Chapter 52
Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's cold, detached expression, Lin Bai immediately understood she had no interest in dealing with Dai Mubai. Without hesitation, he changed the subject.
"There are a lot of equipment stalls around here," Lin Bai said casually. "We've saved up plenty of gold coins — think about what you need. We'll pick it up later."
As expected, Zhu Zhuqing's gaze shifted toward the nearby stalls. "After beast spirit masters enter possession, our bodies become the best weapons," she replied calmly. "But Xiao Wu and I could still use some weapons."
Lin Bai nodded. While Xiao Wu specialized in judo techniques, she could still make use of weapons like clawed gloves or finger daggers. This underground market wasn't something they often encountered. Even in the vast continent, a place like this, formed through connections among scattered forces, was rare. The sheer scale alone would save them countless hours of aimless searching.
He released his mental energy, sweeping over the market, and quickly locked onto several large, imposing buildings. Judging by the aura around them, those were shops managed by powerful factions.
"Come on," Lin Bai said, leading the way.
He squeezed into the bustling crowd with Zhu Zhuqing and Xiao Wu behind him, using his telekinesis to quietly shield the three of them as they moved. Ying Tian soared overhead. Most people simply glanced at the dragon beast curiously, though a few harbored dangerous thoughts.
Not long after, a rough-looking middle-aged man blocked Lin Bai's path. There was a brief flicker of contempt in the man's eyes when he noticed Lin Bai's youthful face, but it was quickly replaced with an ingratiating smile.
"My friend, stay a moment," the man said with a grin. "I've got a big client who's taken a liking to your pet. Name your price — we can trade right now."
Ying Tian immediately sensed the ill intent. Hearing someone try to buy him, his eyes narrowed in fury. The air around him thickened as he opened his mouth, condensing a swirl of gray-black dragon's breath.
The surrounding soul masters felt the terrifying energy surge and the crowd grew restless.
"Who dares cause trouble here? Don't you know this market's protected by the Spirit Hall, the two empires, and the three great sects?"
Fear filled the middle-aged man's face. He was locked in place by Ying Tian's killing intent, cold sweat pouring down his back.
"H-Help!"
The man screamed, panicked. The onlookers quickly scattered, eager to avoid getting involved while still watching the drama unfold.
"Xiao Tian, stop."
Lin Bai sensed something was off and immediately restrained Ying Tian with a mental command.
The dragon beast reluctantly withdrew his breath attack, huffing hot air from his nostrils and glaring murderously at the middle-aged man.
But the situation had already attracted attention. A figure swiftly descended from the sky — a Soul Saint, surrounded by seven soul rings.
"Who's making trouble?" the Soul Saint demanded coldly.
"Master Steward! I beg you to uphold justice for me!" The middle-aged man wasted no time groveling, dropping to his knees. "I only asked if he'd sell his pet — he tried to kill me on the spot!"
Lin Bai calmly watched the pathetic display, his lips curling into a sneer. His mental sense caught subtle changes — the man was truly crying out of fear now.
The Soul Saint gave Ying Tian a long look, his gaze flickering with undisguised greed before landing on Lin Bai.
"Is what he says true?" the Soul Saint asked.
Lin Bai's expression darkened. He could tell the man was tempted by Ying Tian too. The last thing he needed was to expose the dragon's intelligence.
"It's nonsense," Lin Bai replied coldly. "He blocked our path and the malice in his eyes was clear. Ying Tian only reacted on instinct — he didn't attack."
Lin Bai had no interest in clashing with a Soul Saint. Even if he went all out and risked serious injury, taking down a Soul Saint would cost him too much. More importantly, he couldn't afford to offend the six powers behind this man.
"Master Steward, don't listen to his lies!" The middle-aged man was quick to retort. "Everyone saw it! I was standing several paces away — I spoke politely about a fair transaction, and he overreacted. He broke the rules first and now tries to cover it up!"
The man spoke fluently, his heartbeat steady and his face without a trace of guilt. He was a seasoned swindler.
Lin Bai narrowed his eyes, cold killing intent flickering deep within. He restrained the urge to lash out. This wasn't the place.
"You're sure you're telling the truth?" Lin Bai asked slowly.
As he spoke, each word carried mental force, pressing toward the man's mind.
The path of a mentalist abandoned the overt mind-control abilities of a psychic, but with Lin Bai's spiritual strength, exerting simple mental pressure through speech was trivial.
"N-No, what truth could be a lie? Of course I'm telling the truth!" the middle-aged man stammered, flinching.
Lin Bai withdrew his mental force, a little disappointed. Words alone weren't enough — the man kept his head lowered, avoiding eye contact. Without direct eye contact, his spiritual guidance couldn't penetrate.
The kneeling man shuddered. He wasn't some genius — just a middling soul master who'd reached this level through trickery and deceit. He only coveted Ying Tian's extraordinary appearance and aura out of greed, not realizing how badly he'd misjudged his target.
He cursed silently. He could feel that something had just invaded his mind, and it was undoubtedly from Lin Bai. But now he was stuck. He had no way out — whether he deceived the Soul Saint or not, one of them would punish him. He was choosing the lesser evil.
The Soul Saint frowned. These situations were always troublesome. He turned to the surrounding crowd, but no one could give a clear answer. No one had seen enough to confirm either side's story.
After a pause, the Soul Saint gave his ruling. "No fighting in the market — that's the rule set by Spirit Hall and the two empires. Since you're young and didn't actually attack, I'll fine you one hundred gold coins, or a piece of green-grade equipment."
His gaze swept to the middle-aged man. "And you — forget your little schemes. That dragon isn't something you're qualified to covet. Leave."
The Soul Saint didn't press the matter further. The middle-aged man had no choice but to accept defeat. Face pale, he left in a hurry, tail between his legs.
Lin Bai scowled. They'd just arrived and hadn't even made a move, yet he still had to pay a hundred gold coins. What a damn world. It made him itch to burn the place down.
He casually marked the middle-aged man with a telekinetic imprint, a cold glint in his eye. Think you can just leave after provoking me?
Xiao Wu angrily fished out an old piece of green-grade equipment the group had discarded long ago and tossed it to the Soul Saint. "This'll cover Lin Bai's fine."
The Soul Saint glanced at the equipment, surprised. "Not many people use equipment to pay fines. Very well. Here's a piece of advice — keep that dragon hidden, or this will happen again."
He confirmed the equipment's condition, then turned and left.
"That guy was infuriating," Xiao Wu grumbled, glaring after the middle-aged man. "If I see him outside, I swear I'll beat him half to death!"
Lin Bai's face remained cold. He turned in the direction the man had gone. "Why wait? A real man doesn't wait for tomorrow's revenge. Let's go."
"Okay!"
Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing followed without hesitation. None of them noticed the subtle abnormality in their emotions. Especially Lin Bai — as a mountain god, nurtured by earth vein energy, his temperament should have remained calm and steady. Normally, he would have quietly left a mark and settled things later.
Yet now… this uncharacteristic surge of anger wasn't normal.
******
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