52: Chapter 52 Five Incense

From a distance, Qingxuan City looked much larger than imagined; Qingyang County was like a small witch meeting a great one in front of it.

Unlike Qingyang County, in the middle of Qingxuan City stood several towering peaks, their tops shrouded in mist, making them difficult to see clearly.

"Senior Brother, this Qingxuan City is indeed as vast as the map said," Fire Qingrou, also sitting on Baldy's back, looked forward with a shocked expression.

Ten days ago, Fire Qingrou set her sights on Baldy's back. Baldy was very resistant, but eventually, he couldn't resist Fire Qingrou's persistent persuasion, especially when she promised to get him good wine whenever there was any.

Baldy, hearing about good wine and truly not wanting to listen to Fire Qingrou's incessant chattering, reluctantly agreed.

Fire Qingrou was naturally overjoyed. She finally didn't have to walk and contentedly sat on Baldy's back.

However, before she could enjoy it for a few days, all the Spirit Stones in her pocket were spent by Baldy on wine. As a last resort, Zhang Bufan had to cover all her expenses.

"What's there to it? There are many places much larger than this," Zhang Bufan said superficially, but in reality, his heart was also incredibly shaken, especially by the several giant peaks in the city, which he estimated were at least ten thousand meters high.

"Senior Brother, Xuanwu Sect is on that central giant peak. Should we go up now?" Fire Qingrou asked.

"What's the rush? Even if we want revenge, we should eat our fill first," Zhang Bufan patted Baldy's head. "Baldy, don't you agree?"

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" Baldy nodded vigorously in agreement.

Fire Qingrou had nothing more to say. Anyway, she didn't have a single Spirit Stone now, and all the resources needed for her Cultivation were provided by Zhang Bufan, which made her feel like she was being kept.

Qingxuan City had no city gates, and its roads extended in all directions.

Baldy, sniffing the aroma, carried Zhang Bufan and Fire Qingrou to Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng, the largest restaurant in Qingxuan City.

"Shop Assistant, bring me the best food and drinks. The rest will be your tip," Zhang Bufan took out a Storage Pouch and tossed it into the Shop Assistant's hand.

The Shop Assistant sized up Zhang Bufan, a strange look on his face. He then checked the Spirit Stones in the Storage Pouch, his brows slightly furrowed, and said with a hint of mockery, "Young Master, with your few Spirit Stones, you can only eat on the first floor of our Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng, and only the lowest grade of food and drinks."

Zhang Bufan was stunned. Although he hadn't counted carefully, there were at least two to three thousand Spirit Stones in that Storage Pouch. How could it only afford the lowest grade? Even if the restaurant in Qingxuan City seemed more upscale than those in smaller places, it shouldn't be that expensive.

Zhang Bufan had found that in the restaurants he visited along the way, one or two thousand Spirit Stones were enough to eat and drink to his heart's content.

"Then how many Spirit Stones are needed for the best food and drinks here?" Zhang Bufan asked, his Storage Ring containing a considerable amount of Spirit Stones at this time.

At the Jiang Family's banquet, he had plundered all the guests, which was equivalent to plundering the entire Qingyang County. After all, those who could attend the Jiang Family's banquet were all prominent figures in Qingyang County, and their resources would naturally not be few.

Although he hadn't counted them, he estimated there were at least hundreds of thousands of Spirit Stones, not to mention other Spiritual Artifacts and treasures.

The Shop Assistant looked at Zhang Bufan with a hint of disdain. He had initially thought Zhang Bufan, with his strange attire and talk of tipping him, was a rich Young Master, but he turned out to be a country bumpkin from the sticks.

"The best food and drinks require 1,000 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones."

Out of professional courtesy, the Shop Assistant still told Zhang Bufan the price, and he also wanted to see Zhang Bufan's shocked and fleeing expression.

"What?"

"One thousand Mid-Grade Spirit Stones? Are you kidding me?"

Before Zhang Bufan could speak, Fire Qingrou, who was following him, couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Spirit Stones are also divided into three Ranks: Low-Grade Spirit Stones, Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, and High-Grade Spirit Stones.

