Chapter 97: Chapter 92: Special Treatment (Merged Chapters)_3

Qingqing nodded, "It’s said that in the human realm, there’s a mysterious Ghost Street, where the passing souls and spirits congregate. In reality, it’s a place for ghosts to trade."

"The sellers are ghosts, and the buyers are ghosts too."

"Here, you can purchase many strange and bizarre items, some of which are coveted treasures among Ghost Cultivators."

"That’s why Ghost Cultivators have always tried desperately to sneak in, but for ordinary living humans, this is a deadly place, because according to Ghost Street’s rules: The departed may enter; the living must stay away."

"Once a living person intrudes here, they will immediately be attacked by countless ghostly beings."

"It’s rumored that Ghost Street has no specific entrance, theoretically, it can be entered from any corner of the human realm."

"But few people know how to actually enter it."

Chu Xuan pondered, "Then our luck is really bad, just wandering around and we end up stumbling into Ghost Street. Do you know how to get out?"

Qingqing frowned and shook her head, "But I’ve got some guesses about the token in your hand."

"I’ve heard that after multiple transactions on Ghost Street, if the amount is high enough, you can obtain a Ghost Token."

"The bearer of this token can enjoy a ten percent discount on all purchases, just like the treatment given to VIPs."

She looked Chu Xuan up and down, "Have you been here before?"

Chu Xuan immediately shook his head, "No, definitely not."

In reality, he felt increasingly uneasy—how could he get a VIP platinum card without having bought anything? Surely it wasn’t because he was good-looking...

As if to confirm Qingqing’s words, as Chu Xuan passed by a paper figurine shop, he heard a strange voice drifting from inside:

"Paper people and horses, buy one."

In one glance, the dim, cold interior of the shop was deserted, but as the voice came out, the neatly arranged paper figurines, paper horses, paper sedan chairs, and such all seemed to lean outward, hoping to be purchased.

Among them, a female paper figure dressed in a flaring water sleeve costume was painted quite attractively, with a heart-shaped face accentuated with blush, a slender waist, and a delicate yet eerie beauty. Most astonishingly, it even winked at Chu Xuan.

He instantly recalled seeing someone selling similar paper figures at a stall in the Mountain Sea Market before; did they serve the same purpose?

Chu Xuan felt tempted, "Are the items here expensive?"

Qingqing glared at the paper figure and snorted, "Foxy spirit, even as a ghost it still wants to seduce men."

Then she turned to Chu Xuan, speaking in a blunt tone, "You really want to spend the night with a ghost, don’t you?"

Chu Xuan was somewhat amused and exasperated, "Where do you see that? Besides, isn’t this just a paper figure?"

Qingqing shook her head, "You lack insight. This is a ghost made into a paper figure."

"It’s not comparable to the cheap goods outside. To use it, you burn it, and it transforms into a real woman."

"To be precise, a female ghost."

Chu Xuan grew more intrigued, "Then will she obey my commands?"

"Usually, yes, but there’s no guarantee that she won’t turn against her owner at some point."

Qingqing spoke with a bit of schadenfreude, purposely transmitting with Divine Sense, "Even if you want to buy it, you can’t afford it, because you don’t have any money on you."

At this, Chu Xuan immediately showcased the Ghost Token in his hand, "What is this, proof of being a VIP customer? Look, even the shopkeeper is proactively soliciting. You say I have no money?"

Qingqing couldn’t help but cover her mouth and chuckle, "What’s circulating here is ghost money, not Spirit Stones. They don’t even accept artifacts or pills. I don’t believe you happen to carry such rare items."

Now it was Chu Xuan’s turn to feel awkward, "What kind of ghost money, paper money?"

Qingqing shook her head, "I’ve never seen it myself, but I’ve heard it only circulates in the Underworld. Generally speaking, even cultivators find it useless. It’s said that even among Ghost Cultivators, ghost money is extremely rare and precious."

"Buy one, it’s very cheap."

The mysterious shopkeeper’s voice continued, floating and eerie, impossible to distinguish between male or female.

Chu Xuan shook his head, about to lead Qingqing away, when the paper figurine shop suddenly spoke again:

"Buy one, for just ten years of lifespan."

Chu Xuan was startled, and Qingqing also felt a chill, because that simple sentence conveyed two pieces of information:

1. On Ghost Street, transactions can be made not just with ghost money, but also by using lifespan;

2. Although the two were communicating with Divine Sense, the shopkeeper had already deduced that Chu Xuan might be broke, and it identified him as a living person, meaning the shopkeeper was not a mere muddled ghost being outside.

To trade ten years of lifespan for an unknown ghost?

Chu Xuan wasn’t foolish enough for that. He immediately pulled Qingqing along and quickly walked away.

Fortunately, the shopkeeper seemed unwilling to engage in forced sales, though it continued muttering "Buy one, it originally cost twenty years of lifespan," Chu Xuan just acted like it was a meaningless chant, ignoring it.

...

Ghost Street goes on indefinitely, and along the way, it wasn’t just the paper figurine shop owner; any time Chu Xuan got close to the street shops, there were voices actively soliciting.

A steamed bun shop even sent out an assistant, offering him a dead man’s head to "sample."

Chu Xuan repeatedly refused, profusely thanking the shopkeeper for their kindness.

He did consider that perhaps the dead man’s head had another purpose; not consuming it on spot, but taking it away might work.

But on this dangerous and eerie Ghost Street, taking items without spending at the shop made Chu Xuan suspect the owner might grab two butcher knives at any moment to settle accounts with him.

Finally reaching the central area of the street, Chu Xuan found a bit of peace and quiet.