.

An inn appeared before Ye Xuan’s eyes. Located in the center of Black Stone City, the building was magnificent and imposing.

’I’ll stay here tonight.’

It was the best inn Ye Xuan had seen along the way, and he strode inside. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Just then, Ye Xuan’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and a playful smile touched his lips. ’They’re finally here.’

From a nearby alley, seven or eight Martial Artists suddenly emerged. They were all scruffy and bearded, and they surrounded Ye Xuan and Jin Lin with menacing auras.