The exchange rate between Spirit Stones is: one High-Grade Spirit Stone equals one hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, which equals ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

In small places like Qingyang County, Low-Grade Spirit Stones were generally used, and Mid-Grade Spirit Stones were rarely seen.

The Huo Family, as one of the three major Families in Qingyang County, probably possessed only about one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. She never expected that a single meal here could bankrupt the Huo Family.

"I don't have time to joke with you. If you can't afford it, then immediately..." The Shop Assistant looked at Fire Qingrou upon hearing her, and was immediately stunned by her beauty.

He had been a Shop Assistant at Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng for over a decade, but he had never seen such a stunning beauty.

"Hey, what are you looking at? Be careful, or I'll gouge out your eyes!" Fire Qingrou raised an eyebrow and glared fiercely at the Shop Assistant.

"My apologies," the Shop Assistant quickly apologized and explained, "The reason our Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng is so expensive is because our ingredients are extremely precious. Fifth-Rank Yao Beast meat and fine Spiritual Fruit Wine are absolutely worth the price."

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" Baldy's sapphire-like eyes lit up when he heard about Spiritual Fruit Wine, and he chirped excitedly.

Zhang Bufan took out another Storage Pouch and threw it into the Shop Assistant's hand, saying indifferently, "There are one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones inside. Hurry up and serve the dishes. The Spirit Stones from before are your tip."

The Shop Assistant froze, then checked the Storage Pouch, and his expression immediately became respectful. "This Young Master, please go to table 8 on the second floor. I will go prepare your food and drinks right away."

Zhang Bufan nodded and led Fire Qingrou towards the second floor.

As for spending one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones on a meal, Zhang Bufan didn't feel the slightest bit of heartache. Anyway, it was all stolen, and he was very much looking forward to the Fifth-Rank Yao Beast meat and the Spiritual Fruit Wine.

"Senior Brother, you are truly... extravagant," Fire Qingrou followed Zhang Bufan up the stairs, almost saying 'prodigal' but managed to catch herself in time.

Zhang Bufan didn't turn his head and said earnestly, "Junior Sister Huo, it's just one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, a small matter. Besides, I have many ways to earn Spirit Stones. The key is to eat happily, don't you agree?"

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" Baldy, currently standing on Zhang Bufan's shoulder, nodded vigorously in strong agreement.

"Senior Brother, what methods do you have for earning Spirit Stones?" Fire Qingrou asked eagerly.

All her Spirit Stones had been spent by Baldy on wine, leaving her without a single coin in her pocket. Every time she needed something, she had to ask her Senior Brother, which was quite embarrassing.

"You wouldn't understand my methods even if I told you. Just follow Senior Brother and learn well, and you won't lack benefits." As he spoke, Zhang Bufan had already reached the second floor.

"Hmph, who cares?" Fire Qingrou stuck out her tongue and quickly followed him.

Upon reaching the second floor, Zhang Bufan found that the stairs leading to the third floor were guarded. He wanted to go up to the third floor to take a look but was told that he was not a VIP of Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng and could not go up to the third floor.

Zhang Bufan didn't force his way up and led Fire Qingrou to table eight on the second floor to sit down.

Soon after, the food and drinks were brought to their table.

"Chirp, chirp, chirp!" Baldy excitedly jumped up and began to feast.

Zhang Bufan also ate with great relish. He had to admit that the one hundred thousand Spirit Stones were well spent, especially the Spiritual Fruit Wine, which was incredibly fragrant and mellow.

Fire Qingrou was also shocked. As expected of Fifth-Rank Yao Beast meat, it contained powerful Qi. She had only eaten a few bites and already felt her Cultivation improve significantly.

At the same time.

On the third floor of Wǔ Pǐn Xiāng.

The Shop Assistant who had just served Zhang Bufan approached a young man and bowed, saying, "Young Master Gu, I found a great beauty."

Gǔ Fēng raised an eyebrow, somewhat disinterested, and said, "Where is she? How beautiful can she be?"

"She's at table 8 on the second floor. She's absolutely stunning. I've never seen such a beautiful woman before."