Sang Xuan didn’t mind, her red lips curling upwards. “Isn’t marriage good? The city hasn’t been lively for a long time. A bit of excitement would cheer everyone up.”
On the throne, Jiang Wan rested her chin on her hand and smiled gently. Her eyes were clean and resolute.
The seven chattered incessantly, but Jiang Wan ignored their talk, instead urging them to go patrol the South River.
Jiang Wan sat in the hall for half the day, thinking intensely about the future and what she should do.
At dusk, Shen Sheng came looking for her. Gazing at the grand hall, her eyes filled with wonder, she strode in. “Anu.”
Hearing the name ‘Anu,’ Jiang Wan frowned slightly. It seemed like a long time since anyone had called her that.
She sat up straighter and waved Shen Sheng over. “You’re awake. Let’s go down and take a look.”
Prajna City could be a bit dull.
At the city gate, the mirror was still there. Someone flew up and walked to the mirror. In its reflection, they were alone, with an empty space beside them.
Shen Sheng let out an “Oh?” Jiang Wan explained, “She hasn’t Formed a Contract with anyone. Simply put, she has no wife.”
“How can a mirror be so magical? If we put this in the mortal world, it would be so useful. When people come to marry, a look in the mirror would reveal everything—whether they’d married before, they’d be exposed instantly.” Shen Sheng reached out to touch the mirror, thinking of taking it to the Imperial Capital and placing it at the entrance to the Ministry of Rites. During the betrothal ceremonies, just let them look in the mirror, and their true form would be revealed.
Jiang Wan chuckled. She placed her hand on Shen Sheng’s waist and gently embraced her. The two immediately rose into the air and descended.
After passing through clouds and mist, they landed steadily by the riverbank.
It was bright daylight. The river surface shimmered. Looking out, the end couldn’t be seen at all.
Hand in hand, they strolled slowly along the riverbank. Encountering other cultivators, Jiang Wan would proactively explain, “Many cultivators practice around the South River. They walk around it, hoping to find some fortune or opportunity.”
“Children conceived by drinking the South River Water possess half of their Divine Power from the South River, making their Immortal cultivation much easier.”
“Secondly, it’s not something you get just because you want it. It depends on fate. The number of true Demigods I’ve seen doesn’t exceed ten.”
Shen Sheng was surprised. That meant Buyan and Buyu were truly remarkable, conceiving twins in one go.
She didn’t speak, just listening quietly.
A warm breeze drifted from the river surface, brushing against their cheeks, incredibly comfortable.
The riverbank had quite a few people, mostly women, but also male cultivators. They sat in meditation, motionless for long periods.
Jiang Wan’s voice was as light and gentle as the wind on the river. “Further ahead is a city where cultivators like to live. It has all sorts of magical treasures and artifacts you need money to buy. Your Talisman Papers can also be bought there, but not as powerful as yours.”
“Sometimes, Divine Beings at the Great Perfection stage run out of money, so they draw some talismans to sell. They’re quite popular.”
Time seemed to stand still. The breeze was warm, her voice soft. Shen Sheng felt like she was floating, the corners of her mouth curving up again and again.
They walked slowly until dark, finally arriving at the city Jiang Wan mentioned. The city gate was plastered with many talisman papers for protection against Devils and similar things.
Shen Sheng stepped forward to examine them. “Plastered here… doesn’t anyone steal them?”
“They do,” Jiang Wan said with a meaningful smile.
Shen Sheng was baffled.
“What happens if they’re stolen?”
“Hundredfold compensation.”
“How is compensation determined?”
“Low-level cultivators sell their service to the city. High-level cultivators who steal one talisman must draw a hundred as punishment, until the debt is paid.”
Hearing this, Shen Sheng was confused. “If high-level cultivators can draw talismans themselves, why would they steal?”
“They might be severely injured and can’t afford treatment. Unable to draw talismans, they resort to stealing. After their injuries heal, they come back to compensate. These are unwritten rules. Rarely does a high-level cultivator have the thick skin to not repay,” Jiang Wan’s voice was airy, but when saying the last word “steal,” her tone deepened deliberately.
Shen Sheng immediately teased her. “You must have stolen before.”
“You could say so, though I wasn’t the mastermind,” Jiang Wan replied.
They passed by the city wall, which was densely covered in Talisman Papers.
Shen Sheng glanced back and asked, puzzled, “Would anyone even notice if one or two were stolen?”
“Want to try?” Jiang Wan’s eyes curved up in a smile.
Her curiosity piqued, and with the Clan Leader Jiang right there, Shen Sheng cautiously walked back and casually tore off a Talisman Paper.
Nothing happened.
She tore off another. Still nothing. She turned back to Jiang Wan. “Nothing.”
“One or two won’t fetch a good price anyway. But all the talismans on this wall have identifiers. The moment you try to sell it, you’ll be discovered,” Jiang Wan said, hands behind her back, her smile gentle like ice and snow.
Shen Sheng frowned and stuck them back. Jiang Wan led her into the city to look around, first going to a shop that sold Talisman Papers.
