Xiao Yan's Excitement

Seeing Zhu Zhuqing's fine clothes, the stall owner hurried to greet her with enthusiasm.

"Take a look at these Magic Cores, miss. Every one of them is in perfect condition, without a scratch. They're excellent for refining medicine or giving as gifts."

Zhu Zhuqing sorted through them and finally chose a green Magic Core of comparatively good quality.

"How much?"

The stall owner held up three fingers.

"That'll be 300 gold coins, thank you."

Zhu Zhuqing paused. She had no idea what gold coins were worth on the Dou Qi Continent, but the number sounded steep. She instinctively turned to Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan's mouth twitched. Why are you looking at me? It's my first time here too!

He cleared his throat and delivered a time-honored bargaining line.

"Three hundred? For an ordinary first-tier Magic Core? That's a bit much. What, do you think you can fleece us because we're new here?"

The stall owner kept smiling and tried to smooth things over.

"Sir, this Magic Core is brimming with energy. It just came back from the Magical Beast Mountain Range. My price is already fair."

"So what? You're not the only one selling Magic Cores. Here's your chance to name another price. If I don't like it, we're leaving."

As he spoke, Lu Chuan took the Magic Core from Zhu Zhuqing and put it back on the stall. He caught her wrist and made as though to lead her to another stall.

"Wait, wait! 280! 260! 220! I can't go any lower or I'll lose money!"

The stall owner reached out, looking pained.

"Fine, we'll take—"

Lu Chuan's gaze flicked aside and landed on a small iron piece. Wait... Could that be the Dou Technique Xiao Yan picked up for a bargain? That could be startup capital too. I'm taking it first!

"Throw in a few trinkets."

Lu Chuan lifted his chin toward a pile of unwanted odds and ends in the corner of the stall. An unremarkable Black Iron Piece lay among them.

The stall owner winced. But with the Magic Core already down to 220 gold coins, he might not make a sale all day if this fell through. He gritted his teeth.

"Deal! Take the lot!"

Lu Chuan scooped up the Black Iron Piece and the heap of battered junk with it, putting everything into his Soul Tool.

Then he pressed the smooth, faintly glowing Wood-Attribute Magic Core into Zhu Zhuqing's hand.

Zhu Zhuqing reached for her Gold Card to pay, then abruptly remembered she was no longer on the Douluo Continent.

She could only stand there and look helplessly at Lu Chuan.

"Senior, could you lend me some cash? I'll definitely pay you back when we return."

"Sure. No need to be so formal with me."

Lu Chuan counted 220 Gold Soul Coins out of his Soul Tool and set them on the stall. He had stolen them anyway, so spending them didn't hurt.

Seeing how readily Lu Chuan paid, Zhu Zhuqing felt a warmth in her heart.

The stall owner had been delighted to make a sale, but once the coins were in his hands, confusion spread across his face. He picked one up, examined it closely, then bit it.

"Sir, what country are you from? I've never seen gold coins like these."

Of course you haven't. It would be stranger if you had.

"Just tell me—is it gold?"

"Yes, but the design on it..."

"If it's gold, that's all that matters."

With that, Lu Chuan impatiently pulled Zhu Zhuqing away from the stall.

Zhu Zhuqing looked down at the wrist Lu Chuan held firmly in his hand. She could clearly feel its warmth.

They walked a long way down the bustling street. The stalls and crowds around them changed several times, but he showed no sign of letting go.

After hesitating for a moment, she reminded him softly.

"Senior, we've gone far enough."

"Mm, I know." Lu Chuan looked perfectly at ease and did not even slow down.

Zhu Zhuqing felt a little helpless. She spoke again, her voice even quieter.

"Then could you let go? So many people are looking at us."

Lu Chuan glanced at her and answered as if it were obvious.

"No. This street is crowded, and you don't know your way around. What if you get lost?"

Zhu Zhuqing sighed. She made no attempt to pull free and simply let him lead her, following quietly at his side.

As Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing asked for directions to the Xiao Family and the Mittel Auction House, a young man and a young woman noticed them.

"Brother Xiao Yan, look at those two. Their clothes are so strange. They don't seem to be from the Jia Ma Empire, and it sounds like they're asking where the Xiao Family is."

Xun'er watched the girl in the cat-styled leather outfit with curiosity.

(Young miss, that girl is only at the sixth stage of Dou Qi, but there's a special power inside her. It's neither Dou Qi nor Soul Force.)

At Elder Ling's transmitted message, Xiao Xun'er showed nothing on her face, though she grew wary.

(Elder Ling, they're dressed strangely and seem to be hiding a great secret, yet they've come to a frontier town like Wutan City and are asking about the Xiao Clan. Could they be from the Hun Clan?)

(It doesn't seem likely. Hun Clan members wouldn't draw so much attention. Would you like me to investigate?)

(Yes. Find out where they came from. If they are from the Hun Clan, don't make a move yet.)

"Brother Xiao Yan, let's go eat."

Xun'er looked away and suppressed her curiosity, intending to take Xiao Yan away first.

Until she knew who those two were, it was best not to approach them and invite unnecessary trouble.

But no matter how gently Xun'er tugged, Xiao Yan stood rooted to the spot. She could not budge him.

"Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xun'er called to him, her face full of confusion.

Xiao Yan's eyes had reddened slightly. He looked intensely excited, his heart pounding as though he had seen something unbelievable.

"Xun'er, wait here a moment. There's something I need to check."

With that, he hurried toward Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing.

"Hey, brother! Wait up!"

He called out as he ran.

Xun'er had no idea why Xiao Yan had suddenly lost his composure. After a brief hesitation, she hurried after him.

Lu Chuan stopped at the shout and turned toward the approaching young man. A flicker of understanding crossed his eyes.

Ding! Eligible customers detected.

Customer: Xiao Yan

Region: Battle Through the Heavens

Current Dou Qi level: Third Stage of Dou Qi

Customer: Gu Xun'er

Region: Battle Through the Heavens

Current Dou Qi level: Ninth Stage of Dou Qi (true level: Four-Star Dou Zhe)

Trade options:

1. Limited-time travel to the Douluo Continent. (Trade conditions pending review)

2. Commissioned trade. (Trade conditions vary according to the customer's request)

It's those two, all right. But why is Xiao Yan calling us over?

Lu Chuan was puzzled, but he immediately pulled Zhu Zhuqing behind him.

He looked at Xiao Yan as he ran up and asked, "Were you calling us?"

Xiao Yan nodded emphatically. His voice was full of urgency, and his eyes were fixed on Lu Chuan's clothes.

"Yes! Brother, are those clothes yours, or did you buy them from someone else?"

Lu Chuan glanced down at himself, baffled.

It's just an ordinary set of casual clothes.

Then it clicked.

Everyone on the Dou Qi Continent wore old-fashioned robes or fitted martial attire.

But he was wearing the modern clothes he had brought with him when he crossed over from Blue Star.

Xiao Yan had probably seen his out-of-place clothes and mistaken him for someone who, like himself, had crossed over from Blue Star.

Zhu Zhuqing stood quietly behind Lu Chuan, watching the visibly agitated Xiao Yan with a trace of confusion.

Xun'er hurried to Xiao Yan's side. She studied Lu Chuan and Zhu Zhuqing warily, quietly putting herself on guard.