Chapter 611: The Invitation from City Lord Qiuyue
This market isn’t very large; it’s somewhat distant from the residential area in Ninglan New City. After all, the items here aren’t meant for ordinary people.
However, there are quite a few curious ordinary residents walking around, pointing at these novel objects, but they don’t dare to handle them too closely.
It’s clear that this is a temporarily organized area prepared for many students needing to dispose of materials in hand. I took a quick glance and noticed that for a modest stall fee, one could set up a stall here.
The items here can be traded in various ways, with the most common being cash—ordinary money. For rarer items, the threshold for payment is red copper. The market also supports barter trading, and there are unified material buyback points as well; however, the prices there are lower, but it’s convenient for processing large quantities of inexpensive materials.
Looking at the goods for sale along the roadside, I’m quite intrigued by the lively atmosphere.
Although this is a temporary market, it has a name: Witch Market. Not only prospective witches are here, but also students from other academies.
Most of the goods they sell are found outside the city, with a majority being plants, including various types of plants, plant samples, and seeds, as well as some rarer extraordinary materials, ores, and associated minerals.
As for the carcasses, organs, bones, and bl**d of mutated beasts, they are common materials used in alchemy.
Sometimes, these materials are needed for special ceremonies, so while they may seem bloody, they do have a market.
However, most people sell these items to unified buyback points rather than setting up stalls, unless the items are highly valuable.
Additionally, there are some stalls that can sell items on consignment, saving some hassle.
Unfortunately, I don’t have anything to sell on consignment at the moment, but I have picked up some materials of interest during my stroll. Besides some extraordinary materials like crystals, gemstones, and associated minerals, I purchased more mutated extraordinary plants.
My Great Knowledge Tree has already acquired most of the information from the original plant network of that small world, and after completing the identification information of the Earth Vein Identification Technique, many details have emerged.
This allows me to identify some plants that interest me.
After all, this is a world of plant technology civilization, with fully developed cultivation and induction techniques. Although it may have evolved into some “deformed” forms later on, it doesn’t hinder the accumulation of technical prowess.
Some plants have even completely degenerated photosynthesis and chlorophyll, and other plant characteristics, merely to serve technology and social development, relying entirely on Earth Energy to maintain “plant life characteristics.”
Thus, many plants have mutated after leaving the framework of civilization under the stimulation of high concentrations of extraordinary power or have sprouted a second life.
I’m particularly interested in these plants.
Because… the plant network needs them.
Perhaps I need to find an opportunity to let plant technology exhibit an irresistible advantage, promoting it throughout the Expanding Realm, so the reborn Wanlian Main Network Tree can reach its maximum potential.
But this matter… still requires careful planning.
After wandering through the market and confirming that there are no plants or materials I need, I prepare to head back, as I have a temporary hotel in Ninglan New City—an entitlement for a teaching assistant at the Witch Academy, whereas regular students… seem not to have the same privilege.
However, they can rent rooms in Ninglan New City. Due to previous expansions, the outer city walls have become the remnants of the inner walls.
Thus, there are numerous empty rooms in the city waiting for students, after all, the population in Ninglan New City can’t possibly increase rapidly in such a short time, and it’s only natural for these accommodations to be used for outside visitors.
“Hm? It seems I’ve made a discovery after all.”
As I head back, I make a new discovery. It’s not that I’ve found something good that I hadn’t noticed before, but I see a familiar person.
However, she hasn’t noticed me.
I quietly approach, watching her leisurely pick and choose among the various stalls, and then I place my hand on her shoulder.
“Who!”
Startled by the sudden touch, she instinctively jumps and quickly turns around. “I don’t accept pick-ups… eh? Sister Xiao Han? What are you doing here?”
“Is it strange for me to be here?” I glance at Dongli Yiren, a teasing smile on my face. It’s truly Dongli Yiren; she still fears being approached by others even now.
“I… I heard you’ve been doing some construction work at that refuge. Why are you suddenly back?” Dongli Yiren instinctively starts talking, surprised to run into me here.
“Well, I came back once I felt like it, but I didn’t expect to meet you here. You really can’t stay in the academy, how’s it been here?”
