Chapter 3510: The Three Ruling Kingdoms Of The Southern Continent

The group entered the market district just as the evening crowds thickened. Lanterns lit the streets in warm hues of gold and amber, reflecting off damp stone and flowing canals. Stalls overflowed with goods from the sea and forest alike.

Freshly caught fish shimmered on beds of ice. Crustaceans the size of shields clacked lazily in shallow tanks. Seaweed strands rich with water elemental Qi were bundled neatly beside baskets of glowing pearls.

From inland came goods of a different sort. Bundles of rainforest herbs, their leaves still wet with condensation. Thick fruits with tough skins and sweet, Qi rich flesh. Beast materials ranging from hardened hides to bone shards infused with lingering energies.

Little Shrubby darted from stall to stall, his nose twitching rapidly.

"This," he said, pointing a claw at a slab of marbled meat, "comes from a Tideback Grazer. A type of a water buffalo that lives near the coast and swims really well. Very fatty. Very good for slow braising."

"And that?" Meng Bai asked, pointing to a basket of small blue berries.

"Stormdew Berries," Little Shrubby replied instantly. "They explode if overheated. Very annoying, but rich in water and lightning elemental qi. Very delicious if handled properly."

Lin Mu watched with mild amusement as stall owners stared in shock at a small beast confidently mewing and discussing cooking techniques with a young man. Fortunately, most assumed Little Shrubby was some kind of contracted spirit beast, which was not entirely wrong.

Cattaleya, meanwhile, drew attention without trying.

At two meters tall, broad shouldered, and radiating a quiet, but barely restrained power, she towered over most people in the market. Conversations hushed as she passed. Some stared openly. Others whispered.

"Is she a beast in human form?"

"No, look at the muscles. That has to be a beastkin."

"I have never seen someone built like that."

Cattaleya noticed, of course. She simply ignored it.

"Backwater world," she muttered. "They would faint if they saw the Martial Fist King World."

Meng Bai tried to keep close, looking slightly uncomfortable with the attention. "At least no one is worshipping you this time."

Cattaleya snorted. "That was more fun."

Lin Mu kept their purchases modest this time.

Enough ingredients for several weeks of cooking, a few interesting herbs, and some fruits that caught his eye. He deliberately avoided large scale purchases, storing everything discreetly to avoid drawing excessive attention.

After nearly two hours of wandering, they returned to the inn, where Little Shrubby immediately set about preparing food in the courtyard kitchen. The aroma quickly spread, drawing appreciative glances from passing staff and guests.

As night fully settled, Elyon returned.

He looked energized, eyes bright with the familiar gleam he got whenever he unearthed good information.

"Well," Lin Mu said, pouring him a cup of tea, "you look pleased."

Elyon accepted it and nodded. "Much better than Blue City. This place actually talks. The mercenaries are at least at the base level of standard of mine and they do have a proper intelligence gathering branches all over the continent."

They gathered around a low table as Little Shrubby continued cooking nearby. Though the scent of the food was still pulling attention from people passing by. It was far too tantalizing after all.

A couple people almost wandered into their courtyard thinking the restaurant was located there instead of the other side.

Lin Mu gestured. "Go ahead."

Elyon leaned forward. "I confirmed a lot about the Butterfly Kingdom and what became of it. The former capital city still exists, but it is no longer under a single banner."

Cattaleya crossed her arms. "We know that."

"Yes, but the details matter," Elyon continued. "The city is now jointly controlled by three kingdoms. The Alabaster Plains Kingdom. The Olive Canopy Kingdom. And the Great Steppe Kingdom."

Daoist Chu had not yet returned, but Lin Mu nodded for Elyon to continue.

"The Alabaster Plains Kingdom," Elyon said, "controls the northern section of the former Butterfly Kingdom territory. They are rich in mineral resources. Stone, ores, even some rare immortal metals."

"But?" Meng Bai asked.

"But their land is dry," Elyon replied. "The soil is poor. Large scale agriculture is difficult. They rely heavily on imports for food."

Lin Mu nodded. "Typical."

"The Olive Canopy Kingdom," Elyon went on, "controls most of the rainforest regions. Fertile land, abundant water, excellent conditions for crops."

"That sounds good," Meng Bai said.

"It would be," Elyon replied, "if not for the beasts. The rainforest is dangerous. Farms are constantly attacked. Settlements require heavy defenses. Losses are frequent."

Cattaleya grinned. "That sounds more interesting."

"And the Great Steppe Kingdom?" Lin Mu asked.

"Vast open lands," Elyon said. "Excellent for rearing spirit and immortal beasts. They rely on livestock rather than crops. But the soil itself is not suitable for farming."

Lin Mu leaned back, considering. "So each of them lacks something."

"Exactly," Elyon said. "Food, safety, or diversity."

Meng Bai frowned slightly. "And the Butterfly Kingdom had all of it?"

"Yes," Elyon confirmed. "Fertile plains. Stable rivers. Lakes. Moderate beast activity. Natural defenses. It was balanced."

Cattaleya clicked her tongue. "No wonder they were torn apart."

Lin Mu’s expression grew thoughtful. "And now the capital city sits between these three, acting as a joint economic hub."

"Yes," Elyon said. "Trade flows through it. None of them want to destroy it. They need it."

Lin Mu exhaled slowly. "That means the teleportation array should be well maintained."

"Confirmed," Elyon said. "It is."

That brought a sense of relief to everyone at the table.

Meng Bai smiled faintly. "So our path is clear."

"For now," Lin Mu replied.

Little Shrubby placed several steaming dishes onto the table, interrupting further discussion. The rich scent of ocean spices and slow cooked beast meat filled the air.

"Eat first," Little Shrubby declared proudly. "Planning is better with full stomachs."

No one argued.

As they ate under the warm night air of Equator Port City, Lin Mu reflected quietly.

This world was not powerful.

It was not refined.

But it was layered, shaped by slow history rather than sudden catastrophes.

And somewhere within it lay their next step forward.

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