The city-state located in the heart of the Phantom Sea was known as Ye Ming City. It was a place of trade where outside merchants frequently came to sell goods, while the residents living around the Phantom Sea brought mountain delicacies or animal skins to exchange. Everyone essentially got what they needed.
Within the Phantom Sea, there were as many as ten or more such city-states, situated in various parts of its vast expanse. Because of this, Ye Ming City lived up to its name, remaining bustling even during the night.
To a large extent, this city in the mist served as a distribution center for trade. Outside merchants exchanged supplies here with the villages and tribes of the Phantom Sea, purchasing various medicinal herbs or animal hides. Meanwhile, the residents of the Phantom Sea traded for fabrics, silks, copper mirrors, and furniture that were not produced locally.
As a result, Ye Ming City was extremely prosperous. Even after nightfall, it remained lively, and the lights never went out.
Upon entering the city, Bai Lan covered his face with a light veil to avoid unnecessary trouble. He went ahead to book rooms at an inn.
As for Si Yan, he noticed that Su Tao’er seemed very interested in the night market. She was looking around everywhere, her large eyes filled with curiosity. Therefore, he decided to take her for a walk around the city first.
Besides, this was his original plan anyway. After all, being able to go shopping alone with a girl — isn’t that a date? A man and woman alone together amidst the fading lights; isn’t that the very definition of poetic romance!
However, how could Su Tao’er possibly understand the sordid thoughts in her master’s heart? She even wondered, ‘Is it a bit too much of me to ask Master to accompany me through the market?’
On the main street of Ye Ming City, merchants were everywhere, from the shops to the stalls selling miscellaneous goods. It was bustling and incredibly lively.
Si Yan introduced the sights as they walked. “Tao’er, you must stay close to me. After all, the Phantom Sea is a lawless place with a mix of good and bad people. There are many desperate criminals here. It’s not like the Destiny Pavilion. Do not move more than one step away from me.”
The local customs of the Phantom Sea were fierce. Coupled with the lack of legal constraints, there were indeed many hidden dangers.
Su Tao’er was very obedient. She quickly moved closer to Si Yan, tightly clutching the back of his robes with one hand.
Si Yan’s primary reason for coming out to gather herbs this time was actually for her. He wanted to build a more solid foundation for Su Tao’er’s Xiantian Realm. To begin tempering the Power of the Three Souls, she would need a high-quality pill.
Although Si Yan could easily help Su Tao’er step into the Three Souls Realm without a pill, a lack of natural foundation could easily lead to irreversible consequences later on. Therefore, it was better to be cautious.
“Honey Candy! Selling Honey Candy! Delicious Honey Candy!”
A street vendor carrying baskets on a shoulder pole shouted at the top of his lungs amidst the crowd.
Si Yan was very sharp. Out of the corner of his eye, he inadvertently noticed the change in Su Tao’er’s expression. However, she seemed too embarrassed to speak up.
Thus, Si Yan knowingly gestured to the merchant to stop. He used some silver scraps to buy a bag and stuffed it into Su Tao’er’s hands.
Having been seen through, Su Tao’er playfully stuck out her tongue, but she soon happily popped a piece into her mouth with a sweet expression.
Si Yan felt a sense of immense satisfaction.
‘To be able to take a young girl to the night market… this has been a dream for so many years!’
‘Only by building a good relationship with my disciple, by getting close to this girl, will she lower her guard! Only then will she become more trusting and open with her master!’
‘If we become close enough, then it probably won’t cause any resentment if I accidentally walk in while she is changing or bathing. Even if a few pieces of undergarments drying outside happen to disappear, it definitely won’t have anything to do with her master. She certainly won’t suspect me, because they must have been blown away by a strong wind! This definitely wouldn’t be a crime committed by her master.’
While Si Yan’s heart was racing with these thoughts, Su Tao’er’s attention was entirely focused on the Honey Candy. Before they had walked very far, the girl had already tossed several pieces into her mouth, making her cheeks puff out.
During this time, Si Yan bought a heap of oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, placing them into his Qiankun Bag. These were supplies for Yuling’s daily cooking. He also bought some fabric.
When Su Tao’er came to the Destiny Pavilion, she hadn’t brought many clothes. Once winter arrived, she might not have enough to change into. So, Si Yan intended to make some for her, as his tailoring skills were actually quite good.
Just then, someone suddenly blocked the path in front of them.
Surrounded by a group of people, a young man in his early twenties suddenly stepped forward. He stopped in front of Su Tao’er and said in surprise, “Miss Su, why are you here?”
The young man wore silk clothes embroidered with gold thread, looking very noble. Furthermore, there was an air of arrogance between his brows that belonged to those in high positions.
“Are you… Mr. Luo?”
It took Su Tao’er a moment to remember who the person in front of her was. When she and her brother first arrived at the borders of the Phantom Sea, they had encountered this man at an inn.
This young man named Luo was the legitimate son of the Sect Leader of the Luoqing Sect. The Luoqing Sect was considered a major sect in the north, with nearly 1,000 disciples. From the Sect Leader to the elders, protectors, and hall masters, there were eighteen experts at the Xuanyuan Realm or above!
She remembered that her brother, Su Xuan, had some interaction with them back then. Although this Luo Qingping had been very attentive toward Su Tao’er, she hadn’t cared for it. She had only declined his invitations with a smile.
“It seems Fate truly favors the connection between myself and Miss Su. You and your brother did not agree to travel with us back then, yet I, Luo Qingping, would never have imagined that I would meet Miss Su again after entering the Phantom Sea for so long.”
Su Tao’er gave a polite smile. “It is indeed a coincidence.”
But as soon as the girl finished speaking, she popped another piece of Honey Candy into her mouth. She didn’t seem particularly surprised or pleased by the encounter.
At this moment, Luo Qingping’s gaze fell upon Si Yan. His expression froze for a moment, suddenly becoming rather unfriendly, yet he still asked with a smile, “Oh, and who might this gentleman be?”
Si Yan did not answer immediately. He merely nodded to him before patting Su Tao’er’s head. He smiled affectionately and said, “I am just strolling here with my disciple. Meeting you, Mr. Luo, does indeed seem to be a bit of destiny.”
However, as soon as Si Yan spoke, not only was Luo Qingping stunned, but even the men and women beside him burst into laughter a moment later.
Luo Qingping shook his head and laughed loudly. “Miss Su, you wanted to enter a dangerous place like the Phantom Sea to seek a master and the Dao. I thought the Destiny Pavilion you mentioned was established by some mysterious, otherworldly expert. But today, looking at this Pavilion Master, I see he is nothing special.”
Luo Qingping snorted and mocked Si Yan. “Mr. Pavilion Master, looking at your young age, how much higher can your skills and cultivation be compared to mine? You haven’t even reached the Xuanyuan Realm, yet you dare to start a sect and mislead your disciples? Miss Su, you should join my Luoqing Sect instead. Come be my father’s Successor Disciple and become my junior sister!”