Cannot be of use

Mo Tian's eyelids fluttered open, his body throbbing with pain and his mind hazy.

The memory of his fight against Lu Tzang came rushing back to him like a tidal wave.

He groaned, clutching his ribs, and slowly sat up.

His limbs screamed in protest, his muscles stiff and bruised, his body covered in dirt and scratches.

"So much for my undefeated record," he muttered bitterly.

He spat out a mouthful of blood and winced, his confidence shattered.

For the first time in his life, he had been utterly and completely defeated.

As he struggled to his feet, he glanced around and realized the battlefield was eerily quiet.

His eyes fell on the unconscious Shen Family trio, sprawled out like discarded dolls.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips.

"How ironic," Mo Tian said to himself. "I schemed to take his spiritual stones, only to be defeated by my own target. Truly, the heavens are mocking me today."

But there was no time for self-pity.

Mo Tian knew the Xiao Family would soon arrive.

That man—Lu Tzang—was their cultivation cow and they would soon call forces to take him down if they thought he was here to harm Lu Tzang.

Yes, earlier, he scared them off with his high cultivation to buy some time so they wouldn't interfere with his scheme involving Lu Tzang and the Shen family trio for the time being.

However, Mo Tian is sure they will come prepared.

"They'll think I'm the reason," he mused grimly. "I can't let myself get dragged into their mess."

He looked at the unconscious Shen Rui, Shen Zhi, and Shen Jian and sighed.

As much as he despised them for their weakness, he couldn't leave them out in the open.

The Xiao Family and Shen Family were already at odds; leaving the trio here would only spark an all-out conflict.

He didn't want to be the reason, after all, since the sect is negotiating between the two ruling families of this mortal town.

Dragging their bodies one by one, Mo Tian concealed them in a nearby thicket.

The process was slow and agonizing, his injured body protesting with every movement.

Once they were hidden, he wiped the sweat from his brow and straightened up.

"That should do it," he muttered, his voice strained. He cast one last glance at the battlefield before limping away, determined to set his next scheme in motion.

What Mo Tian didn't realize, however, was that among his belongings, a concealed weapon had been planted.

A tool meant to guide future events, placed there by none other than Lu Tzang.

---

Meanwhile, Lu Tzang strolled leisurely through a bustling marketplace, a smug smile on his face.

He had traded some of the Shen Family's coins for food and a new robe and some fresh clothes, all for just one gold coin.

Dressed impeccably, he navigated the crowd with ease, enjoying the vibrant energy of the mortal city.

As he wandered, his attention was drawn to a gathering crowd.

Men and women alike were huddled around a single stall, their excited chatter filling the air.

Curious, Lu Tzang approached to see what all the fuss was about.

At the center of the crowd was a stunningly beautiful young woman.

She stood gracefully behind her stall, wearing an elegant gown adorned with intricate patterns of crimson and gold.

The design was distinct, bearing the unmistakable mark of the Crimson Sky Sect, though Lu Tzang didn't recognize it.

His knowledge of the sects was limited to what the system had deemed important, and such details had slipped through his memory due to the system only giving him texts and not images.

The woman was a vision of perfection.

Her gown shimmered like molten gold under the sunlight, the crimson accents swirling like flames. Her hair cascaded in silky waves down her back, and her eyes sparkled like polished jade.

Around her, flowers of every color and variety were arranged in a mesmerizing display. Yet, no flower was more radiant than the one in her hands—a single, ethereal blossom that seemed to glow faintly with spiritual energy.

"How much for the flower?" a man in the crowd asked eagerly.

The woman smiled, her voice soft yet firm. "This flower is not for sale."

More people clamored, offering increasingly extravagant prices, but the woman refused each one with grace.

The line stretched long as more people queued up, hoping to persuade her.

When it was finally Lu Tzang's turn, he stepped forward confidently. He glanced at the glowing flower in her hands and asked casually, "So, you're really not selling it, huh?"

