Chen Lin was astonished that such a crude settlement could actually block probing senses.
He immediately grew cautious.
Only after raising his guard and preparing his defenses did he walk through the city gate.
"Hm?"
The sight inside surprised Chen Lin even more. Far from deserted, it was bustling. Numerous exquisite buildings lined both sides of a straight street.
People came and went, chatting and laughing.
Nothing suggested they were in the middle of a mission. It looked no different from an ordinary market.
"Need anything, fellow Daoist?"
When Chen Lin approached a stall, its owner greeted him with a smile.
It felt like being bathed in a spring breeze.
His wariness instantly dissipated. A long-forgotten sense of ease welled up, making him forget both the mission and his reason for coming.
"How much is this fruit?"
Chen Lin pointed at a white fruit the size of a fist. He did not recognize it, but its fresh fragrance made his mouth water. He could not resist wanting a taste.
"You have a discerning eye, fellow Daoist."
The stallholder, an old man with white eyebrows, picked up the fruit with a cheerful smile. "This White Jade Fruit is a specialty of Qiantuo Ridge. It grows on sheer cliffs, taking three thousand years to flower, three thousand years to bear fruit, and another three thousand years to ripen. Eat just one, and your skin will remain as white as jade forever. Your charm will radiate in all directions, and everyone who sees you will sing your praises!"
Chen Lin was somewhat dumbfounded.
A spiritual fruit that took nearly ten thousand years to ripen, and all it did was whiten skin?
That was utterly worthless.
Cultivators could change their skin to whatever color they pleased. They had no need for outside help.
He