Chapter 180: Chapter 150: Finally Making an Appearance

A flying ring whistled as it approached head-on, gleaming with cold light. In an instant, Li Da’s mind went blank—this was a late-stage Qi Cultivation practitioner!

The first to react was surprisingly Wang Ruoyu, who had been standing dazedly to the side. He quickly tossed aside the candied hawthorn he was holding, stepped in front of Jiang Baitao, and channeled his spiritual power, hand forming a spell.

Jiang Baitao exclaimed, throwing out a series of high-tier talismans that glittered with spiritual light.

However, the bearded man was already close; the flying ring was so fast that Jiang Baitao’s talismans were slashed to pieces before they could even be activated. Wang Ruoyu gritted his teeth, but before he could finish the spell, the flying ring was already before his eyes.

The sharp aura rushed straight toward his face, and he widened his eyes.

The bearded man wore a smug smile; dealing with a few early-stage Qi Cultivation junior cultivators was effortless. As long as he captured one or two as hostages, he’d be able to leave this marketplace.

Suddenly, a flash of five-colored light!

With a crisp sound, the flying ring was sent high into the air. The scene before everyone’s eyes blurred, and they found themselves surrounded by the Five-Colored Array Realm.

"Array Cultivator!" The bearded man’s smile froze on his face. He shouted and turned, attempting to escape.

The Five-Colored Command Banner lightly shuddered, and several vines, extremely agile, flew toward the bearded man. He wielded the flying ring, slicing heavily at the vines but found them extraordinarily resilient. To his surprise, he couldn’t cut through them immediately.

The command banner vibrated once more, and a golden spear, wrapped in blazing flames, shot out from the sky. With a crash, it shattered the defensive light shield quickly activated by the bearded man.

The bearded man screamed miserably as his torso and limbs were pierced by the spear, pinning him to the ground.

Jiang Baitao looked at the figure that suddenly appeared and shouted excitedly, "Grandfather!"

The person was slight and slender, with a thin frame, white hair, and a face full of wrinkles—it was Master Xuan Ji!

Master Xuan Ji’s white goatee twitched with anger, as he shouted furiously, "Dare to touch my granddaughter? You seek death!"

Several escape lights descended from the sky. The Shuangye Alliance cultivators had already surrounded the area. Upon seeing Master Xuan Ji, they all saluted.

The cultivators originally chasing the bearded man saw that the situation was hopeless; knowing they’d be severely punished if caught by the law enforcement team, they had long fled into the crowd.

"Elder Xuan Ji, how should we deal with this person?" The squad leader quickly asked, seeing that the bearded man was still struggling.

"Do you even need to ask? Kill him!" Master Xuan Ji declared loudly.

Li Da, having regained his senses and narrowly escaped danger, was covered in cold sweat. His mind raced with thoughts on how to mitigate any negative impact. Seeing the crowd of onlookers growing, he promptly announced loudly, "Everyone, this kind of personal grievance, our marketplace typically only punishes for disturbances. But for him to dare lay hands on a disciple of our Yunshan Sect, he’s brought his doom upon himself!"

These words were meant to explain to the crowd, to prevent any adverse impact on marketplace management.

Then, he approached the squad leader and whispered, "This person seems to have a bounty; his head is worth two thousand spirit stones."

The squad leader nodded in understanding and quickly dragged the still-screaming bearded man away.

Master Xuan Ji, satisfied, nodded at Li Da, "You, kid, are quite clever. A real talent. With you around, I won’t have to worry about Taotao being deceived."

Li Da, delighted, was about to speak when Master Xuan Ji turned away. With a flick of the banner, he caught Jiang Baitao, who had quietly retreated several meters, "Taotao, you still want to run?"

Jiang Baitao’s eyes were full of watery pleading, "Dear Grandfather, you’re the best. Can you not tell my sister? I’ll give you a back massage, okay?"

But unfortunately, Master Xuan Ji wasn’t buying it, "You audacious girl, you can’t escape punishment. Sneaking out like this, if I hadn’t arrived in time, you could have lost your life!"

His face full of remorse, his words extremely severe, Jiang Baitao, knowing she was in the wrong, ceased her struggles.

Li Da added from the side, "Elder Xuan Ji is right, Junior Martial Uncle Jiang. I’ve begged you so many times, but you wouldn’t listen and even threatened Wang Ruoyu and me to follow. Now look at the trouble you’ve caused!"

Jiang Baitao, infuriated, cried out, "Li Zi, you traitor!"

Regrettably, Master Xuan Ji didn’t spare the other two either, hauling them over, one in each hand, "For causing trouble from playing, no one escapes. Come with me to the Central High Tower."

Li Da, dejected, acknowledged, hands cupped in submission. Wang Ruoyu chuckled clumsily, "Junior Martial Uncle, don’t be afraid. Later, you can say that I brought you out."

Jiang Baitao was touched, tears welling up. "Shitou, your martial uncle didn’t spoil you in vain, huh? But you’re too foolish; who would believe you? I think it’s better to say Li Zi tricked us out..."

Li Da: "?!"

Master Xuan Ji no longer bothered with the three little troublemakers, his gaze turning to a nearby fearful middle-aged man holding a girl tightly in his embrace, "And you are?"

The middle-aged man quickly responded, "I’m just a passerby, uninvolved. I hope your sect understands."

Li Da, thinking quickly, urged Master Xuan Ji, "Elder Xuan Ji, this person originally intended to attend the recruitment event but missed it. He claims expertise in nurturing spiritual medicine, something our sect urgently needs. I suggest we invite him along."

Master Xuan Ji’s interest was piqued. Offering a courteous salute, he said, "Friend, our Yunshan Sect resides south of Chongming, commanding the Shuangye Alliance, and is quite reputable. We are currently in need of talent. Wouldn’t you consider giving it a try?"

The man, having witnessed the violent scene earlier, was quite apprehensive and instinctively wanted to refuse. But then he heard his daughter’s stomach growl and, recalling their destitute life, he sighed deeply, "Very well, it’s a rare opportunity. I’ll trouble you to lead the way."

Master Xuan Ji sent a disciple ahead to report, then led the group through the crowd that had gathered once more, heading toward the central area. The three troublemakers murmured among themselves, strategizing in vain to avoid a severe punishment, ultimately sighing to the heavens, helplessly calling for relief.

Master Xuan Ji watched Jiang Baitao’s nervous face, dawdling and reluctant to move forward, greatly amused. However, his heart was filled with affection for his granddaughter, and he comforted her, "Taotao, whatever the punishment, it’s not up to me. But, the Sect Leader is in the tower right now. You might want to plead to him."

"My senior brother is also here?" Taotao’s eyes instantly brightened, her face changing from shadow to sunshine, "That’s great!"

She knew Lu Qian had always indulged her. As long as Lu Qian pleaded on her behalf, her sister undoubtedly wouldn’t be too harsh.

Her steps became lively again, her voice loud, and she started looking around with interest. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

The middle-aged man, upon hearing the Yunshan Sect Leader was also ahead, became slightly nervous, inwardly planning how to present his skills.

They passed through the second ring and entered the central area. When they saw the building in front of them, they all gasped in astonishment.

It was three huge cylindrical buildings, the tallest one in the middle over ten zhang in height! Its structure was incredibly strange, with a smooth exterior and not a single window. How did they illuminate it? How much rootless fire would that take?