Hungry, Where to Buy Dragon Liver and Phoenix Gall

With his cultivation greatly advanced, feeling refreshed and invigorated, Li Wuyang mounted Huaihuai, bringing Little Fire and Yingying along, and set off with high spirits towards the Myriad Spirits Market.

Along the way, he familiarized himself with his newfound strength, attempting to imbue his Innate True Qi into his axe. He discovered that as he swung the axe, it could generate a faint aura of sharpness, allowing him to cleave through large rocks as if they were tofu!

"Tsk tsk, now I finally have some means of self-preservation. I can't always rely on shouting for my dad or bluffing," Li Wuyang was quite satisfied.

The plains were vast, and after several more days of travel, he began to see other creatures along the way. There were members of the Demon Race who zipped past on demonic winds, and members of the Witch Clan riding exotic beasts with fierce auras (they cast surprised glances at Li Wuyang's peculiar group), as well as various strange-looking but intelligent spirits and monsters.

Everyone was heading in the same direction; it seemed they were all going to the Myriad Spirits Market.

This market appeared to be quite large.

One day, around noon, Li Wuyang's stomach rumbled again. Although his increased cultivation could, to a certain extent, allow him to go without food, he still habitually wanted to eat something, especially since his Witch Clan jerky was running out.

"In this Primordial World, what's good to eat?" he mused as he traveled, "I heard dragon liver and phoenix gall are top delicacies? But the Dragon and Phoenix races seem quite formidable now, I can't afford to offend them... Kirin palm? That's probably tough too... Sigh, if only I could catch a celestial crane and roast it..."

As he was muttering, a simple stall appeared by the roadside ahead. A banner hung outside, written in crooked Primordial World common script: "Spirit Food Stall."

In front of the stall stood a plump vendor, wearing a greasy apron and sporting two fleshy tendrils on his head. He was busy at a large pot, from which a bubbling stew and fragrant aroma emanated.

It was a roadside stall!

Li Wuyang was greatly surprised. Did the Primordial World have a food service industry?

He urged Huaihuai forward. Little Fire seemed very interested in the large pot, twitching its nose a few times.

Seeing a customer, the plump vendor immediately put on an enthusiastic (or perhaps shrewd) smile: "Oh, greetings, fellow Daoist! Are you here for a meal? My humble establishment has excellent stewed century-old Polygonum, spiritual mushroom-braised mountain chicken, and today's special, fiery rock lizard tail, guaranteed to satisfy!"

Li Wuyang glanced at the large pot, which contained unidentifiable tubers and meats, though the aroma was enticing. He dismounted Huaihuai and asked curiously, "Boss, how much do you charge for this?" He worried if they operated on a barter system.

The plump vendor rubbed his hands with a smile: "Is this your first time in the Myriad Spirits Market area, fellow Daoist? It's simple, just pay with spirit stones. One low-grade spirit stone can get you a large bowl of spirit rice with a side of vegetables. If you want meat, like this fiery rock lizard tail, it'll be one mid-grade spirit stone."

Spirit stones? Li Wuyang remembered; they were the hard currency of the Primordial World. He patted his pockets. The jerky from Hou Yuan was almost gone, and spirit stones... he didn't seem to have a single one! Those shiny stones he'd picked up earlier, he didn't know if they were spirit stones, and he'd thrown them all into his Void-Concealing Pouch.

He gave an awkward smile: "Um... Boss, can I trade something else? Like... medicinal herbs or something?" He remembered he had some miscellaneous spirit herbs in his Void-Concealing Pouch.

The plump vendor's smile didn't waver: "That can be arranged, but it depends on the quality. I run a small business, fair and square."

Just as Li Wuyang was about to take something out, a sinister voice sounded from the side:

"Hmph, where did this pauper come from? Doesn't even have a spirit stone, and dares to eat at 'Old Glutton's' stall?"

Li Wuyang turned his head and saw several young people dressed in luxurious but somewhat demonic attire, with arrogant expressions. They looked like they were from the Demon Race. The one in the lead scanned Li Wuyang and his "motley" crew with disdain, his gaze lingering on Little Fire for a moment, a flicker of surprise and greed flashing in his eyes.

"What are you looking at? I'm talking to you!" the young demon arrogantly declared, "I'll take this rock lizard tail! Here are three mid-grade spirit stones!" He casually tossed three spirit-energy-rich jade stones to the vendor.