The entrance displayed all kinds of talismans, dazzling the eye. Jiang Wan explained, “These talismans have different prices. The ones displayed outside are drawn by low-level cultivators. The truly effective ones are kept inside.”
Saying this, she took the talismans she’d confiscated from Shen Sheng’s sleeve the night before and handed them to the shopkeeper. “Yours can sell for a good price.”
Shen Sheng hesitated. “Selling them… it doesn’t feel right.”
“If you want them, I can give you some. This person’s Divine Power is inferior to mine,” Jiang Wan stated frankly.
Shen Sheng understood. She looked down on Anu’s Talisman Papers. But then, why would Anu’s Divine Power a thousand years later be inferior to her past self?
Inside the shop, Shen Sheng handed the Talisman Papers to the shopkeeper, who glanced at them and casually named a price.
Jiang Wan shook her head. “Add ten percent.”
The shopkeeper looked reluctant, but seeing Jiang Wan’s extraordinary bearing, she agreed.
After receiving the money, Shen Sheng realized the currency wasn’t Copper Coins or bits of Silver, but gleaming Spirit Stones.
Jiang Wan told her, “Within the city, these Spirit Stones can buy whatever you want. Even lifespan.”
“You can buy lifespan?” Shen Sheng was astonished.
Jiang Wan, still holding her hand, led her onwards. “Mortals have limited lifespans, and Immortal cultivation is arduous. If they refuse to give up, they can buy more years. It’s called Life Extension.”
“Clan Leader Jiang, Clan Leader Jiang!”
People on the street recognized Jiang Wan and came up to greet her. Jiang Wan responded with a slight smile.
“Clan Leader Jiang, are you here to buy something today? Look at this new magical tool I just acquired…”
“Clan Leader Jiang, don’t listen to her! I have a Little Demon here, freshly caught…”
“Clan Leader Jiang, forget all that. Why not come and have some nourishing spiritual delicacies?”
Shen Sheng tilted her head, overwhelmed by the shopkeepers’ enthusiasm. Just as she was feeling flustered, someone called out, “Clan Leader Jiang, is this your disciple?”
“No, my wife.” Jiang Wan answered with a smile, her eyes bright, her manner gentle and proper.
Shen Sheng frowned. This-this-this-this…
The crowd laughed and offered congratulations. The shopkeepers who’d been promoting their wares enthusiastically brought out the items they’d mentioned moments ago, pressing them into Shen Sheng’s hands as congratulatory gifts.
Jiang Wan accepted them one by one, pulling Shen Sheng through the crowd and continuing deeper into the city.
Further in was a large-scale auction venue. It was filled with all sorts of magical treasures and artifacts, bustling with excitement.
Inside the Spirit Abyss Pavilion, people were everywhere—Demons and humans alike.
The two chose a secluded spot to sit. Jiang Wan explained, “There are many treasures here, going to the highest bidder. Sometimes, even if you win the bid, you might not be able to leave here, understand?”
A world where the strong dominated and the weak were prey. Power was paramount.
Shen Sheng nodded. “I understand what you mean. What are you here to buy?”
“A Marrow Cleansing Pill,” Jiang Wan said. “You possess the body of a Demigod, but you don’t know any spells. It’s not suitable for living here. No one will bully you inside Prajna City, but it’s rather dull. This place is more interesting, and the outside world is even more so.”
Jiang Wan rested her chin on her hand, her gaze intense. Her gentleness was like a layer of flames, rushing upwards to burn against Shen Sheng’s heart.
Cold outside, but passionate within.
Jiang Wan looked at Shen Sheng with bright, spirited eyes. Shen Sheng was so shy she couldn’t lift her head. Anu’s delicate features always held a hint of darkness, but the person before her, as light as water, carried a warmth that surged directly towards her.
Shen Sheng pursed her lips and smiled. “Are you afraid I’d be bored?”
“If you’re interested, you’ll stay longer,” Jiang Wan said, her words seemingly carrying a deeper meaning.
But Shen Sheng didn’t catch it.
The auction across from them was underway. It was a claw from a Demonic Beast, condensed with considerable power, drawing many bids.
Jiang Wan reached out and quietly grasped Shen Sheng’s wrist, smiling unconsciously. Then, she looked towards the auction.
After the claw was sold, the Marrow Cleansing Pill was next.
Such an Elixir was extremely rare. As soon as it appeared, high bids were shouted. Jiang Wan didn’t act immediately but waited patiently.
As the price climbed higher and higher, Shen Sheng took out the Spirit Stones she’d earned from selling her talismans and meticulously counted them. Just over a hundred.
Then she heard numbers in the tens of thousands…
Bullying the poor!
Shen Sheng was disheartened. Then, Jiang Wan beside her suddenly spoke. “One hundred thousand.”
Shen Sheng: “…” So wealthy!
Instantly, everyone in the venue looked their way. Jiang Wan had covered her face, revealing only a pair of cold, clear eyes.
After that bid, everyone fell silent. Shen Sheng felt incredibly uncomfortable under the scrutiny, like a weak little lamb rolling in a pack of wolves, helpless and alone.
