"Wait a moment, that stone, I'll offer two million Taiyuan Crystals."
As this voice fell, Li Xuan's brow furrowed, and a trace of killing intent appeared in his eyes. One could only imagine the character of someone who interfered after a deal was struck.
"The market has its rules. Once the Taiyuan Crystals are paid, the item belongs to the buyer. Qiu Shaolong, you've only been in our Azure Hall for a month. Has no one taught you the rules?"
Upon hearing someone speak, Su Yueze and the other three turned to look in the direction of the voice. Seeing it was Qiu Shaolong, the four of them stepped forward, subtly intending to shield Li Xuan.
"Heh, senior brother, I only see him taking out the Taiyuan Crystals, but the seller doesn't seem to have accepted them yet," Qiu Shaolong said with a smile, pointing at the Taiyuan Crystals in front of Zhang Wude as he looked at Su Yueze.
Then, as if remembering something, Qiu Shaolong smiled slightly at Su Yueze and said, "Oh, right, senior brother said no one taught me the rules. You should ask my master about that. After all, I'm new here and truly don't know what is and isn't a rule."
"Arrogant!" Chai Jingyuan immediately boomed, his gaze towards Qiu Shaolong turning cold.
"What, are the people from your Seventh Peak trying to bully our Third Peak's new junior brother?"
As Chai Jingyuan finished speaking, a voice suddenly cut in. The crowd then felt the light dim before them as a figure slowly appeared in front of Li Xuan and the others.
Seeing the newcomer, Su Yueze and the other four beside Li Xuan became solemn.
"Di Yijie, so it's you. I was wondering when this new disciple became so bold, relying on you as a backer. However, this dispute was caused by your new disciple breaking the rules. I'd like to see how you intend to handle this."
Watching Di Yijie calmly gaze at them, Su Yueze shifted his body slightly and slowly moved in front of Li Xuan, shielding him.
Di Yijie?
As Li Xuan heard Su Yueze speak the name, his heart stirred.
Li Xuan was already quite familiar with the strengths of the seven peaks of the Azure Hall. Di Yijie was the offspring of Di Renhai, the peak master of the Third Peak, and also the senior disciple of the Third Peak. His strength was already comparable to that of the elders of each peak.
Li Xuan also realized at this moment that Qiu Shaolong had likely allied with Di Yijie. Otherwise, with Qiu Shaolong's capabilities, he wouldn't dare speak to the senior disciple Su Yueze in such a manner.
With Di Yijie's appearance, the disciples from various peaks who were on the street also began to gather. Seeing a conflict brewing between the Seventh and Third Peaks, the crowd of onlookers only grew.
"Broke the rules? Su Yueze, in this market, a transaction is only considered complete when the stall owner agrees to sell and accepts the Taiyuan Crystals. Zhang Wude, tell the people from the Seventh Peak, did you agree to sell it to them?"
Di Yijie's lips curved slightly as he looked at Zhang Wude and spoke.
Li Xuan's eyes intensified with coldness. He knew the stall owner's name, which clearly indicated premeditation.
"This... junior brother I..." Zhang Wude's face turned bitter. At this point, Zhang Wude could clearly see that Di Yijie of the Third Peak was targeting the people of the Seventh Peak. He was merely the catalyst.
Especially when he remembered that he had indeed agreed to sell, and now going back on his word would likely displease the Seventh Peak. However, if he confirmed his agreement, it would also displease Di Yijie. With this thought, Zhang Wude's expression grew increasingly grim.
At this moment, Di Yijie and his group, as well as Su Yueze and his group, all looked at Zhang Wude. To stand on the side of justice, they could only rely on Zhang Wude's words. Under the scrutiny of everyone, a fine bead of sweat gradually appeared on Zhang Wude's forehead.
