Chen Family Genius Falls

Three days earlier, at Qingshi Market, within the Chen Family Residence's council hall.

The atmosphere was somewhat grave.

The Chen Family Patriarch, an old man with a dignified face and deep-set eyes, sat upright in the seat of honor.

Below him, Chen Kun stood bent at the waist, his face wearing seven parts grievance and three parts indignation as he reported in a spray of spittle.

"Patriarch! You must uphold justice for our Hundred Herbs Hall!" Chen Kun's voice carried a sob. "That newly opened Li's Pill Pavilion—that brat Li Chengjie—is simply lawless! Who knows where he learned his alchemy, but the Mid-Grade Pills he refines... their quality is just freakishly better by that tiny bit, and his prices are driven absurdly low! Now, many of our old customers—even some families that have worked with us for years—have turned around and started buying pills from him! Hundred Herbs Hall's revenue this month has dropped by more than thirty percent compared to last month! If this goes on, our Chen Family's pill business may well be ruined by that one man!"

The Chen Family Patriarch frowned slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as he said in a deep voice, "Li's Pill Pavilion? Li Chengjie? What is this man's background? Who stands behind him?"

Chen Kun hurriedly replied, "We investigated, Patriarch! He's just a Rogue Cultivator with no roots or backing! Only a few months ago, he luckily broke through to Qi Refining Level 5. Who knows what dogshit luck he stumbled into for his alchemy to suddenly improve? Before this, he even tried to pay a visit to Alchemist Zhang, only for Alchemist Zhang and Young Master Su to rebuke him to his face for his shallow foundation and throw him out! He's just a mud-legged nobody who caught a bit of luck. What backing could he possibly have?"

At this moment, Chen Xuan, who had been idly playing with the jade pendant at his waist, raised his head at those words. An incomparably disdainful sneer curled across his lips as he cut in.

"Oh? I thought he was someone remarkable. So he's that worthless piece of trash Zhang Gui and Young Master Su chased off like a fly? Qi Refining Level 5? Heh..."

Chen Xuan rose to his feet and cupped his hands toward the Patriarch, his tone brimming with confidence and contempt. "Patriarch, why trouble yourself with this? He is merely a Rogue Cultivator who knows neither the height of heaven nor the depth of earth. He stumbled upon a little opportunity and now dares to stroke the Chen Family's tiger whiskers! The family previously refrained from making an issue of him out of consideration for the market's Rules and the Flowing Cloud Sect. It seems we gave him the illusion that he could climb onto our noses and faces!"

Chen Xuan straightened his moon-white brocade robe, his gaze imperious. "Since he refuses a toast only to drink a forfeit, there is no need for courtesy any longer. Today, this nephew will personally pay him a visit and make him understand that, in Qingshi Market, there are people he can never afford to offend! A piece of trash at Qi Refining Level 5—could he possibly turn the heavens over in my palm? I can crush him at will!"

Seeing this, Chen Kun immediately piled a fawning smile onto his face and echoed him again and again. "With Young Master Xuan personally taking action, it's like using an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken! The moment that brat sees you, his legs will surely go weak with fright, and he'll obediently bow his head! Young Master, your cultivation is at Qi Refining Level 6, and your Geng Metal Sword Qi Art has already grasped its essence. Dealing with him will be as easy as reaching into a bag and taking something out! You will surely succeed at the first charge!"

The Chen Family Patriarch looked at the supremely confident Chen Xuan. After pondering for a moment, he nodded and cautioned, "Mm. It is fine for you to handle it. Remember to mind the measure; do not give others something to criticize. If you can make him retreat in the face of difficulty and close his shop before leaving the market on his own, that would be best."

Chen Xuan smiled arrogantly, clearly not taking the Patriarch's warning too seriously. He waved a hand carelessly. "Rest assured, Patriarch. Your nephew understands. He is merely a clown leaping about on a stage—not worth making a great fuss over. I'll be there and back in no time, and I will certainly make him give the Chen Family a satisfactory 'explanation.'"

With this absolute sense of superiority, seeing the other party as no more than an ant, Chen Xuan left the council hall and headed straight toward Li's Pill Pavilion.

In Chen Xuan's mind, this was a crushing victory without the slightest suspense. He had even begun considering whether he should make Li Chengjie kneel and beg for mercy. Could a mere Rogue Cultivator possibly dare defy the Chen Family?

