Half an hour later, Long Huang spotted the City Gates in the distance. As he admired the roadside lined with beautiful spirit blossom trees, he realized he had returned to Blossom City.
"The air isn't as fresh, and the spiritual energy isn't as abundant as it is on the Archdevil Mountain Range," he mused. "But oh boy, I am glad to be back," he added, taking in the stunning view of the City Gates. The afternoon sky enchanting the scene of the city even more
Long Huang then made his way to the most popular treasure pavilion in Blossom City, where beast parts were bought and sold. Although the Azure Lotus also had a treasure pavilion, they deducted a percentage from most transactions, claiming it was for the betterment of the Sect.
As Long Huang walked through the streets of Blossom City, he noticed many eyes lingering on him. "Wow! Since when did the Azure Lotus Sect get such a hottie?" said one woman, staring at Long Huang. A man nearby scoffed, "So what if he's good-looking? I bet he isn't that strong and is scared to fight—look at him." Another man chimed in, "Yeah, he probably hides behind women. What a waste of a good physique and looks." The first woman shot back, "Hmp, jealous much?"
Ignoring their gossip, Long Huang continued on his way to the pavilion. After a few minutes, he arrived at the seven-story building named Treasure Jade Pavilion.
"A good day to you, dear customer! How may I be of service?" greeted an old man with a long white beard and a sly smile.
"Same to you. I want to sell some wild beast corpses," Long Huang replied.
"Oh, right this way, sir," the old man said, leading him into a room. Upon entering, Long Huang noticed a large space furnished with some chairs and a table. "What a strange room," Long Huang thought."Have a seat. Would you like some tea, sir?" The old man spoke, his voice gravelly with age, but before Long Huang could fully register his words, the door swung open.
In stepped a captivating woman, her golden hair cascading like a waterfall of sunlight, framing her delicate face. Her striking golden eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief, and her curvy figure moved gracefully as she entered the room.
"Hi there, dear valued customer! How many beast corpses are you selling today?" she asked cheerfully, her voice smooth and inviting. Long Huang found himself momentarily speechless, caught in the magnetic allure of her presence. His heart raced, and he shyly averted his gaze, feeling heat rise to his cheeks.
After a moment of awkward silence, he managed to reply, "Um, I lost count after a while." Embarrassment washed over him, a stark reminder of his youthful inexperience. At that moment, he wished he could explain that he was mentally still a teenager, even though he was mentally 33 years old, counting in both this life and his previous one, but surrounded by children who had shaped his understanding of the world. The enchantress before him made it all the more difficult to reconcile his age with his feelings.
"Okay, place them in the open space in front of us," the woman instructed. "Okay," Long Huang agreed, pulling out all the wild beast corpses from his storage pouch.
"Metal Pecking Eagles, three of them...worth 300 gold notes."
"Red-spotted Wild Boar, teeth, paws...worth a total of 450 gold notes."
"Gold-striped Snake...worth 60 gold notes and 20 silver coins."
"Seven Treasure Poison Centipede...worth 100 gold notes and 10 silver coins."
The woman remained expressionless as she calculated the prices. However, the old man was stunned that a boy who looked like he lived off women and was merely an official disciple of the Azure Lotus Sect was capable of hunting such dangerous wild beasts. Official disciples ranged from ages 14 to 16, meaning Long Huang was either 14, 15, or 16.
"Yin Spirit Tuna... Red Tiger... Yi!"
The woman's expression changed; she was visibly shocked. The Yin Spirit Tuna and the Red Tiger were beasts that nearly belonged to the demon category. Their defenses were incredibly strong, and even experienced cultivators at the peak of the Meridian Tempering Realm struggled to catch them.
Due to their rarity and strength, the price of the Red Tiger was significantly higher than that of other beasts in the same category. The Yin Spirit Tuna, being even rarer and residing in water, required immense strength to capture or even fish out. And they weren't even native to the area, so it was next to impossible to see one, much less catch one.
"Red Tiger....worth 2,100 gold notes," the woman said after a brief pause. "Yin Spirit Tuna....2,800 gold notes." As she continued tallying the figures, she looked at Long Huang with astonishment.
2,100 and 2,800 gold notes? Long Huang was taken aback, realizing the Red Tiger and Yin Spirit Tuna were worth more than he had anticipated. She added up the total worth of the other beasts Long Huang had also placed in the space, excluding Long Huang's Green-Eyed Tiger King, which had yet to show.
