“Local produce? Girl, are you messing with me? This is a gemsnake! Go search through the entire Divine Venom Dynasty and tell me how many people can afford one!” the shop owner screamed in a strangled voice.
Wen Qian’er glanced back at the man. “You really don’t know how to run a business.”
Ordinary people used universal currency, or even local currency like the Yushan coins that the Great Yu Empire had used. One piece of universal currency could be exchanged for ten Yushan coins, and a million star crystals could be exchanged for ten trillion Yushan coins. Lu Yin had no idea what the exchange rate existed between the Divine Venom Dynasty’s local currency and universal currency was, but even if the Divine Venom Dynasty’s local currency was traded at a rate of one to one, a million star crystals was still enough to trade for one trillion pieces of universal currency.
A snake that was worth trillions of pieces of universal currency was truly a special product that could not be looked down upon.
Of course, universal currency was never used in this manner, as only ordinary humans used the currency. As far as cultivators were concerned, universal currency was little different from trash. Still, this snake was being sold for an impressive amount of star crystals.
“Fine, I don’t want to buy it anymore. Let’s go.” Wen Qian’er had become upset, so she immediately started walking out of the store.
The shop owner became furious. “Girl, you spent so long haggling with me. Do you realize how much business you lost me? If you weren’t going to buy it, then why waste my time?”
“What? You still dare to try to talk business with me?” Wen Qian’er turned her head around just enough to glare at the shop owner.
The man gritted his teeth and then glanced at Wen Sansi and Lu Yin, as well as Qing Li. He felt that he should not mess with these people. He snorted and punched the counter of his shop, causing the building to tremble. Just outside the front door, a fine powder drifted into the air.
Believing it to be only dust, Wen Qian’er was unconcerned, and she was about to walk right through it.
Suddenly, Wen Sansi grabbed her and pulled her back, startling the girl. He turned to shoot a cold glare towards the shop owner. “You dare to use poison?”
The shop owner was confused. “What poison?”
Wen Sansi frowned and waved a hand. The powder that had settled to the floor was pulled up and launched at the shop owner. The man did not move a muscle, and he looked confused even as the powder fell onto his body. “Sir, what are you doing?”
Wen Sansi’s eyes narrowed.
Lu Yin was taken aback, but this was a custom of people in the Divine Venom Dynasty. This shop owner was clearly unafraid of poison, and he had merely attempted a tiny bit of revenge. If Wen Qian’er had not noticed, she would only suffer a bit, but if the man was caught, he could just feign ignorance. Even if the powder was thrown onto himself, he would not care at all.
This was the Divine Venom Dynasty.
Qing Li watched from the side, but he had no intention of intervening.
The Divine Venom Dynasty was sealed to the outside world, but that did not mean that its inhabitants were easy to bully.
Wen Sansi had eaten a complete loss. Although he could easily handle someone with the shop owner’s strength, they were also in the Divine Venom Dynasty, and Wen Sansi had already made a move. Attacking again would not make him look good.
“I understand,” Wen Sansi said casually as he prepared to lead Wen Qian’er away.
At this time, several people entered the shop from the street. They were Balsam, Yan, and the Hall of Honor’s Overseer You.
The group almost ran straight into Wen Sansi and Wen Qian’er.
Wen Sansi instantly recognized Mr. You, and he was surprised to see the overseer. “Overseer You? Why are you here?”
Mr. You glanced around at everyone in the store, and his expression noticeably changed when he saw Lu Yin. The overseer then smiled at Wen Sansi. “I received an invitation from the Divine Venom Dynasty, so I came here to have a look. I just happened to be passing by, and I sensed that I must have missed something.”
Wen Sansi casually said, “It was nothing much. Just a little misunderstanding.”
Wen Sansi did not know Balsam, though he recognized Yan, who was Shamrock Enterprise’s Innerverse president’s secretary. Yan was a well known figure.
Balsam looked at Lu Yin and smiled. “I didn’t expect to meet Alliance Leader Lu here. Please stay safe.”
