Market Observations: Fresh Spirit Fish (4K)

Xiao Chen intentionally followed the crowds so that he could hear all sorts of conversations along the way.

And so, without realizing it, he arrived at the center of Gui Yun Market.

By this time, night had completely enveloped the sky.

Not only are major shops opening their doors to customers, but even street vendors are becoming active again.

Therefore, Xiao Chen naturally heard various different hawking cries one after another.

"The best spirit ore is being sold cheaply; it's all high-quality spirit ore transported from the north."

"Come, come, take a look. These are all fine Spirit Wine aged for more than three years."

"Freshly cooked Spirit Fusion Spicy Sausage, only one Spirit Stone per sausage!"

Hearing that there was food, Xiao Chen paused and turned to look.

On a wooden cart sat a small stove, inside which many charcoal pieces were burning red-hot.

On the stove sat a small, but very large, oval iron pot, in which sausages were being simmered.

However, Xiao Chen's attention was drawn to the pot full of orange-red Spirit Herb.

He recognized them at a glance; they looked like chili peppers.

It's actually a poisonous herb called 'Pyrrosia lingua'!

That's why even cultivators can taste the intense spiciness when they eat it.

It's entirely due to the toxicity of the substance that it burns the consumer's tongue.

Although it's a first-tier Spirit Herb, eating two less of it won't kill you; at most, it'll cause a stomachache in the middle of the night.

However, if one consumes this food over a long period of time, it will inevitably damage the cultivator's sense of taste and shorten their Lifespan.

Is it possible to openly sell something like this and nobody cares?

Xiao Chen noticed that quite a few cultivators were buying Spirit Fusion Spicy Sausage.

Moreover, without the stall owner even reminding them, they very consciously only buy one or two sausages, plus two 'spicy' sausages to take away and chew on.

After chewing, they would spit out the residue to reduce the toxicity of what they had ingested.

It's clear they knew the stuff was poisonous, but they still chose to make the deal.

Could it be that this thing is actually quite delicious?

"Give me ten!"

Xiao Chen walked over and took out ten Spirit Stone, lining them up in a row. "And give me a spoonful of soup while you're at it."

There's also a stack of bowls on the cart; if you choose to eat standing nearby, you can enjoy the soup with it.

"Ah?"

Upon hearing this, the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who was busy stirring looked up, paused slightly in his work, and then readily agreed, "Alright!"

Then he brought a bowl to Xiao Chen first, saying, "Please enjoy your meal, senior."

First-tier poisonous herbs are unlikely to have any effect on Golden Core cultivator cultivators, so it's okay to eat more of them.

Upon hearing the word "senior," the surrounding cultivators turned to look at him, but then went back to drinking their soup.

There are many Golden Core cultivator in Gui Yun Market, and those who live here regularly are already used to it.

Although some apprehension still exists, I'm not overly nervous.

"Huh?"

However, their reaction immediately reminded Xiao Chen of the old man he had met not long ago.

It's obvious the other person doesn't frequently deal with Golden Core, which is why they're so nervous?

He wouldn't normally think this much, but now that he's new here, he naturally pays more attention to his surroundings.

Xiao Chen immediately realized a problem.

If the old man wasn't a permanent resident of the market, why would he appear here when all the shops were closed?

However, after careful consideration, he felt that this was probably not a big deal.

In the end, he was just a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Perhaps there was some special reason, but it should be insignificant.

Xiao Chen didn't think too much about it and took a small bite of the Spirit Fusion Spicy Sausage in his bowl.

Um... the taste is so-so, the main thing that stands out is the stimulation from the spiciness.

However, because its effects were too weak to damage his tongue, the spiciness was noticeably weaker.

It feels like it's just average.

I don't quite understand why the monks here would knowingly eat this poisonous food.

Could it be because the pressure to survive is too great?

"Let's find a proper restaurant and have some good food, maybe we can get some useful information."

After finishing the spicy sausage in two bites, Xiao Chen decided to go to a better place.

Firstly, the conversations among the cultivators on the street were too brief, mostly just idle chatter with little valuable information.

We should look for a restaurant or teahouse.

Those places have more people engaging in lively discussions, making it easier to obtain information.

Secondly, Xiao Chen wasn't short of money for a meal, so he might as well go and experience the quality of the local specialty food.

"Strange, shouldn't this be the center of the town? Why can't I see any restaurants?"

Xiao Chen walked through two streets without seeing a single restaurant or teahouse.

Instead, there are shops everywhere selling and buying back Law Artifact or Spirit Artifact.

This is clearly an unusual thing.

Logically speaking, such a large market town shouldn't lack places like this.