The vendor, Old Glutton, took the spirit stones, his face blooming into a smile: "Alright! Young Master Rhino, please wait a moment, I'll serve you the best part right away!"

The demon youth, referred to as Young Master Rhino, cast a triumphant glance at Li Wuyang.

Li Wuyang felt annoyed but didn't want trouble, so he prepared to leave.

However, Young Master Rhino pushed his luck further, pointing at Little Fire and saying, "Hey, kid, your Sky-Gazing Roarer is quite nice. Name your price, I'll buy it!"

Li Wuyang's expression darkened: "Not for sale!"

"Oh?" Young Master Rhino's eyes turned cold, "You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit? Do you know who I am? My father is..."

Before he could finish, Yingying, perched on Li Wuyang's shoulder, seemed to dislike this fellow. It suddenly flew up, made a face at him, and then flicked its tiny hand. A bit of fine, paralyzing powder drifted towards Young Master Rhino.

"Achoo!" Young Master Rhino, caught off guard, sneezed violently, tears and snot streaming down his face, looking utterly pathetic.

The demon followers behind him immediately became enraged: "How dare you disrespect Young Master!"

Demonic energy surged, and they were about to attack.

The vendor, Old Glutton, his face changed, quickly pleaded, "Sirs, sirs! Please calm down! Fighting is forbidden near the market!"

Li Wuyang also clenched his axe, circulating the True Qi within his body. Little Fire sensed the hostility, let out a low growl, and flames rose around it. Although its injuries were not healed, its imposing presence remained.

Just as a conflict was about to erupt.

Suddenly, a gentle yet undeniably authoritative voice rang out:

"What is all this commotion?"

Everyone looked and saw an old man in a simple Taoist robe, holding a whisk, with a lean and refined face. He had appeared by the roadside at some unknown time. His aura was calm yet unfathomably deep. His gaze swept over everyone present, pausing slightly on Li Wuyang and the axe in his hand.

Upon seeing the old man, Young Master Rhino's arrogant demeanor immediately subsided, and he quickly bowed: "Greetings, Daoist Master Xuanhe!"

The vendor, Old Glutton, also respectfully said, "Daoist Master, you are here."

The old man nodded slightly and looked at Li Wuyang and Young Master Rhino: "Fighting is forbidden within a hundred-mile radius of the Myriad Spirits Market. Do you not know this?"

Young Master Rhino quickly replied, "I know, I know! This kid started it!" He pointed at Li Wuyang and Yingying.

Daoist Master Xuanhe's gaze turned to Li Wuyang.

Li Wuyang, neither humble nor arrogant, cupped his hands: "Daoist Master, please judge. I was merely passing through and wanted to buy some food. It was this... Young Master Rhino, who insisted on buying my companion and attempted to make the first move."

Daoist Master Xuanhe then looked at the vendor, Old Glutton.

Old Glutton quickly nodded: "Indeed, indeed, it was Young Master Rhino who provoked first."

Daoist Master Xuanhe had already made up his mind. He said calmly to Young Master Rhino, "Since you are within the market's territory, you must abide by the rules. If you offend again, do not blame me for dealing with you according to the law. You may go."

Young Master Rhino's face turned green and then white. He glared fiercely at Li Wuyang, as if memorizing his appearance, before slinking away with his followers.

Daoist Master Xuanhe then looked at Li Wuyang, his tone softening slightly: "Young friend, you look unfamiliar. Is this your first time at the Myriad Spirits Market?"

Li Wuyang nodded. "Precisely. I am Li Suixin, junior. Greetings, Daoist Master."

"Li Suixin... a fine name." Daoist Master Xuanhe smiled slightly. "The market is a mix of all sorts, young friend. You must be cautious. If you have spare time, you may come to 'Pure Tranquility Temple' in the center of the market to find me for tea."

After speaking, he nodded to Li Wuyang and floated away.

Li Wuyang watched the elder's retreating figure, knowing that this was likely one of the market's managers, with profound cultivation, and he seemed to have seen through something.

After this commotion, he lost his appetite. He said to the stall owner, "Boss, please give me a few bowls of spirit rice and pack some dried meat." In the end, he exchanged a few not-too-precious spirit herbs for food.

After filling his stomach, Li Wuyang mounted Huaihuai, leading his team, and walked towards the enormous market, whose outline was already visible, shrouded in a hazy glow.

Myriad Spirits Market, here I come! I wonder what 'destiny' I will encounter here?