“Junior Brother, why aren’t you responding? Calculate how many spirit stones are needed,” Miao Qian said with a smile.

He casually picked up all the talismans from Jiang Hao's stall and continued:“I have to say, you have quite the collection here—four Fire Talismans and six Focus Talismans.”

Jiang Hao stopped overthinking and politely responded:“One Fire Talisman is three spirit stones, and one Focus Talisman is five spirit stones.

Four Fire Talismans total twelve spirit stones, and six Focus Talismans make thirty. Altogether, that’s forty-two spirit stones. Senior Brother, you can just pay me forty.”

“Forty spirit stones? Junior Brother, you’re giving me quite the discount,” Miao Qian said, nodding in approval of the price.

But as he prepared to pay, he suddenly feigned surprise:“Oh no, what an unfortunate coincidence—I didn’t bring that many spirit stones today. How about this? I’ll bring the spirit stones over to you tomorrow.

If you’re uneasy about it, you can come with me to Tianhuan Pavilion, and I’ll pay you at my residence.”

Finishing his words, Miao Qian wore a mocking smile and asked deliberately:“What do you think, Junior Brother? Care to accompany me to Tianhuan Pavilion?”

Jiang Hao lowered his gaze, sighing inwardly. Going to Tianhuan Pavilion would be akin to walking into a trap.

Realizing this, he could only swallow his frustration.“I wouldn’t dare trouble Senior Brother. I’ll wait here for you tomorrow,” he replied politely.

“Good,” Miao Qian said, putting the talismans away with a smirk.“Be sure to wait for me here tomorrow. Otherwise, people might think I’m bullying you by not paying.”

“Of course not,” Jiang Hao said, shaking his head.

He then watched as Miao Qian left. Jiang Hao packed up and departed as well, while others in the vicinity quietly observed the entire scene.

Such occurrences weren’t rare. If someone lacked backing or offended the wrong person, they were often subjected to this kind of treatment.

Night.

On the way to Tianhuan Pavilion.

Miao Qian walked along a mountain path with a junior disciple beside him, laughing as he said:“I had a good day today. I happened to run into someone who angered my master, so I taught him a lesson.”

“Senior Brother, your luck is enviable. I hope to become as strong as you someday,” the young Qi Refinement disciple flattered after hearing the details.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Enough of that. Here, I’ll give you one spirit stone,” Miao Qian said, feeling pleased.

Today, he had resold the talismans and made over thirty spirit stones in profit.

“Are you going back tomorrow, Senior Brother?” the younger disciple asked.

“Of course. Not just tomorrow—I’ll keep going every day,” Miao Qian said in a low voice, his tone turning sinister.“I’ll bring more senior brothers and sisters along too, and I’ll drain him of everything he has.

In the end, he’ll be just another corpse claimed by Tianhuan Pavilion.”

Noticing Miao Qian’s grim expression, the junior disciple dared not speak further.

He’d heard rumors that Miao Qian secretly admired Senior Sister Yun Ruo, whose death had left many disciples resentful toward the one responsible.

When Miao Qian’s mood seemed to improve, the junior disciple mustered the courage to speak again.

But before he could say anything, he suddenly felt a blow to the back of his head and lost consciousness.

The sudden commotion alerted Miao Qian, who spun around, shouting:“Who’s there?”

As he turned, a dagger stabbed into his throat.

The unexpected attack threw him into panic. He tried to retreat, but another dagger plunged into his neck.

Blood gushed out in torrents.

Terrified, Miao Qian clutched at his throat but saw no one. He managed to stammer:“Senior... Senior, there must be some misunderstanding.”

At that moment, a sword pierced through his chest from behind.

“Senior... have mercy,” he pleaded desperately.

But another sword appeared from the front, stabbing into him.

One after another, several spiritual swords impaled him from various angles.

Finally, a spear pinned him to a nearby tree.

As Miao Qian neared death, a shadowy figure approached and removed his storage artifact.

“Why... why are you doing this?” he gasped.

The shadowy figure spoke in a soft, measured tone:“I’m here to collect payment.”

Miao Qian’s pupils contracted in horror. How could someone with just Foundation Establishment stage cultivation kill him so easily?

Once the figure confirmed that Miao Qian was dead, they vanished swiftly into the darkness.

Some time later, the Qi Refinement disciple regained consciousness. When he saw Miao Qian’s gruesome death, he fled up the mountain in terror.

Jiang Hao sat in his hall, counting spirit stones. He frowned slightly.“Only sixty? A Foundation Establishment cultivator can be this poor?”

As an inner sect disciple, Jiang Hao had over a hundred spirit stones back in his Qi Refinement stage.

By Foundation Establishment stage, one could earn twenty or thirty spirit stones a month.

Miao Qian’s possessions, even after selling the talismans, only amounted to this much. Without the sale, it would’ve been barely twenty.

“Well, it’s still a profit,” Jiang Hao muttered, shaking his head.

The spiritual swords he’d used in the fight had been intentionally left behind. It was better to expend them—they were too numerous anyway.

He hadn’t killed the Qi Refinement disciple because it wasn’t necessary.

Everyone had witnessed what happened earlier. If Tianhuan Pavilion decided to suspect him, one more or one less witness wouldn’t make a difference.

In theory, no one should bother him—his cultivation level made it seem impossible for him to defeat someone at Foundation Establishment mid-stage.

Moreover, the protective aura of his Primal Chaos Energy ensured he wouldn’t be exposed.

Still, theory meant little. If Tianhuan Pavilion wanted to pin a crime on him, they could always find a way.

“It all depends on Liu Xingchen. Let’s see how he responds.”

Jiang Hao realized that as an inner sect disciple, he would only be fined for any unproven accusations.

If Liu Xingchen showed him any leniency, nothing would happen to him.

What he feared most was irrefutable evidence being found.

Morning.

As Jiang Hao stepped outside, he saw Liu Xingchen waiting for him.

So, he’s here, Jiang Hao thought, masking his emotions.

“Junior Brother, we meet again,” Liu Xingchen said, gesturing toward Jiang Hao’s courtyard.“Let’s talk inside.”