I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 535: Chapter 536: Small World
On the Lamborghini, Li Xiaobai was somewhat confused, looking through the rearview mirror at the three ferocious Sea Dragon Horses in hot pursuit behind him, not understanding what was happening.

“How did I suddenly become the target of attention?”

However, it didn’t matter, being inexplicably dragged into a feud felt strangely satisfying.

Located at the heart of Aolai Country, Chunxiu Tower sat in the busiest district. Outside the city, Li Xiaobai put away his Lamborghini and walked into the city on foot.

The majority of those coming and going were young cultivators, all here to attend the tea gathering.

Many young cultivators also arrived uninvited, solely to catch a glimpse of Long Xue’s true face and to experience her charm up close.

“Young Master Li!”

As soon as he entered the city, a cheerful shout reached him. Following the voice, he saw Beichen Shixi and a few others. Dongfang Mingyue and Nangong Wan were also smiling and greeting him.

“We have been waiting for a while. There’s a little time left before the tea gathering starts. Let me take you around first, Young Master,” Beichen Shixi said, a rare smile on his face. He was extremely polite to Li Xiaobai, possibly viewing him as a resource his Beichen Family could rely on in the future.

“Thank you all for the trouble. This is my first time here, so I’m unfamiliar with the area, and I appreciate the assistance,” Li Xiaobai replied with a nod and a light smile.

“Hehe, Young Master, look around, what do you think of the scenery in the city? Our three major families own half of the shops here. In just a few days, all the shops will be turned into Tangneng First-class and quality stores, and we’ll be earning a substantial amount of Spirit Stones,” whispered Dongfang Mingyue, drawing close.

“Hmm, very nice. With such a high volume of people, opening a shop here should be able to attract all the customers in the city,” Li Xiaobai nodded. Bathhouses and Huazi could completely replace elixirs and cultivation resources. Once the shops were opened, cultivators’ demand for elixirs and cultivation items would shift to Tangneng First-class and quality stores.

Although the shops were divided by their respective forces, the customers had no such divisions—it was all about skill in earning money.

As the exclusive business in the industry, attracting customers was a sure thing. This would undoubtedly deliver a blow to the families lurking in the shadows, seeking to cause trouble.

Thus, he would be fulfilling the instructions of the third-in-charge.

Following the group around the city, he found the city to be larger than he had imagined, with Chunxiu Tower located at the city’s center.

Calling it a tower belied the fact that it was a world unto itself.

The first and second floors were just regular floors with drinks and dancing girls, lighthearted and leisurely, but the third floor was strangely empty. Li Xiaobai saw many young cultivators walk straight into the third floor and then disappear without a trace.

There was something odd about this place.

Seemingly noticing Li Xiaobai’s gaze, Beichen Shixi said with a laugh, “Young Master Li, the third floor of this tea tower is a small world in its own right. It’s a separate realm and is usually where Miss Long Xue cultivates in peace, undisturbed by the mundane world.”

“Today’s tea gathering is also held within this small world. Otherwise, the tea tower alone would definitely not be enough to accommodate all the exceptional talents from the various clans.”

“I see, shifting a small world into Chunxiu Tower is indeed a grand move,” Li Xiaobai nodded, pondering that if he bought this tower and transformed it into a Tangneng First-class bathhouse, it could accommodate thousands of cultivators at least?

Having a small world is convenient—no need to worry about lack of space, just focus on collecting money.

“However, speaking of grand gestures, I heard that the scions of the other big families have all come well-prepared. It’s said that the young master of the Tuoba Family has even borrowed the Judge’s Brush from his clan, determined to win the beauty’s heart with his painting. That is a Magic Treasure of Great Crossing Realm Cultivators. He is quite set on succeeding today,” said Dongfang Mingyue, a trace of envy in her voice. She had also asked her family for a powerful Magic Treasure but was scolded and didn’t receive anything.

“Do the rest of you from the ancient worlds not have any thoughts regarding this tea gathering?” Li Xiaobai asked with a half-smile.

“Our families are not particularly eager for the little Sea Dragon girl from the Eastern Sea. Naturally, it would be best to form a good relationship with her, but if there is no chance to do so, it doesn’t really matter. We came here today just to go through the motions, to broaden our horizons, that’s all.”

“The main purpose is to prepare for the martial arts competition taking place in a few days and to gauge the abilities of the disciples from various clans.”

Nangong Wan spoke indifferently, her tone slightly stiff. For women, comparisons are most taboo, and the existence of that little dragon girl was an implicit challenge to all the female cultivators of Aolai Country.

All the men were flocking to her, so naturally, she was not in a good mood.

It was at this moment that a sudden neighing pierced the sky, echoing incessantly in the ears of the cultivators.

The sound was like a horse but not quite, with a faint dragon chant mingled within, full of dignity and grandeur.

The crowd became restless, scattering in all directions.

“What’s happening?”

“Young Master of the Ao Family has arrived, and he’s brought three Sea Dragon Horses!”

“This son of the Beast Taming Family is a bit too domineering. All three Sea Dragon Horses are at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, and he just barged through without the slightest regard for us cultivators!”

“With a noble lineage, of course, they wouldn’t care about the likes of us!”

The cultivators had annoyed expressions, staring fixedly at the Precious Horse Divine Steeds in front of them, outraged yet unable to speak.

Nor were the carriages deliberately colliding with pedestrians; they were merely trying to scare them, a display of showboating.

From inside the Chunxiu Tower, several individuals heard the commotion and looked outside, marveling at the sight of the three pure white Sea Dragon Horses.

“The descendants of the Ao Family, as domineering as ever,” Beichen Shixi remarked lightly, glancing quickly before withdrawing his gaze. He had little interest in such clownish behavior.

“Hehe, we were just mentioning that these family disciples would make grand gestures, and this guy just showed up. Those three are genuine Sea Dragon Horses, and each with Transcendance Tribulation Stage strength. If they united in an attack, Brother Beichen might not be able to withstand them,” Dongfang Mingyue chuckled. Dealing with Sea Dragon Horses was no easy task.

“A mere jumping jack, not worth mentioning,” Beichen Shixi said lightly.

Li Xiaobai was momentarily stunned, finding the sound of the horseshoes eerily familiar. Turning his head, wasn’t this the carriage that had been relentlessly pursuing him just a while ago?

It seemed they were here to attend the tea party as well.

“Young Master Li knows them?”

Asked Nangong Wan, who was beside him.

“I came across them on the road earlier. To use a Sea Dragon Horse as a mount, this person is no ordinary individual,” Li Xiaobai mused. Such fine horses, with Dragon Race blood running through their veins—if thrown into Hellfire, they might have some effect.

To use them as mounts seemed like a waste of resources.

“Hehe, Young Master Li is joking. This person is a disciple from the Beast Taming Ao Family, quite adept at subduing Demonic Beasts. However, compared to the young master, he might as well be the light of a firefly,” said Nangong Wan.

“You flatter me,” Li Xiaobai chuckled, his eyes discreetly drifting towards a silhouette on the street that seemed somewhat familiar.