Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation Chapter 590: Drunk (3)

The two continued walking, leaving the bustling center behind. As they moved farther away, the scenery slowly changed, as if they were passing through layers of a city that few visitors would ever get to know.

The grand avenues of white marble, with their perfectly polished sidewalks and jade decorations, gave way to smaller streets paved with ancient stones worn down by time.

The stones were uneven, some loose, others covered with moss that glowed with a pale green light beneath the lanterns.

The luxurious buildings, adorned with gold, jade, and complex spiritual formations, were replaced by small family-owned shops, bakeries, taverns, and workshops that remained open late into the night.

The lighting changed as well, becoming softer, and more intimate. The enormous spirit lanterns suspended above the main avenues, shining with the intensity of tiny suns, gradually disappeared, replaced by small paper lanterns hanging beneath wooden rooftops.

Their light was warmer, gentler, creating a welcoming atmosphere that contrasted completely with the grandeur of the Caravan’s center.

Some children were still playing in the streets, chasing tiny spirit fireflies that glowed in shades of blue and green. Their laughter echoed through the narrow streets, a pure and carefree sound that seemed to belong to another world.

Couples walked peacefully after dinner, their steps slow and their arms intertwined. Old merchants chatted in front of their shops while drinking tea, their voices low and tranquil.

Here, no one seemed concerned about million-dollar auctions or legendary treasures. There were no cultivators displaying their techniques, nor disciples competing for attention. It was simply... a neighborhood where people lived, where life followed its normal course.

Kyrian observed everything in silence, his eyes taking in every detail with a curiosity he made no attempt to hide. It was strange. The Sky Caravan was famous for gathering only powerful cultivators, wealthy merchants, and experts from every field. But this part of the city seemed surprisingly... ordinary. Human.

"You’ve been looking around quite a bit."

Gao Ziyue’s voice brought him back to the present.

"I have." He answered sincerely, without any hesitation.

"Most people wouldn’t imagine that places like this existed in the Caravan."

She smiled, a smile that was more of a confirmation than an explanation.

"Most people really don’t. Everyone knows about the markets, the auctions, the grand plazas, and the famous restaurants. That’s what’s shown on the maps, what’s presented to visitors."

She raised a finger, as if sharing a secret.

"But those places were made for visitors. They’re beautiful, and impressive, but they’re merely a facade. The people who truly keep the Caravan running live here, the craftsmen, the merchants, the cooks, the blacksmiths, the families who have built this city for generations."

Then she discreetly pointed toward the small houses around them, each one telling its own story.

Kyrian watched a baker take freshly baked bread out of a stone oven, steam rising in fragrant waves. Farther ahead, an elderly woman watered small spiritual flowers planted in front of her house, their petals glowing with a soft light.

A man carried a child on his shoulders, the child laughing nonstop while pointing at small colorful lanterns hanging between the rooftops.

It was a simple scene, but it conveyed a peace that was difficult to explain. There was no ostentation, no competition, no constant pressure to be better than others. Just life, in its purest form.

"I like it here." Kyrian commented, his voice filled with a sincerity that needed no emphasis.

Gao Ziyue smiled discreetly, a smile that was more for herself than for him.

"That’s good."

She looked at Djiva, who remained deeply asleep, completely curled up in her hand. Every few seconds, the little serpent took a deep breath, causing its tiny body to rise and fall in a gentle rhythm.

Gao Ziyue’s eyes softened, infinite tenderness filling her gaze.

"She’s really tired..."

Kyrian nodded, watching the creature with interest.

"Will she grow quickly?"

"Probably. Spiritual beasts usually absorb all the remaining energy from the shell to accelerate their development during the first few days. It’s a natural process that ensures the youngling has enough strength to survive in its new environment."

She paused briefly, her eyes moving over the little curled-up form.

"But I’ve never taken care of a creature like her. I don’t even know what she is."

Her smile became curious, filled with admiration.

"It’s a mystery, and that makes her even more special."

Kyrian also looked at Djiva, his violet eyes capturing the gleam of her purple scales.

"Maybe you’ll find out someday. As she grows, her characteristics will become more apparent."

Gao Ziyue smiled again, a smile filled with pure hope.

"Yes."

Without realizing it, she gently tightened her hold on the little serpent against her palm, as if she wanted to protect it from the entire world.

...

They continued walking for a few more minutes, leaving the residential neighborhood behind. The silence returned naturally, a silence that did not need to be filled with words.

This time, however, Kyrian began to feel something strange. His head felt... light. The lights of the spirit lanterns seemed more beautiful than they had a few minutes earlier, their colors more vibrant and intense.

The shapes of the buildings seemed softer, as if covered by a layer of golden mist. The colors of the flowers in the windows were more vivid, their hues deeper and more saturated.

Even the night breeze seemed especially pleasant, caressing his skin with a softness he was not accustomed to.

He blinked several times, trying to focus. Strange. He tried to organize his thoughts, but they seemed to slip away like water between his fingers. He took a deep breath, the air entering his lungs with a clarity that seemed unreal.

It was then that a possibility arose in his mind, clear and undeniable.

’Could it be... I’m getting drunk?’

The idea seemed absurd. Kyrian had never been drunk before, nor had he consumed alcoholic beverages in sufficient quantities, or at least ones strong enough to affect a cultivator.

But it made sense. It was his first time drinking Celestial Lirium, and Gao Ziyue had warned him that the wine was special, that even powerful cultivators could become drunk. It seemed that the warning had been more than appropriate.