Then, Shopkeeper Luo quickly pulled out a few Eternal Coins.
These Eternal Coins weren't all flawless; many had both golden and white parts. Each coin was divided into ten equal sections, and the amount of golden area represented the coin's inherent value. The more gold, the higher the value.
This method made sense.When absorbing energy from the Eternal Coin, the golden portion would gradually disappear.
Though everyone in Xuanhuang Town had stepped onto the path of cultivation and were now all cultivators, their time in this way of life was still too short. They had just transitioned into private ownership, and most civilians still had very low cultivation levels. The number of cultivation arts and techniques they knew could be counted on one hand.
Ordinary items still existed and couldn't be entirely eliminated. This was a necessary transitional phase from the mundane world to a cultivator society.
Some ordinary items, even if quite exquisite, couldn't possibly match the value of a complete Eternal Coin. If an item and its price were mismatched, it would naturally restrict trade. Unequal exchanges would never last. Even if a trade was completed, resentment would arise, and future business would be hindered.
It would create tension and resistance between buyer and seller.
Take these ornaments for instance.Though undeniably exquisite, crafted with skill that gave them added value, they were neither made of rare materials nor counted as magical artifacts or spiritual tools. They belonged to the realm of mundane craftsmanship.
If such an ornament was priced at a full or even several Eternal Coins, no one would buy it. After all, no one is foolish—Eternal Coins can enhance one's cultivation and speed up training. They were incredibly precious. Exchanging them for worldly trinkets was unthinkable.
Of course, if someone truly adored a piece, they might still pay a high price.But such occurrences were rare.
Thus, someone came up with this idea.
They first used Eternal Coins for cultivation, partially draining their energy, and then divided the value into ten parts. This provided a standardized way to appraise value—a transitional mechanism between the mundane and the cultivator economy.
As mundane items gradually vanished, this method would eventually fade away too.
But for now, it worked.
"Truly, human wisdom is beyond imagination, limitless in potential.Only when facing challenges do they seek solutions and bring about change.This is the essence of human intelligence—natural, inevitable, and driven by personal interest.It's what sparks real creativity.Humanity survives through its ingenuity.How could one possibly deny such a nature?"Yi Tianxing pondered silently.
One glimpse was enough to infer the broader truth.
"In hardship, one adapts; in adaptation, one transforms." That was the logic.
He did not stop the townsfolk from changing the coins' usage.On the contrary, he viewed it with encouragement.After all, they were still using Eternal Coins—and that alone was what mattered.
This approach even promoted circulation and strengthened the coin's use as currency.
"Here's one Eternal Coin. No need for change."Yi Tianxing nodded, tossing a golden coin to the shopkeeper.
"Thank you, Mister Yi."Shopkeeper Luo smiled brightly, clearly delighted.
"Let's go check out other places," Yi Tianxing said.
The three of them left the shop.
"Candied hawthorn! Sweet and tasty candied hawthorn! Three coins a skewer!"
A crisp cry rang out on the street.
They saw an old man carrying a tall stick, the top end wrapped in straw, with bright red skewers of candied hawthorn neatly lined up. One could even sense a faint trace of spiritual energy emanating from them.
The sight immediately triggered hunger and curiosity.
"It's candied hawthorn!"Mu Guiying's eyes lit up as she looked longingly at the colorful treats.
"Big Brother Yi, look how shiny and tempting they are! I haven't tasted any recently. They seem even better than the old ones—must be more delicious now.Why not buy a few and give them a try?Besides, I think little Mu's already drooling."Cai Yan teased, smiling at Mu Guiying.
"Elder sister!!"Mu Guiying flushed a little, but her candid nature made her unashamed. She openly shared her feelings:
"I grew up in a mountain stronghold. It was free, but many things were missing.I remember, my happiest moments were when my father took me to the town below.Every time, he would buy me a skewer of candied hawthorn.So sweet!"
To her, such a simple treat was once a symbol of joy.
Seeing it again stirred up those memories and a desire to relive them.
Yi Tianxing smiled and stepped forward.
"Three skewers of candied hawthorn, please."
"Certainly, Mayor! Here you go!"The old vendor beamed. "These are on me. If it weren't for you, I'd be long dead. How could I still be living such good days?"
He picked three big, bright red skewers and handed them over.
"Business is business. We can't just take things for free. That's not right."Yi Tianxing shook his head, still passing him a full Eternal Coin and gesturing not to return change.
The old man accepted it with gratitude.
"Here, have a taste. Let's see if it's good," Yi Tianxing said as he distributed the skewers.
He lifted his own to his mouth.
"Haha, Mayor, my candied hawthorn won't disappoint.I handpicked wild hawthorn berries from the forest—perfect balance of sweet and sour.Plus, this land seems to have enhanced the ingredients; they're bigger, tastier, and even infused with a touch of spiritual energy.And I use my family's secret recipe—wild honey from forest bees. I guarantee you'll love it."The old man beamed with pride.
He had personally tasted them and knew how excellent they were—far superior to what he used to make.
Without hesitation, Yi Tianxing bit into a hawthorn.
Immediately, his food cells began to tremble in delight.
"Indeed delicious.The hawthorn and honey complement each other perfectly.The honey's natural fragrance and sweetness spread through every cell, while the hawthorn hits a peak balance of sour and sweet.The sourness opens the pores, excites the taste buds; the sweetness calms the heart and lifts the spirit.The alternating flavors leave an unforgettable impression."
One berry down, and his body was filled with joy.
His food cells were buzzing.Waves of heavenly energy surged into his flesh, quietly increasing his physical strength.In the Food Cauldron Life Aperture, the Food Cauldron refined the meal into pure essence, merging into his flesh.New images emerged on the cauldron—a hawthorn tree, honey, and bees.
Invisibly, the source of the Food Cauldron grew stronger.It subtly connected with some mysterious law of nature.The more he ate and refined, the more the cauldron would naturally gather lawful Dao Rhythms.
"So tasty! Better than any candied hawthorn I've ever had!"Mu Guiying's eyes squinted in bliss.
"It really is amazing.Old man, your skills are incredible," Cai Yan agreed.This was by far the best candied hawthorn she had tasted—thanks to both the ingredients and the craftsmanship.
"Hehe, the recipe's the same as always.It's the ingredients that have changed.Here in the Eternal Continent, everything's just better,"the old man chuckled.
He was clearly delighted to receive such high praise.
That unique taste lingered on their tongues.
Just from one skewer, Yi Tianxing's physical strength increased by over a thousand jin.With the constant supply of delicacies from Lai He over the past few months, his strength had already reached over 170,000 jin.
He could feel it—once his strength hit 200,000 jin, his body cultivation would naturally break through to the White Cauldron – Two Resonance realm.
They continued wandering the marketplace.
Everywhere they looked, new and fascinating sights filled their view.
If Xuanhuang Town once felt like a mere settlement, now it was truly a city.The atmosphere, the bustling crowds—everything spoke clearly:
This was a true human settlement.A place of civilization and growth.
"Look over there! A clothing shop called Heavenly Garment Pavilion. So many people are going in and out!"Mu Guiying suddenly pointed to a tall pavilion.
The building took up a large space, one of the most luxurious in the market, with few rivals.Its plaque bore the name: Heavenly Garment Pavilion.
Men and women bustled in and out, many carrying parcels—clearly containing clothes.
"Yes, I know it.The owner is quite interesting.She buys large quantities of Mist Brocade from me.Her tailoring skills are exceptional—her clothing is practically seamless, exquisitely crafted, and very fashionable.Word of her work is spreading quickly,"Cai Yan nodded.