Li Xiaoya followed the unfamiliar cultivator across the bridge to the two-tiered deck on the other side. There were suddenly far more demonic-path cultivators and rogue cultivators here, as well as many more Heavenly Dao Sect cultivators patrolling vigilantly. This surprised him somewhat. Only later did he learn that this half of the ship was the free-trading area, and most of its shops were rented out by the Heavenly Dao Sect. Following the unfamiliar cultivator this way and that across the deck, he crossed a broad street, passed seven or eight buildings, and entered one of them. Inside was actually a shop, with merchandise that seemed to consist entirely of materials unique to the Heavenly Spirit Church. Evidently, it was a shop run by the church. Quite a few people were browsing. The unfamiliar cultivator showed a token to an attendant, then went through a small door to one side.
"Brother Xiaoya! Have a seat!" After passing through a corridor into a rather elegant hall, the unfamiliar cultivator casually pointed to a stool. The voice had unmistakably become Zhou Xiaoya's.
"Hehe! To think I made you come looking for me, little sister Xiaoya. I really feel bad about that!" Li Xiaoya sat down and chuckled, then changed the subject. "By the way, little sister Xiaoya, when did you arrive?"
"Ah, Brother Xiaoya! I've already been at this market for half a year!" Zhou Xiaoya's first words gave Li Xiaoya quite a shock.
"Half a year? Why have you been here so long?" Li Xiaoya paused, then asked in puzzlement.
"Hehe! All because of this little shop!" Zhou Xiaoya chuckled. Seeing his puzzled expression, she quickly explained, "Actually, our Heavenly Spirit Church never had a shop in the Treasure Ship Market before. We only opened this one in the last six