Upon arriving at the port, there was still some distance to the city. One could choose to rent a carriage or take a flying boat.
As Ye Ju was preparing to rent a carriage to enter the city, Chao Xiangzi produced a flying boat, which instantly grew to five meters in size, capable of carrying five to six people. He invited Ye Ju to travel into the city together.
Ye Ju had intended to part ways with Chao Xiangzi as soon as they docked, as she had many secrets on her person. Her rescue at sea was merely repaying a karmic debt. Therefore, she politely declined. Internally, she was also surprised, as the flying boat was said to be broken, yet it was now perfectly fine. Her expression revealed her confusion.
"Fellow Daoist Chao, wasn't your flying boat broken?"
"Fellow Daoist Ye, you are unaware, but flying boats are activated by formations that automatically identify direction. If the formation is damaged, it cannot identify direction. While it may be able to fly in the vast sea, it is useless if it easily loses its way.
Although this is my first time in Pearl City, there are identifying markers for entering the city. Therefore, I can control the flying boat’s direction myself, and you can ride with me," Chao Xiangzi hastily explained.
Ye Ju considered this and then nodded before boarding the flying boat.
The flying boat was extremely fast. Indeed, there were many markers along the way, providing considerable convenience for those visiting for the first time. Half an hour later, they arrived at the gates of Pearl City. Entry required the payment of one low-grade spirit stone. Chao Xiangzi produced a black wooden token, and the guarding cultivators respectfully allowed them passage.
After entering the city and disembarking from the flying boat, Ye Ju once again politely declined Chao Xiangzi’s suggestion to travel together.
Chao Xiangzi dared not press his benefactor. Reluctantly, he bowed solemnly and presented a black wooden token, saying only that if she ever had any needs, presenting this token at Chao Tian Artifact Refining Workshop would ensure assistance.
To escape Chao Xiangzi’s company, Ye Ju cheerfully took the token and quickly departed.
Ye Ju strolled leisurely down the street, extending her divine sense and detecting a tail following her. A smile played on Ye Ju’s lips; her self-created staff techniques had yet to be tested on a dog.
Spotting a clothing shop called "Xiang Chang Fang," which she assumed sold clothes, Ye Ju walked in to browse. The shop was decorated with serene elegance. At the entrance stood a beautiful screen. Beyond it, exquisite garments were displayed, layered and abundant. A red skirt was embroidered with a white crane in mid-flight, lifelike and exuding noble elegance.
Turning past the screen, Ye Ju saw a variety of ladies’ dresses, in fresh, luxurious, and elegant styles, all hanging on display racks. Ye Ju couldn’t help but feel a surge of delight; she had found what she needed. Now she would have clothes to wear.
From the moment Ye Ju entered, the shop’s attractive female proprietress had been observing her. Seeing the female customer cradling a spiritual pet, a rare white fox no less, she surmised Ye Ju must be a prodigy from some prominent family. Ordinary people could not afford to raise a white fox. However, she couldn't discern Ye Ju's cultivation level. Some heavenly geniuses could achieve a state of returning to simplicity after reaching the Golden Core stage! As a customer, she could not be remiss!
Without dwelling further on the proprietress’s internal deliberations, Ye Ju had already casually picked out over a dozen dresses of similar size. She picked one up, intending to try it on and buy them all if it fit.
"Proprietress, may I try on this dress?"
"Certainly, dear fellow cultivator, please come this way," the female proprietress responded enthusiastically with a smile.
Ye Ju selected a dress in a fresh green outer layer with a simple, tender yellow inner skirt. It fit her perfectly. When she emerged, the proprietress was stunned, beholding a small immortal maiden with skin as fair as snow.
Ye Ju paid it no mind. She bought all the clothes she had picked out, as well as warmer cloaks and fur pelts for winter. She also purchased bedding, warming items, and over a dozen bolts of fabric. Under the proprietress's recommendation, she bought two sets of "Immortal Thread Garments," said to offer defense capable of withstanding a full-power strike from a Golden Core cultivator.
The proprietress secretly rejoiced that she had not slighted this esteemed guest, as this was a significant transaction.
