The Dragon

Adventures in the Wandering Market

“Senior Sister Zhong, I didn’t mean to…” Gu Fuyou clutched the talisman, feeling that his explanation sounded rather weak. Perhaps it would have been better not to explain at all.

Zhong Michu gently brushed aside the hanging wisteria blossoms with the back of her hand and stepped out.

Ah Fu trotted over to her, and Zhong Michu stroked its chin. It lowered its head, nuzzling against her.

Zhong Michu asked, “Are you going home?”

Her voice was calm and neutral, neither annoyed nor pleased, just as it always was.

A warm breeze blew along the mountain path, rustling the leaves. The air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers, and all seemed quiet.

Gu Fuyou watched as the sunlight fell upon her, and her heart suddenly calmed. Her eyes curved into crescent moons as she replied, “Yes.”

Oddly enough, she knew Zhong Michu was no longer angry.

“I need to go to Wantong City first. The Wandering Market is opening there this year. Then I’ll head home.”

Zhong Michu repeated, “The Wandering Market…”

Her tone was ambiguous as she said those words. Gu Fuyou asked, “Have you been there before, Senior Sister Zhong?”

Zhong Michu sometimes took a while to answer questions. Gu Fuyou often couldn’t tell if she didn’t want to speak or if she was considering how to respond. This time was no different. After a long pause, Zhong Michu said, “No, I’ve only heard of it.”

She then patted Ah Fu’s head and wished, “Safe travels.”

It wasn’t clear who she was addressing, but Gu Fuyou assumed she was speaking to her.

A sudden idea struck Gu Fuyou, and she said, “Senior Sister Zhong, why don’t you come with me?”

The thought had barely formed in her mind before the words left her mouth.

Zhong Michu looked somewhat surprised but declined.

Gu Fuyou wasn’t surprised. Although rejection was expected, her resolve only grew stronger.

She felt that Zhong Michu actually wanted to go. This feeling was baseless, but she couldn’t shake it. She thought to herself that if she was wrong, so be it – she’d just be presumptuous.

“Senior Sister, come and see it with me. The Wandering Market is so lively – they have automatons, shape-shifting masks, candlelight dragonflies, all sorts of curious gadgets. There are snacks like date cakes, molten custard pastries, and dried meat. You might even find rare spirit beasts and plants, or all kinds of magical treasures at low prices. If you’re lucky, you might come across something extraordinary that could help you break through to the Nascent Soul stage. There are also various magical duels – competing with others is the fastest way to gain experience and improve your cultivation. The Wanderig Market is beyond words—no one can truly capture its brilliance. Simply put, it’s a place every cultivator must visit.”

“Plus, it’s the time for the Flower Festival in Wantong City. The city will be in full bloom, vibrant and beautiful, the perfect time to enjoy the flowers. It’s one of the finest pleasures in the mortal realm. You must try the flower tea there—you’ll love it.”

As Gu Fuyou spoke, she gestured animatedly to Zhong Michu, vividly describing the scene as if trying to bring all the wonders before her eyes.

“I…” Zhong Michu was about to refuse again, as she should. The Master and several teachers had told her to leave the mountain less often. But she hesitated as the words reached her lips.

Gu Fuyou made a gesture behind her back to Ah Fu. Ah Fu moved behind Zhong Michu, nudging her downhill while making playful noises.

“See? Ah Fu wants you to go.”

Gu Fuyou gently tugged on Zhong Michu’s sleeve, pulling her downhill with a smile.

“I want you to come too. I’d be going to the Wandering Market alone this year, and I’m a bit scared. Keep me company, Senior Sister Zhong. Besides, if I run into any trouble there, I’d have to call for you anyway.”

“Gu Fuyou, I should inform the Master first…”

Seeing her give in, Gu Fuyou’s heart leaped with joy. She forgot herself again and grabbed her wrist, turning back with a smile. “No way, I want Senior Sister Zhong to be a bad student like me for once.”

Gu Fuyou is a fool, thinking Zhong Michu is really like a river clam, hard on the outside but soft on the inside. She was certain she must have been a lively person before. It was all the fault of the Xuan Miao Sect elders for making her so cold and distant.

She’s going to turn Senior Sister Zhong back!

“Ah Fu, quickly, push Senior Sister Zhong to the teleportation formation before she changes her mind.”

