「The next day!」
Hong Yu, along with Yun ngyao and Xue Butong, left Shishui City atop the Golden Holy Dragon.
The major families and powers of Shishui City sent Hong Yu off with great trepidation. Only after the Golden Holy Dragon flapped its wings and flew far into the distance did they finally let out a long sigh of relief.
High in the sky.
Hong Yu looked at Xue Butong. "Brother Xue, where are you headed first?"
"About a thousand li ahead is a place called Celestial Net City. The City Lord's Luo Family controls a massive underground market there. I plan to go there first to see if I can find the few remaining dicinal ingredients for the Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill. I want to successfully refine the Breaking Forbidden Spirit Pill as soon as possible, break through to the Celestial Soul Realm, and enter the realm of a Tier Two Spiritual Craftsman. As for what cos after, I'll make other plans then!"
Xue Butong said slowly.
After the great disaster at the Spirit Pill Pavilion, he had beco much more reserved.
This wasn't despondence, of course, but a deeper introversion. The sharp glint that occasionally flashed in his eyes offered a glimpse of his true state.
Hong Yu nodded. "In that case, we'll rest for a while in Celestial Net City."
He glanced at Yun ngyao, who was sitting nervously to the side, cautiously studying the Golden Giant Dragon beneath them. He couldn't help but smile. "Kiddo, we'll also make a trip into Celestial Net City later. The Sword Sect only has disciple Sword Robes, and those aren't suitable for you. We need to buy you so other clothes to have on hand!"
"But Brother, I have clothes!" Yun ngyao pouted.
Hong Yu chuckled. "Just because you have clothes, does that an your brother isn't allowed to give you a gift?"
"Well... okay, then!"
Yun ngyao stuck out her little pink tongue, looking exceptionally cute.
Worried that Yun ngyao might not be able to handle high-speed flight, the Golden Holy Dragon's pace wasn't particularly fast. It wasn't until evening that they arrived a dozen or so li outside Celestial Net City.
"Let's land here."
Hong Yu signaled for the Golden Holy Dragon to land outside the city. The creature was too conspicuous, and entering the city so brazenly would likely cause a lot of trouble.
"You rest here for now. I'll call you when it's ti to go back!" Hong Yu patted the Golden Holy Dragon's neck.
ROAR!
The Golden Holy Dragon nodded and ambled slowly into the forest.
The trio then proceeded toward Celestial Net City on foot.
By the ti they reached Celestial Net City, night had completely fallen. The City Gate Guards were already preparing to close the gates and urged them on when they saw them approaching. "Hurry up."
"Alright!"
The three of them quickened their pace and entered the city.
"Listen up, you three. The entrance fee is one Gold Coin per person," a guard said flatly.
Hong Yu tossed the man ten Gold Coins and asked, "Brother, this is our first ti in Celestial Net City, so we're not familiar with how things work here. I was wondering if you could give us a few pointers?"
After catching the Gold Coins, the guard's expression softened considerably. "I can see you're a sincere person, so I'll tell you about the three taboos of Celestial Net City," he said lightly. "You must never, ever break these taboos. Violating even one of them will cost you dearly."
"And what might those three taboos be?"
Hong Yu asked curiously.
The guard explained, "The first taboo is that you cannot fight or disturb the peace within the city. Any grudges must be settled in a duel at the city's Death Battle Arena. Private fights are absolutely forbidden. Of course, once you're outside the city walls, we can't control what you do."
"The second taboo is that selling counterfeit or fake goods within the Celestial Net Comrce Association is strictly prohibited. If you're discovered, you'll be hunted down by the entire Celestial Net Comrce Association."
The guard paused before continuing, "As for the last taboo, this is one that newcors to Celestial Net City often violate. You must rember that there's a group of people in this city you must never provoke. Even if you suffer a loss at their hands, you cannot afford to offend them."
"Oh? There are people that tyrannical?" Hong Yu said in surprise. The first two taboos had made it clear that private fighting was forbidden in the city; under such strict laws, how could such a domineering group exist?
The guard pointed upward and said flatly, "Do you know why this is called Celestial Net City? It's because a mber of the City Lord's Luo Family is a powerful expert who holds the position of an Elder in the Cyan Nether Sword Sect. It is because of his existence that the Fengyue Kingdom bestowed Celestial Net City upon the Luo Family. And the people I just said you can't offend are that group of young masters from the Luo Family."
"Alright, that's about all you need to watch out for. Just be careful," the guard said, waving his hand impatiently.
Hong Yu's group of three turned and left.
"Beco a Sword Sect Elder, and the Kingdom gifts your family an entire city? The Cyan Nether Sword Sect truly lives up to its na as a National Guardian Sect!" Xue Butong marveled with a click of his tongue.
Hong Yu nodded, but a question ford in his mind. 'Could the Luo Family expert he ntioned be that Elder Luo?' At this thought, his expression turned a bit strange.
They wandered through the city for a while. Even at night, the hustle and bustle here was greater than that of Shishui City during its busiest dayti hours.
Xue Butong said, "Younger Brother Hong, let's part ways here."
"Take care!"
Hong Yu clasped his hands in a farewell gesture.
Yun ngyao's eyes reddened slightly. "Master Xue, you must take good care of yourself!"
"Mm."
Xue Butong nodded and turned to leave.
Only after his figure had completely disappeared into the crowd did Hong Yu pat Yun ngyao's shoulder. "Yaoyao, should we go buy clothes first, or get sothing to eat?"
"Um... is Brother hungry?"
Yun ngyao's eyes had clearly brightened at the ntion of buying clothes, but after a mont's thought, she changed her tune and asked the question.
