Chapter 25

Sixteen Dragons (2)

Although the elves were not weak, they were not strong either. They had long lifespans, but were few in number. Before the largest territory had been occupied by the dragons, the elves had a forest of life that was like paradise, and their Tree of Life, Yggdrasil was also very healthy. Later, the war spread, threatening their Yggdrasil. They lost the war, and had to submit to the dragons’ leadership.

Fortunately, the dragons always had difficulty producing heirs. As they were individually strong, they did not exercise very strict control over their territory, and even gave their subjects a lot of protection. This was how the elves managed to survive till this day.

It’s just that as most of the elves possessed outstanding looks, it was very dangerous for them to leave their own to places that were even the slightest bit remote, regardless of gender. This was also why the original owner had only ever seen a few elves before.

As Mu Wanwan pondered, she came to the entrance of the market. After standing in line for a while, she was before an elven guard.

“Please put your hand on this assessment stone and channel a touch of spiritual power.” The person in charge of receiving her was a beautiful blond elf maiden. She had an ethereal voice and a pair of vivid green eyes like a deep pool that almost blinded Mu Wanwan with their brilliance.

She placed her hand on the nearly transparent assessment stone as she was told and channelled a trace of spiritual energy into it. Very quickly, the stone lit up with a faint green glow that even had a small leaf on it.

“Rank 1 cultivator. The entrance fee is one silver coin.” The elf maiden gave Mu Wanwan a professional smile, and a small dimple appeared on her cheek.

This was just way too good-looking, right? Mu Wanwan grumbled inwardly: How blind was the Mister Long in the novel to have left so many beautiful elven maidens in his territory alone, then fell for Bai Shuiyao upon waking?  Although the original novel was not completed, and Mister Long also hadn’t really managed to win Bai Shuiyao’s heart.

However, as beautiful as the elf was, it still caused Mu Wanwan a lot of heartache to have to pay. After all, she hadn’t earned a single copper coin yet!

Painfully, she took out a silver coin and placed it in the elf maiden’s hand. The elf maiden then handed her a wooden tag and informed her that it would need to be returned when she exited, otherwise, she would have to pay the entrance fee again. 

Mu Wanwan looked at the small wooden tag and sighed.

The inside of the market was not much different from the ones in the original owner’s memories, only that this was a little larger than the previous ones, and there were more pedestrians on the streets.

Most of the shop owners were elves, and the traders were mostly humans like her and some dwarves. Most of the people who set up scattered market stalls were mostly selling home-grown fruits and vegetables, and even Mu Wanwan could tell that quite a few had no cultivation base. 

Although there were many cultivators and demonic beings in this world, not everyone could step onto the path of cultivation. For instance, for one like the original owner whose innate qualities were subpar, if it wasn’t for having the good fortune of having a Rank 4 powerhouse for a father, it wouldn’t have been possible for her to take some precious tonics at an early age and become a Rank 1 cultivator.　　

Mu Wanwan walked around for a while. When she was passing by an alley, a clear child’s voice came to her ears, “Senior, would you like some vegetables?”

Mu Wanwan turned her head and met a pair of large, pretty eyes.

But contrary to her beautiful blue eyes, there was a brown birthmark on her face that ruined the beauty of the whole face; she had pointed ears too.

She was an elf—an elf that was a little bit ugly. Mu Wanwan saw her standing at the entrance of the alley and was a little hesitant. 　　

That alley and the lively market seemed a bit at odds, as if everyone deliberately avoided this place. Could there be any sort of ambush inside?　　

“Senior, my big brother and I are really vegetable sellers, it’s not a scam!” The little elf seemed to see her hesitation and hurriedly explained.

“Lan’er, don’t fool around.” As Mu Wanwan was about to turn around and leave, she saw another elf walk out from a shop at the side of that alley. To be exact, he had walked out with crutches.

He had a pair of beautiful blue eyes like Lan’er, and also had a brown birthmark on his cheek. His ears were pointed, and had a head of long, ice blue hair. His clothes were a little old, and she could tell that there seemed to be some problem with his legs. Yet, he was carrying a basket on his shoulders that contained some seasonal vegetables.

“Senior, my little sister was being insensible, please forget it.” The elf apologised sincerely to Mu Wanwan. Leaning on a crutch with one hand, he looked a little pitiful.

“Big Brother.” The little elf named Lan’er was a little aggrieved. “But we are already out of money. If we still don’t pay the rent, we won’t have a place to live.”

“Stop making a scene.” The elf boy chided, then couldn’t keep from coughing softly.

“I’m not making a scene!” The rims of Lan’er’s eyes had turned red. With tightly clenched fists, she stared at Mu Wanwan with eyes full of expectation. “Senior, buy some vegetables! Our vegetables are very cheap, everything is yours for only fifteen copper coins!”

Mu Wanwan didn’t quite have the heart to turn her down anymore. Moreover, she had taken a look at the vegetables in the basket on the elf’s back—so much for only fifteen copper coins was indeed very cheap. Most importantly, she wanted to eat vegetables. She had only gotten to eat a few bites of pickled vegetables in the many days since she had transmigrated here.

She had also spied some radishes in the basket; it would be delicious either stewed or stir-fried.

Mu Wanwan was a little swayed, “May I take a look at the vegetables?”

She thought it was a very normal thing to say, but who knew, when the elf boy heard it, it was as if he had heard something remarkable. After a moment of silence, he said softly, “We are elves who have not been blessed.”

Mu Wanwan stood stunned for two seconds before she realised what he was talking about.

These elves with less than perfect appearances or limbs were discriminated against within the elven race, and were also known as elves who were not blessed by Yggdrasil. Although other races would not discriminate against such elves, they generally wouldn’t actively approach them either.

Mu Wanwan smiled, “As long as the vegetables are fine, what’s wrong with eating them?” 

The elves only married within their clan, and rarely with outsiders. These imperfect elves might also be due to genetics, so how could it be because they were cursed? As a modern person, she didn’t quite believe in such things. 

“My name is Feng,” said the elf suddenly. He unloaded the vegetables on his back, and Mu Wanwan inspected them with her spiritual power. They were about the same as regular vegetables, and were actually even healthier.

“There’s so much, is it really only fifteen copper coins?” Mu Wanwan asked again, worried that she might be taking advantage of them.

“Really, really!” Lan’er smiled happily, “Big Brother, with the money, we can buy seeds!”

Hearing this, Mu Wanwan came to life, “Lan’er, do you know where to buy seeds?”　　

“Yup!”

“Then, do you know where to buy burning grass seeds?” asked Mu Wanwan. “Can you take me there?”

“Yes.” This time, it was Feng who took the initiative to speak. He looked at her with his blue eyes, “I’m willing to take you there.”

She was a little embarrassed by the siblings’ gazes. She took two silver coins out and handed them to Feng. “I don’t have any copper coins with me, take the extra five copper coins as a tip for showing me the way.”

To be honest, with such a large amount, according to the market rate here, she was the one who had earned a great bargain even if it was two silver coins just for the vegetables.

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