NOVEL NEXT Chapter 428: Mixed City
Orion's lips curled upward into a fascinated smile. "Incredible," he murmured softly. "This place is a genuine melting pot of races and cultures. Far more intriguing than I imagined."
Finally arriving at the city gates, Orion's gaze landed upon a broad and muscular Elephantkin who was diligently collecting entrance fees.
The Elephantkin towered over most, his face had a haughty smile while looking at everyone, likely because his cultivation was at the Fourth Tier, and among the people present, it was one of the highest.
Catching sight of Orion's approaching figure and sensing his restrained yet powerful aura, the Elephantkin quickly bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, sir," the Elephantkin said courteously, with evident caution in his tone. "The entry fee is ten Lesser-Grade Mana Crystals."
Hearing this, Orion's lips twitched involuntarily. Embarrassment flashed through him momentarily. He only had High-Grade Mana Crystals in his inventory, he had never bothered storing the Lesser-grade variety, deeming them utterly useless and space-consuming.
He sighed inwardly, shaking his head gently. Deciding not to dwell on this small inconvenience, Orion reached into his spatial ring and casually withdrew a single High-Grade Mana Crystal.
Tossing it gently toward the startled Elephantkin, he said, with an air of casual generosity, "Here. Take this as a reward for your hard work over these years."
Without waiting for the guard's response, Orion strode confidently into the city. The Elephantkin guard stared down in bewilderment at the radiant crystal glittering brilliantly in his palm, excitement flashing in his large eyes.
His monthly salary was only 100 Common Grade Mana Crystals that he hadn't even gotten yet, and Orion gave that to him casually. He hurriedly took out 10 Low-Grade Mana Crystals and paid for Orion's entry fees in fear of others asking him for the High-Grade Mana Crystal.
He muttered quietly to himself, filled with joy, "I only became a guard here last week..."
Had Orion overheard the Elephantkin's words, he would have immediately snatched back the crystal without hesitation and traded for Lesser-Grade ones from others.
Fortunately for the obliviously delighted Elephantkin, Orion was already far ahead, his attention now captivated by the city's lively and colorful streets.
The streets bustled with liveliness, various people of different races traveled together from one place to another. The aromas of rare cuisines wafted from nearby eateries, mingling harmoniously with the lively chatter of residents and cultivators engaging in animated discussions or spirited bargaining.
Deciding not to linger any longer here, Orion quickly went towards a large tavern, a grand establishment at the center of the main street, its entrance decorated by intricately carved wooden panels depicting various mythical creatures.
The tavern's sign bore the name "Chaos City Inn," intriguing Orion instantly.
Stepping inside, he was greeted by the warm glow of crystal lamps and the ambient hum of conversation.
Patrons of various races laughed and conversed, clinking cups filled with rich wines while eating mana beast meat, yet all of them had restrained their aura as no one knew when a hidden master would come and slap them to death for being annoying.
Heading inside, Orion casually found an empty table tucked comfortably into the tavern's corner.
From here, he could quietly observe the bustling activity without drawing unnecessary attention. He reclined into his seat, taking in the lively chatter, savoring the vibrant atmosphere unique to this gathering place of warriors.
The tavern was filled with a myriad of scents: roasted meats of mana beasts, fragrant herbs mixed into potent drinks, and the subtle aroma of expensive wines.
People from various races laughed heartily, voices intermingling with different accents all over the place.
Soon, Orion's sensitive ears picked out a particularly intriguing conversation from a nearby table.
Sitting around it was a diverse group, including a middle-aged Wolfkin whose eyes sparkled mischievously as he leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Have you heard about the situation of the Thunder Eagle Chamber of Commerce?" the Wolfkin asked mysteriously, deliberately lowering his voice to draw in his companions.
Interest sparked among his listeners, a sturdy-looking Dwarf and two curious humans immediately leaning closer, eager for the gossip. The Dwarf, beard soaked with ale, rumbled impatiently, "Stop teasing, and spit it out already!"
The Wolfkin chuckled, clearly relishing the suspense he had created. After a deliberate pause, he finally revealed, "Hehe, it's no longer much of a secret. The Thunder Eagle Chamber is desperately searching for corpses of Tier 6 and Tier 7 beasts. Apparently, they're conducting some sort of secret experiment or refinement, but their rival Chamber of Commerce, the Silver Horn Association, caught wind of it and has been actively sabotaging their efforts."
A young human woman at their table, her eyes alight with curiosity, interjected, "So, what's the situation now? Did Thunder Eagle manage to obtain any?"
The Wolfkin smirked, shaking his head, "Not quite. They've put out a handsome bounty, but everyone's too wary of Silver Horn's retaliation. Now they're stuck, and their reputation is taking quite a beating."
Orion listened for a while longer, but gradually his interest faded. Local power struggles were common wherever he went, and though mildly entertaining, they held little genuine significance for him.
With a casual shrug, he turned his attention away, scanning the tavern for the waiter.
Almost immediately, an attentive young human waiter approached Orion's table, politely asking, "What would you like to order, sir?"
Orion flashed a carefree smile, his voice carrying an air of relaxed confidence, "Bring me one portion of everything you have on the menu. I'd like to sample the local cuisine."
The waiter hesitated briefly, eyes widening slightly at the unusual request. But sensing Orion's aura and the confidence in his tone, he quickly composed himself and bowed respectfully. "As you wish, sir. I'll bring your dishes out immediately."
Shortly afterward, plates filled with fragrant meats, exotic herbs, grilled vegetables, and rich broths began to arrive in rapid succession, swiftly covering the entire table while more were on the way.
Without hesitation, Orion began savoring the dishes, consuming them at an astonishing pace.
This spectacle quickly attracted the attention of the tavern's other patrons. Quiet whispers broke out, accompanied by incredulous glances cast in Orion's direction.
"Is that guy a monster?" a startled Pixie murmured to her companion, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Forget monsters, even Beastkin couldn't devour this much mana beast meat in one sitting," a Dwarf at another table exclaimed softly, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Each portion here is loaded with energy. Just how strong is his physique?"
Despite their whispers, Orion remained completely unbothered. His draconic body naturally demanded enormous amounts of nourishment, especially after his recent intense training sessions.
He casually continued his feast, systematically clearing each plate until finally nothing remained.
With a satisfied sigh, Orion leaned back comfortably, feeling pleasantly full yet still capable of much more. Soon after, the waiter returned, respectfully placing the bill on the table.
Orion glanced at the bill, eyebrows lifting slightly at the sum: 300 High-Grade Mana Crystals. Although a bit surprised by the tavern's exorbitant pricing, he shrugged it off, wealth wasn't an issue for him.
Instead, he turned to the waiter, intrigued by the local culture, and asked, "Tell me something interesting about this place."
The waiter paused thoughtfully, carefully considering Orion's status before responding. "Sir, you might find the South District appealing. It's home to the Black Market, and most of this city's truly rare treasures and exotic items circulate through there."
Orion's excitement dimmed slightly upon hearing the words "Black Market." That place stopped being interesting to him since the last time he visited it in the capital.
They might be filled with shady dealings, troublemakers, and unnecessary complications. His interest was mostly in exploring a different culture.