Qinglan Market, New Conflict!

The marketplace is located in the commercial district in the eastern part of Qinglan City, adjacent to Qinglan Port, the largest pier in the Cangyun Empire. It is one of the most prosperous marketplaces within a thousand-mile radius.

A wide pedestrian walkway runs through the entire marketplace, with rows of houses on both sides. There are tea houses, taverns, inns, pharmacies, pawnshops, and government offices, among other establishments.

The shops are filled with a dazzling array of goods, including silks and satins, jewelry and spices, incense and paper horses. Additionally, there are services like medical consultations, fortune-telling, and acrobatic performances. Every trade and profession is represented.

Larger shops display colorful banners and flags above their entrances to attract customers. The streets are bustling with people, a constant stream of merchants, gentry admiring the sights, officials on horseback, hawkers selling their wares, wealthy families in sedan chairs, traveling monks with baskets on their backs, lost travelers asking for directions, children listening to storytellers, young masters from wealthy families drinking heavily in taverns, and elderly disabled people begging by the city walls. People of all ages, from all walks of life – scholars, farmers, artisans, merchants, and those from various other backgrounds – are present. The Latest Chapters of Great Qing's Trail

Ever since entering the marketplace, Hao Xiaomeng had completely let loose. She dragged Ling Mu and Hao Meng from one shop to another, holding candied hawthorns, chewing on grilled meat skewers, and her eyes wide with wonder at the rouge, powder, and exquisite jewelry. She was like a curious baby, eager to explore everything.

"Xiaomeng, do you women shop because you want to buy things, or because you enjoy the process of shopping?"

Ling Mu, who had been following closely behind Hao Xiaomeng, couldn't help but ask. This was a question that had always puzzled him. In his past life, he had tried dating a few girlfriends, but they all ended without success. Shopping was something he particularly couldn't understand. As one of them put it, the mindset of a "loser" was incomprehensible.

"Brother Mu, women don't shop for the sake of buying things. They seek companionship and the feeling of sharing what they like. You're so strong, but you don't understand women's hearts at all. How will you keep Senior Sister Qing Zhu if you're like this?"

Hao Xiaomeng turned around, blinking her eyes as she spoke to Ling Mu. Her mature demeanor made Hao Meng, standing beside them, chuckle secretly.

"Alright, alright, you're only eleven years old, and you're already talking about women. Just eat your candied hawthorns."

Ling Mu looked at the mischievous Hao Xiaomeng, who was speaking with such earnestness, uttering words that seemed surprisingly philosophical. He felt helpless, realizing that even after living two lives, he was being lectured by a little girl on this matter.

"Ah..."

While talking back to Ling Mu, Hao Xiaomeng wasn't paying attention and bumped headfirst into the chest of a passerby, letting out a soft cry.

"Where did you come from, you brat? Don't you have eyes? You even got my clothes dirty."

The person she bumped into was a young man in a black robe. He had long, graceful eyebrows and a slender build like a jade tree. However, his handsome face couldn't hide the sense of superiority radiating from his eyes. According to Ling Mu's assessment, this person was clearly trouble.

"Brother, it's better to be forgiving than to be vengeful. Your sister bumping into you was her mistake, and it was unintentional. I hope you won't hold it against her."

Seeing the young man in the black robe spewing vulgarities, Hao Meng frowned and spoke up.

"Oh, isn't this Brother Hao Meng from Qinglan Academy? How is it? Still can't break through? Haha, five years, and your cultivation hasn't progressed one bit. If I were you, I'd just drop out. I heard you made quite a splash in your academy's competition this time. It seems Qinglan Academy is truly weak if a student who hasn't improved in five years can sweep through the competition."

The young man in the black robe clearly recognized Hao Meng but showed no fear of his strength. He even started to provoke him. Ling Mu noticed a white jade token tied to his waist, with the word "Cangyun" written in bold, flowing calligraphy. It was the exclusive identity token of Cangyun Academy.

Cangyun Academy was the largest and most widespread standardized academy in the Cangyun Empire. Every medium-sized or larger city across the empire had a Cangyun Academy to select talented individuals for the empire.

In Qinglan City, Cangyun Academy had held the top position among academies for many years, and it had indeed nurtured a large number of outstanding students. However, after graduation, these students invariably entered various government agencies or the military, which was the consistent tradition of Cangyun Academy. All students who had studied at the academy were marked by the empire.

There were a total of 108 large cities in the Cangyun Empire, and most of them were governed by centrally appointed City Lords and various officials. Cities like Qinglan City, which had a degree of autonomy, were very rare. However, the empire would not easily relinquish control of such an important port city. Therefore, a force belonging to the Cangyun Empire had always been present in the city, keeping the City Lord's Mansion in check, and Cangyun Academy was an important component of this force.