In addition, Xiao Chen noticed that not only were there no restaurants here, but there also seemed to be no vendors selling Spirit Herb.

He thought back carefully and realized that he had already walked through almost half of the market.

But we didn't see any places selling Spirit Herb along the way.

That's even stranger, okay?

On his way here, Xiao Chen had encountered so many Spirit Field where Spirit Herb were grown.

Why aren't they being sold in the market?

Where did all those Spirit Herb go?

The more Xiao Chen learned about this New Cultivation World, the more doubts arose in his mind.

He walked a little further and finally saw a three-story restaurant in the Core Area.

"We finally found it! It was so hard-won!"

Xiao Chen sighed and quickly walked in.

Perhaps it was because it was the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), which is dinnertime, or perhaps it was simply because there was nowhere else to go.

In short, the restaurant was quite lively, with people everywhere, upstairs and downstairs.

"Good heavens, so many Golden Core?"

After entering, Xiao Chen glanced around and found that most of the people sitting inside drinking and chatting were Golden Core cultivator.

There are probably at least eighty, if not a hundred.

If it weren't for the fact that there was a table of Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the far corner, he would have suspected that this place only catered to Golden Core True Person.

This number is quite large.

At least according to Xiao Chen's understanding, even if the newly established Illuminating Void Sect and Esteem Truth Temple in the Compassion Sea combined their Golden Core cultivator, they might not have this many people.

Moreover, half of the cultivators here are dressed in various styles.

He doesn't look like a sect cultivator; he seems more like a rogue cultivator.

"Wow, am I seeing things?"

Xiao Chen couldn't help but doubt his own judgment.

To be honest, if these people are really independent cultivators, then that's a bit too far-fetched.

With such scarce Spiritual Qi outside, how could so many rogue cultivators at the Golden Core stage be cultivated?

There's always a reason behind unusual behavior.

Xiao Chen's intuition told him that there must be some kind of secret hidden here.

"Fellow Daoist, what would you like to drink today?"

Seeing a customer standing at the door looking around, the restaurant manager came over to greet him, "Please come with me, there are plenty of seats upstairs."

"How many of you are there? Let me find you a good seat."

Xiao Chen paused his thoughts and followed the other person upstairs, asking in return, "Since I'm alone, what good wine do you have here?"

"I'd also like a few dishes to go with my drinks. Do you have any recommendations for specialty dishes?"

Upon hearing this, the steward went to the second-floor window.

These are all small two-person tables by the window, perfect for enjoying your meal while looking out.

He first reached out and pulled out a chair. "Please sit down."

Then, pointing to a menu that had been placed on the table beforehand, he said, "We have everything on this menu. Pick whatever you want, and I'll bring it to you."

There's even a menu.

Xiao Chen picked up the list and saw that it listed about thirty kinds of Spirit Wine.

The cheapest is only ten Spirit Stone per pound, but the most expensive sells for a full one hundred Spirit Stone per ounce, a huge price difference.

"Bring me a pot of ' Drunken Immortal ' to try."

Xiao Chen ordered the most expensive dish, then flipped the menu over. "Another one... uh, one of each, please."

The number of snacks on the back was pitifully small.

There were only seven dishes in total, and only two of them were meat dishes.

The dishes were a plate of freshly sliced Spirit Beef and a serving of Deep Fried Spirit Fish.

To be honest, the name sounds rather shabby and doesn't seem to match the level of this place.

However, Xiao Chen noticed that the prices listed after these snacks were not cheap.

The Deep Fried Spirit Fish, in particular, was priced at three hundred Spirit Stone.

Perhaps it's just an ordinary name, but there might be some Profound Mystery behind it.

Since Xiao Chen could afford it anyway, he simply bought a copy of everything to see what was going on.

"Alright, fellow Daoist, please wait a moment, the wine and dishes will be here shortly."

Upon hearing this, the manager's smile widened, and he quickened his pace to go downstairs.

Xiao Chen leaned against the window, seemingly observing the people coming and going on the street, but his attention was actually focused on his ears.

Listen attentively to the many Golden Core cultivator on the second floor chatting amongst themselves.

The Spirit Wine is a wonderful thing; after two cups, the cultivators visibly relaxed and became much more casual in their conversation.

While we wouldn't say they completely lost their vigilance, the discussion did go into considerable depth.

Behind Xiao Chen were a pair of young-looking cultivators.

The two were discussing the robbery at the Market Warehouse days ago.

One of them was clearly envious. "So, it's basically confirmed that at least seven or eight million Spirit Stone are missing from the warehouse."

"No wonder that Spirit Thief was so bold as to attack the market."

