Chapter 579: Rules for Entering the City |
As the carriage sped away, it kicked up a cloud of dust.
Ning Qi and Xu Qingqiu sat in the carriage, still admiring the scenery along the way.
"Look, there are merchants coming and going everywhere here."
"They transport the goods they buy from here to every corner of our realm."
Xu Qingqiu pointed at the caravans here, saying with a smile.
"Oh, so you're saying many of the things found elsewhere actually flow out from here?"
Ning Qi couldn't help but remark after hearing her words.
"Yes, many people from the outside world who come to our place choose to leave from here."
Xu Qingqiu nodded, then continued, "And if you want to leave, you also need to depart from here."
Ning Qi asked with a smile.
"Yes."
Xu Qingqiu nodded, revealing an expectant expression. "This time we go, we're sure to gain something."
"It's been so long since I last went out."
"Miss Xu, didn't you just return? How can you say it's been long?"
"If I remember correctly, it's only been about a month, right?"
The Pill Spirit couldn't help but ask after hearing her say this.
"A month isn't short either."
Xu Qingqiu retorted.
"Well, you're not wrong there."
The Pill Spirit stopped arguing with her and instead focused his attention forward as well.
"You two, we'll be there soon."
The Coachman spoke to them at this moment. "Will you enter by yourselves, or shall I take you in?"
"Oh? Is there a difference?"
Hearing his question, Ning Qi knew there must be some particular custom involved.
"Yes, indeed there is."
"If someone takes you in, it will be much more convenient."
"Whether you're staying at an inn, attending some auction, or doing anything else."
"It will all be very convenient, and no one will question you. But if you just enter by yourselves like this..."
"That's not certain. This place isn't governed by people from your realm."
"The guards here won't give you any face."
The Coachman nodded, then explained to the two of them.
"I know, I've been here a few times already."
Xu Qingqiu nodded, then said with a smile, "No need to trouble yourself."
"Alright, since the young lady has been here before, I won't waste words."
"However, you two, whether it's travel passes here or your identity tokens, they all have expiration dates."
The Coachman clearly didn't expect Xu Qingqiu to say this, but still couldn't resist reminding them.
"Hmm, thanks for the reminder."
Xu Qingqiu nodded, then continued, "But mine won't expire."
"Oh? Young lady, how come yours won't expire?"
The Coachman instead became interested, asking curiously.
"Mine?"
"Take a look and you'll know."
Xu Qingqiu smiled, then took out her jade pendant.
The Coachman just glanced at it, couldn't help but widen his eyes, and quickly said, "So it's a Core Disciple of the Myriad Swords Sect. My apologies for the disrespect."
"Now, are you reassured?"
Xu Qingqiu smiled, following up with a question.
"Reassured. You two, we've arrived. I wish you a smooth journey."
The Coachman got off the carriage, then pointed at the road ahead, speaking to the two of them.
"Thank you."
Ning Qi expressed his thanks, then got off the carriage together.
After the two of them got off the carriage, they headed straight for the city gate.
"Is it very expensive for them to take us in?"
Ning Qi asked curiously.
"Yes, more expensive than the travel fare."
Xu Qingqiu nodded. "If I didn't reveal my status, we might even get fleeced."
"Oh? There's such a thing?"
Hearing her say this, Ning Qi couldn't help but sigh. "Seems danger lurks everywhere."
"Of course, otherwise why would I reveal my identity? We don't reveal it lightly when we're out."
Xu Qingqiu pointed at the road ahead, saying to Ning Qi, "Alright, let's go in."
"Good!"
Ning Qi nodded, then continued walking inward with her.
They walked up to the city gate, where the guards stopped them.
"You two, do you have identity tokens?"
One of the leaders came over, looking at the two as he asked.
"Here."
Xu Qingqiu didn't hesitate, directly handing her token to the Commander.
"So it's disciples of the Myriad Swords Sect. Please proceed, you two."
The Commander just took one look and knew Xu Qingqiu's identity.
This was a token only Core Disciples possessed, so he had no right to obstruct them.
"Thank you."
After expressing her thanks, Xu Qingqiu led Ning Qi to continue inward.
"Tsk, having status really makes a difference."
Ning Qi clicked his tongue, saying with a smile.
"That's for sure. They are also here with our approval."
