Ji Xia thought for a long time before tucking the Xuanfang Bag securely against his body and preparing to leave.
As he stepped outside, he noticed the wooden puppet nearby. Its spiritual crystal embedded in its forehead had dimmed, and it gazed at him pitifully.
Ji Xia pulled out a spirit crystal, replaced the dim one on the puppet, and patted its shoulder. "You consume a crystal a day just to do chores fit for children. I wonder how wealthy one would need to be to afford keeping you."
Once the wooden puppet's crystal was replaced, its soft body immediately regained vitality, and it bowed to Ji Xia.
Ji Xia chuckled. "Is that the only act of flattery you know?"
The puppet tilted its head, looking at him in confusion.
Ji Xia circled around the puppet, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "With the Spirit Gathering Rune, your cultivation speed has been astonishing. Ordinary beings can only cultivate with complete focus, yet you manage to cultivate even while serving tea, cleaning the courtyard, and moving rocks."
The puppet's jade-like eyes reflected even deeper confusion.
"Never mind," Ji Xia said with a sigh. "The fact that I could move into this Yanxiang Residence and encounter you must be fate. In that case, I'll give you a name."
Feeling inspired, Ji Xia's eyes lit up as he smiled. "You'll take my surname—Ji—and your given name will be Lin, hoping that you'll one day find growth like rain after a drought and achieve something remarkable. Ji Lin it is."
The puppet straightened its posture and bowed again to Ji Xia.
"I wonder if you even understood that," Ji Xia muttered to himself. Bidding farewell to Ji Lin, he prepared to explore the grand sights of Xiuyang Shang Palace and visit the renowned markets of the Great Fu Kingdom. Just as he was about to step out, there was a knock at the door.
Ji Lin opened it and returned with a jade slip in hand. The slip gleamed green, swirling with spiritual energy and engraved with runes.
Ji Xia activated the jade slip, and a projection emerged—it was Fan Zhu, her graceful figure clad in a green robe. She greeted Ji Xia with a polite bow.
Fan Zhu's projection smiled and said, "I had intended to personally invite you, cousin, but some trivial matters held me back. I can only send this message; I hope you won't mind."
She bowed again. "This evening, I am hosting a banquet at my residence, gathering the young heroes of Xiuyang Shang Palace. Cousin Qin Ji, you will be the guest of honor. Please do join us."
With that, Fan Zhu's projection faded, and the jade slip automatically sealed itself.
Ji Xia hesitated for a moment. He had originally planned to wander the markets of Xiuyang Shang Palace to see if there was anything beneficial for Taicang. Looking up, he noticed three suns aligned perfectly overhead, illuminating the land.
"It's only noon. There's still plenty of time. I can explore the markets first and then attend the banquet later."
Having made up his mind, Ji Xia informed Ji Lin before stepping out.
Walking along Zhongjing Street, the grand mansions gradually gave way to fewer estates, and the streets grew busier with foot traffic. Most were dressed in luxurious attire, their restrained auras subtly exuding astonishing power.
"These people must be incredibly strong. The weakest among them probably has a seventh or eighth-tier cultivation. Some of these youths are only a year or two older than me, yet they already possess spirit wheel fluctuations. Compared to Taicang, they are on a completely different level!"
Murmuring to himself, Ji Xia continued onward until he reached a bustling market. The streets were lined with towering shops, teeming with people.
In addition to the human-like faces of the Great Fu Kingdom, Ji Xia saw many exotic species he had never encountered before.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Ji Xia strolled through the lively market, his eyes sweeping over the dazzling array of goods. Occasionally, he came across street vendors selling techniques or weapons. Curious, he activated his Great Sun Spiritual Eyes but quickly laughed at himself.
"Of course, how could roadside stalls have anything extraordinary? In Xiuyang Shang Palace, with its countless wealthy families and foreign nobles, any truly valuable items would have been snapped up long ago."
Realizing this, Ji Xia focused on observing the city's urban planning and architecture, taking notes for Taicang's future development.
Unknowingly, he wandered to a less crowded area. The buildings became increasingly old and low, and the streets grew quieter.
"Does Xiuyang Shang Palace have places like this?" Ji Xia thought, intrigued.
Suddenly, a strong stench of blood filled the air. As he walked further, the scent intensified until he arrived at a large, flat-roofed building where the smell was almost overwhelming.
The entrance was guarded by two rabbit-headed women, seemingly greeters for some kind of establishment.
Driven by curiosity, Ji Xia entered the building under their watchful eyes.
Inside, the lavishly decorated reception hall was filled with jade ornaments, black stone furniture, and priceless trinkets, all exuding an air of opulence. Yet the stench of blood was so thick it felt tangible.
A donkey-headed man in a silk robe and golden belt approached Ji Xia with a bow.
"This guest seems unfamiliar. Are you here to purchase in bulk or seeking something rare?"
The man's voice was loud and clear.
Ji Xia raised an eyebrow, his curiosity deepening. "What do you mean by bulk goods and rare items?"
The man chuckled. "Bulk goods are those supplied to taverns, markets, and occasionally the military. They're decent enough but might not meet the taste of someone as distinguished as yourself."
"Rare items, on the other hand, are reserved for noble estates, royal palaces, or those of great status. Of course, if you can afford them, they're available for sale."
Ji Xia frowned, unable to guess the nature of the goods being sold. The extravagant reception contrasted sharply with the overwhelming bloodstained odor.
He decided to probe further. "Take me to see both bulk goods and rare items. I'll compare them and decide. If I'm satisfied, there will be plenty of business in the future."
The donkey-headed man brayed softly and stepped aside, gesturing politely for Ji Xia to proceed.
After some hesitation, Ji Xia walked ahead, his Great Sun Spiritual Eyes quietly activated. He scanned his surroundings and found no high-level cultivators—most had weak spiritual energy and posed no threat.
Reassured, he followed the man through a side door and into a long corridor. At the end of the hallway, they arrived at a vast space.
The donkey-headed man pushed open the door, and Ji Xia's expression froze.
Piles of bloodied flesh were stacked in designated areas, with fresh blood flowing into troughs. Thousands of beings hung upside-down on slaughter hooks, their expressions twisted in agony as their bodies were butchered.
Each row of victims was accompanied by a donkey-headed executioner, skillfully processing the "meat" as though they were livestock.
But what shocked Ji Xia the most was the sight of recognizable races among the slaughtered: the Jiu Dog People, Zhou Green People, and even—
At the far end, beyond the grotesque mountains of flesh, Ji Xia spotted a row of humans—men and women alike—hanging lifelessly from the hooks.