The Master of Beasts

Chen Jiuge's next destination was the Demon City, which he had selected early on.

The masters of this Immortal City were not the Human Clan but a group of little elves. It was due to Cai Dou's influence that Chen Jiuge had become curious about an Immortal City ruled by little elves.

"Jiao Yue, you can't eat this." Chen Jiuge, looking at Jiao Yue who was about to put a White Jade teacup into her mouth, felt somewhat weary.

"Nian Yu, please teach Jiao Yue some basic life-knowledge," Chen Jiuge said to a flustered Nian Yu.

Over the past three years, Nian Yu had been helping Chen Jiuge look after the shop. However, for some unknown reason, this previously bold proprietress now seemed quite flustered, always appearing nervous whenever she saw him.

"Okay, okay, Brother Chen," Nian Yu said, taking Jiao Yue, who was acting as silly as a husky, to her room.

"Women are indeed troublesome," Da Bai said with a somber face.

SMACK!

"What are you talking about? If you have time for this, why aren't you back in your Grotto Heaven Artifact Refining?" Yue Meng smacked Da Bai on the back of his head.

Speaking of Da Bai, Chen Jiuge felt tremendous sympathy. After learning that Chen Jiuge had opened a shop, Da Bai had borrowed a high-interest loan of Spirit Stones from Yue Meng, bought materials in bulk, and refined a large quantity of Fourth Rank Magic Artifacts. However, among the cultivators who could live in Sea Pearl Immortal City, Nascent Soul Cultivators were relatively few. Furthermore, those with lower cultivation levels were typically disciples from prominent families. This led to Da Bai's business being extremely bleak; he suffered a total loss and still owed Yue Meng a substantial sum of Spirit Stones.

Da Bai walked away dejectedly.

Chen Jiuge paid no attention to the squabbling of the two little ones but carefully reviewed the information about Demon City. This guide to local customs and traditions had cost Chen Jiuge three Low Grade Spirit Stones.

The Flying Boat had a smooth journey and safely reached Demon City, which made Chen Jiuge rather sentimental. Indeed, I am not the kind of protagonist who encounters trouble wherever I go.

"Welcome, welcome!"

A tiny elf with multicolored wings, a petite stature, and a delicate face flew up to Chen Jiuge and the others, its face alight with excitement.

The little elf before him was about the size of an adult's forearm, four or five times larger than Cai Dou and its kind, and also exuded the aura of Foundation Establishment cultivation, which greatly intrigued Chen Jiuge.

"Hello there," Chen Jiuge said with a smile, then looked the little elf over from top to bottom, left to right.

"My name is Xiao Qi! Would you like to hire me, Guest? I'm familiar with the entire Demon City!" Xiao Qi declared proudly, hands on hips.

"Sure," Chen Jiuge agreed with a laugh. Elves were quite popular in the Heavenly Realm; at least, no cultivators would intentionally harm elves.

Rumor had it that a powerful individual, with the help of elves, had once successfully attained the status of an Immortal Daluo Golden Immortal and subsequently declared he would protect the elven race. Chen Jiuge didn't know if this was true, but elves indeed rarely suffered persecution.

"That'll be one Top Grade Spirit Stone," Xiao Qi said, a little sheepishly. He then leaned in conspiratorially toward Chen Jiuge's ear and whispered, "Actually, it can be a bit cheaper... at least fifty Middle Grade Spirit Stones. Otherwise, I won't have enough to buy Flower Nectar to eat!"

Chen Jiuge burst into laughter upon hearing this, finding the little fellow quite amusing.

Tucking a Top Grade Spirit Stone into the little elf's grasp, Chen Jiuge said with a beaming smile, "No need. This big brother has plenty of Spirit Stones. From now on, we'll count on you, Xiao Qi, to lead the way and find us a good inn."

Hugging the hefty Spirit Stone, Xiao Qi earnestly said, "Mission guaranteed!"

Demon City was unlike other Immortal Cities. Its primary inhabitants were elves; aside from them, very few Human Clan cultivators or members of other races resided there, unless they had made a significant contribution to Demon City.

