Cultivation: Being Immortal

Zhongzhou, Shenmu City

Xiao Lingyue and Duanmu Ling were walking in Shenmu City. They were already engaged, and this news spread throughout the entire region. Both the Shenmu Sect and the Spiritual Moon Sect agreed wholeheartedly to this marriage.

Their engagement not only benefited both parties in practical terms, but also deepened their alliance. You see, the Central Region is located in the human territory, with no Wilderness around to gain benefits from hunting. Therefore, the competition among internal forces is quite fierce. It is normal in the history of the Central Region for major sects to weaken and smaller ones to rise.

Even the Shenmu Sect, with the protection of the divine tree, has experienced several periods of decline in its history, almost reaching the point of extinction. It was by relying on that divine tree that they turned the tide. However, the divine tree will not protect them forever. The Shenmu Sect itself needs to strive for continuous self-improvement.

Once the higher-ups of both sects agree, the opinions of the two individuals become insignificant. After all, for the sect, disciples having their basic needs provided for by the sect is a given. Now that the sect demands their contributions, if you say you can’t do it, the sect won’t care.

"Yue’er, the major trading companies of Shenmu City are all located in the central area of the city. Going further ahead, you will find smaller shops. There’s no need to go any further."

Seeing that Xiao Lingyue wanted to continue walking forward, Duanmu Ling spoke up.

In most cities of the cultivation world, the layout is quite similar. First, a flat terrain is selected, and they try to make it into a rectangular shape to facilitate the arrangement of formations. The overall internal layout is also generally the same. The central part is usually where the major trading companies are, and as you go towards the city walls, the scale of the companies becomes smaller, basically turning into residential areas.

Both of them had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, so only the major trading companies could meet their needs. The things in the smaller shops couldn’t catch their Magical Eye.

"Senior Duǎnmù, going shopping doesn’t always have to be for spiritual resources, it can also be for leisure. Even though the shops in the small streets may not have anything great, they still have a lively atmosphere."

"Fireworks smell?"

"Yes, fireworks smell, the scent of the mortal world, it soothes the hearts of ordinary people."

Xiao Lingyue nodded. She was different from Duanmu Ling. Duanmu Ling was born into a prestigious family. His family had great power in the Shenmu Sect. He grew up in luxury. On the other hand, her parents were just independent cultivators. During her childhood, she followed her parents in the market, struggling to make a living. Xiao Lingyue had deep emotions for everything in the lower class.

"Alright, whatever Yue’er says."

Duanmu Ling nodded. He couldn’t understand how the scent of fireworks could soothe someone’s heart. But since Xiao Lingyue liked it, he would accompany her. They weren’t married yet, so it wouldn’t hurt to please his fiancee a little.

Xiao Lingyue and Duanmu Ling entered the Jiedao. Various aromas drifted towards them. Xiao Lingyue smiled. She liked all kinds of street snacks, even the smallest things. Her parents were busy with their livelihoods, often giving her a spiritual bead and letting her find something to eat on her own. Xiao Lingyue had tried every snack in her city.

Duanmu Ling saw the change in Xiao Lingyue’s expression and naturally knew what to do. Whenever Xiao Lingyue’s gaze lingered a little longer, he would buy some for her to taste.

Xiao Lingyue was happier with Duanmu Ling’s behavior. At least her fiancé was considerate and not a blockhead.

Cultivators had no fear of getting fat. The two of them ate from one end of the street to the other, and then from the other end back to the first, commenting on the merits and flaws of each food stall.

"Wow, dumplings!"

Xiao Lingyue arrived at the third street, feeling very happy. She smelled the delicious aroma of dumplings and immediately exclaimed. This was her favorite food.

"Come, let’s buy some."

Duanmu Ling smiled and thought to himself. It only took them a little over ten spirit stones after walking two streets. For the beauty’s smile, this is nothing.

"Boss, give me a basket of dumplings."

Duanmu Ling walked up to the busy boss and said.

"Sorry, valued customer. All the dumplings have been reserved by this gentleman. You’ll have to wait a little while for me to steam some fresh ones."

The stall owner of the dumpling stand apologized with a sad expression. Duanmu Ling turned around and saw a large man sitting at the stall. He was tall and muscular, and his clothes seemed like they were about to burst from the muscles underneath. There were already several empty dumpling baskets on the table.

"Boss, please help us out and let us cut in line. We only need two baskets."

Duanmu Ling took out two special stones. The boss hesitated for a moment but agreed in the end. He gave a lot, Duanmu Ling only gave him a few buns.

"Boss, what about the buns? I’m not full."

The big man quickly finished the buns in his hand and spoke to the boss.

"Excuse me, boss. I am steaming them right now. If you have any needs, I can deliver them to your shop in a while?"

"No need, just bring me some steamed buns and two bowls of soup."

