From Death To Dominion

"Oh no, he lost it," Ye Xian smirked.

"The humiliation got to him, and he lunged at me, swinging wildly. I swear, he looked like a headless chicken trying to pick a fight with a tornado. Just as things were about to escalate, the principal arrived."

Reiner blinked. "She arrived late? But I told her earlier that Steve and the fatty were bullying you."

"Yep, she sure took her time," Ye Xian said casually.

Reiner frowned. "Why would she do that? I made sure to tell her in a hurry."

Ye Xian shrugged. "I guess she wanted me to finish my performance first."

"And then?"

"Then she took both of us to her office."

Reiner raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So you weren't off the hook either?"

"Apparently, disciplining students through slaps is frowned upon," Ye Xian said with a straight face.

Reiner snorted. "So? What did she say?"

Ye Xian cleared his throat and put on a serious face. "'Reiner was punished and sent away, but before I left, she said something to me… and told me not to tell anyone.'"

"What?" Reiner asked curiously.

Ye Xian took a deep breath, then spoke in a solemn tone. "'I want to eat you.'"

Silence.

Reiner stopped mid-step. His brain short-circuited. "Huh?!"

Ye Xian nodded gravely. "That's exactly what she said—verbatim. 'I want to eat you.'"

Reiner's mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. "You… You're lying. There's no way she said that."

"I'm telling the truth!" Ye Xian insisted. "Do you not believe me?"

Reiner eyed him suspiciously. "Alright, smartass. Why would she say that?"

Ye Xian smirked, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeve. "Simple. Because I'm a charming and handsome man."

Reiner groaned and covered his face. "I walked straight into that one, didn't I?"

Ye Xian chuckled, slapping him on the back. "Yes, yes you did."

Reiner laughed, shaking his head. "Damn it, I should take lessons from you—how to boast, that is!"

Ye Xian grinned. "It's never too late, my friend. The first rule of winning is knowing how to make the opponent lose before they even fight."

Reiner whistled. "So basically… slap first, talk later?"

"Exactly," Ye Xian said, his smirk widening.

Then, without warning—smack!

Ye Xian lightly slapped the back of Reiner's head.

"You fool," he muttered. "I only signaled you to fetch a teacher, and you went and brought the principal?"

Reiner rubbed the back of his head, looking wronged. Now you're using the rule on me.

"Hey! I was going to get a discipline master, but the principal saw me running and asked what happened. What was I supposed to do, lie to her?"

Ye Xian narrowed his eyes. "You could've downplayed it a bit."

Reiner scoffed. "Oh sure, downplay it when it was Steve and his goon bullying a weak student? Besides, the moment I told her their names, she immediately told me to go back to class and left in their direction."

Ye Xian smirked. "And you never wondered why she went herself instead of sending someone else?"

Reiner blinked before realization dawned on his face. He gawked at Ye Xian. "Wait… don't tell me… it's because you—"

Ye Xian sighed dramatically. "Because your brother here is a charming man, of course."

Reiner burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Right, right! I'm sure the principal has a special place in her heart for you."

Ye Xian rolled his eyes and playfully raised his fist.

"Keep laughing and see if I don't knock some sense into you."

Reiner yelped and took off running. "I'll see you tomorrow, Ye Xian!"

Ye Xian shook his head with a small chuckle as he continued his walk toward the market district, the faint remnants of amusement still lingering in his expression.

The lively chatter of merchants and customers filled the air as Ye Xian strolled through the bustling marketplace. Stalls lined both sides of the street, displaying an array of goods—from fresh produce and exotic spices to rare herbs and alchemical ingredients.

The scent of roasted meat mingled with the sharp tang of medicinal herbs, creating a unique blend of aromas that wafted through the air.

Despite the vibrant atmosphere, Ye Xian's mind remained sharp and focused. His past experiences had taught him a valuable lesson—raw strength alone was not enough to survive in this world.

Adler had been betrayed because he had been unprepared. A warrior who relied solely on brute force was nothing more than a blunt blade, easily broken by those who struck from the shadows. Strength mattered, but so did cunning, foresight, and strategy.

