"Does the vast Star Radiance Merchant Guild not have anyone I can talk to?" Li Xuan, ignoring the two, floated in mid-air and spoke loudly to his surroundings.
"Sir, you've gone too far." As Li Xuan's voice faded, a figure slowly appeared.
"Greetings, Elder Shang!"
Upon the arrival of the newcomer, Geng Wanfeng and the other two peak experts of the Qiankun realm bowed respectfully.
"And who might you be?" Li Xuan asked, glancing at the elder.
"This old man is Shang Qiu, the head manager of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild," the elder replied.
"Since you are the head manager, you should be able to make decisions," Li Xuan nodded slightly. He then pointed his immortal sword at Geng Wanfeng below and said, "His brother, Geng Wanshan, swallowed one hundred million high-grade spirit stones from me. I need an explanation for this."
"What? The Star Radiance Merchant Guild actually swallowed a guest's spirit stones?"
"So that's why this person dared to cause trouble in the Star Radiance Merchant Guild. It's because of this."
"The Star Radiance Merchant Guild's reputation has always been excellent. Could there be something fishy about this?"
"..."
The spiritual masters in Dragon Tiger City had already sensed something when Li Xuan had pierced the Star Radiance Merchant Guild with his sword. Furthermore, the appearance of the three peak Qiankun realm experts had attracted quite a crowd of spiritual masters. Upon hearing Li Xuan's words, they all began to discuss amongst themselves.
"One hundred million high-grade spirit stones?" Shang Qiu frowned upon hearing this and then looked directly at Geng Wanfeng. "Is this matter true?"
"Replying to the Head Manager, this subordinate does not know," Geng Wanfeng hastily shook his head.
Li Xuan chuckled and said, "If you don't know, why were you paying attention to me when I arrived at your main branch? And why did you use your divine sense to eavesdrop after I entered the room? Don't rush to deny it. Old man standing next to Geng Wanfeng, you tell me."
The elder pointed out by Li Xuan glanced at Shang Qiu and then bowed. "Replying to the Head Manager, this subordinate does not know if Geng Wanshan swallowed this gentleman's spirit stones. However, what this gentleman said is indeed true."
Shang Qiu frowned and looked at Geng Wanfeng. "I'll give you another chance. If you still don't tell the truth, don't blame me for being merciless!"
"Replying to the Head Manager, three days ago, Geng Wanshan did indeed send me a message saying he needed to leave because he had enemies pursuing him. He also asked me to be vigilant, saying that these enemies might come to the main branch and to keep an eye out," Geng Wanfeng knelt and confessed.
Shang Qiu frowned, clearly having guessed the general outline of the situation. He glanced at Li Xuan and then cupped his hands with a hint of helplessness. "Could you give this old man some time? Once I've investigated the reason, I will surely give you a satisfactory answer."
Li Xuan looked at Shang Qiu and then asked, "Aren't you going to pursue me for killing your Star Radiance Merchant Guild members?"
"This matter, this old man can handle," Shang Qiu's face twitched slightly, and he replied.
Shang Qiu wasn't unwilling to pursue the matter, but it was happening in front of so many people, and the situation was clearly as Li Xuan described. Considering the reputation of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild, he could only endure it.
"Very well, I will wait in this city for you. I need a result within one day." Li Xuan nodded and then disappeared with a movement.
"Everyone, please disperse." As Li Xuan left, Shang Qiu turned to the onlookers and said.
The Star Radiance Merchant Guild had influence, and with the appearance of its Head Manager Shang Qiu, the crowd was sensible and quickly left. However, Shang Qiu knew that if this matter could not be resolved satisfactorily, even he would likely be blamed.
The thought of that person's methods made Shang Qiu tremble. Soon, Shang Qiu's gaze fell upon Geng Wanfeng.
"From now on, all your affairs are suspended. You are not allowed to leave the guild half a step until it is clear whether you were involved." Shang Qiu then turned to the other two enshrined experts. "I will trouble you two to go to the Yueyang City branch to investigate."
"Yes." Geng Wanfeng sighed helplessly. Even if the investigation yielded a favorable result, he likely wouldn't be able to stay in the Star Radiance Merchant Guild.
The other two enshrined experts nodded slightly and then disappeared from the spot.
Shang Qiu glanced at the shattered guild below and then waved his hand, instantly repairing it.
Meanwhile, Li Xuan browsed the city without any reservation. After all, Dragon Tiger City was one of the five main cities, and since Li Xuan had come, he naturally had to explore. Moreover, there was more than just the Star Radiance Merchant Guild in Dragon Tiger City.
Soon, Li Xuan purchased thirty immortal swords from the Righteousness Merchant Guild, the Horizon Merchant Guild, and the Night Wing Merchant Guild.
Of course, Li Xuan's high-grade spirit stones were also spent, totaling three hundred million.
Perhaps it was the considerable stir Li Xuan caused at the Star Radiance Merchant Guild, or perhaps the three merchant guilds intended to befriend him, or perhaps the quantity Li Xuan purchased was significant. The immortal swords, originally priced at fifteen million high-grade spirit stones each, were all sold to Li Xuan by the three merchant guilds for ten million high-grade spirit stones each.
Li Xuan did not refuse, as saving where possible was beneficial. Even so, he only had less than two hundred million high-grade spirit stones left. After purchasing the spirit swords, Li Xuan found an inn and settled down.
"Alas, cultivation truly requires money," Li Xuan sighed helplessly. The spirit stones spent on purchasing spirit swords along the way were far too many. If it weren't for the 'generosity' of Luotian of the Rakshasa tribe, Li Xuan would not have been able to afford so many spirit stones.
At this moment, Li Xuan suddenly recalled that when the Grand Hall Master called out the names of the Great Star Master and the Three Star Masters, he had seemed to call them Luotian as well. The thought of not having collected their spatial rings made Li Xuan feel a pang of regret. Individuals of such caliber would surely have tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of spirit stones on them.
Li Xuan shook his head in regret, then set up a barrier and entered the Zhenyu.
Hum.
As an immortal sword was inserted into his dantian, Li Xuan's aura instantly surged. Feeling this, Li Xuan inserted another immortal sword and began to absorb.
At the same time, on the top floor of the Star Radiance Merchant Guild, the two enshrined experts had returned. Behind them, they had brought Manager Qiu Ce.
"So, this matter is true. Geng Wanshan actually dared to embezzle. But you mentioned that this person is a disciple of the six peak masters of the Body Sect. I have heard of this. This matter must be handled with caution," Shang Qiu said after listening to Manager Qiu Ce's report and falling silent for a moment.
"Have you found out where Li Xuan is staying?" Shang Qiu asked again after a moment of contemplation.
"Replying to the Head Manager, he is at the Moon Sun Inn." As Shang Qiu finished speaking, a figure appeared and replied.
Shang Qiu looked at Manager Qiu Ce and said, "Qiu Ce, according to you, you seem to have a good relationship with that Li Xuan. This matter needs to be handled properly. You go and invite him over so we can discuss compensation."
Qiu Ce replied with helplessness, "Head Manager, this subordinate believes it would be more appropriate for us to go and discuss with him. After all, this matter was committed by someone from our guild. If we are not humble, people might criticize us."
Shang Qiu shook his head. "He is merely a disciple of the six peak masters of the Body Sect. He does not have the standing to demand that our Star Radiance Merchant Guild come to apologize."
Just as Manager Qiu Ce was about to speak further, a graceful figure suddenly appeared.
"Shang Qiu, you go yourself."