Chapter 7: Wangwang (Part 2)

Guo Shierou shook his head and said, “He figured we wouldn’t turn on each other because it wasn’t worth it. For them, these are expensive dishes, but for high-level professionals, they’re not costly enough to cause a fuss over—it would only lead to ridicule.”
Eagle Demon said, “Eat. I know you hate wasting food. This amount of dish… is enough to fill us half full, hehe.”
Spiritual foods are usually not used as staple meals. This time, with so many dishes, the three of them ate heartily. Eagle Demon and Luo Zhan didn’t eat delicately at all—just pick up a dish with their chopsticks and finish it in one go. Guo Shierou knew that if he ate slowly, he might not get anything left. The three of them started competing, chopsticks striking down like rain.
In a short while, only empty plates remained on the table. Then, seven or eight servants came in with more plates, setting them down again. One of the servants said, “Everything is here. Please enjoy your meal. If you need anything else, just ask!”
Guo Shierou said, “Mm, good. Bring us rice and rice wine.”
Eagle Demon laughed, “Let’s be extravagant today—eat only spiritual foods.”
Guo Shierou replied, “Then let’s do that.” Usually, he cooked spiritual foods just to whet his appetite; to truly fill his stomach, he needed meat and bread. Spiritual foods were too refined—professionals couldn’t get full from them.
Three barrels of rice were brought in, emitting a sweet aroma as soon as they were lifted. The scent was truly unique. Guo Shierou took just one bite before praising it highly—rice from his past life couldn’t compare to this.
The rice wine was also special—rich and mellow, not too sweet. Guo Shierou planned to collect more rice wine and Jingming rice, preferably some seeds of Jingming rice as well. He had planting talismans, so he could grow it himself.
The three of them finished eating quickly. The servant brought in clean water and said with a smile, “Dear guests, do you have any comments on our restaurant’s spiritual foods?” This guy was clearly showing off, hoping for praise from the guests.
Guo Shierou smiled and asked, “They are indeed good. How much in Great Talisman Coins?”
The servant replied cheerfully, “Not expensive at all. After rounding off, it’ll be 63,000 Great Talisman Coins.”
Guo Shierou suddenly realized something was wrong. This wasn’t Haicheng on the Core Continent—it was Bibo City on the Earthfire Continent. He didn’t have Earthfire Continent’s talisman coins, meaning he had no money to pay.
The servant was very astute, with exceptional observational skills. He immediately said, “If you don’t have local Great Talisman Coins, the meat from mutated talisman beasts or insects will work too, hehe. Or other materials—anything will do, as long as it’s from any continent.”

Guo Shier smiled slightly. There might not be much else, but there were plenty of mutated talisman beasts and mutated talisman worms. He casually tossed over a talisman storage bag and said, “Take it to the counter for appraisal.”
The waiter bowed and took the talisman storage bag, then turned to head downstairs.
Eagle Demon laughed, “This guy is amazing!”
Guo Shier nodded. “Neither arrogant nor humble. Even when killing people, he does it with a smile! He’s a real schemer.”
A moment later, the waiter returned, clearly surprised and impressed. He said, “Our small shop would like to purchase everything in this talisman storage bag.”
Guo Shier smiled. “Sure, but I don’t want money for the talismans. You need to give me something in return.”
The waiter asked, “What would you like in exchange?”
Guo Shier replied, “Two things, both of which are available in your shop.”
The waiter said, “The one I’m sure of… is rice wine. What’s the other?”
Guo Shier was surprised. “Good guess. It’s indeed rice wine. The other thing is Jingming rice. I know you have high-quality Jingming rice here. I want Jingming rice!”
The waiter nodded. “You’ll be satisfied.” He bowed again and left.
Soon, the waiter returned, this time carrying two talisman storage bags. He handed them to Guo Shier and said, “Here’s the rice and rice wine, already packed.”
Guo Shier stood up, inspected them briefly, and said, “Very good.” He put the talisman storage bags into his spirit storage talisman. Perhaps Jingming rice wasn’t rare here, so a large amount was given, along with plenty of rice wine, which satisfied Guo Shier greatly. As for whether the exchange was fair, he didn’t care. Killing a level-seven mutated talisman beast wasn’t difficult for him.
The three of them stood up and headed to the second floor. At that moment, a group of people came up the stairs. Guo Shier stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for them to go up first. The group of professionals passed by them, chatting and laughing.
Guo Shier suddenly froze and called out, “Beardy!”
Sun Min’er turned to look, was stunned for a moment, and then shouted, “Guo Shier!” Then she saw Eagle Demon and cried out, “Uncle!” The group of professionals stopped and looked at Guo Shier and Eagle Demon curiously.
Sun Min’er asked excitedly, “How did you end up here?”
These professionals had come to the second floor to eat. The second floor was for mid- to low-level professionals, while the third floor was reserved for high-level professionals. The highest-ranked among Sun Min’er’s group was a high-level Mad Master, while the lowest was a master-level professional.

