"What do you mean, sir? This 'Fire Tree Core' was clearly purchased by me first. How dare you intervene?"

Although Lin Xuanhao was just a young man at the early stage of the Seeking Origin Realm, he was quite strong-willed, and even when facing a late-stage powerhouse of the same realm, he argued assertively.

Standing opposite Lin Xuanhao was a youth with somewhat delicate and soft features, dressed in a blue robe, appearing somewhat carefree.

However, at this moment, his face bore a faint cold smile, as if watching a ridiculous clown, observing the young man's earnest performance.

In this delicate youth's right hand was a peculiar item of fiery red color, sparkling with a mix of crystalline and gentle light, appearing extremely mystical.

The Fire Tree Core in the delicate youth's hand was indeed what Lin Xuanhao first set his sights on. Just as he had settled on a price with the stall owner and taken out his money pouch, out of the blue, someone snatched the Fire Tree Core, leaving him both furious and frustrated.

So-called Fire Tree Core forms within the trunk of a tree known as the Fire Spirit Tree, naturally possessing both fire attribute and wood attribute. Such an item is most suited for cultivators of Firewood Valley.

However, the Fire Tree Core has many uses; it can be used to refine fire attribute elixirs. Additionally, because of its hint of wood attribute, it can increase the probability of successfully refining a pill.

Although this Fire Tree Core is of Earth Rank Low Level, Lin Xuanhao had recently acquired a pill recipe of the same rank, with the Fire Tree Core of Earth Rank Low Level as a key ingredient.

Despite Lin Xuanhao only being a Spiritual Rank Advanced Meridian Refining Master, he was ambitious and confident about advancing to Earth Rank Low Level Meridian Refining Master. He only awaited a breakthrough to start refining elixirs using the pill recipe.

Main ingredients like this are always good to have in excess, and encountering one that fits perfectly with his imminent needs, Lin Xuanhao naturally wouldn't pass it up, though these ambitions now caused him trouble.

The blue-robed youth was not insignificant either, being a genuine Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Master. The elixir he was currently refining also required the Fire Tree Core, thus he was equally eager to procure it.

Only one Fire Tree Core existed, yet two people required it. Initially, the stall owner showed hesitation, then promptly stepped aside, adopting a spectator's stance.

Conflict over an item can sometimes skyrocket its value when competitive tension arises, which is undoubtedly delightful for the stall owner.

"Kid, I want this Fire Tree Core. Xu Ban, take it and go away!"

The blue-robed man, claiming to be named Xu Ban, had a blatant expression of pride. Yet Lin Xuanhao hadn't heard of his name before, and onlookers nearby had confused looks as well.

Clearly, the blue-robed youth was an Earth Rank Middle Level Meridian Master, and although not too old, his talent was considerable, comparable even to the most elite Meridian Refining geniuses.

"Why should I yield to you?"

Lin Xuanhao, being obstinate, only stiffened his resolve against stronger opposition, arguing vigorously. However, such words merely elicited a deeper cold smile from Xu Ban.

"Why yield? Because my fist is bigger than yours!"

As Xu Ban spoke, a dense aura of the late-stage Seeking Origin Realm emerged from him, combined with his Earth Rank Middle Level Power of Soul, forcing Lin Xuanhao to stagger back two steps.

Lin Xuanhao, with only the Power of Soul at Spiritual Rank Advanced Peak and cultivation at the early stage of Seeking Origin Realm, was clearly unable to withstand Xu Ban's oppressive aura.

Yet after retreating two steps, Lin Xuanhao finally steadied himself against the overwhelming pressure and declared loudly, gritting his teeth, "This is the Lianyun Mountain trade fair. Are you daring enough to commit murder?"

Perhaps this was Lin Xuanhao's greatest advantage; he had inquired about the rules of the Lianyun Mountain trade fair, knowing that as long as he didn't strike first, no one would dare to kill him.

Even though this Xu Ban appeared to have a formidable background, he didn't seem to belong to Lianyun Mountain. Moreover, even if he was a Direct Disciple of Lianyun Mountain, he likely wouldn't dare to casually break trade fair rules.

"To kill you, of course not, but to teach you a lesson, I doubt the Meridian Refining Master Association would concern itself."

Hearing this, Xu Ban surprisingly nodded in agreement, but his subsequent words worsened Lin Xuanhao's expression, as Xu Ban had already raised his hand for a slap.

Feeling the presence within Xu Ban's strike, Lin Xuanhao was convinced that if hit, his life might be spared, but he was sure to lose every tooth.

