"Li Xuan?"
When Dan Wuxie arrived above the Yuan Realm and saw the people from the Star Radiance Merchant Guild, his gaze shifted and he froze on the spot.
"Elder Shan, why are you here?" Li Xuan, who had been radiating killing intent, also saw Dan Wuxie, and his murderous aura immediately receded like a tide.
"Venerable Yuan, do you know this person?" The sudden turn of events startled everyone present. Although the Star Radiance Merchant Guild had a vast network in the four-dimensional space and hardly anyone dared to disrespect them, Dan Wuxie, as the master of the Yuan Realm, deserved the utmost respect.
"Manager Song, is there some misunderstanding?" Dan Wuxie asked, looking at Song Gui.
If they were strangers, Dan Wuxie wouldn't have intervened even if Song Gui and the others had killed Li Xuan in front of him. But the person before him was Li Xuan, so Dan Wuxie naturally wouldn't stand by.
Whether it was because he knew Li Xuan or because of Xiao Bai, Dan Wuxie couldn't just watch. For a moment, Dan Wuxie even considered killing all the members of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild present.
But Dan Wuxie knew that if it came to that, not only would the Yuan Realm be unable to withstand the wrath of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild, but Li Xuan himself would also find it difficult to move forward. Dan Wuxie understood the power of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild even better than Li Xuan.
"Misunderstanding? Venerable Yuan, this matter has nothing to do with you. It's best you don't interfere. Our Star Radiance Merchant Guild's steward has been murdered. If we don't dare to seek revenge, it would be truly laughable!" Song Gui said with a cold snort.
"Is there really no room for negotiation?" Dan Wuxie's tone also turned colder. No matter what, Li Xuan couldn't be harmed.
Song Gui frowned, clearly sensing Dan Wuxie's stance. Although he didn't know the relationship between Dan Wuxie and Li Xuan, Song Gui was not afraid, no matter how good their relationship was. If the Yuan Realm were among the top ten powers, it would be different, but since it ranked outside the top ten, Song Gui instantly felt emboldened.
"Venerable Yuan, if it were just you, I might give you some face. But for our Star Radiance Merchant Guild to give you face and let this matter go, I'm afraid your Yuan Realm is not qualified!" Song Gui's voice also turned colder.
Dan Wuxie took a deep breath, understanding the implicit threat in Song Gui's words. However, Song Gui was not wrong; the Yuan Realm was indeed not qualified.
Li Xuan, standing nearby, frowned and then looked at Dan Wuxie, saying, "Elder Shan, you don't need to get involved in this."
Before Dan Wuxie could speak, Li Xuan's mind moved, and his sword, Shi Jian, appeared in his hand.
"The people of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild are so overbearing. I'd like to see who gave you the courage," Li Xuan snorted coldly, and the next moment, his figure vanished from his original spot.
*Swoosh!*
The sound of a sword hummed softly, and blood bloomed on the chests of several figures.
In less than ten breaths, the eight powerhouses from the Star Radiance Merchant Guild present had lost the strength to fight.
"It seems these few are not your source of confidence," Li Xuan reappeared, his gaze fixed on Song Gui.
Song Gui was utterly astonished. These eight people were among the top twenty in this Yuan Realm branch. The weakest among them had already reached the intermediate stage of the Dunyi Realm. Li Xuan, on the other hand, clearly only possessed intermediate Dunyi Realm strength but had defeated all eight of them single-handedly!
If Li Xuan had defeated intermediate or even advanced Dunyi Realm cultivators, it could be described as extraordinary talent. But to defeat even early-stage Zhengdao Realm cultivators, it could only be described as monstrous. Fighting across levels and fighting across realms were fundamentally different.
Not only Song Gui was shocked, but even Dan Wuxie looked at Li Xuan with surprise. It had to be said that Dan Wuxie felt more gratified than anything else. The little fellow he remembered had actually grown to this extent.
