Emperor Capital was now facing a very tricky problem.
Chen Xia was right in front of him, so should he pretend not to see him, or pretend to accidentally not see him?
It was indeed a very difficult choice to make.
Emperor Capital's hands behind his back clenched slightly. He didn't expect to run into Chen Xia, who had just gotten out of prison, during his first visit to the outer disciple area.
Although he was now at the first layer of the Sea-Overturning Realm, he still felt tremendous pressure in front of Chen Xia.
After all, 500 years ago, Chen Xia was able to easily kill Crown Prince Qiongqi, who was at the sixth layer of the Sea-Overturning Realm.
After 500 years, even though the environment in the Sword Prison was extremely harsh, Chen Xia should have gotten stronger to some extent.
And even if he didn't get any stronger, he was still at the peak of the Mountain-Moving Realm from 500 years ago. Emperor Capital didn't dare challenge him either.
A drop of cold sweat rolled down his forehead. He sized Chen Xia up inconspicuously, hoping to see what state he was in now so he could make a judgment.
Chen Xia was tilting his head, chatting about something with an outer disciple nearby. He seemed quite interested in the lively scene.
Emperor Capital secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that Chen Xia didn't notice him. He quickened his pace, wanting to leave. But after taking a few steps, he halted abruptly.
Should he really live under Chen Xia's shadow?
After painstakingly cultivating for 500 years, even if he didn't surpass Chen Xia, they should at least be on equal footing, since they were fellow Crown Princes from the same generation.
But if he retreated now, where would be the talk of equal footing?
Emperor Capital's brows furrowed slightly as he pondered quickly.
Furthermore, he had borrowed so many spirit stones from Chen Xia. Logically speaking, he was also one of Chen Xia's bigger debtors.
What debtor avoids his creditor?
Having thought it through, Emperor Capital felt a bit more emboldened. Since Chen Xia had borrowed money from him, he would most likely speak reasonably.
So he turned around. Suppressing his nervousness, he walked calmly toward Chen Xia with an indifferent expression, under the eyes of everyone present.
The outer disciples in that area shuddered, seeing Emperor Capital approach. They quickly made way.
Soon, only Chen Xia was left.
At this time, the formal disciples and junior elders also stiffened.
How could it be this scourge?!
The dozen or so formal disciples were nervous and flustered, hoping Chen Xia was just passing by to watch the lively scene, and not to interfere in the matter.
Why did Emperor Capital go up to him?
Could it be he wanted to fight?
After all, they were fellow Crown Princes from the same generation. It was normal for Emperor Capital to feel stifled and discontent after being suppressed by Chen Xia back then.
But could he really win? Chen Xia had already taken Prince Qiongqi's head 500 years ago!
The dozen or so formal disciples fretted inwardly, still hoping no complications would arise.
But Emperor Capital was already face-to-face with Chen Xia, his hands still behind his back, his expression indifferent. He said,
"Long time no see."
"Hasn't been that long," Chen Xia casually replied. Seeing that the lively scene was over, he lost interest and lifted his foot, about to leave.
Emperor Capital secretly breathed out in relief. He suppressed his racing heart and maintained his indifferent tone. "When are you going to return the spirit stones you borrowed from me?"
The reason he asked this so quickly wasn't because he wanted the spirit stones back, but...
He was afraid of getting beaten up.
Surely he wouldn't beat up his creditor, right?
In Emperor Capital's opinion, as long as Chen Xia didn't have to return the spirit stones, anything was acceptable, as long as he didn't get violent. With so many people present, he should still give him some face.
If Chen Xia wanted to fight, he could go find Qi Li.
Leave his business alone.
Hearing this question, Chen Xia indeed abandoned the idea of "trying." He stroked his cheek and smiled.
"I'll pay you back when I have money."
But he didn't specify when he would have money.
Emperor Capital didn't ask either. To him, not getting beaten was already a success.
He had at least interacted with Chen Xia on equal terms once, which was considerable progress.
From the side, he should be stronger than Qi Li, also qualifying him as the top person among the Crown Princes of this generation.
As for Chen Xia, he definitely didn't count as one of the Crown Princes of this generation.
Chen Xia was still an outer disciple, so he counted as a Crown Prince of this generation. The one who should compete with Chen Xia was Li Yang.
None of his business anyway.
Emperor Capital's mouth curled up in a rare smile, rather delighted for once. With his hands behind his back, he walked in the direction opposite of Chen Xia.
The formal disciples all breathed a sigh of relief, also finally letting down their guard.
They understood the situation.
As for the outer disciples who didn't understand, they only felt that Chen Xia must have some background, to even know the Crown Princes and have borrowed so many spirit stones from Emperor Capital.
Just based on these two sentences, Chen Xia's background seemed considerable.
However, the outer disciples present didn't know the specifics of his background, or even Chen Xia's name.
The formal disciples and junior elders who did know didn't say anything. Even when outer disciples asked, they only sternly replied,
"Don't ask."
The fifteen formal disciples all left, and no one dared obstruct them.
Li Yang, who had barely stood up earlier, finally couldn't help spitting out another mouthful of blood. He collapsed on the ground, his complexion ghastly pale.
Liu Qing beside him hurriedly took out medicine from her bosom and put it in Li Yang's mouth.
They were in the middle of the crowd, yet no one went up to help them.
This was the "big family" Liu Qing spoke of.
Looking at it now, it really was somewhat too ridiculous.
This farce shattered all the outer disciples' fantasies. They had originally wanted to rely on Li Yang's protection to wrestle with the formal disciples.
They didn't expect it to end so quickly, without even the strength to resist.
It was only the second day when formal disciples came to collect spirit stones again. They collected an additional 30%, on the grounds that the previous amount hadn't been paid.
If they couldn't take it out, that was fine too. They would be given three years to prepare. If they still couldn't take it out by then, they could use items to offset the amount.
If the items weren't enough to offset it, there were two other options.
One was to be their lackeys and do hard labor.
The second was to simply get beaten up and kicked out.
They had thought of all the methods for the outer disciples. Under these cruel cultivation circumstances, the formal disciples' approach could still be considered gentle.
The outer disciples couldn't take out so many spirit stones for the time being, so they all went to ask for the portion they had previously paid to Li Yang.
Li Yang had previously promised protection. Now that he couldn't protect them, he naturally had to refund the money!
This matter caused quite a commotion. A bunch of outer disciples surrounded Li Yang's residence, silent but with a banner that said "Return Money."
That day was still midwinter.
The injured Li Yang walked out of his residence slowly, accompanied by Liu Qing. He compensated all the spirit stones he had collected.
Then the rare event of heavy snow occurred.
Li Yang's complexion was ghastly pale. Silently, he returned to his residence.
Not far away in a pavilion,
a figure in green was brewing snow tea. He stood up before the tea had finished brewing, already having made up his mind.
He was very short on money right now. Although he didn't necessarily have to repay borrowed money, like the 120,000 spirit stones from Fishing Grandpa, Chen Xia didn't plan on ever repaying that.
But he was still very short on money. He needed spirit stones to support his future cultivation and pill concocting. He couldn't do without money.
And Chen Xia had already thought of a way to earn money.
It was simple. Just like before, collecting money from outer disciples and junior elders.
Business that Li Yang couldn't handle.
He, Chen Xia, could handle.
And this would be the second time handling it.
The snow water in the teacup boiled, bubbling and churning.
Chen Xia picked it up and downed the piping hot tea in one gulp before leaving the pavilion. He couldn't help exclaiming,
"Damn, that burned!"