2: Chapter 2: Unable to Understand the Gap in Strength

Liuling Town is a satellite town of Jiuling City.

On the town's marketplace, stone-paved streets wind along, with shops lining both sides. The sounds of hawking and laughter intertwine, creating a bustling scene.

In front of a stall in the corner of the market, two men dressed in grey robes stood.

One was tall and the other short. The tall one was over two meters tall, while the short one was about one meter thirty or forty, barely reaching the height of the stall.

The two formed a stark contrast.

The tall one picked up a Heart-Clearing Talisman from the stall with his left hand, flicked it, and mocked the woman in front of the stall:

"Are these Talismans made of Low-Grade Spirit Stones or Mid-Grade Spirit Stones? You want to trade these few Talismans for ten stalks of anti-corrosion grass?"

anti-corrosion grass, as the name suggests, is a medicinal herb commonly used by low-Realm Cultivators.

Chi Wanhe put on a standard smile, carrying a hint of "harmony brings wealth," and said,

"Two adults, everyone knows the market situation."

"My five mortal-grade Heart-Clearing Talismans are genuine and valuable; they can usually be traded for thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. As for that anti-corrosion grass, wasn't ten stalks worth ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones before?"

The tall one scratched his head and said viciously to Chi Wanhe,

"Before was before, now is now. The Erosion Moon Night has just passed, so the price of this anti-corrosion grass is naturally not what it was before."

Chi Wanhe's smile faded slightly, and the corners of her mouth tightened,

"It's natural for the price to be higher after the Erosion Moon Night. But you also know, even at its highest, one stalk is worth three Spirit Stones at most. Ten stalks would be thirty. My Talismans for your ten stalks is not asking too much."

The tall one was speechless for a moment. The short one kicked the tall one's calf hard, feeling frustrated that he wouldn't improve.

Useless thing, you didn't remember a single thing I taught you. You grew so big for nothing!

The tall one felt the pain, snorted coldly, and said aggressively:

"Hmph, anyway, your price is too high. If you don't trade, just prepare for these Talismans to rot in your hands."

Chi Wanhe's eyes flickered as she quickly scanned the tokens at their waists.

She touched her right arm imperceptibly, her voice slightly low.

"...Then how many stalks of anti-corrosion grass do you have?"

"Seven stalks."

Chi Wanhe's eyes dimmed, a flash of disappointment and unwillingness crossing her gaze.

"Seven stalks it is."

A triumphant smile appeared on the tall one's Face, and he immediately took out seven withered, yellow herbs from the pack on his back and handed them to Chi Wanhe.

At this moment, the short one beside him twitched his nose slightly, a flash of light in his eyes, and he suddenly pressed down on the tall one's hand.

His eyes rolled, and after scanning the surrounding crowd, he looked at Chi Wanhe with a meaningful smile,

"Little lady, you are in such a hurry to get ten stalks of anti-corrosion grass..."

The short one paused deliberately, his voice not loud but enough for nearby people to hear clearly,

"Are you looking for a First-Grade Sect as a backer? How about this, I'll give you a chance. I'll let you join the Green Leaf Sect! As for the conditions..."

The short one lifted his chin toward the Talismans on the stall, the meaning self-evident.

"Green Leaf Sect?! A Second-Grade Sect!"

The crowd instantly became rowdy.

"Isn't this the strongest Sect near Jiuling City?"

"I heard there are Foundation Establishment Cultivators sitting in the Sect."

"I really want to get in. That way, I wouldn't have to waste so many anti-corrosion herbs every Erosion Moon Night."

"Me too!"

Truth be told, who in this town wouldn't want to join the Green Leaf Sect?

Entering the Green Leaf Sect provides a bit more protection for one's life.

Envious and awe-filled gazes immediately focused on the tall and short pair, causing them to straighten their backs and look smug.

However, there were sharp-eyed Loose Cultivators staring at their grey robes and standard-issue tokens, looking suspicious:

"Aren't they... Outer Sect Disciples? Do they have the authority to arrange for people to enter the Sect?"

"Tsk, who doesn't have connections? Maybe they have someone higher up!"

Some Loose Cultivators stared at the tall and short pair, their eyes lighting up.

"Since five mortal-grade Heart-Clearing Talismans can trade for a Utility Disciple spot, I have six mortal-grade Fireball Talismans on me, I should be able to trade for one too."

"Let's go together, let's go together!"

The crowd became even more restless.

Sects—everyone with a Spiritual Root wants to join. No other reason, just to live longer.

Those with Spiritual Roots find it easier to sense Spiritual Qi, but the opposing erosion qi also erodes those with Spiritual Roots more easily.

The Sect's Protective Sect Array can better filter out erosion qi, naturally attracting those with Spiritual Roots.

