160: A dispute arose over wood, and they encountered Ling Quan again.

Lin Xuan's sudden intervention caused the atmosphere on the scene to momentarily freeze.

The Young Master in luxurious clothes frowned, looking at Lin Xuan with displeasure. Seeing that Lin Xuan's Aura was concealed (Lin Xuan habitually restrained it), yet he was followed by four women of stunning beauty and varied temperaments, a hint of jealousy and disdain flashed in his eyes: "Where did this bumpkin come from, daring to interfere with this Young Master's business? Get lost!"

The guards beside him immediately stepped forward, releasing their Golden Core Stage Aura in an attempt to intimidate Lin Xuan.

Situ Mingyue saw someone step forward, and a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes, but seeing that Lin Xuan seemed weak and outnumbered, she couldn't help but show worry.

Lin Xuan ignored the Young Master's reprimand, his gaze fixed on the thunder-struck phoenix perch wood in Situ Mingyue's arms. His tone was calm: "Miss, this wood you hold is useful to me. Would you be willing to part with it? I am willing to offer five hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Five hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! This price far exceeded the one hundred offered by the Young Master, and was enough to cause the surrounding Cultivators watching the excitement to gasp softly. Could this charred dead wood really be so valuable?

Situ Mingyue was stunned. She clearly hadn't expected Lin Xuan to offer such a high price. She glanced hesitantly at the Young Master, whose expression had instantly turned ugly.

"Brat! You're courting death!" The Young Master flew into a rage, feeling publicly humiliated. "I saw this wood first! How dare you try to snatch it from this Young Master? Do you know who my father is?"

A typical move of a spoiled rich kid.

Lin Xuan finally turned his gaze toward him, his eyes calm and unwavering: "Buying things depends on who comes first, but also on who offers the highest price. Since the young lady hasn't sold it to you yet, I can naturally make an offer. As for who your esteemed father is..." He paused, his tone carrying a trace of subtle mockery, "What does that have to do with me?"

"You!" The Young Master's face flushed red with anger. Pointing at Lin Xuan, he roared at his guards: "Break his legs! And seize those little women for me too!"

Upon hearing this, the guards felt that Lin Xuan's Aura was somewhat strange, but since their master had given the order, they had no choice but to brace themselves and step forward, Spiritual power surging, ready to attack.

Su Wanqing's icy eyes chilled, and she took half a step forward. Although her frost silence sword was not drawn, a sharp coldness had already spread, causing the guards' movements to stiffen. Qu Feiyan let out a soft chuckle, a blood lotus faintly appearing on her fingertip, her alluring eyes filled with dangerous light: "Where did these wild dogs come from, barking without looking at the place?"

Gong Yu and Yun Shang also immediately stood by Lin Xuan's side, united against the common enemy.

Conflict was imminent.

"Stop!"

A cold shout, laced with authority, rang out. From inside the Treasure Pavilion, a middle-aged steward dressed in brocade robes and possessing a capable face quickly emerged. He first cupped his hands toward the Young Master: "Young Master Liu, calm down, please calm down! Please show some respect right in front of our humble shop."

Young Master Liu seemed somewhat wary of the steward. He snorted coldly but continued to glare fiercely at Lin Xuan.

The steward then turned to Lin Xuan, his gaze lingering for a moment. Sensing the deep, ocean-like Aura emanating from him, his heart slightly trembled, and he politely said: "Fellow Daoist, I am Qian Feng, the steward of the Treasure Pavilion. May I offer a word?"

Lin Xuan nodded slightly: "Steward Qian, please speak."

Steward Qian smiled: "Since Miss Situ intends to sell this wood, and both of you are interested in buying it, why don't we follow the rules: the highest bidder wins? This way, we avoid damaging harmony." He clearly wanted to resolve the conflict while allowing the Treasure Pavilion to earn a commission.

Although Young Master Liu was unwilling, under Steward Qian's gaze, he could only grit his teeth and agree. He fiercely told Lin Xuan: "Fine! This Young Master will compete with you! I offer one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!" He immediately doubled the price, attempting to crush Lin Xuan with wealth.

There was another uproar among the onlookers. Spending one thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones on a piece of dead wood of unknown origin, this Young Master Liu was truly rich and powerful.

Situ Mingyue looked nervously at Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan's expression remained unchanged. He said calmly, "One thousand five hundred."

"Two thousand!" Young Master Liu raised the price without hesitation, a look of triumph on his face. He refused to believe this brat, who looked like he had no background, could be richer than him.

"Three thousand." Lin Xuan's tone remained calm.

Young Master Liu's expression changed slightly. Three thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones was not a small sum even for him. He gritted his teeth: "Three thousand five hundred!"

"Five thousand." Lin Xuan directly raised the price to a level that left the vast majority of Cultivators present dumbfounded.

Young Master Liu gasped, his face turning crimson. Pointing at Lin Xuan, he shouted: "You... you're bidding recklessly! Can you even produce five thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones?!"

