Chapter 297 - 215: Lord of Traitors
You see through my feigned innocence, and I appreciate your ready acceptance.
’Might as well get it for free. I’m already here, after all...’
"ARF!" Yu Bao suddenly ran to a stall, his eyes glued to a small, hedgehog-like object.
It was a Blue Nodule, a Water and Earth Tier Two Resource produced by an Exotic Beast known as the Siren Jellyfish.
When these jellyfish grow old, they automatically enter a dormant state, contracting all their Life Energy inward. This energy eventually condenses into a juvenile embryo, allowing the jellyfish to shed its former body and be reborn—making it an Exotic Beast with a theoretically infinite lifespan.
The Blue Nodule was the old body shed by the Siren Jellyfish. So, basically, Yu Bao was lusting after the jellyfish’s body... Ahem.
Su Zhi asked curiously, "You like this, Yu Bao?"
"ARF! ARF!" Yu Bao wagged his tail excitedly.
The stall owner moved quickly, coiling his tail around the Blue Nodule and handing it directly to Yu Bao. He secretly hoped they would take even more. ’If the Clan Leader finds out Su Zhi bought a pile of things from my stall, he might be so pleased that he’ll waive my taxes for the month!’
Yu Bao gave a polite doggy smile, took the Blue Nodule in his mouth, and had Shan Bao store it away in her Flash Gold Space.
Su Zhi tilted his head, a little curious.
The Blue Nodule was a Dual Attribute resource that included the Earth Element, so it wasn’t entirely surprising that Yu Bao was interested. ’Still,’ Su Zhi thought, ’the stall clearly has pure Earth Element resources. Shouldn’t he have been drawn to those first?’
’Eh... whatever. I’m here now, might as well go with it.’
"Do you have any Divine Concealment Cores?"
"GLURG!"
The octopus owner of the adjacent stall lit up, immediately producing seven of the cores with his tentacles and using a spare one to guide Su Zhi over.
The Fish Dragon stall owner actually had some as well, but he couldn’t hold as many with his fins and tail as the octopus could with its tentacles. He shot the octopus a furious glare.
’Damn it! I’m having octopus for dinner tonight!’
Su Zhi gleefully collected the Divine Concealment Cores. While they were a resource typically found in Space Element Secret Realms, the ocean was far more vast than the land and contained many more entrances to such realms, naturally increasing the odds of finding them.
Furthermore, the Fish Dragon Race was one of the dominant races of Blue Star’s East Ocean. They controlled numerous Secret Realms, including some that produced Divine Concealment Cores.
To the Fish Dragons and other non-Space Element Exotic Beasts, these things were just pretty crystals with no practical value. What was the point of keeping them when they could let a guest take them in exchange for a few sticks of dried fish?
But for Su Zhi, who was aiming to break through to a Tier Five Beast Taming Space, they were incredibly valuable. While not a critical resource, it was the kind of thing you regret not having more of when the time comes—not to mention, they weren’t cheap.
’And now, I can get them all for free...’
Time to take ’em all!
"Shan Bao!"
"CHIRP!"
A smile crept onto Su Zhi’s face as he watched Shan Bao gather the resources and stuff them into her Flash Gold Space as if she were divvying up loot.
’This Skill is practically a divine shopping hack! I have to bring Shan Bao with me whenever I go out from now on!’
’As for Yu Bao... forget it. What can he do besides eat?’
"Chirp..." After taking so many Divine Concealment Cores in a row, Shan Bao’s little face flushed as she panted slightly.
’The Flash Gold Space is getting stuffed to the brim! It’s gonna overflow!’
"..." Su Zhi glanced expressionlessly at Yu Bao.
Yu Bao took a tactical step back.
’Don’t look at me! I’m not the one who was a bad influence on her.’
’If you didn’t lead her astray, then why do you look so guilty?’ Su Zhi thought, then casually continued to browse the items on the stall.
The Flash Gold Space couldn’t fit any more Divine Concealment Cores, but there was still room for some smaller trinkets. ’Besides acquiring "legitimate" resources, I can take some souvenirs too, right?’
However, Su Zhi wasn’t sure if he’d find what he was looking for here...
Huh?
Su Zhi’s gaze fell on a fluffy ball of seaweed. His eyes lit up, and he subconsciously mimed a knitting motion. "This must be some kind of textile, right?"
Shao Ya blinked, a teasing smile on her face. "So, Su Baby is interested in weaving? You’re giving off some serious wifey material vibes!"
"AWOOOO!" The Fish Dragon stall owner reacted instantly, nodding his head and beginning a grand introduction:
Fuzzy Sea Grass, a plant unique to the seas of the Fish Dragon Race!
It was composed of countless slender yet downy plant fibers, making it both highly durable and warm, an effect that held up well even underwater. Some amphibious land-based Pet Beasts would even buy it to weave clothing.