But Ye Xian wasn't just preparing for the past—he was preparing for the future.

He had already accepted Marchant escorting missions from Azure Sky Academy, and soon, he would be setting out. On the surface, the tasks seemed straightforward, but he knew better than to take things at face value.

Missions often came with hidden dangers—whether it was magical beasts lurking in the wild, bandits lying in ambush, or even rivals seeking to eliminate their competition. He had no intention of walking into a trap unprepared.

His sharp gaze swept over the numerous stalls and shops, searching for what he needed. Weapons and martial arts were powerful, but deception and strategy often determined the victor of a battle.

His cultivation base was still relatively low, making it unwise to rely solely on direct combat. During the upcoming merchant escort mission, unexpected dangers could arise at any moment.

Although Azure Sky City's elite squad patrolled the perimeter reducing gang activity, it was far from completely safe.

That was why he needed tools—traps, hidden weapons, and other tactical equipment that would give him an edge in unforeseen encounters.

After scanning the marketplace, his steps led him to a specialized shop selling hunting traps and mechanical contraptions. The storefront was lined with various mechanisms—some simple, others intricate.

The merchant, a burly man with calloused hands and a shrewd gaze, noticed Ye Xian's approach and studied him with interest.

"Looking for something specific, young man?" the merchant asked.

Ye Xian's eyes flickered over the items displayed on the walls and shelves. Swords, blades, spears, and axes gleamed under the dim lantern light.

But what truly caught his interest were the traps—explosive snares, steel-jawed bear traps, wire traps designed to slice through flesh, and even concealed dart launchers.

"I need traps," Ye Xian said, his voice steady. "Something strong enough to restrain or injure a Ki Warrior Realm cultivator or a Rank-2 magical beast. Also, mechanical arrow shooters and dart launcher."

The merchant's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "That's quite a request. But lucky for you, I have just the right tools."

He reached behind the counter and pulled out a set of steel-reinforced bear traps.

"These beauties can snap through bone in an instant."

Then, he gestured to a bundle of wire coils.

"These tripwires are embedded with rune formations. Once triggered, they'll bind the target in an instant, giving you time to strike."

Ye Xian picked up one of the traps, inspecting its craftsmanship. It was sturdy, well-made, and lethal.

"How much for the full set, including two explosive traps?"

The merchant's smirk widened. "90 gold coins—bear traps, tripwires, darts, mechanical arrow shooters, and a few extra surprises that could catch even an expert off guard. The explosives have a three-meter blast radius."

Ye Xian narrowed his eyes. "That's steep. 70 gold."

The merchant scoffed. "You're trying to rob me, kid. 85 gold, and that's as fair as it gets."

Ye Xian crossed his arms. "75, and I won't spread the rumor that your merchandise is overpriced junk."

The merchant barked out a laugh. "You've got guts. Fine, 75 gold—but don't come complaining if your enemies survive."

Smirking, Ye Xian handed over the money and stored the traps in his pouch.

After leaving the shop, he continued strolling through the market, scanning the different stalls. It took him half an hour before he finally found what he was looking for—an alchemy shop.

The shop was small and slightly worn, its shelves lined with glass vials filled with various potions and powders.

The owner, an elderly man with a frail physique, sat behind the counter, his long, unkempt beard giving him a scholarly yet eccentric appearance. He wore a worn-out hat, tilted at an odd angle, making him look even more peculiar.

Alchemists were rare. It wasn't just a profession—it was an art that required an exceptionally strong spiritual sense to control the intricate process of refining pills and potions.

Because of this, alchemists were highly respected in society, and their wares often came at a steep price.

Ye Xian stepped forward, his expression calm but firm. "Senior, I need something that stings the eyes and a few poisons for… special occasions."

The old alchemist's eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Ah, a man of particular tastes."

He reached under the counter and placed two small vials on the table.

"For 500 silver, I have a mild eye-stinger poison—perfect for temporary blindness. As for something stronger…"