“It’s… fine… I’m helping Senior Sofiry with her work. You know she studies plants. I’m barely managing as a planting apprentice…”
“That’s not bad! The plants outside the city are indeed suitable for unique studies, especially for those researching plant fields. Do you need anything? I just walked around here and can directly use the Earth Vein Identification Technique to obtain information on the market’s plant types; just head to the stall if you see something you like,” I suggest.
“That… that’s indeed a good method, but I prefer to use the Earth Vein Identification Technique as I walk and identify information… I can learn a lot that way,” Dongli Yiren replies.
“Just a suggestion; naturally, do what you prefer. By the way, our dorm should have more than just you, right?”
“Yeah, and Yu Yatian. Just the two of us… we three,” she responds.
“Do you know what she’s up to now?”
“I heard she’s participating in an exploration team, but I don’t know how she’s doing now.”
“Exploration team? Yu Yatian is quite something,” I remark, somewhat surprised.
Exploration teams in Ninglan New City are generally formed by students with certain combat abilities.
They mainly conduct geographical surveys and map drawing of locations outside Ninglan New City, marking resource points, guiding encountered refugees or wanderers, and marking established temporary small shelters or gathering spots.
They also investigate the movements of mutated beast groups outside; if a beast tide forms, it’s a serious issue that needs to be resolved quickly.
After all, Ninglan New City has always suffered from threats of mutated beast tides; the walls and buffers in Ninglan New City exist to defend against these beast tides.
For Yu Yatian to join such a team really tests her courage.
If something were to happen, even though the academy can revive those who d*e and bring them back to Ninglan New City, nobody wishes to experience d*ath, do they?
“I advised her, but she didn’t listen. She said this is a trial for her as a practitioner,” Dongli Yiren sighs as she tells me.
“A practitioner’s trial… hrm, it suits her, doesn’t it?”
“Sister Xiao Han, you think so too?”
“If she chooses her own path and executes it steadfastly, then no one has the right to say it’s wrong.”
“Then should I…”
“Haven’t you already made your choice? Are you hesitating now?”
“Sorry…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. Just like earlier, even if you doubt Yu Yatian, don’t doubt yourself. Just be responsible for yourself… let’s not talk about this anymore; change the subject. Do you know where Sofiry is?”
“Uh, of course I know. I was just called out by Senior Sofiry to see if there are any interesting plants…” Dongli Yiren quickly responds.
“Why don’t you take me to see her? Of course, let’s wait until you’re done shopping. I want to see what progress she’s made on plant research in the Expanding Realm.”
I want to personally meet her to see if she has any high-yield plants. After all, the Disaster Refuge needs a self-sufficient food source.
If that doesn’t work… I still have information on the seedling techniques and hybridization technologies regarding food crops from the original Wanlian Main Network Tree. After all, it’s a tech reference from a civilization. As long as I find corresponding crops in the outside world, that planting specialist should have ways to improve and breed them.
“Sure, Senior Sofiry will surely welcome your arrival. When she’s with me, she sometimes brings you up… but, Senior Sofiry’s research on the plants of this world is still in its early stages, so she might not be able to help much.”
“Early stage, huh… well, there’s no rush.” I glance at the plant samples in Dongli Yiren’s hands. If Sofiry really had in-depth research on certain plants, she probably wouldn’t be collecting various plants in the market.
With this thought, I also try to summarize the research data I’ve acquired about those plants from the Wanlian Main Network Tree to present to her when I meet her.
However, I remember she doesn’t seem to have the Great Knowledge Seed… but that’s alright; I can still transfer the data through the academy network.
As I stroll through the market again with Dongli Yiren, I encounter another familiar person.
I can tell right away that she’s heading straight for me. Upon spotting me, she walks right over.
“Teaching Assistant Xiao Han…”
“How interesting, we meet again, Miss Lanke.” I smile at this girl standing before me. She’s the little secretary who’s always by Ninglan Qiuyue’s side; she’s probably one of those close aides. The last time Ninglan Qiuyue came to see me, she stayed too long and was worried that her assistant would be searching for her.
“I didn’t expect you to remember me, Teaching Assistant Xiao Han,” she says politely as she approaches.
