Well, "empty" wasn't exactly accurate. There were several neat and tidy stalls which long robed old men and women sat behind in silent meditation. It was a huge contrast to the bustling city. No one seemed to dare even breathe too heavily in this place.
The previous roadside stalls Dyon had seen on the way here were built shabbily. Some used splintered wood trying to cover their imperfections with ragged cloths matted with dust.
In this place, however, Dyon could see that each of these older individuals took meticulous care toward their appearance. Just the materials used were exceptionally expensive, while the jade bottles they had on display were even more so.
What was the most pressing, though, was the fact that even the weakest here was of the Higher Immortal Essence Realm. Even the guards of the city were only of the lower level.
"… What a weird place…" Lilith muttered.
It was only a soft sound, yet several heads turned toward her at once. The pressure would have been enough for her to tremble had she not had such a sturdy mountain by her side.
"Mortals dare to speak here?" A sharp-eyed old woman with skin so wrinkled that her nose drooped into a hook spoke. "We pay so many taxes, yet this city can't even look after their dogs properly."
She waved her hand as though swatting a fly, a wave of surging qi shooting forward. If they really had been normal mortals, it was no doubt that they would have been eradicated in less than a single breath with not even a drop of blood remaining.
However…
"It's a weird place, indeed." Dyon said casually, neither lowering or raising his voice. "My guess is that these old crows aren't good enough alchemists to step foot into the real guild nor gain any status, so they can only sell their dog shit out here.
"I find it even weirder that they dare to be arrogant about it though. How many millions of years of life have you lived only to still remain at this level?"
The hook-nosed lady's qi was stonewalled by an invisible force, causing strong hurricane force winds to sweep through the once quiet streets.
"How dare you?!" A shrill, echoing voice roared out.
Though the old woman was the only one who spoke, gazes of fiery rage all aimed themselves toward Dyon as though seeking to tear him apart from their seats. However, they seemed to simultaneously disdain to take action themselves.
As for the old hook-nosed woman, she hadn't used even a single percent of her strength, so why would she fear Dyon? If anything, she was only a bit surprised that a mortal could survive such a thing.
Lilith couldn't help but look up toward Dyon's side profile, her heart filled with an inexplicable feeling.
Having grown up in Nightmare Palace, she had always had to fight for herself. She had countless half brothers and sisters and only managed to rise to the top due to her talent. After her mother passed giving birth to her two little brothers, there really was no one to look after her.
Instinctually, when she realized she shouldn't have spoken, she had prepared to fight it out. It was almost a surprise to her that Dyon took the initiative to shift all of the heat she was facing unto himself. It was a simple gesture, but her eyes almost spilled over with tears.
Dyon raised his hand from his pocket in a come here motion, completely missing Lilith's whirlwind of emotions. To him, it was only natural he become her shield.
Before the old woman could react, a jade bottle soared from her clean station and into Dyon's possession. Maybe it was only now that the old woman's rage froze over. How could a normal mortal do something like this under her nose?
Dyon's thumb flicked the cap of the jade bottle open, releasing a strong fragrance that made one feel comfortable.
"Don't …!"
The old woman tried to stop Dyon, but it was already too late. The jade bottle was opened and her slight frame could only tremble with unwillingness and anger.
"I'll kill you!"
Her aura surged. For a moment, the atmosphere became incredibly heavy, but the old woman suddenly panicked, restraining her strength immediately as though forgetting some sort of rule.
At first, Dyon was confused. Why was she angrier about him opening the jade bottle than him actually taking it? That seemed a bit backward. But, after a moment, he understood.
"No wonder why you're so angry. Your pills are such trash that unless they're immediately consumed after leaving their jade bottle, their percentage purity will tank."
Dyon poured the pills out into his hand. Compared to his perfectly round masterpieces, these pills were so crude that his face couldn't help but twist with disdain. They looked as though they had been half chewed by a cat or dog and spit out.
Seeing this, the surrounding alchemists were shocked. They could tell that Dyon wasn't putting on an act, he really did disdain these pills that even experts of this bubble world would fight tooth and nail for.
Just who was this person?
"Are you trying to kill your customers?" Dyon asked. "These pills are of the lowest low grade, barely at 20% purity. I guess you could call them lower venerable grade pills if your face was thick enough. But if any one person ate too many of them, they might as well give up their future rode of cultivation."
The old woman's face reddened with shame. However, she fiercely fought for control over her emotions. If she had killed Dyon with one strike, it would be fine. But, if she caused too much of a commotion, even if Dyon died, it would be her who was punished.
The enforcers of the guild should already be aware of what was happening. They wouldn't allow this mortal boy to flounder around for too long.
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