C20 Conflict

After reaching a fork in the road, Ye Xuan and Mu Hua said their goodbyes to Bai Lan'er.

"Senior Sister Lan'er, our residence is just ahead. This is where we part ways," Ye Xuan told Bai Lan'er, who stood beside them.

"Okay, it is getting quite late. You both should head back and get some rest," Bai Lan'er responded, aware of the advancing hour, and prepared to wave them off.

As they were about to part, a voice reached them from ahead, catching Ye Xuan's attention.

"What a coincidence, Junior Brother Ye Xuan, to run into you here."

Ye Xuan looked up, startled, at the group of six people before him. Each had a purple Inner Sect token at their waist. Ye Xuan didn't recognize any of them; he had only joined the Inner Sect that day and, apart from Mu Hua and Bai Lan'er, everyone was a stranger to him.

The disciple at the forefront of the group, dressed in black, stood tall and handsome, with an unsettling, effeminate air about him. Clearly, he was the one who had spoken. He wasn't surprised by Ye Xuan's reaction; as a newcomer to the Inner Sect, it was understandable that Ye Xuan wouldn't know him, and he showed no displeasure at this.

Bai Lan'er, who had been about to depart, paused and turned her attention to the group, her gaze narrowing slightly upon seeing the lead youth in black. She was about to exchange words with Ye Xuan and the others when the black-clad youth preempted her.

"Oh, Junior Brother Ye Xuan, it's quite normal for you not to recognize me. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Hei Ling, and I've been in the Inner Sect for precisely one year," Hei Ling said, pausing deliberately. Noting Ye Xuan's still puzzled look, he puffed out his chest and added,

"I am currently ranked eighteenth on the Inner Sect Ranking." He looked at Ye Xuan with a self-satisfied air, a smug grin playing at the corner of his mouth.

Ye Xuan was well aware of the Inner Sect Ranking even before he set foot in the Inner Sect. The individuals listed on the Inner Sect Ranking were the cream of the crop within the Inner Sect, standing out among their peers. With only fifty spots available, those who made it onto the Inner Sect Ranking were the crème de la crème of the Inner Sect disciples. Considering there were over a thousand disciples in the Inner Sect, all meticulously selected through a rigorous process, standing out among such an elite group was a testament to one's exceptional abilities.

Furthermore, securing a place on the Inner Sect Ranking was no small feat, given there were only fifty spots. This fact alone highlighted the fierce and cutthroat nature of the competition. Despite this, the young man in black before him, Hei Ling, maintained a high ranking, which explained his air of pride and arrogance.

Ye Xuan was somewhat taken aback. Why would someone like this know him? He had only joined the Inner Sect less than a day ago, and he wasn't so vain as to think Hei Ling admired him. It was more likely that Hei Ling sought him out because he had something of interest. But Ye Xuan couldn't fathom what he, a newcomer to the Inner Sect, could possess that would draw the attention of someone with a high standing on the Inner Sect Ranking. The puzzle left him momentarily baffled.

Meanwhile, Bai Lan'er approached and stood beside Ye Xuan, casting her gaze toward Hei Ling and his group.

Hei Ling had been so engrossed in Ye Xuan that he hadn't noticed Bai Lan'er until now. Upon seeing her, a subtle look of adoration flickered in the depths of his eyes, though he kept his composure, not letting his feelings show. His gaze toward Bai Lan'er, however, was filled with reverence and eagerness.

In the Inner Sect, Bai Lan'er was the idol of countless disciples. Her easygoing nature and absence of aloofness made her approachable, and her vivacious spirit was reminiscent of a child's untainted innocence, radiating warmth and amiability.

Hei Ling was well aware that Bai Lan'er was not only beautiful but also held the ninth spot on the Inner Sect Ranking, a position even higher than his own. Her rank had been thirteenth not long ago, but rumors had it that after returning from the herbal garden, she had advanced to the sixth level of the Whispering Souls Profound Level in just a few days of seclusion, catapulting her ranking from thirteenth to ninth. It seemed probable that she had experienced some serendipitous event in the herbal garden.

Many within the Inner Sect Ranking harbored affections for Bai Lan'er. In comparison to her, even Hei Ling felt he paled. Hence, he refrained from expressing his admiration, wary of inciting the ire of those in the top ten.

Of the top ten on the Inner Sect Ranking, only two were girls: Bai Lan'er and Yan Menglian, who was ranked second. While Bai Lan'er was approachable and vivacious, Yan Menglian seemed like a celestial being residing in the Moon Cold Palace, exuding an aura of aloofness and chill akin to a stunning ice maiden in eternal slumber.

"Little Junior Sister Lan'er, what a pleasant surprise to encounter you here," Hei Ling greeted Bai Lan'er with a smile.

Bai Lan'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly disliking the way Hei Ling addressed her. She cut straight to the chase, "Do you have some business with Ye Xuan?"