Lin Xuan was too lazy to waste words on him. He directly took out an ordinary Storage Pouch and tossed it casually to Steward Qian. Steward Qian swept it with his Divine Sense, and an expression of shock immediately appeared on his face—the mountain of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones inside was far more than five thousand! Moreover, their purity far surpassed the ordinary!

He took a deep breath and gave Young Master Liu a wry smile: "Young Master Liu, this Fellow Daoist... can indeed afford the price."

Young Master Liu looked as if he had been struck hard, his face turning from red to green, and then from green to white. Looking at Lin Xuan's indifferent expression and the four stunning women behind him, an intense feeling of humiliation surged in his heart. He tightly clenched his fists, yet dared not truly make a move in front of the Treasure Pavilion. In the end, he could only squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth: "Good! Very good! Brat, I remember you! Let's go!"

After speaking, filled with anger and grievance, he sullenly pushed through the crowd and left.

Steward Qian respectfully returned the Storage Pouch to Lin Xuan, and then said to Situ Mingyue: "Miss Situ, what do you think of this price..."

Situ Mingyue had long been stunned by the price. She had originally thought she would be thankful to sell it for one hundred Spirit Stones. She quickly nodded and carefully handed the segment of thunder-struck phoenix perch wood to Lin Xuan: "Thank you, Young Master! This... this wood is yours."

Lin Xuan took the charred wood, which felt warm and moist to the touch, faintly showing lightning patterns and a trace of scorching heat. He confirmed it was indeed thunder-struck phoenix perch wood and was satisfied. Instead of putting it away, he took out a jade bottle and handed it to Situ Mingyue along with some Spirit Stones: "This is a Foundation Cultivation Pill, which will benefit your cultivation. Keep these Spirit Stones safe, do not expose your wealth, and leave this place as soon as possible."

Situ Mingyue accepted the jade bottle and Spirit Stones. Sensing Lin Xuan's kindness and thoughtfulness, her eyes reddened, and she bowed deeply: "Thank you, Young Master! Mingyue will engrave your great kindness in her heart!" She dared not linger, and after thanking him again, she hurried away.

[Ding! Acquired key auxiliary material: thunder-struck phoenix perch wood (fragment)!]

[Ding! Investment target Situ Mingyue successful! Granted a Third Grade Spirit Pill, the Foundation Cultivation Pill, and a portion of Spirit Stones!]

[Fifty times return triggered! Congratulations to the Host for acquiring: Ten Fifth Grade Spirit Pills, the 'Five Elements Spirit Nurturing Pill'!]

Lin Xuan calmly put away the returned Medicinal Pills and the Phoenix perch wood. He nodded slightly to Steward Qian and prepared to leave with the four women.

However, just as they walked a short distance, a voice full of malice and familiarity sounded ahead:

"Lin! Xuan! It truly takes no effort to find what one seeks, even after searching everywhere!"

Ahead on the street, Ling Tianyu blocked their path, accompanied by two Elders whose Auras were noticeably much stronger and whose eyes were sharp as eagles! Both Elders were surprisingly at the Early Nascent Soul Stage of cultivation!

Ling Tianyu's face was still somewhat pale, a lingering effect of the severe injuries Lin Xuan inflicted on him at the Star Palace altar. However, the hatred in his eyes was even more intense than before, practically overflowing. He stared intently at Lin Xuan, and when he saw Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan still accompanying him, the flames of jealousy burned fiercely.

"I didn't expect you to be so lucky, actually making it out of Starfall Valley alive! And even coming to the Eastern Region!" Ling Tianyu's voice was chilling. "Perfect, let's settle both old and new grievances today! Two Elders, that's him! He stole my Opportunity and damaged my Foundation. Take him down! I don't care if he lives or dies!"

The two Nascent Soul Elders' gazes were like lightning, instantly locking onto Lin Xuan. A powerful Spiritual Pressure surged like a tide, surpassing the black-robed Elder they had encountered outside Starfall Valley! They were clearly the true core strength of Heavenly Frost City.

Seeing this, the Cultivators on the street changed color and hastily retreated, fearing involvement. The power unleashed when Nascent Soul Cultivators fight is no small matter!

Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan immediately stepped forward, standing shoulder to shoulder with Lin Xuan, their expressions solemn. Facing two Nascent Souls, the disparity in strength was immense!

Lin Xuan looked at the aggressive Ling Tianyu and the two Nascent Soul Elders, his eyes slowly growing cold.

He originally did not want to cause more trouble, but some people are always like maggots clinging to bone, haunting persistently.

Since that was the case... Lin Xuan gently shielded Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan behind him. Facing the two Nascent Souls alone, the Aura around his body was no longer concealed. The Spiritual power of Golden Core Great Perfection and the vital Qi and blood force of the Five Revolutions Golden Body slowly rose, and an invisible Sword Intent began to spread.

He looked at Ling Tianyu, a cold arc curving up at the corner of his mouth:

"Young Lord Ling, it seems the lesson last time wasn't deep enough."