Ah, but I still have a whole heap of troubles to sort out. How could I spare any attention for this little girl? On second thought, Li Xiaoya shook his head and dismissed the idea.
As he followed Lingyu, the paths grew narrower and narrower. Gradually, people began peering at them from shadowy spots on either side. They seemed to realize that Li Xiaoya was not someone to provoke, however, and each concealed their aura, leaving no trace of their presence. But how could that escape his divine sense?
Only after a full hour did they arrive before a squat little building in a secluded spot, much like an ordinary mortal's general store. Lingyu beckoned to Li Xiaoya and walked inside on her own. Li Xiaoya felt as though they had already left the cultivators' Market District and reached the mortal dwellings at the foot of the mountain.
"Oh my! Little Lingyu! Have you brought another senior this time?" The moment she saw Lingyu enter, a plump, fair-skinned middle-aged woman in gaudy clothes cried out in warm welcome. At the sight of Li Xiaoya behind her, the proprietress beamed even more broadly and reached out to draw Lingyu over.
"Heehee! Proprietress, I've brought you a big customer this time!" Lingyu giggled, letting the proprietress pull her closer.
"Oh! This senior is certainly well built! Are you a Body Refiner?" The proprietress looked Li Xiaoya up and down, then cupped her hands toward him, neither servile nor overbearing.
"No!" Li Xiaoya answered with a stern face. The proprietress was only at middle true cultivation, yet she could speak to him with such composure. Clearly, she had seen a great deal of the world. Or perhaps her confidence came more from the two Core Condensation Stage cultivators stationed behind the counter?
"Oh!