A green-robed woman slowly approached and blocked Chen Xun’s path. "Fellow Daoist, may I have a word?"
"Please, go ahead."
"Are you a rogue cultivator? If you're planning to go out to sea, you might consider joining our Chengfeng rchant Guild. Any sea beasts you hunt will be distributed according to..."
"Fellow Daoist, we don’t currently have such plans."
Chen Xun smiled, now realizing she was recruiting hunters. "To be honest, we’re not very familiar with the West Sea yet, so we don't have any intention to venture out for now."
It had been many years since they played the role of hired help. Now, they were the bosses.
"Then I won't disturb you. If you reconsider, I hope you'll think of the Chengfeng rchant Guild."
"Of course."
Chen Xun nodded politely, then continued walking away without looking back.
The green-robed woman glanced at him a couple more tis, then turned her attention back to the teleportation array, scanning for more potential ‘rcenaries.’
On the broad streets, the distinctive salty sll of the sea wafted through the air. Everywhere, cultivators were selling sea beasts, and the loud shouts of vendors filled the air, adding a lively, bustling atmosphere.
"Blackscale Fish! Mid-stage Foundation Establishnt sea beast! For sale, whole, intact demonic core—highest bidder wins!"
"Is that really a Blackscale Fish? It’s great for cultivating spiritual sight!"
"Haha, sharp eyes indeed! Several of us had to team up to take it down. It wasn't easy to co by."
"I’ll take it! The rest of you, back off!"
...
The streets were packed with cultivators gathered around the rchants, eager to make a purchase. Chen Xun and his companions lingered on the edges of the crowd, watching the spectacle with wide eyes and occasionally joining in the shouts of surprise.
The sea beasts on display were creatures they had never seen before. Even the bestiaries Chen Xun had studied in the past didn’t include these sea creatures.
Their spiritual connection allowed them to communicate effortlessly, and Xiao Chi eagerly joined the conversation.
"Brother Xun, Brother Ox, these sea beasts are nothing like the beasts from the Heaven’s End Plains!"
Xiao Chi licked his lips, his courage growing with excitent. "I’ve never even heard of Foundation Establishnt beasts being so powerful!"
"Mo~!" Brother Ox was just as stunned, his mouth slightly agape. Even a simple cow like him was astonished by the sight.
"These aren’t spirit beasts—they’re sea beasts! They’re from the ocean, completely different!" Chen Xun adopted a know-it-all tone, extending his neck for a better view. "Xiao Chi, you stayed holed up in the Heaven’s End Plains. Of course, you wouldn't know!"
"Heh..." Xiao Chi scratched his head, embarrassed but eager to learn. After all, coming out with his two elder brothers had proven to be an enlightening experience. Besides, staying close to them gave him a sense of security.
"Mo~!" Brother Ox nudged Chen Xun, his eyes drawn to the sight of an enormous sea beast being transported down the road.
"Whoa, they’ve brought in the big one!"
Chen Xun exclaid, placing Xiao Chi back on Brother Ox’s back. "Brother Ox, let's hurry and see what’s going on!"
Xiao Chi, standing atop Brother Ox, jumped in excitent. "My heavens, it's enormous! Brother Xun, does that an the sea is even bigger than the Heaven’s End Plains?!"
"Of course! You think the sea’s small?"
"Mo~!"
They sprinted over to the scene, giddy with excitent, shouting to one another like children as they pushed their way to the front of the crowd. Their chatter caught the attention of many cultivators who could only shake their heads at the trio’s over-the-top enthusiasm. What were they getting so excited about?
On the platform, a massive sea beast was hauled up, its presence dominating the scene.
A middle-aged cultivator at the Golden Core stage erged and addressed the crowd, his voice firm, "I’m sure many of you can already tell, this is a Diablos Whale, a Golden Core stage sea beast. Two days ago, our Chengfeng rchant Guild used a formation to hunt it down—it wasn’t easy!"
"Fellow Daoist, is the demonic core still intact?" soone in the crowd asked eagerly.
"It has already been reserved. What we’re auctioning today is the whale's flesh and bones. Fellow Daoists, feel free to make your bids."
...
Upon hearing this, several Golden Core cultivators sighed in disappointnt and left. The demonic core of a Golden Core sea beast was highly coveted. Whether for alchemy or personal cultivation, it was an invaluable resource.
However, those who remained were still fervently interested in the flesh and bones. West Sea Province was never short of cultivators. What was scarce were rare treasures like this.
Chen Xun and his companions observed with great interest, absorbing as much information as they could. They learned that demonic cores could be refined into pills or used to boost one's cultivation, while the sea beasts' flesh could assist Foundation Establishnt cultivators in breaking through.
As they gathered more information, Chen Xun's understanding of the region deepened. No wonder there were so many Foundation Establishnt cultivators here—the West Sea truly was abundant in cultivation resources, enough to sustain a vast population of cultivators.
After a while, they continued strolling through the city, eventually visiting a few alchemy shops. They finally settled on one of the more prestigious establishnts.
