I want to tread the heavens

Emerging from the Qingyuan Teahouse, the sun was already high, making the bluestone pavement feel scorching. He had a general idea of ​​where to go, but figuring out how to obtain registration information for the Ascension Conference remained a problem. Should he go directly to the three major sects' separate residences? As a complete stranger with no connections, he probably wouldn't even be able to get through the gates, let alone inquire about the details.

He wandered around West Street for a while longer, noticing scattered, smaller "temporary markets" at the entrances of some alleys or back streets. These markets were really just spontaneous gatherings of independent practitioners or small vendors, who would spread out a cloth on the ground and display items of dubious origin and varying quality, hoping to strike it rich. The place was a mixed bag, making it difficult to distinguish the genuine from the fake, but it might also hide some inconspicuous bargains, or… some special information channels.

He was short of money and connections, and this place might offer him a chance to try his luck. He turned into a relatively wide alley, and sure enough, a few people were sparsely squatting against the walls on both sides, with ores, herbs, broken magical artifacts, and even some mud-covered, seemingly unearthed bottles and jars laid out in front of them. The air was filled with a strange smell of stale, moldy, and cheap herbs. There weren't many pedestrians, and most were in a hurry. Occasionally someone would squat down to look through the items, but most would ask about prices, and few would actually make a purchase.

He slowed his pace, his gaze sweeping over the stalls. He didn't know anything about appraising treasures, but the jade pendant had a faint sensitivity to spiritual energy and stellar power; perhaps he could find a bargain. With his fortune not at hand, he could only rely on his eyesight and intuition. He walked halfway down the alley without finding anything. Just as he was about to leave and check out the next alley, a commotion from a stall ahead caught his attention. The stall owner was a man who looked to be in his thirties, with a kind face, dark skin, and wearing patched coarse cloth. He was squatting on the ground, with a faded blue cloth spread out in front of him. On it were several pieces of dull-colored ore, a few wilted herbs, and a piece of something about half a foot long, dark, crooked, resembling some kind of old tree root. The man was flushed red, anxiously and angrily protecting his wares, arguing with the people in front of his stall.

Those men were clearly not to be trifled with. The leader was a boy of about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a brocade short robe and a jade belt, with a fair complexion and an arrogant air about him, waving a folding fan in his hand. Behind him were two burly servants, dressed in matching blue outfits, with prominent temples, arms crossed, their eyes filled with hostility.

"I said ten spirit crystals, and that's ten spirit crystals!" The young man in the brocade robe tapped the dark tree root on the stall with his fan, his tone arrogant. "This piece of junk has been sitting here for three days, hasn't it? Who but me would even look at it? Ten spirit crystals are enough for your whole family to eat and drink for a month. Don't be ungrateful!"

"Young master, this... this is truly an old root of 'Iron Wire Vine' that I risked digging up deep in 'Black Wind Ridge'. Although its appearance isn't great, it's definitely fifty years old and is a key ingredient in 'Bone Strengthening Ointment'! An apprentice from 'Rejuvenation Hall' examined it and said it's worth at least thirty low-grade spirit crystals! Your price... is too low!" The stall owner was sweating profusely, desperately protecting the section of root.

"An apprentice from Huichuntang? What does he know!" The young man in the brocade robe sneered. "I said it's worth ten, so it's worth ten! What, the young master of the 'Zhao family,' do I have to haggle with a peasant like you? Afu, give me the money, take the item!" A servant behind him responded, took out ten low-grade spirit crystals, and was about to throw them onto the stall, while another servant reached out to grab the piece of iron wire vine root. "No way! I'm not selling!" The stall owner panicked, grabbing the root in his arms and backing away. "Oh ho? You're asking for it, aren't you?" The young man in the brocade robe's face darkened, and he snapped his folding fan shut. "You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences! Afu, Agui, teach him the rules of Falling Star City! Take the item, the money... depends on my mood!"

Two servants grinned maliciously and moved towards the stall owner from the left and right. Both of them had cultivation levels of four or five in Qi Refining, and their auras were surging. The stall owner was only at the third level of Qi Refining, and he was no match for them. He was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he desperately retreated while clinging to a tree root, his eyes frantically scanning his surroundings, hoping that someone would say something.

Those setting up stalls or passing by either lowered their heads and pretended not to see, or kept their distance, their eyes filled with fear and numbness. The Zhao family was a small to medium-sized cultivation family in Falling Star City. Although they couldn't compare to the top powers, they were more than capable of bullying a few rogue cultivators in this market area. He slightly turned to the side, preparing to go around and leave this place of trouble. It was better to avoid trouble.