She was well aware of her brother's appetite, after all!
Hong Yu reached out and gently tapped the little girl's delicate nose with his finger, chuckling. "Silly girl, your brother isn't a bottomless pit. How could I be hungry so soon? Let's go, I'll take you to buy clothes first!"
"Brother, can you please stop always tapping my nose? What if it gets flattened and no one wants anymore..."
The little girl covered her nose, and though her words were a complaint, her crescent-moon eyes sparkled with a crystalline smile. She was clearly enjoying the affectionate gesture.
Hong Yu rolled his eyes and led Yun ngyao to a rather opulent-looking clothing shop.
"What can I get for you two?" the shopkeeper asked with a cheerful smile.
Hong Yu glanced around for a mont. "Shopkeeper, bring out the best clothes in your store. Let's see if there's anything suitable for my little sister!"
"Right away!"
The shopkeeper enthusiastically instructed his assistant.
A short while later, over twenty outfits—all exquisitely crafted from fine materials in fashionable styles—were presented before them. At Hong Yu's urging, Yun ngyao, with a flutter of nervous excitent, tried them on one by one. Each of the twenty-odd outfits brought out a different style and feeling.
In one, she was like a lively Elf; in another, a spirited Angel; in yet another, a noble peony!
A chaleonic Angel, dazzling to behold.
"Goodness , the young lady is a natural beauty! Every single piece of clothing suits her perfectly!" the shopkeeper exclaid in genuine admiration.
Hong Yu nodded in agreent. He watched the little girl try on a cyan gauze skirt that gave her a lively air, suffused with the green aura of life. He nodded again. "Shopkeeper, I'll take all of these clothes. How much?"
"A-All of them?"
Seeing Hong Yu nod, the shopkeeper's face lit up with fiery enthusiasm. "All together, that cos to ten thousand five hundred Gold Coins. I'll round it down for you and just call it ten thousand. How does that sound?"
"Over ten thousand? Th-that's so expensive, Brother... I-I don't want them anymore..." Yun ngyao gasped, tugging on Hong Yu's sleeve.
Although she loved the clothes, she didn't want Hong Yu to waste so much money on her.
Hong Yu smiled faintly and was about to speak when a shrill female voice suddenly ca from the doorway. "Shopkeeper, I'll take all of these clothes. Wrap them up for ."
Hong Yu froze.
The shopkeeper also froze for a mont. Then, seeing who had arrived, his expression changed slightly and he scurried over. "Oh, if it isn't Miss Liu! What brings you to my humble shop today, Miss Liu?"
"Cut the crap. I'm taking all these clothes. And tell that hick to take off the outfit she's wearing. If she wears it too long, I'm afraid it'll leave a sll..." The speaker was a woman in her twenties, caked in heavy makeup that made her look closer to her early thirties.
Her attire was revealing, giving the impression she wished she could wear nothing at all.
However, when paired with her figure and appearance, such an outfit had nothing to do with the word "sexy" and was more likely to make one's stomach turn.
The shopkeeper gave a strained smile. "Miss Liu, these clothes..."
Before the shopkeeper could finish, Miss Liu slapped a silver Gold Card onto the counter. "Are you afraid I don't have the money? Let tell you, I can pull one hundred thousand Gold Coins from this Silver Card anyti, anywhere. And don't you dare tell these two hicks saw the clothes first. Do you really think a pair of bumpkins like them can afford such expensive clothes?"
"This..."
The shopkeeper hesitated.
It wasn't that he was one to judge a book by its cover and look down on Hong Yu and the girl. It was just that Miss Liu was not soone to be trifled with!
Yun ngyao seed to realize that Miss Liu's status was unusual and said ekly, "Brother, maybe we shouldn't get these clothes!"
"Well, well, the little hick has so self-awareness after all! Hurry up and take it off. Seeing you wear such fine clothes is a complete waste. Only soone of my status is worthy of such exquisite attire."
Miss Liu tilted her chin up slightly, her scornful gaze sweeping past Hong Yu before finally landing on Yun ngyao. "But you're not bad-looking for a hick. How about this: I'll give you a chance to be my handmaiden. If you serve and tend to my daily needs, I guarantee you'll live a life of luxury."
"I-I'm sorry, Miss Liu, but I-I want to stay with my brother!" Yun ngyao said politely.
Miss Liu paused, then scoffed, "With him? What future do you have with this hick? Be my maid, and if I'm in a good mood soday, I might even gift you to so young master or other. I guarantee your life will be much better than it is now."
"I-I'm sorry, Miss Liu. Thank you for your kind offer. But... I think being with my brother is wonderful!" Yun ngyao said, her voice crisp and her words surprisingly firm.
Miss Liu snorted coldly. "I give you an inch and you take a mile. You hicks are all the sa. Now hurry up and take off the clothes..."
Yun ngyao bit her lower lip, her eyes red-rimd with grievance.
She was about to go change out of the outfit, but as she turned, Hong Yu stopped her.
Hong Yu cast a cool glance at the arrogant Miss Liu. With a flick of his hand, a purple-colored Gold Card appeared between his two fingers. "Shopkeeper," he said flatly, "settle the bill."
Gazing at the purple Gold Card, both the conflicted shopkeeper and the arrogant Miss Liu were completely stunned...
The purple Gold Card was the highest denomination issued by the Fengyue Kingdom, representing a credit level in the tens of millions of Gold Coins!
Compared to Hong Yu's purple Gold Card, the silver Gold Card in Miss Liu's hand was nothing but trash...
Instantly, Miss Liu's face flushed crimson. She was furious and utterly humiliated, her cheeks burning hot.
She suddenly realized that she was the real hick!
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