Hidden Strengths and Unspoken Alliances

Xia Yuan couldn't help but feel a deep sense of relief as he left Origin Mall.

Thankfully, he hadn't let his temper get the better of him. The realization that even a clerk in this store was far beyond his ability to contend with left him shaken.

"What about the boss?" Xia Yuan's eyes flicked toward Luo Chuan, who sat outside the store, seemingly indifferent to the world around him.

Yao Ziyan, overhearing the question, shook her head. "I'm not sure. But his strength… it's far beyond mine."

Her calm demeanor belied the deep impression left on her. When she had signed the clerk contract, the sheer power of the rules invoked had carved an indelible mark on her heart—a power that even Eminences could only dream of comprehending.

Xia Yuan's breath caught.

"Far beyond an Eminence?" he murmured to himself. Could the boss be a Celestial Ascendant—or perhaps something even higher?

The thought alone was overwhelming.

After bidding farewell to Yao Ziyan, Xia Yuan left the shop. Before stepping out, he respectfully bowed and addressed Luo Chuan as "senior."

Unsurprisingly, there was no response.

As Xia Yuan walked out of the store, he remained unaware of the subtle distortions in the space within Origin Mall. It was as though an invisible veil masked the unfathomable mysteries hidden within.

It was only as he stepped into the streets of Nine Stars City that regret crept in. He had spent his entire three-hour limit solely on the Mirror Challenge and hadn't explored the store's other offerings.

"I'll be back tomorrow," Xia Yuan resolved.

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Meanwhile, another student from Soaring Cloud Academy, Xiao Cheng, had parted ways with the group on the way back to Drunken Moon Pavilion.

Xiao Cheng had his reasons. Today, someone important to him had arrived in Nine Stars City.

It didn't take long for him to arrive at Wind Immortal Pavilion, a renowned establishment not far from Origin Mall. Under the guidance of a servant, Xiao Cheng made his way to a private room upstairs.

Once the servant departed, Xiao Cheng adjusted his robes, composed himself, and pushed the door open.

"Haha, Brother Xiao! You're the last one to arrive!"

The voice came from a young man in white brocade robes. He was handsome, but the sharpness in his narrow eyes gave him a cold and calculating air. An emblem depicting flames adorned his chest—a mark exclusive to Medicine Valley.

Medicine Valley was a revered sect known for its mastery in alchemy. Its disciples were sought after across the Azure Continent, as apothecaries were incredibly rare. To find one was akin to finding a diamond among countless stones.

The young man in white, Wei Yi, was one such alchemist, representing the lofty status of Medicine Valley.

Seated beside him were two others. One was a black-robed young man with an icy demeanor. His mere presence felt like a drawn sword, sharp and impossible to ignore.

The other was a veiled woman with an enchanting beauty. Her figure, partially hidden by the translucent fabric, exuded a mysterious allure.

All three radiated powerful auras, their cultivation levels surpassing the fifth rank of Soul Dominion.

"Hehe, my apologies for the delay," Xiao Cheng said with a smile as he took his seat.

It was said that people gravitate toward those like themselves. Xiao Cheng's status was no exception. He hailed from the Xiao family, one of the oldest and most prestigious clans in the Azure Continent, with a lineage stretching back thousands of years.

In ancient times, they had even produced emperors.

The veiled woman, Liu Ruyu, chuckled softly, her voice melodious. "Brother Wei Yi, why have you summoned me here today? I'm quite curious."

Wei Yi, the alchemist, returned her smile. "Today's discussion involves none other than Brother Xiao."

"Oh?" Xiao Cheng raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.

The black-robed youth, whose expression remained as cold as his voice, spoke next. "Xiao Cheng, many forces have taken notice of your recent actions at Soaring Cloud Academy."

His name was Wu Ying, the prodigy of the Wu clan. Known as a peerless swordsman, he had perfected the clan's legendary Shadowless Sword Technique to unparalleled heights.

Xiao Cheng's eyes narrowed as he listened.

These were no ordinary cultivators. Each person in this room represented a power capable of influencing the balance of the entire continent.

What could they possibly want with him?

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