Chapter 137: The Changsun Celestial Mansion

What on earth is going on? Why is this happening? The other women clearly did not present any tokens! They felt a burning heat on their faces—had they simply missed something, or did that young master possess some extraordinary power? But they had never heard of anyone bringing in four women at once!

Suddenly, someone whispered in shock, “I just saw clearly—the token seems to bear the emblem of the Sea Dragon King! Could it be the Sea Dragon Token?”

Immediately, everyone exchanged stunned glances. The Sea Dragon Token? How could that be? Only the Holy Sea Dragon King had the authority to issue such a token! There were copper tokens, silver tokens allowing two people at a time, and gold tokens allowing three, but all were single-use. Only gold level and above, like the Sea Dragon God Token, were reusable. Over the years, no one had ever seen anyone arrive holding the Holy Sea Dragon King’s token in person.

One must understand that those possessing the Holy Sea Token would enter the sea market through secret passages, never appearing openly before the public.

Their curiosity deepened—who exactly was this young master?

At that moment, Sun Yunan was utterly stunned. He had thought Chu Youcai was extraordinary for securing first place in the Prince’s Mansion examination, but never imagined he possessed such a token!

Such a token granted almost unrestricted access within the sea market—something countless people dreamed of!

With this token, one could even rent silver-grade cursed artifacts, although in the sea market, silver-grade cursed artifacts had never been rented out.

Hastily, he used his copper token to follow.

But as he trailed behind Chu Youcai into the sea market, the scenery suddenly changed, and he lost sight of him.

For a moment, he looked around in vain, filled with disappointment.

Helpless, he headed toward his own shop, which had little business at present. He had hired an old shopkeeper to manage it, who probably spent most of the day napping there.

Outside the sea market, Chu Zhaoyun bit her lip softly.

She hadn’t expected her third brother to own such a treasure—no wonder he didn’t want her copper token.

A strange sense of loss welled up within her.

Once so enthusiastic about the Sea Market, she now turned and walked away.

She did not know why she felt this void—was it because her third brother, once her equal, was now drifting farther away?

But her gaze soon grew resolute; she vowed to become stronger.

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Chu Youcai noticed a shimmering light before him and suddenly found himself inside the city. It was no different from the human world, save for occasional shrimp soldiers and crab generals patrolling the streets.

This was territory governed by the Holy Sea Dragon King, managed by shrimp soldiers and crab generals. Though their cultivation was insufficient to assume human form, their presence was enough to maintain peace.

At this moment, the surrounding wind ceased, and the sky brightened.

Chu Youcai glimpsed a vast sea area on the other side of the city, its surface a gleaming mirror reflecting a large island. The island was dotted with numerous tall buildings, each floor containing five rooms, all windows and doors wide open, aligned with the stars above, emitting brilliant light.

The countless towers rose like stars; upon the eighth floor, the red jade appeared as large as stars. Beyond that, the view blurred, as if touching the heavens.

A nearby voice asked in astonishment, “What is that?”

Another replied, “The first floor of that island is the Sea Market, opened once every three days. What we see now is merely the outskirts.”

“Is that the Sea Market? Then what’s that tallest tower?”

“That is a reflection. They say the Holy Sea Dragon King dwells there, alongside countless oceanic treasures.”

Hearing this, Chu Youcai and the women finally understood. They had thought this place was the main city, yet it was only the outer city—already so magnificent.

At that moment, Chu Youcai recalled the most important reason for coming to the Sea Market: to investigate the inscriptions on the golden scripture. He scanned the surroundings, seeking a nearby inscription master.

Soon, he spotted a shop at the street corner, its sign reading “Changsun Heavenly Mansion.”

Beneath the sign was a line of elegant calligraphy proclaiming, “Master of astronomy and geography; rare treasures; inscription and talisman arts, all proficient. Not only can we identify, but also provide related information.”

“Freely select from numerous cursed artifacts for rental and trade.”

“Also purchasing various rare treasures at high prices! Awaiting your visit!”

Chu Youcai read through the descriptions, noting the wide variety of services offered. The shop’s decor was far grander than others nearby. He nodded slightly to the women and entered.

He intended to learn about the market prices for renting cursed artifacts and locate inscription masters nearby.

From afar, many people shook their heads upon seeing Chu Youcai enter. “Another novice about to be scammed.”

“Changsun Heavenly Mansion looks so luxurious, yet in three years, no successful business. The shopkeeper must be struggling.”

“That shopkeeper’s just a freeloader, living off the owner’s money. The owner himself hasn’t returned in years…”

Chu Youcai, of course, paid no attention to such talk. He quickly entered and saw an old shopkeeper napping at a purple jade table, the man seemingly lost in a daydream, drooling slightly.

Scanning the empty shop, Chu Youcai thought: It seems the goods are upstairs.

He called out, “Shopkeeper, a customer has arrived.”

Startled awake, the shopkeeper blinked and, seeing an ordinary young gentleman, sighed in relief, but his face soon hardened. “What do you want?” His tone was harsh.

For three years, he had used the owner’s funds to decorate the shop lavishly, hoping to profit from acquiring rare treasures. But after purchasing high-priced junk several times, he was deeply in deficit. Eventually, he let the staff go and lived off the monthly allowance left by the owner.

Now managing this grand shop alone, he carried himself with a certain air of authority. Seeing a customer, who looked like a novice, he reverted to his usual stern demeanor.

Chu Youcai frowned. “Where are the items in your shop? If I want to rent a cursed artifact, what procedures must I follow?”

The shopkeeper thought disdainfully: Where did this greenhorn come from? Asking about renting cursed artifacts? In this entire city, cursed artifacts available for rent were scarce, and only those of distinguished status would come to rent them. Who asks about procedures?

He scowled further at the presumptuous question.