Gu Fuyou grabbed Zhong Michu and ran ahead, while Ah Fu pushed her from behind. Although Zhong Michu could resist, she did not.

The two of them and the beast hurried down the mountain. Gu Fuyou tossed a spirit stone into the teleportation formation, activating it. In the blink of an eye, they were transported thousands of miles away, finding themselves on the main street of Wantong City.

The buildings were grand and the roads were wide. Most passersby were cultivators, either riding rare and exotic beasts or flying on swords.

Gu Fuyou said, “Senior Sister Zhong, let’s just wander around today. I’ve already sent a message to Sister Zhu. We’ll rest at her place tonight. Ah Fu, keep up!”

On the opening day of the Wandering Market, the streets were even more bustling than usual. The clamor of voices was so loud that Gu Fuyou had to raise her voice to be heard.

Gu Fuyou didn’t walk ahead. She waited for Zhong Michu to exit the teleportation array, then she and Ah Fu moved her on either side, still worried that Zhong Michu might change her mind and leave.

Zhong Michu stopped and turned to look at her.

Gu Fuyou became nervous, blocking the way with Ah Fu: “Senior Sister Zhong, what’s wrong?”

Zhong Michu remained silent for a moment before sighing softly. “I don’t know the way.”

Only then did Gu Fuyou walk beside her, heading towards the East City.

Wantong City was built along the mountains, nestled in the Changshou Mountain Range. Just outside the eastern city was the Moon Exit Pass, beyond which lay the famous natural barrier, the Yunduan Grand Canyon.

This time, the market extended from the eastern city all the way to the entire Yunduan Grand Canyon. It was impossible to see everything in just a day or two.

By the time Gu Fuyou led Zhong Michu into the market, it was already noon, so they only strolled around the outer edges.

Still, there were countless novelties that caught their eyes.

In the past, Gu Fuyou had always come with her brother, who took the lead. Now that she had brought Zhong Michu here, and knowing that Zhong Michu had never been before while she had visited a few times, Gu Fuyou felt a sense of responsibility as a host. She was determined to ensure Zhong Michu had a good time.

Every interesting item she saw, she made sure to show Zhong Michu. Every delicious snack, she bought for Zhong Michu to taste.

After touring around, Gu Fuyou’s arms were full of snacks. She was chewing on some strange-flavored candied fruits and giggling as she looked at herself in a small mirror.

“Senior Sister Zhong, look!”

Zhong Michu turned to look. Gu Fuyou stuck out the tip of her tongue, which had turned bright green.

Zhong Michu was speechless.

Gu Fuyou then fed some of the candy to Ah Fu, and the two of them playfully messed around.

“Come and see! Freshly unearthed raw stones! Take a chance, Take a chance, millions of spirit stones could be yours! Place a bet, turn your shabby hut into an immortal’s palace!”

Zhong Michu’s attention was drawn to this. She walked to the stall and saw several stones on display, with a pile of more stones on one side. The stones were of various shapes but looked ordinary – just like regular rocks.

The chubby shopkeeper, fanning himself with a palm leaf fan, saw Zhong Michu’s elegant appearance and assumed she must be a young mistress from a prestigious cultivation family – a big client. He quickly put on a smile and said, “Young Miss, would you like to pick a couple of raw stones to try your luck? Judging by your appearance, you’re bound to have good fortune. I’m sure you’ll uncover rare treasures!”

Gu Fuyou approached and asked, “Senior Sister Zhong, do you want to try this?”

Seeing Gu Fuyou, the shopkeeper greeted her, saying, “Well, it’s a case of ‘the flood washes away the Dragon King temple’* – family not recognizing family! Turns out she’s a friend of Third Gu.”

Gu Fuyou laughed and said, “Stop pretending we’re related, we’re not family! Boss Biao, I remember that your raw stones have the lowest chance of yielding anything good.”

In this world, many spiritual items, such as Lingzhi mushrooms growing in the mountains, earth spirits like ginseng growing underground, blood pearls and corals from the seabed, as well as spiritual pills from various spirit beasts, are often encased in layers of soil and stone fragments for various reasons. Over years and years, these precious items become obscured, looking just like ordinary stones from the outside. The spiritual energy emitted by the treasures inside is almost completely blocked.

These are referred to as “raw stones” by people.

Many merchants sell these raw stones. If buyers are lucky, they might uncover a rare spirit beast’s core. If they’re unlucky, they might just find a regular spirit stone.

