Even the guards at the wharf couldn't help sneaking a few extra glances at Xia Wei.
For a moment, one of them stared so hard he forgot to blink.
Then—
He felt a wave of hot breath wash over his face.
A massive, pitch-black eye filled his vision.
The Uugang Panther's pupil was narrow like a blade, staring at him as if deciding whether he was worth chewing.
The guard's scalp went numb instantly.
"Let them through," another guard snapped.
The East River Brotherhood had long been trained for this.
They weren't here to bully the weak for pride.
They were here to survive.
Sometimes, you could tell at a glance when you'd run into a real powerhouse—
and powerhouses weren't people you provoked.
Why pick fights with someone who might wipe out your entire gang?
If you wanted to establish dominance, go find someone who looked easy to bully.
Don't go poking a tiger in the ribs.
That's how you die.
East River Brotherhood had survived so long because they understood this logic better than anyone.
And because their leader…
was rumored to have terrifying connections—both strength and influence across multiple river domains.
So even now, their operations ran smoothly.
The moment the Uugang Panther entered the wharf district, it drew countless stares.
Fear.
Awe.
Jealousy.
Caution.
People instinctively stepped back.
Nobody wanted to walk too close to a feral beast like that.
Because if that beast happened to get bored…
and decided it wanted a bone to grind its teeth on…
you might become the bone.
That kind of incident had happened before.
Xia Wei approached the riverbank and frowned.
"The river's under thunderstorm conditions. No ships can leave right now. Even ships from other domains have docked here to wait it out."
Indeed, the wharf was crowded—people returning, others gathering along the shore.
Far out over the river, dark storm clouds rolled like a giant lid sealing the heavens.
Lightning flickered within the cloud mass.
The river itself was like an endless sea, violent and untamed.
Even from the shore, the danger was palpable.
Lin Ye glanced at Xia Wei.
"Let's wait. Find somewhere to rest."
Lin Ye wasn't tired.
The Uugang Panther was fine too.
But Xia Wei… was exhausted.
She was only at the Qi Sea Realm.
In Wind-Thunder River Domain, that level was impressive enough to qualify as a core disciple.
But today they had traveled nearly a thousand miles, bouncing on a beast's back the entire way.
Her legs were sore, her waist was stiff, and her body was near its limit.
She had forced herself not to show weakness—
not once.
So when Lin Ye said they'd rest…
Xia Wei felt warmth spread silently through her chest.
He wasn't doing it for himself.
He was doing it for her.
They entered a tea house.
A large one—three floors tall.
The place was quiet.
Not many customers.
Because the prices were brutal.
Even the cheapest seat—just a simple cup of tea—
started at fifty spirit stones.
It was obviously designed for true cultivators with money.
Outside, the streets were muddy and chaotic.
Inside, the tea house was spotless.
Elegant.
Polished.
Xia Wei looked up at the signboard.
Storm Pavilion.
"I've heard of Storm Pavilion," she said quietly. "They have branches at major wharves across many river domains. But I suspect… it's not just a tea house."
Lin Ye didn't even blink.
"A place like this sells information. Nothing unusual."
Xia Wei's eyes flashed slightly.
So calm.
So certain.
Like he had seen countless organizations like this before.
"Two honored guests, please come inside," a young attendant smiled politely.
"Your mount may be temporarily housed in the inner courtyard."
The attendant only showed mild surprise at the Uugang Panther.
No fear.
No panic.
Clearly, he'd seen many beasts and many powerful patrons.
The panther was led to the back.
Lin Ye and Xia Wei went to the second floor.
Then Xia Wei was informed of the price.
One seat on the second floor…
was five hundred spirit stones.
Her eyes widened.
"You're robbing people!"
Two seats meant a thousand spirit stones.
Even the auction tickets she sold in Thunder River City had never been this expensive.
She had heard Storm Pavilion was costly…
but she hadn't expected it to be this outrageous.
Then—
A harsh voice came from behind.
"If you can't afford it, then get out of the way! Don't block the entrance."
Four people walked in.
They took off their bamboo hats—robes soaked by rain.
With a pulse of qi, steam rose as their clothes dried instantly.
Their clothing was uniform in style, though different in color.
The leader was a bearded middle-aged man.
Behind him: an elderly man, and two youths—one male, one female.
The young woman's eyes swept over Xia Wei first.
Jealousy flashed across her face instantly.
Then she looked at Lin Ye.
Plain clothes.
No visible aura.
No intimidation.
Her lips curled with disdain.
"So this is the countryside."
"No strength, yet you want to enjoy luxuries meant for true cultivators?"
She spoke like a proud hen lifting her head, basking in her own imagined superiority.
Xia Wei clenched her teeth in anger.
But then—
Her gaze fell on the embroidery on their robes.
And her face turned pale.
"Yunyan Sect…"
A Midstream Land sect.
Not someone a small river-domain family could casually offend.
The young woman's arrogance deepened when she saw Xia Wei recognize it.
"Since you know our Yunyan Sect's name, then get lost."
Xia Wei suppressed her fury.
She was about to back away—
But Lin Ye's calm voice sounded beside her.
"Go."
"Slap her."
Not only did Xia Wei hear it—
So did the four Yunyan Sect disciples.
The bearded man's eyes turned cold immediately.
The young woman froze for a second…
Then burst into laughter.
"Hit me? You've got guts!"
She leaned forward, face full of provocation.
"Come on! My face is right here!"
Just then—
The elderly man behind her suddenly grabbed her shoulder.
His expression changed.
"Enough."
"Do not cause trouble."
Then he smiled toward Lin Ye.
"This minor misunderstanding should end here. I'll cover your tea. Out in the world, frictions happen. Let's treat it as making friends."
The other three were stunned.
Why would the elder speak like this?
A pair of rural nobodies—
why pay for their tea?
Why tolerate this?
Xia Wei hesitated, then looked at Lin Ye.
This was clearly a chance to avoid conflict.
But Lin Ye shook his head.
His gaze locked onto the four Yunyan Sect disciples.
"Slap her."
"And if anyone dares move…"
"They die."
The Yunyan Sect woman finally snapped.
"What are you, trash?! Do you know who I am?!"
She pointed at Xia Wei.
"You think you— you cheap woman—dare touch me?!"
Cheap woman?
Xia Wei's eyes flared.
She wasn't some obedient noble lady with no spine.
She was a young elder of the Xia Family.
She ran an auction house.
She negotiated with wolves daily.
She didn't fear a spoiled princess.
Xia Wei stepped forward.
And—
SLAP!
A loud, crisp sound exploded through the hall.
The Yunyan Sect woman's head snapped sideways.
A vivid red handprint appeared instantly.
Everyone froze.
Even Xia Wei blinked.
She hadn't expected it to feel…
so easy.
So satisfying.