Zhang Chen led a group of classmates to a large square.
In the center stood a stone lion about two meters tall, one paw resting on a ball, its mouth wide open.
The current time in this world was dusk, the very end of the day.
People lined up here to exchange their unconsumed energy for crystal stones, keeping only the amount necessary for survival.
Seeing a dozen or so people in strange clothing appear at the back of the queue, onlookers couldn't help but glance over.
When they noticed that these newcomers were all very young, it sparked considerable discussion:
"Why so many youngsters? With so much energy at their age, they still have crystals left at night?"
"Judging by their appearance, they might be from wealthy families, idling their days away, so of course they'd have surplus crystals!"
"Yes, now that you mention it, I recall a rich family just moved into the south of the city!"
"Hmph, even if they exchange them, they won't get much. Cultivation requires years of accumulation. What cultivation could youngsters possibly have? They're just here for the excitement. Aren't these rich young masters known for their absurdities?"
"Could they not be young prodigies? Some youngsters who've mastered the techniques of cultivation might not be weak!"
"Where would we find such great talents in our remote little town? Those with any real strength have all gone to join the major sects."
The crowd chatted amongst themselves, looking at Zhang Chen and the students behind him and shaking their heads.
Zhang Chen paid them no mind. He was just here for the spectacle, and besides, he wasn't from this world anyway.
He hadn't cared about what others thought in his previous world, so he certainly didn't need to care in this alternate one.
Then, a middle-aged man stepped forward and placed his hand on the stone lion's paw that was holding the ball.
Following that, Zhang Chen saw a subtle stream of energy flow from the man's body, slowly entering the stone lion.
This energy, after being gathered and adjusted within the lion's body, much like meridians.
Bright, transparent crystal stones were then spat out from the lion's mouth, one by one.
The man, prepared, held his money bag beneath the lion's mouth, cupped in his hands, with a posture of great reverence.
Fifteen in total!
"Tch, only fifteen? I thought it'd be more. I just exchanged over fifty myself!" Monkey said disdainfully.
"Don't forget, you exchanged fifty without consuming much energy yourself. This person, however, worked hard all day and used their remaining energy for the exchange, and still got fifteen!" Green Hair reminded him in a low voice.
A moment later, a white-haired elder stepped forward and slowly placed his hand on the stone lion's paw.
With a rustle...
This time, over forty crystal stones were spat out at once, drawing exclamations of admiration from the surrounding crowd!
"As expected of Elder Huang! He's responsible for the town's security every day, eliminating those pesky bugs, and yet he still has so many crystals left at night!"
"Truly remarkable. The peace our town enjoys today is all thanks to Elder Huang!"
"Elder Huang's strength is truly enviable! With so many crystals, it seems Elder Huang's fortune is quite substantial. No wonder he took another young wife a few days ago!"
Just then, a young man in brocade robes descended from the sky, landing steadily on the square.
Without queuing, he walked directly to the stone lion and placed his hand on it.
"Hey, why is this guy cutting in line?"
"Hmph, this used to be something our Class Seven did, we always cut in front of others, and others cut in front of us. This is the first time!" Bi Feng said coldly.
Although he wouldn't dare to act presumptuously in front of Zhang Chen.
For everyone else, however, he still maintained his arrogant demeanor.
"You don't need to handle this, I will!"
"Otherwise, this kid will think our Class Seven has no one!"
Green Hair slowly walked out of the queue and shouted at the man:
"Hey, kid, who the hell told you to cut in front of your elders?"
Hearing Green Hair's words, everyone involuntarily took more than ten steps back, retreating to the edge of the square, each with an expression of "commendable courage."
"This guy! He's wearing Cloud Heaven Sect attire. Even Elder Huang wouldn't dare to offend him lightly. These youngsters actually dare to challenge him in broad daylight? Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
"No wonder these younger generations are also lining up. They must have some training, some skill, otherwise they wouldn't be so fearless!"
"Stop joking. I've never seen clothes like that in my life. They might be barbarians. Barbarians never cultivate, they only have brute strength. How can they possibly contend with people from the sects?"
"It seems they're bound to have bad luck!"
Seeing everyone obediently stepping aside, the young man smiled slightly, turned his head, and said to Green Hair:
"Challenging me? Courageous indeed. Let me test your skills!"
The youngster then took a stance.
"This posture... hiss..."
Zhang Chen found it somewhat familiar. It resembled a move Qing Feng had used.
"Ha, you don't know your place!"
Green Hair said as he charged forward, his fist aimed at the man's face.
"So fast!"
The man's pupils contracted. He leaned slightly to the side, easily dodging the attack, then waved his fan, unleashing a gust of wind.
"Gale Break!"
Swish!
The gust of wind tore a large chunk from Green Hair's clothing.
Fortunately, he was a physique-type ability user. The gale cut his skin, leaving it red but otherwise unharmed.
"Oh? You have some skill, to actually withstand my Gale Break!"
The man smiled slightly, and like a cat playing with a mouse, he engaged Green Hair again.
It seemed Green Hair was ferociously attacking, and the man dared not face him head-on, being forced to retreat steadily while only occasionally using skills.
But in reality, the man was handling it with ease, completely toying with Green Hair.
Before long, Green Hair was sweating profusely from exertion, while the man had barely expended any energy. With another Gale Break, he sent Green Hair flying back, crashing into the queue.
"Ha, overestimating yourselves, a bunch of brats from nowhere, daring to challenge our Cloud Heaven Sect!"
"What's the use of your strength? It's just brute force. You'll never be able to defeat me?!"
The man laughed heartily, his tone filled with mockery.
"The students of Class Seven are not brats. I can hit my students, but it's not for outsiders to do so!"
"And... who told you that brute force can't win?"
Zhang Chen slowly took a step forward, his expression grim.
"Green Hair, come here. You and that guy will fight again!"
Zhang Chen said, placing his hand on Green Hair's shoulder. A stream of pure energy instantly flowed into Green Hair's limbs and bones...