C3 A Tiger in the Plains!

Additionally, this chubby guy, Qin Wudi, once saved Xiao Tian's life. There was a time when both Xiao Tian and Qin Wudi encountered a bloodthirsty demon. In a desperate bid to save Xiao Tian, Qin Wudi risked his life and even used a life-saving charm his father had bought at a high price. Those charms are incredibly rare and valuable. At the time, Qin Wudi wasn't even the demon's target, so he could have avoided the danger altogether.

Despite Qin Wudi's current appearance of poverty, living in a rundown wooden house, his family is actually quite well-off. If Xiao Tian hadn't convinced him to join Doombrows, he could have continued living a comfortable life at home instead of enduring hardships here.

"Hey, are you an idiot?" Xiao Tian remarked, snapping his gaze to Qin Wudi after reflecting on his own reckless behavior.

"Hmm?" Qin Wudi stared blankly at Xiao Tian, looking puzzled as to why he was suddenly being insulted.

"You're a bit dense, aren't you?" Xiao Tian sighed, then abruptly changed the subject: "Since your family is wealthy, tell me, do you still have any money?"

"Money? Yeah, I still have some. Wait, why do you ask?" Qin Wudi paused, then took a step back, eyeing Xiao Tian warily.

"Having money is great. Tell me, where can I find a place that sells herbs around here?" Xiao Tian nodded, asserting his request.

"There's a market," Qin Wudi replied.

"A market? Let's go. Take me to this market you mentioned, and bring the money," Xiao Tian said.

"You... you want to use my money again!" Qin Wudi took several steps back, eyeing Xiao Tian with suspicion, ready to bolt if Xiao Tian nodded.

"Why so wary? I'm not using your money for free. I'll pay you back later," Xiao Tian assured.

"You said that before, but you never paid me back," Qin Wudi muttered under his breath.

"Come on, that was in the past. Tell me, are you still my friend?" Xiao Tian coughed awkwardly, then looked earnestly at Qin Wudi.

"Well..." Qin Wudi hesitated, his expression turning a bit resentful. "Didn't you say I shouldn't tell anyone I know you?"

"Seriously? You believed that?" Xiao Tian asked.

"You hit me; how could I not believe it?" Qin Wudi said, sounding hurt.

"Okay, I was wrong before. I promise it won't happen again. Come on, let's head to the market now. Stick with me, and I guarantee you'll have a good life," Xiao Tian said, awkwardly rubbing his nose. He then approached Qin Wudi, patted him on the shoulder, and headed out the door.

Seeing Xiao Tian like this, Qin Wudi stood there, staring at Xiao Tian's back, unsure whether to trust him. After a moment of hesitation, he moved to the side of the bed, carefully pried open a corner, and pulled out a stack of gold banknotes. He tucked them safely into his jacket and hurried after Xiao Tian.

...

A short while later, Xiao Tian, led by Qin Wudi, arrived at a bustling marketplace filled with lively chatter. Stalls offered everything from weapons and ancient tomes to various crafting materials and herbs.

"Hey! Isn't that Xiao Tian? I heard he was seriously injured this morning. How is he out and about this afternoon?"

"Yeah, he was supposedly badly hurt earlier. How is he up and walking around now?"

"Xiao Tian? Who's that?"

"Are you new here?"

"Yes, I am."

"That explains why you don't know Xiao Tian. But if I mention the Greenpeak Horror, you might have heard of him."

"The Greenpeak Horror? You mean the one rumored to have harassed countless women? They say he never spares any woman. I thought he was supposed to be ugly, but he doesn't look bad at all—in fact, he's quite handsome!"

"Ugly? Ahem... where did you hear that, junior sister? Even though Xiao Tian isn't exactly a saint, the women he fancies are always stunning. There's no way he'd just go after any woman."

"Yeah, this senior brother is right. Xiao Tian might not be the best guy, but honestly... the women he chooses are the kind that make us all green with envy!"

As Xiao Tian appeared in the market, he instantly drew the attention of many. Some glared at him with resentment, others with envy, and some were simply puzzled or indifferent.

"Well, if it isn't Brother Xiao Tian! What brings you to the market today? Didn't you always look down on this place? By the way, I heard you got into a fight this morning. Who had the guts to take on our Brother Xiao Tian?" A young man in a purple robe, with a white jade pendant at his waist and a sword in hand, suddenly blocked Xiao Tian and Qin Wudi's path, looking at Xiao Tian with a mocking expression.

"Well, well, this should be interesting. It's like they say, 'a tiger at bay is mocked by a dog.' Zhou Yang used to be Xiao Tian's loyal follower, but now that Xiao Tian's down on his luck, Zhou Yang is the first to turn on him. And it seems this isn't the first time."

"Who wouldn't agree? Luckily, I don't have such a lackey. If I did, I'd have slapped him silly by now."

"Shh, keep it down. Even though Zhou Yang is a lackey, he's stronger than us. He's a four-star warrior."

"..."

"Hey, who's this idiot?" Amidst the crowd watching the drama unfold, Xiao Tian glanced at Zhou Yang with a look of disdain, then turned to ask Qin Wudi beside him.

"Uh, his name is Zhou Yang," Qin Wudi replied honestly.

"How dare you call me an idiot, Xiao Tian! Do you want a beating? You think you're still that formidable Young Master Tian? You're nothing now, just a broken man with shattered strength! What gives you the right to call me an idiot..." As Qin Wudi answered Xiao Tian, Zhou Yang's face turned livid, his eyes glaring at Xiao Tian, ready to teach him a lesson.

"Idiot!"

Xiao Tian dismissed Zhou Yang with a glance, then walked past him, showing the back of his head as if Zhou Yang was of no consequence.

"Xiao Tian!!"

Zhou Yang suddenly roared, his face flushed with anger. Being ignored by Xiao Tian in front of so many people made him feel humiliated. Although he had been insulted by Xiao Tian before, back then, Xiao Tian was incredibly powerful, leaving Zhou Yang with no choice but to endure. But now, with Xiao Tian's strength completely gone, he couldn't tolerate being insulted like this.

"Go to hell..."

With a roar, Zhou Yang suddenly launched a punch at Xiao Tian, who was walking ahead. The punch was incredibly fast, like a bolt of lightning, tearing through the air with a deafening boom.