73: Chapter 73 Mortal World Refines the Human Heart

"Immortal Market?"

Wu Li realized in an instant...

Does this Su Wanyue not know how many years she has been dead for...

"Young man?"

Seeing the youth remain silent, Lu Tongli called out tentatively.

Wu Li snapped back to reality and controlled the youth to nod: "Understood."

"Take me to see it."

Lu Tongli nodded hurriedly, his face crinkling into a smile again: "Very well, this way, young man."

He turned and headed north with a brisk step, turning his head back as he walked to introduce things incessantly.

"Young man, it's quite a distance, let me tell you about the Immortal Market."

There was a touch of showmanship in Lu Tongli's voice.

"This Immortal Market is the barrier between us Mortals and the Immortals. That place belongs to the Immortals; we Mortals cannot enter, nor are we allowed to, but standing outside the walls to take a look and broaden one's horizons is fine."

"Inside are the enterprises of various Sects: the Heavenly Sword Sect's Sword Pavilion, the Qingyun Sect's Spirit Medicine shop, the Luoxia Sect's Talisman shop, and the Xuanyi Sect's Magical Artifact pavilion... Sects large and small all have their own storefronts. I've heard that the rent alone costs hundreds of Spirit Stones a year."

The Heavenly Sword Sect, Qingyun Sect, Luoxia Sect, and Xuanyi Sect—he was no stranger to these names.

During the Spirit Child competition, people from these major Sects had all been to Qingshi Town.

Seeing the youth listening attentively, Lu Tongli became even more enthusiastic: "Besides these major Sects, there are also some Loose Cultivators making a living inside."

"Some set up stalls to sell Medicinal Pills, some help people refine Magical Artifacts, and some draw Talismans for others... In short, everything is there. As long as you have Spirit Stones, you can buy anything."

He paused and lowered his voice: "However, young man, I advise you not to hover around there if you don't have any business."

"Those Immortals have very high standards. If we Mortals get too close, they find us an eyesore."

"Moreover, it's not peaceful inside; there are fights from time to time. Any collateral damage could cost us ordinary people our lives."

Wu Li did not speak.

He was not surprised by what Lu Tongli said.

The distinction between Immortals and Mortals has always been this way.

He controlled the youth to continue following Lu Tongli, passing through several streets and alleys, bypassing a noisy market, until it gradually grew quiet ahead.

After passing through the noisy market, Lu Tongli's pace slowed down. He looked back at the youth, licked his dry lips, and smiled.

"Young man, after passing through this alley, it will still take half an hour to reach the Immortal Market."

"You must be thirsty, right? My home is not far ahead. Let's go in for a drink of water and rest your feet, then I'll take you there."

Wu Li, perched on the youth's shoulder, looked down at Lu Tongli.

This peddler had not stopped talking the entire way, from the rules of the Immortal Market to the enterprises of the major Sects, and from there to anecdotes about Loose Cultivators. He had talked until his mouth was parched, his lips were cracked, and his voice was hoarse.

Wu Li was not thirsty; his demon body did not require frequent hydration like a Mortal's, but seeing Lu Tongli's state, he was silent for a moment before controlling the youth to nod.

"Very well."

The smile on Lu Tongli's face deepened, and he turned quickly to lead the way.

Passing through a narrow alley and turning into an even narrower lane, after walking dozens of steps, he stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden door. He pushed open the courtyard gate and called back: "Young man, we've arrived. Don't mind the humble surroundings."

The courtyard was not large, but it was kept in good order.

A jujube tree was planted in the corner, with several bundles of firewood piled beneath it. The ground was paved with blue bricks; although some were cracked, it was swept clean.

A woman wearing coarse cloth clothes was crouching in front of the stove, starting a fire. The glow from the stove lit up her flushed face, and fine beads of sweat hung on her forehead.

Hearing the courtyard gate move, she looked up and saw Lu Tongli bringing in a strange youth. She was stunned for a moment, then wiped her hands, stood up, and revealed a simple, honest smile.

"You're back? And this is..."

"A guest."

Lu Tongli waved his hand without further explanation: "Go get a bowl of water."

The woman nodded hurriedly and turned to enter the house. In the courtyard, a three-year-old child was crouching on the ground playing with mud, his little hands covered in it, and there were several black smudges on his face.

Seeing Lu Tongli return, he looked up, grinned, revealing a few tiny teeth, and called out indistinctly.

"Dad..."

Lu Tongli crouched down, reached out to stroke the child's head, and scolded him with a smile: "Playing with mud again." He then stood up and brought Wu Li inside.

Wu Li controlled the youth to walk into the courtyard and sit on a stone stool.

Inside the house.

The woman came out of the house carrying a bowl of clear water and placed it on the stone table in front of the youth. The bowl was coarse porcelain, and the water was well water, cool and crystal clear, with a small chip on the rim.

She smiled without speaking and turned back to the stove to busy herself; the scent of cooking smoke lingered in the house.

Lu Tongli also sat on a stone stool, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and smiled: "Don't mind it, young man, moisten your throat first."

Wu Li looked down at the bowl of clear water and was silent for a moment...

Then, Wu Li controlled the youth to lift the water, and Wu Li lowered his head to take a gentle sip.

The water was very cool, with a hint of the sweetness of well water. As it slid down his throat, even though it was just ordinary water, it felt refreshing to the heart.

Sometimes, Wu Li would wonder, if he hadn't walked the path of eternal life in his previous life, would he have...

But this thought was cut off as soon as it appeared. His gaze became firm once more, and the fluctuations in his eyes as he looked around calmed down again.

'The Mortal world truly tempers the heart.'

...

Inside the house.

Lu Tongli went over to the woman's side and beckoned to his busy wife. The woman wiped her hands and walked out.

"Mother of our child, I took on a big job today. This young man gave me a Spirit Stone!"

He took out that Low-Grade Spirit Stone and waved it in front of his wife, his eyes shining brightly. "Later, I'll go to the money shop and exchange it for silver; Xiaobao's tuition will be settled!"

The woman's eyes turned red instantly, and her lips trembled for a long time before she managed to squeeze out a sentence.

"Re... really?"

Her voice trembled as she reached out to touch the Spirit Stone, then quickly withdrew her hand, as if afraid of breaking it.

Lu Tongli nodded with a smile, carefully stuffed the Spirit Stone into his bosom, and patted it.

The woman just nodded repeatedly, tears shimmering in her eyes, muttering: "Good, good, this way Xiaobao can go to school... can go to school..."

She turned and crouched down, picked up the child playing with mud on the ground, and wiped the mud off his face with her sleeve. Tears finally fell, but the corners of her mouth were turned upward.

Lu Tongli rubbed his hands together, chuckled twice, and then patted his wife's shoulder.

"Alright, alright, go back to your work; don't delay the guest's business."

The woman hurriedly wiped away her tears, put the child down, and bowed to the youth, her voice still choked with tears: "Young man, thank you, thank you..."

Then she turned and walked quickly back to the stove. The firelight illuminated her back, and her shoulders were still trembling slightly.

Lu Tongli turned his head and said to the youth with a smile: "Young man, please excuse us. Let's go, so we don't delay your business."

He led the way toward the courtyard gate, and Wu Li controlled the youth to stand up and follow behind him.

When they reached the courtyard gate, the woman's voice came from behind, filled with smiles and anticipation: "Come back early for dinner tonight! I'll stew chicken soup for you!"

Lu Tongli didn't even look back, just waved his hand.

"Got it, got it!"