Lowlife

Bai Xiu and Lin Meiyu were Foundation Establishment realm cultivators that belonged to Shadowstrike, and were now frozen in place as they watched a mid level Qi Gathering realm cultivator throw out a Golden Core Captain of Tianbao. After the departure of the one who called himself 'Fang Shi', they quickly gathered their subordinates with the intention of defending themselves, but when the store owner returned, they could only watch as he returned to his original position.

"Terribly sorry about that", Fang Shi addressed the group, "Some lack the ability to recognize the situation, and forget themselves. I can assure you that your companion is safe, but I won't let others take advantage of me. I won't stop you if you wish to go check on him, but we can continue if its agreeable to you."

Lin Meiyu looked at Bai Xiu, "I will go check on Captain Lei, why don't you look over the wonderful products that must be sold here."

"Very well", Bai Xiu replied.

The graceful Lin Meiyu led most of the Qi Gathering subordinates out of the building, and headed to the front gate. Bai Xiu wanted her to take everyone, but he was afraid that the cultivator who had suppressed Captain Lei Qingshan would be offended.

With his teammates gone, Bai Xiu relaxed a little, "I'm ready to look around now, owner. Are you sure it's ok to have you escort us personally?"

"As you can see, I'm the only one here", Fang Shi responded, "I'm Fang Shi, acting manager, please follow me."

Bai Xiu nodded, and signaled to the small group that stayed behind to follow close behind him.

"Let's start here", Fang Shi continued to speak, "This is the main store, and if you look around, you can see we do our best to sell the highest quality of spiritual plants and beasts. When you are ready, we can move on to the next floor."

Bai Xiu and the small team moved around the room together evaluating the items on the shelves.

Fan Xu, a Qi Gathering member that specialized in defense whispered to Bai Xiu, "Leader Bai, there's something strange about this place. These products are in perfect condition, and if they were to show up in an auction, they would bring in a high price. Why would a pavilion with such impressive goods set up here in the dangerous wilds?"

"Don't ask these questions when we are still here", Bai Xiu growled at his follower, "Or would you rather be unceremoniously be removed like our employer?"

Bai Xiu was also in thought as he looked around the room. This place was absurd to see with so many 3rd and 2nd class goods in perfect condition, and he couldn't fault his subordinate for his lapse in judgment.

"May I call you Owner Fang?", Bai Xiu asked.

"Of course, most of my customers in the other store refer to me this way", Fang Shi smiled.

"Then, Owner Fang, I have a question of these prices you have posted and what you accept as payment", Bai Xiu replied.

Owner Fang didn't respond, so Bai Xiu continued, "Normally, the prices for these spiritual herbs should be much higher and only found in auctions. Why are your prices so low in comparison? Also,I noticed that the prices are only in spirit stones, but on the wall scroll next to the counter it's written that this shop accepts various goods to barter. Why do these things seem to contradict each other?"

"This is easily explained", Fang Shi began to lecture, "Prices are based on supply and demand. I'm assuming that the products that you are referring to are ones that rarely appear for sale. As you can see, I have a large supply of those items, so do you think they would seek for the same price? Now for the second question, please come over here."

Fang Shi led the group of guests over to a large artifact, and started to explain how it evaluated items placed inside, displayed, the results, and paid out spirit stones if the customer agreed. He even demonstrated it a few times before some of the members of the group tried it for themselves using things they didn't mind losing. One of the younger cultivators even got lucky when they received a big payment for a mysterious rock they had picked up for cheap, causing a fuss as they all started bringing out their most precious possessions.

"Before you start purchasing goods, could I suggest we finish the tour first?", Fang Shi advised.

Bai Xiu cleared his throat in embarrassment, "Yes, let's do as you say."

Fang Shi took everyone to the pub where they were amazed to watch the walking cats cooking meals, and serving them on large platters. This was followed by a tea house and bar, with the former exuding peace and the latter seemed to have a rowdy feel to it. Afterwards, he guided them to the area for selling pills, artifacts, talismans, and arrays, something that caused them to lose composure again.

'I've never seen pills with nine pill clouds on them', Bai Xiu thought as he felt like reality was slipping away, 'But right in front of me, I see bottles of pills exactly like that.'

This time the tour came to a screeching halt as the small team of cultivators couldn't hold back and had to make purchases. Fang Shi sat back as they did their shopping, and half an hour later when they finished, he led them to the hot springs bath. They were tempted to go in, but Fang Shi said that if they did he would end the tour at that point since he he didn't wish to wait on bathing customers. With that, they left and went to the cultivation hall where the cultivation pods caused another uproar. After a thorough explanation, the team of cultivators tried out the cultivation pods and Fang Shi returned to the main store counter tired of leading this group around.

