Volume One: Youth Entering the World Chapter 109: Trouble

Standing at the doorway, Fang Tian glanced at the number on the room, compared it briefly, and then stepped inside. The room was spacious, and its environment far surpassed anything he had seen before. He approached the bed, intending to rest for a while.

Just then, a knock came from outside the door. "Fang Tian, it's me."

Fang Tian halted his movement and turned toward the door, wondering why Xie Qing was bothering him instead of resting properly.

Opening the door, he asked, "Xie Qing, what brings you here?"

Xie Qing smiled sheepishly, his expression betraying a hint of embarrassment.

Judging by his demeanor, Fang Tian sensed he was about to ask a favor. "Come in and speak freely."

Xie Qing entered and closed the door behind him, then stood before Fang Tian with a smile. "Brother, could you help me out with something?"

"What is it?" Fang Tian asked without hesitation.

"I wonder if you have any spare Spirit Crystals? I, well, was hoping to borrow some."

"How many?"

"Forty thousand."

"Forty thousand? That’s no small amount," Fang Tian said, surprised. He wondered what Xie Qing intended to do with such a large sum.

Seeing Fang Tian’s surprise, Xie Qing guessed he might not have the crystals and quickly added, "Brother, if it’s inconvenient, then forget it."

Fang Tian stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before asking, "What do you plan to use these Spirit Crystals for?"

Xie Qing smiled. "Nothing much, just on my way here I spotted a long sword I liked, but I didn’t have enough Spirit Crystals on me. So I thought I’d come ask you. If you don’t have any, it’s no big deal—it’s not essential."

Hearing this, Fang Tian finally understood: Xie Qing wanted to borrow the crystals to make a purchase.

"Since it’s just to buy something, I’ll lend them to you," Fang Tian said with a smile.

"Really?" Xie Qing’s joy was palpable.

"Yes, here you go." Fang Tian pulled out a large pouch of Spirit Crystals from his bosom and handed it over.

Xie Qing’s eyes sparkled as he gladly accepted them. "Brother, rest assured, once I have Spirit Crystals again, I’ll repay you."

"Alright, go buy it quickly. Don’t delay, or someone else might snatch it," Fang Tian teased, watching Xie Qing’s excited expression.

"Right, right, I have to hurry. Well then, I’ll be off. You rest well." Xie Qing’s face showed urgency, as if truly afraid the item would be taken.

But just as Xie Qing turned and took a few steps away, he suddenly looked back. "Brother, could you accompany me? I’m worried this amount might not be enough."

Fang Tian was a bit speechless. "Xie Qing, you didn’t check the price, did you?"

Xie Qing smiled awkwardly. "I was too focused on the sword to notice."

"Really something," Fang Tian shook his head.

"Brother, come with me. It’s still early; we can take a look together," Xie Qing asked with a sheepish grin.

Fang Tian thought for a moment and decided a stroll wouldn’t hurt. He nodded. "Alright, I’ll go with you."

Seeing Fang Tian’s acceptance, Xie Qing hurriedly said, "Great! Let’s go. I’m afraid it’ll be sold if we’re late."

Fang Tian smiled. "Okay."

With that, the two left the room and headed outside the inn.

As they walked, Xie Qing kept talking about the sword he had his eye on, describing how imposing it looked. He insisted its quality might be no less than the long sword in Fang Tian’s possession—maybe even better.

Listening, Fang Tian thought that if the sword truly surpassed his own, its grade might be at the Celestial level. If so, Xie Qing’s funds might indeed fall short.

After some time, they arrived at a place called the Spiritual Artifact Shop. They didn’t enter; the sword Xie Qing admired was displayed outside, visible to any attentive passerby.

Fang Tian had been lost in thought as they passed and hadn’t paid much attention.

Watching Xie Qing inspect the long sword, Fang Tian approached and asked, "Is this the long sword you mentioned?"

"Yes, looks pretty good, right?" Xie Qing smiled, clearly fond of the blade.

"It is indeed impressive. Judging by the aura it emits, I’d say it’s a high-grade Profound-level weapon," Fang Tian nodded slightly in appraisal, recognizing it as the same quality as his own sword.

"The more I look at it, the more I like it. Brother, I’ve decided to buy it," Xie Qing said seriously.

"Good. Ask for the price. If it’s reasonable, buy it," Fang Tian replied.

"Alright, I’ll ask."

Xie Qing turned and entered the shop. Soon, another person followed him out. When Fang Tian looked closely, he was somewhat surprised—it was someone he knew.

With a smile, he greeted the woman beside Xie Qing, "Shuang’er, long time no see."

Lin Shuang, stepping out behind Xie Qing, was visibly shaken upon seeing Fang Tian. Her eyes flickered, knowing he would be here but not expecting to meet so soon.

