The next morning, Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán were enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the inn when a commotion at the entrance caught their attention. A rich young man, dressed in extravagant clothing and surrounded by a retinue of guards, swept into the inn, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for someone.
"Ah, finally, I've found you," he said, his voice dripping with arrogance, as his gaze landed on Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán. "I am Young Master Qin, and I've heard that you two are quite skilled in cultivation. I must say, I'm intrigued."
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow, his expression neutral. "And what business do you have with us, Young Master Qin?"
Qin smirked, his eyes gleaming with entitlement. "Oh, I just wanted to invite you to join me on a little adventure. I'm on a quest to find a rare herb, and I need some... capable assistants."
Xiǎo Lán's eyes narrowed. "What's in it for us?"
Qin chuckled, his guards snickering behind him. "Oh, I'll make it worth your while. I'll pay you handsomely, of course. But let's just say... I have other motives."
Ling Xiao's gaze turned cold. "We're not interested."
Qin's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "Ah, come now. Don't be like that. I'm offering you a great opportunity. You won't find a better offer anywhere else, I assure you."
Xiǎo Lán stood up, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "We said no. Don't make us repeat ourselves."
Qin's face turned red with anger, but he quickly regained his composure. "Fine. Suit yourselves. But know this: you're making a big mistake. I'll find someone else to help me, and I'll make sure you regret not taking my offer."
With that, he stormed out of the inn, his guards following closely behind. Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán watched him go, their expressions unimpressed.
"Well, that was fun," Xiǎo Lán said, rolling her eyes. "
Young Master Qin's face twisted in a scowl as he stormed out of the inn, his guards struggling to keep up with his rapid pace. He was furious that Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán had rejected his offer, and he vowed to make their lives miserable in every possible way.
First, he went to the local market and used his wealth and influence to spread rumors and lies about Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán. He told the vendors that they were thieves and con artists, and that no one should trust them.
Next, he went to the city guards and bribed them to harass Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán at every turn. He told them to fine them for every minor infraction, and to make their lives as difficult as possible.
Finally, he went to the local guild of cultivators and spread rumors that Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán were using dark magic and were a danger to the community. He told them that they should be shunned and ostracized.
Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán noticed that something was amiss as they went about their day. The vendors at the market were rude and hostile, the city guards were constantly harassing them, and the other cultivators were shunning them.
"What's going on?" Xiǎo Lán asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "It's like the whole city has turned against us."
Ling Xiao's face darkened. "I think I know what's going on," he said. "Young Master Qin is behind this. He's trying to make our lives miserable."
Xiǎo Lán's eyes flashed with anger, but Ling Xiao placed a restraining hand on her arm. "Not yet," he said. "We can't fight back just yet. We need to understand what we're up against."
Xiǎo Lán nodded, her jaw clenched in frustration. "You're right. Let's just focus on completing our mission and getting out of this city as soon as possible."
Ling Xiao nodded in agreement. "And in the meantime, we'll just have to endure whatever Young Master Qin throws our way."
But as they continued on their way, they couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched, and that Young Master Qin's plans for them were far from over.
Ling Xiao and Xiǎo Lán returned to the inn, their minds racing with the events of the day. As they entered the lobby, the inn owner greeted them with a nervous smile.
"Ah, welcome back, honored guests," he said. "I'm afraid I have some bad news. All the rooms in the inn have been paid for, and I can't offer you any accommodation."
Xiǎo Lán's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean? Who paid for the rooms?"
The inn owner hesitated before answering. "It was Young Master Qin. He paid for all the rooms in the inn, and instructed me to turn away any guests who come looking for accommodation."
Ling Xiao's face remained calm, but his eyes flashed with anger. He didn't show it, but he was seething with rage.
"Where does Young Master Qin live?" he asked the inn owner, his voice neutral.
The inn owner hesitated again before answering. "He lives in the estate on the hill, just outside the city gates."
