This place was filled with iron cages, each containing some exotic and peculiar animals.
For instance, the Two-headed Black-scaled Snake, the three-legged four-eyed toad, the single-footed weird crane, the Black Profound Bat with heads at both ends...
Everyone clicked their tongues in wonder, not knowing where the vendor had gathered these items.
Especially under the vendor's persuasion, claiming these were naturally veiled Divine Beasts that could bring unparalleled luck to their owners, surprisingly, quite a few people bought them.
Zhou Qing strolled casually and quickly found his attention captured by a funny scene.
He saw a chubby chicken trapped in a cage. Its eyes bulged outward, looking even more ridiculous than cross-eyed chickens, and its small head occasionally bobbed left and right, occasionally flapping its wings, pecking at the cage bars.
Perhaps due to its cross-eyed vision causing a mismatched perspective, although its food was right next to it, it completely ignored it and continued to peck elsewhere.
Such a comical scene indeed made people chuckle.
Zhou Qing teased it with his hand through the cage. One had to say, this chicken was really fat. If it were roasted on a spit with some cumin sprinkled, that would smell delicious.
The vendor, appearing to be a shifty-eyed man, noticed Zhou Qing seemed interested and swiftly slipped up with enthusiasm, fawningly said.
"Young Master, this is an extraordinary hen. Just look at its wise eyes. If you're ever in a bad mood, just a glance at it will make you burst out laughing."
Zhou Qing didn't think much on this. No person or animal should be ridiculed for their defects, not to mention for amusement.
"How much?" Zhou Qing asked.
The vendor promptly responded, "Three lower-grade Spirit Stones."
Without another word, Zhou Qing turned to leave.
It was just an ordinary chicken. With mundane gold and silver, who knows how many could be bought?
Although prices might rise in a different place, this was just outrageous.
"Young Master, don't go! The price is negotiable."
"Two, two... Alright, one. This is the lowest price." the vendor urgently called out.
Eventually, Zhou Qing bought it for one Spirit Stone, but as soon as the transaction was complete and he held the chicken, he sensed something was off.
Damn, I've been duped!
This chicken wasn't just thin; it seemed to be entirely propped up by its fluffy feathers.
Roasting it would be a joke. There wasn't even enough meat to fill a gap between the teeth.
Seeing this, the vendor, with a triumphant smirk, took a step back.
"The rules of the Treasure Exchange Gathering are clear, once a transaction is completed, there's no returning the goods. Young Master, don't look at me that way, I bought this chicken from a farmer along the way. Indeed, there's not much meat on it. Eating won't satisfy you; it's better to keep it for amusement," the vendor sincerely advised.
Filled with frustration, Zhou Qing left.
Unexpectedly, he had fallen for it so soon. Luckily, it was only a loss of one Spirit Stone. He would need to be more cautious in the future.
Annoyed, Zhou Qing couldn't be bothered to carry the chicken any longer. He took out a string, tied it to one of the chicken's legs, and started walking it.
With a turn at a street corner, Zhou Qing, looking around, heard Lu Yaoyao's voice coming from the side.
Turning his head, he saw Lu Yaoyao standing with a girl wearing a bamboo hat.
Instantly, Zhou Qing guessed the girl's identity. No wonder they disappeared halfway through breakfast; they also came to the fair.
Just as Zhou Qing was about to bow, Immortal Xuan You raised her hand slightly to stop him.
Lu Yaoyao squatted down, curiously touching the chicken's head, grinning and saying, "What a cute hen!"
The cross-eyed chicken, however, was pecking at the ground near Lu Yaoyao's feet, making Zhou Qing feel somewhat embarrassed.
But it was bought for a Spirit Stone; throwing it away would be a waste.
At the very least, it could be fattened up before eating, and besides, there were still over twenty days until the Five Sects Treasure Exchange Gathering. This was a reminder to avoid getting deceived again.
"Nice chicken!" Immortal Xuan You glanced at it and said.
Zhou Qing only gave an embarrassed smile, "Just bought it for fun!"
[Heart Mirror Points +4]
In the next moment, the label above Lu Yaoyao's head changed from [Heart Mirror Points] to [So Childish].
The smile on Zhou Qing's face froze immediately.
Really? Walking a chicken is childish?
Do they believe I should take a stick, put a hoop on it, and roll it back to Taiqing Sect?
Then Lu Yaoyao stood up and said, "Zhou, you go ahead... have fun, I'll go stroll with my sister."
"You go ahead!" Zhou Qing quickly sent the two of them off.
But hardly taking a few steps, he bumped into another familiar person.
"Zhou, walking a chicken!" laughed Shi Zhen as she greeted him.
Zhou Qing didn't want to explain anymore, so he just said, "Yeah, just passing time. What did you find today, Sister Shi?"
Shi Zhen nodded, "Picked up a few good finds. By the way, your eldest brother hasn't come out yet?"
Zhou Qing shook his head, "Not yet. He's very determined, I doubt he'll come out anytime soon."
Shi Zhen was somewhat disappointed but quickly smiled again.
"Alright, I'll take another round!"
"Good luck with your finds!"
Just as Zhou Qing was about to leave, the system notification sounded.
[Heart Mirror Points +5]
Turning his head, he saw the label above Shi Zhen transform from [Welcoming Zhou Junior Brother] to [Childish Zhou Junior Brother].
Then looking at the chicken pecking at the green bricks, Zhou Qing sighed deeply.
"Just for the points!"
[Heart Mirror Points +6]
When Zhou Qing returned to the third senior brother's stall with the chicken, as expected, the label above his head changed from [Awesome Little Junior Brother] to [Pretty Fun Little Junior Brother].
"Nice eye, the chicken is... quite thin. What did you like about it?"
Yan Xiaohu picked it up and immediately put it down.
The cross-eyed chicken staggered away and started pecking at Yan Xiaohu's junk.
Zhou Qing handed over a food container he had packed from the inn, "Hurry up and eat!"
Seeing Zhou Qing's displeasure, Yan Xiaohu pretty much guessed what had happened.
Just as Yan Xiaohu took a bite, a loud commotion erupted not far away. Zhou Qing immediately stood up and looked towards the source of the noise.
Yan Xiaohu, seemingly used to it, said casually, "Happens every year, they never get tired."
Zhou Qing squatted, puzzled, "Third Senior Brother, what's going on over there? Is someone forcing sales?"
"Forcing sales? No way. Everyone knows the rules. Anyone who causes trouble here insults the Five Sects' reputation and shames their sect," Yan Xiaohu replied leisurely.
Zhou Qing grew even more puzzled. If not that, then what was happening over there?
Yan Xiaohu watched many people rush towards the noise, sneered, and said, "Young ones competing. If eldest brother were here, he'd suppress them instantly."
Zhou Qing finally understood.
It's said the five sects get along publicly but compete secretly. Seems true now.
"I'm going to take a look!"
Curious, Zhou Qing hurriedly walked the chicken over.
By then, a large crowd had gathered, pointing and cheering.