Chapter 32: The Myriad Scale Feather Cloak

The Immortal Market teemed with a vibrancy that dwarfed any mortal city.

Spirit plants, spirit beasts, and their myriad materials were ubiquitous.

Within the shops, numerous magical artifacts were displayed, with even finer establishments boasting true magical treasures.

A casual glance, however, revealed to Lian Yueying that even seemingly ordinary magical artifacts commanded prices in the thousands of spirit stones.

Magical treasures, naturally, were entirely beyond her reach and budget.

“Sister Liu, what might you be looking for?”

“Let me see. Are there any tailor shops in the Immortal Market?”

“There are, yes. Hmm… Sister Liu, might you be interested in acquiring a magical robe?”

[‘Magical robes,’ she mused. ‘While I initially planned to purchase only mundane garments, such an opportunity is rare. I might as well seize it to broaden my understanding.’]

Lian Yueying requested Huaxi to guide her to the highest quality shop first, prompting Huaxi to lead her towards the bustling heart of the market.

The market’s sprawling streets were laid out with meticulous order, their two central thoroughfares converging at the most vibrant nexus.

From this very crossroads, one could behold the four grandest establishments, among which stood a shop known as Xuanyu Pavilion.

[‘Having previously delved into the history of the Immortal Market, I know that it draws loose cultivators from hundreds of miles around, many of whom have even settled here,’ she reflected. ‘It has truly evolved from a mere marketplace into a substantial city.’]

Upon reaching the crossroads, Huaxi, guiding Lian Yueying toward Xuanyu Pavilion, began her introduction.

“Without a doubt, Xuanyu Pavilion stands as the premier magical robe emporium in the entire market.”

“Rumor has it that the shop owner is a formidable cultivator of the Golden Core stage, which explains why the shop frequently showcases magical robes crafted from exceedingly rare materials.”

“Furthermore, the variety of robes is extensive, and their color palettes and designs are truly exquisite.”

Stepping inside, they found the shop’s decor, though seemingly aged, maintained with an impeccable cleanliness, speaking volumes of a century-old establishment cared for with profound dedication.

Yet, in the grand scheme of the cultivation world, a mere century of history was hardly remarkable; in the major cities of the Dao Alliance, millennium-old shops, their legacies unbroken, were commonplace.

Huaxi casually led Lian Yueying to a crystal pedestal, gesturing towards the magical robe’s price.

“The cost is simply… I can’t even fathom how many medicinal pills I’d need to sell just to afford it.”

The crystal pedestal, a stark, pure black, boasted a surface so polished it shimmered with reflections, subtly radiating spiritual energy.

Even the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator would find it impenetrable.

More wondrous still was the magical robe displayed upon it, which floated unsupported above the platform.

Despite the absolute stillness within the shop, its sleeves and skirt hem gracefully undulated.

Possessing a certain grasp of formations, Lian Yueying understood that the robe’s levitation stemmed from a foundational anti-gravity formation embedded within the crystal pedestal, which also accounted for its gentle, windless sway.

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that this particular magical robe was truly exceptional.

A jade slip rested before the crystal pedestal.

As Lian Yueying extended a hand to touch it, a stream of information instantly flooded her mind.

The Myriad Scale Feather Cloak, crafted from the materials of two Golden Core stage demonic beasts.

The first, a Sky-Swimming Python, whose entire body was covered in indestructible scales, intricately woven with its dragon-transformed python tendons, rendering it impervious to blades and all manner of weaponry.

The second, a Mingming (TL Note: A mythical bird known for its five-colored feathers, often associated with auspiciousness), whose five-colored plumes each embodied one of the five elements; common spells would merely dissipate upon touching them.

Furthermore, it could grant the wearer a protective golden aura and significantly accelerate the circulation of spiritual energy.

[‘Such extravagant materials,’ she mused, ‘yet why are there no visible scales or feathers on its exterior?’]

The Myriad Scale Feather Cloak before her took the form of a flowing ‘Stay-Immortal Dress’.

Its skirt was a canvas of diffused aquamarine, interwoven with emerald green, evoking the lush, vibrant grasses bordering a tranquil lake.

A pure white sash at the waist shimmered with soft golden light, while the outer layer was a mellow corduroy yellow, subtly touched with hints of pale brown.

Despite the multitude of colors, the skirt, sash, and outer layer each possessed their distinct charm, harmonizing flawlessly to create a truly exceptional garment.

Before Lian Yueying could release the jade slip, her earnest desire for understanding triggered an astonishing phenomenon.