Chi Wanhe took a slight step back. She naturally noticed the tokens at their waists; these waist tokens were the standard equipment for Green Leaf Sect Disciples.

She gave a dry laugh,

"You are joking, sir. I am just a mortal woman without a Spiritual Root; how could I dare to hope to enter a celestial Sect like the Green Leaf Sect? Being able to trade for seven stalks of anti-corrosion grass is already something I am very grateful for."

Chi Wanhe knew her own situation; she had no Spiritual Root, so it was impossible for her to be selected for a Sect.

Even if she were selected, all the Talismans she drew would likely no longer be her own.

Moreover, she was trading for these seven stalks of anti-corrosion grass just to...

Upon hearing this, the smugness on the short one's Face suddenly froze, replaced by the anger and embarrassment of being humiliated in public. His voice was low,

"Hmph! If you won't drink the toast, you'll be forced to drink the forfeit!"

...

As the saying goes, you shouldn't touch a tiger's butt.

But if you don't touch it, how would you know what a tiger's butt feels like?

If Ling Hao were asked at this moment, he would say,

"Hmm, very smooth!"

On the marketplace of Liuling Town, Ling Hao moved through the crowd.

The items in the market were dazzling, but Ling Hao was a bit distracted.

"After being provoked like this, I don't know if my Deputy Sect Master will take advantage of my absence and suddenly run away. Now that she has fallen from the Body Integration Stage to the Foundation Establishment Stage, she is the Deputy Sect Master of the Sect, and the Protective Sect Array won't stop her."

In last night's battle, Ling Hao didn't suffer any damage; on the contrary, he even took advantage of the situation.

"Forget it, forget it. If she leaves, she leaves. Anyway, my Sect has been established, and it doesn't lack her. It's better to find this Chi Wanhe first."

Ling Hao looked around, then withdrew his gaze, landing on a blue screen that others could not see.

"Chi Wanhe, Heavenly Grade Void Spirit Root, Liuling Town."

This was the System's helpful prompt.

System, you really are the best.

Ling Hao tapped the tracking button on the screen in the air, following the direction indicated by the screen.

Is... it her?

"She actually refused the good intentions of the Green Leaf Sect Disciples?"

Someone in the crowd was surprised. This was a good thing that you couldn't find even with a lantern!

"Refusing an active recruitment from the Green Leaf Sect? Is this girl stupid?"

"Fellow Daoist! If she doesn't want this spot, I do! I have six Fireball Talismans!"

"I have five Water Arrow Talismans..."

"Wait, she seems to be... someone from the Chi Family in Fushan City? The Chi Family also has Foundation Establishment Cultivators, no wonder she doesn't care for the Green Leaf Sect."

The short one's Face darkened completely, and a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes:

"Hmph! Today, it's not up to you! Being able to enter a Second-Grade Sect is a blessing you've cultivated for eight lifetimes!"

"Junior Brother Gao!"

He gave the tall one a look.

"Yes, Senior Brother Wang."

Gao Dasha understood. He clenched his bowl-sized fist and grabbed at Chi Wanhe with a ferocious grin!

The onlookers let out a gasp.

"Stop! This woman has a connection with my Sect!"

A clear shout rang out like a thunderclap, instantly attracting all eyes.

Ling Hao pushed through the crowd and walked straight to Chi Wanhe's stall.

"Whoa! Is there really someone who isn't afraid of death and dares to meddle in the Green Leaf Sect's business?"

"Where did this greenhorn come from?"

Wang Duoyin frowned tightly. Today was really full of bad luck! He sized up Ling Hao, who was not far away, feeling very annoyed, and sneered:

"Where did this wild dog come from, daring to bark here?!"

Ling Hao ignored his clamor and fixed his gaze on Chi Wanhe.

The woman was wearing a washed-out, coarse cloth dress, wrapping herself tightly. Her Face was covered with a bit of dust, but it still couldn't hide her delicate features.

At this moment, her Face was as pale as paper; she was clearly quite frightened.

Seeing that Ling Hao dared to ignore them, Wang Duoyin's anger rose from his heart.

"Junior Brother Gao, show him some color!"

Gao Dasha roared, a faint light glowing in his palm as he prepared to cast a spell!

Ling Hao turned his head sharply, his eyes as sharp as knives. He casually pressed a token onto the stall, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold arc:

"Oh? Failing to recognize the gap in strength, yet you dare to attack me?"

Wang Duoyin's eyes narrowed, but when he saw the appearance of the token, his expression turned to shock, and three words blurted out.

"Huoyan Sect?!"

"What Huoyan Sect?"

"Huoyan Sect? Could it be the Huoyan Sect, the largest Third-Grade Sect within three thousand li?!"

The crowd was in an uproar!