Lu Yin gave a small smile in return. “Oh, was Shamrock Enterprise also invited?”
“Yes. I’m here to deliver a congratulatory gift,” Balsam replied.
Mr. You stared at Lu Yin and said in a measured tone, “I didn’t expect to run into Alliance Leader Lu here. It’s been a long time.”
Lu Yin arched a brow. “Do I know you?”
Wen Sansi, Balsam, and the others were all startled, as Lu Yin was being decidedly rude. Even though everyone was aware that Lu Yin and Mr. You stood on opposing sides, no one had expected shots to be fired the moment the two met.
Lu Yin had absolutely no regard for Mr. You. The man was technically an overseer, but he was about to lose the position. If not for him always being protected by Overseer Nan Yuan, Mr. You would have lost his overseer seat even faster than Nightking Zheng. Lu Yin had a high enough status that there was no need for him to put on an act and be polite to Mr. You.
Mr. You sneered. “Mr. Lu is a hot-shot, so it’s only to be expected that you wouldn’t know a little guy like me.”
“You can introduce yourself: name, affiliation, background, strength, and position. Tell me, and maybe I’ll be able to remember who you are after,” Lu Yin casually replied.
Mr. You’s expression grew ugly. This was not a request for an introduction, but rather an interrogation! Lu Yin’s tone and choice of words were offensive and infuriating.
There was a man who had remained right at Mr. You’s side, and he spoke up at this time. “This is Mr. You, one of the Hall of Honor’s nine overseers.”
No one had expected the man to speak up, and Balsam glanced at him in surprise. She knew who this man was; he was Li, one of Mt. Microcosms’ protectors. He had a very good relationship with Shamrock Enterprise, and he was also one of Yan’s friends on Mt. Microcosms. Balsam had not thought that Li would be dumb enough to interrupt at this moment.
Yan’s expression instantly changed, and he quickly tried to gesture at Li for him to back out.
Even Mr. You’s expression became worse, as he felt that announcing his identity at this moment would only give Lu Yin more opportunities to sling insults.
Sure enough, Lu Yin replied, “One of the nine overseers? I seem to recall there being someone with that name, though it seems to be temporary. I wonder, how long will you be able to keep your position for?”
At this moment, Lu Yin’s eyes turned cold. “Things will go downhill for you soon.”
Mr. You was furious, and he glared at Lu Yin. “Alliance Leader Lu, watch yourself! The overseers’ council is not something that you can control. If you aren’t careful with your words, the overseers can hold you accountable.”
Lu Yin did not care at all. “Give it a shot.”
Mr. You’s face flushed with anger.
At this moment, Li finally felt that he had made a mistake. After all, how could Lu Yin not recognize Mr. You? In fact, Mr. You had made the trip to the Divine Venom Dynasty just to curry favor with Overseer Nan Yuan, who had offered to protect Mr. You. Li realized that he should not have spoken up, as Lu Yin had openly mocked Mr. You. If Mr. You was removed from his position as an overseer, Li would be fine, but if Mr. You retained his position. Li would likely have a very difficult time in the near future.
“Who are you?” Lu Yin suddenly asked as he looked at Li.
Li’s heart plummeted, but he summoned the courage to reply, “I’m Li. I’ve been sent to protect Mr. You.”
“On whose order?” Lu Yin asked.
Li bitterly replied, “The overseers’ council.”
Lu Yin looked puzzled. “The overseers’ council sent a special order to have you protect Mr. You while he’s visiting the Divine Venom Dynasty, right when he’s about to lose his position? That doesn’t seem very likely. I remember you now—you’re one of Mt. Microcosms’s protectors. I know Senior First Protector. If you get the chance, you should ask him why Mt. Microcosms’ protectors are being sent out as bodyguards for traveling overseers.”
Li instantly grew pale, and fear filled his eyes. He had not even considered the possibility that Lu Yin would know the First Protector of Mt. Microcosms. How could the youth know that powerhouse?
Balsam spoke up to smooth the situation over. “Alliance Leader Lu, what gifts have you brought for your visit to the Divine Venom Dynasty? Don’t be too excessive, or else you’ll make the rest of us look bad.”
