Young Master

Snap, snap, snap.

Three rounds of applause rang out, and a noble young man in a white and gold robe walked over.

The long robe was pure white, embroidered with gold thread to form patterns that seemed to conceal some kind of mystery. Overall, it looked dashing, handsome, and full of charisma.

Beside the young nobleman was a maidservant with a cold expression, who stayed close by and held a beautiful jade flute in her hand, from which the flute music just now had likely come.

"Excellent technique, quick reaction indeed." The young nobleman tapped his folding fan on his left hand, praising Li Qi's reaction.

Li Qi realized what was happening, looked at him, and then glanced at his own clothes.

Wow, I look so dowdy, I'm not nearly as handsome as him.

Should I get myself a new outfit? But I'm broke...

Li Qi thought to himself.

As for tension or fear of encountering an enemy...

Absolutely not, there's nothing to be afraid of. These two are only ninth-rank.

It wasn't that Li Qi was confident, but rather that as a direct descendant of the Wushen Mountain lineage, he could probably defeat an ordinary ninth-rank cultivator with just one hand.

"Hahaha! You're still thinking about these things at a time like this? You've got some nerve! I like it. Just for your reaction, I'll reward you!" The young nobleman suddenly spoke, then laughed and tossed Li Qi a precious pearl.

"There are ten strands of pure Fire Qi inside. Take them and buy yourself a set of clothes!" he said condescendingly.

As for Li Qi, he reached out and took the precious pearl.

It wasn't that he wanted subordinates, but rather that this was the first time he had ever seen this kind of 'qi' that could be used as currency, and he was very curious about what it was, so he decided to take a look.

He sensed it the moment he received the pearl.

Pure, nothing more than pure.

It's like dozens of naturally occurring Fire Qi being forged into a single bundle, almost without any impurities or personal characteristics—truly pure Fire Qi, making it excellent material for those who need Fire Qi.

It doesn't require any refining; it can be used directly, and it's even very effective for making a simple bomb.

Moreover, the production process must be complicated. Li Qi thought about it and realized that if he were to condense this pure Fire Qi himself, it would take at least three or four days to slowly refine even a single strand.

These ten strands alone would require him to do nothing but condense his Fire Qi every day for a month, and then slowly refine it.

It is easy to carry, easy to divide, has universal value, has a certain production threshold, and is consumed in large quantities, so it is no wonder that it can become a currency.

But... this means everyone has the ability to print money. I don't know how the market economy is regulated. Without official credit backing, the value of this kind of money must fluctuate greatly, right?

Or... is the regulation of Qi actually endorsed by someone?

The production of gas in the Earth Oil Realm depends on the strength of the local Heavenly Dao. So, if we understand it this way... in fact, this gas, which seems to be condensed by the cultivators themselves, is actually produced by the Heavenly Dao? What the cultivators do is simply to further process the raw materials.

Li Qi had an absurd idea, and he looked up at the sky.

Is the natural Heavenly Dao of the world regulating the economy?

He spoke at length, but in reality, these thoughts only went through his mind once, in less than half a second.

"I cannot accept a reward without merit. Young master, you should take it back." Li Qi cupped his hands, preparing to throw the bead away.

But the young nobleman interrupted, saying, "Hey, you've pleased me, that's a merit. Even prostitutes and servants get rewards, why don't you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qi frowned, but still threw the bead back.

He may be short of money, but he definitely won't take this money.

The righteous path does not rejoice in windfall gains.

The way of righteousness is not to humiliate or demean oneself.

To humiliate oneself in exchange for a windfall is something Qi would never do.

But the other party didn't pick it up, letting the valuable pearl fall to the ground.

At this moment, the surrounding crowd dispersed. Those who wanted to watch the excitement went to watch from a distance, otherwise they might not get to see the excitement and instead get slapped in the aftershocks.

It's obvious to everyone that someone here is having a disagreement, and it looks like a fight is about to break out.

The young nobleman chuckled lightly, "You seem to look down on me? You're just a savage, and you're not happy that I call you a prostitute or a concubine? Hmm, but you don't seem to be an ordinary savage either. This is your first time coming into contact with Qi, and you're already thinking about delusions about the economics of the Heavenly Dao. Though your body is but a tiny ant, your mind is quite big."

Li Qi frowned upon hearing this.

