CHAPTER 567: 567 ARRIVES

"Alright, thank you, fellow Daoist."

With this matter settled, it was time to find a place to stay. However, because of the secret realm, there were no vacancies in the inns here.

Tan Shaoting went around several times but couldn’t find a place to stay.

In the end, he chose to stay at a private home outside. After all, he couldn’t spend the night on the street. It would have been fine for him, but he couldn’t let the children suffer such an indignity.

The family he chose consisted of a father and son. The man was at the ninth level of Qi cultivation, and the young boy was at the third level of Qi cultivation, which was already quite impressive.

They also wanted to enter the secret realm. This gave them plenty of topics to talk about.

The boy was already nine years old and very silent. Qi Yan and the others were still young, so naturally, they couldn’t play together.

The three children squeezed in beside Tan Shaoting, listening to their father speak.

"Fellow Daoist, these three children are really outstanding. What spirit roots do they have? They’re already at the first layer of Qi refining?"

"They’re all three-spiritual roots. I was lucky enough to find some Bone Marrow Cleansing Grass. I initially wanted to use it to help them channel their meridians. Maybe because they’re so young, they unexpectedly reached the first layer of Qi refining."

"Fellow Daoist, you’re indeed quite fortunate. My young You also has three spiritual roots. If I had Bone Marrow Cleansing Grass, You’s cultivation level would definitely be higher than it is now.

When that time comes, getting into the Xuantian Sect would be no problem at all."

"Bone Marrow Cleansing Grass is too rare. But with three spiritual roots, getting into the Xuantian Sect should be no problem, right?"

"Indeed, but higher cultivation levels attract better teachers.

I wonder if we can find any Bone Marrow Cleansing Grass in this secret realm. I’m entering precisely with this goal in mind."

Now that their accommodation was arranged, Tan Shaoting took the three children out for a walk. This was a cultivation city, far more prosperous than that small workshop.

The wonders of the cultivation world were varied and bizarre. The children were gaining a lot of experience from it all.

Tan Shaoting had also never seen many things. Even though he wanted to explain them to the children, he didn’t know much himself.

In truth, browsing the street stalls was also quite educational.

Qi Wen tugged on Tan Shaoting’s hand, and he picked up his young daughter. She leaned close to his ear, whispering, "Dad, I feel a voice calling me. Just like Second Brother last time."

Tan Shaoting smiled. This was the children’s opportunity. "Alright, you lead the way."

The little girl got down and led the way, the two boys sharing the same mother also sensed their sister’s emotions. So the father and children followed behind her.

Qi Wen walked ahead, feeling the calling voice grow stronger.

Her steps quickened in eager anticipation. She stopped at one stall and her eyes were drawn to a book.

She crouched down and picked up the book, flipping through its pages.

Tan Shaoting also crouched behind her, observing her actions.

He too was quite curious. Could this Demon Beast Record indeed be his daughter’s fateful opportunity?

Qi Wen looked up, "Dad, I want this book."

She had already confirmed that this book was calling her. Although she didn’t know what was special about it, when she intended to put it down, the calling intensified.

Since she didn’t know what it was, she decided to take it home and study it slowly.

"Fellow Daoist, how much is this book?"

"One spirit stone for three books." The stall owner wasn’t overcharging, knowing the true value of his items. These sorts of books were plentiful here.

"Big Brother, Second Brother, you each pick a book too."

The two boys squeezed over as well. Qi Yan picked up a copy of Array Formation Introduction, while Qi Hong took the Spirit Plant Encyclopedia.

Tan Shaoting readily tossed a spirit stone to the stall owner. This time, the father and children had no other plans and were just there to watch the spectacle.

"If there’s anything you like, let Dad know."

The three children were so considerate, it made him feel uneasy. Since their birth, they had never been away from their mother’s side. Just over three years old, they were forced to part from her, and being so young, their hearts must have been hurt. So, he wanted to spoil them.

Tan Shaoting found many beautiful pieces of jewelry, thinking of getting some for his wife. These were all low-level protective artifacts, useful if they could be taken back; if not, it was no big deal.

Qi Wen also picked out a beautiful pendant for herself. "Dad, this is similar to what Mom prepared for us. Do you think it’s pretty?"

Tan Shaoting nodded with a smile, "If you like it, pick it yourself." Even if they bought them all, it wouldn’t cost much in spirit stones.

The two boys weren’t interested in these. "We can buy for Mom. I’ll use my own spirit stones to buy a gift for Mom," Qi Wen said, feeling a bit down.

The two boys remembered, too, and began choosing more eagerly.

However, each only ended up picking one item, paying with their own spirit stones.

Lately, the father and sons spent more time choosing jewelry to bring home for Mommy.

They walked around for over two hours and finally returned when it was dark.

They had their own array key. When they came back, the father and son they were staying with were having dinner.

Tan Shaoting prepared hot water for the three children, letting them wash up themselves, then laid out the spirit food they’d brought back.

Since cultivators were often very cautious, strangers generally wouldn’t eat together. Tan Shaoting didn’t invite the father and son to join them.

The three children were really hungry and ate more than usual. Tan Shaoting offered them fruit afterwards. These were spirit fruits bought today. He planned to plant the seeds in the space later.

These fruits were particularly delicious, and the children loved them.

They noticed the father and son watching them, especially when they saw them eating Vermilion Fruits, which made them envious.

However, these fruits were not something an average person could afford to eat.

After eating, the children obediently handed the seeds to their dad before going to wash their hands again and returning to the room to cultivate.

Life continued this way. Every day, Tan Shaoting took the three of them out to play during the day.

They were starting to become familiar faces around here.

Even though they didn’t buy much, one never knew when one’s things might be of interest to others. So many stall owners chatted with them, explaining their items.

"Fellow Daoist, the black market opens tonight; you might want to take a look."

Tan Shaoting nodded, "Fellow Daoist, do you know where this black market is?"

"It’s in the Underground City. Do you see that Treasure House? They’re the ones hosting it. You can ask there."

Tan Shaoting thanked the stall owner and headed directly there with the children.

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask, I wish to attend the black market."

"You can, but financial verification is required—at least a thousand spirit stones. Each ticket is five spirit stones."

Tan Shaoting had over a thousand spirit stones in his storage bag. He erased his Divine Sense, allowed them to check, and then handed over twenty spirit stones.

They received four wooden tokens and were informed to return later that night with the tokens for entry.