Mi Xiaojing was genuinely curious about what kind of immortal tea could have such terrifying effects and what it actually looked like.
Back in the treasure trove, Mi Xiaojing had no time to inspect it. He only caught a glimpse of a columnar object hidden among the spirit stone gravel before Wang Weijun demanded it be put away.
Suddenly, Mi Xiaojing had an idea. "Old man, we're in Tianyuan Market. Maybe we can buy an Array Disk?"
Wang Weijun couldn't help but laugh, having forgotten this possibility. "That could work, but we'll need a high-quality Array Disk. A subpar one won't be able to withstand the Treasure Light."
Mi Xiaojing stood up, ready to act on his words. He summoned Yong Ji and said, "Senior Uncle, let's head to Tianyuan Market."
Yong Ji glanced at Thousand Poisons Qian and asked, "Is there something you need at the market?"
"I need to find a good Array Disk. My Qingmu Formation was destroyed by him," Mi Xiaojing replied, glaring at Thousand Poisons Qian with annoyance.
Thousand Poisons Qian inwardly grimaced. Destroying a Qingmu Formation was trivial, but now he was helpless. Offend Mi Xiaojing? The thought alone was daunting. Offer words of comfort? He couldn't bring himself to speak and could only feign ignorance, keeping silent and pretending to cultivate, feeling utterly stifled.
Originally planning to enter seclusion for cultivation, Yong Ji was willing to accompany Mi Xiaojing to the market. Ever since Mi Xiaojing had rescued him from the Mysterious Heaven Formation, Yong Ji considered him a friend.
In the Cultivation World, cultivators don't easily acknowledge someone as a friend, as the cost of friendship is high.
Two Golden Elixir Stage masters, Yong Ji and Yang Shan—Yong Ji acknowledged Mi Xiaojing as a friend but not Yang Shan. He and Yang Shan were merely sect mates, just as he had been with Mi Xiaojing before. Now, his relationship with Mi Xiaojing was much closer than with Yang Shan.
Similarly, Mi Xiaojing trusted Yong Ji more than Yang Shan.
Mi Xiaojing and Yong Ji made their way to Tianyuan Market, with Thousand Poisons Qian silently following. He had no choice but to follow; if Mi Xiaojing were to be killed, he'd be finished too. Protecting Mi Xiaojing was a source of his frustration.
Thousand Poisons Qian no longer wore his flamboyant red robe. He had changed into coarse grey clothes, and his prayer beads were nowhere to be seen. Now, he looked like an ordinary old man, not at all like an Elemental Infant stage master. He even tied a hemp rope around his waist, which looked as unsightly as it could be.
Bent over and hunched, Thousand Poisons Qian now held a walking stick. He followed Mi Xiaojing step by step, wishing no one would recognize him. How utterly down on his luck he felt!
Yong Ji asked, "Which shop should we go to?"
Mi Xiaojing wasn't sure which shops were around but remembered one in particular. "Let's check out Clouds Between Market first. They might have a good Array Disk."
Leading the way, Yong Ji and Mi Xiaojing followed, with Thousand Poisons Qian dragging his feet behind. The three of them quickly reached Tianyuan Market.
Clouds Between Market was located on the busiest street of Tianyuan Market. Mi Xiaojing was fascinated by the bustling scene, having seen so little of it before, whether at Western Expansion Sect or Heart Sect, where there were few people and vast spaces, and he often spent time alone.
"We're here. Let's go in!" Yong Ji announced.
Mi Xiaojing looked up to see the towering archway with "Clouds Between Market" inscribed on it. He smiled, "Hopefully, we can find a decent Array Disk."
As they entered, they were greeted by staff.
Yong Ji chuckled, "Ah, sister, your eyes are as sharp as ever. Sorry to trouble you again."
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Wei Zhen responded with a giggle, "When big brother comes, of course I must welcome you. Senior brother, hello." Then she was startled, "And greetings to you, elder."
Thousand Poisons Qian ignored her, merely grunting through his nose as a response, which left Wei Zhen too intimidated to say more. She gestured discreetly to the attendants behind her to hurry and inform the higher-ups.
It was no joke; an Elemental Infant big shot had arrived, and the store's higher-ups needed to greet him.
An attendant dashed back to the store, and soon Old Duo appeared, albeit reluctantly. He was quite wary of Thousand Poisons Qian but had to show up since he was the one in charge.
Old Duo was surprised to find Thousand Poisons Qian unusually low-key, nodding at him and then quietly following Mi Xiaojing into the store, matching his pace step for step. Old Duo was stunned. What kind of protocol was this? Wasn't Mi Xiaojing Thousand Poisons Qian's disciple? Yet it seemed as if Thousand Poisons Qian was acting like Mi Xiaojing's junior, which was very odd.
"Could it be that this kid is a disciple from another planet with a noble status? But that's not right; isn't he a disciple of Heart Sect? Thousand Poisons Qian..."
Old Duo was thoroughly confused, his head aching from the thoughts, unable to come to a conclusion.
They were led to a courtyard reserved for VIPs. Old Duo invited Thousand Poisons Qian to sit, but he ignored the offer, heading to a corner of the courtyard wall and sitting down cross-legged, once again leaving Old Duo dumbfounded.
Mi Xiaojing completely disregarded Thousand Poisons Qian, sitting down with Yong Ji. Old Duo glanced at Thousand Poisons Qian, feeling helpless, and sat down, his mind in turmoil.
The juniors sat while the elder positioned himself in the corner of the courtyard. This posture made Old Duo realize it was the behavior of a bodyguard. But Thousand Poisons Qian as Mi Xiaojing's bodyguard? That was ridiculous!
Unable to contain himself, Old Duo turned and said, "This... him," pointing at Thousand Poisons Qian, clearly questioning the appropriateness of letting him sit in the corner.
"Just leave him be. If he wants to sit there, let him," Mi Xiaojing said dismissively, his tone lacking any respect. Annoyed by his presence yet unable to send him away, Mi Xiaojing's words were naturally not too kind.
Old Duo was shocked, and Wei Zhen turned pale. An Elemental Infant stage master! Mi Xiaojing spoke to him in such a tone, and yet Thousand Poisons Qian acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to meditate as if nothing had been said.
Even Yong Ji was taken aback. After a moment, he said, "Elder, sorry to trouble you, but we're looking for a good Array Disk. Does Clouds Between Market have any in stock?"
Mi Xiaojing added, "It needs to withstand attacks from Elemental Infant stage cultivators!"
Old Duo looked puzzled. "We don't have that. I believe you won't find one in the entire Tianyuan Market."
Mi Xiaojing didn't understand and asked, "Why not?"
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