Chapter 73: Dream Avenue

"This street marks the boundary between the human and demon clans. All the shops here are run by us demons. Once you cross this street, you'll discover the location of the Azure Sea Secret Realm."

The female Bull Demon King brought Jiang Yan and his companions back, and after leaving the Flaming Mountains, they arrived at the bustling street on the border, known as Dream Street, established by the demon clan.

"Thank you, Sister Chunhua!" Bai Tao expressed his gratitude sincerely.

"Alright, I must return and wait for my Iron Fan Prince," she said, before leaving without a backward glance.

Jiang Yan gazed around Dream Street, where the clamorous sounds of night rose and fell, the scene vibrant and lively.

"Excuse me, excuse me!"

Suddenly, his attention was drawn to several squirrel demons dressed as servants, busily transporting goods back and forth. Jiang Yan and his companions quickly stepped aside to let them pass, watching as the squirrel demons delivered their cargo to a tavern. The sign above the tavern was inscribed with the words "Osmanthus Pavilion" in bold, flowing script.

"Are you cultivators, young gentlemen?" asked a young woman at a roadside stall, her head wrapped in a silk scarf.

Bai Tao replied with a question, "Miss, are you human? How come you're running a stall here?"

The woman covered her lips with slender fingers and laughed softly, "Oh, young man, you jest. I'm what you humans call a fox spirit. I've taken human form, which is not difficult for me. You may call me Lady Fox Three."

Jiang Yan noticed that Lady Fox Three’s stall displayed many transparent porcelain bottles, each containing pearl-like translucent spheres.

Curious, he asked, "Lady Fox Three, what are these bottles filled with?"

She smiled, "These bottles contain Water-Repelling Pearls, prepared specifically for visiting cultivators. By the look of you, I suppose you’re headed to the Azure Sea Secret Realm. The entrance lies within the sea, so you’ll need Water-Repelling Pearls. Would you like to buy some?"

Jiang Yan continued, "Can we pay with spirit stones?"

Lady Fox Three nodded, "Of course. Each bottle contains five pearls, each lasting three hours. The price is one thousand high-grade spirit stones per bottle, but I won’t accept stones of poor quality."

Jiang Yan glanced at Bai Tao and Qi Yu; they exchanged looks, clearly none of them had brought Water-Repelling Pearls.

He tentatively asked, "Lady Fox Three, can you give us a better price?"

He suspected she was intentionally raising the price, aware that fox demons were renowned for their cunning.

Lady Fox Three gave a disdainful smile, "I’m not overcharging. The process of making Water-Repelling Pearls is extremely complex, and the required immortal herbs are not easily obtained."

She gestured with her chin toward the stalls ahead, "There are cheaper pearls over there, but none last as long as mine..."

Just then, a weathered voice interrupted, "Young men, why not take a look at what this old lady offers? I sell the immortal herbs needed to make Water-Repelling Pearls."

Lady Fox Three immediately protested loudly toward the tiger demon granny at the nearby stall, "Old woman, that’s not very fair, stealing my business! Do you think Water-Repelling Pearls are so easily made?"

Jiang Yan’s gaze shifted to the elderly woman not far from Lady Fox Three’s stall, whose own displayed an array of medicinal herbs. She appeared quite ordinary, except for the long tiger tail trailing behind her, making her stand out.

The tiger demon granny replied confidently, "Lady Fox Three, in business, each relies on their own skills. I’m simply offering customers another option—is there anything wrong with that?"

Jiang Yan whispered to Bai Tao and the others, "Let’s go take a look."

No sooner had he spoken than he strode toward the tiger demon granny’s stall.

"Come, come, young man, all the herbs needed to make Water-Repelling Pearls are right here. Let me explain them to you," the granny said warmly, pointing to the immortal herbs and beginning her detailed introduction.

"This Water Spirit Grass absorbs water-attributed spiritual energy, allowing the pearls to grant underwater breathing and water resistance. This Lingzhi Grass increases the concentration of spiritual energy in the pearls, extending their duration..."

The granny patiently explained each herb required to craft Water-Repelling Pearls.

Jiang Yan asked curiously, "Granny, how do you sell these immortal herbs?"

The tiger demon granny looked affectionately at Jiang Yan. "Young man, you remind me so much of an old friend. My supply of immortal herbs is limited; once they’re gone, I won’t have more. At my age, I don’t plan on searching for new herbs anymore.

How about this? If you can make pearls whose effect surpasses mine, just give me ten of them, and I won’t charge you any spirit stones for these herbs."

Jiang Yan had confidence in his alchemical skills, certain he could produce high-grade Water-Repelling Pearls, but he couldn’t help but ask, "Granny, what if the pearls I make don’t meet your expectations?"

The granny beamed, "Then you’ll owe me a thousand high-grade spirit stones."

Lady Fox Three sneered from the side, "Young man, I advise you to think carefully. Water-Repelling Pearls are not so easily refined. Don’t end up squandering your spirit stones and failing to get a single decent pearl."

Yet Bai Tao was utterly confident in Jiang Yan, patting his shoulder, "Jiang Yan, I believe in your abilities."

Jiang Yan nodded to the granny, "Granny, I’ll take all the herbs. May I refine the pearls right here?"

The tiger demon granny quickly cleared a space for him, "Young man, did you bring a pill cauldron?"

"Granny, rest assured, I’m prepared," Jiang Yan replied. He proceeded to retrieve a specially made large pot from his storage pouch.

Bai Tao and the others were dumbfounded—wasn’t this the pot Jiang Yan used for cooking meat?

"Jiang Yan, I have a pill cauldron. Why don’t you use mine?" Bai Tao whispered.

Jiang Yan gave Bai Tao a reassuring look, "This pot was crafted using mechanical arts. Trust me, I’ve refined many pills with it."

Mortals love a spectacle, and demons are no exception.

On Dream Street, demons came and went in a lively stream. When they saw Jiang Yan produce a huge pill pot from his storage pouch, they couldn’t help but stop and watch, their curiosity unmistakable.

"Is that human cultivator planning to refine Water-Repelling Pearls with that big pot?" wondered a bird demon with fiery red wings, eyes wide in astonishment.

A nearby pig demon chimed in, "Looks like it. This is the first time I’ve seen anyone use such a large pot for pill refining."

Despite the growing crowd, Jiang Yan remained calm, beginning to place the necessary immortal herbs into the pot.

Spiritual fire flickered in his hands, heating the pot. Once all the herbs were added, he sealed the lid tightly.

The pot hovered in midair, and Jiang Yan continuously channeled spiritual energy to maintain the heat for the pill refinement process.