“Of course, my memory isn’t that poor. You came looking for me on purpose, right? Is there something you need?” I directly ask.
“Oh, that’s right. City Lord Qiuyue knows you’ve returned to Ninglan New City and asked me to find you right away. If you have time, City Lord Qiuyue hopes to have a chat with you,” Lanke explains while glancing at Dongli Yiren beside her. “This must be a friend of Teaching Assistant Xiao Han? I’m very sorry to disturb your conversation.”
“It’s alright, it’s no trouble. I’m Dongli Yiren,” she quickly interjects.
“Ah, so it’s Miss Dongli Yiren.”
“Is there something urgent that City Lord Ninglan Qiuyue needs to discuss with me? She’s sought me out as soon as I entered the city,” I ask, noticing that Dongli Yiren doesn’t seem too interested in Lanke.
“Well… it’s not something very urgent. After all, Teaching Assistant Xiao Han has just returned to the city after spending so many days outside. She simply wanted to chat. If Teaching Assistant Xiao Han has pressing matters, City Lord Qiuyue said to prioritize your thoughts,” Lanke explains hurriedly.
“I was originally thinking of going to find Sofiry…” I direct a glance at Dongli Yiren.
“Senior Sofiry has been at her spot. If Sister Xiao Han has something to discuss, you can let me know in advance, and I can give her a heads-up,” Dongli Yiren adds.
“Right, suddenly visiting her without giving prior notice isn’t ideal. Well then, I’ll see her next time.”
“So, are you planning to meet with City Lord Qiuyue first?” Lanke asks eagerly upon hearing this.
“Since you’re here inviting me so formally, I’ll go take a look. Meeting Sofiry is more of a spontaneous thought anyway.”
“Okay, then… I’ll guide you. Let’s wait for you to finish your shopping first…”
“I’ve actually browsed around, but I also have something to do to mention. Please wait a moment.” As I speak, I glance at Dongli Yiren. “I was just planning on bringing a gift for Sofiry. So I’ll have to trouble you to help me deliver it.”
While speaking, I utilize the Great Knowledge Sharing Technique to pack the information that would take a long time to transfer via the academy network into a composite rune of the sharing technique and hand it over to Dongli Yiren.
“What is this…?” she asks, puzzled.
“This is a gift for Sofiry regarding information on plants. This rune will directly share it with your Great Knowledge Seed. You can then transfer it to her via the academy network. Of course, you can also make a copy in your Great Knowledge Seed to help you learn about the plants of this world.”
“This… thank you.” Dongli Yiren instinctively accepts it, but as soon as she takes the rune, it vanishes.
In the next moment, a massive amount of information is instantly uncompressed in her Knowledge Tree, making her dizzy.
“Alright, focus now. Don’t let this information overwhelm you. Take your time to absorb it, don’t rush.”
“Um… I’m fine… it’s just so much information… this is my first time,” she responds.
“You’ll get used to it. So for now, let’s bid farewell, and please send my regards to Sofiry.” I say.
“Okay, sure.”
After saying goodbye to Dongli Yiren, she continues to browse the market, occasionally glancing back to see if I’ve left.
“Alright, let’s go.” After bidding farewell to Dongli Yiren, I turn my gaze to Lanke.
“Mm, please follow me.” Lanke quickly leads me away from the market, but along the way, to avoid any awkwardness or lulls in conversation, she brings up some topics.
For instance, she’s curious about Dongli Yiren’s identity, as the person who can stroll through the market with me must have a special relationship.
I honestly share with her that Dongli Yiren is my roommate, and what Lanke does with that information afterward is not my concern.
Soon, Lanke leads me to Ninglan Township Fort.
“Ah, here we are, Ninglan Township Fort.” I softly exclaim.
“Ninglan Township Fort is the residence of the City Lord of Ninglan New City, as well as the office. Many of City Lord Qiuyue’s affairs, meals, rest, and meetings are conducted within Ninglan Township Fort,” Lanke explains, even though I merely expressed a sentiment.
“Teaching Assistant Xiao Han, if you need to find City Lord Qiuyue for anything, you can come directly here and inform the City Guards outside the castle; they will know what to do. You are the most special guest of City Lord Qiuyue.”
“Is that so? I understand.”
