Jin Yu’s steps remained slow and measured as he passed the weaponry pavilion, his gaze barely lingering. Rows of glinting blades, ancient halberds, and qi-infused bows rested behind clear barriers, each radiating a silent promise of violence. But he didn’t stop, he had already acquired what he needed back at the auction house.

  The pill section came next, its air thick with the mingling scents of crushed herbs, preserved cores, and medicinal incense. Vendors whispered praises of golden-tier recovery pills and rare vitality elixirs. Jin Yu didn’t even spare them a glance. As it was useless to him

  Instead, his eyes drifted toward a far corner where the air shimmered subtly with spiritual energy. It smelled of dew and ripeness, fresh, earthy, and sweet. The Spiritual Fruits section.

  A round archway carved from living jade framed the entrance. Inside, light filtered through translucent leaves hanging from the ceiling, illuminating baskets and shelves laden with a vibrant rainbow of fruits.

  Some pulsed softly with qi, others emitted faint trails of mist or flame.

  Each one radiated its own presence.

  A refined attendant in pale-green robes approached, hands folded in front of her as she bowed politely.

  “Welcome to the Verdant Bounty section, esteemed guest. Are you searching for fruits to replenish your spiritual energy, or perhaps rare ones that assist in body tempering? We have several varieties just harvested from the spirit groves of Mount Ruhn and the northern cloud orchards.”

  Jin Yu’s eyes scanned the offerings.

  “I want anything that boosts vitality, cleanses impurities, or enhances the body.” Jin Yu said simply.

  The attendant blinked once, then nodded. “Certainly. I’ll prepare a tailored selection. Shall I offer samples, or would you prefer to purchase in bulk?”

  “Bulk.”

  “Understood.”

  She bowed again and moved with quiet grace to begin assembling a collection.

  Jin Yu, meanwhile, stood at the center of the pavilion, the fragrance of the fruits surrounding him, soft qi brushing over his skin. It reminded him faintly of Rainbow’s scent before the chaos. Before the blood.

  His fingers tightened slightly behind his back.

  The attendant returned moments later, a slim crystal tablet in hand, its surface glowing faintly with scrolling descriptions. She bowed once more before gesturing toward a table filled with neatly arranged fruits in carved jade bowls.

  “These here are Moonpetal Pears, they calm the mind, excellent for maintaining focus during meditation. Over there we have Sunfire Plums, perfect for circulation and replenishing yang energy. These...” she stepped aside to reveal a mist-shrouded tray

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  “...are Dewshade Berries, ideal for balancing volatile elemental qi, especially fire and lightning attributes. We also carry Ironroot Figs for fortifying the body, and Soul Lantern Grapes, useful for cleansing residual impurities from one’s meridians.”

  Jin Yu listened in silence, his gaze moving across the shimmering produce like a man seeing treasure for the first time, but not quite knowing what to do with it.

  He hesitated.

  Then, as though remembering something distant, something oddly comforting, he raised a hand and conjured a faint illusion of a smooth, round fruit. Red-skinned, with a small stem on top, nothing extravagant.

  “Do you have this?”

  The attendant blinked, startled at first. “This...”

  She took a step closer, eyes slightly wide. “You mean a Crimson Celestial Fruit?”

  “...An apple,” Jin Yu said plainly.

  The name meant nothing to her.

  But the illusion pulsed once, exuding a familiar qi resonance that made her breath hitch. She cleared her throat and straightened.

  “Yes, we do carry a few... though they are exceptionally rare and expensive.” She gave a hesitant smile. “Only ten in stock. They’re grown under extremely specific conditions and harvested during a single twilight cycle every three years. Known for their ability to rapidly heal internal injuries and boost spiritual awareness.”

  Jin Yu’s brow furrowed. “How rare can it be? It’s just a fruit.”

  The attendant looked torn between correcting him and holding back a laugh. She settled for the polite middle ground.

  “Each Crimson Celestial Fruit is valued at one thousand spirit stones.”

  Jin Yu stared at her. “For one?”

  She gave a small nod. “Yes. For one.”

  There was a moment of silence between them.

  Then, Jin Yu bowed slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he scratched his brow, almost sheepish.

  I don’t know if I should question my own definition of rare… or her perspective on expensive

  For a moment, I thought my twenty billion couldn’t cover it.

  The attendant, mistaking his brief silence for hesitation or perhaps lack of funds, she offered a gentle, understanding smile. Still, a hint of pride laced her voice as she gestured toward a nearby table.

  “It’s alright, Young Master. We do have other fruits with similar appearances and… some overlapping benefits. Would you like me to show them to you?”

  Before Jin Yu could respond, a graceful voice interrupted from the opposite stall.

  “What do you mean by similar? Are you suggesting the Young Master can’t afford the real thing?”

  A young lady in a flowing blue dress stepped into view, her bearing elegant and sure. She flashed Jin Yu a polite, almost teasing smile, but her gaze dipped briefly to the glinting silver ring on his finger. The flicker in her eyes was subtle… calculating.

  She turned back to the attendant with a calm, pointed tone. “Crimson Celestial Fruits are rare, yes, but not enough to insult someone’s status over them. Especially not someone wearing a ring of that tier.”

  The attendant paled slightly and bowed. “Forgive me, Young Master, I didn’t mean—”

  “It’s fine,” Jin Yu cut in gently, his voice neither cold nor warm. He turned his gaze toward the girl in blue. “And thank you… Miss?”

  The Young Lady smiled again, her eyes still dancing with quiet interest. “Just a passerby who hates poor customer service.”

  Jin Yu nodded and didn’t bother looking at her again. He turned back to the attendant who bowed lower.

  “I’ll take all ten and the rest.”

  She nearly stumbled. “A-All of them, Young Master?”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “N-No! I’ll have them packed immediately.”

  As she hurried away, flustered, the girl in blue took a graceful step closer, her eyes never leaving Jin Yu.

  “Ten Crimson Celestial Fruits,” she mused, half to herself, half to him. “Even the Young Master's of Noble Clans rarely dare to buy more than one at a time.”

  Jin Yu gave her a sideways glance but said nothing.

  She didn’t seem to mind the silence. Her smile deepened, respectful but edged with curiosity. “I suppose it’s true what they say… wealth is quiet, but presence speaks louder. Most cultivators wouldn’t even recognize these fruits, let alone purchase the full stock without blinking.”

  Jin Yu reached out, selecting one of the fruits on display, rolling it thoughtfully in his palm.

  The girl watched him carefully.

  “You must be a direct heir of some major house in the East,” she said softly, “or… maybe someone important from the central lands?”

  He met her gaze for the first time, steady, unreadable.

  “I’m just someone who appreciates good fruit.”

  Her lips parted slightly, caught off-guard by the answer. But after a breath, she laughed gently. “A refined palate too. I suppose a man who dresses well, speaks little, and buys rare fruit in tens must also value subtle flavors.”

  Jin Yu handed the fruit back to the attendant, who had just returned with a carefully sealed case.

  “I value peace and quiet.” he said flatly.

  The girl blinked, then gave a curtsy, stepping back with elegance.

  “Of course, Young Master. Forgive the intrusion.”

  “Add it to my previous goods.” Jin Yu said to the attendant, already turning away.

  He moved past the young lady, not sparing her a second glance, but he could feel her gaze lingering on him like a thread, curious, calculating, and oddly amused.