Ian Song and Wendy Lin entered the city through the East Flower Gate.
Once inside, they saw the bustling East Flower Market, packed with people and lively as could be.
The so-called market was really just a trading hub.
So, the whole East Flower District was lined with shops of all kinds, and cultivators of every stripe could be found everywhere.
The Tang Dynasty’s capital was divided into three layers. The first layer was the outer city, which anyone could enter.
The second layer was the inner city, protected by formation arrays. Only nobles, powerful cultivators, wealthy merchants, and the like lived there. Notably, the Prime One Church’s main altar was located in the inner city.
Because of this, you couldn’t just enter the inner city like the outer city. Every entry required a mid-grade spirit crystal, and you couldn’t stay longer than ten days. If you exceeded that, you’d have to pay again or be kicked out.
The third layer was the royal city, reserved for the royal family. Without a royal summons, no one could set foot inside. Otherwise, the palace guards—who weren’t to be trifled with—would show you what royal authority really meant.
“Wow, Brother Song, there are so many people here!”
As soon as she stepped into the market, Wendy Lin was stunned by all the hustle and bustle.
“Yeah, let’s go have a look around.” Ian Song smiled and nodded.
“Sure!”
Inside the market were proper shops and street stalls. The sheer variety of goods was dizzying—even Ian felt overwhelmed by all the choices.
As soon as Wendy Lin stopped to look, the stall owner enthusiastically introduced her wares: “Miss, looking to buy something? Don’t let my little stand fool you—I’ve got everything: flying swords, pills, spirit herbs, talismans, jewelry, you name it.”
The stall owner was a dark-skinned young woman. If her skin weren’t so dark, she’d be considered a real beauty.
Her cultivation was hidden by a treasure that concealed her aura, but Ian could still tell she was at the Golden Core stage. He also noticed her dark skin was actually covered with medicinal dye, clearly meant to disguise her true appearance.
Seeing Wendy Lin was genuinely interested, the stall owner became even more enthusiastic in pitching her goods.
When she mentioned the ‘Beautifying Pill,’ Wendy Lin’s eyes lit up and she looked quite interested.
The Beautifying Pill wasn’t considered a high-grade pill. As long as he had the ingredients, Ian could make as many as he wanted.
“Sister, how much is one Beautifying Pill?” Wendy Lin asked. On their journey here, she’d defeated a lot of evil cultivators—not killing them, but crippling their cultivation and taking their storage bags or rings.
So among cultivators of her level, Wendy Lin was basically a little rich girl.
“Not expensive, just ten low-grade spirit crystals each,” the stall owner said with a smile.
“I’ll take one,” Wendy Lin said, handing over ten low-grade spirit crystals.
If Ian Song made the pill himself, the cost wouldn’t even reach one low-grade spirit crystal apiece. Clearly, ten was overpriced.
But Ian didn’t stop Wendy from buying it. After all, shopping was a way to relax, and she’d had a tough journey.
Having closed a deal, the stall owner grew even more enthusiastic, now pitching some jewelry from her stand.
The jewelry was actually magic items, though they didn’t offer attack or defense. For example, a hairpin kept dust away, and a pair of earrings could regulate temperature—making winter warm and summer cool.
Thanks to the stall owner’s recommendations, Wendy Lin bought a hairpin, a pair of earrings, and a bracelet that calmed the mind and focused the spirit.
All the jewelry was very pretty, too.
The three pieces cost a total of 180 low-grade spirit crystals.
“Brother Song, will you help me put them on?” Wendy Lin handed Ian the jewelry, acting cute.
“Sure!”
Ian smiled and nodded, putting the three pieces of jewelry on Wendy Lin.
Wendy spun around in front of him, shyly asking, “Brother Song, do I look good?”
“Of course you do.” Ian nodded seriously.
“Handsome guy and pretty girl, you two look like a perfect match,” the stall owner said with a grin.
“Thank you, sister.”
Hearing this, Wendy Lin was delighted and flashed the stall owner a sweet smile.
“Young man, aren’t you going to pick something out?”
The stall owner’s gaze shifted to Ian Song. This young man gave her a special feeling—his aura showed only early Foundation Establishment, but he felt far more dangerous, even stronger than her master at peak strength.
She’d always had a special sense for danger, which had helped her avoid disaster many times.
“No need.”
Ian waved her off coolly. The stall had plenty of goods, but none caught his eye.
“Take care, you two,” Zhou Yun said politely, though inwardly she thought, ‘As expected, this young man is far from ordinary.’
Suddenly, Ian had an idea and asked the stall owner, “Do you know where I can find an artifact forging master?”
“You want something forged?” Zhou Yun asked, expression unchanged.
Ian said, “I have a flying sword that needs to be reforged, but it’s a special one—ordinary forgers can’t handle it.”
Zhou Yun hesitated slightly, then said, “Getting a master to work isn’t cheap.”
Ian smiled. “As long as I’m satisfied, price isn’t a problem.”
Zhou Yun tested him, “Do you know the rule? To hire a forging master, the minimum is five hundred mid-grade spirit crystals!”
“Five hundred mid-grade spirit crystals? That’s expensive!” Wendy Lin stuck out her tongue.
“I said, as long as I’m satisfied, price isn’t a problem,” Ian said calmly.
Seeing Ian wasn’t scared off by the price, Zhou Yun was intrigued. “Alright, take this message talisman. I’ll contact you within three days, how’s that?”
“Sure!”
Ian put away the message talisman and left with Wendy Lin.
Zhou Yun also packed up her stall and hurried off.
After leaving the market, Zhou Yun sped up, circling the area several times. Once she was sure no one was following, she slipped into a teahouse, then exited through the back door.
Half an hour later, Zhou Yun arrived at a small courtyard in the East Moon District.
She pushed open the door and heard coughing from inside.
“Yun’er, why are you back so early today?”
A sickly, thin old man was brewing medicine in the yard. He looked up and asked.
“Master, I met a young man today…!”
Zhou Yun briefly recounted her encounter with Ian Song.
The old man was silent for a moment, then said, “You want to take this job?”
“Yes.” Zhou Yun nodded.
“If you want it, take it!” The old man smiled dotingly, then coughed again.
Zhou Yun was surprised he agreed so easily, and happily said, “Thank you, Master!”
“Silly girl, you think I don’t know what’s on your mind? You’ve cried a lot over the years!” The old man sighed, eyes full of both pride and pity. She’d suffered a lot following him.