With his cultivation greatly improved and his mind refreshed, Li Wuyang rode Huaihuai, taking Little Fire and Yingying with him as he spiritedly headed toward Myriad Spirits Market.
Along the way, he familiarized himself with his newfound strength. When he tried coating his axe with Innate True Qi, he discovered that each swing carried a faint, sharp burst of force, cleaving through boulders as easily as tofu!
"Not bad. I finally have some ability to protect myself. I can't always rely on calling for Dad and bluffing people." Li Wuyang was quite satisfied.
The plains stretched endlessly. After several more days of travel, they began to encounter other beings along the road. There were demons riding demonic winds as they hurried past, members of the Witch Clan riding strange beasts with fierce auras—who all cast puzzled looks at Li Wuyang's bizarre party—and oddly shaped spirits with considerable intelligence.
Everyone was heading in the same direction. It seemed they were all bound for Myriad Spirits Market.
This market was apparently quite large.
One day at noon, Li Wuyang's stomach began growling again. Although his improved cultivation allowed him to go without food to some extent, he still habitually wanted something to eat, especially since the Witch Clan jerky was nearly gone.
"What good food is there in this primordial wilderness?" he mused as he traveled. "I heard dragon liver and phoenix gall are supreme delicacies? But the Dragon and Phoenix Clans still seem pretty formidable right now. Can't afford to provoke them... Kirin paws? Probably not an option either... Sigh, if only I could catch an immortal crane and roast it..."
As he muttered to himself, a crude shack appeared beside the road ahead. A banner hung outside, bearing crooked characters in the common primordial script: "Spirit Food Hall."
In front of the shack, a plump... stall owner? Wearing a greasy apron and sporting two fleshy feelers atop his head, bustled around a large pot. Something simmered within it, filling the air with a rich fragrance.
It was actually a roadside food stall!
Li Wuyang was amazed. The primordial wilderness had a food service industry too?
He guided Huaihuai over. Little Fire seemed quite interested in the pot, its nose twitching a few times.
When the plump stall owner saw customers, he immediately put on an enthusiastic—or perhaps shrewd—smile. "Ah, greetings, fellow Daoist! Looking for a meal? This humble shop has excellent slow-stewed hundred-year-old Solomon's seal, spirit mushroom-braised mountain chicken, and today's special: spicy rock lizard tail. Guaranteed to satisfy!"
Li Wuyang looked into the pot. It contained unidentifiable tubers and meat, though the aroma was enticing. He hopped off Huaihuai and curiously asked, "Boss, how... how do you charge?" He worried that this place might use bartering.
The plump stall owner rubbed his hands with a smile. "First time around Myriad Spirits Market, fellow Daoist? Simple. Just pay with Spirit Stones. One Low-grade Spirit Stone gets you a large bowl of spirit rice and a vegetable dish. If you want meat, like this spicy rock lizard tail, that'll be one Mid-grade Spirit Stone."
Spirit Stones? Li Wuyang remembered now—they were the hard currency of the primordial wilderness. He felt around himself. The jerky Hou Yuan had given him was nearly gone, but Spirit Stones... he didn't seem to have a single one! As for those shiny stones he had picked up earlier, he had no idea whether they were Spirit Stones, and had tossed them all into the Void-Concealing Pouch.
He smiled awkwardly. "Um... Boss, can I trade something else? Medicinal herbs, perhaps?" He remembered that there were still some miscellaneous spirit herbs in his Void-Concealing Pouch.
The plump stall owner's smile did not change. "That works too, but it depends on the goods. Small business here—fair dealing for all."
Just as Li Wuyang was about to take something out, a sinister voice sounded beside him:
"Hmph, what poor bumpkin is this? You don't even have a single Spirit Stone, yet you dare eat at Old Glutton's stall?"
Li Wuyang turned and saw several extravagantly dressed yet distinctly demon-like young men approaching. They appeared to be scions of the demon race. The leader swept a contemptuous gaze over Li Wuyang and his "motley crew," lingering especially on Little Fire, where a flicker of surprise and greed flashed through his eyes.
"What are you looking at? I'm talking to you!" the demon youth said arrogantly. "I'll take that rock lizard tail! Here are three Mid-grade Spirit Stones!" He casually tossed three jade-like stones brimming with spiritual energy to the stall owner.