This type of high-risk, high-reward business excites people’s gambling instincts, making it increasingly popular. More and more people have started buying and selling raw stones.

If one manages to get a spiritual item from a raw stone, and the value of the spiritual item is higher than the price paid for the raw stone, then it’s considered a successful “hit.”

Boss Biao laughed, “That can’t be right, Third Gu. You must be mistaken.”

Gu Fuyou didn’t comment but said to Zhong Michu, “Senior Sister Zhong, if you want to try this, let’s go somewhere else. There are several other places selling raw stones, all better than here.”

“Ah, Third Gu, I swear to heaven and earth, my raw stones are absolutely the fairest deal.”

Zhong Michu’s gaze had been fixed on the table. Hearing they were about to leave, she pointed at one of the stones and said, “I want this one.”

Boss Biao’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly replied, “The young mistress has a good eye, picking out the best one at a glance.”

Gu Fuyou looked at the stone Zhong Michu had pointed to. It was about the size of an ostrich egg, round and smooth. Its surface was damp and covered with green moss, giving off a fishy smell. The spiritual energy seeping from the stone was extremely faint and barely noticeable.

It looked extremely ordinary, with nothing seemingly special about it.

Zhong Michu asked, “How much is it?”

A glint flashed in Boss Biao’s eyes. A direct inquiry about the price usually meant a wealthy customer. He quickly calculated in his mind and said, “150,000 spirit stones!”

Gu Fuyou exclaimed, “150,000? Are you trying to rob us?”

The boss replied, “Third Gu, I swear on heaven and earth, I even gave you a discount because of our relationship. This raw stone has quite a history. It comes from 1000 zhang beneath the East Sea floor, having slumbered for at least 10,000 years. Ninety-eight years ago, a great tsunami in the East Sea turned everything upside down and washed this stone ashore. A fisherman found it, and after changing hands several times, it came to me.”

“You’re just making that up!”

“I wouldn’t dare lie! There’s definitely a spiritual item inside this stone. I, Boss Biao, stake my life on it! 150,000, and not a spirit stone less.”

Zhong Michu replied, “Alright.”

But having agreed, she found herself in a difficult position. She rarely left the mountain and seldom carried spirit stones with her. This time, being suddenly called out by Gu Fuyou, she certainly hadn’t brought any.

She was about to take off the jade tablet at her waist. When traveling, a sect disciple’s identity tablet could be used in place of spirit stones.

Seeing that Zhong Michu truly wanted this raw stone, Gu Fuyou immediately stopped her hand and smiled, “Senior Sister Zhong, there’s no need. I have some spirit stones here. If you really want it, I’ll buy it for you.”

Zhong Michu put down her jade tablet and said, “Alright, I’ll repay you when we return to the sect.”

Gu Fuyou thought to herself, “Actually, you don’t need to repay me. If you like it, 150,000 spirit stones is nothing.” But she felt oddly embarrassed to say this out loud and kept quiet.

Gu Fuyou said to Boss Biao, “Alright, 150,000 it is…”

Before she could finish, a voice interrupted, “200,000. I’ll take this raw stone.”

The three of them turned to look at the speaker. He was a man who appeared to be in his thirties, with a pale face and salt-and-pepper hair. He wore a purple robe and had a blood vine and silver bracelet on his left wrist.

“Oh, if it isn’t Master Yu from the Wanyao Pavilion. This…” Boss Biao greeted him, glancing back at Gu Fuyou.

Gu Fuyou said, “Hey, there’s a thing called first come, first served.”

Yu Dongsheng slightly raised his chin and said, “300,000.”

Boss Biao immediately turned to Gu Fuyou with a smile, “Third Gu, you understand the principle of highest bidder wins, don’t you…”

Gu Fuyou knew the rule here was money talks. She snorted coldly, “If it’s about price, then fine. You think I don’t have money? 400,000.”

Yu Dongsheng calmly responded, “500,000.”

The situation was getting tense.

Gu Fuyou wasn’t foolish. Either this person was here to cause trouble, or there really was something valuable inside this raw stone.

Translation notes:

the flood washes away the Dragon King temple (大水冲了龙王庙) – A Chinese idiom indicating an ironic misunderstanding among people who are on the same side or part of the same group or family, causing them to have a conflict, harm or unintended consequences.