Rewinding a few hours back, Lin Meiyu was leading the majority of the exploration team out the gate of the pavilion when they came upon a strange sight. In front of them, they saw Lei Qingshan with outstretched hands trying to feel around for something in the air.

"Captain, is everything alright?", Lin Meiyu asked after much contemplation.

Lei Qingshan stopped and several moments later, Lin Meiyu and most of her followers appeared through the fog.

"I was trying to navigate through the array", he embarrassedly answered, "Where is your other team leader, and the rest of your team?"

"They are still inside", Lin Meiyu answered with a confused look on her face.

She heard Captain Lei mention an array, but to her and the others, everything looked normal.

"Shall we return to the camp?", Lin Meiyu suggested, "The manager of that store allowed us to leave with no problems, and I believe I can return if needed. It might be best to wait for Brother Bai to return, and we can hear more then."

Lei Qingshan stood and thought for a bit, he had experience with arrays so it was somewhat humiliating to surrender to this one. In the end, he agreed since it was his actions that resulted in this situation. With a nod, he turned around and furrowed his brow when he saw no fog behind him. The message was clear, 'No entry, feel free to leave'.

The next day at the camp, Lei Qingshan and Lin Meiyu were discussing the situation. Bai Xiu and the small group left behind still hadn't returned.

"Captain Lei", Lin Meiyu said, "Perhaps I alone should return to find out what happened. I can't return to the city unless I know what happened to him and the others of my group."

Lei Qingshan frowned, but couldn't refute her reasoning, "If they haven't return by sundown, let's go with your suggestion."

"I'll go prepare then", she stood up and started walking towards her tent.

"Wait!", Lei Qingshan had a strange look on his face, "Five Foundation Establishment cultivators are walking this way from that store. Inform Yu Feng, and have your subordinates move to safety. I recognize one of the people as Bai Xiu, but the other four, I'm not sure who they are."

Without responding, Lin Meiyu quickly did as Lei Qingshan asked before returning with Yu Feng. Soon, five person shaped objects was seen in the distance so she used a quick spell to help her see. She stopped in her tracks, but not because she saw Bai Xiu, it was the other four that shocked her. Behind her brother mercenary was the four followers she had left behind with him, but now they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Brother Bai", Lin Meiyu stated loudly before sending a secret code to him.

To her relief, Bai Xiu responded with the correct countersign causing her and Yu Feng to rush over to him.

"What happened?", Yu Feng inquired in a stern voice.

"Brother Yu, let use to by the fire first", Bai Xiu smiled, "I'll answer everything once we sit down."

Everyone moved into the camp where Bai Xiu bowed to Lei Qingshan, "Captain Lei, I have gained much during my stay in that pavilion, and I'm ready to report now."

"Good work returning with all your subordinates", Lei Qingshan replied, "Since you said you're ready, let's hear it."

Bai Xiu started speaking, "I'm sure the first thing everyone is curious about is how all the Qi Gathering cultivators broke through. As everyone here knows, all the Qi Gathering realm members we bring have perfected their realm. They are just working in the hopes that they can acquire a Foundation Establishment pill."

Everyone nodded as this was common knowledge, cultivators not in a sect had to put their life on the line just for the hope of a pill.

"Then you were able to purchase the only four pills the pavilion had?", Lei Qingshan looked angry, "But why did you give them to your subordinates? I know you wish to raise the status of your mercenary group, but my Thunderheart clan would have compensated you for those pills."

Bai Xiu looked alarmed and confused, "Captain, I haven't finished with the report yet. My subordinates bought those pills themselves, and there are still plenty to be bought."

Lei Qingshan suddenly felt heavy disdain for Bai Xiu, "It's already hard to believe that you found four pills if it wasn't for the fact I've personally seen the four of them return here after breaking through. But now you want to say this pavilion still has more?"

Bai Xiu was affected by the pressure Lei Qingshan gave off, but he didn't buckle, "Yes, it's true. I came back here to guide the rest of the team back to the pavilion."

"I think we should return to Tianbao", Lei Qingshan said, "This needs to be reported to the protectors of the city immediately."

Bai Xiu, Lin Meiyu, and Yu Feng did their best to hide their feelings of anger as they understood the crux of his order. In Tianbao fortress city, the five largest sects or clans control the supply of pills to the ones below them. If they were in the pavilion right now, they would be tempted to ignore his instructions. Unfortunately, they weren't, so they went back to their teams and carried out the task. Within a few hours, the camp that had stood for one night was broke down, and the group quickly retreated to the city.

