"Brother Ping, this newly produced thing really was something else. The goods from the Upper City were the real deal—casually surpassing the cutting-edge stuff we'd only managed to make after racking our brains."
Someone nimbly vaulted over the obstacles atop the buildings lining the street and alley, dropping down from above. He was a child who looked no older than fifteen, his babyish face currently brimming with excitement. He lovingly stroked an exquisite Spirit Gun in his hand, its pale-blue spirit crystal radiance flowing and flickering like breathing.
"Quit talking nonsense. Think about it: so many people in our Outer City can only look up at the lords in the Inner City to make a living. If they weren't capable, would they have gotten to sit in those positions?"
The companion beside him grinned and reached out to snatch the Spirit Gun, but before his hand could touch it, a crisp smack rang out. The youth holding the gun glared at him darkly.
"Niu San, talk if you want to talk. Why are you pawing at this treasure? Let me tell you, I won this thing through a contest of skill. If you want it, either challenge me fair and square, or don't even dream about it."
The companion called Niu San looked somewhat embarrassed. Seeing that their boss across from him showed no expression, however, he could only awkwardly shake his head and mutter.
"What's so great about it? You just got lucky enough to attend a few classes at that Upper City academy. It's not even a proper cultivation method. Look how full of yourself you are..."
"Didn't you attend them too? If you can't learn it, you can't learn it. Is it really that hard to admit someone else has talent?"
The gun-wielding youth looked even more