"Where are we going?"
Liu Xixi, walking out of the Main Peak's guest area, looked around, appearing very excited.
Xia Jiuyuan scanned the crowd around them, who were pointing and discussing them, and couldn't help but smile wryly.
It seemed his reputation as a connected individual would only grow stronger by tomorrow.
"To the foot of Asked the Sect, that's the most prosperous place in the entire Southern Domain."
"Ah? To the human world?"
"Yes, Asked the Sect is beautiful, but the scenic beauty of Liujing Forest, I imagine, is no less impressive.
The beauty of humanity belongs to the human world."
Xia Jiuyuan's words were filled with an attitude towards the human world different from that of conventional cultivators.
"But it's already night, shouldn't mortals be sleeping?"
"Though it's called the human world, it's at the foot of Asked the Sect, a mix of all sorts, with no small number of cultivators, and even some organizations from the Western and Eastern Domains...
For example, Trinity Church from the Eastern Domain, the Knights from the Western Domain, or Wind and Rain Pavilion, which is spread across all three human domains."
As Xia Jiuyuan spoke, he pulled Liu Xixi's clothes, hoisted her onto chasing clouds, and took her flying out of the peak.
"Look—"
From atop chasing clouds, where Xia Jiuyuan pointed, lights shone brightly, scattered like stars across the human world, their brilliant glow weaving into a flowing painting.
Little Xi Xi was dumbfounded; she had never seen such a sight since coming to Asked the Sect.
"This—is this Spirit Light Stone, or a spell, or a formation—"
"None of those. This is a miracle of spiritless methods. I prefer to call it science."
"Spiritless methods? Science?"
"Yes, the source of these lights is light bulbs. They don't need spiritual energy, only something called electricity.
It's because of them that night markets can exist. As far as I know, only the mortals here in the entire Southern Domain are privileged enough to have such a rich nightlife."
"Xi Xi doesn't understand, but Xi Xi feels it's amazing."
"If you're interested, I can tell you more about spiritless methods."
Xia Jiuyuan observed Liu Xixi excitedly nodding.
This child subjectively liked going out to play, so if she had been cooped up inside, there could only be one reason: her elders wouldn't allow it!
In that case, would there really be no problem with him taking her out without permission?
It should be fine, right?
He placed a jade token in his palm; if anything unusual happened, he could quickly crush it to call Li Shishu for help.
With all his magical treasures, he shouldn't run into trouble right at his doorstep, should he?
The cautious Xia Jiuyuan couldn't imagine how superfluous his actions were.
Because their every move was secretly being watched by three World-Destroying Experts!
The two rode chasing clouds down to the market, where the mortals were already accustomed to such sights.
Liu Xixi actively tugged at Xia Jiuyuan's sleeve, both excited and a little scared.
The surrounding vendors, seeing that beast-humans had arrived, became energized and began loudly hawking their goods.
"Cotton candy, colorful cotton candy~"
Liu Xixi pointed at the fluffy cotton candy and asked, "What is cotton candy?"
"You'll know if you try it."
Saying that, Xia Jiuyuan tossed out a second-order spirit stone.
The circulating currency in this world was spirit stones; even mortals used them.
To put it in common terms:
A first-order spirit stone was equivalent to 1 yuan, a second-order to 10 yuan, and a third-order to 100 yuan. Among mortals, the highest circulating spirit stone was usually third-order. The conversion ratio for spirit stones above third-order was no longer a simple tenfold but changed with market dynamics.
Xia Jiuyuan handed the cotton candy to Liu Xixi, and looking at the thriving market, he said proudly:
"Only here can you eat so much delicious food."
"Why? The three human domains, the Western and Eastern Domains, can't?"
"No, among the three major human domains, entertainment is best in my Southern Domain."
Liu Xixi put the candy in her mouth, and it was so delicious that her fur instantly bristled.
"Wow, delicious! So delicious! Hmm... why is entertainment best in the Southern Domain?"
What a curious baby, asking about everything, but Xia Jiuyuan's lips curled into a smile; he was waiting for that very question.
"Because the Southern Domain has me. This cotton candy was invented by me."
"Ah?"
Liu Xixi was stunned.
"Although light bulbs weren't invented by me, these colored lights, these designs, the idea for this market, were all orchestrated by me."
"Ah?"
"Look, those drinks were also improved by me."
Liu Xixi followed the direction Xia Jiuyuan pointed and saw a pile of colorful sweet drinks.
"Here, these toys were also promoted by me."
