Emerging from the portal, the two found themselves in the southeastern corner forest of Eden City.
"Why did you come along?"
Xia Mi glanced at the elf beside him.
"Do you really expect me to stay at home, a beautiful elf girl, all by myself?"
"But your appearance draws attention. It'll be hard for me to move around."
"Don't worry about it."
Lureia gently brushed her golden hair, hiding her pointed ears beneath it. She then took out a round hat from her storage space and donned it. She also used a veil to cover her face, leaving only her sparkling blue eyes visible.
"Ta-da~ I'm all set now."
"That self-made sound effect is childish."
"Hmph, I'm much older than you!"
Xia Mi and Lureia followed the flow of people into Eden City. The city was one of the early cities of the Phis Kingdom. The streets were not well organized, and the buildings on both sides bore the essence of their age, reminiscent of medieval Western architecture.
The streets bustled with activity. In addition to humans, many other races could be seen.
The pair soon reached the main street of Eden City. Almost a hundred meters wide, towering buildings lined both sides. On one side stood the renowned Adventurer's Guild, housed within a Gothic-style building. Opposite it was Eden City's largest commercial hub.
Human-run auction houses, entertainment streets featuring succubi, dwarf-operated weapon forging shops, and high-end pharmacies managed by orcs were all situated in this location.
"Xia Mi, are we just wandering aimlessly?"
Lureia's eyes darted about with curiosity, having rarely visited human cities.
"I don't particularly mind."
It was Xia Mi's first time in the city, and he was quite astounded.
The scene was even more bustling than major international cities from his previous life.
How can game designers render such massive scenes without their computers smoking?
"Is this your first time in a place like this?" Lureia noticed Xia Mi's reaction.
Xia Mi nodded. In the two and a half years since he arrived in this world, he had always stayed in the village. With the threat of monsters and no teleportation portals, leaving the village would take almost a day, so he never ventured out.
"Psh, such an inexperienced little shrimp~"
The blonde elf stood still, smirking.
"If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me. Hey, don't leave me behind!"
Lureia followed Xia Mi into the commercial hub on the right side of the main street, entering a high-end pharmacy.
The pharmacy not only sold medicines but also various materials and even potions.
Two armored guards stood at the entrance. The interior resembled a large traditional medicine shop, with walls lined with shelves filled with a plethora of items.
A human shopkeeper behind the counter greeted them warmly.
"Hello, what can I help you with?"
Thinking that the 'Water of Life' might have potion-like effects, Xia Mi hoped to find some relevant information here.
"Do you sell the Water of Life?"
The shopkeeper gave them a peculiar look.
"Sorry, we are a legitimate pharmacy."
"Hey, Xia Mi, there's something off about the way he's looking at us," whispered Lureia.
"I can see that without your help." Xia Mi frowned, "Could you please clarify?"
The shopkeeper glanced at the two, cleared his throat, and said, "That's an illegal potion. If you're looking to buy it, you might find it in the alley behind this street, after nine more streets. But that's a black market with all sorts of people. Be careful."
"Thank you."
After leaving the pharmacy, the two made their way to the black market.
They found themselves in a filthy and chaotic alley, with shabby stalls set up on both sides. The vendors glared menacingly, and the air was filled with a cacophony of different dialects and languages. Flies and mosquitoes buzzed everywhere. The scene was a stark contrast to the clean and orderly main street they had just left.
Even though this place seemed like a typical setting for a hero to get into trouble, what did that have to do with an ordinary villager like him?
"It looks dangerous, Xia Mi."
"If you're not going in, I will."
Without hesitation, Xia Mi walked straight into the alley. Lureia hesitated for a moment but eventually followed.
They reached a dilapidated potion shop. A burly man sized them up.
"Buying or selling?"
"Buying. Do you have the Water of Life?"
"Of course. Got a fresh stock just yesterday. How much do you need?"
The man didn't seem surprised. Many people came looking for this potion, and he was used to it.
"The Water of Life we sell here is of the highest purity in Eden City, and its effects are unparalleled. You don't have to worry about its quality. Many adventurer groups buy it from us before setting out."
He opened a drawer filled with small bottles containing a transparent liquid.
Just then, a tall, robust man entered the shop. Standing nearly two meters tall with a sword at his waist, he appeared to be a swordsman.
"Boss, I need a bottle of the Water of Life."
"Five gold coins. Going on another adventure outside the city?" The two men seemed to know each other.
"Adventure? Hell no. The Demon King is gone. I'm heading out, alright. Got a date with a female orc in the wilds. It's tough getting the beastkin in the mood, so I thought the Water of Life might help." The two men shared a lewd chuckle, and the swordsman paid and left.
Lureia's eyes widened in surprise.
The shopkeeper turned back to Xia Mi.
"How about you? How many do you need?"
"I'll take two bottles."
"That'll be ten gold coins." The man handed over two bottles to Xia Mi.
Ten gold coins was a hefty sum for an ordinary villager. It was the equivalent of two years' worth of farming income.
But for the sake of his mission, Xia Mi reluctantly handed over his savings of two years.
"Don't use too much at once. The effects last a long time. If you overdo it, you might become uncontrollably aroused, which can be fatal if not addressed in time."
"Oh."
After obtaining the Water of Life, Xia Mi and Lureia silently made their way back to the forest outside Eden City.
When they were finally alone, Lureia couldn't hold back any longer. "Xia Mi! This is clearly an aphrodisiac!"
Indeed.
Xia Mi had realized what it was the moment he got it.
[Name: Water of Life]
[Type: Single-use item]
[Effect: Universal aphrodisiac]
[Note: The Water of Life is an industry code name. Its real name is ′Love Potion′. It has a potent allure effect. Can be applied topically or ingested to produce the desired effect. Commonly found in various underground settings. It has been banned in many countries, but most city black markets still sell it.]
So that's what "aiding in the cultivation of life" meant. But why on earth would a hero carry something like this on an adventure?!