Chapter 43: "Arrogant Young Master Of Azure Flame Sect"

The air inside Mystic Reliquary Hall was heavy with an ancient atmosphere, filled with the scents of aged parchment, rare herbs, and polished jade, creating a uniquely intoxicating blend. The store wasn't merely a merchant's shop; it was a treasure trove of forgotten secrets and a vault of priceless artifacts sought after by countless generations of cultivators.

As Ye Xiaotian and his group stepped deeper into the establishment, the atmosphere subtly shifted. Unlike the bustling chaos of the streets outside, the inner halls of the shop exuded a calm and refined elegance, as though those who entered had stepped into a world where only the wealthy and powerful were welcome.

Golden lanterns, embedded with faint runes, illuminated the store, casting a soft, warm light over the meticulously arranged treasures. Jade cabinets lined the walls, each containing extraordinary items protected by barriers. Inside, gleaming divine weapons, shimmering spirit stones, aged medicinal pills, and ancient scrolls wrapped in delicate silk coverings could be seen.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged man exuding quiet authority, studied them for a moment before giving a respectful nod. Although he concealed his cultivation, Ye Xiaotian could sense that he was no ordinary merchant. There was a certain gravity to his presence, an underlying tension that suggested he was more than capable of handling himself if a situation turned violent.

When Elder Liu inquired about a map of the Ashen Soul Ruins, the shopkeeper's expression shifted, ever so slightly.

"A map of the Ashen Soul Ruins, you say?" His voice was measured, thoughtful, as though weighing the importance of the request. His fingers tapped lightly against the counter before he finally spoke again. "Follow me."

Without further explanation, the shopkeeper turned and led them deeper into the store, past the outer hall and through an elegantly carved jade archway.

The moment they stepped inside, Ye Xiaotian immediately felt the change in the air. This chamber was different. The temperature dropped slightly, the scent of parchment growing stronger. The walls were lined with ancient scrolls, each resting on floating pedestals of dark stone, secured by thin veils of shimmering protective energy.

At the center of the room, on a pedestal of black marble, lay a single, aged scroll. Even without touching it, Ye Xiaotian could sense its significance. Faint golden runes flickered along the parchment's surface, pulsating gently like a heartbeat. Though its edges were slightly frayed, the scroll was preserved through powerful sealing formations, which prevented both the passage of time and unauthorized handling.

"This," the shopkeeper said, his voice filled with reverence, "is the only detailed map of the Ashen Soul Ruins that we possess."

Ye Xiaotian's golden eyes narrowed as he examined the map.

The shopkeeper continued, never breaking his gaze from the artifact. "This map marks every known landmark, pathway, and opportunity within the outer regions of the Ashen Soul Ruins. However…" he hesitated, lowering his voice, "…it does not include any markings for the deeper areas of the ruins."

Ye Xiaotian furrowed his brows. "Why not?"

A heavy silence filled the chamber. The shopkeeper's usual calm demeanor faded, his expression turning somber as he met Ye Xiaotian's gaze. "Because no one who has ventured into the depths of the Ashen Soul Ruins has ever returned."

The weight of his words hung in the air, pressing down on them like an unseen force. Even the elders, who had remained composed throughout their journey, visibly stiffened.

Ye Xiaotian's gaze didn't waver. "Are you certain?"

The shopkeeper exhaled slowly, folding his hands behind his back. "For centuries, powerful cultivators some even at the Peak of Soul Awakening Realm, and some even considered legends in their own time have sought the depths of the ruins. None have returned."

Elder Liu's expression was serious. "Not even one?

The shopkeeper shook his head. "Not a single one. The only individuals who ever return alive are those who never venture beyond the outermost regions."

For a long moment, silence filled the air

The revelation wasn't entirely unexpected. Ye Xiaotian had already known that the Ashen Soul Ruins were dangerous, but this… this was something entirely different.

A place where even the strongest beings vanished? A realm from which no survivor had ever ever emerged to tell the tale?

His fingers clenched slightly at his sides.

How deep did the abyss go?

Eventually, Elder Liu broke the silence, his voice steady but firm. "This is a fair warning. But we are only concerned with the outer regions. Name your price."

The shopkeeper's expression brightened, a business-like demeanor returning to him. "The price remains five hundred high-grade spirit stones."

Just as Elder Liu reached into his storage ring to retrieve the payment.

"It is only five hundred high-grade spirit stones, shopkeeper, I want this item." A hearty, almost boisterous, laugh followed, and a figure strode confidently into the store.

Ye Xiaotian's golden eyes flickered toward the entrance, narrowing slightly. A young man strode inside with a slow, deliberate gait, his every movement exuding superiority. His deep blue robes, embroidered with silver flames, shimmered faintly under the store's spiritual lanterns. In one hand, he carried an exquisitely crafted folding fan, which he lazily tapped against his palm. His lips curled into an amused smirk, as if he had already won the conversation before it even began.

Behind him followed two strikingly beautiful women, their silk dresses flowing gracefully as they walked. Their gazes were filled with admiration for the young man, their every movement subtly emphasizing their allure. An elderly man, dressed in dark robes, trailed behind them, his aura calm but suffocatingly strong.

Ye Xiaotian immediately sensed the old man's cultivation. Peak Core Formation Realm.

His brows lifted ever so slightly. "Interesting," he thought.

As the young man sauntered toward the counter, he acted as if he had only just noticed Ye Xiaotian's group. With exaggerated surprise, he arched an eyebrow.

"Oh? People from the Vermillion Flame Sect?" he mused, feigning astonishment. "What a coincidence."

Ye Xiaotian, however, could tell it was nothing but an act.

The insignia on the young man's robes was immediately recognizable: a stylized azure flame, the symbol of the Azure Flame Sect.

