Chu Men opened the livestream panel. Looking at the flood of comments filling the livestream, he felt like he'd struck gold!
Other people deliberately put on a show for their livestreams. His act was completely natural!
"Lin Xiaoyu? Accept the voice call!"
Chu Men didn't rush to speak with Lin Xiaoyu. Instead, he turned to the old farmer and asked, like a reporter covering people's livelihoods:
"Sir, the rain just stopped, and you're already out here setting up a stall?"
The old farmer sighed and wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve:
"My grandson's going to have his Martial Soul Awakening next month. If he can awaken even one or two levels of Soul Power, this old man will finally have something to hope for.
"We grew a little lotus root at home, so I brought it out to sell. Soul Master Academies charge a pretty penny in tuition."
His voice had started out bitter, but as he spoke, he grew more and more animated, his eyes gradually filling with hope!
Chu Men chewed the lotus seeds in his mouth, savoring them carefully.
Xiao Wu followed his lead and lifted the hem of her skirt as she squatted down:
"Grandpa, you can apply to be a work-study student at an academy. You won't have to pay tuition. And after awakening your Martial Soul, you can even go to Spirit Hall to collect a subsidy."
The old farmer froze, his voice faltering. "Th-this... I've never heard of that. Is it true?"
"This weirdo... Teacher Chu is a teacher at a Soul Master Academy, Grandpa. Ask him!"
Xiao Wu pointed her little hand at Chu Men, dumping the problem in his lap.
The old farmer hurriedly grabbed a few more lotus pods and stuffed them into Chu Men's hands without taking no for an answer.
Chu Men replied helplessly, "Sir, I'm a lecturer at Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy. I really don't know much about the affairs of junior Soul Masters."
As he spoke, Chu Men shot Xiao Wu a glare:
"To receive a subsidy from Spirit Hall, you have to be a Soul Master of at least level ten!"
This Soft Bone Rabbit with Innate Full Soul Power really knew nothing of the world!
In the end,
the unqualified reporter gave the old farmer a few Gold Soul Coins and bought all his lotus pods.
Once they entered the night market, the farther they went, the brighter it became.
Xiao Wu cradled the half lotus pod she'd just snatched and curiously peeled a lotus seed, popping it into her mouth with the green seed coat still on.
After only a few chews, her little face scrunched up, and her eyes glistened with tears:
"So bitter, you meanie! You lied to me!"
Chu Men burst out laughing and handed her a bottle of honey water:
"Silly girl, the lotus seed's heart is bitter! Hahahaha!"
Xiao Wu waved the lotus pod in her hand in protest, then took out another lotus seed and, following Chu Men's instructions, removed its green core.
"Wow, it's so sweet!"
"You're overdoing it!"
Chu Men watched Xiao Wu's rabbit ears perk back up and sway from side to side, unable to hold back his laughter!
They turned a street corner, and the bustling Tiantou Night Market suddenly burst into view.
The rain had scoured the bluestone pavement until it gleamed, reflecting the lanterns hanging above the stalls on either side.
Together with the Soul Guidance Lamps outside the shops, the lights made the street look like a river flowing with scattered gold.
The charred fragrance of grilled meat, the sweetness of syrup, the aroma of fried pastries, and a faint, fresh scent of plants all mingled with the cool evening breeze and swept over them.
The stallholders' cries, the children's laughter, and the clink of coins changing hands all blended together, lively but never noisy!
People bustled to and fro, surrounded by pots, plates, and bowls. On this clearest of nights, they wove a scene brimming with the warmth of everyday life.
[Holy crap, this Douluo night market is so immersive.]
[I can practically smell the food—no more talking, big sis is going shopping!]
[So that's what night markets on Douluo Continent are like! Tourist spots back home should take notes!]
[Word is, there are already plans to build Douluo City. The culture and tourism department is giving it major support...]
Xiao Wu excitedly clasped Chu Men's hand. Her eyes were wide as saucers, and she turned her little head this way and that, finding everything fascinating.
Before long, the two of them came to a stall.
It was a little stand selling pan-fried Earth Spirit Root.
The stallholder was a middle-aged woman holding an iron spatula.
