Lin Mo sighed, massaging his temples as he muttered, "Yeah. This is a cultivation world, alright. Conflicts can happen even with the littlest of reason. But why does every day feel like the start of a new episode in a bad soap opera?"
The Azure Gale Sect's Young Master, Yan Wei, stood at the forefront of his group, his pristine robes fluttering dramatically in the wind that only seemed to affect him. His entourage, equally well-dressed and annoyingly smug, mirrored his haughty demeanor.
"Crimson Vale disciples!" Yan Wei bellowed, pointing an accusatory finger at Zhou Rui. "Do you think you can monopolize this divine establishment? The Azure Gale Sect will not stand for such underhanded tactics!"
Zhou Rui, still riding high on his newfound health and the confidence of having purchased the Celestial Wind Saber, stepped forward. "Underhanded tactics? We're simply here as paying customers. If your sect lacks the means to shop here, that's no fault of ours. Benefactor accepts anyone as long as you can pay."
Yan Wei's face flushed with indignation. "Lacks the means?! How dare you insult the Azure Gale Sect! We are more than capable of outspending your entire sect tenfold!"
"Oh. Is that so? Why not show it instead of just talking your ass off?" Zhou Rui retorted, his tone laced with mocking amusement. His fellow Crimson Vale disciples chuckled, their camaraderie adding fuel to the brewing fire.
Lin Mo initially thought Zhou Rui had a decent character despite the description he heard about his sect. But upon looking at this scene, it came to him that he's simply acting decently because the store saved his life. His benefactor. As for other people, especially those who were hostile to his sect and fellow disciples for no reason, he was more than willing to let his sharp tongue do the talking.
Yan Wei laughed hysterically, a grating sound that made several Crimson Vale disciples roll their eyes.
"Outspending you? That's like saying a goldfish can swim faster than a dragon! Our sect has enough resources to buy out this entire city!" He then gestured dramatically, his arrogance oozing from every pore as he stepped closer to Zhou Rui. "I bet your pathetic sect barely has the means to pay for the water they drink every day! And look at you! Clad in blood-red robes that are cheap. My eyes hurt with such colors! Such is a pitiful group who has nothing else to cling to except to flaunt how your robes stand out in a sea of the masses!"
"Enough of that," Zhou Rui's smile disappeared as his hand clenched his fist. "Those are our sect's colors, an emblem of strength. Unlike your arrogant posturing and ridiculous flowery garb!"
Yan Wei was offended. A shade of red that could rival the Crimson Vale robes gradually occupied his face.
Likewise, Zhou Rui's gaze hardened, his hand instinctively moving towards the hilt of his newly acquired Celestial Wind Saber.
The once peaceful aura of the storefront had been replaced with an imminent storm as the two groups of sect cultivators began their face-off.
And with their voices so loud, it gathered the attention of the mortals living nearby or those who were probably also planning to go to the store.
"Are they always like this?" Lin Mo muttered to Liu Xiaoyu who was now safely hiding by the entrance.
She was peering outside as if watching a play.
"This is tame, Boss. In a neutral area like this, sect disciples are bound to act like pampered children vying for attention. At least, that's how it usually goes. Don't worry, their seniors aren't here. They'll be more behaved when their elders are present, I hope?" She replied, her tone laced with a mix of amusement and concern.
Wait for their elders to arrive? Lin Mo could only shake his head at the impossibility of that happening before these two groups started beating each other up.
And just like he thought, the two factions eventually reached the point where words were no longer enough to convey their hostility. They even completely forgot the argument of outspending the other group to prove their superiority. They'd rather resort to fighting each other.
As their hands gripped their weapons in anticipation of the incoming clash, the spiritual energy around them crackled and intensified as their hands gripped their weapons in anticipation.
The few bystanders who hadn't run away were all wide-eyed. Most were scared and terrorized but the others were like waiting for a good show to happen. He couldn't help but think that setting up a popcorn stall might net him more profits.
"B-boss. You have to step in soon. They're about to draw their swords." Liu Xiaoyu warned. Even though none of the cultivators in sight had surpassed the Spirit Condensation Stage, she had no way to stop them alone even with her Heaven's Reflex.
But she believed that if there was someone who could calm this situation down, Lin Mo was the best bet.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he watched the two groups of cultivators gear up for what was surely about to become a full-fledged brawl right in front of his store.
As a frail mortal who only had his Celestial Providence possibly protecting him from their spiritual pressure, Lin Mo narrowed his eyes as he thought of a way to de-escalate this situation.
Since the 'Aura of Harmony' only worked inside his store, wouldn't it be solved if he got them to come inside?
Lin Mo stepped forward, his face the perfect blend of exasperation and forced calm.
"Alright, that's enough!" He called out, his voice cutting through the rising tension like a knife. Both groups of cultivators paused, their gazes snapping toward him. The Crimson Vale disciples naturally recognized him as the Shopkeeper so they went silent but the ignorant Azure Gale disciples who were probably just following Yan Wei all glared at him like an insignificant mortal trying to meddle in their business.
He ignored the pressure though as his eyes only landed on the leaders. Zhou Rui and Yan Wei.
"Benefactor," Zhou Rui started, his tone respectful but confused, "this matter concerns—"
Lin Mo raised a hand to cut him off. "I don't care what it concerns. You're both blocking the entrance to my store and scaring away potential customers. If you're going to bicker, at least do it away from here. You're aware of this, right? This is a place of business, not a sect rivalry arena."
Both groups turned to him, his stern tone clearly not enough to deflate the collective tension.
While the Crimson Vale disciples mostly accepted his words, the Azure Gale disciples issued mocking noises.
Nevertheless, they were all stopped when Yan Wei raised his hand in a fist.
After that, the young master stepped forward, his expression shifting into what he probably thought was a winning smile but came off as mildly constipated in Lin Mo's eyes.
"Shopkeeper," He said, his haughtiness not lessening one bit. "I went to your store yesterday. You must understand. My Azure Gale Sect has a reputation to uphold. We cannot allow these... rough individuals to tarnish it by claiming a stake in your store."
Zhou Rui scoffed. "What a fool. The shopkeeper treats all customers equally. We're not claiming any stakes. And unlike you, we don't need to posture and make baseless accusations. So what are you waiting for? Why not show us how you're going to outspend us? See this saber? I just bought it."
Yan Wei's smile faltered as his eyes focused on the weapon in Zhou Rui's hand. Despite his haughty attitude, he could tell the craftsmanship of the sword. It was no doubt a spirit-grade weapon at best.
"Hmph! Are you implying I'm lying? This young master is?! Sure! I'll outspend you! Shopkeeper, show me your most expensive ware. I'll buy it!"
Unfortunately for this young master, he had no wares more expensive than the Celestial Wind Saber anymore. But he could buy different items and spend more than the 80 spirit stones that Zhou Rui paid for the saber.
Lin Mo suppressed a smirk. This was exactly the kind of ridiculous posturing that could be turned into profit.