Chapter 302: Sweeping Across the Cangyun Realm
"You've been poisoned by the Venom of the Flame Python. I've already detoxified you. The medical fee is 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals."
"Thank you so much, Fairy! The Detox Pill sold at the Dan Sectâs Pavilion costs over a thousand low-grade Spirit CrystalsâI really couldn't afford it. You Medical Cultivators of Lingxi Valley are the most conscientious!"
The rogue cultivator cupped his hands to the Lingxi Valley disciple in gratitude.
Even though the female cultivator in front of him was stunning, he didnât dare look too long.
Everyone knew the rules of Lingxi Valley. Besides, it was a prestigious sect. Even without those strange rules, heâd never have the chance to make someone like her his Dao Companion. Just being able to interact for a moment was already a stroke of luck.
"Healing people is part of the Dao of Lingxi Valley."
The girl smiled gently and accepted the pouch filled with 100 low-grade Spirit Crystals.
Lingxi Valley had a large supply of spiritual herbs at affordable prices. Even if she used them to make medicine or pills, she still made a profit.
Though, of course, it couldnât compare with the Dan Sectâthat bunch was ridiculously greedy.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
The rogue cultivator was reluctant, but he knew it was time to go.
However, just as he turned, the girl called out from behind:
"Hey, wait a second!"
His heart skipped a beatâcould it be? Could his luck with women finally be turning?
He spun around in surprise, only to see the Lingxi Valley girl holding a strange-looking bag.
The bag was brightly colored with big bold letters printed on it â Zhou the Skinflint?
Uh...
The rogue cultivator twitched his nose, catching a seductive and peculiar aroma in the air.
"This... what is this thing?"
"Itâs called Spicy Strips," the girl smiled mysteriously, her eyes crescent-shaped. "A special type of snack. It's said to have originally come from the Sword Pavilion. It was originally priced at 10 low-grade Spirit Crystals, but now it's only 5. I donât usually like foods with such strong smellsâif I get cravings, I just pick some wild fruit from the mountains. But this one, this spicy stripâ"
She pouted slightly, a blush creeping up her face as she looked away.
"Itâs just... too addictive."
Her string of cute expressions nearly reeled the rogue cultivator in like a hooked fish.
He immediately shelled out 5 Spirit Crystals to buy the spicy stripsâpartly to learn what kind of snacks the fairy liked, and partly⊠to see just what kind of magical food could make the cool and aloof fairy of Lingxi Valley say the words âtoo addictive.â
He stepped out of the temporary clinic, bathed in the cool night breeze, turning the bag labeled Zhou the Skinflint over in his hands, unsure how exactly to eat the contents.
What did "Zhou the Skinflint" mean?
Was it the name of a cultivator who made this snack?
To stamp oneâs name right onto the productâthat cultivator must be full of confidence⊠and ambition.
"Looks like thereâs a transparent layer of fabric on the outside? Such delicate craftsmanship. Iâm guessing I need to tear this open."
He muttered to himself as he tore open the bag. Instantly, a wave of even stronger, devilishly tempting aroma exploded at his nose.
"Th-this smellâŠ"
His eyes widened.
He sworeâhe had never smelled anything this intoxicating in his life.
There was a rich meatiness laced with a teasing spicy noteâbut it wasnât just spicy. The aroma was something no ordinary spice could produce. It was so magical, it felt like just smelling it was already eating it.
He gulped and pulled out a strip, shoving it into his mouth.
BOOMâ!
The complex compounds, born from a fusion of another worldâs technology and shady enhancement tricks, exploded across the cultivatorâs taste buds like a storm.
Sure, cultivators werenât afraid of chiliâunless it was some spirit-grown fiery chili.
He shouldâve been able to resist such heat. But his body surrendered on its own, letting the odd spicy sensation surge through every inch of him.
In the chill night wind, the man shuddered in pleasure. Sweat beaded on his brow.
All the pressure that had been bottling up and blocking his breakthrough suddenly melted away.
He even felt⊠happy.
In a cultivation life full of monotonyâno entertainment, no Dao Companion, no resources, no progressâŠ
It had been a long, long time since he felt even a shred of happiness.
A seven-foot-tall man raised his head to the sky.
A tear, tinged with the flavor of spicy strips, slipped from the corner of his eye.
"This⊠this truly is a divine object!"
He scarfed down the rest of the spicy strips in seconds. Even after licking his lips, he still wanted more.
It was goodâno doubt about itâbut the portion size? Kinda stingy.
Just that little bit? Thatâs it?
"But hey, itâs just 5 low-grade Spirit Crystals."
He weighed his pouch of crystals in his hand, made up his mind, and turned around to head back to the clinic.
In the bleak night breeze, his footsteps faded awayâlighter, quicker.
Gone was the beaten-down rogue cultivator slaving away for cultivation and resources, living like the walking dead day after day.
What remained was a simple man, chasing happiness and joyâa living, breathing person.
In less than three days, spicy strips had swept across the entire Cangyun Realm.
With their bizarre flavor, devilish aroma, unique aftertaste, and price point cheap enough for even outer disciples, they quickly went viral across sects big and small.
These days, if a sect disciple went out without a pack or two of spicy strips on their waist, theyâd be laughed at when meeting friends.
There were many types of spicy strips.
The most popular were Beef & Horse Mix, Zhou the Skinflint, Palace-Fried Kundi, and Mala Geese.
Some cultivators even became collectors, vowing to taste every type of spicy strip out there!
And since different types were distributed across different sects, disciples started traveling more between sects.
Even sects that had old grudges seemed to cool down a bit under the spicy strip crazeâwar vibes easing subtly.
Just as the Sword Pavilion was raking in mountains of profits from the spicy strip boom...
The disciples sent out by the Holy Land of Jade Pool, after scouring barren lands and dangerous zones with no trace of rare herbs, began narrowing their search.
They planned to coordinate with various sectsâsearching secretly within themâto find if anyone had Flavor Dragon Spicy Strips.
Central State, within Dan Sect territory.
Inside a hidden room of the Treasure Pavilion.
A Dan Sect disciple stood trembling before a young woman in green robes.
He had only been told a distinguished guest needed attendingâbut he never expected the guest to be a fairy from the Holy Land of Jade Pool.
And who knew what she was looking for?
Jade Pool already had the richest resources among the holy lands.
What could they possibly not have?
It was bizarre⊠and a little creepy.
"Iâll make this quick."
The green-robed womanâs expression was cold.
"Iâm looking for a rare spirit herb. As the general steward of the Treasure Pavilion, youâve seen your fair share of odditiesâmaybe youâve heard of it. But whether youâve seen it or not, youâd better bury this conversation deep in your gut. If a word leaksâ"
Her eyes narrowed. Though she didnât move, a wave of killing intent flooded the room, making the air freeze and the temperature plummet.
The Dan Sect disciple felt it. He wiped his sweaty palms, hands trembling.
He bowed deeply.
"Donât worry, Fairy. Iâll speak freely, and if I donât know, Iâll pretend today never happened. You were never here⊠May I ask what it is that you seek?"
The woman paused, as though gathering momentum.
The air stilledâtaut like a pulled string.
The Dan Sect disciple held his breath, focusing on nothing, palms soaked.
What could it be? Would he be silenced just for hearing the name?
While his thoughts spiraledâ
Four clear, firm words shot from the womanâs icy lips:
"Flavor. Dragon. Spicy. Strips."