"They don't care about our ordinary disciples, but if even we Core Disciples can be casually pushed around by them, where would our dignity be?"
Xu Qingqiu said proudly.
The two of them had now entered the city.
Tall pavilions stood everywhere here, and many people were doing business along both sides of the streets.
The sounds of hawking and haggling were endless.
Looking at the bustling scene here, Ning Qi couldn't help but think of his True Martial Spirit Realm.
If one day, the True Martial Spirit Realm could also be like this, how wonderful that would be.
"Master, our True Martial Spirit Realm will surpass theirs one day!"
The Pill Spirit, seeing through his thoughts, chimed in.
"First, we need to be strong enough ourselves."
Ning Qi smiled, then looked ahead. "But that's not too difficult."
"Right, we can definitely do it!"
Hearing him say this, the Pill Spirit followed up.
"Let's find an inn first."
Xu Qingqiu looked at the road ahead, saying to the two of them. "This one looks good. I came here once with my Master before."
"It also has Pocket Dimensions here, but the Sumeru Courtyards here allow you to see the street scenes outside."
"Oh? A Pocket Dimension that allows constant connection with the outside world? This is my first time hearing of such a thing!"
Hearing her say this, Ning Qi immediately became interested. "Then let's choose this one."
"Okay, let's go!"
Xu Qingqiu nodded, then started leading the way, quickly bringing the two to the front of the inn.
"You two, looking for lodging?"
The Shop Assistant saw someone had arrived and hurried over to greet them.
"Do you still have Sumeru Courtyards available?"
Xu Qingqiu stepped forward, asking with a smile.
"Yes, currently there are still some. But by the end of the month, when a batch of people heading to the Realm Sea Battlefield arrive, it will be completely full."
The Shop Assistant nodded repeatedly, then added, "If you two are also going, you should consider renting here long-term."
"After all, if you participate, you'll have to wait here for at least three days."
"Oh? Then renting from now would require a huge expense, wouldn't it?"
Hearing him say this, Xu Qingqiu couldn't help but frown.
"That's still much better than having nowhere to stay, right?"
The Shop Assistant said with a smile.
"For one month, how many spirit stones are needed?"
Ning Qi asked directly, not caring in the slightest.
"For one month, a total of three thousand spirit marrow is required."
The Shop Assistant extended his hand, saying to Ning Qi.
"Ah? That's too expensive."
Xu Qingqiu was immediately displeased.
"Young lady, if you don't stay now, by month's end there will be no rooms left."
"You can't exactly camp out in the wilderness outside the city, and there won't be any places to have fun by then either."
The Shop Assistant looked at her, maintaining a smiling expression all along.
"Let's decide on this. Come on."
Ning Qi had made up his mind, then directly gave the Shop Assistant a storage bag.
"Young Master, please."
The Shop Assistant's eyes lit up at the sight of money. After confirming the amount inside was correct, he proactively led the way for the two.
"Good!"
Ning Qi nodded, then said to Xu Qingqiu, "Let's go."
"Okay."
After Xu Qingqiu agreed, she followed along.
They soon followed the Shop Assistant upstairs, arriving at the door of a private room.
The Shop Assistant skillfully opened the door, then proactively invited them. "You two, please."
"Good!"
Ning Qi also agreed, then followed inside.
After entering, they discovered this place was a world of its own.
Indeed different from the outside, there was only one door here.
The Shop Assistant stepped forward again, directly opening this door.
"Whoosh!"
Instantly, a small courtyard appeared within the room.
The courtyard had green vines and a flower pond, and there were also several chambers.
Inside this courtyard, there was also a pavilion.
"You two, you can see the outside scenery from this pavilion!"
The Shop Assistant proactively led the two over, then activated the spirit stone here.
"Buzz!"
The next moment, an illusory scene appeared in the center of the pavilion.
It was like the image transmitted by a Voice Transmission jade talisman, only this one was much clearer.
"Wow, this is really nice."
Xu Qingqiu looked at the scene here. "We can see some of the beautiful sights in the city without even stepping out."
"You two, if satisfied, shall we take this courtyard?"
Seeing she was very pleased, the Shop Assistant followed up.
"Okay, let's take this one then."
Xu Qingqiu nodded, her beautiful eyes full of satisfaction.
"You two, then this humble one takes his leave!"
"This is the access token. If you want to go out and look around, just carry it with you."
