The older generation would not involve themselves in the conflicts of the younger generation. This was an unwritten rule in the Cloud Margin Pavilion. Otherwise, if the younger generation all threw the weight of their seniors around to affect how things worked for them, how would the pavilion hope to continue unearthing new talents?
That was why Xiang Shaoyun was so confidently speaking up against Xie Sanqian's guard. The guard clearly knew that unwritten rule as well.
An unhappy look surfaced on the guard's face as the guard said, "Kid, know when to stop. Otherwise, you will only suffer losses in the future."
That was a clear threat.
Xiang Shaoyun roared with laughter as he said, "Hahaha, are you threatening me? Do you think you are above the rules? Are you trying to suppress me with your seniority? Are the elders of the pavilion nothing in your eyes?"
Faced with Xiang Shaoyun's series of questions, the guard's expression kept shifting. If those high-level elders heard those words, they would most likely assume that the guard was trying to challenge their authority.
Forced to take a milder approach, the guard asked, "What will it take for you to let go of my young master?"
"See? Things would have been much easier if you had asked this question from the get-go," Xiang Shaoyun replied, smiling. He continued, "Well, that depends on how much your young master is worth to you."
The guard frowned. "I will get someone to deliver you 10,000 spirit crystals later."
He was about to leave with Xie Sanqian when he heard what Xiang Shaoyun had to say next.
"Your young master is only worth that much? If news of this spread, he would lose all his face."
"Hmph. I'm referring to mid-grade spirit crystals," said the guard with a cold snort before lifting Xie Sanqian and leaving without looking back.
Xiang Shaoyun blanked out slightly before bursting out in laughter, "Hahaha, thank you very much. Oh, be sure to ask around about where I'm currently staying. Don't get the delivery address wrong."
He had assumed that the 10,000 spirit crystals would be low grade, but surprisingly, that old man was actually offering mid-grade spirit crystals. That was a price enough to put a hit on even a Skysoar Realm expert.
But that also served as proof of Xie Sanqian's remarkable background. He was definitely more than just a personal disciple of some elder. Despite the realization, Xiang Shaoyun still felt no pressure whatsoever. In any case, with Hua Cheng having his back now, ordinary people wouldn't dare to do anything to him anyway.
By the time Xiang Shaoyun waved at Gong Qinyin, who was blanking out, and reminded her it was time to keep moving, the crowd finally recovered from their shock. A great commotion erupted among them.
"Xie Sanqian was defeated. That Xiang Shaoyun is really strong."
"Looks like Guardian Qiu is faced with a thorny problem this time. I wonder if he will fight personally or avoid this opponent."
"Don't worry. Xiang Shaoyun might be strong, but we have a lot of talents in the Lightning Alliance. If he dares enter Guardian Qiu's estate, he won't be able to leave safely."
"Come on, let's go already. Xiang Shaoyun is increasing his speed."
...
Xiang Shaoyun knew that he had already done enough to establish his dominance. There wouldn't be many random people coming to challenge him anymore. Since that was the case, there was no point in continuing to walk slowly and dragging it out.
Soon, he arrived at Qiu Chonglei's estate alongside Gong Qinyin. The estate was already filled by a large number of people with solemn expressions. It was obvious these people were the Lightning Alliance members that were also inner disciples. Each of them was at least a Transformation Realm expert.
They had received news that Xiang Shaoyun was coming here long ago. All of them were currently glaring at him fiercely. Wen Jinrui and Wen Jinruo were among them. Even Wang Jiaohua was there. But traces of fear could be seen in the eyes of these three in particular.
Even if the Lightning Alliance managed to eventually take Xiang Shaoyun down, the three would have to pay a great price to compensate the alliance for what they did for them. Wen Jinrui would never believe that a regular king-grade weapon would be able to satisfy Qiu Chonglei. After the entire thing ended, he would most likely have to offer Qiu Chonglei even more benefits.
Xiang Shaoyun glanced at the group before him and smiled. "Where is your Guardian Qiu? I thought he had a bounty on me? I'm here. Is he not coming out to meet me? Is this how the Lightning Alliance greets a guest?"
"Hehe, if you are willing to join the Lightning Alliance, you will be a friend of ours. And naturally, you will be receiving an entirely different treatment then," said Qiu Chonglei with a smile as he walked out the estate with a small group walking alongside him.
Xiang Shaoyun raised his brow as he studied the young man before him who was about 20 years old. He clasped his fists and asked, "You're Qiu Chonglei? You don't look that much, to be honest."
One ought to admit that Xiang Shaoyun was pretty good at provoking others' anger. Just a few words from him were enough to put a gloomy expression on Qiu Chonglei's face.
As one of the four great guardians of the Lightning Alliance, Qiu Chonglei was a person who spoke with his strength instead of his looks. As a matter of fact, he really wasn't a person with good looks. When standing near Xiang Shaoyun, the contrast between the two was extremely pronounced. Being a person who cared a lot about his reputation, Qiu Chonglei naturally couldn't swallow what Xiang Shaoyun said about him in front of so many people.
"Impudent. Since you are the one who had harmed someone from the Lightning Alliance first, I shall cripple you today. Men, go!" Qiu Chonglei ordered the people around him.
Just as the people were about to charge Xiang Shaoyun, Gong Qinyin suddenly spoke, "Who dares?"
Gong Qinyin knew Xiang Shaoyun was strong, but she was still afraid that there were too many enemies for Xiang Shaoyun to handle. In terms of strength alone, Gong Qinyin was nothing special in the Cloud Margin Pavilion. But her shout was still able to cause all of them to hesitate. There was nothing they could do. She was the personal disciple of the Zither Empress.
"Junior Sister Gong, this has nothing to do with you. You better leave immediately," said Qiu Chonglei with a frown.
Gong Qinyin raised her head and asked, "What if I say no?"
"Then you can't blame me if I don't hold back against you. I doubt the Zither Empress would interfere too much with this anyway," said Qiu Chonglei coldly.
"You—" Gong Qinyin wanted to continue speaking but was interrupted by Xiang Shaoyun.
He said, "This is a business between men. You don't have to get involved."
Gong Qinyin said anxiously, "But there are so many of them..."'
Xiang Shaoyun waved his hand and said candidly, "Just a bunch of useless people with empty reputations."
"He is completely looking down on us! Let me, Sun Qiang, show you what we are made of!" said a young man with his golden sword raised.
After he said that, a golden beam shot forth toward Xiang Shaoyun. Sun Qiang's attack was merely the start. The others attacked as well, and everyone started ganging up on Xiang Shaoyun.
They were aware of what Xiang Shaoyun had done earlier. Thus, none of them held back when they attacked. They were of the opinion that Xiang Shaoyun was most certainly exhausted after several battles. Now would be their best chance to take him. Unfortunately, they had still underestimated Xiang Shaoyun. That mistake was one they would suffer gravely for.