Why does it seem like the other person can read my superficial thoughts?

I used to think he was just good at reading people, but now it seems that's not the case.

He shouldn't be able to read or remember, but how did he observe?

Li Qi thought to himself.

"No need to guess. How could a savage like you possibly understand my methods? Judging from your appearance, you probably just came from the countryside, right?" the young nobleman said with a smile.

Piaoxu, however, after assessing the situation, gritted her teeth and stepped forward. "Young Master..."

"Get lost." The young nobleman waved his fan.

The contempt in his eyes was almost palpable; even Li Qi could read the meaning. His gaze said, 'You lowly wretch like you dare speak to me?'

However, just from those words, Piaoxu trembled all over and involuntarily knelt down, not daring to say another word. She even exposed her tail and ears, and her whole body began to transform into that of a beast.

With just one glance, she was instantly exposed!

Just then, Li Qi stepped forward and stood in front of Piaoxu.

Immediately afterwards, he regulated his Qi and Blood, and stimulated his heart.

Then, Li Qi said, "Combined with the flute music just now, it's the Daoist rhythm of the five tones, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, the young nobleman's eyes suddenly turned serious. He swiftly opened his folding fan and held it horizontally in front of his face. "You savage know quite a lot, you even understand the existence of Daoist rhyme. What is your background?"

"Music is the voice of the heart. Judging from your appearance, you must be practicing the Five Tones Cultivation Method, combined with a wisp of Daoist rhyme, so you can listen to people's inner voices and even cause attacks with sound invisibly, right?" Li Qi said, standing in front of Piaoxu.

Then, Li Qi continued, "Nothing special, just someone passing by. By the way, now? I'll use my heart as the drumhead, my Qi and Blood as the drumsticks, and strike it with resonant energy. Can you still hear my heart's voice?"

After speaking, Li Qi looked at the other person, and at the same time, he prepared his hands.

Yes, like Li Qi and Bo Yue, the other party also possesses a wisp of Daoist essence.

Bo Yue's Daoist aura is Demon Seed, while Li Qi's is a familiar progress bar. This person's Daoist aura must be listening to one's inner voice.

However... Li Qi subconsciously sensed that the other party's Daoist aura was far inferior to his and Bo Yue's.

It seems to be a natural feeling.

Is this how someone who possesses Innate Dao Rhyme feels? Does the other person feel the same way?

No, the other party shouldn't have, otherwise he wouldn't be so arrogant and presumptuous.

Upon hearing Li Qi's words, the young nobleman's ears twitched.

Then, abandoning his previous flippancy, he cupped his hands in greeting. "You savage... no, you should have a master. You do have some skill. I underestimated you before. You are indeed worthy of being able to withstand Elder Si's curse. Not bad, not bad. I just don't know why you stopped me?"

"It's nothing, just seeing injustice on the road. But why did you want to take this person's life, young master? What grudge do you hold against him?" Li Qi asked the noble young man.

Just as they were talking.

At this moment, three law enforcement officers dressed in matching black long gowns and wearing armbands descended from the sky. "Gentlemen, this is a marketplace, a place where people gather. Do not engage in conflict here. If a conflict occurs..."

However, the young nobleman impatiently waved his fan and called out two words: "Yan Jun".

Then, suddenly, a flash of light appeared!

A giant humanoid creature made entirely of flames of various colors suddenly stood up, like a Five Officials fire giant!

Extremely hot! The heatwave swept across the surrounding area, forming a small sand vortex. With a defiant roar, the rolling heatwave advanced, the high temperature pressing in step by step, like the raging fire of hell, directly rushing towards the three law enforcers!

In the raging fire, all matter was burned to ashes and red liquid. The high temperature caused all matter to collapse and melt into one, colliding and intertwining violently.

Everything in the path of the faceless fire giant was destroyed.

Destruction that defies all reason!

The three law enforcers, along with a quarter of the market, were all burned to ashes, turning into a wisp of smoke.

A quarter of the market area covers nearly ten miles!

The scorching liquid churned on the ground like silt, forming a huge lava lake. Hot air swirled around the lava lake, filling the air with the smell of sulfur and ash.

Li Qi's pupils contracted, and he immediately gathered his strength, preparing to evacuate.

Eighth rank! This destructive power is definitely eighth rank!