"When returning, with this token, you can open this place."
As he spoke, the Shop Assistant also proactively handed a jade token to the two with both hands, not forgetting to add a reminder. "Be sure to keep it safe. If lost, you won't be able to get back in."
"If you need us to reissue it, we'll have to charge you extra spirit marrow."
"Good!"
"You may go."
Ning Qi nodded in agreement, then took the jade token from him.
"This humble one takes his leave."
The Shop Assistant then also left.
Only Ning Qi and Xu Qingqiu remained in the courtyard.
"Wow, this place is really nice! You can see outside!"
The Pill Spirit, perched on Ning Qi's shoulder, looked at the scene here, saying very contentedly, "It's so lively here. Master, let's go out and take a look."
"Miss Xu, what do you think?"
Ning Qi glanced at Xu Qingqiu beside him.
"Of course we're going. The reason I brought you here was to go out and stroll around."
Xu Qingqiu agreed immediately, then said to Ning Qi with a smile.
"Good, then let's go."
After Ning Qi agreed, he walked towards the entrance.
"Let's go!"
The Pill Spirit hopped about, extremely happy.
They soon reached the entrance. Ning Qi simply took out his jade token.
The door opened directly, and then the two walked out together.
They soon reached the downstairs area of the inn.
By now, the sky had darkened, yet there were even more people on the street.
"It really is quite lively."
The Pill Spirit stood on Ning Qi's shoulder, looking left and right, praising from time to time.
The Nine-Tailed Cat followed Xu Qingqiu, continuing forward.
"Ning Qi, there are many fun places here!"
"Whatever you want to play, they definitely have it here."
As she walked, Xu Qingqiu still didn't forget to turn her head and say to Ning Qi.
"Oh? Let me think then."
Ning Qi pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Then let's go eat first."
"Right, we haven't eaten all day."
Only then did Xu Qingqiu suddenly realize, following up, "Let's go, I'll take you to a restaurant. Their food is very tasty."
"Good, then I'll try the restaurant you recommend."
Ning Qi caught up, saying with a smile.
The two soon arrived at the restaurant's entrance.
"You two, please come upstairs."
The waiter quickly came up to greet them, smiling as he invited them upstairs.
"Good!"
After Ning Qi nodded in agreement, he and Xu Qingqiu followed inside.
They just like that followed the waiter directly upstairs.
Upstairs, the two looked at the dining tables here, all filled with people.
"You two, this way please."
The waiter then led them to a dining table.
After the two arrived, they sat down one after the other.
"Bring us your good wine and fine dishes."
Ning Qi then instructed the waiter.
"Right away! Please wait a moment, you two."
After the waiter agreed, he hurried away.
"Ning Qi, do you know how much this whole table costs? This is too extravagant."
Only after the waiter left did Xu Qingqiu say to him, "How about I go tell him to bring less?"
"No need to worry, my Master has plenty of spirit stones."
The Pill Spirit, on the other hand, wore an expression of not caring in the slightest, following up.
"That's right, don't worry!"
Ning Qi also chimed in. "Since we're out, naturally we shouldn't skimp on good food. We should also have fun properly!"
"Ah? You're not wrong there."
Hearing him say this, Xu Qingqiu couldn't help but follow up. "Then I won't hold back."
"You don't need to hold back. Just eat to your heart's content later."
Ning Qi said with a smile.
"You two, the food is here!"
At this moment, the waiter had already come up with several other waiters.
Each of them carried delicious dishes in their hands.
Just looking at them made one's mouth water.
"Wow, I feel hungry already."
The Pill Spirit rubbed its hands, revealing an eager expression.
"Everyone, please enjoy your meal."
The waiters soon orderly placed a table full of sumptuous food on the table for them to taste.
"Here, try this."
Ning Qi picked up a morsel of spiritual vegetable with his chopsticks, proactively placing it in Xu Qingqiu's bowl.
"Okay."
Xu Qingqiu also didn't stand on ceremony, agreeing before starting to taste it.
"How is it?"
Seeing her chewing slowly and carefully, Ning Qi couldn't help but ask.
"Not bad. You try some too."
Xu Qingqiu also didn't stand on ceremony, picking up some food with her chopsticks and placing it in Ning Qi's bowl.
"Good!"
After Ning Qi agreed, he also began to follow along and taste it.
For a time, the two ate with great relish.