"Di Yijie, Junior Brother Zhang is a disciple of my Fifth Peak. Since when did it become the Third Peak's business to interfere? I happened to be having tea upstairs just now and also happened to hear my Junior Brother Zhang agree to the sale. Is your new junior brother, relying on your backing, trying to disrupt the market's rules?"
Just as Zhang Wude was about to falter, a voice suddenly rang out from mid-air.
Li Xuan and the others looked up. On the balcony of the second floor of the shop, a man in white robes held a teacup and calmly took a sip. Clearly, the voice had come from him.
"Haha, I didn't expect Senior Brother Liu Zijun to be here as well. Di Yijie, did you hear Senior Brother Liu Zijun's words? Now, who is disrupting the market's rules, you know in your heart, don't you?"
Seeing Liu Zijun, Chai Jingyuan burst into hearty laughter.
"Greetings, Senior Brother." As Chai Jingyuan finished speaking, Zhang Wude immediately bowed to Liu Zijun on the second floor, a hint of gratitude in his eyes.
"You are a disciple of my Fifth Peak, and you also have a stall outside my shop. From any perspective, I should ensure your safety. Alright, today's matter has nothing to do with you. Pack up your things and return to the peak to cultivate," Liu Zijun said, putting down his teacup and slowly standing up.
"Yes." Zhang Wude bowed in response.
He then crouched down, quickly packed the items on his stall, gave Li Xuan an awkward smile, and then pocketed the Taiyuan Crystals before shooting off towards the Fifth Peak.
Di Yijie's face grew even more grim when he saw Liu Zijun appear earlier and especially after hearing his words.
After glaring fiercely at Liu Zijun, he let out a low growl, "Let's go."
Qiu Shaolong, clearly aware of Di Yijie's anger, glanced at Li Xuan and the others before turning to follow Di Yijie, disappearing from Li Xuan's sight.
"Thank you, Brother Liu, for your righteous intervention." As Di Yijie and Qiu Shaolong and the others departed, Su Yueze cupped his fists towards Liu Zijun above and said.
Liu Zijun shook his head. "It wasn't that I deliberately wanted to speak up for you. As I just said, it was all a coincidence. Hmm, I've drunk too much tea today and feel somewhat tired. Everyone, I won't keep you any longer."
As Liu Zijun finished speaking, a white light flashed around him, and he instantly vanished from the railing.
Watching Liu Zijun leave, Li Xuan knew that this person was the senior disciple of the Fifth Peak. He also hadn't expected that this teahouse would be opened by Liu Zijun.
Even more so, he hadn't expected Liu Zijun to speak up for their Seventh Peak.
Li Xuan felt a considerable amount of goodwill towards Liu Zijun. Given Liu Zijun's status and position, he didn't need to intervene at all. But since he did, it showed that Liu Zijun also disliked Di Yijie's actions. At the same time, it proved Liu Zijun's good character.
"Senior Brother, should we continue browsing or head back?" After Liu Zijun left, the surrounding disciples also began to disperse. Seeing this, Song Wuwen asked Su Yueze.
Su Yueze gave Song Wuwen a stern look. "Do you still have the mind to continue browsing? Di Yijie's actions today were merely because he has already broken through to the Shore Realm."
"If we don't cultivate harder, I'm afraid Di Yijie will truly lord over our Seventh Peak. At that time, not only we will be shamed, but our master will also be shamed. Return to the peak!"
Song Wuwen shrugged helplessly and then looked at Li Xuan with a hint of apology in his eyes.
Li Xuan smiled slightly at this, giving Song Wuwen a reassuring look.
After this incident, Li Xuan felt an urgent need for strength. Hearing Su Yueze suggest returning to the peak, he naturally agreed. Moreover, Li Xuan wanted to go back and study the mystery of this stone.
Seeing Su Yueze had already set off, Li Xuan moved swiftly and followed closely, heading towards the Seventh Peak.
As Li Xuan and the others left, the departed Liu Zijun reappeared.
"This Seventh Peak is truly as united as ever."