The Invincible Sect Leader

The Azure Cloud City marketplace was never this chaotic before. Ever since the launch of Spirit Cola, cultivators, mortals, and even alchemists flooded the streets, each scrambling to buy a bottle of the mysterious, refreshing drink. Some came to taste its energizing effects, while others sought to unlock its secrets, believing it to be some high-grade alchemical elixir.

Yan Ling, still adjusting to his new role as the unwilling merchant, watched in shock as the bottles of Spirit Cola vanished faster than he could count the spirit stones piling up before him.

"Five hundred bottles… all gone in an hour?!" He muttered in disbelief, staring at the massive pouch of spirit stones.

Behind him, a few Heavenly Mystical Sect disciples struggled to restock the booth. The Sect Master, Chan Li, had sent them earlier with fresh supplies, but even they were overwhelmed.

"Senior Brother Yan! We need more bottles, but the alchemists are trying to analyze the drink!" one disciple gasped. "They're offering ten times the price for just one sample!"

Yan Ling groaned. This was insane.

A Brewing Storm. Far from the marketplace, a group of dark-robed figures moved in the shadows. Their eyes glowed with a faint red hue as they watched the growing success of Spirit Cola.

One of them turned to his leader, a thin man with a scar running down his cheek. "This drink… it has disrupted the balance of power. Even the major alchemist sects are paying attention."

The scarred man sneered. "Foolish mortals. No mere drink should have such an effect. There must be something more to it."

Another figure stepped forward, his voice low and cautious. "Should we eliminate this Heavenly Mystical Sect before it grows further?"

The scarred man chuckled. "Not yet. First, we infiltrate. We must understand their true strength before making a move."

With that, the shadowy figures dispersed into the crowd, vanishing like ghosts among the bustling market.

A Sect Master's Gamble. Back at the marketplace, Chan Li finally arrived, dressed in his signature dark robe with golden embroidery, his presence exuding confidence and mystery.

Yan Ling sighed in relief. "Sect Master, this is out of control! The whole city is losing its mind over Spirit Cola!"

Chan Li grinned. "Excellent. That means we're ready for Phase Two."

Yan Ling paled. "There's a Phase Two?!"

Ignoring his shock, Chan Li snapped his fingers, and a group of disciples unrolled a large banner behind the stall:

'LIMITED EDITION: SPIRIT COLA - IMMORTAL EMPEROR RESERVE'

Cultivators gasped. "Limited edition?! What's different about this one?"

Chan Li smirked mysteriously. "Ah, my dear customers, this isn't just any Spirit Cola. This one has been refined using the spiritual essence of a thousand-year-old Ice Lotus. The moment you drink it, your body will feel like it's been bathed in divine energy!"

A Nascent Soul cultivator stepped forward. "Price?"

Chan Li calmly held up two fingers.

"Two spirit stones?"

"Two hundred."

The crowd exploded into an uproar. "Two hundred spirit stones for a single bottle?!"

Chan Li nodded sagely, stroking his chin. "Ah, but isn't a chance to feel the power of an immortal worth it?"

The Nascent Soul cultivator hesitated, his greed outweighing his skepticism. With a wave of his hand, he slammed down two hundred spirit stones and grabbed the bottle.

The crowd watched as he uncorked the drink and took a sip.

A moment of silence.

Then, suddenly his entire body trembled! His spiritual energy surged, his eyes widening in shock. The energy was real!

He turned to the crowd, face red with excitement. "THIS… THIS IS NO ORDINARY DRINK! BUY IT NOW!"

And like that

The entire stock sold out within minutes.

Chan Li folded his arms smugly. Money-making genius? He preferred the term 'economic cultivator.'

Yan Ling, however, felt something off. As he scanned the crowd, his instincts as a demonic cultivator screamed danger.

He leaned toward Chan Li, voice low. "Sect Master, I think we're being watched."

Chan Li's expression didn't change, but his golden eyes flickered coldly.

"Of course, we are," he said calmly. "Success breeds envy."

Yan Ling tensed. "Should we… take action?"

Chan Li smirked, his fingers casually tapping his folding fan. "No need. They'll make their move soon enough. And when they do… we'll be ready."

A Sudden Attack!

That night, the Heavenly Mystical Sect disciples were returning to their headquarters when the ambush came.

Figures draped in black cloaks burst from the alleys, their swords gleaming in the moonlight. Without warning, they attacked.

"Kill them! Leave no survivors!"

Yan Ling, leading the group, reacted instantly. His demonic energy surged, his eyes glowing crimson as he clashed with the assassins.

"YOU DARE ATTACK THE HEAVENLY MYSTICAL SECT?!" he roared, summoning a wave of dark Qi-infused flames.

The assassins were skilled, but Yan Ling was stronger. He dodged a sword aimed for his throat and countered with a palm strike, shattering the attacker's ribs.

The disciples fought bravely, but they were outnumbered.

Just as one of the assassins lunged for a young disciple, a gust of wind blew through the alley.

A single fan flicked open.

Chan Li had arrived.

The next moment lightning-fast strikes rained down.

Chan Li moved like a phantom, his fan slicing through the air, creating razor-sharp wind blades. Every step he took, an assassin fell. His movements were elegant, effortless.

Within minutes, the battle was over. The remaining assassins, seeing their comrades slaughtered like ants, trembled in terror.

Chan Li folded his fan, his eyes cold. "Who sent you?"

The assassins remained silent.

Yan Ling cracked his knuckles. "We can do this the easy way or the painful way."

One assassin finally spoke, voice trembling. "W-We are from the Black Lotus Pavilion!"

Chan Li's smirk widened. "Ah. Finally, some fun."