Rong Le swallowed back the words that were about to leave his mouth and instead turned his gaze to the four people before him.
Yunxi raised her hand and flicked a Memory Jade into the air. The jade projected everything the four of them had experienced after entering the "Qianbao Pavilion," displaying it all from Yunxi's first-person perspective.
When the jade finished its playback, silence engulfed the room. Even the old ghost who had been shouting grievances earlier didn't dare to speak up, his expression now twisted in terror, clearly thinking, "I'm doomed."
Yunxi caught the jade, tossing it lightly in her palm, and smiled.
"Young Master Rong Le, this should be proof enough that we weren't picking a fight or deliberately targeting your ghost servant, right?"
Rong Le ground his teeth, forcing a smile. "This was indeed the old ghost's fault. I will discipline him harshly to ensure this never happens again."
A mocking glint flashed in Han Lian's eyes. "Young Master Rong Le, you don't actually think saying a few perfunctory words will settle this, do you? You still haven't fulfilled your earlier promise."
Xun Kun remained silent, his cold gaze sweeping over Rong Le from head to toe. Yun Chen naturally wouldn't undermine his companions, so he only chanted a Buddhist prayer softly and said nothing more.
Rong Le's expression flickered, clearly scheming for a way out. It was obvious he had no intention of keeping his promise.
Yunxi's lips curled faintly. She raised her hand and grasped the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella, speaking softly. "I don't know who sent you to test us, but I never let others take advantage of me. Today, I'll make an example out of your shop, so those tailing us will understand that not just anyone in the Ghost Realm is qualified to lay a hand on us."
Hearing this, Rong Le's face finally changed, and he quickly said, "Wait—"
Before he could finish, the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella unfurled. This time, the black dragon patterns on its surface split into nine separate dragons. They shot off the umbrella, streaking through the entire shop, wreaking havoc without restraint.
"Stop! Stop!"
Rong Le never expected Yunxi to act directly instead of just issuing threats. His face turned pale as he threw out a black bowl-shaped soul artifact to block the attack. Unfortunately, Hei Yao swiped its tail, sending the artifact flying back and slamming into Rong Le's body.
Rong Le was hurled out of the store, smashing through the closed door, rolling across the street several times before coming to a stop. He lay unconscious, sprawled in the street.
The next instant, shopkeepers, customers, and pedestrians all saw nine black dragons spiraling through the roof of "Qianbao Pavilion." A thunderous dragon roar echoed down the entire street, shaking the souls of weaker ghosts and forcing them to summon protective soul artifacts in panic.
All eyes turned to the skies above Qianbao Pavilion, watching as the nine dragons circled in the air once before diving back down into the shop.
"Tsk tsk, Qianbao Pavilion finally met its match!"
"Right? I wonder which fierce figure they offended to get their store flattened!"
"Serves them right! Everyone on this street knows that old ghost was no good, always targeting newcomers without backing when they first entered the Ghost Realm. Looks like he finally kicked an iron wall today."
"Still, Qianbao Pavilion has its own powerful backers. I doubt these troublemakers will get off easy."
"Hard to say. Let's watch. This commotion will definitely draw the ghost officers. We'll see whose side they take."
A deafening crash interrupted their whispers. "Qianbao Pavilion" collapsed entirely, but the caster's precise control ensured the destruction didn't spread to neighboring stores.
The two adjacent shops had reacted swiftly, activating their defensive formations as soon as Rong Le was kicked out. This precaution spared them from collateral damage.
The crowd then saw a woman in a red dress emerge from the rubble, holding a black umbrella. She walked leisurely to where Rong Le lay groggily regaining consciousness.
"Young Master Rong Le, this is your punishment for breaking your word. We're staying at Wanyuan Residence beside the Judge Division. If you can summon your backers to trouble us, I'll be waiting."
She flashed him a mocking smile and turned to leave with her three companions.
Rong Le struggled to his feet, his eyes now pitch black, glaring after the four figures. Suddenly, someone shouted, "The patrol soldiers are here!"
The crowd scattered instantly, clearing the street for the approaching patrol squad.
The leader, a man in black armor, spoke coldly,
"What happened here? Who caused this commotion?"
Rong Le snapped out of his daze and respectfully saluted. "Thank you for coming. Qianbao Pavilion had a bit of… trouble."
The patrol captain glanced at the ruins of the shop. The so-called "bit of trouble" was clearly an understatement, but he still followed protocol.
"Young Master Rong Le, it seems this wasn't a small matter. Do you want us to intervene?"
"No need. It was the old ghost in the shop who made the first mistake and angered an esteemed guest of the Judge Division. I have no right to pursue the matter."
He deliberately emphasized the words "esteemed guest of the Judge Division" and "no right to pursue," ensuring both the captain and the nearby crowd heard them clearly.
The captain's lips twitched, but he maintained a professional demeanor. "Since you won't press charges, we'll continue our patrol. Still, what those four did was a bit excessive. I'll give them a warning."
With a wave of his hand, the squad marched off in pursuit of Yunxi's group.
Rong Le's face darkened as he watched them leave. He didn't spare a glance at the half-dead old ghost on the ground and vanished from the scene.
Meanwhile, Yunxi and her companions entered another shop, the Caiyi Pavilion. Its owner, a graceful and charming woman, personally welcomed them. She had witnessed everything at Qianbao Pavilion earlier, so her smile was warm as she ushered them into a VIP room on the third floor.
"Boss lady, these robes look quite vibrant. May I ask what's special about them?"
Once seated, Yunxi asked casually.
The lady smiled. "I am Huo Wan. Most call me Lady Huo. These robes are woven from the finest silk of soul spiders, then dyed with a secret technique of mine. The dyes are infused with yin-attributed materials, which nourish the soul and protect it when under attack.
Once you leave the Ghost Realm, these robes will continue to nourish your souls even back in your world."
Han Lian raised an eyebrow at that. "Lady Huo, your information is sharp. We arrived only three days ago, and this is our first time out. Yet you already know who we are. No wonder this place has become a playground for evil cultivators."
Huo Wan's expression changed at the words "evil cultivators." She frowned. "Please, choose your words carefully."
"Why? Did we say something wrong?"
"The moment you humans stepped foot into the Ghost Realm, word spread everywhere."