Once safely inside the walls, Lei Qingshan stopped Bai Xiu, "Follow me, I need you to report in front of the Thunderheart clan protector as well."

Without waiting for an answer, Lei Qingshan started to move. Bai Xiu gritted his teeth, and chased after the Captain. Yu Feng and Lin Meiyu watched him go when something caught their eye, a leather bracelet with a crystal woven into it.

Yu Feng walked over and picked it up, "Let's go."

The Shadowstrike mercenaries all nodded, and headed towards the building their group rented. Once they arrived, Yu Feng dismissed the teams before he, Lin Meiyu, and the four new Foundation Establishment members went upstairs.

After knocking on the door, a woman's voice replied, "Enter."

The six walked in and saluted, "Commander Jin."

A taller than normal woman with black hair sitting in a chair looked at the group. Her presence appeared graceful with an underlying sharpness.

"Let me hear what happened", Commander Jin requested.

Yu Feng and Lin Meiyu took turns explaining the events of the last few days, including the advancement of their subordinates, before showing her the common looking bracelet that Bai Xiu dropped. Upon her request, Yu Feng handed the bracelet over to the commander and she quickly sent her sense into the crystal. Lin Meiyu and Yu Feng saw the commander start summoning bottles and boxes onto the desk along with a scroll. Commander Jin quickly read the contents of the scroll before a small crept onto her face.

"I must commend Lieutenant Bai when he returns. He knew this place would upset our employer, and still took the risk to provide us with this."

Meanwhile in the Jade Citadel, Lei Qingshan and Bai Xiu was entering the gate that separated the area from the rest of the city.

"Come with me", Lei Qingshan ordered, "Remember, when you meet the Protector you mustn't forget to show respect at all times."

Bai Xiu nodded his understanding, and the captain started moving towards the Thunderheart clan's area of the citadel. Lei Qingshan spoke to everyone he needed to, and soon they were waiting outside the office of Protector Thunderheart. Unfortunately, the protector wasn't in his office at the time, so Lei Qingshan decided to wait. After half an hour, footstep could be heard but Lei Qingshan became concerned when he realized more than one person was coming. A few moments later, Protector Thunderheart rounded the corner followed by the Protector from the Heavenly Forge sect.

"Captain Lei", Lei Huang, the Thunderheart Protector, called out.

"My apologies, protector", Lei Qingshan bowed, "It appears I came at a bad time, and will take my leave at this time."

Jin Tianxuan, as known as the Heavenly Protector, must have felt something was strange.

"Captain, I believe you were given the responsibility of investigating the anomaly out in the wilds, yes?", Jin Tianxuan asked, "Why does it look like you were going to present your finding to the Thunderheart Protector instead of all of us as per the rules?"

"That wasn't my intentions", Lei Qingshan started to sweat.

"Don't try to command my clansmen right in front of me", Lei Huang growled, "But since you're here, let's contact the other three and receive the report. Who's that with you by the way?"

"Bai Xiu of the Shadowstrike mercenaries", Lei Qingshan replied, "Due to some events, I need his testimony to give a full report."

The two Nascent souls paid no more mind to the pair, and soon everyone was assembled in the same meeting room as before.

Lei Huang quickly brought the other three up to speed before asking Lei Qingshan to speak. Lei Qingshan narrated the events until he was removed from the pavilion, allowing Bai Xiu to step in to give the report. When Bai Xiu finished speaking the protectors and Lei Qingshan were shocked at what was found inside.

"Captain Lei", Protector Mei looked at him strangely, "Why do you seem as surprised as us at the report just given to us."

Lei Qingshan spoke very respectfully about what had happened after being removed from the store, and the report given afterwards.

"You didn't even receive the full explanation before coming back?", Protector Xu asked with an angry expression.

Before he could get an answer, bells range indicating the spiritual beasts were on the move. The five protectors turned towards the balcony that faced the wall, slid open the windows, and walked out with Lei Qingshan and Bai Xiu following. Protector Jin pulled out an artifact and activated it, a light screen appeared that displayed what was happening where it was pointed. On the light screen, the scene showed many of the tribes of the strongest spiritual beasts forming up, but something seemed off.

"They aren't initiating an attack", Protector Shui looked puzzled.

Protector Lei had a thought, "Now that our team went in and came out safe, they've decided they won't allow us to return. They not attacking, they're defending?"