In her mind’s eye, a swift, gleaming longsword and a terrifying spell surged forth, both aiming directly at the ‘Stay-Immortal Dress’.

The instant the longsword made contact, a ripple emanated from the point of impact across the ‘Stay-Immortal Dress’, revealing ultramarine scales everywhere the wave extended.

As the spell detonated upon the robe, the five-colored embellishments on the ‘Stay-Immortal Dress’ flared with brilliant light.

This divine five-colored radiance coalesced into a delicate spiritual energy barrier, deflecting a portion of the incoming spell.

A closer observation would reveal that the five-colored divine light didn’t merely obstruct; it actively assimilated a portion of the spell’s spiritual energy, converting it for its own benefit, thus nullifying the attack.

With wide, astonished eyes, Lian Yueying slowly lowered the jade slip, profoundly shaken by what she had witnessed, as the ‘Stay-Immortal Dress’ reverted to its original appearance.

[‘Such a magical robe exists!’ she thought, utterly astounded. ‘It is truly wondrous beyond belief, a masterpiece indeed worthy of a Golden Core stage cultivator!’]

Lian Yueying, of course, was well aware that the efficacy of any magical robe, artifact, or treasure was intrinsically tied to the wielder’s strength; an identical item would perform vastly differently in the hands of a Foundation Establishment cultivator versus a Golden Core expert.

Huaxi, who had been observing nearby, seemed oblivious to Lian Yueying’s profound experience and inquired with genuine curiosity, “What is it, Sister Liu?”

“N-nothing at all. Have you never examined this jade slip?”

Huaxi shook her head, then pointed to the small plaque resting on the crystal pedestal.

“I know it’s something truly splendid, but…”

Lian Yueying cast her gaze downwards, where, illuminated by spiritual energy above the crystal pedestal’s edge, white characters boldly declared: ‘One Hundred and Eight Thousand Spirit Stones.’

[‘One hundred and eight thousand?!’ she inwardly exclaimed, aghast. ‘Is that even a conceivable sum? My entire fortune amounts to barely two thousand; I don’t even possess a fraction of that price.’]

While her desire for it was undeniable, the sheer cost made Lian Yueying feel as though the spirit stones in her own pocket were poised to flee.

Hastily, she took a step backward.

“Indeed, it seems you truly get what you pay for.”

“That’s right! But Sister Liu, you’re far more courageous than I am. I didn’t even dare approach it after seeing the price.”

[‘I was merely captivated by the dress at first sight, completely overlooking the price,’ she thought wryly.]

“Are all the magical robes in this establishment priced similarly?”

“Oh, no, not at all! That particular robe is the Xuanyu Pavilion’s most cherished treasure, which is why it’s given such a prominent display.”

Huaxi gently tugged Lian Yueying deeper into the shop, where numerous smaller crystal pedestals showcased a diverse array of garments, meticulously arranged with men’s attire on the left and women’s on the right.

The prices here plummeted considerably, ranging from five thousand to twenty thousand spirit stones.

“The first floor offers the more affordable magical robes. I’ve never dared venture higher; I’ve heard the second floor’s prices range from thirty to fifty thousand, while the third floor is dedicated to custom commissions.

There, one can provide their own materials and entrust the crafting of a garment, with the labor fee subject to negotiation.”

The pair wandered through the first floor’s selection of magical robes, but after the awe-inspiring Myriad Scale Feather Cloak, these offerings now struck Lian Yueying as utterly uninspired.

They primarily served to harmonize spiritual energy or boasted a toughness surpassing that of refined metals, crafted mostly from the hides and bones of common spirit beasts.

Only those commanding prices in the tens of thousands would incorporate materials from Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts.

Stepping out of Xuanyu Pavilion, the two ambled along the street.

Lian Yueying, having regained her composure, remarked, “After witnessing the shop’s ultimate treasure, would anyone truly bother purchasing the robes on the first floor?”

“Hmm… personally, I wouldn’t buy magical robes even if the ultimate treasure wasn’t there,” Huaxi said, blinking and tilting her head with a smile.

“But Master says this is merely Xuanyu Pavilion’s marketing ploy.

The magical robes on the first floor are primarily for display, designed to draw in more affluent loose cultivators.

Their core business, however, is with Golden Core stage cultivators, handled on the upper floors.”

“I see…”

[‘No wonder the first floor was practically deserted,’ she mused. ‘It makes sense; a shop of that grandeur, presided over by a Golden Core stage expert, would likely hold little regard for the meager spirit stones of junior cultivators.’]

