C7 At the Restaurant

The brocade box was gently opened, and a burst of fragrance instantly overpowered the room's original scent, invigorating the senses. Inside lay a palm-sized, emerald green root, with waves of spiritual energy swirling around it. The lid was swiftly closed, and the onlooker's face took on a hint of astonishment as he turned to the Taoist, "Could this be the Five Spirits Azure Dragon Ginseng?"

"Oh!" The old Taoist responded with a hint of surprise. "I didn't expect you to recognize this item. It just barely qualifies as Five Spirits." He gave the middle-aged man a sideways glance, speaking with a touch of indifference.

"No wonder it requires a brocade box to contain the spiritual energy from dissipating over time. I never imagined it would be Five Spirits Spiritgrass." The middle-aged man, far from taking offense at the Taoist's demeanor, expressed even greater astonishment upon receiving confirmation.

"Do you truly intend to trade this?" The middle-aged man asked, his excitement tinged with nervousness.

The middle-aged man's nervousness was understandable. The Azure Dragon Ginseng had attained the Five Spirits level; even a small amount could rejuvenate an ordinary person, while the entire root had the power to revive someone on the brink of death. In the hands of a mage, it could significantly aid in their cultivation. How could he not be thrilled?

"Hmm, is that not sufficient?" the old Taoist inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"It's more than enough, more than enough!" the middle-aged man replied, carefully stowing the brocade box and speaking with reverence, "Immortal, please wait a moment. I will go and prepare the materials you requested."

"Hmm, make it quick," the old Taoist said brusquely, waving his sleeve before closing his eyes to meditate.

The middle-aged man nodded eagerly and set off to gather the necessary items.

Standing beside the old Taoist, Lin Yu was no less astonished than the middle-aged man. He recalled the old Taoist explaining that everything in the world possesses a spiritual essence, with the five elements influencing their various effects. Some are naturally imbued with spiritual energy, while others absorb it over time.

The concentration of spiritual energy is categorized into nine levels. From the first to the fourth level, one can sense the energy's density. At the fifth level, spiritual energy begins to envelop the substance, as was the case with the Azure Dragon Ginseng. Beyond the seventh level, one might even hear otherworldly sounds, and at higher levels, it's possible for the substance to develop a rudimentary consciousness, hidden within the five elements.

The more advanced a spiritual item is, the rarer it becomes. Generally, when an item reaches the third level, it is guarded by dire beasts or formidable monsters, aiding in its breakthrough at critical moments.

Lin Yu, who had spent some time with the old Taoist, had not come across this particular box. Despite his surprise and curiosity, he remained silent, refraining from asking questions. His master had warned him of the dangers of the outside world, and since this was someone else's territory, unlike the forest, it was wise to be discreet and cautious.

Observing the old Taoist, who sat with closed eyes and a serene demeanor, Lin Yu noted that despite his usual unpredictable moods and unrestrained behavior, there was an inexplicable air of nobility and mystery about him at that moment.

After a short time, the sound of brisk footsteps emerged from within, followed by a figure stepping out.

"You've been patient; the materials were somewhat intricate, but I've managed to organize everything into the bag of holding for you to inspect. Additionally, I've prepared four high-quality plain robes and placed them inside as well," said the middle-aged man, slightly bowing as he respectfully offered the bag of holding to the old Taoist.

The bag of holding is indispensable for mages, crafted from silk and Spiritgrass. The Spiritgrass possesses the power to merge and concentrate energy, and when its essence is extracted and condensed into a liquid, it can effectively isolate and encapsulate, making it a staple in pill refinement.

While the components are fairly common, creating a unique space within the bag using the secrets of the five elements is a complex task. The larger the space, the more challenging it is to create. Mages who have reached a certain level of mastery can craft it themselves, but for novices, such a bag is exceedingly rare and valuable.

...

Upon hearing this, the old Taoist arched an eyebrow and, after a brief moment of contemplation, accepted the bag of holding. He then stood and turned, ready to depart.

"Please, before you go, may I inquire as to your esteemed name?" the middle-aged man asked gently, with a respectful bow.

"What? Is it necessary to announce one's name upon arrival here?" responded the old Taoist, turning back with a cool tone.

"Not at all, sir. It's just that your presence exudes such an extraordinary aura, I presumed you to be a formidable figure. My curiosity got the better of me. If you prefer not to disclose your name, I won't press the matter. Should you require anything in the future, I am at your full disposal," the middle-aged man replied anxiously.

"Yes," he responded nonchalantly, exiting Spirit Haven without a backward glance.

"Master, this bag of holding is truly marvelous. It's my first time seeing one," Lin Yu said with a smile, his eyes filled with curiosity as he examined the bag in the old Taoist's hands.

"You're curious about everything, aren't you? Take this. Once you've had a chance to rest, change out of that bear skin and keep your belongings in here. I'll use the bag of holding for now, but it will be yours to use after I retrieve my items," the old Taoist said, chuckling as he tossed the bag to Lin Yu, seemingly aware of the young man's thoughts.

The bag, though only the size of a palm, had a surprising heft to it. It was cool and smooth to the touch. Upon opening it, Lin Yu discovered various materials neatly sorted inside. Despite some movement, nothing was jumbled, which astonished him.

"Keep it safe, and remember not to show the bag of holding to just anyone; it could bring unnecessary trouble," the old Taoist advised, affectionately ruffling Lin Yu's hair.

Lin Yu didn't need the reminder; he was well aware of the principle. Even though there were no valuables in the forest, he would still secretly stash away any wild fruits he found.

Touched by the old Taoist's warm tone, Lin Yu felt a surge of emotion. His time with the old Taoist had been short, but the care he had experienced was unlike anything he'd known before. He secured the bag of holding close to his body and sniffled, his nose tingling slightly. "Understood, Master..."

Walking through the town, they passed shops lining the streets. The waning sunlight gently bathed the red brick and green tile roofs, as well as the vibrant eaves of the pavilions, lending a dreamy, poetic quality to the evening in Sylvantide.

The old Taoist purchased a considerable amount of food along the way, focusing on items that could be stored for an extended period, as if preparing for something.

Having grown up often hungry, Lin Yu had a habit of pocketing any food he could find. Without asking questions, he eagerly filled his bag of holding with the provisions, bustling about until it could hold no more.

After navigating several turns, they reached the town center, where tall buildings flanked the street and wine flags danced in the breeze, the aroma of alcohol tantalizing their senses.

"After trekking for the better part of the day, you must be starving. Let me take you to a tavern. I bet you've never had a taste of this fine liquor—it's better than the elixir of life itself. Hahaha..." The elder seemed utterly unfazed by the odd looks from those around him as he heartily slapped Lin Yu on the shoulder and chuckled.

"Ah! The Drunken Immortal Tavern!"

"Uncork the jar and a thousand men are intoxicated, the scent from the table travels ten miles!" Quite the bold claim! Today, I'm going to see if it lives up to your boast. If it falls short, I'll take down your signboard, flick my sleeves, and stride inside with my hands clasped behind me.