Verdant Leaf City is bustling, with a market dedicated to cultivators, selling all sorts of things essential for them.

Carson Flores and his companions strolled through the market, shopping, eating, and enjoying themselves, all of them gaining satisfying rewards.

Shirley Miller glanced around the market, her eyes nostalgic: "It’s been so long since I’ve gone shopping like this..."

Carson Flores chuckled: "Even though cultivation is important, you can’t just cultivate all the time, sometimes you need to go out for a walk. When your heart feels relieved and has no worries, it’s easier to make progress in cultivation and less prone to accidents."

Alfred Weaver agreed with a nod: "Indeed, if you just stay secluded for cultivation all the time, you’ll end up feeling restless and tired. But taking a walk and cultivating with a joyful spirit can really double the results with half the effort."

"Ah, speaking of which, my talent is far inferior to Mary Jimenez’s. I have the guidance of seniors, yet she relies solely on her own understanding for cultivation. We both advanced to the Great Land Immortal together before, but now she’s far ahead of me."

Shirley Miller reassured with a smile: "The nature of the cultivation technique is different. Singleton’s cultivation technique is unique, every breakthrough requires all aspects to be honed to perfection before advancing, which naturally takes more time."

"Though Sole Sovereignty Myriad Emperors Art is quite domineering and advances quickly, it also has its drawbacks. Singleton’s technique, when cultivated to perfection, may not be inferior to the Sole Sovereignty Myriad Emperors Art."

"Besides, Tatum Howard’s relics contain numerous special cultivation resources that complement the Sole Sovereignty Myriad Emperors Art. These were prepared by him for his rebirth to restore his strength, and now they benefit me, making my advancements quicker."

Alfred Weaver casually hooked Shirley’s arm, smiling: "Mary Jimenez, keep it up. Aim to surpass Carson Flores, so if Carson bullies us in the future, you can help us teach him a lesson."

Carson Flores laughed: "All of you, your strength rivals mine, some even stronger. How would I bully you? Besides, would I even bear to do so?"

Just as the group was joking around, a gaze fell upon them from the second floor of a nearby tavern.

The owner of the gaze was a young man in a black robe with handsome features, however, his complexion was slightly pale, giving him a somewhat sickly noble aura, yet his eyes emitted a chilling, evil vibe.

"One man and six women, several of them are stunningly beautiful. What’s the background of this man?"

A middle-aged man standing behind him glanced briefly, speaking calmly: "Judging by their clothing, they aren’t disciples of the Azure Divine Sect. Recently, Oraya Lorne advanced to Great Land Prime Immortal and hosted a grand banquet, drawing many celebrants. They might be loose cultivators from nearby... Does the Young Master have a plan?"

The young man in the black robe let his gaze rest briefly on Shirley Miller’s face before quickly retracting it, lifting the wine glass before him, sipping it faintly: "Have you understood who the attendees generally are?"

The middle-aged man responded: "All are from neighboring sects, plus some of their own friends. Their strength isn’t lacking but doesn’t stand out much either, mostly Great Land Supreme Immortals. Even if there are Great Land Prime Immortals, they’re likely lower grade."

The young man in the black robe spoke coldly: "Hosting a banquet, they want to increase their sect’s influence. Why would they invite guests stronger than the Azure Divine Sect? That would overshadow their own limelight."

He drained his wine and set down the glass, his gaze mocking: "That’s fine, at least it prevents interference. We’ll make Azure Divine Sect lose face this time!"

"There are a few days left until the banquet, staying idle is dull. Let’s find some entertainment. Investigate the origins of that group, and if they’re not significant, capture them all."

The middle-aged man hesitated: "This place is quite close to Azure Divine Sect, wouldn’t it alert them?"

The young man in the black robe sneered: "They’re just loose cultivators. If they disappear, who would care? Just keep quiet about it, right?"

"Yes!"

The middle-aged man replied respectfully: "I will attend to it immediately!"

...

"It’s getting dark, let’s head back."

"Alright!"

Carson Flores and the women left Verdant Leaf City, intending to return to Azure Divine Sect. However, after just a few hundred miles, they were stopped.

The middle-aged man blocking their path wore a calm expression: "Ladies and gentlemen, my Young Master requests your presence."

Carson Flores remained composed: "Who is your Young Master?"

The middle-aged man answered coldly: "You will know once you arrive."

Carson Flores frowned: "What if we refuse to go?"

The middle-aged man snorted: "Either you go willingly, or I’ll capture and bring you there."

Carson Flores stayed calm, unimpressed by the threat, simply asking: "Where is your Young Master?" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Outside Verdant Leaf City, not far."

Upon hearing this, Carson Flores immediately understood: "You targeted us while we were shopping in Verdant Leaf City. Previously, someone chatted me up – that was your man, trying to probe me?"

Earlier in the market, a man had bumped into Carson Flores at a stall, engaging him enthusiastically, seemingly a bit abruptly.

Carson had been somewhat suspicious then, and now, seeing the blatant roadblock, he connected the dots immediately.

The middle-aged man sneered: "You’re quite clever..."