Meanwhile, the woman began packing Zhen Huan's purchases into a spirit-inscribed wooden box. A short moment later, the young girl returned with a small jar glowing faintly golden. The woman carefully placed it atop the others and sealed the box.
"This is your spice box, sir," she said politely, sliding it toward him.
Zhen Huan reached out and touched the box lightly.
"Store."
In the blink of an eye, the box vanished from his hand.
A glowing blue system window appeared before his eyes:
---
Storage Window
Items Stored:
• Bed Sheet – 1
• Blanket – 1
• Cooked Beast Meats – 4
• Invincible Slayer Sword – 1
• Healing Cream – 1
• Spiritual Pouch – 1 (20 Low-Grade Spiritual Stones)
• Spices Box – 1 (21 Spices)
---
The window faded, and Zhen Huan reached back into the storage. With a thought, the small brown spiritual pouch appeared in his palm. He opened it, counted out fifteen stones, and passed them to the woman, who accepted them with a smile.
"Thank you for your purchase, young sir."
Zhen Huan gave a slight nod, then stored the pouch once again and turned toward the exit. His steps were steady, calm, and purposeful. The sunlight outside spilled through the open door as he left the spice shop behind.
With this, he thought, next time I eat, it'll be with flavor.
Zhen Huan stepped out into the bustling street, his senses alert as he scanned the crowd. The city was alive with movement—merchants shouting their wares, cultivators walking in groups, and spirit beasts pulling carts filled with herbs and ores. But amid the commotion, he couldn't spot Yun Sha anywhere.
Where did she go? She said she'd be back in a minute…
His eyes darted left and right, and he started walking, weaving through the crowd in search of her.
Meanwhile, inside the spice shop, a small storm was brewing.
The young girl who had helped her mother with Zhen Huan's purchase tugged on her mother's sleeve.
"Mother, can I go out for a while?"
Her mother, still counting the remaining stock, nodded absently.
"Alright, but don't take too long."
The girl ran off toward the back room. Moments later, she returned—her expression pale, lips trembling.
"Mother," she whispered. "I… I gave him something else instead of the spice."
Her mother's head snapped up.
"What did you give him?" she asked sharply, stepping toward her daughter.
The girl looked away nervously, fidgeting with her sleeves.
"I-I gave him… the Love Pill Powder…"
The words hit her mother like thunder. Her eyes widened, her breath caught.
"What? The Love Pill Powder?! What was that even doing with you?!"
The girl flushed red, her voice barely audible.
"It was… it was for my boyfriend…"
Her mother's face turned from shock to disbelief to fury in seconds.
"You—! I can't believe—!" She gripped her forehead, trying to process the situation.
Back on the street, Zhen Huan continued searching. Then, a gentle tap landed on his shoulder. He turned, and there stood Yun Sha, her expression calm, a small smile on her face.
"Oh," Zhen Huan said, lowering his guard. "Where have you been?"
Yun Sha shrugged casually.
"Oh, nothing. I was just checking on weapons."
Huff… I got the map, she thought, slipping it secretly into her sleeve. Now I won't embarrass myself.
Zhen Huan glanced to the side and spotted an inn just a few steps away. Its sign swayed gently in the wind, and the scent of warm food drifted from inside.
"Let's stay here for the night," he said. "We'll continue toward your clan tomorrow."
I'll tell her later that I bought some spices, he thought, feeling oddly pleased with himself.
Yun Sha nodded, already walking ahead.
"Alright, let's go then."
The innkeeper was an old man with a long, gray beard and sharp, calculating eyes. He looked up from his counter as Zhen Huan and Yun Sha entered, brushing dust from their clothes.
"Two rooms," Yun Sha said, her voice firm but polite.
The old man squinted, then nodded slowly. "That'll be ten Low-Grade Spiritual Stones. Five per room."
Without hesitation, Yun Sha reached into her pouch and placed five shimmering stones on the counter.
Zhen Huan did the same, pulling his pouch from the system storage with a thought and paying his share.
The old man collected the stones and handed them two wooden keys carved with glowing runes.
"Second floor. Rooms 7 and 8. No fighting inside the inn."
They each took a key. Yun Sha walked ahead, her steps light and practiced as she climbed the stairs. Zhen Huan followed beside her, the hallway lined with quiet doors and flickering lanterns casting warm orange light along the walls.
At Room 7, Yun Sha stopped and turned toward Zhen Huan.
"Well, good night."
"Yeah. Good night," Zhen Huan replied.
They stood in silence for a moment. Yun Sha gave him a small nod, turned, and entered her room.
Zhen Huan walked to Room 8 next door and pushed the door open. Inside, the room was simple but comfortable—wooden floors, a low bed with clean sheets, a small table, and a basin filled with fresh water near the window.
He closed the door behind him and let out a long sigh, stretching his arms.
Finally... time to rest.
Tomorrow we'll keep moving… maybe I'll even cook something with the spices I bought.
With that pleasant thought, he lay down, pulling the blanket over himself and drifting into sleep.
In the room beside him, Yun Sha had also settled in. She took out the map she secretly purchased and carefully studied it under the lantern's glow.
I think this is the right route back to my clan…
She folded it neatly and placed it into her pouch.
Then, lying back on the bed, she closed her eyes.
He's not as annoying as I thought… but still, I hope he doesn't find out I was lost too.
Silence fell across the inn. The two young cultivators, each with secrets and uncertainties, slipped into deep sleep.
Neither of them knew that inside Zhen Huan's storage, beneath piles of beast meat and herbs, a small, round bottle nestled quietly in the spices box—labeled in faint red characters:
Love Pill Powder.
Its presence went unnoticed.
For now.
Inside Room No. 8 of the modest inn, the early morning sunlight crept through the wooden slats of the window. Zhen Huan lay under his blanket, still lost in slumber. The quiet was suddenly broken by a steady knock on the door.
Tukk tuk tuk.
A familiar voice followed.
"Zhen Huan, didn't you wake up? It's time to leave."
Zhen Huan stirred, his eyelids fluttering open slowly. He let out a long breath and sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes with both hands.
Why is she shouting like the world's ending?
"I'm coming, wait," he replied, his voice groggy.
Outside, Yun Sha stood leaning against the wall beside the door. She took the opportunity to pull out her map again, unfolding it quickly and tracing the route with her eyes.
Just a quick glance. If he sees me with the map, I'll never hear the end of it.
Five minutes passed before the door creaked open. Zhen Huan stepped out, fully dressed, stretching his arms and yawning.
Yun Sha swiftly tucked the map back into her spiritual ring, composing herself.
"You came faster than I thought," she said, trying to sound casual.
Zhen Huan gave her a cheeky smile.
"Yeah, because I'm fast."
The two descended the stairs together, their footsteps light on the wooden floor. They reached the counter and handed their room keys to the old innkeeper, who bowed politely as they exited.
Outside, the morning air was crisp and cool. Zhen Huan stretched his arms above his head, letting out a satisfied sigh.
"I had a good sleep. Now, where do we have to go?"
Yun Sha stood tall with a confident expression.
"If we're heading to my clan, we have to go through Yao City first."
Of course I know the route now. I only bought the map because I forgot it for a moment. That's all.
Zhen Huan placed one hand on his chin and with the other, held his elbow thoughtfully.
"So… do you know the route?"
Yun Sha crossed her arms and smirked slightly.
"Yeah. I'm not a kid like you."
First, we'll cross the Willow Mist Valley, then move through the large forest. After that, we'll reach Yao City.
Zhen Huan gave her a side glance.
"Do you think I'm a kid or something?"
Why is she always trying to act like she's above me?