Gu Zhi curiously observed everything around him, his thin lips slightly parted, his face full of amazement as if he were witnessing movie special effects in real life.
"It’s really amazing!" Gu Zhi exclaimed with admiration, his eyes brimming with curiosity.
Even in the Mystical World, this Sea Market was considered a unique existence.
Though Xia Weizhang’s expression wasn’t like Gu Zhi’s, the surprise in his eyes was no less.
The Divine Clan had been sequestered in their own small world for so many years without contact with the outside world. Had the Mystical World developed so many novel things?
While everyone was lost in their thoughts, the young man had already rowed the boat, bringing them to a large ship where a couple sat, tending a stall resembling a teppanyaki grill.
On the iron plate, some strange fish were grilling.
The fish sizzled on the iron plate, with white smoke wafting up and spreading an intoxicating aroma.
Song Ke unconsciously swallowed, and the Little Black Cat began meowing uncontrollably with excitement.
The small boat docked beside the large ship, and the stall owner looked up at Song Ke, smiling as he greeted, "Back again, young man? What would you like this time?"
Song Ke pointed at the fish on the iron plate, "That! Crispy fish!"
As he spoke, Song Ke wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth with his hand.
The Little Black Cat was just as eager, meowing constantly from the moment it smelled the fish, afraid that Song Ke might forget about it.
Xia Mian glanced at the fish on the iron plate, none of which she recognized.
Song Ke had already taken a skewer of crispy fish, devouring it with relish as he said, "Miss Xia, the food sold at the Sea Market isn’t ordinary. They all originate from this moving sea and are, strictly speaking, creatures imbued with Spiritual Energy. Eating such things can be beneficial to us in some way."
Xia Mian slightly curled her lips, pointing at another skewer of more normal-looking fish, "Then I’ll try this one."
The vendor smiled and handed a cooked fish skewer to Xia Mian, "Here you go, miss!"
Xia Mian took the skewer and tentatively took a bite.
The taste was fresh and delicious, striking her tastebuds immediately.
Her eyes lit up, "Delicious!"
She then handed the fish skewer to Lu Zechuan, "Try it!"
Without hesitation or distaste, Lu Zechuan took a bite.
Chewing carefully, he found the taste indeed delicious.
Having been in the Mystical World for so long, everything they had eaten was tasteless, so finally eating such savory food made them reluctant to stop.
On the sea, the water sparkled, and wisps of smoke rose from the boat, creating a strangely beautiful scene.
Song Ke was eating with grease all over his mouth, yet still didn’t forget to occasionally pass a skewer to the Little Black Cat on his shoulder.
The three of them and the cat ate for about half an hour, each ending up with greasy faces and full stomachs.
Though Song Ke was simple-minded, he knew how to make friends, so he asked for plenty of skewers for the young boatman, letting him eat with them.
"I’m so full, what a relief." Song Ke stretched contentedly, "How much?"
The stall-owning couple calculated, "Five Heavenly Spirit Stones."
Song Ke generously handed over a pouch, "Here, take it."
The stall owners smiled kindly, "Come again next time!"
Song Ke chuckled as he returned to his boat with Xia Mian and the others.
"Now that we’re full, let’s find something to drink!" Song Ke exclaimed, gesturing to the boatman, "That way! Yes, to the juice vendor who uses Exotic Fruit!"
The boatman acknowledged and rowed faster towards the juice-selling vendor.
This vendor’s stall was different from the skewers vendor, with a long table on the boat displaying transparent bottles and jars filled with colorful juices.
Song Ke pointed at a dragon fruit-colored juice, "Give me a Flaming Juice!"
The vendor was an acquaintance of Song Ke’s and had already passed the juice over as soon as he asked.
Song Ke slurped the juice, saying to Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan, "Miss Xia, Mr. Lu, pick a juice to drink too! It’s great and washes down the grease!"
Having eaten too much meat earlier, Song Ke felt a bit uncomfortable.
Xia Mian wasn’t shy with Song Ke and picked an orange juice.
Lu Zechuan chose a kiwi-colored juice.
The juices here were different from freshly squeezed juices in the real world, with no additives or coloring, only the natural fragrance of plants.
While drinking her juice, Xia Mian glanced around the sea, dazzled by the variety of vendors and delicious dishes.
If Song Ke hadn’t mentioned this Sea Market’s mystery, she would have almost suspected these people had all come from the real world!
The food here was vastly different from that of the real world.
More and more people from Gubei Town were hiring boats to wander around the sea, and Xia Mian even encountered some acquaintances from the auction house here.
Like that woman from Heavenly Mountain and the man from the Artifact Refining Sect whom she had beaten senseless.
Yet, upon seeing Xia Mian, these people averted their eyes and then steered their hired boats away from her.
Xia Mian squinted slightly, "These folks really love a spectacle!"
Song Ke paused, his brow furrowing as he turned to see the people, "These people usually don’t come to the Sea Market..."
The people from the Artifact Refining Sect were obsessed with making weapons, so how would they have the mind to wander around?
Unless they received news that something good might appear in the Sea Market!
Song Ke slurped his juice, his small eyes narrowing, "Miss, something seems off!"
If even a fool like Song Ke could sense something was wrong, Xia Mian and Lu Zechuan must have also realized it.
Song Ke paid for the drinks and turned to the young boatman, "Take us ashore!"
Since they had noticed something amiss, leaving the trouble spot immediately was a wise choice.
The young man acknowledged and rowed towards the shore.
Yet, despite the shoreline being in sight, the young man couldn’t seem to get any closer.
Xia Mian calmly sipped her juice, her eyes narrowing tightly.
"Brother Song, we can’t get back!" The young boatman’s face was drenched with sweat, evidently experiencing this for the first time.
Song Ke’s expression grew increasingly serious, "How long until this Sea Market disappears?"
The attendant quietly pursed his lips, "Brother Song, you’ve been on the boat for over an hour."
Which meant this Sea Market was about to disappear, leaving Gubei Town?
Song Ke’s heart tightened suddenly. If his lack of foresight caused Xia Mian to disappear with this Sea Market, the Divine Clan might eradicate their Beast Clan...