Thick slices of Earth Spirit Root sizzled on the iron griddle, their edges crisping as tiny beads of oil bubbled on the surface.
The woman flipped them now and then, sprinkling on a handful of spices. The aroma immediately wafted far down the street.
"Ma'am, two servings!" Chu Men handed over two Silver Soul Coins.
The woman quickly threaded the servings onto bamboo skewers. She handed one to Chu Men and the other to Xiao Wu:
"Out with your little sister, are you? What a pretty little girl!"
Chu Men smiled without answering.
Xiao Wu, meanwhile, savored the crisp, tender Earth Spirit Root and nodded her little head.
It was hard to tell whether she was agreeing that they were brother and sister or complimenting the woman's cooking.
The two soon reached the next stall, where little meatballs were being fried.
This stallholder had a good eye and handed Chu Men an entire bag of meatballs.
Chu Men speared one and put it in his mouth. It wasn't Soul Beast meat.
"This doesn't taste good. It's too spicy."
Xiao Wu looked disappointed and continued searching as they walked.
Huh?
Wait a second!
Xiao Wu had keen ears, and the "smack, smack" sounds behind her hadn't stopped once!
She immediately realized what was going on!
That despicable meanie!
"You lied to me! I can smell it! I want some! I want some!"
Xiao Wu refused to let it go.
Looking at the fairly sharp little rabbit, Chu Men chuckled and was about to let his guard down when Xiao Wu suddenly leaped!
The paper bag was snatched right out of his hands!
Xiao Wu stared at the golden-brown meatballs inside the paper bag, opened her little mouth, and took a big bite. She didn't even care that chili powder was stuck to the corner of her mouth.
As she ate, she mumbled indistinctly, "It's delicious, and not spicy at all! You're always lying, meanie!"
[The streamer's conscience is rotten to the core!]
[Someone in the comments already drew a reaction image: Sister Xiao Wu's sky-high leap! Too adorable!]
[Streamer, take this combo from my Sister Xiao Wu—Explosive Eight-Stage Throw!]
Seeing Xiao Wu's face gleaming with grease as she ate, Chu Men pulled out a handkerchief and carefully wiped the corner of her mouth.
He teased her with a smile:
"Just look at you. You eat nonstop all day. Aren't you afraid you'll get fat?
"But I suppose that's a good thing. Even if I've raised a little pig, and she doesn't save me any money, at least she's no trouble. Hahaha!"
"Hmph! You're the little pig!"
She said that, but the meatball she'd just speared hovered by her mouth for a long while before she finally held it out to Chu Men.
Chu Men bent down and took a bite. It was delicious.
The light slipped over Chu Men's shoulder and spilled across Xiao Wu's face.
Her eyes sparkled as if they were brimming with stars.
They ate as they strolled, and soon came to an area where street performers had gathered.
A ring of spectators surrounded it, their cheers rising one after another.
Holding Xiao Wu's hand, Chu Men squeezed to the front of the crowd.
A worn red cloth lay in the middle of the performance area. Three Soul Masters were putting on a show.
The first to step forward was a little girl in a pale green dress, who looked about twelve or thirteen.
She summoned her Martial Soul—a white dandelion.
Then a white Soul Ring rose beneath her feet.
"First Soul Skill, Dance of the Dandelion!"
The girl gave a soft cry. The dandelion Martial Soul she held aloft instantly burst apart, becoming countless tiny white tufts that drifted slowly through the air.
Under the light of special Soul Guidance Lamps, the flying tufts looked like a romantic snowfall.
They settled in the audience's hair and on their shoulders.
Xiao Wu curiously touched one, and it turned into specks of light before vanishing.
[Wow! That's so beautiful!]
[The language of dandelions is a love that cannot linger!]
[What a romantic Martial Soul! I'm sending the little girl a heart—Streamer, don't you dare pocket it!]
Chu Men was feeling flush with money, but he didn't show off too much. He tipped her one Silver Soul Coin.
The second performer was a chubby, middle-aged man.
He laughed heartily, clasped his hands in greeting, and summoned his Martial Soul—
a huge black iron wok!
Right after that, two yellow Soul Rings rose beneath his feet!
Before you continue