"That brings the total to 8,000 gold notes and 50 silver coins!" the beautiful woman announced.
8,000 gold notes and 50 silver! Long Huang's heart raced. His monthly allowance was only 20 silver coins! He had never carried more than 5 gold notes at one time.
Even then, the value of the Green-Eyed Tiger King had yet to be factored in.
"How about this: I'll give you a total of 8,000 gold notes flat," the woman proposed, a cunning smile on her face.
"Sure," Long Huang replied, not wanting to prolong the conversation. Soon, he received his pay.
"Oh, by the way, do you take parts from demon beasts?" Long Huang asked before leaving.
"Could it be that you have demon beast parts too?" the woman inquired, her gaze shifting toward the storage pouch at Long Huang's side.
"Yep," Long Huang replied as he slowly opened his storage pouch, revealing parts of the Green-Eyed Tiger King.
Immediately, a powerful aura emanated from the storage pouch.
"Green-Eyed Tiger King!" the woman exclaimed, looking incredulously at Long Huang.
She could hardly believe that an official disciple of the Azure Lotus Sect could kill a demon beast. It was known that such beasts were capable of fighting against Bone Tempering Realm cultivators, and there were even rumors of demon beasts destroying entire villages.
"We had a total of seven people. It took us a while to finish it, and even then, we lost someone," Long Huang stated, his words seeming to offer some comfort to the shocked woman.
As she looked at the materials, the woman's gaze was drawn to the Azure Lotus symbol on Long Huang's clothes. Finally, she steadied herself and offered a price, "10,000 gold notes!"
Upon hearing this, the old man in the room gasped. It was the first time he had encountered such a high bid. The woman realized that she could not trick Long Huang, given his connection to the Azure Lotus Sect.
The Azure Lotus Sect, led by the Chi family, along with the Zhao and Xin families, comprised the three most powerful groups in Blossom City. No shop could operate without their approval.
"Deal!" Long Huang replied with a smile. Though he appeared calm, he was actually laughing internally. Just then, the woman asked him something.
"If you don't mind me asking, what is your name?" she inquired.
"Long Huang," he answered. The woman and the old man were taken aback; Long Huang was well-known throughout the city and had recently been reported missing.
Without another word, Long Huang gathered his 15,000 gold notes, feeling the weight of his hard-earned fortune, and strode confidently out of the pavilion.
"I can finally buy some resources to enhance my cultivation," he mused, a sense of purpose driving his steps. "But first, I should pay a visit to an old friend." With that thought in mind, he made his way to Bo's Tailor Shop, a place he had frequented in the past.
As Long Huang pushed open the door, a bell tinkled overhead, announcing his arrival. An employee approached with a friendly smile, ready to greet a customer. "Hi, d—" she started, but her words faltered as her eyes met his. Recognition dawning, her face brightened with a flush of embarrassment. "Hi there! Is your boss in?" Long Huang asked, his charming smile causing her heart to race uncontrollably.
"Uh... he... he's at the Red District," she stammered, her usual poise slipping away as she became entranced by Long Huang's striking appearance.
Long Huang raised an eyebrow, his expression subtly shifting to one of mild annoyance as he engaged in the familiar ritual of waiting. "Of course he is," he replied, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice as he thought about his friend's seemingly endless escapades. Despite his frustration, he couldn't help but appreciate the lively atmosphere of the shop, filled with the warm buzz of conversation and the comforting presence of familiar faces.
As he mulled over his options, Long Huang contemplated whether to stay and wait for Bo Chow's return or to make his way back to the Sect. He was lost in thought when he noticed a young employee watching him intently. Her eyes sparkled with an unspoken longing and passion, conveying a depth of feelings that words seemed to falter in expressing. Just as he sensed the moment hanging in the air, he cleared his throat, breaking the spell.
"Well, tell him I dropped by," he said with a casual tone, turning to leave. Before stepping out into the cool evening air, he paused and turned back to the employee, a charming smile gracing his features. "Good night and goodbye, miss. Take care of yourself." With that, he left the shop, the warmth of the encounter lingering in his mind as he stepped into the bustling street outside. However, the employee was left in a daze, as if her world had collapsed. She understood the miss in Long Huang's words were meant to distance himself from her.