Chapter 194: Stirring Up a Sensation

At this moment a large crowd of Beastfolk were queuing in front of Yuequan Lou for inspection, the air thick with the oppressive aura Xiong Kui exuded among the male beasts, and merchants from all over lined up on the street, waiting to enter the shops.

Lin Manzhi stood outside the crowd, tiptoed and stretched her neck inward, "Shall we go in and see how the Holy Maiden Fruit is selling?"

Mo Lie: "Fine."

He nonchalantly turned his head to look at the Guard Squad behind him, his icy‑blue eyes giving the crowd squeezed in front of Yuequan Lou a glance.

The Guard Squad, having received the signal, hurried over and stood apart beside the long queue.

Within a few steps forward, Lin Manzhi found the path ahead of Yuequan Lou empty; a passage carved out by the Beastfolk as a wall stood in stark contrast to the neighboring crowd that stretched like a long dragon.

It was clearly a privilege reserved for the elite, a right not to have to queue with others.

Under the lords of the various continents, there are assorted nobles who are never bound by rules, their powerful bloodlines even earning the admiration of the Beastfolk in their domains.

Such a privilege representing power and might first appeared after Kuangsha City declared itself an independent private territory.

The crowd queuing nearby fell silent, their curiosity mixed with fear as they glanced sideways.

In the center, tightly guarded by the Guard Squad, a towering male Beastfolk wore a Black Cloak, half‑cradling a slightly smaller female; beneath a palm‑wide belt, his long legs in black trousers stepped forward in sync with the female's pace.

Both wore uniquely styled cloaks with their headscarves attached, the broad black capes completely covering their features; though their faces were hidden, the male Beastfolk exuded an astonishing aura.

The onlookers were collectively stunned, watching the two walk forward: "…"

Seeing them head straight for Yuequan Lou, they must be after the Holy Maiden Fruit, right?

Do they even understand? Even if they're powerful, they shouldn't be so arrogant on someone else's turf??

No matter which continent they come from, daring to show off in Kuangsha City will surely bring them bad luck!

Look! The Guard Squad from Yuequan Lou is coming over.

Mo Lie half‑cradled Lin Manzhi as they approached Yuequan Lou; beneath his black cape, a pale, sharp jawline and thin, indifferent lips formed a cold, aloof expression.

Under the tense gaze of the crowd—

"You're here! Let me clear the way for you, this way, please," Xiong Kui said, his eyes shining, his massive bear‑like body oddly bending into a flattering pose; the Guard Squad behind him followed nervously, immediately joining the direction that blocked the crowd.

"Mm." He gave a slight nod, then coldly withdrew his gaze.

Mo Lie lowered his eyes, his hand protecting Lin Manzhi's side.

He seemed indifferent to everything around him, his focus solely on the Lin Manzhi in his arms; in a low, pleasant voice he said, "Zhi Zhi, walk a bit slower, watch the steps."

Xiong Kui: "…?!"

Blind!

Only then did he notice the female in the lord's arms; Mo Lie had always seemed cold, ruthless, decisive, a dominant male Beastfolk leader.

At this moment, Mo Lie's demeanor toward the female in his arms was completely different from memory, constantly attending to her appearance—a truly considerate and gentle feeling.

It almost made Xiong Kui blurt out to the black‑cloaked Beastfolk, "Who are you?"

Had he not sensed the lord's aura, Xiong Kui would truly have thought it was some powerful Beastfolk from the outer city.

Xiong Kui, still shocked, didn't halt his steps, following Mo Lie into Yuequan Lou.

Even more shocked than Xiong Kui were the people queued before Yuequan Lou.

So… the great figure capable of making a Beastfolk as mighty as Xiong Kui bow his head—could it be??

A Celestial Beast!

Could it be the legendary lord of Kuangsha City?

I didn't expect someone so young to subdue the troublemakers of the chaotic zone; he can produce a medicinal plant like the Holy Maiden Fruit—though the Kuangsha City lord's strength is unclear, his tactics are truly impressive.

And that female—what's her background, that the Kuangsha City lord carries and protects her all the way?

Everyone watched the two protected figures vanish at the doorway, their emotions roiling like waves, yet they only dared to think it silently, never speaking out loud.

Inside Yuequan Lou.

Stirring the crowd's curiosity, Lin Manzhi entered Yuequan Lou, shedding the probing gazes and feeling a lightness on her body.

Yuequan Lou regulates the flow of people; outside the queue is bustling, while inside it is cool and spacious, and the Beastfolk who come in are there to purchase goods.

Especially driven by the Holy Maiden Fruit, the crowd is much larger than before, with many customers on several floors of Yuequan Lou.

At the Holy Maiden Fruit counter, it's even more crowded; the freshly stocked goods have only just been displayed, yet a large group already waits, while the clerks behind the counter collect payment, retrieve items, and pack them.

Lin Manzhi stood in a less crowded spot, watching Su Zhen and several clerks at work; familiar with the transactions, she didn't bother to join them.

She stood beside a tree resembling a saxaul, looked at the excited crowd, turned to Mo Lie and whispered, "Mo Mo, I suddenly feel our current Planting Base isn't enough; cherry‑radish only takes a little over thirty days to grow, maturing much faster than the Holy Maiden Fruit. Let's add another Planting Base dedicated to cherry‑radish."

She lowered her head, extended a finger and, while speaking, snapped off a finger: "The Mountain Sea Tavern needs it, and Yuequan Lou can also stock fresh cherry radish for sale—a single food item yields double profit!"

Finishing, Lin Manzhi slightly lifted her head and looked at Mo Lie.

Mo Lie clearly didn't care whether to build a Planting Base or not.

He lowered his gaze; beneath his long lashes, his eyes were like an unattainable deep‑blue sky, casting a distant, aloof stare at Lin Manzhi.

Her clear, dark eyes lifted slightly; from his perspective, the rounder eyes shone with innocent brightness. Meeting his gaze, he could plainly see her inner thought—a pure joy, as if planting gave her a great sense of accomplishment.

Staring at Lin Manzhi before him, his cold heart softened instantly, his tone rising at the end with a bright fondness: "Fine, build as large as you wish; you could reshape the entire desert."

"Haha…" Lin Manzhi giggled, looking at Mo Lie, tilting her head playfully: "Then I'll plant watermelons across the sand, so you'll never lack watermelons to eat."

Mo Lie's gentle eyes paused imperceptibly for a moment.

Watermelon? Tastes good, but he doesn't like to eat it.