Chapter 219 - 18: Grand Trading Fair, Sword Nurturing Technique

Chapter 219: Chapter 18: Grand Trading Fair, Sword Nurturing Technique

In Yu Huo County, a Sea Condensation Realm Cultivator could dominate the entire region. Here, however, it seemed they were just another moderately skilled expert.

"Wow, this place is so bustling!" Su Yuan’s eyes darted everywhere, unable to take it all in. Her little face was alight with excitement.

Like a little bird freed from its cage, she flitted from one stall to the next, first examining curious little trinkets, then drawn in by a fragrant aroma wafting from a shop.

Chen Ye followed behind her, a profound sense of awe washing over him.

’This is what you call a real city. Compared to this, Yu Huo County is nothing but a poor, remote backwater.’

"Let’s find a place to stay first," Chen Ye said, pulling back Su Yuan, who was about to wander off to another street stall.

"It’s almost dark. Once we’re settled in, you’ll have all the time in the world to explore."

"Oh... okay," Su Yuan agreed, nodding reluctantly.

The two wandered the city for a long time before finally finding a clean-looking inn down a relatively quiet alley.

The inn was called Yuelai Inn. The name was a bit cliché, but it had the advantage of being cheap.

"Shopkeeper, two rooms," Chen Ye said, walking up to the counter and addressing the Fat Shopkeeper, who was dozing off.

"One hundred cents a day. Pay first, stay later," the Fat Shopkeeper said wearily, barely lifting his eyelids.

Chen Ye didn’t bother with pleasantries, simply taking out two taels of broken silver. "We’ll be staying for ten days."

Seeing the silver, the Fat Shopkeeper’s attitude immediately grew much warmer. "Right you are! This way, guests, upstairs please. Rooms B-2 and B-3, right next to each other."

He deftly collected the silver and shouted up the stairs, "Boy! Show our two guests to their rooms!"

A sharp-witted attendant immediately scurried over, bowing and nodding as he led the way.

Chen Ye and Su Yuan followed the attendant upstairs.

The rooms weren’t large, but they were fairly clean and had all the basic furnishings: a table, chairs, and a bed.

"Alright, you get some rest. I’m going out for a bit," Chen Ye told Su Yuan once they were settled.

"Where are you going?" Su Yuan asked curiously.

"Just going to walk around a bit, get the lay of the land," Chen Ye said offhandedly.

In reality, he wanted to scout for information about the grand trading fair.

"I’ll go with you!" Su Yuan said immediately.

"No, you’ve been traveling for days. You should get some proper rest," Chen Ye refused without a second thought.

"I’m not tired!" Su Yuan insisted, shaking her head vigorously.

"Fine. But you be careful and don’t cause any trouble." Seeing her insistence, Chen Ye didn’t bother arguing.

The two of them left the inn together.

Under the cover of night, Qingzhou Prefecture City was even more bustling than it had been by day.

Shops lining the streets had hung up large, red lanterns, bathing the entire city in light as bright as day.

The streets were still teeming with people, perhaps even more so than during the daytime.

Chen Ye and Su Yuan picked a tavern that looked busy and went inside.

The tavern was packed to the gills. On a stage, a storyteller was passionately recounting a tale, his performance earning thunderous applause from the crowd.

They found an empty table in a corner and ordered a few side dishes and a pot of tea.

While sipping his tea, Chen Ye perked up his ears to listen in on the conversations of the surrounding patrons.

Patrons from All Walks of Life like these were always the most well-informed group.

"Hey, you hear? At the upcoming grand trading fair, I heard Celestial Sword Manor is putting something special up for auction," a burly, bearded man at the next table whispered mysteriously to his companion.

"Something special? What is it?" his companion asked, instantly intrigued.

"I think it’s a Realm-Breaking Pill!" the bearded man whispered.

"What? A Realm-Breaking Pill!?" his companion exclaimed, so loudly that several nearby tables turned to look.

He hastily slapped a hand over his mouth, his face a mask of utter shock.

"That’s a treasure that can help a Sea Condensation Realm Cultivator break through to the Inner Realm! And Celestial Sword Manor is actually willing to part with it?"

"Tell me about it," the bearded man said with a smug air.

"Rumor is, they’re doing it to raise Cultivation Resources for their Young Manor Master, to help him attempt a breakthrough to an even higher Realm."

"Tsk, tsk. Now that’s a power move. Once that Realm-Breaking Pill is on the market, every Sea Condensation expert in the whole of Qingzhou will be fighting like mad for it."

"No kidding. I bet the final price will start at one hundred thousand taels of silver, at least. Small-timers like us can only watch the show."

Hearing this, Chen Ye’s heart stirred.

’A Realm-Breaking Pill!’

’An Elixir Pill that can help someone break through to the Inner Realm!’

’This is absolutely a treasure of strategic importance.’

’It seems this grand trading fair will be full of hidden masters, just as I expected.’

He listened for a while longer and picked up several other pieces of news.

For instance, the Black Tiger Gang from the south side of the city and the Iron Sect from the west were in a bloody war over territory.

And the eldest son of the City Lord’s Mansion had taken a liking to the top courtesan at the Baihua Building, spending a fortune to book her for an entire month.

There was also talk of a powerful Demon Beast that had recently appeared outside Qingzhou Prefecture City. Several groups of Cultivators had already perished at its hands.

The news was a motley mix of truth and rumor.

But for a newcomer like Chen Ye, it was an excellent way to get to know the city.

Just then, a disheveled old Daoist, reeking of alcohol, staggered into the tavern.

His eyes immediately fell on Chen Ye and Su Yuan, who were sitting in the corner.

And when he got a clear look at Su Yuan’s round face, the color drained from the old Daoist’s own.

Without a second thought, he turned to bolt.

The old Daoist was none other than Yun Heqing, who had fled all the way from Yu Huo County.

He never imagined that after all the hardship he’d gone through to escape to Qingzhou Prefecture City, he would run into this little menace, Su Yuan, after only a few days of peace, and so he immediately tried to flee.

"Daoist Yun, we meet again." But just as he turned to leave, Su Yuan’s sickeningly sweet voice echoed in his ear.