The surrounding market was filled with the wails of countless people. The being named Yan Jun controlled his power and avoided people. Although some people were injured, no one died except for the three law enforcers.

"The injured and those whose goods were damaged will be compensated tomorrow. The business that was delayed today will also be compensated accordingly. Now, get out of here! I don't want to see anyone other than us in this market!" the young nobleman said, raising his voice.

The presence of an eighth-rank expert had terrified everyone around, and countless people used various methods to escape. In an instant, all sorts of escape lights flashed by, and soon the entire market was deserted.

"Alright, now it's just us left. Shall we find a place to sit? Brother, you were able to recognize Dao Yun's presence. May I ask your name?" The young nobleman changed his expression and said to Li Qi with a smile.

Li Qi frowned, knowing full well that the other party's burning of the market, the compensation, the shouting, and the driving away of people were all just for his benefit.

This person... it's true that he's arrogant, naive, and haughty.

But it really is not simple.

At this moment, Shen Shuibi suddenly walked to Li Qi's side and said to Li Qi, "I can handle that one in the sky."

As she spoke, she pointed with her finger at the fire giant known as 'Yan Jun'.

Because she didn't lower her voice, everyone present could hear her.

"A mere ninth-rank official, ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth." The fire giant Yan Jun sneered, stretching out his hand, ready to teach her a lesson.

However, Shen Shuibi also reached out her hand.

With delicate fingers, she gently touched something.

The Taiyin Qi surged out, but the Fire Qi in the air was directly deflected back!

As the reflection occurs, a bright moon unfolds.

"The moon is formed by reflecting the sun, and the bright moon serves as a mirror." Shen Shuibi moved her ten fingers, transforming them into a clear moon.

If the fire giant is like a blazing sun, then Shen Shuibi created a moon using her own Yin energy.

Both light and heat were reflected away.

However, even so, the moon still has to absorb some of the light and heat.

That illusory moon began to tremble just a second later.

"The method is good, but the strength is too weak." Yan Jun's deep voice resounded, and then he increased his strength.

Even the best techniques require strength to support them. If the strength of this round moon is the same, then Yan Jun believes that he cannot break through. The opponent's technique is indeed unique.

But the difference between the ninth rank and the eighth rank is more than a hundred times.

There's a limit to how much force can move a heavy object. With such weak strength and a body that breaks at the slightest touch, what can stop him? Can it be love?

As Yan Jun increased his power, the surrounding flames grew even larger, threatening to engulf the sky and the sun.

Li Qi grabbed the Piaoxu, which had already returned to its original form, with one hand and retreated.

Even the young noblemen and maids over there began to back away.

When an eighth-rank expert makes a move, the aftershocks are simply too much for a ninth-rank expert to withstand.

Although Shen Shuibi was also a ninth-rank official at the moment, Li Qi knew her background and was not worried at all.

After the young master left, Yan Jun's body was engulfed in Fire Qi, and ominous clouds covered the sky! All around him were dense and incomparable flames, endless and relentlessly striking the moon supported by Shen Shuibi.

That bright, clear moon was shattered in a flash.

Yan Jun immediately slapped down, but under the massive body of the fire giant, it was as easy as swatting a mosquito.

However, at this very moment.

Hidden within the bright moonlight was the small Pill Furnace that Shen Shuibi had previously used to refine Outer Elixir and snacks.

Yan Jun struck the Pill Furnace precisely, landing the slap on it.

Shen Shuibi made a hand Hand Seals, and a suction force suddenly surged from the Pill Furnace!

"Huh?!" Yan Jun exclaimed in surprise, trying to pull his hand away!

However, the suction force of the Pill Furnace was incredibly strong, and since the body of the fire giant was entirely composed of raging fire energy, it was impossible for it to break free!

Yan Jun immediately used his Technique Method to restore the world to its former glory.

Human life is fleeting and ephemeral; the ability to etherealize the physical body is an excellent way to break free from constraints.

However, Shen Shuibi made another Hand Seals, and another bright moon appeared in the sky.

The moon shines its clear light, illuminating the world for millennia.

The mundane world is ethereal and intangible, yet under the bright moon, it becomes crystal clear and unmistakable.

Having lost two moves in a row, Yan Jun had no more tricks up his sleeve. His entire body was sucked into the Pill Furnace, and his left hand was completely sucked in!