Luo Haiyi patted her slightly flushed cheeks and smiled. "Those with decent aptitude can perceive and condense a Dao Seal on their own. But someone with poor aptitude like me has to rely on external aids."
After a few drinks, she seemed to have loosened up a bit, no longer as cautious and deferential as before.
"External aids?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"There are certain rare treasures that can help one condense a Dao Seal, and some spiritual pills can do the same—like the Great Dao Pill. But all of these cost money, and they're quite precious!"
Yang Kai said "Oh." He had been wondering earlier what those Emperor Realm cultivators who couldn't condense their own Dao Seals could do with Open Heaven Pills. In the Outer Expanse, Open Heaven Pills served as a hard currency usable for purchasing all sorts of things, but they weren't particularly useful to Emperor Realm cultivators themselves—not like for Open Heaven Realm cultivators, who could refine Open Heaven Pills to advance their grade.
It seemed now that Open Heaven Pills were useful to everyone. Luo Haiyi was working so hard to earn money because she clearly wanted to buy a Great Dao Pill, condense her own Dao Seal, and take her Martial Dao a step further.
But condensing a Dao Seal was only the beginning. After that, she would still need to gather the power of Yin, Yang, and the Five Elements for a chance to advance to the Open Heaven Realm. The path of the Martial Dao was long and arduous, and it came with the need for vast financial resources! How many people could be as lucky as he had been—first condensing high-grade Wood Element power, then obtaining high-grade Fire Element power?
But even he couldn't be certain of finding the remaining Yin-Yang and Five Elements powers that met the requirements. If any single one of those powers went wrong, then even achieving the Open Heaven Realm would result in a low grade.
They ate and drank, chatting idly, the atmosphere quite pleasant.
After a good while, Yang Kai finally said, "Let's call it a day. Go back and get some rest. Come back tomorrow!"
Luo Haiyi set down her chopsticks and stood up. "Then this servant will take her leave."
Yang Kai nodded and watched her go.
After yesterday's ordeal, Yang Kai had firmly decided not to go back to the First Inn—no way he was serving tables again. He took out a communication tool and contacted Bai Qi. The bastard actually responded quickly, asking where he was now. Bai Qi gave him an address.
The moment Yang Kai heard it, he knew the place wasn't exactly respectable—the guy was at a pleasure house.
Bai Qi enthusiastically invited him to come along and have some fun. Yang Kai flatly refused.
He drank by himself for a while, set down payment for the food and wine, and left the restaurant alone, planning to find some random inn in the city to stay for the night.
Accommodation in the Star Market wasn't cheap, but it couldn't possibly be more expensive than the First Inn. Back there, a single night's stay had cost a thousand Open Heaven Pills, and later that heartless proprietress had jacked the price up to ten thousand.
No sooner had he stepped out of the restaurant than Yang Kai spotted a figure standing across the street. Surprised, he walked over and asked, "Why haven't you gone back yet?"
Luo Haiyi had been waiting outside for him the entire time.
Luo Haiyi shook her head. "It's nothing. I was just worried about you, sir."
Yang Kai laughed. "It was just a bit of watered-down wine. I'm not going to get drunk from that. Head home early." He thought to himself that this woman was quite attentive.
"It's still early. If you're willing, sir, I could take you around the Star Market. It's been busy during the day, and you haven't had the time." She added, "It's free of charge. No fee."
Yang Kai considered for a moment. "Sure, but I wouldn't want to keep you, would I?"
Luo Haiyi waved her hands hurriedly. "Not at all, not at all. There's no one at home anyway, so there's nothing to go back to." She paused. "Where would you like to go, sir? The western district of the Star Market has a whole area of pleasure houses—men tend to enjoy that sort of place..." As she spoke, she flushed red.
Yang Kai asked casually, "Where is the Spring Wind Gentle Rain Tower?"
Luo Haiyi nodded. "You know about the Spring Wind Gentle Rain Tower?"
Yang Kai clicked his tongue. "Heard someone mention it. Never been." So Old Bai really was off having his fun—sure enough, that seemed to be the case.
"Would you like to go, sir?" Luo Haiyi asked tentatively.
Yang Kai waved it off. "No need. Just a casual stroll..." He paused, then suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right—I want to buy a map. Where can I find one?"
Luo Haiyi asked, "You mean a Qiankun Map? Then we'd have to go to the Four Seas Trading House. They have the most comprehensive collection of Qiankun Maps there, and they're updated most frequently."
"Let's go take a look." Yang Kai's interest was immediately piqued. He'd had this idea before, though he couldn't remember who had mentioned it to him. A Qiankun Map contained maps of every major domain discovered in the Outer Expanse—practically an essential item for any warrior venturing out into the world.
Yang Kai wanted to search the Qiankun Map for the Star Boundary's location. He had been swallowed by the Myriad-Joint Worm and somehow ended up in the domain where the Seven Wonders Land was located. Though he still hadn't found the World Tree, it would be nice to figure out the route home in advance.
Luo Haiyi was extremely familiar with this Star Market. She led Yang Kai through several streets and arrived in front of a shop—the Four Seas Trading House.
Even though it was nighttime, the Star Market was still bustling with activity.
The moment they entered the shop, a maidservant stepped forward to greet them with a graceful curtsy and a sweet smile. "Good evening, honored guests. Is there something you'd like to purchase?"
Luo Haiyi stepped forward at the right moment and answered, "My master would like to purchase a Qiankun Map."