Jing Wen keenly noticed the odd expression that flashed across Wang Ziling's face beside him, as though he found Jing Wen's explanation baffling.
At the same time, Zhang Dequan's furious, muttered curses drifted faintly into his ears from behind.
Yet Jing Wen acted as though he had heard nothing. His expression was as calm as still water, and not a ripple stirred within him.
In his eyes, these people were nothing more than walking ingredients for pill refinement.
What should I do when pill ingredients look down on me?
Simple. Refine them into pills.
In truth, however, the seemingly nonsensical words Jing Wen had just spoken were no passing whim.
Wang Ziling and Zhang Dequan's sharp exchanges as they fought over him, their "customer," had already drawn sidelong glances from many passersby.
In this Market, where fish and dragons mingled, the slightest carelessness could expose his true purpose and invite unnecessary trouble.
That was why he had improvised those deliberately misleading words.
"This way, fellow Daoist." Wang Ziling eagerly led the way, occasionally glancing back with a fawning smile.
"Miss Xin lives a little out of the way, but the surroundings are peaceful. They're ideal for studying formations."
Along the way, Wang Ziling eagerly introduced her. "Miss Xin's full name is Xin Ruoyin. She moved here half a year ago.
"She isn't well known, but her mastery of the Formation Dao is remarkable!"
Jing Wen replied with apparent nonchalance, though his gaze swept their surroundings from time to time.
As they left the central district, the buildings grew increasingly sparse, and the road gradually became a narrow, winding trail through a bamboo grove.
"Just up ahead." Wang Ziling pointed toward several bamboo cottages faintly visible in the distance.
"Still, Miss Xin does have an odd temper. Whether she receives visitors