Inside a private room:
"Fellow Daoist, only two thousand middle-grade spirit stones for my thousand-year-old Erald Vein Nightshade?!"
Chen Xun snorted coldly, retracting the box of herbs, "This is a millennium-old spiritual herb, a treasure for Golden Core cultivators. Two thousand is far too low."
"Mo~!" Brother Ox echoed his protest. Two thousand was a joke!
"Woof! Woof!" Xiao Chi barked, chiming in with a determined growl. If Brother Ox was protesting, he had to back him up!
The well-dressed alchemist smiled patiently. "Fellow Daoist, you may not know this, but while this herb might fetch a higher price in other provinces, here in the West Sea Province, prices are lower."
Chen Xun felt as though the words he had prepared for negotiation were stuck in his throat. Dammit, he was right. West Sea's market was too different.
Here, spiritual herbs and pill recipes were tied to resources found either in the sea or on islands. Land-based herbs were devalued due to their scarcity and lesser relevance to local needs.
"Fine. I’m selling two stalks, both millennium-old Erald Vein Nightshade. Five thousand middle-grade spirit stones, take it or leave it!"
Chen Xun stood, preparing to leave, while Brother Ox and Xiao Chi followed suit.
"Please, go ahead." The well-dressed alchemist took a slow sip of tea, unconcerned. Who were they trying to fool with that price hike?
Chen Xun frowned as he left, his ears twitching.
"Brother Xun, let’s go! That guy’s trying to rip us off for a thousand spirit stones!" Xiao Chi protested, confused as to why Chen Xun wasn’t moving faster.
"Mo~!" Brother Ox reassured Xiao Chi, explaining that Brother Xun was still negotiating.
"Oh..." Xiao Chi licked his lips, impressed with this tactic. He was learning sothing new every day.
Chen Xun strolled leisurely, his brow furrowed. Why weren’t they being called back? They were already at... the street!
"Damn it! I overplayed it!" Chen Xun muttered in frustration. "Brother Ox, why didn’t that bastard call us back?"
"Mo!" Brother Ox grunted angrily. That rchant clearly thought he had them cornered.
"Forget it. Let’s try another alchemy shop."
"Mo~ Mo~!"
"Exactly! Brother Xun, we’ll still make our spirit stones elsewhere!"
Three days later, Chen Xun finally managed to sell the herbs and gathered enough funds for their next journey. He also bought a few incomplete maps. Still, the price for land-based spiritual herbs was indeed lower here.
After endless rounds of haggling, Chen Xun finally accumulated around twenty thousand middle-grade spirit stones. Though exhausted from the constant negotiations, he and his companions managed to gather what they needed.
They now sat on the street once more, casually watching the hustle and bustle of the city. The faint scent of the sea was ever-present in the air.
Chen Xun casually sipped so herbal tea while offering it to Brother Ox and Xiao Chi.
"Brother Xun, what kind of miraculous tea is this?" Xiao Chi asked after taking a sip, feeling instantly rejuvenated. "It tastes better than any spirit herb I’ve had!"
"Brother Ox, explain to Xiao Chi the benefits of this tea. It's an exclusive recipe passed down from my master!"
"Mo!" Brother Ox proudly lifted his head and began explaining the tea’s benefits, sprinkling in stories from their early days in the mortal world.
Xiao Chi gasped with wide eyes, fully convinced and absorbed in Brother Ox’s storytelling.
Chen Xun laughed heartily. Brother Ox had been non-stop in his storytelling, chatting with Xiao Chi the entire journey. Watching their bond grow filled him with joy.
"Xiao Chi."
"Yes, Brother Xun?"
"Mo?" Ox-
Head turned his gaze toward Chen Xun.
"Why haven’t you ever asked us for spirit herbs, or even ntioned that Extinguishing Spirit Stone we gave you?"
Chen Xun asked calmly as he pulled out a new blank notebook and started writing in it. The first line read, *'Flaglow Ancient Lion'*.
"Ah?" Xiao Chi froze, puzzled by the question. "Brother Xun, aren’t those your things? I’m just here to tag along and enjoy the journey. I’m not really interested in those things."
"Don’t worry, we won’t leave you behind."
Chen Xun smiled warmly as he continued writing. "You’re one of us now. You’re our little brother."
"Mo~!" Brother Ox snorted, looking back at the dazed Xiao Chi clinging to his back.
"Brother Xun, Brother Ox, when are we heading to the West Sea?"
Xiao Chi eagerly pulled out a small sea chart from his storage pouch, spreading it out with both paws. "This sea is enormous! It looks even bigger than the entire kingdom of Da Li!"
Brother Ox’s eyes lit up with excitent, nudging Chen Xun.
"We set sail tomorrow!"
"Mo~!"
"Aweso!"
Xiao Chi was thrilled. For once, he wasn’t scared. His red fur faintly glowed, and he began daydreaming about the sea and the mysterious sea beasts that awaited them.
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