Her voice was cool as she spoke, her gaze upon Hei Ling tinged with subtle displeasure. Hei Ling's eyelids twitched; her annoyance at his previous form of address did not escape him.

Quick to respond, he said, "Oh... actually, it's nothing major. I just wanted to propose a trade with Junior Brother Ye Xuan." He gestured towards Ye Xuan.

"A trade?" Ye Xuan echoed, puzzled.

"We're interested in the second-level advanced cultivation method you possess, Junior Brother Ye Xuan. I'm curious if you'd be open to a trade with us."

"Of course, Junior Brother Ye Xuan, feel free to name your price. Rest assured, if it's within our power, we will fulfill your request."

Hei Ling no longer concealed his reason for coming and got straight to the point.

"What are you willing to offer in exchange for this second-level cultivation method?" Ye Xuan, recognizing Hei Ling's earnestness, felt it would be rude to outright dismiss him.

Upon hearing Ye Xuan's willingness to consider a trade, Hei Ling's face brightened. If Ye Xuan was open to an exchange, the deal was already halfway to success. The sect had strict rules against coercion in transactions; everything had to be done with mutual consent. Otherwise, the sect's regulations would come into play.

The thought of those harsh rules made even Hei Ling shudder. They were designed to protect the disciples' interests, ensuring that trades were fair and consensual, leaving no party at a disadvantage.

"We've prepared four hundred Spirit Value and twenty Spirit Beads to trade for your cultivation method. What do you think, Junior Brother Ye Xuan?" As soon as Hei Ling finished, Ye Xuan's brow furrowed slightly. Clearly, the offer didn't meet his expectations. Did they really think he was some naive kid?

During a visit to the Inner Sect with Bai Lan'er and Mu Hua, Ye Xuan had seized the opportunity to ask many questions, including those about the trading prices of cultivation methods. Typically, even the lowest second-level cultivation method in the Inner Sect would go for at least three hundred Spirit Value, while an intermediate one would be around five hundred. The advanced ones were a different story, fetching a thousand Spirit Value for a single advanced second-level method.

Hei Ling and his group were clearly trying to lowball Ye Xuan. Even with the addition of twenty Spirit Beads, the total value barely reached four hundred Spirit Value. Had Ye Xuan not previously inquired about these matters with Bai Lan'er, he might have been duped.

Beside him, Bai Lan'er's brows knitted together, and her eyes, brimming with indignation, were about to challenge Hei Ling's offer when Ye Xuan addressed him, "Senior Brother Hei Ling, this offer seems somewhat insufficient."

Upon hearing Ye Xuan's response, a barely perceptible tremor crossed Hei Ling's face. Clearly, he hadn't anticipated that Ye Xuan, a newcomer to the Inner Sect for less than a day, would be so well-informed about the going rate for cultivation methods. His gaze shifted subtly towards Bai Lan'er, and within moments, he pieced it together. It must have been Lan'er who informed Ye Xuan.

Had Ye Xuan been unaware and proceeded with the trade, he would have had no choice but to grin and bear any discrepancies discovered later. He would have unwittingly accepted a bad deal. Moreover, the sect had an unwritten rule against fraudulent trades: the seller's price must not be significantly lower than the standard transaction value. This served as a cautionary measure to keep the disciples vigilant and attentive.

"Besides that, I would also owe Junior Brother Ye Xuan a favor," Hei Ling added, presenting another alluring incentive. A favor from someone ranked 18th on the Inner Sect Ranking was no small matter. The five individuals behind Hei Ling wore expressions of astonishment; Hei Ling's magnanimity had clearly taken them by surprise.

Ye Xuan inwardly scoffed. Had he been oblivious, he doubted Hei Ling would have mentioned such terms, effectively making him the sucker in the deal. Given the lack of sincerity from the start, Ye Xuan had no intention of proceeding with the transaction.

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother Hei Ling, but I'm not interested in trading this cultivation method at the moment," Ye Xuan said, expressing his regret.

Hei Ling's face darkened, his tone taking on a sinister edge. "Junior Brother Ye Xuan, won't you reconsider? It's not the wisest of decisions."

"Thank you for the offer, Senior Brother Hei Ling, but I'd rather not exchange it right now," Ye Xuan firmly stated once more.

Hei Ling's face contorted with displeasure, nearly seething with anger. If Lan'er hadn't been there, he might have lost his temper completely. But in an effort to preserve his dignified demeanor in her presence, he managed to restrain himself.

"The Inner Sect is filled with many powerful individuals. Junior Brother Ye Xuan, your lack of adaptability could be your downfall. Be cautious, or you might just find yourself on the receiving end of a harsh lesson." Hei Ling had issued his warning.

Unperturbed, Ye Xuan responded coolly, "There's no need for Senior Brother Hei Ling to concern himself with that."

Hei Ling was about to retort when a spark of inspiration struck him. Observing Ye Xuan, a sly smirk slowly formed at the edge of his lips.