Dai Chengfeng knew that items like ropes, insect repellent powder, dried provisions, and water pouches on the procurement list…
For Ning Rongrong, Zhu Zhuqing, and Hu Liena—these three young ladies—were undoubtedly rather dull and tedious.
Their daily lives revolved around luxurious clothes, precious treasures, or advanced soul skill cultivation. When had they ever needed to worry about such trivial details for an expedition?
Seeing their occasional expressions of boredom, though unspoken, Dai Chengfeng shook his head slightly.
He stopped walking, scanning the bustling market filled with the lively atmosphere, and offered an excuse to the three girls:
"Well, I've already bought most of the essential items."
"The rest are just small things. It would be boring for you to tag along."
"This market looks lively; why don't you wander around, relax, stay safe, keep an eye on each other, and don't go too far."
"I'll come find you after I finish buying the remaining items."
"Alright, alright!"
Ning Rongrong immediately responded with excitement. Her bright, lively eyes had already been drawn to a nearby stall glittering in the sunlight, filled with various delicate trinkets.
For this little princess of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, shopping for supplies was naturally far less interesting than treasure hunting.
Hu Liena also nodded.
As for Zhu Zhuqing…
Her personality was cold and reserved, preferring quiet over chaos.
But after days of travel, strolling through this vibrant market, observing different sights, seemed more enjoyable than following Dai Chengfeng to check off items on the list.
She gave a slight nod, her icy gaze softening almost imperceptibly.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"There's no need to thank me…" Dai Chengfeng chuckled, shaking his head at Zhu Zhuqing.
"Don't worry, I'll be quick."
With that, Dai Chengfeng turned and walked away.
While the three girls wandered through the market, Dai Chengfeng continued toward the shops selling basic supplies. His figure quickly blended into the flow of people.
Without distractions, Dai Chengfeng's efficiency increased significantly.
About an hour later, he had purchased all the remaining items on the list.
After carefully inspecting the quality and confirming there were no issues, he packed everything neatly into his storage-type soul tool.
"Finally done…"
Dai Chengfeng looked up at the sky, estimating the time. It was nearly lunchtime.
Without further delay, he set off to find Zhu Zhuqing, Hu Liena, and Ning Rongrong in the market.
Just as he crossed halfway down a side street, about to rejoin the main road, a clear argument suddenly erupted ahead.
One voice was crisp and bright, like pearls falling onto a jade plate.
But now, it was filled with undisguised anger and a hint of youthful arrogance.
"It was clearly mine first!"
Dai Chengfeng's brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
That voice… it was Ning Rongrong.
He immediately quickened his pace, darting forward in a few swift movements, approaching the source of the commotion.
Ahead, a weathered-looking miscellaneous goods stall had attracted a sparse crowd of onlookers.
The stall displayed various items that appeared aged, their authenticity difficult to verify—supposed "antiques."
Dai Chengfeng pushed through the crowd, and his view cleared.
Sure enough, Ning Rongrong stood frostily in front of the stall, her pale fingers gripping something tightly on the counter.
Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena stood silently half a step behind her, one on each side.
Opposite Ning Rongrong stood a tall, slender woman.
The woman wore tight-fitting scarlet leather armor that accentuated her voluptuous curves, exuding vitality and tension.
Her fiery red hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, swaying slightly with her movements, further emphasizing her spirited and fiery demeanor.
At this moment, the red-armored woman's delicate eyebrows were furrowed, her beautiful eyes blazing with anger as she glared at Ning Rongrong. Her rosy cheeks flushed with indignation.
Her right hand also gripped something on the counter tightly…
A simple yet elegant ancient jade ring, its material smooth and its color a luscious green, carved with minimal cloud patterns.
The two women refused to back down, the tension between them palpable.
"She is…"
Upon seeing the red-armored woman, Dai Chengfeng felt a flicker of familiarity.
As Dai Chengfeng pondered, the red-armored woman retorted heatedly: "I picked it up first! You're the one being unreasonable!"
Ning Rongrong, who had grown up pampered in the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect, had never endured such treatment. Her temper flared, and she sniffed disdainfully, tilting her delicate chin upward:
"We both saw it at the same time and grabbed it simultaneously. Why should it be yours? The shopkeeper hasn't even spoken yet!"
She glanced toward the stall owner.
The stall owner was a thin, middle-aged man with a shrewd expression. Watching these two obviously powerful and intimidating female soul masters quarrel over a ring, he had already turned pale, his face twisted in distress.
Rubbing his hands nervously, caught between a rock and a hard place, his lips quivered, but he dared not say a word, fearing to fan the flames.
This jade ring had been purchased cheaply from a destitute noble a few days ago. He had thought it was just an ordinary old item, never expecting it to spark such a fierce dispute between two female soul masters.
"You!"
Seeing Ning Rongrong's "arrogance," the red-armored woman was momentarily speechless, her aura surging violently.
"What, planning to fight because you're out of arguments?"
Though Ning Rongrong could sense the woman's formidable soul power fluctuations, she had Zhu Zhuqing and Hu Liena—two powerful sisters—at her side, giving her plenty of confidence.
Especially knowing that Dai Chengfeng would soon return, she felt even more emboldened.
"So what if we fight? Do you think I'm afraid of you?"
The red-armored woman was clearly hot-tempered, her soul power surging again in response to Ning Rongrong's provocation. A scorching heat began to spread.
Just as the conflict seemed about to escalate…
A man dressed in green combat attire, wearing a peculiar metal mask covering his nose and mouth, revealing only a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes, stepped forward from behind the red-armored woman.
Seeing the man approach, Dai Chengfeng finally realized.
"This unique outfit from my past memories—could it belong to anyone other than Feng Xiaotian of God Wind Academy?"
"And if that's the case, this red-haired woman must be Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy!"
"No wonder she seemed familiar!"
"But why are they here in this small town near the Great Star Dou Forest? Are they also here for spirit rings?"
While Dai Chengfeng pondered curiously, Feng Xiaotian gently pressed down on Huo Wu's shoulder, a soothing wind-attribute soul power calming her fiery temper.
He signaled for her to calm down.
Then, Feng Xiaotian spoke, "I am Feng Xiaotian of God Wind Academy, my martial soul is the Stormwind Doubleheaded Wolf."
He introduced himself confidently, his tone carrying a hint of pride and arrogance typical of a genius. Then, pointing at Huo Wu, he said, "And this is Miss Huo Wu from Blazing Fire Academy."
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