Does it not hurt you?

As the master and disciple mounted the Mountain Beast, two pairs of eyes quietly trailed behind them.

“How’s it looking?” a tall figure asked.

“Those two seem promising…” replied a lean, short figure. “That guy’s cultivation is in the late Divine Intent stage, and the woman… hmm…”

He gasped sharply mid-sentence.

“What’s wrong?” the tall figure hurriedly asked.

“That bear is huge,” the lean figure exclaimed in astonishment.

His eyes, which had been veiled in a mist of qi, gradually cleared. It seemed he had used some kind of divine technique that allowed him to observe others without being detected. Otherwise, simply staring at someone casually would risk being sensed by a master’s aura.

Smack.

The tall figure struck the back of his head. “I asked you to observe their skills, not their bodies.”

“Ow!” the lean figure cried in pain. “I can’t sense the woman’s aura. She might be a mortal… or a martial artist… or possibly a powerful being in the Dao-seeking realm.”

“Nonsense,” the tall figure cursed. “Would a great being from the Seventh Realm ride a Mountain Beast worth only a single Black Tortoise Coin? Look at that guy, clutching his purse nervously—it’s obvious he’s a rustic newcomer. Would someone so poor be with a great being?”

“Ah, right, right…” the lean figure dared not argue.

“There aren’t many good targets today. Keep a close watch and don’t hesitate when the opportunity arises,” the tall figure said grimly.

“Yes, yes,” the lean figure nodded obediently.

Where human desires gather, darkness inevitably follows. In a city as vast as the Gluttonous City, crime naturally breeds.

There were many thieves who specialized in preying on cultivators entering the city for the first time, especially those who had just exchanged a large number of spirit stones—prime targets for theft.

The lean figure opened his eyes again and cast a spell, suddenly saying, “Boss, they’ve separated.”

“Hm? Then strike!” the tall figure urged eagerly. “I’m almost able to gather enough resources for a Pill Formation. It all depends on him!”

...

At the height of the Empress Phoenix’s fury, Chu Liang hesitated deeply. He wasn’t sure whether to try to calm her down or keep his distance to avoid getting caught up in the eruption.

Just then, the Mountain Beast stopped at a designated passenger drop-off point.

Chu Liang glanced toward the roadside and saw a Gluttonous Pavilion. He immediately said, “Master, I’ll go to the Gluttonous Pavilion to pick something up. You go ahead; I’ll catch up with you later at the Premier Sword Cottage.”

Before finishing his sentence, he swiftly dismounted, fearing the Empress Phoenix might erupt like a volcano at any moment.

Inside the Gluttonous Pavilion, the atmosphere was quiet and cautious, with many people wearing black cloaks and masks. It was no surprise—those here either carried heavy wealth or precious treasures and preferred to conceal their identities.

Chu Liang thought that if his robe woven from Breath-Hiding Silk was finished, he would definitely wear it in such places.

He had come this time to retrieve materials for making the Breath-Hiding Silk.

...

Indeed, when Wen Yulong had mentioned sending the goods from Gluttonous City, Chu Liang had soon received news that his master planned to bring him here. He quickly informed Wen Yulong not to ship the goods but to let him collect them in person—after all, transport fees in Gluttonous City were exorbitant.

Every penny saved counted.

The seller had already stored the goods at the Gluttonous Pavilion and set a price. Once Chu Liang handed over enough spirit stones and the pavilion staff verified the transaction, they would release the goods to him. The seller could then collect their funds upon returning.

This system, relying on the pavilion’s reputation, allowed safe trades without direct contact, avoiding the risk of being cheated.

The process went smoothly.

Chu Liang handed over seven hundred Vermilion Bird Coins to the pavilion staff. Soon after, a box was delivered to him. Opening it, he found the large piece of Breath-Hiding Silk he had purchased.

The price was six hundred and fifty Vermilion Bird Coins, with the extra fifty being the pavilion’s commission—a steep handling fee. If the goods had been shipped to the pavilion on the Shu Mountain side, it would have cost an additional fifty coins. That was why Chu Liang chose to collect it himself.

