Chapter 144: The Grand Magic—Trading Market (Part 1)

After the cold snap ended, Sang Chu waited a little longer before daring to go out.

But as soon as she stepped outside, she was hit by a biting cold wind that made her gasp.

Mu Xue wrapped herself tightly in her thick cotton coat, shivering as she exhaled a white puff of breath. ""Hey, wasn't the cold snap supposed to be over? Why is it still so freezing?""

Lu Min glanced at Yi Ping. ""Brother Yi, how are you holding up?""

""Me? I'm fine. It just feels a bit colder than during the day, that's all.""

Although he was also bundled up in a thick coat, he didn’t seem as affected as the others.

Liu Shi found it hard to believe that both Yi Ping and Sang Chu seemed unfazed. ""Your Highness, you look quite sturdy. After a cold snap, it's always cold until sunrise, but you don't seem uncomfortable at all.""

""I'm not afraid of the cold,"" Yi Ping replied matter-of-factly. As a fire-element user, he naturally had a strong resistance to cold—he only feared heat, not cold.

Sang Chu and Liu Shi wanted to say more, but Sang Chu quickly changed the subject. ""Liu Shi, let's go to the trading market first. I'll buy what I need and head back early. It's too cold at night.""

""Of course, Your Highness.""

Liu Shi led the way. The trading market was brightly lit, and the main gate was guarded by two masked magic sentinels, each with their own magical beast perched on their shoulder.

The one on the left had a huge white tiger, while the one on the right had a massive green python coiled around him.

As Sang Chu approached, she paused for a moment in the chilly wind, then quickly stepped forward.

Liu Shi announced, ""We are entering the city for business tonight. I am accompanying five of His Highness’s party!""

He then turned to Sang Chu. ""Your Highness, the trading market has its own rules. Please present your identification card to ensure the safety of everyone inside.""

Sang Chu stepped forward without hesitation. ""Since there are rules, let's follow them.""

Sang Jingwen said nothing, simply handing over her crystal token. The others did the same.

Seeing the row of sparkling rose crystal cards, the gatekeeper was stunned—this was his first time seeing so many rose crystal cards at once.

Of all the cards, Sang Chu’s had the highest balance; the others mostly had a hundred units each.

After verifying the cards, the left sentinel respectfully handed them back. ""Please, Your Highness, go inside.""

Sang Chu nodded and walked in.

""Wow!"" Mu Xue couldn't help but exclaim, but quickly tried to compose herself—she couldn’t appear too surprised.

But Liu Shi, standing beside her, had already noticed.

He looked at Mu Xue, then at the calm expressions of the others, thinking to himself: This woman must have gained her royal status by attaching herself to a prince. He couldn’t help but feel a bit of contempt.

Liu Shi led the group inside and, facing Sang Chu, smiled. ""Your Highness, would you like to browse around first, or are you looking for something specific? The best items usually come out after midnight, but you can check out some of the smaller stalls now.""

He was implying that the real treasures would only appear after the moon was high.

Sang Chu glanced at him, then at the winding, elevated walkway ahead, and said, ""Let’s look around first. I need to buy some magical beasts and spell-related items.""

""Understood. I’ll head to the second row to look for magical beasts.""

""Alright.""

As she stepped onto the elevated walkway, Sang Chu felt as if she were walking on clouds—soft and springy.

The walkways connected one after another, with no direct intersections. Each step had to be taken carefully, for fear that a misstep might send her tumbling down.

Normally, you wouldn’t see such a trading market. The entire structure was built with magic, almost like it was suspended in midair.

With each step, you could see ripples of energy on the transparent floor beneath your feet.

Liu Shi explained, ""The highest-level magician in Flower City is only a level five, so the market’s construction isn’t perfect. Please don’t take offense, Your Highness.""

Sang Chu was captivated by the magical ripples beneath her feet. Liu Shi, worried she might be dissatisfied, hurried to explain.

He had already guessed why the Dean had asked him to protect this woman—her talent and magic were extraordinary, but she was born with a rare constitution and could only control her power for her own use.

Sang Chu said, ""No problem. Let’s check out the magical beasts first.""

The entire street was lined with magical beasts. Some looked like livestock waiting for slaughter, trapped in cages. Some were plump, others were skin and bones, barely alive.

Sang Chu spotted a fox in a cage at the entrance of one shop, its eyes full of spirit. She couldn’t help but walk over.

The shopkeeper hurried out to greet her. ""What would the young lady like?""

Sang Chu was wearing a thick cotton coat from a local shop, her original mage robe hidden underneath, so no one could tell her true identity.

But after the shopkeeper spoke, he noticed Liu Shi behind her and froze. ""Master Liu Shi, what brings you to the market tonight? It’s an honor!""

Liu Shi replied, ""I’m accompanying Her Highness to make some purchases. Show her your best goods.""

Her Highness?

The shopkeeper assumed she was a princess from Lixin City and didn’t think much of it. ""Of course, Master Liu Shi. Please, come in. I’ll bring out my best stock right away!""

Sang Chu said, ""No rush. I want this fox.""

The shopkeeper blinked, hesitating. ""Miss, this fox is about to die. It can’t be saved.""

If it were anyone else, he would have tried to talk them out of it, but this was Liu Shi’s guest.

Sang Chu replied, ""It’s fine. I just like it. Name your price.""

""Well, uh..."" The shopkeeper looked pleadingly at Liu Shi, who just smiled. ""What are you looking at me for? If Her Highness wants it, just sell it to her.""

""Then... then just a hundred crystal shards. It’s not worth much, but if Her Highness buys anything else, I’ll throw the fox in for free.""

Sang Chu glanced at him. ""No hurry. Just get the fox for me. I like foxes. If it doesn’t make it, I’ll eat it.""

With that, she handed over her crystal token and picked up the cage. ""Shopkeeper, do you sell bags? If you have one, give me a magic card as well.""

""Of course, Your Highness. The bag is on the house.""

The shopkeeper took Sang Chu’s crystal card with trembling hands. This was a Rose City crystal card—she must be real royalty, not some impostor from Lixin City!

No wonder Master Liu Shi was so respectful.

After respectfully inviting Sang Chu and her group inside, the shopkeeper brought out a tray of magic cards and said, ""Your Highness, these are all the magical beasts I have. If you don’t see anything you like, I can bring out more for you to look at.""

Yi Ping eyed a tiny fireball the size of a palm and said, ""Shopkeeper, let me see this one!"""