“Let’s explore other establishments. Do you happen to know of any magical robe shops that offer both quality and affordability?”

Having truly experienced magical robes, Lian Yueying found her interest in ordinary garments waning.

She suddenly recalled how her Master’s robes would subtly transform whenever he channeled spiritual energy, concluding that they, too, were most likely magical robes.

Alas, despite Huaxi leading Lian Yueying through several other shops, some of which even offered robes within Lian Yueying’s current budget, none managed to capture her discerning eye.

[‘It appears magical robes are a trivial matter,’ she pondered. ‘Upon reflection, if I truly possessed a hundred thousand spirit stones, investing in rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures or potent magical artifacts would undoubtedly elevate my strength far more significantly than any robe. I should set aside such ‘mosquito legs’ for now.’]

Naturally, not every cultivator could afford magical robes; indeed, most loose cultivators wouldn’t even entertain the thought.

Consequently, shops selling such garments within the market were remarkably scarce.

After a lengthy perambulation, Lian Yueying eventually asked Huaxi to lead her to a mundane tailor shop.

“Sister Liu, I’ve noticed you always wear this _beizi_ (TL Note: A traditional Chinese sleeveless or short-sleeved jacket worn over a dress) and pleated skirt ensemble. Would you perhaps like to try some other styles?”

The youthful Huaxi, with her vibrant spirit, naturally gravitated towards novelty.

Lian Yueying, despite her considerable mental maturity, had only experienced life as a woman for barely fifteen years, and thus, she too harbored a fondness for a wide array of dresses and skirts.

[‘My family wasn’t impoverished in the past, yet we merely lived without want, always having enough to eat and stay warm,’ she recalled. ‘My mother’s own clothes were mended countless times, but she always insisted on dressing me in new garments.’]

Lian Yueying’s fingers brushed against the incredibly soft fabric before her, her gaze sweeping over the dizzying array of styles.

A wave of poignant nostalgia washed over her for the only mother she had known across two lifetimes.

“You, on the other hand, have many sets of clothes. I think you should try pink.”

Huaxi’s lively and endearing personality gradually softened the lingering effects of Lian Yueying’s prolonged solitude, allowing her to behave more like a vibrant young girl.

“Really? I thought I was nearing my coming-of-age ceremony, so I should start wearing more mature colors.

Master is a man, he doesn’t understand these things.

It’s fortunate I met Sister Liu; otherwise, I’d have no one to consult.”

“…Before you came here, or rather, before you became a disciple, what were you doing?”

Hearing this, Huaxi stared intently at the fabric beneath her hands, her eyes distant, before finally answering after a long silence.

“‘Blocked meridians, weak ears, and blind eyes – abandoned by the heavens.’ That’s what the mortal doctors said.

My family heard it would cost a fortune to possibly cure me, so they used the excuse of buying something, left me on the street, and ran off.

Then I met Master.”

[‘The shop owner appears unremarkable, yet possesses such kindness,’ Lian Yueying thought.]

“Master said I wasn’t ‘abandoned by the heavens,’ just suffering from minor ailments that those incompetent doctors couldn’t diagnose.

Honestly, to this day, I don’t know how Master cured me; I could hear and see again almost on the third day after arriving at Xuandan Hall.”

[‘The shop owner did mention Huaxi was born with a defect; it seems she was indeed cured,’ Lian Yueying mused. ‘A congenital defect… I wonder how Li Niang is doing, whether she has truly achieved spiritual transformation.’]

As the conversation turned to the past, even though Huaxi didn’t frown, the vibrant cheerfulness usually adorning her pretty face was gone.

Lian Yueying disliked the somber atmosphere and quickly changed the subject.

“All that is in the past now. You excel at alchemy, and your path in cultivation is relatively smoother.

From now on, we’ll support each other… We are friends, aren’t we?”

To be frank, Lian Yueying had been too reclusive to know what true friendship entailed, yet Huaxi offered a sweet, charming smile.

“Of course we are! I’ve already called you Sister Liu!”

“Huaxi…”

“Sister Liu should call me something more intimate, shouldn’t she?”

“Oh, right. I actually think ‘Huaxi’ is a very beautiful name… How about I call you ‘Huahua’?”

[‘The shop owner calls her ‘Xier’; I need a different address from an elder.’]

However, Huaxi was clearly not pleased, pouting and huffing delicately.

“That sounds like the name of the neighbor’s dog! No, Sister Liu, just call me by my name.”

“Then, Xiaoxi?”

“Mm!”