She composed herself and spoke softly, "Brother Yu, it has indeed been a long time. How have you been?"

Seeing her politeness, Fang Tian said, "We’ll catch up later. My friend wants to buy this sword. Can you offer a good price?"

Lin Shuang smiled lightly. "If this gentleman beside you wants it, I can give it as a gift."

Fang Tian laughed. "No need. I already got the Cold Feather Sword from you last time for free. Taking another for nothing wouldn’t be right—I couldn’t live with myself."

Hearing their exchange, Xie Qing was stunned, wondering if they had a special connection.

"Brother, what’s going on? Shuang’er? Brother Yu? Are you two…?" Xie Qing asked with curiosity.

"No, just friends. It’s complicated to explain now. Let’s just buy your sword first," Fang Tian said.

"Alright," Xie Qing didn’t press further.

"Shuang’er, please give a price. No need for formalities between us," Fang Tian said, looking at her.

Seeing his resolve, Lin Shuang said, "The original price was sixty thousand. Since he’s Brother Yu’s friend, I’ll let it go for forty thousand."

"Okay, Xie Qing, give her the Spirit Crystals. You can take the sword," Fang Tian instructed.

"Got it." Xie Qing reached for the Spirit Crystals Fang Tian had given him.

But just as they prepared to exchange, a group of men approached from a short distance away. They pointed at them boldly and said arrogantly, "Hold on! I want that sword. Be smart and back off."

Fang Tian’s gaze grew cold as he quietly watched the men approach. The scene felt oddly familiar, but this time the men carried clear hostility.

Xie Qing, hearing this, couldn’t hold back his anger. "I saw that sword first! Don’t you know anything about first come, first served?"

One of the men chuckled and said to Xie Qing, "First come, first served? What a joke. Look at you—do you even deserve that sword?"

"What did you say?!" Xie Qing’s fury flared as he shouted.

"I said you don’t deserve it!" The man enunciated each word with a mocking sneer.

Clenching his fists, Xie Qing’s anger intensified, and he was about to strike.

Fang Tian signaled him to hold back, then fixed a steely glare on the man and said in a low voice, "So, you mean to take it by force?"

The man shook his head. "No, just advising you to be sensible and not bring trouble on yourselves."

"And if I insist on taking it?" Fang Tian said bluntly.

"You can try," the man sneered.

Xie Qing cut in, brandishing the sword. "Try and stop us then."

The man frowned. "You really want a fight?"

"You started this," Xie Qing retorted.

"Fine, you’ve got guts!" The man was thoroughly provoked, pointing at Fang Tian and Xie Qing.

The two sides glared at each other, their anger palpable. Their dispute drew a large crowd, and murmurs filled the air.

"What’s going on? What are they arguing about?"

"Huh? Are they about to fight?"

"Impossible. This is Qi Island—who dares to cause trouble here?"

"Then why do they look at each other like enemies?"

"All because of that sword. Neither side is willing to back down. I don’t get what’s so special about it."

"You don’t know anything. That sword was forged by the Lin family on Ice Spirit Island. It’s a high-grade Profound-level weapon—one of the best spiritual artifacts in the Northern Sand Archipelago."

"So that’s why. But this level of quarrel is still baffling."

"Agreed."

After a while, two figures approached from behind the men causing the disturbance. They pushed through the crowd and stepped forward.

One of them addressed the men, "What are you doing?"

The men immediately bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior Brother Yin Tu."

"I’m asking what’s going on. Why are so many people gathered here?" Yin Tu pressed.

"Senior Brother, I was just trying to buy a fine sword as a gift. Who knew these two wouldn’t back off and tried to snatch it from us, leading to this," one of the men explained.

Yin Tu turned to Fang Tian and the others. "Is what your junior brother says true?"

Fang Tian glanced at the young man before him, sensing a spiritual energy at the eighth level. He was surprised at how young Yin Tu looked, seemingly about his age, marking him as a prodigious cultivator.

Calmly, Fang Tian replied, "That is indeed the case. But we saw the sword first. Your junior brother’s interference is unwelcome."

"Is that so?" Yin Tu said gravely.

The men arguing with them looked uneasy. One jumped up, pointing at Fang Tian’s group. "Senior Brother, don’t listen to their lies. I was here first."

"What? Could your shamelessness be any greater?" Xie Qing was fed up with such nonsense being spoken so brazenly.

Yin Tu’s eyes darkened with displeasure as he stared at them.

Frightened, the men fell silent.

"Disgraceful. Everyone, go home," Yin Tu commanded.

With that, the men lowered their heads and hurried away, clearly intimidated by Yin Tu.

After they left, Yin Tu cast a cold glance at Fang Tian and the others before departing with his companion.