Chapter 2851: The 5 Day Trip

เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 มี.ค. 2569 18:38

"Whoa… is that natural, or were they all planted?" Meng Bai couldn't help but ask as he stared at the wall. "All natural, of course," Lin Mu informed. "The plants here grow easily due to the high fertility of the soil, as well as the rich Qi in the air—especially with the Green Lotus Temple nearby." "I see." Meng Bai's excitement increased bit by bit, and even Lin Mu found himself intrigued. As they entered through the grand gates, they were greeted by the vibrant hum of the city. A cacophony of voices rose from the streets as tens of thousands of people bustled about. Street vendors shouted to advertise their goods, cultivators bartered for pills and treasures, and performers dazzled crowds at street corners with acrobatics, illusion arts, and flute melodies. The scent of roasted meats, spiced buns, fresh tea, and sweet pastries wafted through the air, making even Lin Mu's stomach grumble slightly. Everywhere they looked, color and life abounded. Banners of silk fluttered in the wind, spiritual beasts lounged beside traveling merchants, and children darted between stalls playing games. This was the Lotus Prefecture City—beautiful, busy, and full of surprises. Right away, Meng Bai took them to the first stop in the itinerary. "Vine Roof Restaurant," Meng Bai read the name from the hanging wooden sign. "Whoa, this looks a lot like the buildings in Ram Orchard City," he remarked as he looked at the establishment. It was an open-air restaurant, with a roof made entirely of woven vines that crisscrossed over tall wooden pillars. The vines formed a dense canopy of intertwined greenery, hanging with flowering tendrils and gently glowing fungi, casting a soft bioluminescent glow. "It sure does," Lin Mu nodded, noting the rustic charm. "Let's go in. It's written here that they have some special desserts," Meng Bai said, already leading the way. They quickly found a table near the center, right beneath the thickest part of the vine canopy where butterflies flitted lazily in the filtered light. The place served no savory food, only desserts, and was well-known for them. There was creamy rice pudding sprinkled with golden saffron threads, flaky pumpkin pasties dusted with powdered sugar, delicately carved Sugared Lotus Seed Cookies, glossy red Candied Hawthorns skewered on sticks, and a variety of soft, Qi-infused cakes that tingled on the tongue. The group indulged in every bite before heading to their next destination—a teahouse. This was more to Lin Mu's liking and was located within a circular pavilion that floated serenely in the center of a still lake. It was called the Moonlit Lotus Pavilion and was famous across the region for its signature Lotus Petal Tea. The pavilion itself appeared as if crafted from pale jade, with moon motifs etched onto its railings. Lotus flowers drifted lazily around it, reflecting the sky above. The tea served here was soothing, delicately fragrant, and clear as crystal. The scent of lotus filled the entire pavilion, and it was said that anyone who sat inside for even an hour would have their clothes subtly perfumed for a whole day. It was a popular spot among women for both the aesthetic and aromatic appeal—which, naturally, was part of Daoist Chu's reasoning. The man noted down in the itinerary that he had a great time sipping his tea while "appreciating the local beauty," as he put it. After that, it was time for lunch. For this, Daoist Chu had written down a proper restaurant known for its wide variety of regional and foreign dishes. This was the Hundred Chef Restaurant. As its name suggested, it employed one hundred different chefs from various parts of the Silent Lotus World. Each chef specialized in a distinct cuisine, creating a diverse menu that brought flavors from icy tundras, volcanic valleys, desert oases, and more. Lin Mu thoroughly enjoyed the culinary tour, and Little Shrubby made mental notes of everything he ate. Next came the markets. Lin Mu and Little Shrubby practically rampaged through them, buying literal tons of ingredients. It was a scene reminiscent of their shopping sprees in the Rust Sky World and Jui World—an extravagant affair that earned the wide-eyed stares of hundreds, and the enthusiastic blessings of every shopkeeper they visited. Even Meng Bai was stunned by how freely Lin Mu spent his money; this was the first time he saw him truly indulge. They also visited bookstores and a skills pavilion that offered cultivation techniques, martial manuals, and travelogue scrolls full of knowledge. Lin Mu added no fewer than a thousand books to his growing collection, stuffing them into spatial rings with a satisfied smile. As the sun dipped behind the city's flower-covered walls, it was time for dinner. For this, they headed to the bustling night district—a lively area glowing with lanterns and humming with music. Daoist Chu had reserved a table long ago in advance at the Grilled Skyfang Hall, the most prestigious beast-meat restaurant in the region. The restaurant specialized in grilled meat from spirit and immortal beasts—each cut marinated with herbs or glazed with qi rich honey. Lin Mu enjoyed himself thoroughly, devouring over a hundred servings. He wasn't alone—the twins and Ashy joined in, their appetites rivaling their master's. The staff stood flabbergasted, not only by the sheer volume of food ordered but by how cheerful and polite the gluttonous guests were. With their stomachs full, they did one last round of shopping—Lin Mu picking up rare herbs and materials for his Omnicore Ascendancy cultivation path. Thus ended the first day of their journey. They returned to their inn, collapsing into bed and enjoying a restful night. The next morning, they set out bright and early. Their next destination was 300 kilometers away, but with Little Shrubby's speed, the journey could've been done in under two hours. However, they took their time, stopping frequently to admire the lush countryside, lotus-filled ponds, spirit and immortal beast sightings, and ancient bridges made of living vines. By noon, they arrived at Starless City—a mysterious settlement perpetually shrouded in mist. The city sat atop a lofty mountain, but despite its elevation, stars were never visible at night. Thick mist rolled through the streets in slow waves, muting sound and color, giving the entire city an ethereal appearance.

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