Zhou Rui stood at the head of the Crimson Vale Sect's disciples as they strode down the bustling streets, their crimson robes billowing with each step.
After their victorious skirmish against the Poison Demon Cult yesterday, everyone who participated got some bonus spirit stones from the sect. Zhou Rui, in particular, had gotten more because of his exemplary performance with his Celestial Wind Saber, cutting down even the Nightmare Ogres that was as strong as a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.
If not for their morning spent with the handout of bonuses, they would've arrived at the store early.
Their arrival at the street sent another ripple through the crowd, mortals and cultivators subtly shifting aside to avoid them. After all, they still had the stigma of being ruthless cultivators and they'd shown it on the battlefield yesterday.
Zhou Rui barely registered their reactions. His mind was preoccupied with a single goal. The Divine Convenience Store and to continue repaying his Benefactor's grace.
Then, as fate would have it, the first people he saw upon approaching the store's entrance were none other than Yan Wei and his entourage of Azure Gale Sect's disciples.
Their voices were loud and merry as they talked about how the Shopkeeper dealt with the overbearing agents of the Silver Lotus Hall.
With their conspicuous robes, Yan Wei was the first to notice Zhou Rui's arrival. His laughter cut off as his sharp eyes locked onto the Crimson Vale Sect's group.
His mouth curled into his usual annoying smirk that many other cultivators found annoying. He crossed his arms in a relaxed yet taunting manner as he stopped in place.
"Well, if it isn't the bloodthirsty dogs of the Crimson Vale. Have you finally washed off the blood of demonic beasts from yesterday?" Yan Wei taunted.
His voice was loud enough for the surrounding crowd to focus on him.
And with that, tension crackled instantly.
Zhou Rui let out a cold chuckle, unfazed by the jab.
"Heh. Here's the young master who only knows how to spend his daddy's spirit stones. Do you know how many demonic beasts fell under my saber yesterday?" He tapped the hilt of his weapon with a cocky grin. "Thirty-six. All personally slain by yours truly. I lost count of the lesser ones I cut down along the way."
The Crimson Vale disciples behind him chuckled, puffing up with pride at their senior brother's achievement. A few even muttered numbers of their own, boasting their own kill counts.
He wasn't originally a boastful person but Yan Wei just had this inherent trait to piss off anyone. And it just so happened that they already had a previous confrontation.
Yan Wei snorted. "Thirty-six? Hah! You act like that's impressive. I may not have gotten my hands as dirty as you did, but my achievements are far greater. Our Azure Gale Sect pushed those cultists to the forest first!"
After that, he pulled a golden card from his sleeves, presenting it for everyone to see. "And look at this. Do you know what this card's significance is?"
He paused there as he relished over the confused faces of the Crimson Vale Sect disciples.
"What's that? Something you bought with your father's spirit stones again?"
Yan Wei clicked his tongue mockingly as his other hand produced the tablet-like artifact, "Look at you, this is the golden loyalty card of the Divine Convenience Store. Today, I became a Golden Patron and received early access to the Store Bulletin Board with this Viewing Jade."
The Crimson Vale disciples immediately scowled while the Azure Gale disciples beamed.
"Golden Patron? Viewing Jade" Zhou Rui narrowed his eyes.
Yan Wei grinned as continued bragging. "See, the Shopkeeper recognized my greatness more than the rest of you blockheads. This card is also equipped with benefits."
Zhou Rui's eyebrows twitched as he retorted, "Oh? Benefits? You mean like how you got scolded earlier for blocking the store entrance like a fool?"
The Azure Gale disciples twitched. "How did you—!"
Yan Wei cut them off with a raised hand as he stepped forward, his arrogance was actually secondary to his righteousness at the moment, "You talk as if you've seen us getting scolded. But it was all worth it. I defended the store against troublesome customers, unlike some people who call the Shopkeeper his Benefactor but aren't showing up in time of need."
Hit with that, Zhou Rui was stumped. He couldn't argue with it. He only picked it up from the murmurs around them. He hadn't seen what exactly happened.
But the conflict didn't end there. The other disciples quickly chimed in, backing their respective sides.
"The Azure Gale Sect relies too much on tricks and their father's wallets!" One of the Crimson Vale disciples sneered.
"And the Crimson Vale Sect is just a bunch of muscle-headed warmongers!" One of the Azure Gale disciples retorted.
The tension escalated rapidly. A fight seemed inevitable as spiritual energy began crackling in the air.
Both Yan Wei and Zhou Rui stiffened, recalling a very particular memory.
The last time they had caused trouble in front of the store, they had also received a scolding from Lin Mo.
Neither of them wanted to be on the receiving end of it again. They didn't want to cause trouble to him again.
Their gazes locked in silent agreement.
A second later, both of them simultaneously declared.
"Then let's do it just like last time. Let's see who can outspend the other!"
The gathered crowd sighed in exasperation. The disciples behind them groaned, already seeing their spirit stones vanishing into the void. But then, it's their pride on the line. And with the Crimson Vale Sect disciples, they received a hefty bonus. They're confident they will match them today.
Yan Wei smirked. "Ha! This young master is already a Golden Patron, I will be benevolent enough to give you all a chance to catch up, Zhou Rui. Besides, we've already finished our transactions. I still have spirit stones on me that can outmatch yours but not my fellow disciples. Are you going to be unfair to them?"
Zhou Rui cracked his knuckles. "Oh, don't worry. Just show us your receipts. We'll match it."
With that, they stormed into the store, their fellow disciples following in with their eyes burning with competition.
However, the moment they entered, they were greeted with an unexpected sight.
A crowd of customers had gathered near a massive double door at the far end of the store.
Curious, the two groups approached them and read the inscription above it.
[Divine Arena & Exhibition Hall]
"What is this place?" Yan Wei was astonished. How did he not see it earlier?
"Did the store expand again?" Zhou Rui muttered, totally intrigued as to what was behind it.
Yan Wei and Zhou Rui exchanged glances.
This was new. And if it was part of the store… that meant it had to be something worth spending their spirit stones on.
A second later, Liu Xiaoyu appeared beside them, her twinkling eyes giving them an unsettling vibe.
"Oh? Are you on your little competition again, Young Master Yan and Zhou Rui? Do you want me to tell you what's behind that door?"
"Yes, please!" They shouted in unison.
"An arena. The arena you both wanted. Come. I'll open the door for you. Boss is inside with some other big shots. He'll be delighted to see you two just in time for an exhibition."
"Exhibition?" With those words hanging in their heads, the crowded customers parted as Liu Xiaoyu hummed in delight as she reached the door, pushing it open.
Somehow, their competition had just taken an interesting turn.