All because of contesting a single Fire Tree Core — Xu Ban resorted to such aggressive tactics, waking Lin Xuanhao to the reality that outside Yujiang City, power dictates authority.

Indeed, as Xu Ban had imagined, the trading fair does have a patrol team from Lianyun Mountain, but as long as there aren't any fatalities, those guards from the patrol team usually don't meddle in such affairs. Perhaps this could also be considered as a kind of training.

Moreover, the patrol team was not nearby at that moment, which made Xu Ban even more brazen. He came from a notable background, but his reputation was not widespread. By doing this, he wanted the onlookers to recognize his prowess.

Though Lin Xuanhao of the Origin Seeking Realm Early Stage was aware of his impending fate, due to the disparity in Meridian Qi Cultivation, he was powerless against Xu Ban's strike.

Just as Lin Xuanhao began to move, Xu Ban's strike was already shadowing him closely, merely inches away from his left cheek, causing the face of this young master of the Lin Family to drastically change.

"Huh?"

However, at this critical moment, when everyone thought Lin Xuanhao was about to have his teeth blown out in the next instant, a hand extended from the side and grabbed Xu Ban's right wrist.

The timing of this hand's appearance was impeccable, giving the impression that it was well-prepared. At this moment, Lin Xuanhao could even sense the Meridian Qi wafting from the palm, just a hair's breadth away from a dire outcome.

As Lin Xuanhao came to his senses, his gaze shifted from the arm before him and extended to see a rough-clothed figure, whose face seemed somewhat familiar to him.

"Ah! You are Yun…"

When the memories deep within his mind surged like a tide upon his heart, Lin Xuanhao's body trembled fiercely. He was about to shout aloud because that figure was etched into his very being.

The youth before him was none other than Brother Yun Xiao, with whom Lin Xuanhao had a chance encounter years ago. He had never forgotten this face and would often dream of it recurrently.

Although his interactions with Yun Xiao were brief, the experiences from Yujiang City to Yuyang City were unforgettable lifetime turning points for Lin Xuanhao.

If not for Yun Xiao, Lin Xuanhao would have to spend his life in a small place like Yujiang City and would never have activated a Fire Attribute Ancestor Vein or become an Advanced Spiritual Rank Meridian Refining Master.

In his urgency, Lin Xuanhao wanted to exclaim Yun Xiao's name but was stopped by that person's sharp gaze right after uttering the word "Yun."

Lin Xuanhao was not foolish; he immediately understood from his eyes that he did not want his identity revealed, so he swallowed the "Xiao" back, tacitly keeping silent.

The newcomer was Yun Xiao, who had just freed himself from the attention caused by the Gao brothers and did not wish for his identity to be revealed again so soon.

Yun Xiao had some impressions of this young master from the Lin Family with whom he had some interactions, and strictly speaking, Lin Xuanhao owed him a life debt.

Although Yun Xiao had repaid his debt by exposing Lin Xuantian's conspiracy, he still had a favorable impression of Lin Xuanhao and liked his honest nature.

Thus, seeing Lin Xuanhao in danger, it was impossible for Yun Xiao to sit idly by, especially since Xu Ban was too ruthless, forcing Yun Xiao to intervene.

"Who are you, sir? Are you aware of the consequences of meddling in my affairs, Xu Ban?"

With his right wrist grabbed by an unexpected figure, Xu Ban's mood was understandably foul. When he turned his head and saw the one holding his wrist was an ill-dressed youth younger than him, he immediately asked in a low voice.

Although Xu Ban's reputation was not well-known, his background was extraordinarily elite. If the people around knew who his teacher was, their attitude might change instantly.

Unfortunately, this time Xu Ban faced Yun Xiao, a lawless daredevil who even disregarded the major powers' leaders, let alone a young yet unknown prodigy.

"Hand over the Fire Tree Core, and I will pretend nothing happened!"

Yun Xiao didn't answer Xu Ban's question, instead, he pointed at the Fire Tree Core in Xu Ban's left hand with his other hand, his tone indisputable.

"Who is that kid? Isn't his tone a bit too bold?"

In this area, the observing cultivators couldn't possibly recognize Yun Xiao at first glance, so they all believed that given this boy's age, he couldn't possibly rival the Origin Seeking Realm Late Stage Xu Ban, right?

"Fine, I'll give it to you, but I doubt you can hold onto it!"

Yet, just when everyone thought Xu Ban wouldn't compromise, he unexpectedly sneered and said this, leaving the crowd puzzled while he was already planning his next move.