Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 240: Unafraid of the Powerful and Prestigious

Qin Lu stood comfortably within the crowd, his expression relaxed as he watched the standoff. He looked for all the world like a man who wouldn’t mind if the building burned down, as long as it was entertaining.

“What’s going on? What did that kid do to offend the three young masters?”

“Heh! I saw the whole thing. It’s simple, really. That boy posted a buy order for a rare forging material and came to collect it today. But Liu Qingyan decided she wanted it too. Naturally, her three lapdogs stepped up to ‘defend her honor.’”

“Tsk, tsk. Who is that kid? Rejecting Liu Qingyan to her face? He must have a death wish.”

“Bah! Look at him. He’s already at Foundation Establishment despite his age, and no one recognizes him. He’s probably some bumpkin genius from the backwaters.”

“Those country geniuses are the worst. Too stubborn to know when to bow. He’s going to get crushed.”

The chatter of the Loose Cultivators around him painted a clear picture. It was a tale as old as the cultivation world itself: arrogant young masters bullying a nameless nobody to impress a girl.

Qin Lu didn’t mind. He enjoyed a good show, especially when he wasn’t the one on stage.

However, one name caught his attention.

Liu Qingyan.

“So that seductive woman is Liu Qingyan,” Qin Lu mused. “No wonder she’s already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment with a Heavenly Spiritual Root.”

The name was famous. Liu Qingyan was ranked seventh on the Nine Truths Langya List’s Prodigy Roll. But she was even more famous for her other ranking: third on the Beauties Roll. She was a celebrity in every sense of the word.

While the crowd gossiped, the argument by the golden statue escalated.

“You little punk! Shuntian City isn’t a place for you to act tough!” a young man in a dark official’s robe shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the black-clad boy. “Hand over the [Yanggu Crystal] right now!”

The boy didn’t flinch. His gaze was cold and direct. “I bought this fair and square. Why should I give it to you?”

“Hmph! The seller canceled the deal! You aren’t the owner anymore. Are you trying to steal it?!”

The robed youth shot a glare at an elderly cultivator standing nearby. The old man, trembling with fear, rushed forward and held out a small bag of Spirit Stones.

“Young hero, please… I’m not selling the crystal anymore. Here, take your money back…”

The boy didn’t even look at the bag. “No. The transaction is complete. The crystal is mine, the stones are yours. We are done here.”

“Young hero, please,” the old man whispered, his voice shaking. “Senior Liu Qingyan wants it. Don’t you know who she is?”

“I don’t care who she is,” the boy said, his voice flat. “It’s mine.”

“Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

The robed youth roared, and a silver trident materialized above his head. With a flick of his mind, it shot toward the boy like a bolt of lightning.

A collective gasp went up from the crowd. Spectators scrambled backward to avoid the collateral damage, while the old seller practically rolled away in panic.

But the boy didn’t retreat.

His hand snapped over his shoulder, gripping the hilt of the massive black greatsword strapped to his back.

SHING!

He drew the weapon in a single, fluid motion.

Whoosh—!

A violent gust of wind swept the hall as the giant blade slammed down, meeting the silver trident head-on.

BOOM—!

The collision was deafening. A shockwave rippled outward, forcing even Qin Lu to take a half-step back. Weaker Qi Condensation cultivators were knocked off their feet, clutching their ears in pain.

Just as the boy prepared for a second strike, a terrifying pressure descended from the ceiling.

Thud!

A figure blurred into existence between the combatants. With a casual wave of his hand, he shoved both the boy and the robed youth apart, dispelling their momentum instantly.

“Do you two have a death wish? You dare cause trouble in my hall?!”

The newcomer was a short, stout middle-aged man with narrow eyes and a long beard. Despite his unassuming appearance, his aura was overwhelming—a Golden Core expert.

“Hall Master Lang!” the crowd cheered.

Qin Lu realized this must be the owner of the Merit Hall.

The black-clad boy straightened his spine, staring directly at the Golden Core master. “Hall Master Lang, does the Merit Hall condone forced trades?”

“Heh! We have operated for thirty years on the principle of integrity,” Hall Master Lang replied smoothly. “We certainly do not.”

“Then what about this man trying to rob me of my purchase?”

Lang Yi glanced at the robed youth, then waved a dismissive hand at the boy. “I saw what happened. The trade stands. You may leave safely. No one will stop you here.”

“Thank you, Hall Master.”

The boy sheathed his massive sword, offered a stiff bow, and turned to walk out the main doors without a backward glance.