As Xiao Qing and the other seven stepped through the gates of Suotuo City, the clamor of the bustling streets swept over them.
The endless cries of street vendors, haggling, clattering carts and horses, and children's laughter all mingled together.
For Ning Rongrong, who had grown up surrounded by top-tier auction houses and rare treasures, this sort of bustle was nothing special.
But perhaps she had been cooped up at the academy for a week of grueling cultivation, or perhaps it was the novelty of going out with friends her own age. Whatever the reason, she was especially excited.
Whenever she spotted a novel accessory, a piece of clothing, or a cute little ornament, all it took was one glance from her or Xiao Wu or Zhu Zhuqing, and she would buy it without even asking the price.
Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Oscar, who were accompanying them, soon learned what it meant to bear a "sweet burden."
Ning Rongrong's spending power was astonishing, and she knew exactly what she wanted. She bought things for the girls, and "while she was at it," picked up a few things for the boys who were "working so hard carrying everything."
Tang San received a pair of wrist guards chosen by Xiao Wu, while Dai Mubai got a set of knuckle-dusters picked out by Zhu Zhuqing.
Since Oscar was carrying Ning Rongrong's things, he received a pendant she had chosen to match him perfectly.
As for Ma Hongjun's "spoils," they all ended up in his stomach.
He ate his way from one end of the street to the other, his hands and mouth never stopping. Satisfaction was written all over his chubby face as he mumbled recommendations from time to time.
"This one's delicious! Third Brother, try some!"
"Rongrong, Xiao Wu, they're selling rock-candy-glazed Crimson Fruits over there. They're so sweet!"
Xiao Qing didn't join in their activities. He only stopped to browse at a few general stores and shops dealing in Soul Beasts.
He bought some materials for making toys, a few jars of honey, and two jin of Crimson Fruits for Xiao Feng and the others.
Ever since arriving at Shrek, the three Soul Beasts had interacted more with humans. Combined with Xiao Qing's deliberate encouragement, they had gradually developed some simple preferences and even begun to act a little like "pets."
Of course, Xiao Qing didn't think there was anything wrong with that.
They were there to have fun, but they hadn't forgotten Dean Flender's instructions.
Once Ning Rongrong had mostly satisfied her shopping urge and Ma Hongjun had eaten his fill, Dai Mubai took the initiative to lead them to Suotuo City's Soul Master market.
The atmosphere there was completely different from the main street.
Most of the goods traded here were supplies that Soul Masters might need for cultivation, combat, healing, or even hunting Soul Beasts.
Tang San planned to buy several specific medicinal herbs to make insect-repelling powder, an essential item for entering the Star Dou Great Forest.
He quickly stopped at a stall specializing in medicinal herbs and began haggling over the price of several ingredients with a middle-aged Soul Master who sported a pair of rat-like whiskers.
While Tang San focused on bargaining, Xiao Qing's attention was drawn to a stall tucked away in an inconspicuous corner nearby.
The stall was tiny. Apart from a gray cloth on the ground, with a pile of slips of paper on top, there was only a crude wooden sign that read, "Information on Soul Beast tracks and rare materials for sale."
Behind the stall sat a gaunt old man in a robe washed nearly white, dozing with his eyes closed.
What caught Xiao Qing's eye was a slip of paper pinned beneath the others. His gaze swept over it, then stopped on one line:
"Southwestern outer region of the Star Dou Forest. Suspected traces of Blood-Vein Python activity. Estimated age: 1,300 to 1,500 years. Price: 50 Gold Soul Coins."
Blood-Vein Python.
Information about this Soul Beast immediately surfaced in Xiao Qing's memory.
It was a rather rare python-type Soul Beast with exceptionally vigorous blood and qi. Its scales were dark red, patterned with intricate markings like veins, hence the name Blood-Vein Python.
This kind of Soul Beast held great appeal for Power Attack and defensive Soul Masters.
Absorbing its Soul Ring offered a high chance of granting a Soul Skill that could directly or indirectly strengthen a Soul Master's blood and qi and physique, or even provide some kind of life-restoring effect.
Xiao Qing had paid attention to the Blood-Vein Python because it reminded him that they were going to hunt a third Soul Ring for Oscar tomorrow.