Finally, she did not forget to buy over a dozen sets of clothes for Xiao Bai. This Xiang Chang Fang specialized in ready-made garments. In the cultivation world, people didn't have the leisure to make their own clothes; they'd rather spend that time cultivating. They were indeed expensive; these items alone cost ten supreme-grade spirit stones.
To put it in perspective, a flying boat that could travel a thousand li in a day and carry ten people cost only fifteen supreme-grade spirit stones. One supreme-grade spirit stone could be exchanged for one hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and one mid-grade spirit stone for one thousand low-grade spirit stones. Among ordinary people, one low-grade spirit stone could sustain them for half a year. After all, ordinary people still favored gold and silver as currency.
After storing everything in her spirit ring, the proprietress enthusiastically escorted Ye Ju to a private chamber.
"Esteemed Immortal, I observe you are not wearing any hair accessories. I would like to recommend our shop's jewelry for your consideration."
With a clap of her hands, maids emerged in procession, presenting exquisite jewelry one by one before Ye Ju. Ye Ju gazed at the dazzling array of pearls and gems, hairpins, earrings, and necklaces, all exquisitely crafted. Ye Ju couldn't resist selecting a few items. She couldn't manage overly complex hairstyles, but simple ones were manageable.
"Proprietress, do you accept pearls here?" Ye Ju saw that the pearl ornaments on the jewelry tray were not as fine as those she had obtained from her sea island. She tentatively inquired. If transactions could be made here, it would save her the trouble of finding another place.
The proprietress was momentarily taken aback, then said, "My surname is Mei, and I am known as Proprietress Mei. Little Immortal, if you have pearls, might you allow me to examine them?"
"Of course!"
Ye Ju had already retrieved the pearls from Xiao Bai's spiritual essence space and placed them in her own spirit ring earlier. She immediately produced ten purplish-black pearls, the size of dragon eyes, and ten slightly smaller pinkish-purple ones. White pearls were more common, so Ye Ju had decided to present these rarer colors from the outset.
Proprietress Mei was astonished. Pearls of this size, color, and quality were considered exceptional. She managed to suppress her excitement, maintaining a composed expression:
"May I ask, Little Immortal, what is your asking price for these pearls? And how much more stock do you have?"
"Proprietress Mei, you are an expert, so please offer a price. If it's suitable, I will sell. It's standard practice to compare prices, isn't it?"
Ye Ju had already noticed the change in Proprietress Mei's expression and knew her goods were valuable.
Proprietress Mei picked up a purple pearl with a cloth and examined it closely, sensing a trace of spiritual energy. She was inwardly astonished; only a clam that had existed for over a thousand years could produce pearls with spiritual energy. Pearls were known for their beauty-enhancing properties, and these, imbued with spiritual energy, could nourish the skin and maintain youthfulness even if not ground into powder and consumed, simply by wearing them as jewelry.
What sect or noble family was this Immortal of, to possess such resources and profound backing!
Proprietress Mei pondered for a while and then asked Ye Ju how many purplish-black pearls she had.
"For the purplish-black pearls, one pearl is one supreme-grade spirit stone. For the pinkish-purple ones, fifty mid-grade spirit stones per pearl. What do you think of this price, Little Immortal?"
Ye Ju lowered her head and contemplated for a moment. She found it acceptable but remained cautious. Since she was not lacking funds, she only agreed to sell fifty purplish-black large pearls and one hundred pinkish-purple pearls.
Both parties engaged in a friendly exchange of goods for payment. After the transaction was completed, Proprietress Mei generously gifted Ye Ju a few hair accessories.
Ye Ju hadn't expected her pearls to be so valuable. However, she wasn't sure if she had sold them too cheaply and decided to try another vendor if the opportunity arose.
This Xiang Chang Fang was no ordinary establishment; the second-floor private rooms and jewelry exhibition hall indicated considerable strength. After purchasing all the items she needed, Ye Ju was warmly escorted out of the shop by Proprietress Mei. Proprietress Mei watched Ye Ju’s retreating figure and smiled, pondering whether she had earned the little immortal’s money or if the little immortal had earned her shop's.
However, remembering that these supreme-grade pearls could be entered in Pearl City's Pearl Appraisal Competition, she felt they had a good chance of winning this year.