"Sigh, I can only earn a few thousand Spirit Stone a month now. I don't know when I'll be able to save up a million Spirit Stone."

After saying that, he grabbed the cup, tilted his head back, and downed it in one gulp.

"I don't think there's anything to envy about that."

The other person shook his head, disagreeing with this statement. "Those Spirit Thief are audacious and reckless, not realizing that they need to be alive to spend the money even if they have the life to take it."

He also picked up his glass and took a sip.

Then he continued, "The Gui Yun Sect sent two more teams yesterday, each with six Late-stage Golden Core disciples."

"I just happened to see them coming to the market to conduct an investigation."

"That Flying Sword, that Spirit Robe, tsk tsk tsk, they're all top-quality goods."

"I estimate it will cost at least 300,000 Spirit Stone."

"This time, the force deployed should be the real elite. It shouldn't be long before the Spirit Thief is captured and hung on the black iron spear."

As a second-tier Array Master, he earns slightly more Spirit Stone each month.

Naturally, they look down on those Spirit Thief only know how to loot.

However, in the midst of his conversation, he couldn't help but reveal a hint of longing for the Gui Yun Sect.

After all, those top-grade Flying Sword and Spirit Robe cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stone each. Even if he didn't eat, drink, or cultivate, it would take him almost ten years to save up for a set.

The two also discussed the prices of quite a few items.

"It sounds like the prices of Spirit Artifact here aren't too expensive."

Listening to their conversation, Xiao Chen gained a basic understanding of the prices of Spirit Artifact in the Cultivation World.

Most of it is pretty much the same as it used to be.

Some items may be a little more expensive, but overall, the price fluctuations can be considered normal.

"Fellow Daoist, your ' Drunken Immortal ' has arrived."

The steward promptly brought over the Spirit Wine on a large tray. "The other dishes are all cold, but this Spirit Fish is freshly fried. It will taste even better if you eat it while it's hot."

"If you need anything, you can call me again and I'll take it down and heat it up for you."

"Everything is ready, please enjoy your meal!"

He gave one more instruction before taking his leave.

"This fish is a little small."

Xiao Chen saw that even though the Spirit Fish on the plate was covered in batter, it was only about three inches long.

He picked up the plate and weighed it in his hand, estimating that the plate of small fish weighed only about ten pounds.

Although it sounds like a lot, it's actually just about ten small fish.

The main reason is that the flesh of the Spirit Fish is quite firm; a small one can weigh nearly a pound.

Moreover, based on the price conversion, this thing basically sells for thirty Spirit Stone per pound, which is honestly not cheap at all.

"Then try it while it's hot."

Xiao Chen was always one to listen to advice, so he immediately picked up a small fish that had been fried until golden brown and put it in his mouth.

With a gentle bite, it immediately produced a soft 'crunch' sound, like shattered jade falling onto a plate.

Breaking through the thin coating, the fresh fish inside bursts out, the scalding broth mixed with a hint of salt explodes on the tongue, and a sweet and savory flavor immediately lingers between the lips and teeth.

"Mmm, it really tastes delicious!"

In the past two years, Xiao Chen has actually eaten quite a few Sea Fish.

Especially with Su Li feeding them, they tasted almost every kind of seafood.

As a result, their tastes have become quite discerning.

He used to enjoy Spirit Fusion Spicy Sausage, but now he finds it just so-so.

However, despite its ordinary name, the dish was exceptionally well-made, which surprised him.

This is good stuff! I'll bring some back for Su Li to try before I go back.

"Why can their Spirit Fish be cooked so deliciously?"

Xiao Chen ate another one and found it to be exceptionally delicious. It seemed to have nothing to do with spices or cooking methods, but rather that the Spirit Fish itself was of very high quality.

Just as he was wondering what was going on, he heard shouts coming from downstairs.

"Daoist Zhang, come in and have some. They just received a batch of fresh Spirit Fish; they taste delicious."

"Oh, weren't we out of stock before? How come you sent new Spirit Fish from the blessed land so quickly this time?"

Upon hearing this, Fellow Daoist Zhang, who happened to be passing by, was immediately intrigued. "Thank you for the reminder, Daoist Wang. I'll have to shamelessly come in and have a taste."

"I've been busy dealing with warehouse matters these past few days, I just haven't been able to find the time."

"I almost missed this opportunity."

Now Xiao Chen immediately understood why the Spirit Fish here were more expensive and tasted better.

It turns out that these are good things flowing out of a blessed land.

Although he had never seen the blessed land, he could guess that it must be a place shrouded in a large Spirit Gathering Formation, with extremely rich Spiritual Qi.

The Spirit Fish raised there are naturally of higher quality.