Chapter 302: Sweeping Across the Cangyun Realm
"You've been poisoned by the Venom of the Fla Python. I've already detoxified you. The dical fee is 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals."
"Thank you so much, Fairy! The Detox Pill sold at the Dan Sect’s Pavilion costs over a thousand low-grade Spirit Crystals—I really couldn't afford it. You dical Cultivators of Lingxi Valley are the most conscientious!"
The rogue cultivator cupped his hands to the Lingxi Valley disciple in gratitude.
Even though the female cultivator in front of him was stunning, he didn’t dare look too long.
Everyone knew the rules of Lingxi Valley. Besides, it was a prestigious sect. Even without those strange rules, he’d never have the chance to make soone like her his Dao Companion. Just being able to interact for a mont was already a stroke of luck.
"Healing people is part of the Dao of Lingxi Valley."
The girl smiled gently and accepted the pouch filled with 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals.
Lingxi Valley had a large supply of spiritual herbs at affordable prices. Even if she used them to make dicine or pills, she still made a profit.
Though, of course, it couldn’t compare with the Dan Sect—that bunch was ridiculously greedy.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
The rogue cultivator was reluctant, but he knew it was ti to go.
However, just as he turned, the girl called out from behind:
"Hey, wait a second!"
His heart skipped a beat—could it be? Could his luck with won finally be turning?
He spun around in surprise, only to see the Lingxi Valley girl holding a strange-looking bag.
The bag was brightly colored with big bold letters printed on it — Zhou the Skinflint?
Uh...
The rogue cultivator twitched his nose, catching a seductive and peculiar aroma in the air.
"This... what is this thing?"
"It’s called Spicy Strips," the girl smiled mysteriously, her eyes crescent-shaped. "A special type of snack. It's said to have originally co from the Sword Pavilion. It was originally priced at 10 low-grade Spirit Crystals, but now it's only 5. I don’t usually like foods with such strong slls—if I get cravings, I just pick so wild fruit from the mountains. But this one, this spicy strip—"
She pouted slightly, a blush creeping up her face as she looked away.
"It’s just... too addictive."
Her string of cute expressions nearly reeled the rogue cultivator in like a hooked fish.
He imdiately shelled out 5 Spirit Crystals to buy the spicy strips—partly to learn what kind of snacks the fairy liked, and partly… to see just what kind of magical food could make the cool and aloof fairy of Lingxi Valley say the words “too addictive.”
He stepped out of the temporary clinic, bathed in the cool night breeze, turning the bag labeled Zhou the Skinflint over in his hands, unsure how exactly to eat the contents.
What did "Zhou the Skinflint" an?
Was it the na of a cultivator who made this snack?
To stamp one’s na right onto the product—that cultivator must be full of confidence… and ambition.
"Looks like there’s a transparent layer of fabric on the outside? Such delicate craftsmanship. I’m guessing I need to tear this open."
He muttered to himself as he tore open the bag. Instantly, a wave of even stronger, devilishly tempting aroma exploded at his nose.
"Th-this sll…"
His eyes widened.
He swore—he had never slled anything this intoxicating in his life.
There was a rich atiness laced with a teasing spicy note—but it wasn’t just spicy. The aroma was sothing no ordinary spice could produce. It was so magical, it felt like just slling it was already eating it.
He gulped and pulled out a strip, shoving it into his mouth.
BOOM—!
The complex compounds, born from a fusion of another world’s technology and shady enhancent tricks, exploded across the cultivator’s taste buds like a storm.
Sure, cultivators weren’t afraid of chili—unless it was so spirit-grown fiery chili.
He should’ve been able to resist such heat. But his body surrendered on its own, letting the odd spicy sensation surge through every inch of him.
In the chill night wind, the man shuddered in pleasure. Sweat beaded on his brow.
All the pressure that had been bottling up and blocking his breakthrough suddenly lted away.
He even felt… happy.
In a cultivation life full of monotony—no entertainnt, no Dao Companion, no resources, no progress…
It had been a long, long ti since he felt even a shred of happiness.
A seven-foot-tall man raised his head to the sky.
A tear, tinged with the flavor of spicy strips, slipped from the corner of his eye.
"This… this truly is a divine object!"
He scarfed down the rest of the spicy strips in seconds. Even after licking his lips, he still wanted more.
It was good—no doubt about it—but the portion size? Kinda stingy.
Just that little bit? That’s it?
"But hey, it’s just 5 low-grade Spirit Crystals."
He weighed his pouch of crystals in his hand, made up his mind, and turned around to head back to the clinic.
In the bleak night breeze, his footsteps faded away—lighter, quicker.
Gone was the beaten-down rogue cultivator slaving away for cultivation and resources, living like the walking dead day after day.
What remained was a simple man, chasing happiness and joy—a living, breathing person.
In less than three days, spicy strips had swept across the entire Cangyun Realm.
With their bizarre flavor, devilish aroma, unique aftertaste, and price point cheap enough for even outer disciples, they quickly went viral across sects big and small.
These days, if a sect disciple went out without a pack or two of spicy strips on their waist, they’d be laughed at when eting friends.
There were many types of spicy strips.
The most popular were Beef & Horse Mix, Zhou the Skinflint, Palace-Fried Kundi, and Mala Geese.
So cultivators even beca collectors, vowing to taste every type of spicy strip out there!
And since different types were distributed across different sects, disciples started traveling more between sects.
Even sects that had old grudges seed to cool down a bit under the spicy strip craze—war vibes easing subtly.
Just as the Sword Pavilion was raking in mountains of profits from the spicy strip boom...
The disciples sent out by the Holy Land of Jade Pool, after scouring barren lands and dangerous zones with no trace of rare herbs, began narrowing their search.
They planned to coordinate with various sects—searching secretly within them—to find if anyone had Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips.
Central State, within Dan Sect territory.
Inside a hidden room of the Treasure Pavilion.
A Dan Sect disciple stood trembling before a young woman in green robes.
He had only been told a distinguished guest needed attending—but he never expected the guest to be a fairy from the Holy Land of Jade Pool.
And who knew what she was looking for?
Jade Pool already had the richest resources among the holy lands.
What could they possibly not have?
It was bizarre… and a little creepy.
"I’ll make this quick."
The green-robed woman’s expression was cold.
"I’m looking for a rare spirit herb. As the general steward of the Treasure Pavilion, you’ve seen your fair share of oddities—maybe you’ve heard of it. But whether you’ve seen it or not, you’d better bury this conversation deep in your gut. If a word leaks—"
Her eyes narrowed. Though she didn’t move, a wave of killing intent flooded the room, making the air freeze and the temperature plumt.
The Dan Sect disciple felt it. He wiped his sweaty palms, hands trembling.
He bowed deeply.
"Don’t worry, Fairy. I’ll speak freely, and if I don’t know, I’ll pretend today never happened. You were never here… May I ask what it is that you seek?"
The woman paused, as though gathering montum.
The air stilled—taut like a pulled string.
The Dan Sect disciple held his breath, focusing on nothing, palms soaked.
What could it be? Would he be silenced just for hearing the na?
While his thoughts spiraled—
Four clear, firm words shot from the woman’s icy lips:
"Flavor. Dragon. Spicy. Strips."
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