CHAPTER 1482: CHAPTER 1483: SOUVENIRS

"Najia, thank you."

Sitting atop Xiao Hei’s head, Najia suddenly heard Yang Hongzhi’s words and looked at him with some confusion, not quite sure what had happened. But after a moment’s confusion, he smiled and waved his hand, thinking there was no need to figure it out completely, right?

Although everyone wanted to go souvenir shopping, they didn’t split up. They weren’t particularly familiar with this mysterious city. Besides, except for Feng Yuan, the others weren’t really interested in souvenirs.

Led by Agunas, they arrived at a specialty street, a spot recommended by someone from the city hall Agunas had asked. Considering the locals’ familiarity with the area and Feng Yuan’s recent assistance, he didn’t think there would be any issues.

"It looks like they did a great job here. At least the specialty shops known to us Maomu City locals aren’t in the same place as the city’s official promotion."

Looking at this old-style street, Feng Yuan said with a smile. This place was designed to replicate Tiraya City’s most prosperous period and was modified in some inappropriate spots while retaining its functionality, to best restore Tiraya City’s historical appearance.

Dou Yanlan looked at Feng Yuan and said,

"I recall there isn’t anything particularly unique about Maomu City’s specialties, let alone gathering them all together. As for Cha Mu Yun Tea and Cha Mu area’s specialties, they’re apparently in the Grand Library... As for the rest, I’m not entirely sure."

"There’s a specialty store in the Grand Library?!"

Qi Chen looked at Dou Yanlan in surprise, who nodded and said,

"That’s right, I found out by accident. The store owner has ways to get high-quality specialties not usually available on the market, though they are very expensive."

"I’ve heard of that store from my tutor. Rather than specialties, they’re more like high-end souvenirs. In any case, those items are a bit too precious to use casually."

Yang Hongzhi nodded and agreed. He had indeed heard a lot about those stores, given that with Najia, he was now part of Maomu City’s upper social circle. His mentor would often mention those unique shops in passing.

Scratching his head, Qi Chen asked Yang Hongzhi, surprised,

"Are there so many things in Maomu City that ordinary people like us don’t know about?"

"It’s not unknown, just that there’s no reason to get involved. Like the store where you bought your formalwear, the prices there aren’t something average people can handle, and it’s similar for the other stores—not intentionally, though."

Looking at Qi Chen, Yang Hongzhi said, then Long Boduo curiously asked Feng Yuan,

"Are there many hidden shops in Maomu City?"

"Not really hidden. But if you want to visit, I could take you around when we get back, if you’ve got the money?"

Remembering something, Feng Yuan stared at Long Boduo and said,

"The goods in those stores aren’t cheap."

"Well... I probably have enough. I still have a lot of Spiritual Medicine I could sell for money. If not, I could ask the Alliance or the Divine Beast Hall for help?"

"That’d be indebting yourself to them!"

Hearing Long Boduo’s words, Agunas couldn’t help but chime in. Long Boduo scratched his head and said,

"But I’m not sure how much my Spiritual Medicine would fetch."

After all, as a Ghost-type Divine Beast, most of the Spiritual Medicine he collected was related to the Ghost Series. And since there aren’t many Ghost Series Spirit Beast tamers, the prices for Ghost Series Spiritual Medicine and Materials tend to be relatively low.

"If needed, we could help, because involving the Divine Beast Hall or the Alliance over something small isn’t wise."

Veronia twirled her parasol, saying to Long Boduo. While Divine Beasts might not always act on debts, Long Boduo belonged to those Divine Beasts that weren’t from the chaotic factions, making his debts more useful. Veronia worried that if he did owe a debt, the Divine Beast Hall or the Alliance might use it against him.

"Alright, if you really want to buy something, I’ll cover it for you. But you might not even need it since you and He Nanqing get along well, right?"

Feng Yuan said to Long Boduo with a laugh. In fact, most of Maomu City’s specialties were centered in Cha Mu Town, and as someone well-connected there, He Nanqing could probably get those pricey items.

