The red glow of lanterns from the night market cast an ethereal light on the trees, giving the place a mystical charm, so unlike the solemn atmosphere of the Celestial Court. Dare Drake Tran stood at the market's entrance, breathing in deeply. The mingling scents of street food, incense, and humanity itself brought a sensation he hadn't felt in over a thousand years.
"So lively…" he murmured. "Compared to the Celestial Court…"
"Too quiet and… lonely, isn't it?" Zhu Bajie clapped a hand on his shoulder.
Dare started, sensing an unspoken sorrow in Zhu Bajie's teasing tone. Indeed, no matter how imposing their roles were in the heavens, their days consisted of formal assemblies and strict rules…
[System: New Feature Unlocked - "Quest Chain"!
First Quest: Experience a Mortal Night Market
Reward: 200 Credits + Special Skill
Note: "Some things can only be felt in the mortal realm…"]
"Hey, hey!" Zhu Bajie tugged at him. "Let me show you the best part of the night market!"
"Wait a second…" Dare raised an eyebrow. "This better not be a hunt for another tavern."
"No, no!" Zhu Bajie grinned. "I'm going to show you the art of commerce!"
[CelestialPalace_001: "Another mishap in the making…"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "Commerce or… more chaos?"]
"STARTING LIVE STREAM!" Zhu Bajie shouted with enthusiasm. "Today, I, Marshal Tianpeng—uh, no, I mean Daoist Zhu Bajie, will show everyone how to succeed in the night market!"
Just as he finished, his foot caught on a loose rope, sending him sprawling directly into a pottery stall.
CRASH!
[System: Special Incident!
Damage: 20 bowls and plates
Available Credits: 50
Note: "This… might be the most unique start yet!"]
"My pottery!" the stall owner cried. "Who's going to pay for this?"
Dare looked at the shattered pieces, then at Zhu Bajie's sheepish grin, and sighed. Hard to believe this was once Marshal Tianpeng, commander of the celestial army, now reduced to… causing havoc in a marketplace.
[Viewers: 100,000+]
[TinyFairy2k: "Best marketing strategy ever!"]
[Guest1810: "From Daoist to… destruction artist!"]
"Hold on!" Zhu Bajie's eyes suddenly sparkled with an idea. He dusted himself off, and then called out loudly, "Everyone, look here! This is the ultimate test of pottery durability! If it were good quality, it wouldn't have broken from a mere fall!"
[System: New Skill Unlocked - "Improvised Commerce"!
Success Rate: ???
Risk Level: MAX
Note: "Is this… a form of marketing?"]
A crowd began to gather, some even applauding with laughter. Dare was about to intervene when he sensed a strange, pure energy radiating in the air.
"Interesting…" he thought. "The laughter and liveliness of mortals… can actually produce pure spiritual energy?"
[CelestialPalace_001: "You're beginning to understand, aren't you?"]
[CelestialPalace_002: "This is the power of the mortal world…"]
"Hey, hey!" Zhu Bajie suddenly pulled Dare down. "Do you see that?"
"See what?"
"That person…" He gestured toward a shadowy corner. "Another monk from the Great Mercy Temple."
In the darkened corner, a monk was collecting "offerings" from the vendors. A dense black aura swirled around him, something only those with spiritual awareness could perceive.