Decaying World

He walked along the streets of the Deep Domain.

On both sides stood buildings and pavilions constructed entirely of gray-white stone. Some had pointed roofs, others flat, but most featured the upturned eaves of the traditional style.

Lin Hui activated his movement technique, circling the surrounding blocks a few times. He discovered that not a single person here was wasting time.

They were either frantically selling wine or frantically drinking it. They would drink until they slept, and upon waking, they would eat something to replenish themselves before continuing to drink. Everyone seemed to be locked in a desperate, ceaseless struggle to the death against some invisible opponent, never stopping for a moment.

Even the brewers would occasionally sneak into a corner to buy wine and savor it slowly. The entire district was completely immersed in the rich aroma of alcohol.

He recalled what Li Xinruan had said earlier: the wine here could strengthen one's foundation and vitality, enhancing energy. Wasn't that exactly the resource he needed to evolve the Blood Seal?

After a moment of thought, Lin Hui walked over to a roadside wine stall.

The stall was supported by just a few wooden pillars, covered by a simple white cloth secured at the corners with clamps. The stall owner was speaking in low tones with a beautiful woman whose hair was as white as snow. They chatted as they drank, clearly old acquaintances.

This stall owner was no ordinary human, either. His eyes emitted a faint, pale green fluorescence, and a crooked, jade-green horn grew from his forehead. His features were exquisite, his figure slender and long.

Three tables of guests were currently seated at the stall. Two tables had already passed out drunk. At the remaining table sat a large, obese man who was weeping as he drank, seemingly reminded of some heartbreaking matter. "Boss, what are the prices?" Lin Hui planned to buy some to try himself. He didn't dare touch Li Xinruan's wine, but randomly selecting a type here to test shouldn't be a major issue.

"Stone Heart Wine is one Blood per jin. Green Heart Wine is three Blood per jin," the stall owner replied, glancing sideways at Lin Hui. [Jin: approximately 1.1 lbs or 500g]

"It's my first time drinking it; Stone Heart Wine will suffice."

Lin Hui glanced at the surrounding wine stalls. This one was considered the quietest; the others were full of alcoholics shouting, singing in drunken madness, or even hugging each other as they fought.

He reached for the thirty Feather Bloods he had brought out, took one out, and placed it on the table. Then he walked over to the wine jar, lifted the lid, and ladled out a bowl for himself.

The milky-white wine poured gently into the palm-sized black porcelain bowl, resembling milk. He lifted it, sniffed it, and lightly tapped it with the tip of his tongue.

Sss.

An incomparably cool, refreshing sweetness instantly rushed into his mouth, then flowed down his throat, traveling all the way to his stomach.

Lin Hui's entire body shuddered violently in that moment. The sensation was like suddenly drinking an ice-cold beverage during the hottest, thirstiest heat. He was so comfortable that he trembled, every pore on his body seemingly opening up in that instant.

"Good wine!" He couldn't help but exhale a long breath, his voice deep.

"Of course it's good wine. I boiled seventy-two Green-Heart Dog bones for half a year just to get the raw materials, then brewed them with over a hundred kinds of precious medicinal herbs. I only get this one small jar. Selling it for one Blood per jin is already as cheap as it gets," the stall owner added with a smile.

"Where are you from, boss? You don't look like a local," Lin Hui asked, following the flow of conversation.

"I am a Black Cloud native, here in Tuyue to visit a close friend, and staying here for a while in passing," the stall owner said casually. "You are young, and your mind-spirit is insufficient. It is best not to stay here for long. This place is a resource gathering ground for the Moon Tower. Coming occasionally to relax is fine, but staying too long will damage a person's intellect."

"Black Cloud... that is very far. Thanks for the reminder. I heard that to get to Black Cloud District, one has to transfer through Xingdao first?" Lin Hui nodded.

"Mm, you do have to transfer. You sit in a Moth Carriage for over three days in between, then pass through places like the Jade Sea and Crystal Sea. It is very far, and also very dangerous," the stall owner said simply.