However, just as he turned around, the stall owner, cornered and with nowhere to retreat, caught his panicked and desperate gaze. Perhaps it was his calm demeanor, so out of place in the surrounding bustling marketplace (despite his ordinary clothes), or perhaps it was desperation, but the stall owner, as if grasping at a last straw, stumbled and rushed towards him, crying out, "Young man! Help! They're robbing me..." Before he could finish speaking, the two Zhao family servants had caught up. One of them reached out with his large, fan-like hand to grab the stall owner by the back of his collar, while the other tried to snatch the tree root from his arms. In desperation, the stall owner hid behind Ling Xiao, trembling. He was now completely caught in the eye of the storm. The hands of the two Zhao family servants were almost touching his shoulders. A moment of silence fell over the surroundings, all eyes fixed on him. The young man in the brocade robe also glanced over, tapping his folding fan lightly in his palm, his eyes filled with scrutiny and displeasure.

Trouble had finally come knocking. He wanted to stay out of it, but the stall owner's panicked actions had already dragged him into it. If he backed down now, not only would the stall owner be in dire straits, but he himself would be seen as weak and easily bullied, and in this market, he would likely become easy prey for others. In a flash, he made a decision. Without moving his feet, he subtly shifted his body to the side, dodging the large hand that was grabbing at his shoulder. At the same time, his left arm bent, and his elbow seemingly casually and lightly thrust backward, striking the wrist of the hand that was grabbing at the tree root in the stall owner's arms from the side and behind near the "Neiguan" acupoint.

Without using any spiritual power, it was purely physical strength and extremely precise acupoint strikes. "Ouch!" The servant felt a numbness in his wrist, and his entire arm instantly went limp and powerless. His hand, which was gripping the tree root, involuntarily loosened. He cried out in surprise, took two steps back, and looked at Ling Xiao with suspicion and uncertainty. The other servant, having missed his grip, was also stunned for a moment, then angrily shouted, "Boy, you're asking for death!" He threw a punch at Ling Xiao's face, the wind whistling through the air, carrying the spiritual energy fluctuations of a fourth-level Qi Refining cultivator.

He had no intention of harming anyone, but since the other party had made a move, he wouldn't hold back. He still didn't draw his sword, nor did he use the power of the Starfall Technique. He simply raised his right hand, his five fingers like hooks, and without dodging or avoiding, directly grabbed the other party's wrist. The movement seemed slow, but it was faster than expected. When the other party's fist was still three inches away from his face, he precisely seized the pulse point.

The servant felt as if his wrist was clamped by an iron band, a sharp pain shooting through him. His spiritual energy flowed erratically, and the force in his fist vanished instantly. Terrified, he tried to struggle, but the other's fingers seemed rooted to the spot, completely immobile. "Ah!" the servant screamed, his arm limp and hanging down. He staggered backward, collapsing to the ground with a thud, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His eyes were filled with terror as he looked at Ling Xiao. His right arm felt numb and sore, and he couldn't muster any strength for a moment.

It all happened so fast. From the moment the stall owner hid behind him to the moment one servant clutched his wrist and retreated, while the other collapsed to the ground, only two or three breaths had passed. A commotion erupted around them. This young man looked quite young, dressed plainly, yet his actions were so swift and decisive. He had subdued two mid-stage Qi Refining experts without using any spiritual power, relying solely on his technique? The arrogance on the face of the young man in the brocade robe, Zhao Gongzi, froze. He forgot to wave his folding fan, his eyes filled with suspicion as he scrutinized Ling Xiao. "You…who are you? How dare you interfere in the affairs of my Zhao family and even injure my men!" He brushed off non-existent dust, his gaze calm as he looked at Zhao Gongzi. His voice was low but clear: "Business is about mutual consent. Forced buying and selling, and even robbery—is this the rule of Falling Star City?" "You!" Zhao Gongzi choked, his face turning pale and then red. He could tell Ling Xiao was not to be trifled with, but in front of everyone, if he backed down now, where would the Zhao family's reputation be? "Good! Very good! In this West Market, no one has ever dared to speak to me, Zhao Tianyou, like this! State your name! Which family or sect are you from?"

This was a matter of getting to the bottom of things. Ling Xiao understood. If he revealed his background, the other party might think twice; otherwise, they would probably have to rely on their local power to find another way to cause trouble. "A rogue cultivator, Ling Xiao." He didn't hide it, nor could he. His attire and demeanor didn't suggest he had any powerful backers. "A rogue cultivator?" Zhao Tianyou was taken aback, then a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. A rogue cultivator with some skill dared to challenge him? "So you're just an ignorant peasant! Afu, signal for backup! If I don't break your legs today, I'll change my name!" Afu, the servant whose wrist had been numb from Ling Xiao's thrust, endured the tingling and quickly pulled out a metal tube about the thickness of a finger with a fuse at the end from his pocket, ready to launch it into the air. Just as tensions were rising, a calm, middle-aged man's voice came from outside the crowd: "What's going on? Who's causing trouble in the West Market?" The crowd parted, and a middle-aged man with a refined appearance and short beard, dressed in a dark blue robe, entered with two guards dressed in matching black outfits, exuding a powerful aura. The middle-aged man's gaze swept across the scene, pausing slightly on Ling Xiao and Zhao Tianyou, his brows furrowing slightly.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man, Zhao Tianyou's fierce expression softened somewhat, but he still harbored anger. He spoke first, "Manager Chen! You've come at the right time! This rogue cultivator named Ling Xiao assaulted my servant without cause and obstructed my business. He's utterly lawless! Seize him immediately!" The middle-aged man, referred to as Manager Chen, clearly recognized Zhao Tianyou. He remained noncommittal to Zhao Tianyou's claims, turning his gaze to Ling Xiao and asking calmly, "Young brother, is what Young Master Zhao said true?"