Chen Xuan swept his gaze over the array plate that had just been set up in the shop, its spiritual radiance not yet fully concealed, then looked at Li Chengjie, who was tidying up. A half-smile formed on his lips, and his voice carried obvious condescension. "Yo, Alchemist Li? You move quickly. It hasn't been long, yet you've already acquired a Minor Sumeru Vajra Array? It seems that little 'disturbance' three months ago turned misfortune into fortune for you, Alchemist Li. Your wealth must be quite substantial now."

Li Chengjie's heart turned cold, but his expression remained unchanged. Setting down the odds and ends in his hands, he cupped his hands and said, "So it is Young Master Chen Xuan gracing this humble establishment with your presence. Forgive me for failing to welcome you properly. They are merely helpless measures to preserve my life; I have made you laugh, Young Master. May I ask what guidance Young Master Chen has come to offer my little shop?"

Chen Xuan strolled over to the counter on his own, his fingers casually tapping its surface while his sharp gaze fixed on Li Chengjie. "Guidance? Hardly. I merely heard that Alchemist Li's Li's Pill Pavilion has been making quite a name for itself lately, to the point that even my Chen Family's Hundred Herbs Hall has suffered no small impact. My incapable clan uncle, Chen Kun, seemed to have come to 'discuss' prices with Alchemist Li three months ago, only for the meeting to end on bad terms. Is that true?"

So they finally came. Li Chengjie replied evenly, "Shopkeeper Chen did indeed come. He wished for Li to sell pills at market price. But Li runs a small business and is in urgent need of Spirit Stones. If I sold at market price, it would truly be difficult to keep going, so Shopkeeper Chen and I were unable to reach an agreement. What? Must pill prices within this market receive the Chen Family's approval as well?"

At this, Chen Xuan gave a derisive laugh, a trace of chill entering his eyes. "Alchemist Li, why pretend not to understand when you clearly do? The market has its own Rules! You dump goods at low prices, disrupt the market, and squeeze other pill shops until they struggle to survive. Is that fair competition? My Chen Family's Hundred Herbs Hall has operated in Qingshi Market for many years. Our reputation and quality are both guaranteed. How can a little shop like yours, which appeared out of nowhere with no known origins, possibly compare?"

Facing Chen Xuan's aggressive gaze, Li Chengjie did not retreat in the slightest. Instead, he picked up a Jade Bottle from the counter, poured out a Harmony Qi Pill he had refined himself, and spread it across his palm. His tone remained calm, yet it carried an undercurrent of confidence. "Young Master Chen, the way of the market lies in quality and fairness. Li's pills are displayed right here. As for their quality, fellow cultivators who have purchased them will naturally have their own judgment. Could it be that simply because Li's prices are slightly lower than Hundred Herbs Hall's and my quality slightly better, I have become someone disrupting the market? Must the pill business of Qingshi Market be monopolized by your Chen Family alone, unable to tolerate others taking a share? What kind of reasoning is that?"

Looking at the Harmony Qi Pill in Li Chengjie's palm, its pill patterns faintly visible and Spiritual Energy brimming within it, Chen Xuan's eyes flashed with a hint of surprise that was difficult to detect. Yet it was immediately smothered by even deeper arrogance. He snorted coldly. "Quality? Who knows what underhanded methods you used to purify these pills? Or perhaps you mixed in some fierce medicinal ingredient—its effects obvious in the short term, yet leaving endless harm behind! My Chen Family's pills are refined openly and honestly, having stood the test of the market! How can they be compared to things of unknown origin like yours?"

These words were practically slander. Li Chengjie's brows drew together slightly, and his tone turned cold. "Young Master Chen, one may eat recklessly, but one must not speak recklessly! Li refines pills entirely by proper methods, and all medicinal ingredients are purchased through legitimate channels. The quality of my pills can withstand any inspection! If Young Master has no solid proof, please mind your words. Do not tarnish the Chen Family's good name!"

"Good name?" Chen Xuan seemed to have heard a joke. He stepped forward, and the Spirit Pressure of Qi Refining Level 6 surged toward Li Chengjie like a tide, his voice carrying a threat. "In Qingshi Market, the Chen Family's word is reason! Li Chengjie, I advise you: a wise man submits to the times! Either obediently follow the Rules set by my Chen Family—prices and supply volumes alike must be negotiated with Hundred Herbs Hall—or else..."

