Above a certain pavilion outside the Spirit Fighting Commerce, several figures were seated around a table. If any cultivator from the auction hall earlier were here, they would recognize that these people all had significant backgrounds.

"Brothers Kong, Brother Chu Nian, if I'm not mistaken, you all sent someone to follow that peasant boy, didn't you?"

The genius of the Xiao Family, Xiao Qiming, sitting on the left, was the first to speak. His words prompted the other three to exchange glances but remain silent.

In fact, during the auction, they had only exchanged a few glances and at most hinted in words, but had no formal agreements. So once they left the Spirit Fighting Commerce branch, Xiao Qiming called the Kong brothers and Chu Nian together.

"Haha, we all have reputations to uphold. We can't let some external objects damage our harmony. I called you over to discuss how to divide the spoils after we kill that peasant boy."

Xiao Qiming was straightforward. After all, even though he was a genius of the Xiao Family with exceptional wit, his cultivation was only at the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm. If the other two families joined forces, even he would have a headache.

"I only want that Molten Lava Heart Stone!"

This time, the Chu Family's Chu Nian did not remain silent, speaking up bluntly. Perhaps, in his heart, he still held a grudge about the Molten Lava Heart Stone being snatched away by Yun Xiao earlier.

"We brothers are interested in the Soul Devouring Beast and Fiery Fire Ganoderma!"

The Kong brothers exchanged a glance. Regarding the two items the brothers wanted, neither Xiao Qiming nor Chu Nian had any objection, after all, both of them were geniuses at the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm.

"Since that's the case, I won't compete with you three for these items. How about I pick two more later?"

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Xiao Qiming's eyes. It seemed that the Kong brothers and Chu Nian had not noticed the difference with that fragment of Wuyan Cloth. Since that was the case, it saved him a lot of trouble.

It was laughable that these people were here in the pavilion discussing the distribution of spoils, without considering that since these things were now in someone else's hands, they might not be so easily handed over, and some consequences might not be what they could bear.

......

Yun Xiao, who had come out of the Spirit Fighting Commerce, could naturally sense, with his strong power of soul, that several people were tailing him not far behind. It seemed he had been targeted.

However, Yun Xiao did not care too much. He believed that at least near the Spirit Fighting Commerce, the Kong brothers and Chu Nian should not dare act, after all, they still had to give face to the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

But Yun Xiao did not intend to seek the protection of the Spirit Fighting Commerce. After all, he had just wiped out the branch president and several elders of the Yuyang City Spirit Fighting Commerce branch and used the power of thunder to kill the headquarters' envoy, Xia Yong. In this sense, he was still an enemy of the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

In Yun Xiao's mind, a few young geniuses at the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm couldn't pose a significant threat to him anymore. Besides, he himself was as strong as a cultivator at the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm. The Golden Snake Worm Xiao Wu and the ancient Heavenly Phoenix fledgling Red Feather within him—either one of them—couldn't be rivaled by the likes of Xiao Qiming and others.

Therefore, Yun Xiao headed towards the north gate of Bianlei City while sensing the auras behind him, pondering that if those people didn't act, it was fine. But if they were overly ambitious and wanted to kill him for treasure, he would certainly give them a very unforgettable lesson.

Yet Yun Xiao was confident in himself. How could Xiao Qiming and the Kong brothers know that he was a mighty tiger disguised as a pig?

They only knew that the other party's Meridian Qi cultivation was at the peak of the Qi Seeking Realm, completely incomparable to the geniuses that came from their first-class forces.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

So, when Yun Xiao was a few miles from the north city of Bianlei, several wind-breaking sounds came from behind, and then four familiar figures surrounded him.

These four were naturally Xiao Qiming, the Kong brothers, and the Chu Family's Kong Nian. In fact, they didn't expect that the peasant boy didn't even spend a moment more in Bianlei City but headed straight out of the north gate.

Honestly, even as arrogant as Xiao Qiming and others were, they indeed wouldn't act within Bianlei City because they still had to give face to the Spirit Fighting Commerce.

If, just after the auction ended, someone who had won items was killed and robbed within Bianlei City, who would dare come to Bianlei for future auctions? Even if they had successful bids, it would only be for someone else to enjoy.

But once they were out of Bianlei City, things were different. The Spirit Fighting Commerce couldn't extend its hands that far and couldn't incessantly protect those cultivators who had won items. That had nothing to do with the Bianlei City Spirit Fighting Commerce branch.

"Look, Xiao Qiming and Chu Nian are about to act!"

"I said those guys wouldn't give up easily, looks like that kid's in trouble!"