"That’s true, He Nanqing and I get along, and I could also ask Drudgeon for help."

Prompted by Feng Yuan, Long Boduo said, while Agunas snorted and flicked its tail without commenting. Although it no longer opposed Drudgeon’s friendliness to a human, it still felt somewhat unsuitable, yet remembering Drudgeon’s experiences from the Mythical Era to modern-day, it sighed.

"You should see it when you have the time."

Glancing at Agunas, Feng Yuan said. Regarding Agunas and Drudgeon’s relationship, there wasn’t much he could say. Long Boduo gave Agunas a side-eye and said with mild annoyance,

"No need for you to say? I’ve figured out who that light orb near Drudgeon belongs to, yet it still thinks it’s undiscovered."

Hearing this, Agunas turned red, causing Feng Yuan to look at him in surprise and ask,

"You have a materialized form?"

"No combat power!"

Turning away awkwardly, Agunas shouted, and Feng Yuan quickly changed the topic to avoid angering it. Just then, Dou Yanlan expressed an interest in checking out a nearby shop, to which he casually suggested they tag along.

Following her into a souvenir shop, Feng Yuan seemed disinterested, looking at the Six Gods Statues and saying,

"Why is it all this stuff? Isn’t there anything different?"

"Hey? This small model looks nice. It would make a nice custom display with small Xiao Ji figurines on it as a souvenir."

At that moment, Feng Yuan noticed a basin-sized model of Tiraya City and said to Qi Chen,

"Where would you put this if you take it home? Your room isn’t that big, right?"

"Well, that’s not really a problem. I could temporarily store it in Kong Qing’s space. Custom orders aren’t that quick anyway, and we should be back at the academy by the time it’s done, so I could just put it in the dorm. This way, I wouldn’t need to move things from my room there."

Rubbing his chin, Feng Yuan said, and Yang Hongzhi looked at Feng Yuan in surprise,

"You’ve already secured a dorm?"

"Not exactly, but I’ve asked for a spacious one, at least with a big courtyard, and they agreed. Such places should be villas, right?"

Scratching his head, Feng Yuan asked Yang Hongzhi, who thought for a moment and said,

"Apart from specific beast pen areas, they are indeed villas. They should avoid placing you somewhere odd, but those villas are scarce resources, so there might be some trouble."

"Please, combat or contribution? I’m not afraid of either. I’m sure they wouldn’t dare resort to sabotage. The academy should help sort things out, and even if not, it’s no big deal."

Shrugging, Feng Yuan said nonchalantly, and Yang Hongzhi awkwardly smiled, recalling Feng Yuan’s circle of Divine Beasts. Disputes among students rarely involved Feng Yuan. Just like when he became a Divine Pact Maker, others didn’t mind him moving into a mansion.

"But such competition does serve as good training for you guys. Come on, when it comes to real combat, just wait till you’re in and spar with fellow students."

Feng Yuan said, noticing Xiao Ji’s peculiar behavior, and affectionately patted its head as it let out a pitiful sound, gazing at Feng Yuan. Agunas flicked its tail and said,

"I expected you to suggest helping Qi Chen and the others avoid those disputes."

"How could I? No matter how good friends we are, some things just can’t be done, right? This is clearly the academy’s way of training, no need to interfere."

Glancing at Qi Chen, Feng Yuan said, and the latter nodded,

"Indeed, I’d like to know if I truly deserve to live there."

"Your strength is enough for your year. Amongst this year’s Maomu City students, not many have as solid a foundation as you."

Studying Qi Chen, Yang Hongzhi said. Though he was in charge of one part of the academy’s assessment, there were students recruited from elsewhere whose abilities he wasn’t aware of.

"Don’t worry. Compared to local talents, you’re doing pretty well. Those more inclined towards leadership presumably have privileges. While there’s no war now, who knows about the future."

Laughing, Feng Yuan assured Qi Chen. Compared to Yang Hongzhi, he had a better sense of the students’ potential. There were very few who could rival Qi Chen in their cohort, especially when Feng Yuan had provided so many good things to Ah Mu, hadn’t he?