"Surround the murderer! Don’t let him get away!"

A late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Hezhou immediately drew his sword from the crowd. "Surround the murderer! Don’t let him get away!"

More Hezhou Cultivators quickly followed suit. In an instant, dozens of gleaming Flying Swords were pointed at Xiao Chen.

At the same time, someone ran toward the center of Xianghe Market to notify the Lingyuan Sect’s stationed Inspector.

’A murderer?’

Xiao Chen scanned the crowd. The ones holding Flying Swords and shouting "murderer" were all local Foundation Establishment Cultivators from Hezhou, most of them in the Early Stage.

He pointed his Donghua Thunder Sword at the nearest person. "You think I’m a murderer?"

Spiritual Power surged. Purple lightning crackled on the Donghua Thunder Sword as a terrifying pressure spread wantonly through the surroundings.

The cultivator opposite him was merely at the third layer of Foundation Establishment. The hair on his body instantly stood on end.

He immediately recalled his Flying Sword and ducked back into the crowd.

"You?"

Xiao Chen turned to another man. Overwhelmed by the pressure, the man instantly came to his senses, recalled his sword, and retreated.

In the end, although they were furious that someone dared to draw a sword and kill within Xianghe Market, no one was truly willing to fight a late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator wielding a Top-Grade Magical Artifact just for Vendor Zhang.

Seeing how things were turning, some even took the initiative to recall their Flying Swords and step back slightly, signaling their neutrality.

Only the late-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had spoken first took a step forward.

His eyes flickered with gravity as he looked at the Donghua Thunder Sword, but he still shouted sternly, "No matter what, this is still within the Marketplace."

"You killed someone here. You must give us an explanation!"

Xiao Chen picked up the swapped Spirit Pearl. "The evidence is right here. If you ask me, I think you’re the ones who owe me an explanation."

"Who’s causing trouble here?"

A sharp shout rang out. Qiu Qichen, the Lingyuan Sect’s Inspector in Xianghe Market, had arrived.

He landed directly between the two men, his Great Perfection Foundation Establishment aura pressing down on them. "Fighting is forbidden within the Marketplace. Settle any grudges you have outside."

Two other Great Perfection Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived with Qiu Qichen.

One of them took a closer look and froze. "Xiao Chen, what are you doing here?"

This man was the Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Qianzhu Market—the very auctioneer from that auction.

He had come to Hezhou this time and happened to be visiting an old friend in Xianghe Market.

Hearing that someone was causing trouble, he had come over to lend support, but he never expected to run into Xiao Chen again.

"What? This is Xiao?"

Qiu Qichen was startled. He had just been hearing stories about the Thousand Bamboo Tower auction, and he never imagined he would turn around and see the man himself.

He immediately retracted his aura and clasped his hands with a smile. "So it is Xiao in person. I never expected to have the honor of meeting you here today."

Then, he turned to look at the cultivator still holding his sword.

His expression turned stern. "Insolent! Who gave you permission to point your sword at Xiao?"

The cultivator who had stepped forward was stunned. "Uncle, he openly attacked someone in the Marketplace, I..."

Qiu Qichen immediately berated him, "Shut up! What do you mean ’openly attacked’?"

"Xiao was clearly helping us in Xianghe Market by cleaning out those scamming, swindling animals."

"This was an act of justice!"

When someone had gone to report to him earlier, they had actually already explained the dispute here.

Before Qiu Qichen even arrived, he knew the conflict was over Spirit Stones.

The moment he saw Xiao Chen, however, he knew there had to be more to the story.

’Someone who can afford the Wind and Thunder Dual Swords wouldn’t go out of his way to scam someone over a few dozen Spirit Stones, especially during the new year celebrations.’

As the name "Xiao Chen" spread through the crowd, many of the local Hezhou Cultivators began to exclaim in shock.

"So he’s Xiao Chen!"

"Wow, I just saw him in the monthly report the other day! I can’t believe he’s so young!"

"In that case, the sword in his hand must be the legendary Wind and Thunder Dual Swords, right? No wonder it could tear through an Upper-Grade Magic Robe so easily. It’s truly worthy of being a top-tier, Top-Grade Magical Artifact!"

No further explanation was needed.

Some enthusiastic Cultivators even began to proactively tell the uninformed people around them about the recent rumors concerning Xiao Chen.

Under these circumstances, with the swapped Spirit Pearl as evidence, the crowd quickly pieced together the truth of the matter.

Qiu Qichen also publicly announced that this was an act of punishing evil and promoting good.

Not only should it not be condemned, but it should be praised.

Finally, he took the initiative to extend an invitation. "Xiao, please, come to my humble abode for a chat."