Ch 7: Playing The Field
“Where are we going?”
Liu Xixi, walking out of the Main Peak’s Guest Area, looked around, appearing very excited.
Xia Jiuyuan scanned the crowds pointing and discussing them, and couldn’t help but reveal a wry smile.
My connections’ divine might will apparently need to advance to another level by tomorrow.
“To the foot of Ask Dao Sect’s mountain, that’s the most prosperous mortal world in the entire Southern Territory.”
“Ah? To the mortal world?”
“Yes, while Ask Dao Sect is beautiful, the scenic beauty of mountains and rivers, I think your Liu Jing Forest is not inferior.
The beauty of the Human Race should be found in the mortal world.”
Xia Jiuyuan’s words were filled with an attitude towards the mortal world different from that of conventional cultivators.
“But it’s already night, shouldn’t mortals be sleeping?”
“Speaking of the mortal world, it’s still under Ask Dao Sect, with a mixed crowd, not a small number of cultivators, and even some organizations from the Western Territory and Eastern Territory…
For example, the Trinity Church in the Eastern Territory, the Knights in the Western Territory, or the Wind and Rain Pavilion that spans the Three Realms of Humanity.”
Xia Jiuyuan spoke while pulling Liu Xixi’s sleeve, pulling her onto Cloud Chaser and flying her outside the peak.
“Look—”
From atop Cloud Chaser, where Xia Jiuyuan pointed, lights were bright, scattered like stars across the mortal world, their dazzling radiance interwoven into this flowing Scroll.
Little Liu Xixi was mesmerized. Since arriving at Ask Dao Sect, she had never seen such a scene.
“This—is this Spirit Light Stone, or a Spell, or perhaps a Formation—”
“None of the above, this is the miracle of a Spiritless Method, which I prefer to call Science.”
“Spiritless Method? Science?”
“Yes, the source of these lights is Light Bulbs; they don’t need Spiritual Energy, only something called electricity.
It is precisely because of them that the Marketplace can appear at night. As far as I know, only mortals here in the entire Southern Territory have the fortune to possess such rich Nightlife.”
“Xixi doesn’t understand, but Xixi feels it’s very amazing.”
“If you’re interested, I can show you more about Spiritless Methods.”
Xia Jiuyuan observed Liu Xixi, who nodded excitedly.
This Child, subjectively, likes to go out and play. So, if she kept herself shut in her room, there’s only one possibility: Elders forbade it!
In that case, would it really be okay for him to bring her out without permission?
It should be fine, right?
He placed a Jade Token in his palm. If there were any Special Circumstances, he could quickly crush it to call Uncle Li for help.
With all his Magical Artifacts, he shouldn’t meet an accident right at his doorstep, right?
The cautious Xia Jiuyuan could not imagine how superfluous his actions were.
Because every move the two of them made was being secretly watched by three World-Ending Strongmen!
The two sat on Cloud Chaser and flew down to the Marketplace. Mortals were already accustomed to it.
Liu Xixi proactively grabbed Xia Jiuyuan’s sleeve, excited yet fearful.
The surrounding vendors, upon seeing a Beastman, got energized and started loudly hawking their goods.
“Look, Seven Colors~”
Liu Xixi pointed at the fluffy thing and asked, “What is it?”
“You’ll know if you try it.”
Saying this, Xia Jiuyuan threw out a Second-Order Spirit Stone.
The currency circulating in this World was Spirit Stones; even mortals used Spirit Stones.
To put it in plain language,
A First-Order Spirit Stone is equivalent to 1 yuan, a Second-Order to 10 yuan, and a Third-Order Spirit Stone to 100 yuan. In the hands of mortals, the Spirit Stones in circulation are at most up to Third-Order. Above Third-Order, the exchange ratio is no longer a simple tenfold increase but fluctuates with market dynamics.
Xia Jiuyuan handed it to Liu Xixi and, looking at the thriving Marketplace, said proudly:
“Only here can one eat so many Delicacies.”
“Why? In the Three Realms of Humanity, are the Western Territory and Eastern Territory not good?”
“No, among the Three Realms of Humanity, entertainment is not best in my Southern Territory.”
Liu Xixi put the candy into her mouth and was so delighted it made her fur stand on end.
“Wow, it’s delicious! So delicious! Hmm… why is entertainment best in the Southern Territory?”
Such a curious baby, asking about everything. But Xia Jiuyuan’s lips curved upward; this was the sentence he was waiting for.
“Because the Southern Territory has me; I invented this.”
“Ah?”
Liu Xixi was stunned.
“Although Light Bulbs weren’t invented by me, these Colored Lights, these designs, this idea for the Marketplace, it was all handled by me.”
“Ah?”
“Look, those Drinks were also improved by me.”
Liu Xixi followed the direction Xia Jiuyuan pointed and saw a pile of colorful little sweet drinks.
“Here, these Toys were also promoted by me.”
