Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3385: Checking Out The Markets Of Outpost Eleven

Little Shrubby, perched on the armrest, raised his tiny claw. ”Let us go too. The twins want fresh air and shiny things.”

Two small heads popped out of Lin Mu’s sleeves instantly. The twins, always energetic and mischievous, looked around with bright eyes.

”We want snacks,” the left twin chirped.

”And treasures,” the right twin added.

”And beasts,” both said in unison, their eyes sparkling with predatory enthusiasm.

Lin Mu rubbed his forehead. ”Not too many beasts. This is an outpost, not a hunting ground. Wait till you’re in the wild at least.”

The twins pouted, but quickly recovered and slithered up his arms happily. Little Shrubby jumped onto Lin Mu’s shoulder, his tail swishing excitedly.

”We should leave a note for Ashy,” Lin Mu reminded him. ”If she wakes up and finds all of us gone, she will panic.”

”Yes,” Little Shrubby agreed immediately.

He wrote a simple note on a leaf of the Violet Mystic Life Tree, placed it near Ashy’s nest inside the Sleepscape, and then returned to Lin Mu’s shoulder.

Though by that time, Meng Bai and Daoist Chu had already left for who knows where.

With that done, Lin Mu and the three beasts left the inn and stepped out into the lively outpost city.

The Outpost Eleven city was much larger than Outpost Thirteen. While the size might overall be less, the actual city was bigger. Outpost thirteen had other districts in it too related to administration and security of the region after all.

Where the Western outpost was compact and structured like a fortress, this one was sprawling, vibrant, and artistic. The streets were paved with smooth azure stone and lined with glowing lampposts shaped like coiling dragons.

Banners of blue and green fluttered from rooftops, each displaying martial slogans or tournament advertisements.

Distant towers shaped like dragon spines rose toward the sky. Many of the buildings were constructed in layered patterns, resembling scales. The overall aesthetic was elegant yet fierce, as if the city itself embodied the spirit of the Azure Dragon.

Crowds filled the streets.

Martial artists with bare fists wrapped in cloth sparred casually in open squares. Shops displayed enchanted gauntlets, reinforced bracers, weighted ankle rings, and other tools of physical training.

Hawkers shouted about super nourishing muscle strengthening soups, spiritual tendon loosening drinks, and body tempering beads that could help cultivators endure extreme training.

The soundscape was a lively blend of conversations, ringing bells, sizzling street food, and distant thuds of fists striking practice pillars.

Lin Mu strolled down the main boulevard with the beasts in tow, occasionally adjusting his pace so the twins did not get too excited. Though hidden in his sleeves, they poked their heads out frequently to inspect everything.

One twin pointed at a stall selling sparkling blue fruits. ”Shiny and edible.”

The other twin pointed at a stand displaying bracers carved with dragon motifs. ”Shiny and wearable.”

Little Shrubby’s tail flicked faster. ”Shiny and cookable. They have so many ingredients here.”

Lin Mu laughed. ”Let us start with the market district. It is massive judging from the map.”

He followed the direction of the crowd and soon stepped into the heart of the marketplace.

The moment they entered, the twins gasped.

The market district was enormous, covering several blocks, each filled with tightly packed stalls and permanent shops. The street curved like a dragon’s spine, with vendor tents forming colorful scales along the path.

Strange crystals floated in glass containers. Exotic fruits glistened like gemstones. Martial manuals were stacked in rows. Weapons of all grades hung from thick chains. Elixirs bubbled in glass flasks. People haggled, bartered, and shouted energetic sales pitches.

Everywhere he looked, something rare or interesting was for sale.

Naturally, the twins lost all control.

”That one!” the left twin pointed.

”No, that one!” the right twin pointed at something else.

Little Shrubby leaned toward Lin Mu’s ear. ”We should get everything.”

Lin Mu took a deep breath and patted his storage ring. ”All right. Let us go one at a time. But do not cause chaos.”

The beasts nodded with the sincerity of devils.

They began their shopping spree.

First came the food stalls. Little Shrubby tried dozens of local dishes, from Flood Python bone broth soup to azure Osmanthus dumplings. The twins picked up exotic nuts, spiritual cheeses, shimmering honey drops, and some kind of spicy fruit that almost made one of them cry sparks. Lin Mu bought large quantities of the ingredients that Little Shrubby approved, storing them all in his ring for future cooking.

Then they browsed alchemy shops.

Lin Mu found several herbs he had never seen before. Frost Iron Myrtle, Azure Fang Lotus, Verdant Serpent Pearls, and even a strange metal fruit called Dragon Blood Core Shell. He immediately bought them, knowing his cores could benefit from new elemental materials.

Next came weapon stalls. The twins tried to grab a glowing chain whip, but Lin Mu pinched their heads gently and said, ”You are not allowed to start a fight inside the shop.”

They hissed softly but behaved.

Lin Mu purchased a few ores he felt could be later useful for forging or experimenting. Spatial metals were rare here, but he found substitutes that might help with the Void Loach essence refinement.

They continued down the rows of vendors, buying more treasures and curios. Every time Lin Mu purchased something expensive, he could see the eyes of the shopkeepers brighten. Whispers spread.

”That young man is a wealthy cultivator.”

”He bought half my stock.”

”Is he preparing for the tournament?”

”He has the aura of someone strong.”

Even other shoppers looked at him with curiosity, though Lin Mu paid them little mind.

By the time they had toured one third of the marketplace, Lin Mu’s ring was noticeably heavier. Well metaphorically.

Little Shrubby happily declared, ”We should come back again tomorrow.”

The twins bobbed their heads in perfect sync. ”Tomorrow. And the next day.”

Lin Mu shook his head with a smile. ”We will see.”

For now, the outpost world was theirs to explore.

They had time.

And plenty to do before the road to Khwanzim World opened again.