Crow Immortal
Chapter 41: Three Companions

Visit the market district?

Han Yu did have this thought.

Firstly, spirit rice wasn't particularly helpful for his cultivation. He should exchange it for other items that could aid his practice and enhance his strength.

Secondly, the medicinal effects of the Mystic Heart Fruit were diminishing for him, and the crows weren't having much luck finding spiritual herbs and fruits either. He needed to broaden his horizons to decide whether to exchange for pills or trade for spiritual fruits and herbs.

But was now the right time to visit the market district?

Before Han Yu could ask, Liu Lan had already questioned Sun Kang: "Senior Brother Sun, don't we need to pass through Senior Sister Li's registration and inspection to go to the market district? That's so inconvenient. Shouldn't we just stay in the spirit fields and cultivate instead of going out?"

Sun Kang smiled and explained to Liu Lan: "What Junior Sister Liu mentioned was over ten days ago."

"Senior Sister Li is an inner sect disciple, lofty and devoted to cultivation. Steward Hong is also a senior outer sect disciple at Qi Refining Sixth Layer. Neither would focus on such trivial matters. Recently, Senior Sister Li and Steward Hong have been concentrating on their cultivation. Now we only need to register our names when coming and going—no one conducts thorough inspections anymore."

"The market district traffic has returned to normal."

Only then did Liu Lan understand: "In that case, we could visit the market district—though my spirit rice harvest won't be ready for months, and I don't have anything to exchange now. I can only go to see the sights."

"That's exactly why we're going—just to see the sights," Sun Kang told her. "The inner and outer sect disciples' grand competition is in two months. Many disciples will be purchasing cultivation and combat items from the market district, so it's already starting to get lively."

"This year we also have our sect's Immortal Fate Ceremony, which will bring many people to our Green Sprout Market. After all, some families with cultivator elders will bring their children specifically to buy cultivation items."

Hearing this, Liu Lan grew somewhat intrigued: "Does this mean our Green Sprout Market will become increasingly lively over the next six months? It wouldn't hurt to take a look."

Sun Kang, having just broken through to Qi Refining Third Layer, was in high spirits. Liu Lan was also interested in seeing the excitement and strolling around. Han Yu too had plans to expand his knowledge.

Thus the three decided they would visit the Green Sprout Market together in two days.

That night when the crows visited, Han Yu instructed them to wait for him outside the market district beforehand. If nothing unexpected happened, they wouldn't need to show themselves; if trouble arose, they could serve as one of his hidden cards.

Two days later, Han Yu met up with Sun Kang and Liu Lan, bringing thirty jin of spirit rice along with replicated versions of the Spirit Blood Vine and Mystic Heart Fruit.

"Junior Brother Han, you're... bringing so much spirit rice to the market?" Sun Kang asked in surprise. "Aren't you going to cultivate anymore?"

"I'm not necessarily planning to exchange anything. I just thought it would be convenient to have in case something useful appears," Han Yu explained.

"But you shouldn't bring so much—what if someone targets you?" Sun Kang's expression turned serious. "Junior Brother Han, listen to me—just bring five jin. Since it's your first time visiting Green Sprout Market, there's no need to carry so much attention-grabbing stuff."

Han Yu had originally considered exchanging for spells and the like, but seeing Sun Kang's genuine concern, he took the advice. He returned the thirty jin and brought only five jin in a small cloth bag.

Only then did Sun Kang relax: "With just this amount, you won't need hats or veils to conceal your identity. You can shop openly without worrying about anyone getting any wrong ideas."

"The three of us servant disciples traveling together will definitely be fine."

As he spoke, Sun Kang also brought five jin of spirit rice, offering to lend it to Liu Lan and Han Yu for purchases during their market visit, as long as they returned the same amount afterward.

The three then walked along the path from the spirit fields. At the fields' edge, they encountered Outer Sect Disciple Hua guarding a table with a registration book—all those leaving had to sign their names.

After registering, Han Yu and his companions followed several other servant disciples at a short distance toward Green Sprout Market.

Returning to the market district, Han Yu couldn't help recalling his previous visit with Elder Li. Back then, Elder Li had likely been meeting with Demon Blood Sect cultivators and hadn't had time to accompany Han Yu. Han Yu had ended up replicating the Spirit Refining Technique from a vendor called Zhu Lao San.

Though flawed, the technique actually worked for Han Yu, allowing him to refine spiritual roots and improve his cultivation aptitude.

"Come, Junior Brother Han, let me show you around," Sun Kang said.

"This is the Reed Mat Area—mundane goods traded by sect servants and visiting mortals. Outsiders are rare—without permission, mortals can't enter the market district."

"Over there is the Bamboo Shed Area, where most servant disciples and rogue cultivators trade."

"Further ahead are the proper shops with generally fair trades. Our Wangu Valley mainly maintains order there—the Bamboo Shed and Reed Mat Areas only get attention if someone dies."

"The market also has inns and teahouses for lodging. When external sects visit or during the Immortal Fate Ceremony, people stay within the market district..."

Sun Kang guided Han Yu and Liu Lan while explaining. Some information Han Yu already knew, while some was new to him.

After circling around, the three found themselves watching the comings and goings of outer and inner sect disciples in the shop area before ultimately returning to the Bamboo Shed and Reed Mat Areas to browse affordable items.

A portly man with his shirt hanging open greeted them with a smile: "Spells, secret arts, pills, talismans—we have everything! Fellow cultivators, anything you're looking for?"

Han Yu recognized him immediately—it was Zhu Lao San, who sold all kinds of defective goods. Amused but maintaining his composure, he said nothing.

Liu Lan asked curiously: "Do you really have everything?"

Sun Kang quickly interjected: "This Senior Brother Zhu is a disciple from the Alchemy Room with extensive connections. He does possess many items, though they're somewhat different from proper ones."

Zhu Lao San chuckled: "Oh? You know me, junior? Been to the market often? Which division are you from?"

"Spirit Fields," Sun Kang replied.

Zhu Lao San laughed: "Ah, the Spirit Fields! A month ago, some old fellow from your fields colluded with demonic cultivators, getting five servant disciples killed and drawing an Elder's personal inspection of Green Sprout Market. Strict checks for days really hurt my business!"

Sun Kang gave an awkward smile: "That did happen..."

"So how about supporting my business?" Zhu Lao San said, his eyes settling on Liu Lan's hair. "Look at this junior sister—even the hairpin she's wearing came from me! She knows best—while my goods might function differently, they're definitely worth more than their price!"

Sun Kang shook his head repeatedly: "We didn't bring much spirit rice—just here to see the sights before the disciples' competition." As he spoke, he gestured for Liu Lan and Han Yu to leave quickly.

Han Yu had only taken two steps when a white spirit dog appeared before him, panting with its tongue out.