The woman shook her head, her smile never wavering. "No, it is not for sale."

Lu Tzang sighed in mock defeat. "Figures," he muttered. Having no choice, he gestured to a smaller flower on the side. "Alright, then. I'll take that one instead."

He reached into his pouch and pulled out a gold coin, prepared to pay. But just as he extended it to the woman, a translucent screen suddenly materialized before him.

SYSTEM NOTICE:

Mortal Gold Coin cannot be used in a transaction with a Maiden of Middle Mortal Cultivation Phase Six or higher.

Lu Tzang froze, his hand still outstretched, the gold coin glinting in the sunlight. His expression went blank, then quickly morphed into a mix of disbelief and irritation.

"What the hell?" he muttered, staring at the screen as if it had personally insulted him.

The woman tilted her head curiously, her serene smile still in place. "Is something the matter?"

Lu Tzang didn't answer, his mind racing as he tried to process what just happened. "Why does this always happen to me?" he thought bitterly, his body rigid as the realization sank in.

Suddenly, his frozen expression quickly shifted into one of determination as he cleared his throat and addressed the woman again.

"Alright, listen," he said, his voice smooth but insistent. "I get it, the flower isn't for sale. But maybe you're just waiting for the right story, huh? Maybe you'll make an exception for someone with a compelling reason, like...like me."

The woman tilted her head, her serene smile unwavering. "I appreciate your persistence, but my answer remains the same. The flower is not for sale."

Lu Tzang wasn't deterred. He gestured dramatically to the crowd. "What if I told you this flower could save a life? A child, dying in some remote mountain village? A hero, bleeding out after protecting the innocent? This flower could be the key to restoring hope!"

The crowd murmured in confusion, clearly skeptical. The woman, however, remained unfazed. "That is a touching story," she said gently. "But my answer is still no."

Lu Tzang tried again, leaning forward conspiratorially. "What if I told you I needed this flower to fulfill a sacred vow? A promise made to a dying mentor who entrusted me with the fate of this very region?!"

The crowd groaned in frustration. A few impatient people shouted, "Get on with it already!" Others threw small stones or fruit, pelting Lu Tzang lightly.

Dodging the projectiles, Lu Tzang turned to glare at the crowd, his eyes blazing.

"Hey! You can wait all day if you have to! I'm not leaving until I get this flower!" His voice dropped to a menacing growl. "And if anyone dares to step forward, they'll meet my fist. Got it?"

Suddenly, the crowd parted, and a massive man stepped forward.

His presence was commanding, his frame towering over everyone. His voice boomed as he introduced himself.

"I am Xiao Bao, from the Xiao Family."

The crowd gasped collectively, whispers rippling through them.

"The Xiao Family!" someone murmured. "One of the two leading families!"

Xiao Bao crossed his arms, his expression stern. "You're causing quite a disturbance here, boy. Do you know who you're messing with? Step away from the lady and move along before things get ugly."

Lu Tzang raised an eyebrow, his expression unbothered. "Who cares who you are? Xiao Family or not, your background doesn't scare me."

The crowd gasped again, the audacity of Lu Tzang's words shocking them to their core.

Xiao Bao's expression darkened. "You dare insult my family? Do you want me to take you out right now?"

Lu Tzang smirked and shrugged. "Take me out? Go ahead and try. But don't throw around your family name like it's a weapon. If you want to fight me, fight as yourself. Your connections don't matter to me."

The crowd buzzed with astonishment. "Does he have a death wish?" someone whispered. "Challenging the Xiao Family like this?!"

Xiao Bao's lips curled into a grin, his large hand cracking his knuckles. "Fine," he said. "I won't use my family name. I'll beat you as Xiao Bao, and we'll see if that smug attitude of yours holds up."

Lu Tzang rolled his shoulders and took a step forward, his expression calm but eager. "Alright, come on then."

The tension in the air was palpable, the crowd falling silent as the two men squared off, ready to clash.