Lü Shaoqing's spoils amounted to roughly two thousand low-grade spirit stones.
"Robbing people really is the fastest way," he mused. "Should I go down the mountain and do another round?"
He pulled out Xiao Yi's small notebook, which contained detailed information about the people who had flirted with her at Ju Xian Tower. Flipping through it, he clicked his tongue and shook his head.
"This girl is too petty. It was just some harmless banter, and she noted it all down."
Counting the names, he realized there were more than twenty people listed. "Hmm, even a few fellow disciples... Looks like I'll need to teach them a lesson at some point."
"There are five who reside permanently in Lingxiao City—seems like a good place to start."
With a sly grin, Lü Shaoqing made up his mind and began to take action. Grabbing Little Red from his head, he held the bird in his hand.
"Stupid bird, you stay here and keep watch. If anything happens, go get Master or Senior Brother. I've got some business to take care of."
Normally, Lü Shaoqing was lazy and reluctant to move, but he needed money. Even though he acted indifferent, he was secretly bothered by the fact that Ji Yan had already reached the Nascent Soul stage. He didn't want to fall too far behind Ji Yan.
The cooldown for his ring had finished, but he was still short on spirit stones. He had no choice but to go down the mountain to earn some quick cash.
"In the cultivation world, it's survival of the fittest. If you don't strengthen yourself, you won't even have the right to be lazy later."
With that, Lü Shaoqing leisurely descended the mountain.
Meanwhile, Xiao Qun, still fuming, had finally located Xiao Chuang. At the moment, Xiao Chuang was escorting a representative sent by his brother to meet Shao Cheng. Though Xiao Chuang was a member of Lingxiao Sect, he was also from the Xiao family. This time, he was playing the role of a mediator, bringing his family members to congratulate Ji Yan.
But then, Xiao Qun and her group barged in, their clothes disheveled and their expressions furious.
Xiao Chuang and Shao Cheng were both stunned. "Were you... taken advantage of?" Shao Cheng thought, or maybe, "Did you... do something to someone?"
Seeing Xiao Qun's group acting so disrespectfully, Xiao Chuang's expression turned sour. "What do you think you're doing?" he barked. "This is Tianyu Peak, not your family home. Get out!"
Not only was it disrespectful to intrude on Tianyu Peak, the domain of Shao Cheng, but barging in like this when two Nascent Soul cultivators were having a discussion showed a complete lack of decorum.
Xiao Qun was taken aback. Why was he yelling at her? Whose side was he on?
"Uncle Xiao Chuang, I..." Xiao Qun pouted, ready to voice her grievances.
Seeing her attitude, Xiao Chuang became even more furious. With a wave of his hand, he shouted, "Get out!"
Xiao Qun and her companions felt a force strike them, and they were thrown out of the room, landing outside.
Xiao Chuang's face turned even darker as he apologized to Shao Cheng. "Junior Brother, I apologize for the rudeness of my family members. I'm embarrassed for their lack of discipline."
Shao Cheng, however, remained unconcerned. "It's fine. Judging by their looks, it seems like something serious happened. We shouldn't be too harsh on the younger generation."
Xiao Chuang couldn't help but complain, "You're too lenient with your disciples."
When his disciples were brought up, Shao Cheng's face lit up with pride. "Haha, don't you think they're outstanding?"
Xiao Chuang was at a loss for words. Ji Yan had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, matching Xiao Chuang's own cultivation level. How could he possibly criticize that? Plus, his niece, Xiao Yi, was also Shao Cheng's direct disciple, so he didn't dare criticize her either.
But... Lü Shaoqing was a different story.
Switching targets, Xiao Chuang said, "Look at your second disciple. What have you turned him into?"
Shao Cheng looked exasperated at the mention of his second disciple. Lü Shaoqing's cultivation was not lacking, but his behavior was truly frustrating.
Seeing Shao Cheng's pained expression, Xiao Chuang continued, "A lazy person like him should be disciplined harshly. Maybe he doesn't have to be as diligent as Ji Yan, but he can't be that lazy either."
"Junior Brother, let me warn you, don't let Xiao Yi follow Lü Shaoqing's example. I had her apprentice under you so she could learn and cultivate properly, not to be led astray by that brat."
Shao Cheng didn't want to discuss his second disciple, so he skillfully changed the topic. "Why don't you ask your younger generation if they have anything important to say?"
Xiao Chuang turned to Xiao Boyuan and instructed, "Boyuan, go ask them what's going on. If it's nothing urgent, send them back; don't let them embarrass themselves here."
The Xiao family's head and the grand elder didn't get along, and as the head's younger brother, Xiao Chuang naturally had issues with the grand elder too. When the grand elder insisted Xiao Qun come along, Xiao Chuang was already displeased.
Soon, Xiao Boyuan returned. "Vice Family Head, Miss Xiao Qun says they were robbed."
"Robbed?" Xiao Chuang was stunned. Then his expression darkened. "Ridiculous! Where do they think they are? Who could possibly rob them here?"
But seeing Shao Cheng's face change, he suddenly realized.
It was true that no one would dare rob anyone at Lingxiao Sect's Tianyu Peak—except for one person.
"What happened? Who robbed you?" Xiao Chuang called Xiao Qun and her group over, displeased.
"I told you not to stir up trouble, but you wouldn't listen."
Xiao Qun retorted, "Uncle Xiao Chuang, it wasn't us. That person did it on purpose."
"Who?"
Xiao Qun faltered; she didn't actually know Lü Shaoqing's name. "He said he's the second senior brother of Tianyu Peak. Xiao Yi was with him."
"What? Xiao Yi was with him?" Xiao Chuang's face instantly showed concern as he turned to Shao Cheng. "Junior Brother, what's going on?"
Oh no, I didn't send my niece here to follow Lü Shaoqing. I wanted her to learn from Ji Yan. At the very least, she could follow Shao Cheng himself!
Letting my niece be with Lü Shaoqing would ruin her.
Shao Cheng cleared his throat, annoyed that Lü Shaoqing was causing trouble again. "Niece, there's no need to get upset. Take your time and explain what happened."
Xiao Qun recounted the events, though in her version, Lü Shaoqing and Xiao Yi were the instigators, purposely humiliating them and eventually robbing them of all their belongings.
After finishing, she appealed to Shao Cheng, "Master Shao Cheng, you must give us an explanation. Otherwise, I will report this to my grandfather and have him seek justice for us!"