In an instant, Dan Wuxie made up his mind. No matter what, he had to protect Li Xuan today.
"Who exactly are you?" Song Gui asked Li Xuan with a solemn expression.
Li Xuan shook his head helplessly, "What, you're starting to ask about my background now that you've found it a bit tricky? If my background is significant enough to make the Star Radiance Merchant Guild wary, can this matter be dropped today?"
"If that's the case, I can drop this matter today." Song Gui's face turned red, but Li Xuan's words were indeed true. Such a monstrous existence couldn't be from an insignificant background. If the Star Radiance Merchant Guild provoked a major problem, Song Gui knew what the final outcome would be.
Li Xuan smiled and said, "Don't overthink it. I don't have any earth-shattering background. If you don't believe me, you can ask Elder Shan."
Song Gui's gaze shifted, and he looked at Dan Wuxie.
Dan Wuxie frowned, looking at Li Xuan with some confusion, "Li Xuan, you..."
Li Xuan could have easily fabricated an identity and resolved the current situation. But Li Xuan's actions were truly baffling to Dan Wuxie.
Song Gui understood at this point. At least one thing was certain: Li Xuan's claim was likely true. This Li Xuan did not have powerful backing.
With this thought, Song Gui moved his mind and crushed a spiritual talisman.
"Hmm, they're calling for reinforcements," Li Xuan said with a smile, looking at it. He then sat down on the deck of the cloud ship, and a jar of spiritual wine appeared before him.
"Elder Shan, care for a drink?" Just as Li Xuan was about to drink, he sensed something and asked Dan Wuxie.
Dan Wuxie sighed helplessly, then moved to stand before Li Xuan. "What, just the two of us with this one jar of wine?"
"Naturally not." Seeing Dan Wuxie actually come to his side, Li Xuan felt even more delighted. He laughed and then produced another jar of spiritual wine.
Watching Li Xuan and Dan Wuxie sitting together and drinking, Song Gui's eyes were filled with malevolence. However, Song Gui didn't stop them, as calling for reinforcements also took time. Although he didn't know how Dan Wuxie and Li Xuan met, in Song Gui's heart, Dan Wuxie and this Yuan Realm were no longer necessary.
Time passed quickly. Ripples appeared, and then ten figures materialized before Song Gui.
Dan Wuxie glanced up and frowned slightly. Ten peak Zhengdao Realm cultivators, and this was only the strength of one branch.
"Ten peak Zhengdao Realm cultivators. This should be the highest strength of your branch, right?" Li Xuan wiped his mouth and then said to Song Gui.
Song Gui snorted coldly, "I'd like to see what trump card you have today."
Li Xuan smiled and said, "If I were to reveal my trump card, you would likely be kneeling by now. Never mind, there's no need for that."
"Elder Shan, you don't need to make a move," Li Xuan said, then rose into the air and walked step by step towards the ten peak Zhengdao Realm powerhouses.
"I really want to know, are you his lackeys, or are you people of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild?" Li Xuan stood before the ten men and asked slowly, word by word.
The man at the head frowned, glanced at Song Gui, and then said, "We are subordinates of Manager Song Gui."
"Are you all of the same mind?" Li Xuan smiled, his gaze sweeping over the other nine.
The leader and Song Gui both frowned, looking at Li Xuan, clearly not understanding the reason for his question.
"I am a person of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild." After Li Xuan's gaze swept over them, one man spoke after a moment of silence. The other eight did not speak.
Li Xuan looked at the man who spoke with some surprise, then nodded slightly. "It seems not everyone is rotten. There are still good seedlings. Otherwise, dealing with them would truly be a painful matter."
Li Xuan finished speaking, then looked into the void and said, "Senior, I can't beat these guys. If you don't come out, I'll have to fall here today."
"Young master, calling me 'senior' is an understatement." As Li Xuan's voice fell, a figure slowly appeared in everyone's sight.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Song Gui's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Yuan... Elder Yuan?!"