With the rapid rise of Qinglan Academy in recent years, the two academies had been constantly competing, both openly and covertly. Students from both academies looked down on each other, and fights often broke out in various settings.

"Brother, your words are so aggressive, clearly you're looking for trouble. But we're in a good mood today, so just move aside. We won't argue with you."

Ling Mu was in a very good mood today because of Hao Meng's breakthrough. Seeing this ignorant young man speak disrespectfully to Hao Meng, he quickly advised him to leave. After all, Hao Meng was now a true Core Formation Realm expert. A single punch from him would likely be enough for the young man.

"I know you, Ling Mu, son of City Lord Ling Yubai. A cultivation-crippled waste, the famous kingpin of Twin Phoenix Tower, haha. You two walking together really makes a perfect pair. Enough talk. This brat dirtied my clothes. Make her kneel down and kowtow to me three times as an apology, and I'll let it go." Latest Chapters of Great God, Don't Tease

However, this Cangyun Academy student clearly didn't realize he was making a huge mistake. He continued to taunt Ling Mu and Hao Meng, even threatening Hao Xiaomeng.

This clearly crossed the line for Ling Mu and Hao Meng. Their gazes towards the young man in the black robe turned cold.

Before Hao Meng could make a move, Ling Mu stepped forward. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of the young man in the black robe. He then formed his right hand into a point and directly struck the young man's shoulder. It was the "Thrust" technique from the Ling Family Sword Style.

Ling Mu's sudden attack greatly surprised the young man in the black robe. Both Ling Mu and Hao Meng were known for their stagnant cultivation. Seeing them, he had intended to humiliate them a little. Such an opportunity to publicly shame a Qinglan Academy student was rare, and handling it well would earn him praise from Cangyun Academy.

The young man's strength was mediocre, far from the Half-Step Core Formation Realm. Although Ling Mu used his hand as a sword, he was still able to execute the profoundness and essence of the move. This thrust, seemingly ordinary, contained the power of thunder and lightning, a move the young man in the black robe could not possibly resist.

As expected, the young man in the black robe had no chance to react before being hit in the shoulder by Ling Mu's thrust. Intense pain erupted instantly, and his entire body was sent flying backward by the impact, smashing into a fruit stall behind him.

Ling Mu did not pursue. He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the disheveled young man in the black robe. As the City Lord's son, he had to be cautious with his words and actions. This was a busy area with constant foot traffic and countless eyes watching. Any inappropriate behavior on his part would indirectly affect his father's governance. Therefore, he would not have acted if the Cangyun Academy youth hadn't insulted Hao Xiaomeng.

The young man in the black robe struggled to climb out from under the pile of smashed fruits. His once elegant robes were now stained with various fruit juices, and half a watermelon was perched on his head. His handsome appearance was completely gone, attracting the attention of the street crowd.

"Good, good, you wait! Don't you dare leave! I'm going to call for backup!"

Feeling the pointing fingers and hushed laughter from all directions, the young man in the black robe's face turned red, matching the watermelon juice dripping from his head. This further fueled the crowd's chatter.

"These Cangyun Academy students are so terrible! Their strength is lacking, and their character is even worse. Hmph, let Brother Mu teach you a lesson."

Hao Xiaomeng, seeing the young man in the black robe flee in disarray, waved her small, tender fists and spoke towards his retreating figure.

"Although the ordinary students of Cangyun Academy are not very strong, they tend to stick together for support and are very vindictive. Junior Brother Ling, you've embarrassed him, so he's definitely going to call for reinforcements to seek revenge."

Hao Meng, being a senior at Qinglan Academy, was very familiar with Cangyun Academy, their rival. He spoke up, pointing out the possibility of further trouble.

"But he dared to bully my sister, Hao Meng. No matter who comes, or how many, I'll beat them all."

Ling Mu was surprised by Hao Meng's words, which were quite different from his previously humble and honest demeanor. After a moment of thought, he understood. Hao Meng had now broken through to the Core Formation Realm, rejoining the ranks of geniuses. Furthermore, his five years of accumulated experience gave him the true combat power to look down on those of the same level. A rough jade had once again begun to shine brilliantly. This was the spirit a cultivator should possess. If he had remained low-key throughout his youth, he would have lost the courage to strive forward, making it difficult to climb the subsequent peaks.

The three were not deterred by this brief interlude and continued their outing, weaving through various shops and enjoying the unique night scenery and lively atmosphere of Qinglan City.

Turning a street corner, a magnificent five-story building came into view. Its pavilions and terraces, with carved beams and embroidered pillars, and jade steps and vermilion courtyards, depicted a magnificent palace. The upturned eaves and glazed tiles showcased exquisite craftsmanship that was breathtaking.

A golden nanmu plaque hung high on the building, with large, bold characters carved deeply into the wood. Hao Meng looked closely and recognized the words: Twin Phoenix Tower.