Starting With 1 Trillion Spirit Stones, I Power Up by Raising Empresses - Chapter 19:

Chapter 19: The Crown Prince’s High-End Customization

On the second floor of the Immortal Spirit Restaurant, Xiao Jing watched with satisfaction as Mu Lanchu finished the entire table of dishes. He then called over the waiter to settle the bill.

Total: 75,000 Spirit Stones.

Xiao Jing frowned. They had eaten so much, and yet it only cost this little? But the next Realm breakthrough required 2 million Cultivation Points!

A thought suddenly struck him, and he asked the system, “I spent Spirit Stones for Binding Target No.1 and allowed Binding Target No.3 to earn them. Doesn’t that mean I spent 75,000 for Chuchu and also gave Su Yuyao 75,000? Can I get double rewards?”

He knew this idea probably wouldn’t work, but still asked—what if the system got confused? Wouldn’t he be able to bring Chuchu here every day and abuse the bug for double experience?

The system instantly responded coldly, [Host’s idea violates the rules.]

Fine. Then he’d have to think of another way to spend more Spirit Stones!

Xiao Jing instructed the system to pay for the meal.

[Host has spent 75,000 Spirit Stones on food for the Cultivation Target.]

[Congratulations, Host: You’ve received 75,000 Cultivation Points.]

[Current available Cultivation Points: 1,330,500.]

After the payment, Xiao Jing casually asked the waiter what other shops were in Chongyang Market.

“Replying to Your Highness, our Chongyang Market is the largest marketplace in Changtian City. In terms of prosperity and variety of goods, it’s ranked in the top ten across the continent! Anything cultivation-related that Your Highness can think of—elixirs, manuals, magical treasures, weapons, spirit beasts—we have businesses for them all!”

The waiter enthusiastically explained.

Xiao Jing nodded and took Mu Lanchu’s hand, “We’ve eaten and drunk our fill. Let’s go shopping and walk it off!”

The waiter courteously escorted the two to the restaurant’s entrance. The new steward, Wang Defu, arrived with several attendants and pulled the carriage over.

Seeing the Fifth Princess’s carriage, the waiter was briefly stunned. Such a worn-down vehicle, pulled by an ordinary horse?

It was said that the Fifth Princess had a difficult life, but he hadn’t expected her daily means of travel to be worse than an average wealthy household…

But now that the Fifth Princess’s bloodline had been restored, she would surely rise quickly.

The expression on the waiter’s face didn’t escape Xiao Jing’s notice.

Xiao Jing chuckled and casually said to the waiter, “You think it’s ridiculous too, right? The dignified Fifth Princess, the Emperor of Yan Empire’s own daughter, riding in such a shabby carriage—does that make sense?”

“Indeed, it doesn’t match Her Highness’s status at all,” the waiter agreed.

“Tell me, what was the Emperor of Yan Empire thinking? Is he poor? Stingy? Or does he just not want the Fifth Princess going out?”

“Uh…”

The waiter had heard rumors of the Fifth Princess’s past, but didn’t dare speak recklessly. So he quickly bowed and smiled, “Your Highness, just a short walk east from here is the Windborne Workshop. They sell all kinds of spirit-powered carriages, beast-drawn vehicles, flying boats, and spirit beast mounts. It’s a large establishment with many options. You might take Her Highness there for a look.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Jing nodded in satisfaction.

This waiter really knew how to talk!

He then boarded the shabby carriage with Mu Lanchu. Wang Defu drove, with several other attendants following.

Not far to the east, just past the intersection, stood the grand storefront of [Windborne Workshop].

Its wide-open gates could accommodate six carriages side by side. The building was uniquely designed, covering a vast area, spacious and imposing.

A few apprentices stood at the entrance, calling out to passersby.

When they saw Xiao Jing and Mu Lanchu step out of a run-down carriage, they all looked at the two with contempt.

They had never seen Xiao Jing before and didn’t recognize the Fifth Princess either. They assumed Xiao Jing was some countryside landlord’s foolish son, bringing along a girl at the 9th stage Body Refining Realm. The girl was pretty, so this young master, likely unable to cultivate, must have spent all his savings for her and brought her to Chongyang Market to buy some elixirs.

This kind of bottom-tier rogue cultivator wasn’t uncommon.

