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Ordinary people still mostly used gold, silver, and copper coins. What was worth mentioning was that Spirit Stones had astonishing purchasing power—a single ordinary Low-Grade Spirit Stone could be exchanged for ten taels of silver.

"Ten taels of silver? That much?" Back when he had passed the provincial examination and become a stipend student, he had only received six taels of silver each month.

Speaking of this, Bian Chunchou still could not let it go. "Right? So, doing the math, it costs a thousand taels of silver to get from here to the Heaven-Shattering Sword Sect. What kind of household can afford that? The one-way ticket is so expensive, and they can still bring themselves to pay for it!"

Wen Xu: ...

The two quickly went down the mountain. When the villagers below learned that they had come to take part in Yonglu Mountain's disciple selection, not only did they refuse to charge them, they were even willing to lend Wen Xu a set of new clothes. But Wen Xu declined, borrowing only an ordinary black cloak and promising to return it the next day.

With the cloak concealing him, the two finally entered the city without incident. Langyuan City was incomparably bustling, with cultivation shops established by every major sect. There were Golden Cauldron Pavilion's auction houses and spirit treasure shops, as well as places like Myriad Herbs Hall, which sold medicinal pills and spirit plants. These shops were built like castles in the air, cutting off any possibility of ordinary mortals wandering in by mistake.

Even though Wen Xu knew nothing about the Cultivation Realm, he could plainly see the superior social status cultivators held.

As for the more approachable shops, they were no different from those in the mortal world.

Both were newcomers to cultivation and barely knew how to use even simple spells or talismans. So, upon entering the city, they first bought new clothes, then charged straight into the bathhouse next door. One incense stick later, Wen Xu emerged glowing with health.

Naturally, he quietly stood a little farther away from Bian Chunchou.

"Hey, do you have to avoid me like I'm the god of pestilence? Fine, I won't scrub your back next time!" Bian Chunchou waved a hand, but still could not resist moving closer. "Wen Xu-Xu, after just a little tidying up, you've become this dazzling? Where did that strip of cloth over your eyes come from? It even matches the color. Did you tear up another skirt hem?"

Wen Xu reached up and touched it, then shook his head. "The proprietress of the clothing shop saw that I could not see, so she gave it to me with the clothes." He had originally wanted to confess the truth to Bian Chunchou, but it seemed cultivation did not really require eyes. Jade slips could be read with spiritual energy, while cultivation valued one's Spiritual Root and physique more. Here, there were no pursuits of rank and wealth, no comparisons in officialdom. After being blind for a day, he even felt that it was rather nice.

At the very least, now that he stood among a crowd, he would not look up and find that every person had grown into the same face.

"She must have given it to you because she thought you were handsome."

Bian Chunchou looked carefree and rough around the edges, but he was an exceptionally attentive person. As he walked beside Wen Xu, he kept slightly ahead of him, leaving enough room for Wen Xu to move. He knew cultivators had keen senses. Even without sight, Wen Xu-Xu, whose Qi Sea had been opened, could perceive the world and avoid obstacles. But he had promised to be Wen Xu's eyes—how could he do nothing at all? "Once we pass through here, Chenyang Street will be over there. Cultivators and mortals live together there. Most of the residents are descendants of cultivators and mortals."

As they walked, he introduced the city's layout and the shops lining both sides of the streets. Whenever the mood struck him, he even dragged Wen Xu inside to browse. They had clearly just emerged from the secret realm, yet who knew where he found such abundant energy.

Thanks to Bian Chunchou, Wen Xu rapidly absorbed all kinds of information about the Cultivation Realm. For example, he now knew that it was extremely difficult for cultivators to have descendants with other cultivators, so few cultivators married. This was especially true for female cultivators, who would never lightly give their hearts unless necessary. He also learned that the Cultivation Realm's largest merchant house was Golden Cauldron Pavilion. Golden Cauldron Pavilion possessed a large Spiritual Vein and operated shops covering every category of cultivation goods. It was said that when the young master of Golden Cauldron Pavilion went out, he traveled in a Golden-Feather Flowing Chariot and casually rewarded others with High-Grade Spirit Stones.

"Hey, why do these people only spread the news without making thunder? Such a fine way to earn Spirit Stones—where is the young master? Where is his contact information? This old servant merely wishes to help the young master."

Wen Xu was startled by Bian Chunchou's shamelessness. Who would call himself an old servant? He could not help saying, "Chunchou, you are very good. There is no need to belittle yourself like this."

Bian Chunchou laughed and leaned closer. "I'm joking. Why would the young master need anyone to serve him? Wen Xu-Xu, I've found that you're just a tiny bit old-fashioned."

Wen Xu could not help explaining, "I am merely... a gentleman restraining himself and returning to propriety."

...Ah, not listening, not listening, a turtle chanting scriptures.

"Besides, Golden Cauldron Pavilion is enormously wealthy. Even the guards accompanying them when they go out have to start at Golden Core level. I'm not qualified yet." Rumor had it that Golden Cauldron Pavilion's young master, Pei Mingshan, had unusual talent and seemed unable to cultivate. Others said he was so intelligent he was almost demon-like; though he possessed the body of a mortal, no one dared offend him.

Of course, in Bian Chunchou's view, he was already Golden Cauldron Pavilion's young master. Even if he were a pig, no one would dare offend him.

Once again, Wen Xu keenly realized that making a name for oneself in the Cultivation Realm was no easy matter.

The two strolled and stopped along the way, even having a meal midway through. At last, they reached the market Yonglu Mountain had established within Langyuan City. This market allowed only Yonglu Mountain disciples to set up stalls and trade. Though they had not yet entered the sect, they had passed the Preliminary Trial and could use their Mountain Examination tokens to enter and make purchases once.

The Outer Sect disciples guarding the market checked their tokens and promptly let them through.

"This place really sells things at twenty percent cheaper than the shops outside." Bian Chunchou exclaimed in delight. His purpose in coming was to buy some Blood-Recovery Pills and Qi-Replenishing Pills. If luck was on his side, he would also buy a couple of talismans to save his life. He was not picky—Blazing Fire Talismans or Wind-Riding Talismans would both do. They were good for fighting and fleeing alike. He had heard that the Mountain Examination did not forbid examinees from fighting each other, and that its questions changed every year, so he had not bothered to spend effort gathering information.

Besides, the information he had gathered was not entirely accurate. Take the Cloud-Breaking Secret Realm, for instance—those in the know all knew of the Fragrant Elixir King Grass. Only because he had run into Wen Xu had he stumbled into picking it by sheer chance.

"Senior Brother, how much are the Wind-Riding Talismans? Can you make them a little cheaper?"

The Yonglu Mountain disciple manning the stall raised his head and recognized at once that he was broke. "No bargaining. But if you placed in the top ten of the Preliminary Trial rankings, I can give you another twenty percent off."

Bian Chunchou was skilled at climbing the pole once handed it. "Senior Brother, you have Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze. I did indeed just pass the Preliminary Trial."