Chapter 261 - Hidden Schemes
This Silver Shallow-Fried Angelfish was a rare, healthy fish. Not only did it have a divine flavor, but it also improved the user's body, increasing the capacity to hold Ardor permanently.
Even though it benefited Tiana's body, the effect wasn't that visible since her physique was the Sacred Seven Star Yin Physique.
Tiana was now eating this fish just for its great taste.
Christina noticed that Tiana wasn't feeling uncomfortable at all. She understood that Tiana's physique was far better than what this Silver Shallow-Fried Angelfish could enhance.
'She is the disciple of a former 7 Star Warrior. This is only natural.'
Tiana soon finished eating the Silver Shallow-Fried Angelfish. She was completely stuffed.
The heavenly taste of that fish remained on her tongue. Tiana didn't want to eat anything else that would replace this sensation.
"That was honestly amazing," Tiana spoke while wiping her lips with a napkin.
Christina showed a bright smile, "I am glad you loved it."
Tiana then asked, "What was the price? I will pay."
Immediately, Christina raised her hand and said to Tiana, "You don't need to pay for this!"
Tiana furrowed her brows and asked, "Why? I can pay for this stuff, you know." Her tone made it apparent that Tiana was annoyed that Christina was underestimating her.
Christina was slightly scared upon hearing Tiana's angry tone. She instantly responded, "I know. I don't doubt you. I just wanted to treat you."
"Alright, if you say so…" Tiana muttered as she stood up, "I want to check out some other stalls. Let's go!"
A Black Lake Sect disciple approached their table and stated, "We need to chat privately with our senior sister."
He then turned in Tiana's direction and asked her, "I hope it's okay if we borrow her for a few moments."
Tiana wasn't sure what they were talking about, but she agreed with a nod.
Christina appeared annoyed as she could guess what they wanted to talk about.
She decided to stay silent in front of Tiana and walked along with that guy to talk to him privately.
Tiana could guess that this might have been related to the Silver Shallow-Fried Angelfish.
'Since Christina said it's okay, I should trust her.'
Meanwhile, Christina and her junior brothers had gathered in a private room this stall.
Christina asked them with an annoyed look, "What is it? Now speak!" That annoyed look and her authoritative voice made these disciples step back in fear.
"Y-Young Miss, t-that was the last serving of the Silver Shallow Fried Angelfish. We served it for Madam Filia. Madam Filia won't be happy when she finds out that you ate that last Silver Shallow Fried Angelfish. Moreover, you shared it with a random disciple eat it too." The man who appeared to be managing this food stall spoke with a nervous expression.
"You are too anxious about it. In reality, this is not such a huge issue. I have my reasons for this, and you can inform Madam Filia to talk to me if she has an issue regarding it." Christina boldly replied.
"…I am relieved to hear those words. There was another issue," The man spoke after a short pause.
"What is it?" Christina asked with a hint of frustration in her tone.
"A few troublemakers are coming and fighting with our disciples managing the stalls. One group even attacked our stalls set up by the Black Lake Sect's Alchemy Association under the pretext that we were selling poisonous medicinal pills," The man had a bitter smile as he narrated this issue to Christina.
Christina instantly became angry as she asked the guy, "Who is so bold to have done this?"
Christina was a member of the Alchemy Association of the Black Lake Sect. She was one of the core members, so she was truly angry that someone would falsely accuse her alchemy association like this.
"They look to be random people gathered by someone. Not just us, they have targeted the Origin Sect and the Night Mountain Sect as well." The man responded quickly.
"…It's only natural that they don't dare to some trouble for the stalls set up by the Red Crown Sect," Christina sarcastically said.
"I don't mean to point fingers at someone. But some of our disciples witnessed these people meeting some disciples of the Red Crown Sect," The man soon added.
Those words were all that Christina needed to hear to figure out the perpetrator.
"I will handle this," Christina spoke before she walked out of the room.
Soon, Christina returned to Tiana's side. She informed her, "I will need to go somewhere. Sorry, but I can't accompany you anymore."
Tiana was startled and asked her, "What happened? Is it due to this fish?"
Christina shook her head, "No. That's really not a big issue. It's just that I need to deal with some troublemakers who don't know their place."
"I'll come along. Maybe I can help out," Tiana spoke with an adamant tone.
She didn't plan to back out no matter what Christina said.
"I…I don't want to trouble you," Christina spoke after some hesitation.
"I want to help you out! Just tell me what happened," Tiana spoke with a stubborn tone.
Christina furrowed her brows and then thought 'The Red Crown Sect's disciples won't dare to go too far. It won't be a bad idea to take her along.'
"Alright. Come with me. I will explain on the way," Christina said as she left the stall.
Tiana followed after her and soon found out what had happened.
However, she couldn't help but feel that this situation wasn't as simple as Christina believed.
'If the Red Crown Sect was truly behind it, they would have asked these troublemakers to target them as well. Targeting the stalls of the other sects except their own simply points in their direction,' Tiana thought with a frown.
'This situation can only be true if the disciples of the Red Crown Sect are brainless. There is a good chance of that as well.'
Tiana was truly confused. She knew that if it was someone like Azaroth, he would create a situation to sow discord between the two sects.
The prestige of these disciples couldn't be underestimated. All the disciples who were the nominal heads of their respective sects would inherit prestigious positions in their sects.
If grudges were formed between the disciples of two different sects, it might permanently affect the relationship between the sects in the future.
She suggested to Christina, "Let's stop. I think it's a good idea if we wait."
"Wait for what?" Christina asked with a confused look, "We already know where our enemy is. Let's go and deal with it!"
"…Alright. But let me do the talking," Tiana then spoke.
Christina didn't look convinced as she wondered, "What's there to talk with those people. They even attacked the disciples of my Alchemy Association. I won't forgive them no matter what explanation they give out."
"Really? Then do you want to beat an innocent person?" Tiana asked Christina.
Those words made Christina stop. She now understood that perhaps she was too excited, "You mean that the Red Crown Sect might not be behind it?"
Tiana spoke, "If my guess is right, they are innocent in this. This is some other sect's tactic."
She then added, "To figure out the true perpetrator, we still need to approach the Red Crown Sect."
"Do you know an influential disciple of the Red Crown Sect?" Tiana inquired curiously.
Christina nodded, "Mhm~!"
"Then invite him," Tiana spoke.
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