Guo Shier took a quick look and realized that this guy, who had once been extremely timid, had already risen to the rank of Advanced Mad Master. Seeing a crowd surrounding him, he knew this guy was doing quite well. Sun Min’er spotted the identity badge on Guo Shier’s waist at first glance and exclaimed in shock, “What? Shier, are you a rogue professional? That can’t be… Wow, you’re already an Advanced Holy Master… Ugh, how perverted you are!” Guo Shier slapped him and said, “You’re the perverted one!” Sun Min’er just laughed. Even though Guo Shier gave him a light slap, he didn’t care. Back in the Bloody Secret Realm, he had been the target of bullying by everyone. He said, “Yes, yes, I’m perverted. Hehe, Shier, let’s sit together. I’ll treat you. The talismanic food here is very famous.” Guo Shier replied, “Let’s skip the food for now. We just ate. Let’s just sit together.” The group sat down, and Sun Min’er said, “Everyone, let me introduce you to my friend I met in the Bloody Secret Realm. He was the leader of our squad back then. This is Uncle Eagle Demon, and this is…” He didn’t recognize Luo Zhan and turned his gaze to Guo Shier. Guo Shier said, “Uncle Luo, introduce yourself.” Luo Zhan said, “Rogue professional, Luo Zhan, Advanced Talismanic Martial Mad Master.” Eagle Demon said, “Rogue professional, Eagle Demon, Intermediate Talismanic Martial Holy Master.” This way of introducing oneself was very popular on the Advanced Continent and was considered a proper form of self-introduction. Guo Shier said, “Rogue professional, Guo Shier, Advanced Talismanic Holy Master.” Sun Min’er’s friends also stood up one by one and introduced themselves. Guo Shier noticed that they were all disciples of the Jingming Gate. Sun Min’er stood up last and said, “Inner disciple of the Jingming Gate, Advanced Talismanic Martial Mad Master.” Guo Shier was amazed. Given Sun Min’er’s personality, he never expected him to rise to the rank of Advanced Mad Master, being just one step away from becoming a Holy Master. It was quite unexpected. He asked, “Have you always been a disciple of the Jingming Gate?” Sun Min’er shook his head and said, “No. My original family was vassal to the Jingming Gate. Because of my outstanding performance in the Bloody Lands, I was admitted as an inner disciple by the Jingming Gate. Hehe, now I’m already an elite inner disciple. In a while, I might go to the inner circle of the Fire Sect and become one of its inner disciples.” There was pride in his words. Guo Shier knew that this guy had almost been abandoned by his own family, so with his current achievements, he was naturally very proud. He asked, “Have you met Peng Yuanwang?” Sun Min’er replied, “Wangwang isn’t on the Earth Fire Continent.”

Although Zhou Xiaoling gave the addresses of the continents and sects where the team members were located, they all had the chance to join large sects when they left. For example, Sun Min’er, after entering Jingming Gate, was able to quickly join the largest sect in the Earthfire Continent—Huo Zong—and even became an inner sect disciple right away, with an unlimited future ahead.

Thanks to the growth of her soul in the Bloody Secret Realm, Sun Min’er advanced rapidly after coming out. This was also thanks to Guo Shier; back then, on the back of the Dark-Winged Scorpion, he would recite scriptures whenever he had time, which helped refine the souls of those around him as well.

Guo Shier said, “If you want to go to Huo Zong, you can find Zhou Xiaoling. She’s an inner sect disciple there, an elite among them, and already a junior Saint Master.”

Sun Min’er shook her head vigorously, repeating, “No! No! Absolutely not going to Dingding!”

Guo Shier was surprised. “Why not go to her?”

Sun Min’er replied, “That violent woman? I definitely won’t go and suffer!”

Guo Shier burst into laughter. “Haha! If it weren’t for her forcing you to train, you might not have achieved what you have now.”

Sun Min’er said, “In the secret realm, there was no choice. Now, just thinking of Dingding and Uncle Eagle Demon gives me nightmares at night… Uh, Uncle Eagle Demon, I didn’t mean that… Hehe… Hehehe…”

Eagle Demon chuckled. “Mm, I was too lenient with you back then. If I had been stricter, maybe you’d already be a Saint Master…”

Sun Min’er shook her head. “Stricter? Uncle, if you’d been stricter, I would’ve died in the secret realm!”

Guo Shier said, “Uncle Eagle Demon and Dingding are both doing this for your own good.”

Sun Min’er smiled bitterly. “I know, but it’s too painful. Living in constant fear, working yourself to death—there’s no comfort like now.” At heart, she was still someone who didn’t like to fight desperately.

Guo Shier said, “You lazy guy.”

Sun Min’er replied, “I know Uncle is trying to help me, but this is just my temperament—it’s impossible to change in this lifetime.”

Eagle Demon snorted. He looked down on those who feared death from the bottom of his heart. Of course, he wouldn’t blame or force her either. Everyone had their own aspirations; not all professionals were as dedicated as he was.

Guo Shier asked, “Any news from Earthfire Continent? Tell me.”

Sun Min’er said, “Nothing much. Some time ago, Huo Zong faced an invasion by Golden Armored Beetles…”

Guo Shier said, “I know about that. I was there at the time.”

Sun Min’er suddenly remembered something and said, “There has actually been a rather sensational event recently.”

Guo Shier became interested and asked, “What event?”