The Azure Flame Sect was a well-known alchemy sect from the Eastern Territories. Though not as powerful or renowned as the Vermillion Flame Sect, it was still wealthy and respected, especially within alchemy circles. They were also known for their long standing rivalry with the Vermillion Flame Sect.

Ye Xiaotian remained expressionless, his face a mask of calm, but the elders around him visibly frowned, their expressions hardening. Elder Liu's expression darkened slightly as he leaned toward Ye Xiaotian and whispered, "That's Gu Tianheng, young master of the Azure Flame Sect. His sect has always been at odds with ours. Be cautious."

Ye Xiaotian simply gave a small nod, his gaze never leaving the young man.

Gu Tianheng took slow, measured steps toward the counter, his gaze flickering between Ye Xiaotian and the elders before settling on the shopkeeper.

"I've had my eye on this map for quite some time," he said with a leisurely tone. "Since no transaction has been finalized yet, I believe I have the right to make an offer."

Elder Liu's eyes turned cold. "This map is already spoken for. If you were truly interested, you should have arrived earlier."

Gu Tianheng let out a soft chuckle, completely unbothered by the elder's words. "Earlier or later, does it matter? In Eboncrest City, wealth determines ownership, does it not?"

With a casual flick of his wrist, he retrieved a small pouch from his storage ring and tossed it onto the counter. The sound of spirit stones clinking together rang clearly in the hall, drawing the attention of nearby customers.

"Shopkeeper," he said, his voice laced with arrogance, "no matter who was here first, I'll pay an additional hundred high-grade spirit stones. I want this map today." He emphasized the word "today", making his intent clear.

A tense silence filled the room.

The shopkeeper's brows twitched slightly, though he maintained a composed expression.

Ye Xiaotian's lips curled into a faint smirk.

"This wasn't about the map," he realized. This was about pride.

Gu Tianheng wasn't here for the map he was here to humiliate the Vermillion Flame Sect.

Unfortunately for him, Ye Xiaotian wasn't one to play by another's script.

Exhaling softly, Ye Xiaotian met Gu Tianheng's gaze, his golden eyes steady and unshaken.

"So what if you pay more?" he asked, his voice calm and emotionless.

Gu Tianheng's smirk widened slightly. "Oh?"

He let out a small laugh, his fan flicking open with a graceful snap. "A mere Foundation Establishment brat dares to speak so boldly?" he sneered. "Tell me, does the Vermillion Flame Sect truly believe you'll survive the Ashen Soul Ruins?"

Ye Xiaotian remained expressionless.

But deep within his golden eyes, a sharp glint flickered.

The shopkeeper, who had been watching the interaction unfold, suddenly spoke. His voice was calm, yet firm.

"This is not an auction house," he said, his tone carrying a trace of finality. "This customer arrived first. We do not sell to the highest bidder, but to those who respect our store's traditions. I kindly ask you to take your spirit stones elsewhere."

A visible twitch appeared at the corner of the Azure Flame Sect young master's eye. The smirk that had once rested so easily on his face faltered, his expression shifting into something far less amused.

"You…" his voice came out sharp, a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

He hadn't expected the shopkeeper to side with the Vermillion Flame Sect so decisively. In his eyes, wealth dictated everything in Eboncrest City, and it was rare for merchants to refuse an extra profit.

For a moment, he seemed at a loss for words. The confidence he had displayed so boldly just seconds ago cracked under the weight of the unexpected rejection.

Behind him, the two beautiful women accompanying him exchanged uncertain glances. Even the old man at his side, whose cultivation was at the peak of the Core Formation Realm, subtly furrowed his brows but chose to remain silent.

Ye Xiaotian, who had been observing the situation calmly, allowed a small smirk to tug at the corner of his lips. His golden eyes gleamed with faint amusement as he leaned slightly against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.

 "What's wrong, Young Master of the Azure Flame Sect?" he asked, his voice smooth and almost lazy. "Did you think that throwing around money would let you take whatever you wanted?"

Gu Tianheng'sexpression darkened instantly.

The subtle mockery in Ye Xiaotian's voice struck like a dagger, sharp and precise, deepening his humiliation.

A low murmur spread among the few other customers who had been browsing the store. Though they didn't dare interfere, their curious eyes flickered between the two young men, sensing an inevitable conflict brewing.

Gu Tianheng's hand tightened around the folding fan he held, the veins on the back of his hand faintly bulging.

For a proud heir of the Azure Flame Sect to be humiliated like this, in front of onlookers, was something he would not tolerate.

With a forced chuckle, he reassembled his mask of arrogance, though the slight tremor in his fingers betrayed his anger.

"Heh… How bold," he mused, flicking open his fan with a swift snap. The delicate silver flames embroidered onto the fabric caught the light, gleaming with a soft luster. "I didn't expect the Vermillion Flame Sect to raise such an… ignorant brat."

Ye Xiaotian didn't react. His expression remained neutral, as if he had just heard an unremarkable statement.

This further irritated the Azure Flame Sect young master.

He had expected Ye Xiaotian to flare up in anger, to argue back aggressively anything that would justify teaching him a lesson in front of everyone.

But instead, the young disciple's calm indifference made it seem like he wasn't even worth getting worked up over.

That was the greatest insult of all.

The shopkeeper, who had been watching silently, finally sighed softly, sensing where this was heading. Though he had already stated his position, he wasn't foolish enough to interfere in a personal grudge between two young masters of powerful sects.

Elder Liu, standing beside Ye Xiaotian, remained expressionless, but a faint glint of amusement flickered in his eyes. He didn't plan to intervene.

If Ye Xiaotian wanted to deal with this himself, then so be it.

The young master of the Azure Flame Sect let out a slow breath, his shoulders loosening, as if shaking off his irritation.

End of Chapter 43