Ling Xiao nodded, his mind racing with plans. He turned to Xiǎo Lán and said, "Stay here and keep an eye on things. I'll be back soon."
Xiǎo Lán nodded, her eyes flashing with understanding.
Ling Xiao left the inn immediately, his speed immense as he raced through the streets. He stopped at the gate of Young Master Qin's estate, his eyes fixed on the mansion beyond.
He could feel the energy emanating from within, and he knew that Young Master Qin was waiting for him. A smile spread across his face, and he pushed open the gate, striding into the estate with a sense of purpose.
The guards at the gate tried to stop him, but he waved them aside, his eyes fixed on the mansion. He could feel the power emanating from within, and he knew that he was getting close.
As he approached the mansion, the doors opened, and Young Master Qin emerged, a smug smile on his face.
"Ah, Ling Xiao," he said. "I've been expecting you. Come in, come in. Let's talk."
Ling Xiao sat down in the seat offered to him by Qin, his eyes fixed intently on his host. "Why did you do all of this, Qin?" he asked, his voice firm and commanding.
Qin leaned back in his chair, a smug smile spreading across his face. "Isn't it obvious?" he replied. "I want to make your life a living hell until you leave this city."
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. "You're a coward, Qin," he spat. "Using your wealth and influence to bully others."
Qin laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "Coward?" he repeated. "Ha! I am a five circle Cultivator, the third highest rank. And judging from the spiritual energy you're exuding, you're not even a one circle Cultivator."
Ling Xiao's eyes flashed with anger, and he stood up from his seat, his aura flaring out around him. Qin's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly regained his composure and released an aura of his own.
The two men faced each other, their auras clashing in a display of power and strength. Ling Xiao's aura was fierce and wild, while Qin's was refined and controlled.
"You may have power, Qin," Ling Xiao said, his voice low and deadly. "But I have something you don't: the will to fight."
Qin sneered at him. "We'll see about that," he said. "Let's see how long you last in this city."
And with that, the two men engaged in a fierce battle of wills, their auras clashing and swirling around each other in a spectacular display of power and strength.
Qin sneered at Ling Xiao, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "You think you can take me down? I am a master of the five elements!"
With a flick of his wrist, Qin summoned a gust of wind that sent Ling Xiao's hair flying back. He followed up with a wave of his hand, conjuring a wall of flame that licked at Ling Xiao's face.
Ling Xiao leapt back, avoiding the flames by mere inches. He retaliated with a burst of his own energy, summoning a torrent of water that threatened to extinguish the flames.
Qin laughed, his eyes flashing with excitement. "You think a little water can stop me? I am the master of the elements!"
He summoned a bolt of lightning that crackled with energy, striking Ling Xiao with a burst of electricity. Ling Xiao grunted in pain, his muscles convulsing from the shock.
Just as Qin was about to deliver the final blow, his guards came rushing in, their swords drawn. "Master Qin, let us handle this!"
Ling Xiao, still reeling from the lightning strike, raised his hands in a defensive gesture. The guards attacked, their blades flashing in the dim light of the mansion.
Ling Xiao parried their blows with ease, his movements swift and deadly. He countered with a series of swift kicks and punches, sending the guards flying across the room.
Qin watched in awe, his eyes wide with surprise. "You're...you're actually holding your own against my guards!"
Ling Xiao panted, his chest heaving with exertion. "I'm not going down without a fight, Qin."
And with that, Ling Xiao launched himself at Qin, his fists flying in a flurry of punches and kicks. Qin retaliated with his elemental powers, summoning a maelstrom of wind, water, fire, and earth to attack Ling Xiao.
The battle raged on, the two men clashing in a spectacular display of power and strength. The outcome was far from certain, but one thing was clear: only one man would emerge victorious.
And so, the fight continued, with neither side giving an inch. The fate of Ling Xiao and Qin hung in the balance, as the two men battled on with every ounce of strength they possessed.