Those were some colorful small blocks, and some black and white chess pieces, and playing cards with strange patterns.
"That clay-baked chicken was also my invention."
Liu Xixi swallowed hard.
"And these pastries, they were all created by me!"
"You—you—"
Xia Jiuyuan was very pleased with Liu Xixi's sparkling eyes and continued:
"Actually, these are nothing. To speak broadly, some systems in the human world are currently following my path."
"How did you do it?!"
To such a question, Xia Jiuyuan was unusually humble, as all these things were copied, and he didn't have the audacity to take credit for them.
"These are not difficult; it's just that everyone puts their energy into cultivation."
The two walked and chatted, and Liu Xixi's emotional value was completely maximized, praising Xia Jiuyuan endlessly.
...
After a feast, the small stalls gradually began to pack up.
Even with lights, it was impossible for this place to recreate a sleepless city.
"Xi Xi, we came out a bit late today. They're starting to pack up. Let's get ready to go back."
"Ah..."
Although she had been wandering for over half an hour, Liu Xixi's energy hadn't diminished at all. Hearing they had to go back, her tail and ears drooped.
"We can continue to come out tomorrow."
"Okay, okay."
Her tail and ears perked up again. So cute.
"Sir, miss, would you like a fortune telling?"
The two were attracted by the voice. Liu Xixi stopped, wagging her tail, and asked curiously,
"Fortune telling?"
"Yes, fortune telling from the Western Domain,"
Saying that, the mysterious hooded woman handed two cards to Liu Xixi and Xia Jiuyuan.
"Are you a cultivator?"
Xia Jiuyuan stopped Liu Xixi, warily gripping the jade token in his hand.
As soon as there was any abnormality, he would crush the jade token, and Li Shishu would instantly descend.
"Yes."
The hooded woman raised her head, her green eyes looking at Xia Jiuyuan.
"Under Li Zongzhu's nose, I wouldn't dare to act recklessly. Don't you even have that much courage?"
Speaking frankly? Although this was a provocation, Xia Jiuyuan was no longer afraid.
He thought about it; he would definitely have to see Li Shishu afterward anyway, so he wasn't afraid of this mysterious person leaving any tricks on him. So he took the card.
Liu Xixi's ears twitched, and she frowned, very reluctantly taking the card as well.
"Don't be nervous, let me see... Oh dear," the hooded woman paused.
"This isn't right..."
Xia Jiuyuan chuckled:
"Can't see my future?"
"Yes..."
"Then that's right."
The hooded woman glanced at Liu Xixi, then pretended to disbelieve and continued to close her eyes for divination.
Liu Xixi looked at the card in her hand and reluctantly spoke:
"Xia Jiuyuan, I'm very happy today, but is your purpose really just to help me?"
"Really, I swear! I will do my best to help you."
Xia Jiuyuan played with the card in his hand, looking at Liu Xixi with a look of excitement.
Had she finally decided to speak? Xia Jiuyuan secretly wondered.
"Hmm... Actually, I don't really need any help right now."
This was a lie. Liu Xixi had enjoyed herself so much today, clearly, she yearned to play. So, the reason she had stayed in her room for so long must have been hidden.
Xia Jiuyuan wanted to ask directly, but on second thought, since Liu Xixi hadn't brought it up herself, it meant their relationship hadn't reached that point yet. It was better to wait. Anyway, their time together tonight had been good.
He boldly used his finger to gently tap Liu Xixi's forehead.
"It's good that you don't have any problems. Li Zongzhu gave me this task, which is to help you solve problems. If I don't help you solve problems, then this task isn't completed. Shall we continue to enjoy the human world tomorrow?"
"Ah? But I don't have any problems..."
"Just tell me, did I or did I not help you solve a problem?"
Hearing such a brazen conversation, Liu Xixi finally smiled.
"Yes. Then let's come again tomorrow!"
"Tsk."
The hooded woman shook her head. Although she couldn't see Xia Jiuyuan's fate at all, based on his words, he was undoubtedly an old hand at romance.
Her fingers moved slightly. Before the two could react, she had taken the cards from their hands.
"My abilities are limited; I won't make a fool of myself here."
When Xia Jiuyuan turned his head upon hearing this, she had already disappeared from the market.
"This person..."
"It's okay, I don't think she meant any harm... Let's go back."
The two flew back to Asked the Sect's Main Peak, going in circles. Throughout the process, Liu Xixi seemed to be in low spirits.
But Xia Jiuyuan didn't think much of it. He believed it was a normal phenomenon, similar to Sunday afternoon syndrome.
...