Urban Peerless Expert
Chapter 2501 - 2521: Power Projection, Monopolistic Operations

Chapter 2501: Chapter 2521: Power Projection, Monopolistic Operations

Lin Chen was not the only one who entered the restaurant; the middle-aged man who had not interacted with others also chose to enter.

Lin Chen exchanged a glance with the man, nodded as a greeting, but the man did not respond and turned his head, heading straight into the dining hall.

The dining hall was large, with many patrons seated, and to Lin Chen’s surprise, most of them looked tired and weak, with many even having numerous bloody wounds.

Many were devouring the dishes they had bought, while some had already put down their chopsticks, sat cross-legged, and closed their eyes, seemingly using every moment to heal their injuries.

There were quite a few empty seats in the dining hall, but after scanning the room, Lin Chen walked toward a middle-aged man who looked utterly exhausted.

That man was sitting alone at a table in the corner, his robe torn in several places, through which one could see dried bloodstains. It seemed well-worn and quite old. He was frowning, his face full of worry, eyes closed, silent and uncommunicative.

Lin Chen approached the man and smiled, asking, "Fellow cultivator, may I share a table with you?"

The man opened his eyes, quickly sizing up the almost brand-new robe, and frowned, saying, "You’re new, aren’t you? Looking to gather some news?"

Lin Chen readily admitted, "Judging by your appearance, you must have been living here for quite some time. I’m a new arrival and would like to inquire about a few things. Rest assured, I won’t waste your time for nothing."

Lin Chen took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it to the man, saying, "I see that you have a deficit of vitality and numerous hidden injuries. This is a Blood Coagulation Pill which can help you treat your hidden injuries and regain your condition."

The man’s eyes slightly brightened, and he took the porcelain bottle, inspecting it before tucking it away, "Ask away."

Lin Chen pointed around and asked, "This place is a restaurant, why are all the patrons here wounded? Shouldn’t they go directly to a Medical Pavilion? Is there a Medical Pavilion here?"

The man succinctly replied, "In the Kutuo Sea, what’s needed most are medicinal pills, particularly those for healing and restoration. Though the Kutuo Sea yields many medicinal herbs, the materials are never enough to refine them into pills."

"These people have exhausted their supply of pills and have been eroded by the Spiritual Energy Tides for a long time, some even directly injured by the violent tides. Without medicine to heal, they come here to eat a portion of medicinal cuisine, using a lower price to let themselves hold on a little longer."

Lin Chen, surprised, asked, "The restaurant sells medicinal cuisine?"

The man answered, "Yes, it’s especially effective for recovery from injuries caused by the Spiritual Energy Tides. Not as potent as certain pills, but due to its lower price, it is the first choice for many poor people. Eat a meal of medicinal cuisine, recover a bit, then continue to endure, going to the sea bottom to gather clam pearls or other valuables, sell them to buy more medicinal cuisine or pills. In short, it’s about enduring. Those who can’t endure meet their death."

"Those exiled here try to bring as many pills and Spirit Stones as possible. Of course, it depends on the duration of exile. For ordinary convictions of a year or two, those with sufficient strength and will can survive just by enduring. For longer sentences, if someone’s strength is formidable, there’s no problem. But if their strength is low and the sentence too long, there’s a high probability they’ll perish here."

Lin Chen asked, "50,000 Spirit Stones for a portion, and that’s considered cheap?"

The man sighed, "If it were outside, the price definitely wouldn’t be expensive. But this is the Kutuo Sea; there’s no land, only the vast ocean. Although there are medicinal herbs in the ocean, the difficulty of harvesting is high, and the variety too limited. Refining pills is certainly not sustainable."

As they were talking, the food for both was served. Lin Chen glanced over it: a bowl of meat, a serving of seaweed-based vegetables, and a bowl of soup with a particularly strong medicinal scent.

"Time is limited; let’s eat first!"

The man grabbed his chopsticks and started wolfing down his food, and seeing this, Lin Chen also paused his inquiries, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat.

As an alchemist himself, well-versed in medical skills, Lin Chen could tell after a taste that all three dishes were medicinal cuisine. Whether it was the stewed meat or the seaweed, each had medicinal properties, but the most potent was the unidentifiable soup with a strong medicinal scent. Lin Chen could identify two ingredients but was stumped by some others.

Having no injuries and being in high spirits, Lin Chen naturally had no need for the food. After all, it couldn’t really be considered a delicacy. He pushed the dishes toward the man and placed the bowl of soup in front of him.

"I just arrived and am not hungry. You finish this soup for me; don’t let it go to waste."

The man was slightly taken aback and looked up, asking, "How long will you stay?"

"One year."

The man slowly nodded, "That’s not long. No matter how tough it gets, just persevere and it will pass."

Lin Chen nodded and pushed the soup bowl another two-finger width closer.

The man glanced at the bowl of soup, and his voice suddenly became somehwat deeper, as if it came from inside his nose, somewhat muffled.

"Thank you!"

Lin Chen withdrew his hand, turned his gaze away, and didn’t watch as the man continued to devour his meal.

All he needed was someone to talk to, whether inside or outside the restaurant didn’t matter.

As for the Spiritual Energy Tides outside?

Lin Chen had plenty of methods, and not just one...