Chapter 8: Angry Galleo
On the other side, Xiao Yu and Xun'er left the family estate and strolled leisurely through the bustling streets. As one of the major cities in the Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tan City was teeming with people. With Xiao Yu's company, Xun'er wandered among the various stalls, enjoying herself. Seeing Xun'er so happy, Xiao Yu couldn't help but feel pleased as well.
Xun'er tugged on Xiao Yu's arm, asking about the various accessories displayed at the stalls. Xiao Yu mused that it seemed all women enjoyed shopping.
Xiao Yu recalled that Xiao Yan and Elder Yao needed to refine Foundation Building Liquid, which required a rare ingredient: a Level 1 Wood-Type Magic Core.
They arrived at the Xiao family's marketplace in Wu Tan City. As an area controlled by the Xiao family, there was a high chance of finding a Magic Core here, so Xiao Yu took Xun'er towards the market.
At the entrance to the Xiao family's marketplace, two of the family's guards stood watch. Recognizing Xiao Yu and Xun'er, they bowed slightly. Xiao Yu nodded and led Xun'er inside.
Not long after they entered, a rough voice called out from behind, "Fourth Young Master, Miss Xun'er, what brings you to the marketplace today?"
Turning around, Xiao Yu saw a group of six or seven men in Xiao family attire standing behind them. The leader was a burly man with a square face, his chest bearing an emblem with six gold stars, indicating his strength as a Six-Star Practitioner.
"Uncle Pein?" Xiao Yu called out softly.
The square-faced man's expression showed surprise, followed by a more genuine smile. "I didn't expect the Fourth Young Master to remember me."
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Of course I remember. Father personally appointed you as the captain of the guard. The safety of this marketplace depends on you, Uncle Pein!"
"Not at all, it's my duty!" Pein scratched his head, his face showing a simple, honest smile.
Xiao Yu did not stand on ceremony and asked directly, "Uncle Pein, I need to buy a Level 1 Wood-Type Magic Core. I'm not sure where to find one in the marketplace, so I was hoping you could help."
Pein patted his chest confidently. "Don't worry, Fourth Young Master. Leave it to me."
"Good, I'll be wandering around the market for a while. Just let me know when you find the Magic Core," Xiao Yu said politely.
"Rest assured, Fourth Young Master. The marketplace is ours, so if you run into any trouble, just call out!" Pein said.
Xiao Yu nodded politely and continued walking with Xun'er, disappearing into the crowd.
Once they were out of sight, Pein's expression turned serious. "Pali, take some men and warn the so-called 'Golden Fingers' in the marketplace. If they mess with the Fourth Young Master and Miss Xun'er, they might as well lose their 'golden fingers'!"
Pali, a burly man, nodded and took two men with him, blending into the crowd.
Pein rubbed his shiny head and chuckled. "Treating people gently, with high strength and modesty, the Fourth Young Master really makes one comfortable!"
One of the men beside him leaned in and said, "Boss, there's no need to worry about those 'Golden Fingers'. I've heard that in this year's family test, the Fourth Young Master has already reached the Four-Star Dou practitioner level!"
Pein shook his head with a wry smile. "As expected of the family's second genius. A Four-Star dou practitioner—compared to that, we're really too weak!" He said no more and continued patrolling the streets with his subordinates.
Meanwhile, Xun'er gently clung to Xiao Yu's arm and asked, "Brother Xiao Yu, why do you need a Level 1 Wood-Type Magic Core?"
Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Just want to collect one. By the way, do you think I could become an alchemist?"
Xun'er tilted her head and pondered. "I've heard that becoming an alchemist is quite difficult. Do you know about your own aptitude?"
Xiao Yu shook his head. "I haven't reached adulthood yet. I'll find out once I join the Fighting Qi Pavilion. Come on, let's continue shopping. If you want to buy anything, I'll get it for you!"
Xiao Yu moved on from the topic, and Xun'er followed, continuing to browse the marketplace.
As they were about to move further, they heard a somewhat effeminate voice from behind, causing their brows to furrow slightly.
"Isn't that Miss Xun'er? It's truly fate to encounter you here!" A group of people surrounded a young man dressed in fine clothes, who had a pale and somewhat wan appearance, clearly the result of indulgence.
The young man's gaze was intense as he stared at Xun'er, much like a hungry wolf eyeing its prey, which was quite unsettling.
Xiao Yu stepped in front of Xun'er, his gaze cold as he looked at the young man. "Young Master Galeo is also here in the Xiao family's marketplace?"
Galeo's eyes showed annoyance as he looked at Xiao Yu, but he didn't dare to act out because he knew Xiao Yu was the Xiao family's current prized possession. It was rumored that Xiao Yu had reached Nine-Star Dou disciple at twelve years old. Though Galeo was also a One-Star Dou practitioner, no one knew if Xiao Yu had managed to advance to the Dou practitioner rank in the past two years.
Galeo managed a faint smile and said, "Of course. I'm always interested in beauties. Isn't that right, Miss Xun'er?"
Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she ignored him. Xiao Yu, with a hint of mockery, replied, "Young Master Galeo, it would be better if you channeled that interest into cultivation. Maybe you wouldn't be just a One-Star dou practitioner at over twenty years old."
"You, Xiao Yu, don't get too full of yourself. Everyone knows that while the Xiao family has two geniuses, one has already fallen. You should be cautious too!" Galeo's face turned cold, and he sneered at Xiao Yu.
Xun'er's eyes flashed with coldness at Galeo's words. Just as she was about to react, Xiao Yu grasped her hand, and her surging fighting energy gradually subsided, though her expression remained frosty.
Xiao Yu turned to Galeo with a faint smile. "You don't need to worry about that, Young Master Galeo. If I were still a dou practitioner at twenty-one, I'd be quite embarrassed, especially with my genius reputation!"
"Oh, and I almost forgot, Young Master Galeo doesn't have such worries, since not everyone is a genius!" Xiao Yu added with a sarcastic tone.
Xun'er, initially angry, was now amused by Xiao Yu's sharp words, clearly mocking Galeo's lack of talent.
Galeo's eyes twitched with anger, his fists clenched tightly. His gaze was filled with hostility as if he wanted to kill Xiao Yu.
Galeo's subordinates, sensing the tension, stepped forward, seemingly preparing to surround Xiao Yu and Xun'er, their intentions far from friendly.
Xiao Yu, unfazed, looked around and then scoffed, "Is there a crowd in my own territory? Let's see what happens!"
Xiao Yu whistled towards the marketplace. As people around looked on in confusion, they saw Pein and more than twenty burly men quickly surrounding Galeo and his group!
"Fourth Young Master, what's going on?" Pein scanned the grim-faced Galeo and then bowed with a smile.
Xiao Yu grinned at Galeo and said, "This fellow wants to cause trouble in the Xiao family's territory. Uncle Pein, what do you think we should do?"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone