Chapter 783 129: True Monarch Gathering_2

Li Ji'an was just about to head to a Spiritual Materials shop ahead to try his luck when his gaze was drawn to a piece of silver-gray metal on a stall at the street corner.

The metal was about the size of a fist, its surface etched with fine star patterns, radiating pure metallic Spiritual Qi. It was exactly the Tier Three high-grade Star-pattern Steel he urgently needed!

Delighted, Li Ji'an walked forward at an unhurried pace and sent a sound transmission to the old man behind the stall: "Friend, how are you selling this piece of Star-pattern Steel?"

The old man lifted his eyes and sized him up. Seeing his calm expression and extraordinary bearing, and although his aura was restrained, the hidden depth of a superior expert still faintly showed through. The old man's tone immediately became a bit more respectful as he responded via sound transmission: "Senior, this is Tier Three high-grade Star-pattern Steel. Single price: five hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones."

This price matched the market rate for Tier Three high-grade metallic Spiritual Materials and was not outrageous. Without hesitation, Li Ji'an replied, "Alright, I'll take this Star-pattern Steel." With that, he was about to take out Spirit Stones from his Qiankun Ring.

A cold sound transmission suddenly rang out, carrying a trace of unquestionable authority: "Wait."

Li Ji'an's movement paused, and he slowly turned around.

Not far behind him stood a woman in white. Her face was stunningly beautiful, her temperament icily aloof, and a dense Late-stage Golden Core aura emanated from her entire body.

Even after ten years, Li Ji'an recognized her at a glance—the Cangyuan Holy Land's Cangyue Saintess!

In the ten years since they'd last met, the Cangyue Saintess's appearance had almost not changed at all.

Only her complexion was even colder than ten years ago, a layer of inextricable frost lingering between her brows.

Li Ji'an knew clearly in his heart that back then he had used the Invisibility Puppet to wound her, and had also slain her Life-bound Spirit Pet, the Seven-colored Luan Bird.

The backlash from that must have caused her no small injury; she had likely only fully recovered in recent years.

However, he was in Disguise today; there was no way she could recognize him.

The Cangyue Saintess's gaze fell on the Tier Three high-grade Star-pattern Steel on the stall, a hint of possessiveness flickering in her eyes.

Standing beside her was a young Cultivator in a brocade robe, his aura likewise at the Late Period of Core Formation. His features were handsome, a trace of noble pride between his brows. He was none other than Murong Yan, a prodigy of the Murong Clan—one of the two Ancient Noble Families of the Dao Yi One Realm.

Seeing the Cangyue Saintess fix her gaze on that Star-pattern Steel, Murong Yan's expression remained calm. He merely stepped forward and sent a sound transmission to the old man behind the stall: "My Murong Clan will be taking this Spiritual Material. We'll pay double the Spirit Stones, immediately."

The old man's face revealed a troubled look. He glanced at the two of them separately and hesitated: "This Senior has already set his sights on it first. According to the rules, it should be sold to this Senior with priority."

The moment the old man's words fell, Murong Yan gave Li Ji'an a faint glance.

His tone was indifferent, yet it was filled with the crushing pressure of one in a high position: "Rules? In Yuan Province, the will of my Murong Clan is the rule."

He paused, his gaze landing on Li Ji'an, carrying a hint of scrutiny and disdain.

"Fellow Daoist, if you know what's good for you, hand over the Star-pattern Steel. The Cangyuan Holy Land's Saintess has a marriage contract with my Murong Clan. To go against her is to set yourself against two of the great giants."

"Across the whole of Yuan Province, you may not be able to bear this karmic consequence."

Li Ji'an understood. No wonder this man's bearing was so noble—he was actually a member of the Murong Clan, one of the two ancient lineages.

The other party clearly wanted to use status to pressure him into yielding, thereby currying favor with the Cangyue Saintess.

He raised his eyes to look at Murong Yan, his tone calm.

"Fellow Daoist, your words are mistaken. In trade, first come, first served. I have already agreed on a price with the stall owner; naturally, this Star-pattern Steel should belong to me."

"The five great giants may be powerful, but they still abide by rules. Celestial Essence Immortal City strictly forbids fighting. Do you intend to violate the Immortal City's prohibitions?"

Facing Murong Yan's pressure, Li Ji'an's expression did not change; his tone remained as calm as before.

Seeing that Li Ji'an remained unmoved, a trace of coldness flashed through the Cangyue Saintess's eyes.

As the Saintess of the Cangyuan Holy Land, with a Murong Clan prodigy accompanying her, when had she ever suffered such a rebuff? Yet out of consideration for the Immortal City's Restrictions and unwilling to publicly lose her composure, she merely stood quietly to the side, cold intent quietly spreading from her body, a silent form of pressure.

Murong Yan sensed the Cangyue Saintess's displeasure, yet his expression remained steady.

Only his gaze toward Li Ji'an grew a bit colder. His tone was flat, yet carried an unquestionable oppressive force.

"Fellow Daoist, if you know what's good for you and step back, you can still preserve yourself."

"There are Restrictions within the Immortal City; I won't haggle with you here."

"But if you insist on defying the Cangyuan Holy Land and the Murong Clan, once you leave the city, the price you must pay will naturally come due."

"Cultivation is not easy. Don't let a moment of hot blood drag you into eternal regret."

Li Ji'an smiled faintly and ignored him.

The old man behind the stall, seeing this, quietly took several steps back. He had no desire to get entangled in the disputes of these eminent seniors.

Seeing that Li Ji'an remained obstinate, Murong Yan cast him a faint glance and sent a sound transmission: "Since we are in the Immortal City, we will temporarily follow the rules here. But the karma is already formed; conduct yourself well."

With that, he no longer looked at Li Ji'an.

Turning his head to the Cangyue Saintess, his tone regained a bit of gentleness as he sent a sound transmission: "Fairy, this place is dull. Let us take our leave first."

Li Ji'an could not be bothered to respond to his threats.

He directly took out five hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to the old man, picked up that piece of Tier Three high-grade Star-pattern Steel, and turned to leave.

He could feel two icy gazes on his back, yet he did not turn around in the slightest.

Only after Li Ji'an had walked far away did Murong Yan turn to the Cangyue Saintess. His tone regained some warmth, yet he still maintained the noble pride of an Ancient Noble Family prodigy as he sent a sound transmission: "Fairy, be at ease. This man's face is completely unfamiliar; he is definitely not from any of the five great powers. Since he dared to defy you, there is no way he will simply walk away unscathed. After we leave the Immortal City, I will have people investigate his background and let him understand the price of defying the Murong Clan and the Cangyuan Holy Land, so as not to sully your hands."