Him

Half an hour later, the group exited Wonder Ability House. Next, Shui Yuetian led Yu Xian and the others through the other shops within Helick's Great Trove. Helick's Great Trove truly housed an abundance of bizarre stores, many of which were opened exclusively for a single race and catered only to that specific clientele. For example, there was a shop named Pure Breeze Wonder Aroma House that hosted only wind elementals among elemental life-forms, selling all manner of modified wind elements. Other races could not fathom in the slightest what distinguished the wind elements sold there from ordinary wind elements. Yet wind elementals adored the place and could discern the subtle nuances between each product. Strolling and pausing along the way, Yu Xian and the group ascended to the second floor. After passing several shops, Shui Yuetian halted in front of an establishment named Mushroom Paradise. Yu Xian stepped forward and asked curiously, "Mushroom Paradise? Is it a place where you eat mushrooms?" He actually quite liked eating mushrooms. In particular, a mutated variety from Earth called the Delicious Drumstick Mushroom—anyone who tasted it even once would salivate at the mere memory. "Don't let the shopkeeper hear you say that! Inside lies an entire world!" Shui Yuetian hastily warned. An entire world? Everyone present was taken aback. Shui Yuetian nodded. "The shopkeeper of Mushroom Paradise is a Creator God. When the Abyss invaded, she escaped along with the tiny life-forms she had created, and ultimately used her remaining spatial energy to forge a mushroom world anew right here." "A Creator God? Good grief, doesn't that make her absurdly powerful?!" Zhang Shou exclaimed in shock. Yu Xian smiled. "Not necessarily. Gods are actually like holy spirits; their strength depends entirely on the power of their world, their divine authority, and the faith of living beings." "Fish God, I can't speak for other gods, but word has it that this shopkeeper originally possessed Cosmos-rank strength. However, to sever and untie herself from her original world, her power regressed severely, and now she only has Heaven-rank strength," Shui Yuetian explained. Qingniao gasped in surprise. "She regressed that much?" The others wore expressions of shock as well. Yu Xian in particular understood the terror of Cosmos Rank far better than the rest. At the same time, he realized that the proprietor of Mushroom Paradise was indeed an unfathomable figure of great stature. Even if she only had Heaven-rank strength left, her knowledge and breadth of experience were likely second only to Zhenwo Changjing. In fact, due to her unique identity, her insights in certain aspects might even surpass those of Zhenwo Changjing. After all, Zhenwo Changjing was not an omniscient, omnipotent being; there were bound to be things she neither grasped nor knew. "Come on, let's head in. As long as you don't violate the shopkeeper's rules, she's actually very easy to talk to," Shui Yuetian said with a smile after finishing her introduction. As the group stepped into the shop together, the world around them shifted completely. Lush, verdant trees stretched in every direction. Tiny mushrooms actually possessed eyes and chubby little limbs; upon seeing visitors arrive, they immediately scrambled out from the undergrowth. "Welcome!" "Welcome, one, two, three... welcome, honored guests!" "Guests, you have to spend lots and lots of money, or Big Sis's deficit is going to grow again this month!" "Good heavens, guests, there's a bear!" "I want to pet the bear! I want to pet the bear!" These mushroom people were brimming with personality, practically each with their own thoughts, all chattering over one another at once. For a moment, the scene was sheer chaos. Just as everyone stood bewildered, surrounded by the mushroom people, a tall woman stepped gracefully out from the forest. Her hair gleamed with a pastel iridescent sheen, subtly shifting in hue as she walked. Her entire figure appeared ethereal, yet within that illusion lay an indescribable beauty. It was much like dreaming of a goddess—ethereal and hazy. Moreover, with her appearance, an indescribable, wondrous fragrance began to suffuse the air. The surrounding mushroom people quieted down one after another, parting to make way. She stepped forward to face the group, a dreamy smile gracing her lips. "Welcome to Mushroom Paradise. I am the shopkeeper, Niman. Here we have Future Mushrooms, Sweet Dream Mushrooms, Epiphany Mushrooms... What kind of mushroom would you like?" "I want a Sweet Dream Mushroom! Please give me a wonderful dream," Shui Yuetian said, raising her hand immediately. Zhang Shou dodged a mushroom person's tiny hand and raised his arm to ask, "Excuse me, what does the Future Mushroom do? Can it let you see the future?" "The future holds myriad possibilities. I can only guarantee that you will see one of them, but cannot guarantee that this future will certainly come to pass," Niman answered with a smile toward Zhang Shou, cradling a mushroom person in her arms. Zhang Shou chose without hesitation. "Then I'll take a Future Mushroom." The others then made their selections one after another. Yu Xian had no interest in the future, so he opted for an Epiphany Mushroom, curious whether it could trigger any sort of enlightenment in him. Once everyone had chosen, a dreamy haze of dust instantly rose around them. Having spatial abilities, Yu Xian keenly sensed the shift in space. In the blink of an eye, the world turned, and he found himself standing upon an open prairie. "Honored guest, please lie down," Niman said with a gentle smile, looking at Yu Xian. Yu Xian asked in surprise, "Didn't I choose an Epiphany Mushroom?" "Under ordinary circumstances, the mushroom spirits would indeed attend to you. However, you are a genuine Star-rank life-form, honored guest. The abilities of those mushroom spirits cannot affect you, so... I have no choice but to do it myself," Niman said unhurriedly. Her tone held an airy detachment, as if she had witnessed all the dust of the mortal world yet remained entirely aloof from it. Yu Xian asked in surprise, "Will that be more expensive, then?" "Rest assured. When a Star-rank dignitary visits my humble shop, it is free of charge." Niman gazed at Yu Xian. Her lips suddenly transitioned from soft pink to a deep crimson, and she kissed him firmly on the lips. Yu Xian's eyes widened instantly. Plumes of red vapor then billowed from his nostrils, ears, and the crown of his head as his eyes slowly drifted shut. He sank into a state of sudden enlightenment. Knowledge seemed to take on the properties of quantum entanglement, constantly weaving together entirely unrelated threads of information. Innumerable ingenious inspirations soared through his mind, generating fresh, brilliant ideas with every passing second. Niman released Yu Xian and slowly turned toward Zhenwo Changjing, who stood smiling at the side. "Distinguished one," Niman said solemnly, "what service do you desire?" In truth, even though she had fallen to Heaven Rank, the Star-rank powerhouses of Crescent Bay were well aware of her presence, and not a single one dared look down upon her. Still less was anyone willing to be the bird that stuck its neck out to test what trump cards she still held. The sole reason she had personally stepped forth to attend to Yu Xian and his group was that the moment Zhenwo Changjing entered the world she had created, Niman had sensed a faint feeling of discordance. She could not pinpoint anything amiss, yet she knew instinctively that something was off. Only when she appeared before Yu Xian and the others did she deduce that the sense of discord stemmed from Yu Xian. And upon separating the group, she finally perceived the existence of Zhenwo Changjing. "Why don't I point out a path for you?" Zhenwo Changjing said with a smile, looking at Niman instead of answering her question. Niman furrowed her brow. "Honored one, what path do you speak of...?" "Him." Zhenwo Changjing turned her gaze toward Yu Xian, who was deep in enlightenment. Him? Niman looked at Yu Xian beside her in astonishment. Could a mere Star Rank become her path?