CHAPTER 194: CHAPTER 1 THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY_3

"That’s not necessary, just a slight improvement in quality. A spell that allows it to expand or shrink freely will suffice."

"Alright, that will be thirty thousand Top Grade Spiritual Stones in total. I’ll make the grade of the Vestment robe the best possible for you, fellow Daoist."

"Thirty thousand?" Da Bai’s eyeballs nearly fell out.

"Little friend, this is the regular price. This robe is made entirely from Five-Colored Silkworm silk, without any other materials, so the price is naturally high."

In the end, the man and the beast still purchased it, mainly because the Vestment robe was indeed good-looking and comfortable to wear. At least Chen Jiuge and Yue Meng felt it was worth it.

Chen Jiuge’s original intention was to gain experience discreetly, to experience the life of a bottom-tier Loose Cultivator.

However, this Five-Colored Vestment robe was indeed nice to wear. And this fried silkworm chrysalis was so delicious! Even this little flying fish was interesting—it could even store things.

The Five-Colored Immortal City had too many fun things. Coupled with the fact that it was in a zone belonging to the Tidal Wave Sect, it was filled with numerous aquatic Spiritual Beasts. The myriad of wondrous Spiritual Beasts somewhat fascinated Chen Jiuge; he found it much more interesting than what the Myriad Beasts Sect had to offer.

The Loose Cultivators who had been staring at Chen Jiuge and his companions now watched with pained expressions as the Spirit Stones flowed out like water. These Loose Cultivators weren’t fools. They suspected Chen Jiuge was likely a disciple from some major Sect out on an experiential journey. However, they reasoned that for the sake of cultivation resources, taking a gamble might be worth it; if worst came to worst, they could always move to a different domain to live.

Biting into an octopus ball, Chen Jiuge let out a contented sigh, "These past few days, I’ve finally eaten enough seafood to make up for all the years I missed out."

"It’s just that the Spirit Stones are being spent too quickly," Da Bai frowned worriedly.

As the poorest of the three, after buying the Vestment robe, Da Bai didn’t have many Spirit Stones left. Especially after these days of feasting and buying many interesting trinkets, his already not-so-full wallet was completely deflated.

"You’re broke," Yue Meng said disdainfully.

Amid the bickering of the two little ones, Chen Jiuge returned to the Purple Guest Inn. He also gave Nian Yu a takeout portion of flying octopus balls, which cost three Middle Grade Spirit Stones—definitely not cheap.

"Mr. Chen, you’re too kind," Nian Yu teased. "Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to me?"

Chen Jiuge was already accustomed to Nian Yu’s teasing. He simply waved his hand and went straight upstairs.

Once Chen Jiuge went upstairs, the hall of the Purple Guest Inn instantly filled with Loose Cultivators.

Nian Yu watched the Loose Cultivators with their gloomy faces, the smile on her lips widening.

"Nian Yu, what’s the background of this fellow Daoist?" Finally, a Loose Cultivator couldn’t hold back any longer and stood up to ask.

Filing her nails indifferently, Nian Yu said, "How would I know? He’s just a guest of mine."

"He brings you Spirit Food and expensive little trinkets every day. I’ve calculated it; the things he’s given you these past few days are almost worth one Top Grade Spiritual Stone. Don’t tell me you’ve slept with him?" The Loose Cultivator seemed to feel that Nian Yu’s words had caused him to lose face.

"He Long, watch your mouth," Nian Yu said coldly.

"He Long, you’d better apologize. Otherwise, when Boss Nian’s elder brother comes back next time, we’ll probably only be able to visit you at the mass graves outside," mocked Zhang Yuan, who didn’t get along with He Long.

Remembering that Nian Yu’s brother, Nian Dragon, was an Inner Sect Disciple of the Tidal Wave Sect, He Long felt a chill in his heart. I was truly blinded by greed for this ’fat sheep’! "Boss Nian, I apologize. I was impulsive this time."

Watching He Long drop a bag of Spirit Stones and hurry away, Nian Yu revealed a disdainful smile. These Loose Cultivators all bully the weak and fear the strong. It’s fortunate my elder brother is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Tidal Wave Sect; otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to run this inn so peacefully,

she thought.

After He Long left, Zhang Yuan politely handed over a bag of Spirit Stones. "I’d like to inquire about the background of that fellow Daoist."

Zhang Yuan was actually quite a decent person on a daily basis, but he was always short on Spirit Stones because his younger brother constantly dragged him down.

Pushing the Spirit Stones back towards him, Nian Yu advised, "Don’t get any funny ideas. It’s better to seek his patronage than to try and rob him."

Because of her brother, Nian Yu knew that disciples from major Sects typically had their own businesses. The Immortal Clothes Pavilion, for instance, was merely the enterprise of one such disciple from the Tidal Wave Sect.

"Thank you, I’ll consider it carefully." Zhang Yuan shook his head and left, though he didn’t take back the bag of Spirit Stones.

Watching Zhang Yuan’s retreating figure, Nian Yu sighed inwardly. There aren’t many principled Loose Cultivators like Zhang Yuan in the entire Five-Colored Immortal City. I hope he doesn’t make the wrong decision.

Chen Jiuge didn’t care about the commotion below, but Da Bai was very concerned. This was especially true after Da Bai realized his Spirit Stones were already running low at the very first stop of their journey. Consequently, Da Bai became even more wary of these Loose Cultivators.

"Master, these people still haven’t given up their wicked intentions," Da Bai said in a hostile tone.

"Don’t bother with them. If they really make a move against us, we’ll just deal with them then," Chen Jiuge replied, showing no interest in these Loose Cultivators. Despite their numbers, those with Returning to Void cultivation were few and far between, posing virtually no danger. To put it bluntly, even if Chen Jiuge stood still and let them attack, they probably couldn’t even break through his defenses.

"Still, having them constantly follow us is a nuisance," Yue Meng added, also getting annoyed by these Loose Cultivators.

Da Bai’s eyes lit up. "How about this: I’ll take care of them for you, and you give me Spirit Stones?"

"One hundred Top Grade Spiritual Stones," Yue Meng offered.

"No way, that’s too low! What you ate today alone cost more than that. At least two hundred!" Da Bai bargained.

"Alright, go ahead," Yue Meng agreed readily.

I definitely asked for too little! Da Bai thought, heading out with a heartbroken expression.

Chen Jiuge chuckled. "Yue Meng, why do you always bully Da Bai?"