First Come, First Served—Got It?

On a bustling street, Meng Yiran pointed at the handkerchief in Ning Rongrong's hand and snorted coldly.

"Tell me, boss, what do you mean by this? I clearly saw that handkerchief first. Why should you give it to her?"

The shopkeeper was no fool. The pendant hanging from Ning Rongrong's belt was the mark of a Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect disciple. Combined with her extraordinary attire, she was clearly the descendant of one of the sect's higher-ups.

Meng Yiran was the Dragon Serpent Family's precious darling and practically a little tyrant in Barack City. Who would dare offend her?

Though a powerful dragon could not suppress a local snake, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was a dragon powerful beyond measure. Other than Spirit Hall, every force on the continent had to give them a wide berth.

When immortals fought, the little ghosts suffered.

The shopkeeper simply played dumb, intending to wait for the two girls to argue it out before collecting payment for the goods.

"Hey, hey, hey, what do you mean? I was obviously the one who paid first." Ning Rongrong tucked the handkerchief behind her back and huffed.

Meng Yiran crossed her arms and sneered. "The boss hasn't accepted your money, has he? So hand it over. Or are you trying to force a sale?"

"No matter who you are, this is the Balak Kingdom. Anyone who violates the law will be punished."

Ning Rongrong planted her hands on her hips. "Heh, I'm standing right here. Let's see whether the Balak Kingdom's law enforcers dare arrest me."

It was not that Ning Rongrong was bullying others with her status.

She had not broken any laws. Even if she were just an ordinary village girl, the Balak Kingdom's enforcement team could not arrest her, much less the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Within the crowd of spectators, Ning Tianchen finally managed to squeeze his way to the front.

Well, that saved him the trouble of looking. Ning Rongrong was right here.

Seeing Ning Rongrong acting like this, he could not help laughing.

Though he did not know exactly what had happened, her puffed-up, angry expression was utterly adorable to him.

Ning Rongrong happened to glance at the crowd from the corner of her eye and spotted Ning Tianchen watching the show.

At first, she was not sure. Only after taking another look did she confirm it.

Before she could speak, however, the spectators, eager to stir up more trouble, shouted, "You're both Spirit Masters, right? Why not settle this with a spirit battle?"

Meng Yiran naturally had no objection. Smiling, she said, "Little sister, don't blame me for bullying you. You can find anyone you want to fight in your place."

Ning Rongrong's face flushed red as she snapped, "I'm a Support System Spirit Master!"

Seeing things spiraling out of control, Ning Tianchen hurried forward.

After all, both girls were the treasured darlings of their respective factions. If they truly came to blows, it might spark a war between the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the Dragon Serpent Family. Many people would die then.

"Rongrong, what happened?"

"Tianchen Gege." Ning Rongrong walked behind him with a wronged expression and explained what had happened.

She did not exaggerate anything, and Meng Yiran acknowledged her account as well.

"Little brother, are you planning to stand up for this little sister? I just wonder whether you have the strength to do so." Meng Yiran chuckled as the Serpent Staff Spirit appeared in her hand.

Ning Tianchen had no intention of fighting her.

Leaving aside the fact that this was a busy street, Barack City was the Dragon Serpent Family's territory. If they really fought, it would do him no good at all.

"Miss, since you do not dispute Rongrong's account, that proves the events unfolded exactly as she described."

Meng Yiran nodded. "That's right. I was the first one to see this handkerchief."

Ning Tianchen smiled faintly and turned to the onlookers. "Everyone, when you buy something, does it not become yours after you have paid for it?"

The spectators agreed. "That's right. Only after paying can you take the item away."

With that, Ning Tianchen turned his gaze to Meng Yiran. "Miss, you just said it yourself—you merely saw this handkerchief first. Rongrong, on the other hand, has already paid this shopkeeper."

"Whether by the rules of trade or the laws of the empire, this handkerchief already belongs to Rongrong. Couldn't what you are doing be considered extortion?"

Meng Yiran was fuming and lacked Ning Tianchen's calm mind. She retorted angrily, "But the boss didn't accept her money!"

Ning Tianchen asked, "But the boss never said he would not sell it, nor did he return the money. Therefore, the transaction has been completed, and this handkerchief belongs to Rongrong."

"First come, first served. Got it?"

Hearing his sophistry, Ning Rongrong immediately found her confidence and raised her chin at Meng Yiran.

Ning Tianchen had already claimed the moral high ground, and the spectators agreed with him. No matter how unwilling Meng Yiran was, she could only swallow her anger.

In the end, unable to endure the others pointing and whispering, she snorted and fled the scene.

Ning Tianchen cupped his fists toward the crowd. "Everyone, disperse."

"Tianchen Gege, you're amazing! That bitch was no match for you at all." Ning Rongrong grabbed his arm and grinned.

In truth, she did not like the handkerchief all that much. She simply could not stand the other girl's arrogant attitude.

Meng Yiran had indeed seen the handkerchief first, but she had deliberately nitpicked at the shopkeeper in order to haggle down the price. Ning Rongrong had also intended to stand up for the shopkeeper.

"You did well, but you are not allowed to do this again next time," Ning Tianchen said helplessly.

Ning Rongrong did not take it seriously. Seeing him arrive, especially when he had stepped in to help her at such a crucial moment, made her incredibly happy. "Tianchen Gege, Rongrong thought you weren't coming. You made me worry for nothing all this time."

Ning Tianchen ignored her complaints and hurriedly asked, "Rongrong, do you have all your luggage with you?"

Unaware of the gravity of the situation, Ning Rongrong said playfully, "Dad always told me that when I'm somewhere unfamiliar, anything that can be stored in a Soul Tool must never be left in the room where I'm staying."

She patted the Soul Guidance Ring on her hand, looking rather pleased with herself.

Ning Tianchen asked, "Do you know why Uncle Ning told you that?"

Ning Rongrong looked confused.

Ning Tianchen explained, "Keeping everything on you makes it easier to leave at any time. Otherwise, you would have to go back and pack, wasting time when you need to run."

"What does that have to do with us?"

"Rongrong, do you really not know who she is? She is the Dragon Serpent Family's young lady. We 'humiliated' her in front of so many people just now. Do you think she might go back to her family and bring people to teach us a lesson?"

Ning Rongrong did not care in the slightest. "So what if they're the Dragon Serpent Family? Are they a match for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?"

Ning Tianchen reminded her, "Don't forget, we snuck out. There are no sect disciples with us. If we are killed, who in the sect will know they did it?"

Ning Rongrong immediately realized the seriousness of the situation. She quickly grabbed Ning Tianchen and ran toward the city gates.