Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 2654  Observing The Youth

Unfortunately for Madam Wong, Lin Mu was a lot faster than she had anticipated. His immortal sense swiftly scanned the spatial storage rings, confirming that the goods were all accounted for.

”Thatʼll be all,” Lin Mu said as he stood up.

”Sir?” Madam Wong was taken aback, as were the other girls.

But Lin Mu didnʼt even glance at them and immediately walked out of the emporium, leaving them dazed and confused.

”Iʼve never seen such a VIP before... I thought heʼd at least stay a few hours, considering he visited the Ten Flower Beauties,” Madam Wong muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, the other girls couldnʼt wrap their heads around his behavior. Lin Mu had been an anomaly among customers. Normally, esteemed guests would enjoy the luxurious atmosphere, spending hours relishing the company of beautiful attendants. But Lin Mu seemed to be in a hurry, uninterested in any of the usual temptations.

”Wait... what was his name?” one of the girls asked.

”He never told us,” another replied.

”Did he tell you, Madam Wong?” they inquired further.

Madam Wong furrowed her brows. ”Now that I think of it... no.”

She recalled that the Four Fruits Restaurant had given them a name, but she wasnʼt sure if it was real. Some VIPs preferred to use aliases for privacy, and Lin Muʼs abrupt departure only deepened the mystery surrounding him.

Leaving behind a trail of speculation, Lin Mu continued his journey to other establishments. However, his luck wasnʼt as good this time. He had already obtained most of the items he needed, and the few he found were minor materials of little consequence.

These werenʼt rare or high-tier materials, but rather common items that high-end establishments didnʼt bother stocking. One could find them in ordinary shops. Still, Lin Mu reasoned that since he was already there, he might as well buy them.

After visiting six more establishments, he found nothing new in the last one and decided to conclude his shopping.

”This should be good enough,” Lin Mu muttered. ”I donʼt think I can get anything more on Erudite Street.”

He took out his VIP card and glanced at the city map, his eyes scanning the layout for other potential areas of interest. His gaze landed on the market districts. There were seven such districts, with the largest one about half an hour away.

Unlike Erudite Street, which specialized in high-end goods and rare cultivation materials, the market district was a sprawling bazaar, teeming with life. Though it sold some materials similar to those he had purchased, it had far fewer cultivation techniques and skill manuals. However, it made up for this with a wide array of curiosities, rare herbs, exotic beasts, alchemical ingredients, and an extensive selection of weapons.

”Might as well take a look,” Lin Mu decided.

With that, he set off toward the market district, reaching it in half the expected time. As he approached, the air was thick with the scent of exotic spices, medicinal herbs, and incense. The cacophony of merchants shouting their wares, the hum of bartering voices, and the occasional clang of metal being forged filled the air, creating a vibrant and lively atmosphere.

The market was an endless sea of stalls, shops, and carts, each bursting with goods from all across the world. There were towering racks displaying gleaming weapons, from swords and halberds to curved daggers and throwing needles. Some stalls had shimmering talismans hanging in neat rows, while others showcased armor imbued with runes that flickered with mystical energy.

Traders hawked rare and exotic goods, their voices carrying above the din:

”Spirit-refining incense! Burn it during cultivation to accelerate your breakthrough!”

”Freshly harvested Midnight Lotus petals! Enhance your Immortal Sense like never before!”

”Authentic Cloud Mist Silk, woven by Clouds Mist silkworms! Light as air, strong as steel!”

Lin Muʼs immortal sense swept over the crowd, noting the wide variety of people here. Unlike the exclusive establishments of Erudite Street, the market was bustling with both commoners and cultivators of various levels.

ʼPlenty of Spirit cultivators here,ʼ he observed.

Most of them were young—less than a hundred years old—though he also spotted children and teenagers weaving through the crowd, either running errands or simply enjoying the lively market.

In the immortal world, it was common for young cultivators to delay their breakthrough to the Nascent Soul realm, as their physical appearance would be locked at that moment. Most chose to advance between the ages of twenty and thirty to avoid being stuck with a childlike form for eternity.

There were aging pills that could artificially mature the body, but they were both expensive and laced with pill toxins. Unlike other medicinal pills, aging pills generated impurities that were incredibly difficult to cleanse. Though elixirs and cleansing pills could mitigate the effects, they added to the cost and complexity of cultivation.

Even within immortal sects, childhood was considered to last until the age of thirty. The time between reaching the peak of the Core Condensation Realm and the Nascent Soul Realm was a period for young cultivators to explore, learn, and enjoy life.

And that was precisely what Lin Mu was witnessing here.

The streets were filled with young cultivators laughing, bargaining, and enjoying the various entertainment stands. Some played games of chance, betting money, spirit stones and Immortal Stones on the outcome, while others tested their strength at trial stands, swinging spirit weapons at enchanted dummies for prizes.

There were food stalls emitting tantalizing aromas—skewers of beast meat sizzling over enchanted flames, pastries infused with Qi to replenish energy, and brews that enhanced spiritual perception.

Despite the joyful atmosphere, Lin Mu noticed a clear divide between those who were well-off and those who struggled. Some cultivators wore finely embroidered robes, their weapons gleaming, while others were dressed in simple attire, working as shop assistants, servants, or even street performers just to make ends meet.

Many of these workers were cultivators who had not yet secured a stable path, forced to take up mundane jobs to sustain themselves.

ʼNot everyone has the resources to cultivate freely,ʼ Lin Mu mused.