Too poor to even afford a decent spirit carriage, yet still had the nerve to stroll around Chongyang Market?

Entertaining freeloaders like them was a waste of effort!

All the attendants pretended not to see Xiao Jing and Mu Lanchu.

Only one slender, young apprentice named Li Er cautiously stepped forward and greeted, “You two… esteemed guests, would you like to take a look at our carriages?”

“Yes.”

“Then please, come in.” Li Er made a stiff welcoming gesture.

Behind them, the other attendants whispered and laughed.

“Where’d this foolish landlord’s son come from? He looks like he barely has a few Spirit Stones. Li Er’s just wasting his breath again.”

“Letting them inside to broaden their horizons isn’t a bad thing. After all, we are the largest vehicle workshop in Changtian City.”

“I’m talking about Li Er. He always welcomes those who only look and never buy.”

“Let him be. If he likes wasting effort, that’s his choice. I can’t be bothered.”

“Stop nagging. Li Er’s only been here for less than a month. He still can’t tell who’s who. Let him meet a few more weird guests and he’ll learn.”

“Exactly.”

“He’s a new apprentice. No harm trying. Who knows, maybe this foolish landlord’s son really buys the cheapest one. That’d still count as Li Er’s first sale today, wouldn’t it?”

“Haha, if those two actually buy something today, Li Er can treat you to two taels of wine!”

…

Xiao Jing, holding Chuchu’s hand, followed Li Er into Windborne Workshop.

The interior was enormous, with multiple grand halls, each displaying different categories of spirit-powered vehicles and boats.

In the central main hall, at the most prominent spot, stood a tall platform about waist-high. On it sat an imposing carriage mainly decorated in purple-gold tones.

Lavish and majestic, it was clearly worth a fortune.

Hanging from the carriage’s yoke was a striking wooden sign.

[Not for Sale. Custom War Carriage. Display Only.]

Xiao Jing’s gaze was drawn to the luxurious carriage. He paused and asked, “Why isn’t this one for sale?”

“Oh, this one was custom-made by the Crown Prince,” Li Er answered cautiously.

“The Crown Prince Bi Hao of Yan Empire?” Xiao Jing narrowed his eyes, puzzled. “If it was custom-made, why is it on display here?”

“Our steward said the Crown Prince couldn’t pay for it. He wanted our shopkeeper to give it to him for free. But the shopkeeper refused, so for now, it remains in our shop as a display piece.”

“This carriage looks extremely extravagant. And the Crown Prince wants it for free? What a thick-skinned guy.”

“We wouldn’t dare say such things, but what you said makes sense,” Li Er replied honestly.

Xiao Jing laughed and continued walking deeper into the shop.

The variety of carriages and boats inside was impressive.

There were aerial types and land vehicles, divided into two major categories: beast-drawn and spirit-powered.

Beast-drawn vehicles required matching spirit beasts. Their structures were mostly similar—yoke in front, differences mainly in interior and exterior decoration.

Spirit-powered vehicles were further divided into two types: larger models powered by Spirit Stones, and smaller, more agile ones driven by the cultivator’s own spiritual energy.

The spirit-powered models didn’t require a yoke, so their designs had greater freedom. Many looked extravagant and bizarre, more for showing off than for practical travel.

To Xiao Jing, this place felt more like an exhibition hall.

He was genuinely surprised at the craftsmanship and creativity of this world. The capital of the Yan Empire truly appeared grand on the surface—nothing like a savage land of killing.

At the same time, he was a little disappointed.

These vehicles were all too cheap!

Most were priced between 30,000 and 50,000 Spirit Stones, with the most expensive only a bit over 100,000. Many were even on discount.

The cheapest? A basic flying Iron Ruyi priced at 5,000 Spirit Stones, discounted to just 3,500!

Absurd.

Xiao Jing was baffled. The shop items weren’t expensive at all, yet the attendants at the entrance looked at him like he couldn’t afford anything. What were they thinking?

Meanwhile, Li Er stayed quietly beside him, not daring to speak much.

After the three of them toured several of the shop’s halls, they returned to the central hall.

Li Er cautiously asked, “Esteemed guests, may I ask what type of carriage you’re looking for?”

“I want to see the most expensive one you’ve got,” Xiao Jing replied bluntly.