Lin Hui had always heard that the Core Zone was dangerous and one couldn't stay long, but most of the people he had encountered this time seemed kind-hearted, offering him various suggestions. He didn't know if his luck was good or if others' luck was just too bad.

"Alright, Brother Feng, I won't disturb you any longer. We will meet again next year," the white-haired woman opposite the stall owner said at that moment, standing up and cupping her fists.

"Mm, see you then. Remember to bring a message to your eldest brother for me when you get there. Just say I am well, and our next meeting will be at the agreed time," the stall owner said, standing up with a smile.

"Okay." The white-haired woman nodded, turned, and leaped up. She actually floated into the air just like that, flying upwards. After flying several meters, she vanished in the blink of an eye.

The stall owner sat back down alone, pouring and drinking by himself.

Lin Hui stared at the spot where the woman had vanished for a good while, unclear on how exactly she had disappeared. Seeing the stall owner ignoring him, he simply sat down as well, slowly savoring the bowl of wine.

Several minutes later, with a bowl of Stone Heart Wine in his belly, Lin Hui clearly felt his whole body heating up. His spirit became increasingly vigorous, and the circulation of his Internal Force seemed to spontaneously accelerate.

He called up the Blood Seal to check the evolution time.

Sure enough, the evolution time had reduced by about three days. Clearly, this wine had a certain effect on boosting energy, but since that wasn't its primary effect, it only reduced the time by three days.

Feeling the continuously surging, refreshing comfort within his body, and while the sensation lasted, Lin Hui got up and left the wine stall, wandering around the Fine Wine District again.

The Fine Wine District had a total of five streets—one horizontal and four vertical—interlaced together. The buildings lining the streets were either restaurants, wine shops, or hotels. There were no other options.

The street surface was paved with white stone tiles. Various wooden advertising signs stood on both sides of the road to attract customers. Some people had collapsed drunk right on the street corners, sleeping soundly while hugging the signs. Others stood shirtless facing the sky, opening their arms and then closing them, repeating this over and over like a cult. And there were quite a few such people.

Walking along, Lin Hui even saw several women doing the same, not caring in the slightest that their upper bodies were exposed.

After touring every street, he discovered there were two types of wine shops here: paid and free.

There were very few people in the paid ones, and most of the drinking guests were dressed properly. The free ones were different; the guests looked as if they were addicted to drugs, lying in disorder at the shop entrances, looking visibly problematic.

He tried seven different paid wines and found that two of them could reduce the Blood Seal's time. One was the initial Stone Heart Wine. The other was a dark yellow liquor named Yellow Springs Wine. The former only reduced it by three days, while the Yellow Springs Wine was stronger, reducing it by about a month.

However, compared to purchasing other medicinal pills, the cost-performance ratio of this wine was still too low.

Having tested the Fine Wine District, Lin Hui turned and arrived at the Mesmeric Music District, standing at the street entrance without daring to go in.

The two districts were separated by a white stone building shaped like a crab. There was a narrow passage in the middle of the building, like a hole dug through the crab's belly; passing through it led to the Mesmeric Music District.

Lin Hui only faintly heard a few strains of music at the entrance before feeling his blood boil and accelerate. He hurriedly backed away until he couldn't hear a single note.

He came here to find the truth, and simultaneously to find precious medicines and materials that could reduce the Blood Seal's time. If he got addicted to the Mesmeric Music District, it would be a waste of time.

Turning to cross the district, he arrived at the Beautiful People District. It was also separated by a similar white stone palace, with long white stone walls built on both sides for isolation.

The difference was that beneath the high walls here, there were guards in full-body silver armor standing watch. Beneath the faceguards of the guards, blurred human faces formed of flowing white mist were visible—clearly, they were all of the Undying Race.

Lin Hui stood at the tunnel entrance, watching the stream of people entering and exiting. Those entering were mostly impatient; those coming out looked exhausted, their appearances gaunt, practically to the point of disfigurement.

