The voice erupted like a heavenly mandate, crashing into everyone’s mind with overwhelming authority, as if the very heavens themselves had descended to pass judgment. "Cease this conflict at once, for this is not a place for petty disputes, and any who dare defy the order of this city will be cast out without mercy and barred from all future tournaments."

As the voice rang out, most of the people in the area dropped to their knees instantly, gasping as if the air itself had been taken away, while others struggled just to remain standing under the suffocating pressure.

Lin Xiao Tian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he steadied himself, his thoughts turning sharp. A Divine Transformation expert... no wonder, this place is not just a city of the lower regions, it is a foothold of the middle region.

The Sect Master of the Iron Blood Sect gave Lin Xiao Tian a long, contemplating glance before signaling his people to withdraw, his expression no longer as domineering as before. As he turned, his voice carried clearly. "Let the disciples settle this in the secret realm."

As they moved away, they dragged along their fallen disciples and the elder, but the expressions on their faces had completely changed, no longer relief, but pure fear. They had not only lost, they had been humiliated, and now they understood what awaited them within their own sect.

Lin Xiao Tian shook his head slightly as he watched them leave, a faint smile forming on his lips. "No need to think too much, let’s enjoy the spoils," he said casually as he signaled everyone to move.

Just as they were about to leave, a man suddenly rushed toward him, his face carrying an oily grin as he spoke. "Sect Master, you seem to have forgotten something." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Lin Xiao Tian looked at him with confusion. "I already paid for the meal," he said.

The man quickly waved his hand. "Not the food, Sect Master, the destruction you have caused here," he said smoothly.

Lin Xiao Tian paused and glanced around, only now noticing the broken tables, shattered flooring, and the general chaos left behind. Just as a bad feeling rose in his heart, the man spoke again.

"I believe Sect Master will settle the amount of eighty thousand spirit stones," he said with a smile.

Lin Xiao Tian nearly staggered on the spot, his body trembling as Chu Yue and Yan Feng quickly supported him from both sides. His face twitched as he looked at the man, feeling as if countless needles were piercing his heart.

This man is truly black-hearted... using such excuses to extort me.

The man leaned forward slightly, his grin widening. "Surely a righteous Sect Master would not go back on such a small payment," he added.

Hearing this, Lin Xiao Tian took a deep breath, barely holding himself together as he slowly reached into his storage. With trembling fingers, he took out three storage rings filled with spoils he had not even checked yet, his eyes briefly lighting up at the spirit stones within.

Then, with a forced grin, he poured everything out.

A flood of spirit stones spilled onto the ground, piling up instantly as the man’s eyes widened in shock, clearly not expecting such a reaction. The sheer amount overwhelmed him for a moment.

Taking advantage of that instant, Lin Xiao Tian immediately turned and fled, dragging the others along as they quickly disappeared into the crowd without looking back.

As they fled through the crowd, weaving between people and blending into the chaos, they only slowed down after Lin Xiao Tian was certain they had put enough distance between themselves and that place. He finally stopped, letting out a long breath, while the others gathered around, still slightly shaken from the sudden escape.

Chu Yue looked at him with clear irritation, her brows furrowing as she crossed her arms. "Now we have another problem waiting for us inside the secret realm," she said, her tone sharp as she clearly referred to the Iron Blood Sect.

Lin Xiao Tian laughed lightly as if it was nothing worth worrying about, his expression completely relaxed despite the situation. "No need to think too much about it, Fairy Chu," he said with a grin. "I already have a very good plan."

With the information from that jade slip, things are not as simple as they appear... this might even turn into an opportunity instead.

He let the thought settle before waving his hand casually, shifting the topic without giving her time to question him further. "We will talk about it later, for now we need to prepare properly," he said, his tone turning slightly more serious.

He looked at Chu Yue again, his eyes carrying a faint glint. "Tell me, where is the largest shop or auction hall in Golden Leaf City," he asked calmly, already planning his next move.

Hearing this, before Chu Yue could even respond, Han Leu stepped forward and spoke, his tone calm but deliberate. "Sect Master, the place you are looking for may not need to be the largest or most opulent, instead you would want somewhere that has everything and draws no unnecessary attention."

He paused briefly before adding with a faint cough. "The only issue is... it might be a bit expensive."

Hearing that, Lin Xiao Tian’s face twitched slightly as if something stabbed his heart again, though he quickly composed himself. Expensive... after what just happened, this word truly feels hostile.

He still nodded in agreement, understanding the reasoning without arguing further. He then looked at Han Leu and asked plainly, "And what about its legitimacy."

Han Leu answered immediately without hesitation, his tone direct. "None."

He paused for a moment before adding calmly, as if it was not a problem at all. "But Sect Master does not need to worry about being cheated, the old fellow running it is an old acquaintance of mine."

Seeing this, Lin Xiao Tian let out a long sigh, his expression turning slightly resigned as he spoke. "Fine, I will trust you on this one, Elder Han, we still have time anyway, so lead the way."

Hearing this, Han Leu smiled faintly, clearly expecting this response, and without wasting another moment, he turned and began leading them away.

The group followed behind him as they gradually left the brighter, bustling parts of the city and moved toward a quieter, greyer region where the noise faded and the atmosphere grew more subtle and guarded.