They were colorful little blocks, some black and white chess pieces, and cards with strange patterns.
“That Clay Oven Chicken is also my invention.”
Liu Xixi swallowed her saliva.
“And these Pastries, I came up with all of them!”
“You—you—”
Xia Jiuyuan was very satisfied with Liu Xixi’s sparkling eyes and continued:
“Actually, none of these are much. Speaking broadly, some systems in the mortal world are currently also following my path.”
“How did you do it?!”
Xia Jiuyuan was unusually humble about such a question, as these things were all copied; he didn’t have the audacity to claim them as his own.
“These aren’t difficult; it’s just that everyone else puts their energy into Cultivation.”
As they walked and talked, Liu Xixi was filled with Emotional Value, praising Xia Jiuyuan profusely.
…
After a hearty meal, the small stalls and vendors gradually began to pack up.
Even with lights, this place couldn’t recreate an eternal city.
“Xixi, it’s getting a bit late today. They’re starting to pack up, let’s prepare to go back.”
“Ah…”
Although they had browsed for over half an hour, Liu Xixi’s energy had not diminished at all. Hearing that they were going back, her tail and ears drooped.
“We can come out again tomorrow.”
“Okay, okay.”
Her tail and ears perked up again. So cute.
“Sir, Miss, would you like a Divination?”
The two were attracted by the shout. Liu Xixi wagged her tail and stopped, her eyes filled with curious questions.
“Divination?”
“Yes, Divination from the Western Territory.”
Saying this, the mysterious hooded woman handed two Cards to Liu Xixi and Xia Jiuyuan.
“Are you a cultivator?”
Xia Jiuyuan stopped Liu Xixi and cautiously gripped the Jade Token in his hand.
As long as there was any abnormality, he would crush the Jade Token, and Uncle Li would instantly descend.
“Yes.”
The hooded woman raised her head, her azure eyes looking at Xia Jiuyuan.
“Under Sect Leader Li’s nose, I wouldn’t dare act recklessly. Don’t you even have this much courage?”
Speaking frankly? Although it was a provocation, Xia Jiuyuan was not afraid.
He thought about it. After all, he would have to meet Uncle Li afterward, so he wasn’t afraid of this mysterious person leaving any Hidden Move on him. Thus, he took the Card.
Liu Xixi’s ears twitched, and her brow furrowed. Very reluctantly, she also took a Card.
“Don’t be nervous. Let me see… Oh dear,” the hooded woman was taken aback.
“This isn’t right…”
Xia Jiuyuan chuckled lightly:
“Can’t see my future?”
“Yes…”
“Then that’s right.”
The hooded woman glanced at Liu Xixi, then pretended to be unconvinced and continued to close her eyes and divine.
Liu Xixi looked at the Cards in her hand and said reluctantly:
“Xia Jiuyuan, I was very happy today, but is your goal really just to help me?”
“Really, I can swear! I will help you to the best of my ability.”
Xia Jiuyuan played with the Card in his hand, looking at Liu Xixi with excitement.
Has she finally said it? Xia Jiuyuan wondered in his heart.
“Hmm… Actually, I don’t really need any help right now.” Liu Xixi’s words carried a hint of hesitation.
This was a Lie. Liu Xixi had clearly enjoyed herself so much today that she obviously craved playing. Therefore, her staying in her room during the previous period must have had hidden reasons.
Xia Jiuyuan really wanted to ask directly, but on second thought, since Liu Xixi hadn’t brought it up voluntarily, it meant their Relationship hadn’t reached that point yet. He should wait a bit longer; it was a good interaction tonight anyway.
He boldly used his finger to gently tap Liu Xixi’s forehead.
“It’s not just fine. Sect Leader Li assigned me this Task, which is to help you solve problems. If I don’t help you solve problems, then this Task won’t be completed. Shall we continue to play in the mortal world tomorrow?”
“Ah? But I don’t have any problems…”
“Just tell me if I haven’t helped you solve a problem or not?”
Hearing such a rogue conversation, Liu Xixi finally broke into a smile.
“Yes. Then let’s come again tomorrow!”
“Tsk.”
The hooded woman shook her head. Although she couldn’t see Xia Jiuyuan’s fate at all, based on his words, he was undoubtedly a seasoned player in matters of the heart.
With a slight movement of her fingers, before the two could react, she took the Cards from their hands.
“My ability is limited; I won’t make a fool of myself here.”
When Xia Jiuyuan heard this and turned his head, she had already disappeared from the Marketplace.
“This person…”
“It’s fine, I don’t think she has any ill intentions… Let’s go back.”
The two returned to the Ask Dao Sect’s Main Peak after wandering around. Throughout the journey, Liu Xixi seemed unenthusiastic.
But Xia Jiuyuan didn’t think much of it; he considered it a normal phenomenon, similar to Sunday Afternoon Syndrome.
…
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