The White Jade Market at night was a bustling spectacle, the crowds even denser than those of Wuji Market.

Because this region was far from the demon beast forests and surrounded by mortal kingdoms, the cultivators here possessed a much healthier mental state. Consequently, public order was significantly more stable.

Walking the streets, one saw not only wandering cultivators but also numerous mortals, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

However, most mortals were merely tagging along with cultivators, looking like little followers.

At this moment, Feng Xi and Chu Xiaoyi were exactly that.

“There are so many people tonight!”

Chu Xiaoyi followed closely behind Feng Xi, her small head swiveling constantly to take in the sights.

Feng Xi smiled as she walked. “It’s the Mid-Autumn Festival! I read in a book that everyone comes out tonight to eat mooncakes and admire the moon!”

“Oh right! Should we buy some mooncakes then?”

“Sure, but later. The competition is about to start. Let’s go watch the excitement first!”

“Okay~”

The two girls hurried toward the martial stage.

The martial stage was unique to the White Jade Market.

Since this place was prosperous, conflicts weren’t as savage as in Wuji Market. Although quarrels were common, violence was usually kept in check.

To resolve disputes fairly, the Demon Slaying Sect had established this dueling platform. It was a crude but just method of settlement.

Once on the stage, life and death were irrelevant. Each relied on their own ability to fight fairly under the public gaze.

Having lived here for several months, Feng Xi knew the location well. In less than the time it took to burn two sticks of incense, they arrived.

It was a vast, open square dominated by a massive, square dueling platform measuring over ten zhang on each side.

Although tonight’s bout was only between mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators, it had attracted a huge crowd, surrounding the stage three layers deep.

Excited, Feng Xi and Chu Xiaoyi squeezed through the throng, inching closer to the action.

“Sister Xi, look! You can even place bets~”

Chu Xiaoyi tugged Feng Xi’s sleeve, pointing.

Feng Xi looked over. Two mortal attendants in green clothes were weaving through the crowd, hawking betting chips.

“What, Xiaoyi? Want to place a bet?”

“I wouldn’t dare~”

Chu Xiaoyi shook her head pitifully. “I’ve only saved a few catties of gold. I can’t afford to gamble. I plan to take it back home!”

“Hehe! Good. The Lord said it’s best not to gamble anyway!”

“Right! What the Immortal Master Lord says is always correct!”

Feng Xi chuckled, then asked, “By the way, when do you plan to go home?”

Chu Xiaoyi’s expression dimmed slightly. She pouted. “I don’t know. The Lord brought us so far. I asked Steward Chen, and he said walking back would take years. If I want to return, I need to prepare in advance…”

“Hehe, walking isn’t practical. The road is full of danger. Just wait for me to take you back!”

“Really?!” Chu Xiaoyi’s eyes lit up.

“Of course! Once my cultivation improves, I’ll escort you home personally. You’ll be able to show off properly!”

“Hehe, if Sister Xi takes me back, no one will dare bully me ever again!”

The two girls whispered excitedly, imagining their triumphant return.

Meanwhile, the duel on the platform officially began.

Two young men exchanged a few curses, accusing each other of shamelessness, before roaring and launching into a fierce battle.

The scene instantly heated up. Sounds of combat echoed from the stage, met by constant cheers from below. Those who had placed heavy bets screamed until their faces turned red.

Feng Xi and Xiaoyi, who had never seen cultivators fight before, watched wide-eyed, their faces flushed with excitement.

They didn’t notice several figures approaching from behind.

Slap!

A crisp sound rang out behind Chu Xiaoyi.

Startled, she clutched her buttocks and spun around, staring in terror at the group behind her.

Someone had just slapped her in public!

“What are you doing?!”

Feng Xi roared, stepping in front of Xiaoyi to shield her, glaring furiously.

She had seen the lewd act clearly.

The group consisted of three young men. Two were dressed as servants, flanking a pale-faced youth in the center. He was the one who had struck Xiaoyi.

The pale youth lifted his hand, sniffing his palm with a look of perverse enjoyment.

“Not bad. Still warm. The scent of an untouched maiden is truly delightful~”

Feng Xi’s face flushed with rage. She raised a fist and punched straight at the youth’s effeminate face!

Thud!

Feng Xi’s full-strength blow didn’t land. It was effortlessly caught by the youth’s other hand.

“Hehehe, quite a fiery temper for a country girl. But I won’t hold it against you!”

With a shove, the youth sent Feng Xi staggering.

He then reached out, grabbing the terrified Chu Xiaoyi. He smirked at Feng Xi.

“Hey, country bumpkin. I’ve taken a liking to your servant. I’ll take her as a concubine. She won’t have to be a slave anymore. Name your price.”

The commotion attracted the attention of nearby cultivators, who began whispering among themselves.

Feng Xi steadied herself and shouted, “I won’t sell her!”

“Hehe. She has the chance to become an Immortal Master’s concubine and escape her lowly status. Do you think she’d refuse?” the youth sneered.

“Did you ask her?! Let her go!”

Feng Xi roared, charging at him again.

Thud!

The next instant, Feng Xi’s face went deathly pale.

The youth kicked her in the stomach. She doubled over, clutching her abdomen like a curled shrimp.

Yet, her eyes remained fixed on him, burning with defiance.

The pale youth looked indifferent. “Why wouldn’t she be willing? I am a dignified mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator. Taking a fancy to a mere mortal is a blessing she earned in a past life. What reason is there to refuse?”

“No! I’m not willing! Let me go!” Chu Xiaoyi screamed, struggling in his grip.

The youth frowned, annoyed.

Feng Xi shouted, “Did you hear that? She said no! Let her go, or my Lord won’t forgive you!”

“Hm? Who is your Lord?” The youth loosened his grip slightly, looking wary.

“My Lord is Qin Lu!”

“Qin Lu?”

The youth sneered. He tightened his grip on Xiaoyi again. “Never heard of him. Listen well—my name is Tao Xi! Today, this girl is mine!”

He began dragging Xiaoyi away from the square.

“Let go! Sister Xi, save me!” Xiaoyi screamed.

The surrounding cultivators scattered, afraid to offend Tao Xi.

“Stop!”

Feng Xi shouted, sprinting after them.

But a middle-aged loose cultivator stepped in her path, blocking her.

“What are you doing?!” Feng Xi shoved him, roaring.

“Little Daoist, don’t go. That’s Tao Xi! He has a Foundation Establishment expert backing him! It’s just a mortal servant. Get another one. Don’t court death!” the man warned kindly.

“Get lost!”

Feng Xi slapped his arm away, ignoring the warning, and chased after the pale youth.