As soon as Qin Zhu entered the store, he immediately extended his spiritual sense, scanning the space.
His lips curled into a smirk.
’Oh? Six people inside. Five mortals and just one cultivator.’
The rich boy was the only one he needed to deal with.
’Looks like I’ve struck gold!’
This was exactly the opportunity he’d been looking for.
’Wohoo! Jackpot!’
He stepped further in, his gaze sweeping the store. The inside of the shop was bright, neat, and immaculate.
A huge contrast to the grimy alley outside.
“Welcome.” Mo Xixi greeted.
Qin Zhu’s eyes narrowed. The girl behind the counter looked young – too young.
’Is that the owner? A little girl?’
His grin widened. ’If she’s the owner, then this is even better.’
’Not only can I rob her, but it’ll be easy.’
His thoughts swirled. The place is hidden well… why not rob it all while I’m at it?’
’It’s the perfect setup!’
Confident in his superiority, Qin Zhu stretched out his spiritual pressure, sending waves of power throughout the room.
The air thickened as he released it, attempting to dominate the space. He could already see how the little girl would crumble in fear.
“Hand over everything you have.”
“I’m Qin Zhu, the Nightmare of Sovereign City. If you don’t want things to get ugly, just give me what I want.”
He grinned, anticipating their fearful reactions. But to his surprise, the little brat at the counter didn’t flinch.
She simply stared back at him blankly, her expression as vacant as if she didn’t even see him.
“…”
’What the hell is going on?’
His confidence faltered, but he quickly regained his composure and moved his gaze to the others in the room.
Lin Yijun, Yue Xueyan, Hua Feixue, and Xiao Lianfeng weren’t paying him any attention. In fact, they seemed almost… indifferent.
It was as if he were invisible to them.
Instead of fear, their eyes held a strange pity – as though they knew something he didn’t.
Lin Yijun even closed his eyes, folding his hands together in a gesture that resembled prayer.
Qin Zhu’s heart skipped a beat.
He met their gazes one by one, confusion flashing through him.
Then it hit him. The uniforms – they weren’t just any clothes.
These were disciples from the top sects in Sovereign City!
A chill ran down his spine.
He’d been so focused on his arrogance, so sure of his dominance, that he failed to notice the caliber of people in front of him.
These people weren’t just ordinary mortals or even basic cultivators.
They were the elite of the elites!
He recognized one of them immediately: Yue Xueyan, the Ice Fairy of the Petal Snow Sect.
Her beauty was unforgettable, her cold eyes piercing through anyone who dared to look too long.
Qin Zhu remembered the first time he saw her.
Her frosty aura and sharp gaze had left a long lasting impression on his mind.
It wasn’t just her beauty it was the overwhelming elegance she exuded.
He had briefly entertained the thought of trying to approach her before, to gain her favor.
But that thought was quickly crushed when he realized how foolish that would be.
Yue Xueyan was far beyond his reach.
Anyone who dared to cross her or the Petal Snow Sect would be lucky to leave with their life.
Qin Zhu’s mind spun. His earlier confidence evaporated.
He had thought he could rob these people easily – steal their valuables, and slip away unnoticed.
But now, as the weight of the situation settled in, he couldn’t stop the panic rising in his chest.
What was he thinking?
He couldn’t even begin to imagine the consequences of robbing anyone here.
If he made a move, he would be crushed before he could even blink.
His heart pounded.
What should he do?
Maybe he could just kneel, beg for forgiveness?
He nearly shook his head at the absurdity of it.
How could he – Qin Zhu, the Nightmare of Sovereign City – kneel before anyone?
But the thought kept tugging at him. What if it was the only way to escape?
Maybe I could fake a collapse? Pretend to beg?
No. That was pathetic.
But what other choice did he have?
I can’t even escape!
He had to do something, but every option seemed worse than the last.
Qin Zhu swallowed. Maybe… maybe he would just leave?
He could run. But what if they chased him?
He stepped back, almost stumbling over his feet.
The situation was slipping out of his control faster than he could process.
I should just… act natural?
But Qin Zhu’s forced smile was anything but natural.
Maybe he’d just quietly leave.
Yeah, that was the safest bet.
Hao leaned back in his chair, sipping his Peach Oolong Tea.
’A troublemaker?’
He raised a brow.
’What’s with today?’
’Two guys already tried to rob me just a while ago.’
’And now another one appears?’
He sighed.
Did a nest of idiots just hatch nearby?
’System, I can deal with this guy, right?’
[Yes, Host. Malicious intent confirmed. You may handle him as you see fit.]
Hao smiled.
He turned to Mo Xixi behind the counter.
Snap.
Hao flicked his finger.
A crisp sound echoed through the room .
“Little Xixi.”
“Hand him over here.”
Qin Zhu flinched.
His eyes darted to the door.
Then, he bolted.
Or tried to.
Before he could even reach the exit, his body jerked mid-run.
His feet left the floor.
Something had gripped him by the back of his collar.
He dangled in the air like a ragdoll.
“What the f – ?!”
He twisted around.
Behind him stood the little girl from earlier.
Still wearing that same stare.
“You little – ”
He gathered all the qi in his body.
“Gusting Wind Blade!”
A sharp gust burst from his hand, slicing the air in front of him.
But before it could fully form –
A palm tapped his back.
Soft. Small.
Mo Xixi’s hand.
Ashen Petrifaction Seal.
Qin Zhu froze.
His spiritual qi… vanished.
He tried to move.
He couldn’t.
His arms felt heavy.
His legs numb.
He glanced down.
Qin Zhu’s skin was turning dull gray.
Rough. Hard.
Like stone.
“What… what are you doing to me?!”
“Let me go, you demonic brat!”
“This isn’t over!”
“Help! Someone – “