"Hmph! Ji Yan, does your Ji Family intend to start a war with our Zhao Family?" Zhao Tianyu roared angrily.
"Zhao Tianyu, I never thought you were such a disgraceful person. It's truly opened my eyes. Today, unless you personally admit as promised that the Zhao Family is inferior to the Ji Family, don't even think about leaving this place!" Ji Yan took a step forward, speaking coldly.
Personnel from both sides surged forward, ready to draw swords at any moment.
Right at that moment.
"Where is the elder senior from the Heavenly Dragon Temple!"
A dozen monks descended from the sky, each radiating brilliant Buddhist light, accompanied by rolling thunderous chants, a spectacular and astonishing sight.
Boom… Boom…
Though they numbered only a dozen, they descended upon the stone gambling grounds with the imposing momentum of a thousand troops and their stampeding horses.
"Monks from the Great Thunderclap Monastery! It's said the Great Thunderclap Monastery is actually a branch of the Heavenly Dragon Temple. It seems it's true!" someone gasped in a low voice.
The Four Directions Trading House forces, who had already encircled and protected the stone gambling field to prevent outsiders from entering, found their blockade challenged. These monks from the Great Thunderclap Monastery had heard that a monk from the Heavenly Dragon Temple had been excavated here. How could they be stopped? One by one, they unleashed their divine abilities and forcefully stormed inside.
Of course, the Four Directions Trading House didn't want to start a conflict with the Great Thunderclap Monastery either and ultimately didn't hold the monks back.
In the Eastern Barrens, everyone knew the Great Thunderclap Monastery, though keeping a low profile, was teeming with experts and absolutely should not be provoked lightly. Furthermore, the Great Thunderclap Monastery was likely a branch monastery of the Heavenly Dragon Temple, the most ancient temple in the Eastern Barrens. The old monks residing within were beings that even the strongest superpowers of the Eastern Barrens dared not provoke.
"We pay our respects to the High Master!"
Upon seeing the heavenly dragon embroidered on the robe of the excavated old monk, those dozen or so monks cast aside all doubt. They prostrated themselves on the ground simultaneously, then formed a circle around the old monk, sitting cross-legged and began chanting Buddhist scriptures.
Hum… hum…
The chanting of sutras grew louder and more resonant, creating a peculiar reverberation throughout the surrounding space. It seemed as if the very heavens and earth trembled in rhythm with their hymns.
"Look! That old monk's body is starting to glow!" someone cried out in a hushed tone.
Everyone's gaze shifted. Indeed, the wizened, golden skin of the old monk began to emit beams of Buddhist radiance.
"Amitabha. All benefactors, please depart and do not disturb our High Master."
A monk whose body was thin and withered but whose voice was thunderously powerful had appeared in the midst of the gathering without anyone noticing. With his palms pressed together, he spoke.
Rumble…
Following his words, a terrifying surge of energy rippled out, pushing everyone back a good distance.
"You monks are too overbearing! This is the stone gambling field of the Four Directions Trading House, not your monastery! What right do you have to expel us!" someone protested indignantly.
The young people gathered here each came from illustrious backgrounds, proud and arrogant; who would willingly submit?
"Shh! Are you trying to court death? That's Heavenly Thunder Chan Master from the Great Thunderclap Monastery! Even the elders from your clan would have to speak to him respectfully when they arrive!" someone nearby hurriedly reminded in a whisper.
Hiss!
Heavenly Thunder Chan Master!
The mention of his name sent a chill through the crowd, and all became too afraid to speak.
Heavenly Thunder Chan Master was one of the experts of the Great Thunderclap Monastery. Despite his lean and fragile appearance, he was notoriously hot-tempered. Once provoked, he would strike like thunder and lightning, daring to kill anyone.
Rumble…
Just then, another dozen or so monks arrived upon hearing the news. They first performed kowtows to the excavated old monk, then seated themselves in the circle and joined in chanting the scriptures.
"Honored guests, the Abbot of our Great Thunderclap Monastery, along with several High Masters from the Heavenly Dragon Temple, have received the news and are on their way. From this moment on, this area is a forbidden zone. No one is permitted to approach. Please leave now," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master said placidly. He appeared kind-eyed and good-natured, uttering a Buddhist chant before speaking slowly.
