Chapter Ten: A Grudge is Born

Liu Feng’s brows arched slightly as he heard the youth’s words.

“Xiao Yun said she was the first to pick the Phoenix Blood Grass. What right do you have to chase her and demand it?” Li Feng said angrily.

“We saw that Phoenix Blood Grass too, so it belongs to us. Just because she picked it first doesn’t make it hers,” another shorter youth replied domineeringly.

Xiao Yun retorted, “I clearly saw it first. You only saw it after I had picked it.”

“Enough nonsense, hand it over now, or we won’t be so polite,” the taller youth said impatiently.

Hearing the arrogant words and vile attitude from the two youths, Liu Feng and his companions were livid.

At that moment, the shorter youth stepped in front of Xiao Yun, reaching out to snatch the Phoenix Blood Grass from her.

Zhang Chen blocked him with his arm, displeased. “You’re being unreasonable, reaching out to take someone else’s belonging.”

“You brat, how dare you meddle?” the shorter youth snapped angrily.

Liu Feng said, “You’re the ones being unreasonable, and now you want to blame us.”

“Junior, don’t waste words with them—take the grass,” urged the taller youth.

Both of them lunged at Xiao Yun, treating Liu Feng’s group as if they were invisible.

“Bang!”

Wang Yun blocked the taller youth, while Xiao Yun fended off the other.

“Meddling in matters that don’t concern you? Courting death,” the taller youth snarled, swinging a fist at Wang Yun.

His fist glimmered, as if a small mountain was condensed upon it. A violent aura tore through the air, crashing down toward Wang Yun.

Wang Yun felt as though a mountain pressed upon him, making even breathing difficult. Without hesitating, he exhaled forcefully, shattering the oppressive force, then swiftly struck with his palm. True energy surged across his hand, the air rippling like water.

“Boom!”

Fist and palm collided, unleashing a terrifying wave of energy that shattered the tables and chairs nearby.

The diners scattered, dodging the chaos.

“These people are unreasonable, fighting in a restaurant. Do they care nothing for us eating here?”

“Where’s the innkeeper? Someone stop them!”

The place was thrown into turmoil; most were ordinary folk, unaccustomed to such scenes.

Wang Yun and the taller youth continued their fierce exchange, the air crackling with explosive force—a terrifying spectacle.

Xiao Yun was locked in combat with the shorter youth. Her palms moved lightly and gracefully, yet her attacks flowed like endless waves, exhausting her opponent. Eventually, her watery strikes transformed into surging waves, their momentum and power overwhelming.

The youth fought back with fists as swift as wind, the gleaming force condensing into a small mountain, imposing upon Xiao Yun, as if to crush her attacks and dispel her surging waves.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The aftermath of their battle blasted the tables and chairs to pieces.

At this critical moment, Wang Yun proved no match for the youth, forced to retreat again and again.

“Haha! Meddlesome brat with no real skill. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget,” the taller youth laughed wildly.

Seeing the situation turn dire, Li Feng quickly joined the fight, working with Wang Yun to contend with the taller youth.

Fists and palms collided in a flurry. Together, they barely managed to fight him to a standstill.

The same unfolded at Xiao Yun’s side. Without a second thought, Liu Feng launched a punch at the shorter youth; his fist gleamed, surging with fierce energy like a hurricane.

The shorter youth responded swiftly, his mountain-like fist force colliding with Liu Feng’s powerful blow.

“Bang!”

The impact was like a raging tempest, energy waves radiating outward and forcing everyone to retreat. Some were even thrown off their feet by the shockwave.

“Stop!”

A thunderous shout rang out, like a bolt from a clear sky.

A tall figure appeared, swiftly entering the fray and unleashing a series of powerful punches.

Both Liu Feng’s group and the two youths were forced back by the overwhelming force.

Liu Feng sensed a mental pressure descending upon him, like a massive mountain. His own spiritual power was utterly dwarfed, as if a newborn confronting a grown man.

Wang Yun and the others clearly felt it too, their faces turning grim.

“This is definitely not the pressure of the Qi Gathering stage. This aura has reached the Yin-Yang stage—high-level at that,” Wang Yun said in shock.

He had not expected to find a high-level Yin-Yang practitioner here.

Liu Feng asked in confusion, “What is the Yin-Yang stage? How can you tell?”

Li Feng explained, “The Yin-Yang stage is the next realm after Qi Gathering. It focuses on cultivating the soul’s power, allowing one to project spiritual force and suppress others with sheer presence.”

The scene quieted, and only then did everyone see the newcomer clearly.

He looked to be about twenty-five, tall and sturdy, with thick brows, large eyes, a straight nose, and resolute features. He radiated a powerful sense of strength, as if nothing could daunt him.

“The innkeeper is here. Now things will settle.”

“It’s Yang Sheng, the innkeeper of Guest Lodge.” People greeted him, as if his presence restored order.

The tall young man spoke, “I deeply apologize for what has happened to you all. Anyone injured, I’ll see to their care. Today’s meal is on me.”

“Thank you, Innkeeper Yang. Though your establishment is still young, your reputation is excellent.”

“Yes, no one could have expected today’s events. You’re not to blame, Innkeeper Yang,” people chimed in.

Yang Sheng said, “Please, everyone, leave for now. I have matters to discuss with these few.”

The diners quickly filed out.

Yang Sheng approached Liu Feng and his companions, then looked at the two youths. “What happened here?”

Seeing Yang Sheng’s powerful cultivation, the two youths dared not act arrogantly.

The taller youth stammered, “We came to ask for the Phoenix Blood Grass, but they refused and provoked us. We were angered and struck out.”

Yang Sheng turned to Liu Feng’s group, clearly seeking their explanation.

Xiao Yun said, “Senior, they are making trouble without cause. I was the first to see the Phoenix Blood Grass. They chased after me, insisting I hand it over, and when I refused, tried to take it by force. My companions stepped in to help me.”

“Is that so? I hope you’re not lying to me, or the consequences will be severe,” Yang Sheng said, his eyes sharp as he looked at the two youths.

“We saw it as well, so we chased her for it,” they replied, lacking conviction.

Yang Sheng read their expressions and understood the truth of the matter.

“You two, hand over a thousand silver taels as compensation for damages to my establishment,” Yang Sheng said.

The youths complied swiftly, handing over the silver without protest.

“Now leave,” Yang Sheng ordered.

The two glared at Liu Feng’s group, gritting their teeth. “Just wait. This isn’t over.”