Chapter 20: The Illusory Celestial Spirit Fruit

How dare you smash my stall!

Xiang Nan’s expression hardened, and he was about to make a move. But the crowd of people buying medicine surged forward, instantly blocking Gu Shaoqing and his little henchmen on the outskirts.

A few anxious elderly ladies who hadn’t gotten their medicine called out, “Young boss, the medicinal wine’s all spilled—do you have any left?”

Xiang Nan shrugged. “This is ancestral medicinal wine, the result of generations of effort. Now it’s all spilled—there’s none left to sell! Alas!”

“What? There’s none left? I haven’t bought any yet!”

“Those little thugs, smashing our medicine—let’s get them!”

Without waiting for explanations, the crowd surrounded Gu Shaoqing and his companions and delivered a thorough beating.

Gu Shaoqing, despite his second-tier cultivation, was no match for the overwhelming numbers—after all, even a master can be beaten to death by a storm of fists. Moreover, Xiang Nan gave Wu Liang and his crew a secret signal, and they eagerly joined the fray, throwing in a few extra kicks for good measure.

Cutting off someone’s livelihood—if they don’t beat you to death, consider yourself lucky.

In less than a moment, the three henchmen couldn’t even stand. Gu Shaoqing, though somewhat tougher, was already bruised and swollen, looking like a pig’s head. His carefully styled Korean curls now resembled a bird’s nest. The kick to his face was delivered by Xiang Nan himself.

Xiang Nan, meanwhile, sat comfortably on a small stool, watching Gu Shaoqing’s disfigured face, struggling to suppress his laughter.

“You just wait! Tomorrow at the Talent Competition, I’ll make you regret ever being born!”

Leaving these fierce words behind, Gu Shaoqing fled in disgrace. If he stayed any longer, he might not be able to leave at all! Where did these uncles and aunties get such strength? Their kicks were vicious! Are they all martial artists?

One of the henchmen crawled over to the stall, his face battered but grinning nervously. “Hey, we’re all brothers here—give me a patch of your ointment, will you?”

Xiang Nan curled his lip. “Brotherhood? Sure! I’ll give you a discount—five thousand per patch.”

“Five thousand? You might as well rob me!”

It was clearly five hundred just now—how does a discount become ten times the price? Is this a discount? My bones are discounted, not your price!

Xiang Nan replied, “What do you think I’m doing?”

“Uh!” The henchman was nearly in tears, but his bones really were broken. Without this, he’d be laid up in the hospital for at least half a month.

He painfully handed over five thousand, his hand trembling as he took the patch.

He applied it to the spot where he’d been kicked the hardest.

Moments later, he sprang to his feet, dancing with joy. “Damn! It’s really healed! Five thousand was worth it!”

He seemed to forget who had kicked him.

Seeing this, the other two henchmen hobbled over, eager to buy the ointment as well.

“Brother Nan, we were wrong, really wrong! Sell us a patch too?”

“It’s all gone. Sold out!”

Xiang Nan patted his pants, leaving Wu Liang and the others to clean up the stall.

“What? Then when will you set up shop tomorrow… We’ll be there, don’t leave us hanging…”

…

After a busy night, Xiang Nan returned to his villa.

Stepping inside, he was nearly blinded by the sight. In the center of the living room stood a dazzling suit of golden armor, divine beasts coiled on the shoulders, and two shining round plates on the chest.

Behind the armor, Xu Jiaya beamed with pride.

“Brother Xiang Nan, do you like it? I pestered my father to work overtime and craft this battle armor for you overnight. Try it on!”

“And these hidden weapons—I made them myself. Tomorrow’s the Talent Competition; bring all of these, and you’re sure to win!”

As she spoke, there was a clatter—dozens of small, intricately shaped objects were piled onto the coffee table.

Xiang Nan stared in amazement at the tiny gadgets; each was exquisitely crafted.

So that’s where Xu Jiaya had disappeared these past days—she’d been preparing gear. It seemed Xiang Nan had misunderstood her.

“All of these—you made them?”

He was genuinely astonished that Xu Jiaya, so young, was so skilled with hidden weapons.

“Yes. Don’t worry, they’re absolutely effective and compact, so they won’t get in your way.”

“You’re allowed to use hidden weapons in the Talent Competition?”

“In our Eagle League, the Talent Competition isn’t strict about rules—as long as you win, any method works. The only prohibition is poison.”

Xiang Nan nodded. “Put these away—I won’t need them.”

Though his cultivation was only first-tier, seven stars, the spiritual energy nourishing his brow boosted both defense and offense tenfold. Even against high-tier second-level opponents, he could stand undefeated.

But this armor and the hidden weapons were too cumbersome; Xiang Nan wasn’t used to them.

However, Xu Jiaya didn’t know Xiang Nan’s true strength and couldn’t help but worry.

“This Talent Competition is special. Everyone knows it’s to select the Eagle League’s next heir, so they’ll fight to the death. There will be plenty of second-tier experts—don’t take it lightly. At least wear the armor.”

Xiang Nan hefted the suit—it was ridiculously heavy! Just walking would be a struggle.

“No need. It’s good for taking hits, but I’m not there to get beaten up. Wearing it would only make me a punching bag.”

The skills Xiang Nan practiced all emphasized agility, flexibility, and the unexpected—not brute force.

“I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Don’t worry, tomorrow I won’t disgrace you.”

Seeing Xu Jiaya’s displeased expression, Xiang Nan comforted her.

“Brother Xiang Nan, that’s not what I meant. I’m just worried about you. After all, you’re only first-tier, and our Eagle League’s competitions aren’t gentle—crippling or killing is common.”

“If you’re not willing to wear the heavy armor, at least put on this chain vest.”

At some point, Xu Jiaya had produced a soft iron vest.

Xiang Nan took it and examined it closely. He couldn’t tell what material it was made from; it was pitch black and surprisingly light, but he could sense its defensive capability far exceeded the bulky armor.

Without hesitation, Xiang Nan accepted. “Alright, I’ll wear this.”

Xu Jiaya smiled gently. “Then rest early, and be ready for the challenge. And don’t…”

At this, her cheeks flushed, and she couldn’t continue.

Uh!!!

Xiang Nan pressed his hand to his forehead and stepped forward to explain. “Xiao Ya… it’s not what you think…”

Xu Jiaya instinctively retreated, nodding rapidly like a pecking chick. “Mm… I understand… Rest early!”

She turned and ran upstairs.

“That was just a tissue for blowing my nose…”

Bang!

Her reply was the sharp slam of a door.

Well, so be it!

Back in his room, Xiang Nan checked his system.

His merit points had soared past two thousand.

This batch of medicine sales had been a huge success in just one night!

He eagerly performed a ten-draw.

[Obtained: One Mirage Heavenly Fruit]

[Description: Opens up the Ren and Du meridians, grants tenfold cultivation speed]