"Lady."
Elder Fang from the Four Directions Trading House looked towards Lü Dandan. This was clearly the Trading House's turf, yet the monks from the Great Thunderclap Monastery intended to seize it forcefully. Elder Fang was already somewhat furious.
While the Great Thunderclap Monastery was formidable, the Four Directions Trading House was also a major power in the Eastern Barrens, wealthy and brimming with experts. They had no real fear of the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
"You must be the Eldest Lady Lü of the Four Directions Trading House. Our Great Thunderclap Monastery harbors no intent to clash with the Four Directions Trading House. It is merely that the appearance of an ancient High Master of the Heavenly Dragon Temple is of utmost importance to us. I sincerely hope Eldest Lady Lü can be accommodating, clear this stone gambling field, and cede it to our Great Thunderclap Monastery. We will remember this kindness. This deposit of twenty million Law Crystals is your compensation."
Heavenly Thunder Chan Master's gaze fell upon Lü Dandan. With a flick of his finger, a spatial ring flew to her.
Lü Dandan, as the eldest lady of the Four Directions Trading House, held a noble status, and even he dared not slight her.
"Very well," Lü Dandan thought for a moment before nodding in agreement.
The Four Directions Trading House was a business organization that valued harmony for wealth's sake. Unless absolutely necessary, she did not wish to provoke a conflict with a powerful force like the Great Thunderclap Monastery.
"However, our stone gambling field at the Four Directions Trading House has a rule: the treasures excavated belong to the one who opened the stone. The venerable High Master was excavated from a stone purchased by this Young Master Su here, who paid over a hundred thousand Law Crystals for it. You must compensate Young Master Su for his loss. Otherwise, it will damage our Four Directions Trading House's reputation."
Lü Dandan suddenly pointed at Ye Yunfei as she spoke.
"It was this Young Master Su who made the find? That is fine. I shall compensate him," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master replied. He flicked his finger again, and another spatial ring flew to Ye Yunfei's side.
It contained twenty million Law Crystals!
"Young Master Su, we thank you for excavating our High Master. We will remember this kindness," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master cast a benevolent look towards Ye Yunfei.
"Alright, please depart. From this moment on, no one is permitted to approach this vicinity," Heavenly Thunder Chan Master declared clearly, his voice as resonant as thunder, causing a dull roar in everyone's ears.
Knowing the Chan Master had begun to expel them, the crowd slowly began to turn and leave.
"Personnel, clear the stone gambling field!" Lü Dandan waved a hand and began directing the Four Directions Trading House forces to remove the raw stones from the premises.
These stones had been transported from the Northern Frost Ancient Mining Area and were of incalculable value. The Trading House naturally refused to leave them here any longer.
"Let's go!" Zhao Tianyu waved his hand and departed with the Zhao Family disciples. Lu Feng also followed.
"Zhao Tianyu, you have yet to honor your wager. Sooner or later, I will make you honor it!" Ji Yan shouted after Zhao Tianyu.
Zhao Tianyu gave a cold snort, said nothing, and swiftly vanished into the distance.
"Kid, watch your step. Our Zhao Family isn't one to be easily provoked!" Before leaving, he shot a profound, chilling look at Ye Yunfei and uttered this icy warning.
"With our Ji Family here, you cannot touch Su Fei!" Ji Yan retorted coldly.
Since Ye Yunfei had just regained face for the Ji Family, her attitude towards him began to shift somewhat. After all, Ye Yunfei had incurred Zhao Tianyu's enmity on behalf of the Ji Family.
"We're leaving as well," Ji Yan announced, then departed with the Ji Family disciples.
"Su Fei, let's go," Ji Yue said to Ye Yunfei.
As Ye Yunfei was preparing to leave, Lü Dandan suddenly approached.
"Young Master Su, here is the esteemed guest token of our Four Directions Trading House. From now on, you will enjoy a ten percent discount on all purchases at our establishment. Also, whenever Young Master Su finds the time, could you please come to our branch stronghold in Lantai City for a visit?"