Although the little elves were small, the buildings within the Immortal City were constructed to accommodate the normal stature of the Human Clan. Even the Demon Fairy Palace at the city's heart was several times larger than the City Lord Mansion in Sea Pearl Immortal City.

"Guest, we're here! This is the place, Hualing Inn. My aunt runs it, and it's definitely a good deal!" Xiao Qi announced happily.

Chen Jiuge paused upon hearing this, then immediately laughed. Truly an innocent elf.

"Xiao Qi, you ran off to the outskirts of the city again! Do you know how dangerous it is out there?" A little elf, looking slightly more mature than Xiao Qi and holding a stick that resembled a rolling pin, flew out.

Watching the two little elves flitting around him, Chen Jiuge reached out and gently caught Xiao Qi's aunt. Looking at the indignant little elf puffing her cheeks in his palm, he apologized, "Forgive me for stopping you like this. I've come to check in."

Zi Jing, who had been quite angry, instantly beamed a captivating smile upon hearing Chen Jiuge wished to check in. "Oh, my dear Guest! Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Xiao Qi, Xiao Qi, what are you running for? Come here and help out!"

Watching the little elf, who despite her size carried herself like a worldly woman as she bustled about, Chen Jiuge suddenly realized that there seemed to be no unattractive elves; this was truly a race blessed by the heavens.

During the check-in process, Chen Jiuge also learned Xiao Qi's aunt's name—Zi Jing. This Zijing Inn was Zi Jing's property. However, due to her declining cooking skills, the inn's business had been suffering recently, which was why Xiao Qi had been seen outside the city trying to attract customers.

The decor of Zijing Inn was indeed a bit outdated. Fortunately, the ambiance was still pleasant, and at least it was very clean, so Chen Jiuge had no complaints.

One Top Grade Spirit Stone per day. This price would be considered expensive elsewhere, but in Demon City, it was actually very cheap—almost the lowest one could find.

"Xiao Qi, tell me, what fun places are there in Demon City, or any good food?" Chen Jiuge asked, looking at Xiao Qi, who was struggling to bring in the food he had ordered.

Xiao Qi, who had been panting, immediately perked up.

"Oh, there's so much! There's the emergence of new elves in the Demon Sea, the Dance of the Flower Elves, and the Heavenly Sound of the Tree Elves! As for delicious food, Granny Hua's Flower Nectar is incredibly fragrant, but it's very expensive—fifty Middle Grade Spirit Stones for a single spoonful!"

"There are also many tasty snacks, like the Flower Elves' fresh flower cakes, the Water Elves' Ice Crystal Little Fish, and the Stone Elves' Soft Mud Worms. But their makers are very stingy; they only sell a tiny bit each day, so you can hardly ever get your hands on them!"

As Xiao Qi chattered on excitedly, Chen Jiuge interrupted, "Just tell me about the interesting places nearby that we can see soon."

"That would be the emergence of new elves in the Demon Sea! Guest, if you're lucky and one of the new little elves takes a liking to you, you can even spend some Spirit Stones to take them with you!"

Isn't the buying and selling of elves forbidden in Demon City?

"That's right! Newly emerged little elves can see into people's hearts. If you're a kind person, those little ones might approve of you. Our Queen won't prevent our kin from choosing, though of course, Spirit Stones must be spent. After all," Xiao Qi said, emphatically drawing a large circle with his hands, "nurturing our kin costs many, many Spirit Stones!"

"Great, then I'll go to the Demon Sea tomorrow."

"It's in three days, Guest."

"Alright, in three days then, we'll go to the Demon Sea. Xiao Qi, you'll guide us then too, and the fee will still be one Top Grade Spirit Stone."

"No problem, Guest!"

Ecstatic, Xiao Qi darted off, shouting at the top of his lungs as he went downstairs, "Auntie! Auntie! I'm taking the guest to the Demon Sea tomorrow!"

"If you go, what about the shop? Are you trying to work me to death?"

"There are Spirit Stones involved! A whole Top Grade Spirit Stone! When the time comes, I'll buy Granny Hua's Flower Nectar and give you half!"

"In that case, it's no problem! Just remember to guide them well."

The conversation between these two little elves is really adorable.