Just as he was about to leave, the pavilion steward asked, “For an extra fifty Vermilion Bird Coins, you can buy a storage artifact. Would you like one, young hero?”

Truly… they knew how to seize on user needs.

Chu Liang picked up the recommended storage bracelet. It was rather crude and not very spacious, but sufficient for ordinary items.

Normally, such an item would cost around sixty or seventy coins—just a little more than the add-on price here.

“I’ll take one,” Chu Liang agreed.

Although the White Tower could also store items, it only allowed storing what was obtained from within the tower itself. Items like the Nethersea Golden Lotus or Breath-Hiding Silk couldn’t be stored there, so he genuinely needed an extra storage artifact.

After putting on the storage bracelet, Chu Liang stepped outside, thinking to himself how difficult it would be to leave a shop without any losses.

...

As he walked forward, a hunched, lean youth suddenly collided with his shoulder.

“Sorry,” the youth whispered quickly before hurrying away.

Chu Liang frowned, sensing something amiss. He checked his belongings—nothing was missing. Then he scanned the storage bracelet with his divine sense and was shocked to find the box containing the Breath-Hiding Silk was gone!

The advantage of storage artifacts, besides convenience, was security. Yet someone had managed to steal from within?

Slightly surprised, Chu Liang glanced toward the youth’s retreating figure, who had already turned into a nearby alley.

A thief!

In such a place, encountering pickpockets wasn’t unusual. Chu Liang immediately quickened his pace in pursuit. The youth was fast, but Chu Liang employed the Return Flow Body Technique taught by Master Yun Chao, moving with unparalleled agility, quickly closing the distance.

After turning a corner inside the alley, he saw the youth standing at the end, accompanied by three other figures.

One was a tall young man, rugged and fierce-looking, bearing a scar along his left cheek. His aura was that of a peak Divine Intent cultivator, slightly stronger than Chu Liang’s.

Another was a short, stout youth, round and solidly built like a martial artist.

The third was the lean youth, his gaze darting nervously. His aura suggested an early Divine Intent stage, somewhat unstable.

Chu Liang sized up their cultivation levels and then smiled faintly.

“Brother, this is the territory of our Wind and Fire Gang. What are you doing here?” the tall youth asked menacingly, arms crossed.

“He seems to have taken something from me. I followed him to check,” Chu Liang said kindly, eyeing the lean youth.

“Hah, what nonsense are you spouting?” the tall youth snorted coldly. “You’re accusing my brother of stealing. Got any proof?”

“I’ll call the law enforcement team. I just bought the item, and if it’s found on him, there will be records in the Gluttonous Pavilion.” Chu Liang turned to leave.

“Stop right there!” the tall youth shouted.

The stout and lean youths suddenly blocked Chu Liang’s path.

“You’d better not be ungrateful,” the tall youth said with a cruel expression. “You’re a Third Realm cultivator; we’re all Third Realm. I’ll tell you, our brothers have killed plenty in Gluttonous City…”

“Take this!” Chu Liang suddenly shouted, raising his hand and unleashing a crescent-shaped azure light!

Outnumbered, he had to seize the moment and eliminate at least one opponent quickly. His fastest and most suitable surprise attack was the Flying Leaf Quick Blade!

A sneak attack?

The tall youth moved swiftly, instantly releasing protective qi around his body.

But…

Moments passed, and nothing seemed to happen.

“Hahaha…” The tall youth laughed bitterly. “What’s this? Tricks and illusions? Just trying to scare people.”

Seeing their leader laugh, the stout youth joined in. “Haha, maybe he doesn’t know big brother’s fearsome reputation.”

The lean youth forced out a smile in agreement.

Chu Liang turned to gaze at the stout youth’s face, suddenly wearing a puzzled expression.

Huh?

The stout youth felt uneasy under Chu Liang’s strange stare and nervously said, “Everyone’s laughing—why are you staring at me?”

“I’m just curious how you can laugh…” Chu Liang looked at him seriously. “Doesn’t it hurt?”