"Sir, please don't double it. We'll pay the original price, five hundred gold coins, fifty in rent, okay? Please count it."
Flender closed his eyes and, with a pained expression, pulled out two bags of gold coins from his spirit tool.
"Wouldn't it have been easier if you had this attitude earlier? It's convenient for everyone."
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School manager said indifferently, beginning to count the gold coins.
The soft clinking of coins echoed faintly in the air, each metallic note stabbing into Flender's heart like a needle. He forced himself not to wince, though his fingers twitched slightly as if reluctant to let go of the hard-earned gold. Beside him, Zhao Wuji crossed his arms, his expression dark and unyielding, but even he knew there was no room for resistance here. Not against these people, not in this place.
The manager's movements were precise and methodical, his eyes scanning each coin with practiced ease. Around them, the other Spirit Masters stood like silent sentinels, their presence alone enough to suppress any lingering thoughts of defiance. The earlier tension had not completely dissipated—it merely lay dormant, like embers waiting for the slightest spark.
…
"Such a strong smell of blood?"
"It seems there are spirit power fluctuations."
Just then, Flender and Zhao Wuji keenly sensed the killing intent. They exchanged glances and quickly walked to the shop entrance.
The drizzle had grown slightly heavier, a thin veil of rain blurring the distance and dampening the streets. Yet even through the rain, the sharp, metallic scent of blood was unmistakable. It cut through the humid air with alarming clarity, accompanied by chaotic ripples of spirit power that disturbed the natural flow of energy around them.
Under the misty drizzle, two graceful, injured women rushed out from a small path, seemingly trying to escape into Heart of Fire Academy. Blood stained the clothes tightly wrapped around their bodies, dripping onto the damp ground.
Their steps were unsteady, yet driven by desperation. Each breath they took seemed labored, their strength nearly exhausted. The rain washed over their wounds, diluting the blood but doing nothing to hide the severity of their injuries. Despite their fragile state, there was a stubborn determination in their eyes—a refusal to fall, no matter the cost.
Behind the young women were more than ten Spirit Master powerhouses, ranging from six-ring to seven-ring, in pursuit. Among these more than ten Spirit Master powerhouses, the Spirits of two of them were quickly recognized by Flender and Zhao Wuji:
"White Tiger Spirit? Are they from the Star Luo Empire?"
Zhao Wuji's brows furrowed as he spoke in a low voice. The White Tiger Spirit was no ordinary martial spirit—it symbolized authority and royal lineage within the Star Luo Empire. For such individuals to appear here in pursuit of two wounded women could only mean one thing: this was no simple conflict, but a matter tied to power and status.
…
"Zhu Zhuyun, Zhu Zhuyu, you can't escape. It's still not too late to come back with us. It's an honor for your Zhu family to marry the First Prince and Third Prince. Do you know what danger your Zhu family will face if you escape?"
The leading pursuer's voice carried through the rain, cold and authoritative. His words were not merely threats—they were reminders of the rigid hierarchy that governed their world.
"Pah! There's no way I'll let my third sister marry that good-for-nothing Dai Mubai!"
Zhu Zhuyun spat, her voice filled with anger and defiance. Even in her weakened state, her pride remained unbroken.
At the mention of Dai Mubai, a flicker of recognition crossed Zhao Wuji's face, though he said nothing. The situation was becoming increasingly complicated.
Zhu Zhuyun then turned to look at the scene inside Heart of Fire Academy. The gentle drizzle couldn't bend the cherry blossom branches. She said to the severely injured young woman beside her, who resembled her and Zhu Zhuqing by sixty to seventy percent:
"Third sister, this is where your second sister studies, Heart of Fire Academy. I can only help you this far. Remember, you must stay in Heart of Fire Academy. As long as you stay in Heart of Fire Academy, they can't do anything to you."
Her voice softened slightly, though urgency still pressed every word forward.
"Go, hurry!"
Zhu Zhuyun placed the young woman at the entrance of Heart of Fire Academy, her hands trembling faintly from exhaustion. For a brief moment, hesitation flickered in her eyes—but it was quickly replaced by resolve.
Then she turned and faced the pursuers.
Her yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black five spirit rings rose one after another, glowing vividly even under the dim, rain-soaked sky. A chilling killing intent spread outward, clashing against the oppressive aura of the approaching Spirit Masters.
She knew that she couldn't be a match for these more than ten Spirit Masters. She and her sister had only managed to escape here by relying on the agility of the Hell Civet, but they were already severely wounded.
Still, retreat was no longer an option.
But just then, two burly youths holding cherry-yellow paper fans slowly walked out from the cherry blossom path in Heart of Fire Academy, and said indifferently:
"The smell of blood is truly unpleasant."
"Killing and fighting are prohibited in Heart of Fire Academy. Please leave here to resolve your matters."