Without encountering any cultivators, Luo Chuan's plan to sell his goods remained at a standstill.
After flying aimlessly for a while, he finally landed.
There was no point in drifting like this.
Better to wait and observe.
What if some cultivators entered the ancient ruins a little later?
It didn't take long before Luo Chuan sensed movement from afar.
A loud rumble echoed through the sky, accompanied by crackling arcs of lightning that split the air.
A cultivator in the Pathseeker Realm shot across the sky, bolts of electricity dancing across his body. His expression was panicked—he was clearly fleeing for his life.
Behind him, three grotesque creatures chased relentlessly, similar in form to the ones Luo Chuan had encountered earlier.
Luo Chuan raised an eyebrow.
"Well, at least someone's having a worse day than me."
The fleeing cultivator spotted Luo Chuan.
Hope lit up in his eyes as he abruptly changed course, flying straight toward him.
Naturally, the three monsters followed suit.
Luo Chuan's expression grew cold.
He saw through it immediately.
"So he wants to drag someone else into his mess…"
It was the classic trick—lead the monsters to someone stronger and let them take the hit.
If Luo Chuan hadn't been powerful enough, he'd already be dead.
And for cultivators like this, Luo Chuan had only one response.
He raised his right hand—
—and snapped his fingers.
Snap.
The world stilled.
The air cleared.
The thunderous chase ended in silence.
Luo Chuan stood calmly, his expression unreadable.
"I'm not someone who kills without reason," he thought. "If he'd asked for help instead of using me as bait… I wouldn't have refused."
But the man had made his choice.
And paid the price.
With that settled, Luo Chuan realized something else.
"Looks like waiting for customers won't work. Time for Plan B."
In a valley hidden within the ancient ruins, a spatial rift tore open.
A woman stumbled out, her body slightly trembling.
Disoriented, she quickly took in her surroundings.
Then her face went pale.
Before her stood a massive black scorpion, several meters long, its pincers twitching with menace.
It slowly advanced, every movement full of oppressive power.
Clearly, she had intruded into its territory.
Though the two were evenly matched—both at the eighth rank of Origin Mastery—she knew she wasn't likely to win.
Monsters, especially in one-on-one combat, had a natural edge over human cultivators.
Still, she gritted her teeth and braced herself.
Running was a worse option.
In these ancient ruins, fleeing without knowing what lay ahead was often more dangerous than the enemy before you.
Just as she prepared to risk everything—
A shadow passed overhead.
A figure glided across the sky, calm and poised.
Only cultivators at the Pathseeker Realm or higher could fly like that.
Desperation turned into hope.
"Senior! I'm from the Ice Palace—please help me!"
Her voice echoed through the valley.
Luo Chuan turned toward the cry.
Now that's how you ask for help properly. Not like that other fool.
He descended.
The woman and the scorpion had been locked in a tense standoff. But Luo Chuan's sudden arrival made the scorpion shift uneasily, sensing danger.
The woman finally got a clear look at him—
And froze.
He looked far too young to be someone so strong.
But what happened next left her completely stunned.
Luo Chuan landed, stretched lazily, then said in a relaxed tone—
"My friend… have you ever heard of Origin Mall?"
The woman blinked.
"Origin… Mall?"
She stared at him, utterly baffled.
"Senior, what… what are you talking about?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.
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