"In trouble? Probably losing his life here, too, right?"

"Who can blame him for being too overconfident? Some things, even if you manage to swallow them by luck, you'll eventually have to spit them out!"

"Hehe, if there are things those few aren't interested in, we might as well try our luck!"

"..."

After Xiao Qiming and the four appeared, more cultivators gradually gathered outside the North Gate of Bianlei City. Many of them had participated in the auction, and it seemed that their instincts were extremely sharp.

However, upon seeing the rough-clothed young boy surrounded in the center, they didn't hold out much hope for him. Some even felt schadenfreude, as Yun Xiao had garnered quite a bit of attention at the auction earlier.

Some even had the idea of taking a share of the spoils. Naturally, they didn't dare to snatch any precious items from those four, but there was still a chance to get something they didn't care much about.

"Tsk tsk, didn't expect you guys really followed!"

Yun Xiao, surrounded by the four, showed no signs of feeling trapped. Instead, after glancing around them, the words he spoke caused the second of the Kong brothers, Kong Sihai, to be the first unable to hold back.

"Kid, if you hand over the Waist Storage and the items in your hands obediently, perhaps we might spare your life. Otherwise, my Sky Thunder Valley's 'Myriad Thunder Devouring Body' will make you wish for death but unable to achieve it!"

Kong Sihai was known to be ruthless and violent. He wouldn't care about an insignificant nobody whose name he didn't even know. Upon hearing about the notorious 'Myriad Thunder Devouring Body,' even the cultivators standing further away changed their expressions and subconsciously took a step back.

This region was under Sky Thunder Valley's control, so few here were unaware of their methods. The 'Myriad Thunder Devouring Body' was a remarkably cruel interrogation technique. The horror of those who had been subjected to it was widespread, giving people chills at the mere thought.

"Brother Sihai, don't scare the lad. In my opinion, this kid should be sensible enough. If he hands over the Waist Storage and his belongings, there's no need for us to be utterly ruthless!"

Beside him, Xiao Qiming waved his hand. If an ordinary cultivator heard these words, they might think him kind-hearted. But Yun Xiao was no fool; such a fake kind smile was likely more challenging to deal with than the straightforwardly violent Kong Sihai.

The other side's Chu Nian of the Chu Family remained silent, yet his body exuded a faintly oppressive aura, like a tiger poised to strike with a thunderous force.

"You... didn't bring any guards?"

After the words of Kong Sihai and Xiao Qiming, Yun Xiao glanced behind the four and posed this question, leaving the group momentarily stunned.

"Hmph, to deal with a kid who hasn't even grown all his hair yet, why would we need anyone else?"

Kong Qianshan was quick to respond, his words full of ridicule. You, a brat at the peak of the Qi Seeking Realm, probably any one of us here could take you down in a few moves, huh?

"Since you didn't bring any guards, let me advise you: if you leave now, I can overlook today's ambush."

Yun Xiao raised his head slightly, his voice suddenly turning somewhat cold. Yet, despite these few words, everyone, whether the four closest or the surrounding observers, felt a sense of disbelief, as if they heard something beyond comprehension.

Outside the North Gate of Bianlei City, everything was tranquil with not a whisper of wind. Moreover, these four were all talents in the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm. Even if there were wind distractions, Yun Xiao's words were clear.

What they couldn't understand was where his courage came from, to dare speak such arrogant words to four superior figures in the early stage of the Origin Seeking Realm, when he was just at the peak of the Qi Seeking Realm?

"Kid, now I'm really curious about how you managed to live this long?"

Kong Qianshan was almost amused by the other's arrogance, throwing a small and somewhat harmless joke. Yet, his tone was devoid of irony, as it seemed he was more angered than amused.

"Big brother, why waste so much time talking to this brat? Once we break his limbs and refine his whole body with the Myriad Thunder Devouring Body, let's see if he can still be so sharp-tongued!"

Kong Sihai, naturally more irascible, let his words fall as the chaotic Thunder-Fire Attribute aura surged from him, making the atmosphere feel particularly violent.

"Kid, it's your own lack of appreciation; you can't blame us!"

A shout burst from Kong Sihai's mouth, and then this renowned genius of Sky Thunder Valley, known as the 'Four Thunders,' formed a silver-light ball with hints of fiery red light in his hand, appearing mysterious.

"Fire Thunder Attribute, huh?"

With Yun Xiao's eyes, it was clear to see that Kong Sihai had a special Fire Thunder Attribute, and he also realized why this guy was so furious at having his Fiery Fire Ganoderma snatched from the auction.