The big man shook his head, this wouldn’t work. If he brought them back to the shop, someone might steal his food again. He bought those with his hard-earned money, he definitely wouldn’t give them away.

The big man quickly ate two baskets of steamed buns and drank two big bowls of soup, then he leisurely walked away.

"Boss, it seems like he didn’t pay."

"That person is a valued customer, he comes every day. We settle the bill at the end of the month."

"Oh, I see. Does the boss know what he does?"

"There’s a small shop called the Xiao family on the street next door. They sell special charms. The owner is the boss’s cousin. He’s not very bright, though. He earns some money but spends it all on food and drinks instead of saving it to buy resources for spiritual practice."

"Thank you, boss!"

Xiao Lingyue smiled and then said to Duanmu Ling, "Come on, let’s go take a look."

"Yue’er, he’s just a silly big guy. What are you looking at?"

"You’ll find out when senior brother comes back."

Xiao Lingyue shook her head without giving a reason. Her nose is very sensitive and she smelled something different.

·······

"Cousin, I’m back!"

Small Shadiao went back to the store and shouted out loudly. In no time, Lin Jiang walked in through the door.

"You’ve done a good job with the accent today, haha!"

Lin Jiang laughed out loudly and said. It wasn’t in vain that I taught Small Shadiao for half a month. He’s starting to sound a bit like it, but too bad he’s not a girl.

"What’s wrong?"

Small Shadiao rolled his eyes. His owner was becoming more and more eccentric. He made him learn seven or eight different accents, who knows what he’ll make him do in the future.

"Oh no, Small Shadiao, why do we only have steamed buns today? No dumplings?"

"All gone."

"Did you eat them all?"

"Yes."

"You’re such a food lover, just one person and you’re able to support a whole store."

Lin Jiang cursed out loud, he didn’t like steamed buns, tasteless, buns were much tastier.

"*Ding*"

Just as Lin Jiang took a couple of bites of the steamed bun, there was a crisp sound coming from the shop’s entrance, indicating that a customer had arrived. Lin Jiang looked up and was immediately surprised.

"Small Shadiao can support a shop on her own, this beauty must be able to run a brothel on her own."

Lin Jiang looked at the woman in front of him and thought to himself, although she had slightly altered her appearance, she couldn’t fool this experienced person.

"What do the customers want to buy? We have second-tier complete series of spiritual talismans here, and seven different types of third-tier lower-grade spiritual talismans."

Small Shadiao was quite dedicated and managed to force a smile as she spoke.

Half of the spiritual talismans in Lin Jiang’s shop were drawn by him personally, but there were also a few collaborative Talisman Makers who could provide second-tier spiritual talismans. Lin Jiang didn’t want anything lower than second-tier. That’s why Lin Jiang’s shop has gained some reputation and is considered a high-quality boutique.

"Can I ask where the boss is?"

"Brother Guo, someone is looking for you."

Small Shadiao pointed at Lin Jiang, who wiped his hands on his clothes and stood up with a big smile.

"Dear guests, how may we serve you?"

"How much to buy your employee?"

"Dear guest, if you want to buy a servant, you need to go to Yueyang Tower. They have servants of all heights and sizes."

"Show some respect."

Duanmu Ling’s face darkened as soon as he heard that. Shenmu City was open-minded, with separate places for both men and women to play. Yueyang Tower was a famous place for female cultivators to play.

"How am I not showing respect? When I opened my spiritual talisman shop, you guys immediately asked to buy my employee. It seems like you’re the ones not showing respect to me, right?"

"You…"

"Boss, I apologize for being impatient and not explaining clearly. I am here with sincerity. How about this, I offer five million spirit stones and one hundred top-quality Yuanye Pills, along with a Supreme Soul Pill and a piece of Frozen Blaze Stone. The total value exceeds ten million spirit stones. What do you think?"

Xiao Lingyue said to Lin Jiang, and Duanmu Ling, who was standing beside him, was shocked. He immediately used his Magical Eye to look at Small Shadiao. But Lin Jiang was faster than him, with a thought, a formation instantly formed in the shop, enclosing Small Shadiao and blocking Duanmu Ling’s investigation.

"You all certainly lack some manners."

Lin Jiang said to Duanmu Ling, publicly casting spells to observe someone’s strength is very impolite. It’s normal to start a fight on the spot if the other person has a bad temper.

"I apologize on his behalf."

"Yue’er, I am the chief of the Shenmu Sect Nascent Soul, and this is our territory. If there are any suspicious people…"

"Senior brother, please stop."

Xiao Lingyue immediately shouted, feeling that Duanmu Ling was being arrogant.

"Boss, how do you like my suggestion?"

"No matter what, your smell of copper is not strong enough."

Lin Jiang calmly said. Just with a mere million spirit stones, you think you can buy Small Shadiao? What a joke! Not even enough to cover Small Shadiao’s meal expenses.

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