Chapter Twelve: Conflict

Yikai, seeing the shocked expressions on Yifeng, Yili, and the others, couldn't help but feel a bit smug. He said, "Yuanstones are rare treasures, only used in transactions involving precious items. However, Shixuan Street is different."

His eyes gleamed with excitement as he explained to Yitian and the others, "Every shop on Shixuan Street requires large quantities of raw stones from yuan vein mines. Most of these are waste stones, containing no elemental energy, but a few are genuine yuanstones. On Shixuan Street, a single gold coin allows you to choose any three raw stones. If you happen to pick a yuanstone, you'll strike it rich." At the end, Yikai could hardly wait to rush there.

Yitian and his companions were also very interested in Shixuan Street, so under Yikai's guidance, they all headed that way. When they arrived, they found the street was teeming with people: warriors and ordinary citizens mingled, coming and going from the shops. At the same time, a squad of mid-tier warriors, representing the official power of Black Dragon City, patrolled the street, maintaining order. No one was allowed to fight.

Yikai and his group entered Shixuan Street laden with bags. Xiaolong and Xiaoting were happily munching on snacks, their hands full, drawing disdainful glances from many onlookers. The group looked like wild savages, dressed in leather and carrying bulky packs. Even commoners in coarse linen felt a sense of superiority when they saw them.

Yitian ignored these looks. Warriors from the Yi Tribe often ventured deep into the mountains to hunt fierce beasts; leather clothing was their best attire—sturdy, durable, and offering decent protection. In his previous life, leather garments were considered high-end and expensive.

They wandered into a shop without much ceremony. Soon, a clerk approached. His expression was somewhat arrogant, lacking any respect for Yitian's group. "Honored guests, our raw stones come from a large yuan vein mine. There's a good chance of finding yuanstones among them. One gold coin lets you choose any three."

With that, he withdrew to the side. Yitian paid no mind to the clerk's cold attitude, but Yikai and Yifeng were irritated. How could a mere clerk treat them so? Still, they quickly immersed themselves in selecting raw stones.

These raw stones, found alongside yuan veins, looked identical on the outside; only by activating one's cultivation technique could one distinguish between a yuanstone and a waste stone. If it was waste, the stone would shatter upon activation. Thus, activating techniques during selection was strictly forbidden, and the eye alone was useless—choosing a yuanstone relied entirely on luck.

Yitian and the others scattered, searching throughout the shop, which covered nearly an acre. In the Stone Fortune Pavilion, raw stones were piled high on shelves and floors—at least a hundred thousand of them. Over a hundred customers were busy picking stones, occasionally discussing and arguing.

Out of these hundred thousand stones, if the quality was good, perhaps a dozen would be yuanstones; if poor, there might not be a single one. The odds of picking a yuanstone were slim. Yet, the chance of turning a single gold coin into a fortune—hundreds of times its value—was irresistible, even for warriors who enjoyed gambling on such odds.

Yitian picked up a raw stone; with his naked eye, he saw no difference. He glanced discreetly at the stone ring on his wrist, which showed no sign of desire—proof that this stone contained no elemental energy and was not a yuanstone.

This gave Yitian an idea. His Star Mud avatar might be able to sense whether a stone contained yuan energy. The thought made him excited. If so, he could potentially acquire many yuanstones on Shixuan Street and greatly increase his wealth.

He began his methodical search, picking up stone after stone, pretending to examine each one before quickly swapping it for another. His actions drew displeased looks from the clerk and caught the attention of several customers, who soon shook their heads in dismissal.

The proprietor of Stone Fortune Pavilion, a corpulent man, watched from a distance and sneered, but did not intervene.

After handling over a thousand stones, Yitian suddenly felt the Star Mud's longing—far stronger than its desire for the fiery true energy in his dantian. He quickly identified the target: a stone to his right. When he picked it up, the stone ring formed by his Star Mud avatar grew even more eager, but he suppressed its instinct.

Yitian did not put this yuanstone back. His Star Mud avatar could sense nearby objects containing elemental energy, but its range was limited; otherwise, it would have detected them sooner. This was Yitian's conclusion.

He stopped picking up stones one by one—such a slow process would draw attention, and he preferred to make his fortune quietly. He began to stroll past the shelves, seemingly browsing, sometimes selecting a stone. By the time he had covered most of the pavilion, he held three stones in his hand—three yuanstones!

His heart raced, but his face remained calm. In the Yi Tribe, only elders and chiefs possessed yuanstones; no ordinary warrior had ever been known to own one.

"How dare you block my way? Get lost, you little beggar!" Suddenly, an arrogant voice sounded at the entrance. Then came the cry of a child.

"You villain! How dare you hit my sister? I'll fight you!" A boy's voice rang out.

The commotion drew the attention of the customers. At the entrance, a cute little girl lay on the ground, while a boy glared angrily at a pampered, fair-faced youth and rushed toward him.

"Courting death!" The youth's servant sneered and kicked at the boy.

Yitian, witnessing the conflict, felt his fury ignite. The girl who had been struck was none other than his sister, Yi Xiaoting. Worse still, the servant's kick was so forceful that even an adult would struggle to withstand it—let alone a six-year-old child, who would be gravely injured if not killed.

"Die!" At that moment, a tall figure rushed forward, meeting the kick head-on.

Bang! A loud crash.

The figure staggered back several steps, and the servant was forced back as well.

"Xiaoting, are you all right?" The figure was Yi Shan, who had been nearby. Seeing Xiaoting knocked down, he had hurried over in time.

Soon, Yikai, Yitian, Yifeng, and Yili arrived, glaring angrily at the arrogant youth and his servant.

Yitian checked Xiaoting over; her palm and arm were scraped, but the incident had frightened her into sobbing.

A surge of rage welled up within Yitian. He had always cherished Xiaolong and Xiaoting, never imagining they would suffer such humiliation—and Xiaolong had nearly been seriously injured by the servant's kick. He was nearly consumed with anger, wishing to slay them on the spot.

"Who are you people, to strike children so viciously? Don't you know fighting is forbidden on Shixuan Street?" Yikai was furious at the pair. His duty was to protect Yitian and the others, and he hadn't expected Xiaoting and Xiaolong to be harmed so quickly. If not for the strict rules against fighting, he would have retaliated already.