Chen Xuan sneered as the Spirit Pressure of Qi Refining Level 6 erupted without reservation, like an invisible tide squeezing the cramped space. "Li Chengjie, you truly refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Last time, the Chen Family explained the stakes to you, yet not only did you refuse to listen, you went even further! Do you really think the Chen Family is made of mud?"

The Mysterious Flame Art quietly circulated within Li Chengjie's body, resisting the Spirit Pressure. His tone turned cold as well. "What does Young Master Chen mean by that? Li opened a shop and refines pills. My prices are fair, and my quality is excellent. I have never taken the initiative to provoke trouble. Could it be that conducting legitimate business in this market has become a crime?"

"Legitimate business?"

Chen Xuan scoffed, his eyes sharp as blades. "You dump goods at low prices and seize the market, yet you dare call it legitimate? Hundred Herbs Hall's customer traffic has sharply declined in recent days, all because of you! Li Chengjie, I will give you one last chance! Immediately close this wretched shop and get out of Qingshi Market! Otherwise, do not blame Chen for showing no mercy!"

This was naked expulsion and threat!

Li Chengjie knew words could no longer resolve this conflict.

Li Chengjie's gaze sharpened. Without yielding in the slightest, he met Chen Xuan's eyes. "What grand authority Chen has! Could this market be the Chen Family's Private Property? You want me to close my shop? What makes you worthy?"

"Courting death!" Chen Xuan was completely enraged. He had already looked down on this unaffiliated Rogue Cultivator alchemist, and seeing him dare to talk back now, killing intent instantly rose in his heart! He brought two fingers together like a sword, and the Geng Metal Sword Qi Art suddenly circulated within him. An incomparably condensed, razor-sharp pale Golden Sword Qi instantly gathered at his fingertips, emitting a faint metallic hum!

"Geng Metal Sword Qi, cleave!"

With a low shout from Chen Xuan, that Golden Sword Qi shot forth like lightning, aiming straight for Li Chengjie's chest! Before the sword qi even arrived, its incomparably fierce sharpness already stung Li Chengjie's skin with pain!

Li Chengjie had long been prepared for him to attack. At the sight, his pupils contracted!

The full-force strike of a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator was absolutely not something he could take head-on!

Li Chengjie hurriedly shifted his footing, attempting to dodge toward the side and rear, while his right hand quietly reached into his robes for the Jade Box containing Talismans.

Chen Xuan's sword qi was incredibly fast, and it seemed to have locked onto his aura. He was about to find himself with nowhere to evade!

At that critical moment, a fierce light flashed through Li Chengjie's eyes. He no longer hesitated! Li Chengjie abruptly pulled a Talisman wreathed in spiritual radiance from the Jade Box in his Storage Bag—it was precisely the Blazing Flame Talisman worth eighty-five Spirit Stones!

"Blazing Flame Talisman, ignite!"

Li Chengjie let out a low roar. His divine sense locked onto Chen Xuan as the Internal Spiritual Energy within his body poured madly into the Talisman!

"Boom—!"

The talisman burned to ash in an instant, transforming into a blazing crimson sea of fire that roared as it swept forward!

Scorching waves of heat instantly filled the entire shop, making even the light curtain of the Minor Sumeru Vajra Array set around it ripple violently!

The razor-sharp Gengjin Sword Qi plunged headlong into the sea of flames with a series of hissing sounds. Though it cut down much of the fire, it too was swiftly worn away and annihilated by the violent power of the blazing flames!

Chen Xuan's expression changed drastically. He had never imagined that Li Chengjie possessed a First-Grade High-Grade Attack Talisman!

And that he would use it so decisively!

"A high-grade talisman?! You..." Chen Xuan was shocked and enraged, but his reaction was equally swift.

Seeing the remaining flames still rushing toward him, a flicker of pained reluctance crossed his face. Without hesitation, he slapped a pale golden talisman out of his Storage Bag!

"Golden Armor Talisman, protect!"

It was also a First-Grade High-Grade Defense Talisman! A solid phantom of golden armor instantly emerged, firmly shielding his entire body!

"Bang!"