Ling Xiao glanced at Steward Chen, then at the stall owner hiding behind him, too afraid to even breathe, and said simply, "He tried to force me to buy this stall owner's medicinal herbs. When the stall owner refused, they tried to rob him. The stall owner dodged and bumped into me. His servant attacked me, and I was just defending myself."

After listening, Manager Chen glanced at the dark, tangled ironwood root on the ground and the stall owner's terrified face, and he understood most of the situation. This young man from the Zhao family had been bullying and monopolizing the market more than once, but he hadn't met his match before. "Young Master Zhao," Manager Chen turned to Zhao Tianyou, his tone still calm but carrying an undeniable authority, "The West Market has its rules: buying and selling are voluntary. Even if the price isn't agreed upon, violence shouldn't ensue. As for whether this young brother Ling injured someone without cause, both sides have their own versions of events. However, he didn't use spiritual power, nor did he cause serious injury. In my opinion, let's drop this matter, what do you say?"

Zhao Tianyou's face darkened, and he tried to argue, "Manager Chen, he injured my man, and you're just going to let it go like this? What about the Zhao family's reputation..." "The Zhao family's reputation is important, of course," Manager Chen interrupted him, saying meaningfully, "But today, the stewards of the 'Heavenly Mystery Pavilion' are patrolling nearby. If this escalates and attracts attention from above, it might not look good for your father. How about giving me some face?" Upon hearing the words "Heavenly Mystery Pavilion," Zhao Tianyou visibly choked, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. He glared fiercely at Ling Xiao, then gave the stall owner a sinister look, gritting his teeth, "Fine! I'll give Manager Chen face today! Let's go!"

Having said that, he led two still-snarling servants through the crowd and left in a huff. His venomous gaze before leaving clearly showed that he harbored resentment towards Ling Xiao.

Seeing that the Zhao family had left, the crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, but many eyes lingered on Ling Xiao for a moment longer, filled with curiosity and a bit of sympathy—having offended the Zhao family and being a rogue cultivator with no connections, his days in Falling Star City were probably going to be tough.

The stall owner finally breathed a sigh of relief, his legs buckling so much he almost collapsed to the ground. He hurriedly bowed repeatedly to Ling Xiao and Manager Chen, saying, "Thank you so much, young man! Thank you so much, Manager Chen! If it weren't for you, I would have... I would have..." His eyes reddened as he spoke. Manager Chen waved his hand, "Alright, be more careful when setting up your stall in the future. Don't flaunt your valuables easily. Hurry up and pack up, let's find another place." He then looked at Ling Xiao, his gaze filled with a hint of inquiry, "Young man, you're quite skilled and quick-witted. Are you new to Falling Star City?" "Yes," Ling Xiao nodded, neither humble nor arrogant. "Hmm." Manager Chen pondered for a moment. "You don't seem like the type to cause trouble, but you've offended the Zhao family today, so be careful. Although they're not a top-tier family, they still have some influence, especially in this West Market area. If it's not necessary, try to avoid coming here recently. If you're looking for a stable job or want to gather information, you can check out the 'Everything Shop' in the east of the city. It's a mixed bag there, but it has its own rules."

This was a hint to him. "Thank you for the hint, Manager Chen."

Manager Chen nodded, said nothing more, and turned to leave with his two guards. The alley returned to its previous hustle and bustle, but many people's gazes towards Ling Xiao were different now. Looking at the stall owner, he said, "You should go too." The stall owner thanked him profusely, carefully wrapping up the piece of iron wire vine root. After hesitating for a moment, he pulled a small cloth bag from his pocket and stuffed it into Ling Xiao's hand: "Young man, I can't thank you enough. This...this is a black stone I found a few days ago. It looks unremarkable, but it's quite heavy. I don't know what it is. If you don't mind..."

Ling Xiao initially wanted to decline, but his gaze fell upon a glimpse of dark color peeking out from the corner of the cloth bag, and a thought struck him. He took the bag; it was indeed heavy in his hand, and even through the cloth, he could feel an extremely faint, cold metallic texture. Moreover… the jade pendant seemed to emit an almost imperceptible, extremely slight vibration. “Thank you.” Ling Xiao didn’t stand on ceremony and put the bag away. The stall owner bowed again before hurriedly packing up his stall, carrying his goods, and quickly disappearing into the depths of the alley.

He left the temporary market. He touched the heavy "black stone" in his arms, recalling Zhao Tianyou's resentful gaze as he left, and the "Heavenly Mystery Pavilion" mentioned by Steward Chen. It seemed the waters of Falling Star City were indeed deep. And he had finally, in a less-than-ideal way, entered the sights of certain people.

Trouble always seems to come uninvited. But Ling Xiao is never afraid of trouble.