Lu Yin smiled. “I didn’t bring anything, so I’m actually out shopping.”
Balsam was stunned speechless. Out shopping? In Venom King City? This had to be a joke!
“You are King Qing Li, correct?” Balsam looked over at the man standing next to Lu Yin who not yet spoken a single word.
Qing Li had not expected Balsam to recognize him. He had been silently watching the show with growing excitement. “That’s correct. And you must be Shamrock Enterprise’s Innerverse President Balsam, no?”
Balsam smiled. “I didn’t expect Your Highness the king to recognize me.”
Qing Li smiled. “Of course I would recognize you. No one should be ignorant of Miss Balsam’s name.”
The shop owner became increasingly stunned as he listened to the people carry on within his shop. Alliance Leader Lu? An overseer from the Hall of Honor? While the man was rather ignorant of the outside world, even he had heard these two names more than once. How could he not have heard something about the VIPs currently visiting Venom King City?
Suddenly, the name “Qing Li” registered in the shop owner’s mind, and he spun to stare at the only man dressed in the customary clothes of the Divine Venom Dynasty in disbelief. Was he King Qing Li?
At this thought, the shop owner quickly hurriedly stepped forward and bowed low. “This lowly one greets King Qing Li.”
Qing Li dismissed the man with a wave of his hand. “Be at ease. Do what you have to.”
What do I have to do? The shop owner was stunned. What was with these people’s conversation? Was it actually something he could listen to?
“Hey Boss, do you have anything special here? I want to buy a gift for your emperor,” Lu Yin asked while smiling at the shop owner.
The man was a bit slow to react, as he had no idea how to respond.
Wen Qian’er just rolled her eyes. “What sort of quality goods could this man have?”
Mr. You snorted disdainfully. “Mr. Lu is being too insulting to Qing Shaohuang. Don’t you feel that it’s rude to buy a last minute gift for your host?”
Lu Yin’s mouth curled up into a smile. “I wanted to give him the Longevity Brigade, but unfortunately, it was already destroyed.”
“You!” Mr. You was furious.
Suddenly, a condescending voice spoke up from just outside the door to the shop. “Such a powerful aura. If I’m not wrong, it has to belong to Alliance Leader Lu Yin.”
As the door opened, a man with a snow-white skin and cold eyes slowly entered. It was impossible to tell how old the man was, but his voice was sharp and carried the weight of many years.
Lu Yin frowned, as this man was staring at him with vicious eyes that gave the impression of needles. A strange tugged at the corner of the man’s mouth, which left Lu Yin feeling very uncomfortable.
“Who are you?” Lu Yin asked.
The man stepped the rest of the way into the shop and slowly bowed to Qing Li. “I greet the king.”
King Qing Li just snorted. “This is the imperial palace’s chief attendant and also my brother’s confidant.”
Attendant Yi quickly smiled and spoke up, “What is Your Highness saying? I wouldn’t dare be referred to as a confidant! I’m just a mere servant who served His Majesty and Your Highness.”
Lu Yin observed Attendant Yi. “Were you the one speaking earlier?”
Attendant Yi turned to face Lu Yin, still showing the same slimy smile as before. “If it isn’t Alliance Leader Lu. I came here to greet you at His Majesty’s orders, but as soon as I arrived, I felt your presence, which terrified this lowly one. Might I ask who in Venom King City might have offended you, Alliance Leader Lu?”
Lu Yin’s eyes flashed, but he did not answer. This was because one more person had just entered the shop, and this time, it was a woman: Qing Longlong.
The shop owner prostrated himself on the floor and no longer dared to even lift his head. Lu Yin and Mr. You being in his store was not a big deal to the man, as they were important figures in the world outside of the Divine Venom Dynasty. Thus, no matter how powerful they might be, they had nothing to do with someone like the shop owner. On the other hand, Attendant Yi’s arrival had scared the man stiff, as he was the second-highest ranking person in the entire Divine Venom Dynasty, and he was responsible for countless millions of people.