The lingering flames slammed into the Golden Armor Phantom with a muffled boom. Fire scattered everywhere, yet it failed to breach that sturdy defense.

Chen Xuan watched as the Golden Armor Phantom around him gradually dimmed before finally vanishing, his mouth twitching in pain.

This Golden Armor Talisman had been Chen Xuan's life-saving last resort, worth a fortune, yet it had been used up just like that!

Chen Xuan glared viciously at Li Chengjie. "Good! Very good! Let's see how many high-grade talismans you have left! Give me your life!"

As he spoke, he gathered sword qi once more and was about to rush forward for close combat!

However, Li Chengjie moved even faster!

The instant Chen Xuan activated the Golden Armor Talisman, the cold gleam in Li Chengjie's eyes intensified. He knew he had to end this quickly—he could not give Chen Xuan a moment to catch his breath!

Without hesitation, Li Chengjie pulled another two talismans from the Jade Box—an Ice Needle Talisman and an Earth Prison Talisman!

"Ice needles! Earth prison! Go!"

Li Chengjie split his divine sense in two and activated both high-grade talismans at once!

In an instant, icy chill filled the air as hundreds of fine, sharp ice needles shot toward Chen Xuan like a torrential downpour!

At the same time, the ground beneath Chen Xuan's feet suddenly rose. Four thick stone walls closed in at once, forming a sturdy cage to trap him inside!

Chen Xuan had just dispelled the Golden Armor Talisman and was preparing to charge when he saw ice needles filling the sky and an earth prison rising beneath his feet. He was frightened out of his wits!

"No! How can you still have more?!" Chen Xuan let out an incredulous scream, his voice brimming with despair!

One high-grade talisman had already caught him by surprise—three in a row?!

Just who was this Li Chengjie?!

Chen Xuan desperately circulated his spiritual power, forming a layer of Body Protection Spiritual Light around himself. At the same time, he swung both arms, trying to block the ice needles and shatter the earth prison.

But how could the power of high-grade talismans be taken lightly?

"Pfft pfft pfft pfft—!"

Like needles piercing thin paper, the dense ice needles easily tore through his Body Protection Spiritual Light. A great number sank into his body, sending sprays of blood flying. Bone-piercing cold instantly spread through him, making his movements stiffen!

And in the instant his body slowed, the earth prison closed completely with a rumbling crash, trapping him firmly within!

"Argh!" Chen Xuan let out a shrill scream. Icy cold and searing pain intertwined, while the crushing pressure of the earth prison nearly suffocated him.

Chen Xuan frantically attacked the inner walls of the earth prison, but the stone was incomparably hard. He could not break through it at all for the moment!

Li Chengjie's gaze was icy as he watched Chen Xuan struggle and scream inside the earth prison, without the slightest trace of pity in his heart.

To show mercy to an enemy was to be cruel to oneself! He understood that principle well.

Li Chengjie did not use any more of his precious high-grade talismans. Instead, he swiftly drew the Azure Edge Sword from his back, pouring Internal Spiritual Energy into it until the blade blazed with azure light!

Timing his strike for the moment the earth prison trembled slightly from the attacks within, Li Chengjie gathered all his strength and viciously drove his sword into one of its stress points!

"Pfft!"

The Azure Edge Sword pierced through a crack in the rock and accurately stabbed into the back of Chen Xuan's heart, where he was trapped and unable to move freely!

Chen Xuan's body suddenly stiffened, and his struggling ceased at once.

Chen Xuan turned his head with difficulty. His eyes were filled with utter resentment, unwillingness, and disbelief as he stared fixedly at Li Chengjie beyond the earth prison. A leaking rasp escaped his throat.

"You... the Chen Family... won't... let you off..." Using his last bit of strength, he forced out several indistinct words. Then his head tilted to one side, and his breath completely ceased.

Until his death, Chen Xuan could not understand how Li Chengjie, a fifth-layer Rogue Cultivator, had dared to kill him.

With no Spiritual Power Support, the earth prison spell slowly dissipated, turning into ordinary shattered stones.

Chen Xuan's corpse collapsed limply amid the wreckage, blood staining his moon-white brocade robe red.

The shop fell utterly silent, with only Li Chengjie's slightly ragged breathing remaining.

Li Chengjie looked at Chen Xuan's corpse, then at the three high-grade talismans that had been used up from the Jade Box in his arms.