Its greatest advantage was that it was incredibly fluffy, yet could be compressed into a tiny ball, taking up almost no space until you needed it.
And the biggest selling point? It’s the last one in these parts! A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Buy now, and he’d even throw in a set of crochet hooks polished from Meteor Shells!
(Hint, hint, hint)
"So it’s basically chenille yarn plus. Perfect!"
Su Zhi nodded and reached for the ball of seaweed.
At almost the exact same moment, a fishy fin also reached out... and the man and the Fish Dragon both grabbed the same ball of Fuzzy Sea Grass.
"AWOO!" Seeing Prince Two-Fifty arrive, the stall owner quickly and respectfully bowed.
Su Zhi blinked. "Um, you want this too?"
"..." Hai Ri trembled.
’I was just browsing with the elder, going from stall to stall, and I just happened to see a nice ball of Fuzzy Sea Grass that I wanted to buy... I didn’t even notice Su Zhi was here!’
’What am I supposed to do?! He’s Father’s honored guest! Should I take it or let him have it?’
The elder patted Hai Ri’s back in exasperation. [Your Highness, you must maintain the bearing of a King at all times. Your people are watching you.]
Hai Ri whipped his head around. Sure enough, at some point, a crowd of Fish Dragons had gathered to watch the show. Every single one of them had an expression that said they were hoping a fight would break out soon.
Hai Ri didn’t even know where they had all popped up from...
’Is this the law of the universe where gossip-hungry onlookers instantly materialize at the first sign of drama??’
The elder smiled and looked at Su Zhi. [Honored guests, please allow me to introduce...]
...
"Oh, I see."
After listening to the elder’s introduction, Su Zhi nodded in understanding. He smiled at Hai Ri. "Hello, uh... Prince Two-Fifty?"
’This is a bit awkward,’ he thought. ’I didn’t quite catch his name, I only remember the ’two-fifty’ part... ’
Hai Ri nodded, looking completely intimidated.
However, to the clan members who were unaware of their prince’s social anxiety, the scene looked completely different:
The proud and powerful Prince had appeared at the market, setting his sights on the same item as the King’s honored guest. The two were now locked in a verbal confrontation. Though no one could hear what they were saying, the tension in the air was as thick as a drawn bowstring...
’How boring! We want to see a bloodbath!’
The elder, being worldly and wise, clearly understood what his people were thinking. His eyes darted around, and he decided to take advantage of the situation.
[Please, take the Fuzzy Sea Grass as a gift. That said, to meet is a matter of fate. Prince Hai Ri has long admired your reputation and actually came here today specifically to ask for your guidance. Would you be so kind as to spare a moment to spar with the Prince?]
"!?" Hai Ri’s jaw dropped, his expression a perfect picture of someone who wanted to cry but had no tears left.
’That’s not true! I didn’t do it!’
What was even more devious was that the elder, that old fox, had clearly been communicating telepathically, but he had broadcast the message to all life forms in the vicinity. All the gossip-hungry onlookers had heard it loud and clear...
The elder tucked his fins into his sleeves and said nothing, the very image of a master who has accomplished his goal and seeks no credit.
(Trouble successfully stirred.jpg)
"Alright."
Seeing that Yu Bao was already eager for a fight, Su Zhi chuckled and gave a fist-and-palm salute. "My Main Pet is of the Earth and Fire Dual Element, so his performance in water won’t be ideal. But we’ll give it our all and make sure the Prince has a satisfying match!"
’I’ve already gotten so much stuff for free. The least I can do is play a match with him.’
Besides, fighting a powerful opponent like this was a win-win situation: win, and you get points; lose, and you still get points. It was like winning twice.
’Isn’t this just another form of freeloading?’
"Awoo, awoo," Hai Ri nodded, a little flattered. He saw Su Zhi move to an open area and swam over to join him.
’Come to think of it,’ Hai Ri thought, ’even though I was panicking like crazy before, now that the spar is actually starting, I don’t feel that nervous anymore.’
He had to admit, the elder’s troublemaking had worked; his social anxiety had actually eased up a bit.
Hai Ri shot the elder a grateful glance.
[Do your best, my boy.] The elder, now mingling with the crowd of onlookers, revealed a gratified smile.
’His Highness is finally growing up. My painstaking efforts weren’t in vain after all.’
’It was definitely not because he just wanted to watch the drama unfold...’
"⌓‿⌓ ARF!" Yu Bao wagged his tail, revealing his trademark family smile.
Yu Dian Earth Dog, Yu Bao. I look forward to your guidance!
"AWOO!" Hai Ri also wagged his tail and returned the bow.
Storm Fish Dragon, Hai Ri. I look forward to your guidance!
He was the heir to the throne, after all. No matter how socially anxious Prince Two-Fifty was, the moment the battle began, his entire demeanor changed.
The difference between a king and a mere steed—
Is INSTINCT!!!
The instant the spar began, Hai Ri’s eyes were filled with focus and the will to fight!
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