Oscar was a food-system Soul Master, and his Soul Skills essentially used food as a vessel to grant all sorts of effects to whoever ate it.
If Oscar absorbed a Soul Ring from a Soul Beast with such vigorous blood and qi, could his third Soul Skill create a sausage that strengthened the eater's blood, qi, and physique?
The thought stirred something in Xiao Qing.
Most Soul Masters weren't very physically strong. The moment they faced a slightly powerful Soul Beast, their bodies were as fragile as crackers.
If Oscar succeeded, wouldn't their physical strength leave a whole lot of people in the dust?
And even if Oscar didn't get the ideal "physique-enhancing" sausage, the Blood-Vein Python's traits made it highly likely he would gain a Soul Skill related to restoring blood and qi or temporarily enhancing their condition. Either way, it wouldn't be a loss.
"Come over here, all of you."
Xiao Qing called over the others, who were browsing nearby. At his words, Tang San and the rest immediately gathered around. Xiao Qing didn't explain, only gesturing for them to look at the information about the Blood-Vein Python on the slip of paper.
Oscar leaned closer and read it aloud. "Blood-Vein Python? Thirteen to fifteen hundred years? This Soul Beast is famous for its vigorous blood and qi."
Dai Mubai stroked his chin. "The Blood-Vein Python's certainly a good choice, but can we trust the information?"
Though Ning Rongrong didn't know as much about Soul Beasts as they did, she could tell from their discussion that this one was no ordinary beast. She asked curiously, "Could its Soul Ring produce some kind of special sausage?"
Xiao Qing looked at Oscar and stated his idea plainly. "You're a food-system Soul Master, and your Soul Skills mainly 'grant effects.' I was thinking that if you absorbed its Soul Ring, your third Soul Skill might let you make sausages that enhance the eater's physical strength. Even if it only enhanced one aspect instead of everything, that would still be extremely valuable to the team."
Oscar's breathing quickened slightly. A sausage that enhanced physical strength?!
The idea set his heart ablaze. If it really worked, his support would no longer be limited to recovery and attribute boosts. He could directly improve his teammates' physical foundations!
This was an entirely unprecedented path for a food-system Soul Master!
"The information needs to be verified, and the age could be risky, but... it's worth a try."
Oscar looked at Dai Mubai and Tang San, longing and determination in his eyes.
Tang San nodded. "The Blood-Vein Python really is an ideal target. The information's expensive, but if it's accurate, it'll save us a lot of time searching and sorting through possibilities."
Dai Mubai agreed as well. "Fifty Gold Soul Coins for a reliable lead on a high-value Soul Beast isn't outrageous at a Soul Master market. That old man looks like he specializes in selling information. People like him usually have their own channels and rules about their reputation. He wouldn't sell something too false and ruin his name."
"Buy it." Xiao Qing made the decision without another word, then looked toward the old man in the gray robe.
The old man seemed to notice their attention and slowly opened his eyes.
He glanced at the eight boys and girls gathered in front of his stall, his gaze lingering especially on Xiao Qing, Dai Mubai, and Tang San. Then he spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Interested in the Blood-Vein Python information? Fifty Gold Soul Coins, no bargaining. Once the money and goods are exchanged, that's the end of it. Whether you find it afterward or manage to hunt it is none of my concern. The information is from three days ago. The traces may still be there, or they may be gone. Use your own judgment."
Xiao Qing said nothing. He simply took out a money pouch, counted out fifty Gold Soul Coins, and stacked them neatly on the gray cloth in front of the old man.
The old man reached out with a withered hand and slowly gathered up the coins one by one, his movements steady.
Then he pulled out the yellowed slip of paper pinned beneath a pebble and took a letter from the large chest behind him.
"The letter describes where the Blood-Vein Python was encountered. It likes cool, damp places and often lurks in rock crevices, marshes, or hollows beneath the roots of ancient trees. Be careful. That thing's no pushover, and its last-ditch counterattack can be a real nuisance."
Xiao Qing opened the letter, read it carefully, and memorized the contents before handing it to Oscar.
"Keep it safe. Show it to the dean and Teacher Zhao when we get back."
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