Old Glutton accepted the Spirit Stones, his face breaking into a grin. "Right away! Young Master Rhino, please wait a moment. I'll serve you the very best portion at once!"
Young Master Rhino shot Li Wuyang a smug glance.
Li Wuyang was annoyed, but he had no desire to stir up trouble and prepared to leave.
However, Young Master Rhino pushed his luck and pointed at Little Fire. "Hey, brat, that Sky-Gazing Roarer of yours is pretty good. Name your price. I'll buy it!"
Li Wuyang's expression darkened. "Not for sale!"
"Hm?" Young Master Rhino's eyes turned cold. "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit? Do you know who I am? My father is—"
Before he could finish, Yingying on Li Wuyang's shoulder seemed to dislike him intensely. She suddenly flew up, made a face at him, then flicked her tiny hand, sending a speck of faint glowing powder with a numbing effect drifting toward Young Master Rhino.
"Ah-choo!" Caught off guard, Young Master Rhino sneezed violently, tears and snot streaming down his face as he cut a sorry figure.
The demon attendants behind him immediately flew into a rage. "How dare you disrespect Young Master!"
Demonic energy surged as they prepared to attack.
Old Glutton's expression changed, and he hurriedly tried to persuade them. "Sirs, sirs! Please calm down! Private fighting is forbidden near the market!"
Li Wuyang tightened his grip on his axe as True Qi circulated within him. Sensing the hostility, Little Fire let out a low growl, flames rising around its body. Though its injuries had not healed, its imposing presence remained.
The conflict was about to erupt.
Suddenly, a gentle voice carrying unquestionable authority rang out:
"What is all this commotion?"
Everyone looked over to see an elderly man in a plain Daoist robe, holding a whisk, his face lean and refined. No one knew when he had appeared by the roadside. His aura was calm yet unfathomable, and his gaze swept across everyone present, pausing briefly on Li Wuyang and the axe in his hand.
Upon seeing the elder, Young Master Rhino immediately reined in his arrogance and hurriedly bowed. "Greetings, Daoist Master Xuanhe!"
Old Glutton also respectfully said, "Daoist Master, you've come."
Daoist Master Xuanhe nodded slightly and looked at Li Wuyang and Young Master Rhino. "Fighting is forbidden within a hundred li of Myriad Spirits Market. Do you not know this?"
Young Master Rhino quickly replied, "I know, I know! This brat attacked first!" He pointed at Li Wuyang and Yingying.
Daoist Master Xuanhe turned his gaze toward Li Wuyang.
Neither servile nor overbearing, Li Wuyang cupped his hands. "Daoist Master, please see clearly. I was merely passing through and wished to buy some food. This... Young Master Rhino tried to forcibly purchase my companion and intended to attack first."
Daoist Master Xuanhe looked at Old Glutton again.
Old Glutton hurriedly nodded. "Exactly, exactly. Young Master Rhino was the one who provoked them first."
Daoist Master Xuanhe had already made his judgment. He said coolly to Young Master Rhino, "Since you have entered the market's territory, you must obey its rules. If you offend again, do not blame this poor Daoist for dealing with you according to the law. Go."
Young Master Rhino's face alternated between green and white. He shot Li Wuyang a vicious glare, as though committing his appearance to memory, before leaving dejectedly with his attendants.
Daoist Master Xuanhe then looked at Li Wuyang, his tone somewhat gentler. "You are unfamiliar to me, young friend. Is this your first time at Myriad Spirits Market?"
Li Wuyang nodded. "It is. This junior is Li Suixin. Greetings, Daoist Master."
"Li Suixin... a fine name." Daoist Master Xuanhe smiled faintly. "The market is a mixed bag, young friend. You should remain cautious. If you have time, come find me for tea at Pure Tranquility Hall in the center of the market."
After saying that, he nodded to Li Wuyang and drifted away.
Watching the elder's departing figure, Li Wuyang knew that he was likely one of the market's administrators. His cultivation was profound, and he seemed to have noticed something.
After that disturbance, Li Wuyang had lost his appetite. He said to the stall owner, "Boss, give me a few bowls of spirit rice, and pack some jerky as well." In the end, he exchanged several not-too-valuable spirit herbs for food.
With his stomach full, Li Wuyang mounted Huaihuai and led his party toward the enormous market ahead, whose outline was now visible beneath a hazy glow.
Myriad Spirits Market, here I come! I wonder what else I might "happen upon" here?
Before you continue