This place feels like a giant entertainment club for the Moon Tower. Lin Hui suddenly had a strange feeling.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt it was true.

When he turned to the entrance of the Fine Food District, this feeling became even more obvious.

The tunnel entrance to the Fine Food District was the complete opposite of the Beautiful People District. Most of the people entering and exiting here were obese, their faces glowing red and their bodies dripping with oil. It was obvious at a glance that they had eaten too much.

I might be able to find some medicinal cuisine to boost energy in this place. Lin Hui thought about it, then stepped forward, following a group of fat people into the Fine Food District tunnel.

Passing through the short, gloomy tunnel, the front suddenly seemed to return to the night market streets full of snacks and delicacies from his past life.

Both sides of the street were filled with various barbecues, braised meats, candies, desserts, and so on. The sizzle of stir-frying accompanied the rich aroma permeating the air.

"Eat, eat, eat delicious food, it's all mine! Hahaha!" A fat man behind him cheered with green light in his eyes and lunged out, rushing toward a barbecue shop.

"Everyone, follow me! I didn't eat to my heart's content last time. This time I especially practiced the Stomach-Expanding Art; I will definitely win the competition!"

"Move! I smell braised pork elbow, I can't take it anymore! Get the hell out of my way!"

"I'll give you two hours this time. Gather back here after two hours!"

All kinds of people with different purposes scattered past his ears, rushing toward the gourmet food.

Smelling the aroma wafting through the air, Lin Hui couldn't help but walk toward one of the braised beef restaurants.

Ten-plus minutes later.

He walked out of the restaurant slowly, clutching his stomach, his expression satisfied and comfortable. This restaurant allowed one to eat their fill for one Feather Blood. In his current view, this price, which would be expensive outside, actually felt cheap. The beef soup inside was also very good—fragrant, rich, and with an endless aftertaste.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Lin Hui was just about to move when he ran head-on into a short, fat girl.

"Customer, how can you not aid digestion after eating meat? That harms the body. This shop has everything you need for preserved fruits and desserts to aid digestion. Why don't you take a look?"

The little chubby girl's suggestion was very reasonable, so Lin Hui followed her to the digestive aid shop next door.

After a meal of fruit, dim sum, and a medicinal diet went down the hatch, his stomach felt a bit more comfortable.

Just as he stepped out the door.

Immediately, a new little fatty leaned in close.

"Customer, your stomach is empty after digestion. Isn't this exactly the time for food supplementation and martial practice? Cultivating while enjoying gourmet food—that is the joy of life, wouldn't you say?"

Lin Hui nodded, feeling that this also made sense. So, he followed this little fatty into another shop. Ten-plus minutes later, he walked out holding a round belly.

Another little fatty leaned over.

"Customer, eating too full isn't good for exercise and absorption. Why not come to our small shop to digest..."

Lin Hui went to digest again. After coming out, he was persuaded by someone saying that after eating too much meat, he should eat something refreshing to cut the grease. After eating the refreshing food, he went to digest again, and then continued...

Over six hours later.

When Lin Hui finally reached the exit of the Fine Food District, he touched his deflated Feather Blood money pouch and then his belly, which had grown a full size larger, his expression somewhat sluggish.

He had resisted Fine Wine, Mesmeric Music, and Beautiful People, but in the end, he had fallen to Fine Food.

Eating to digest, digesting to eat—repeating this back and forth had made his whole body swell a full size. The mask on his head had long since been taken off. He didn't know where he had put it.

As he was now, probably few people back in town would be able to recognize him. Looking at that fleshy face, which had gained a full circle of fat, one could only vaguely see a hint of his former contours.

I still couldn't resist and fell for this damn place's trap... The thought of those vanished Feather Bloods made Lin Hui's heart bleed.

Fortunately, his personal income was high now. Going back and exchanging for a bit more Feather Blood wouldn't be a problem.

It was just the price of a single Feather Blood... Even if he could use his father and eldest brother's channels, costing only 500,000, using up so many Feather Bloods at once still made his flesh ache.

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