Qin Wen had originally intended to give away a hairpin she held, not needing it herself if Xia Lin had one.
However, the woman in front of them making such demanding remarks greatly displeased Qin Wen.
The "Little Chili of Modu" was never known for being mild-mannered.
"Ladies, I truly apologize. My daughter is being inconsiderate. Please, buy whatever you like and ignore her."
The woman, however, was still being difficult. Her father, at least, spoke with some propriety.
"Boss, here's a spirit stone. We'll take these two hairpins." Qin Wen took out a spirit stone and handed it to the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper grinned, accepted it, and said, "See if there's anything else you like, and I'll give you a better price later."
Xia Lin glanced around but didn't see anything she fancied. She shook her head and said, "No need. We'll just take these two hairpins."
"Hmph..." The woman, seeing that Xia Lin had already bought the hairpins, snorted at her father, clearly unhappy.
Xia Lin and Qin Wen paid them no mind and turned to leave. Seeing Xia Feng approaching, Xia Lin called out, "Brother, look how pretty this is that I bought!"
Xia Lin held the hairpin in her hand and waved it towards Xia Feng.
"Mm, pretty," Xia Feng nodded, displaying a touch of bluntness.
Meanwhile, the father of the earlier woman saw Xia Feng, his eyes widening like a bull's. He recoiled in shock.
Indeed, this man was Gu Zhe, the sect leader of the Laoshan Sect. His sect was definitely going to participate in this cultivators'大会.
Since his last return from Modu, Gu Zhe had become much more low-key. He treated everyone with politeness, adopting an amiable facade. It was a necessity; the sect's Grand Elder had not been so prudent. By the time the feast was over, grass should have already grown a few centimeters high on his grave.
Sweat instantly soaked Gu Zhe's clothes. He felt a chill of fear.
Fortunately, he hadn't spoken disrespectfully to the young woman earlier and had acted courteously. Otherwise, the Laoshan Sect would have been hosting a grand banquet for his own funeral.
"Senior..." Gu Zhe approached, adopting an exceedingly humble posture. He greeted Xia Feng timidly and cautiously.
Since they had met, not greeting him would be impossible.
Even if Xia Feng disliked him and decided to slap him twice, it would be considered a blessing.
Xia Feng raised an eyebrow, glanced at him, and waved dismissively.
Gu Zhe felt as though he had received a great pardon. He quickly bowed and retreated three steps, grabbing his daughter and hurrying away.
"Brother, do you know that person?" Xia Lin asked as she watched Gu Zhe disappear.
"I've met him once," Xia Feng nodded.
"Alright, then we'll continue browsing." Xia Lin said, then linked arms with Qin Wen and walked away.
Long Aotian and Du Lapid followed Xia Feng, one on each side, like bodyguards, their expressions blank.
"Little Long, let's arrange our sleeping quarters for the night first. Old Peter, you go with them; it's good to have someone watching out." Xia Feng instructed.
"Yes, Master." Both of them responded.
Xia Feng harbored no worries about anyone encountering trouble. From the moment he entered, his divine sense had encompassed the entire area.
Moreover, he had long ago imprinted his soul mark upon Xia Lin. No one could harm her.
At least, in this world, no one could harm her in the slightest. It wouldn't matter who came.
Last time, on Kunlun Mountain, they had mentioned guarding Xia Lin after he left. Xia Feng's concern, besides Xia Lin being lonely, was that if he completely detached himself from this world, his soul mark might also be erased.
Therefore, it was necessary to improve Long Aotian and Du Lapid's cultivation.
Although Du Lapid was a foreigner, he possessed his own cultivation within him. He had long been influenced by Xia Feng, becoming steadfast in his resolve and would never betray him, even unto death.
As for Long Aotian, there was no need to elaborate; he was trustworthy.
Subsequently, Xia Feng left with Long Aotian. Xia Feng could do without sleep, but everyone else needed to rest.
Du Lapid, on the other hand, walked directly towards Xia Lin, staying a short distance behind her.
Although this was a place frequented by cultivators, all the necessary facilities were available, including eateries and inns for lodging.
The only question was whether there were still rooms available, as numerous sects were attending the cultivators'大会, and many rooms had been booked well in advance.
Xia Feng and Long Aotian arrived at the largest inn. The inn was not tall, only four stories, but it occupied a vast area.
This place was unlike the secular world, with its towering skyscrapers.
"Shopkeeper, are there any rooms left?" Long Aotian asked at the inn's front desk.
"Guest, we don't have many rooms left. How many do you need?" the innkeeper asked.
"Nine rooms," Long Aotian confirmed after some thought.
There were seventeen of them in total. Two people per room, with Xia Feng having his own room.
"Sir, I apologize, but we don't have that many rooms." The owner said apologetically.
"Then how many are left?" Long Aotian frowned.
"Only three." The owner replied.
"Three rooms?"
"Three rooms won't do. Two fewer, and we could squeeze by. But this many fewer makes it impossible to stay comfortably."
"Master, there are no rooms here. Let's try another place." Long Aotian turned to Xia Feng.
"Let's go." Xia Feng agreed and led the way toward the exit.
"Two idiots, knowing a cultivators'大会 was about to be held, and they didn't book rooms in advance."
"Heh heh... just look at their attire. They've probably spent too much time in the secular world and fried their brains."
As Xia Feng was about to leave, two voices behind him started chattering.
They thought they were speaking quietly and that others wouldn't hear them, but how could Xia Feng be judged by ordinary standards?
Xia Feng, with a blank expression, turned back directly. The strong had their dignity; how could they tolerate such insults?
If it were just a casual remark, Xia Feng wouldn't have minded.
The mistake was the preceding insult.
"Master, what is it?" Long Aotian quickly asked.
"Break one leg each for those two and teach them what it means to speak ill of others." Xia Feng gestured directly at the two with his eyes.
Long Aotian was utterly obedient to Xia Feng's words. No matter the situation, he had to execute Xia Feng's commands.
"Just a couple of weaklings," Long Aotian walked over, grabbed one in each hand, and threw them to the ground. Then, he raised his leg and stomped on each of them, breaking their right legs.
The sound of cracking bones could be heard throughout the entire hall.
"Ah...."
The two writhed in agony, feeling utterly bewildered. Long Aotian had suddenly grabbed them and thrown them to the ground before they could even react.
"Breaking a leg is just a warning. You spoke ill of others, and you know what you said yourselves." Da Feng Novel Network.
Long Aotian didn't know what they had said, so he could only express it in this manner.
"Stop! The Cultivator's Guild prohibits fighting and brawling here!" The owner quickly intervened. Long Aotian had acted too quickly for him to react.
By the time he saw what was happening, the two were already having their legs broken by Long Aotian.
They lay on the ground like dead dogs, moaning piteously.