Zero initially wanted to act directly, but considering it was indeed unsafe and could potentially cause trouble.
Zero believed he wouldn't cause trouble, but he was also afraid of getting into trouble, especially in the Upper Realm where he had no power yet...
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but ask:
"Brother Jiang, do you have any places here that offer high confidentiality, won't reveal client identities, have good prices, and are reputable?"
Without hesitation, Jiang Quan replied to what Ling had described:
"You mean...an auction house?"
Jiang Quan initially thought of the black market, but the black market is a place where all kinds of people are present, including vicious criminals and hypocritical people.
Someone like Zero, who is new to the area and unaware of the dangers of the world, is better off staying away from the black market.
While black market prices may be much higher than at legitimate auction houses, security is not guaranteed...
However... even in auction houses, it's easy for murder and robbery to occur.
"There is an auction house in the nearest city."
Jiang Quan said slowly.
"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!"
Upon hearing this, Ling immediately grabbed Jiang Quan and prepared to leave.
"etc!"
Jiang Quan called out to Ling, who was beaming with joy.
"What's wrong?"
Without a doubt, he turned around and asked.
"No...you're going the wrong way...Luoyun City is to the east."
Jiang Quan really couldn't bear to interrupt Ling's enthusiasm.
However, if they follow Zero's westward route, they will never reach Luoyun City, no matter how long they travel.
Upon hearing this, Zero changed direction. Just then, Jiang Quan happened to be walking in front of him, and Zero gently nudged him, chuckling as he said:
"Please lead the way, Brother Jiang."
Jiang Quan was somewhat flattered by this offer of zero, but he still followed instructions and led the way. Before long, the two arrived at Luoyun City.
"stop!"
Just as the two were about to enter the city, they were stopped by the guards at the city gate.
Jiang Quan stepped forward and said with a simple smile:
"Brother, what is the meaning of this?"
The soldier sized Ling and Jiang Quan up and down several times, a hint of disdain creeping into his eyes as he looked at the fabric of their clothes. He thought to himself:
"These two are obviously from somewhere else, and they probably don't have anything of value on them. Let's give them a number and see their reaction..."
Thinking this, the soldier said to the two of them:
"Any outsider entering the city must pay fifty spirit stones as protection money."
"What?! Fifty spirit stones?! You might as well rob someone!"
Jiang Quan immediately started yelling.
Ling was unaware of the value of spirit stones and did not understand why Jiang Quan was so excited.
Jiang Quan whispered in Ling's ear:
“Brother Ling, this is not the central city, so prices are different. In an ordinary family, ten spirit stones can last for three months. Even in the central city, fifty spirit stones can last for half a month, and that's if you eat and drink well every day.”
"And in Luoyun City, right on the border, fifty spirit stones are merely the entrance fee!"
As for the soldiers' talk of protection money, it was nothing but a pretext.
Upon hearing this, Ling couldn't help but look up and survey her surroundings.
There were many people coming and going around, but none of them were stopped and asked for "protection money" like they were.
Seemingly understanding something, Zero stepped forward, squinted at the soldier, and said with a smile:
"Brother, are you trying to get us to pay protection money?"
Looking at Ling's smiling face, the soldier felt a sudden, inexplicable panic, but he still forced himself to say:
"No...that's right, if you want to enter the city, you have to...you have to pay a protection fee of fifty spirit stones first..."
Ling suddenly put on a very conflicted look, which left Jiang Quan, who was standing next to her, completely stunned.
“Spirit stones…I don’t have any.”
Zero said frankly.
"What?! You can't enter the city without spirit stones!"
The soldier thought Zero was going to hand over spirit stones, but when Zero said "no," he became even less willing to give them a friendly look.
"I thought I could get some spirit stones, but who knew which backwater brat came from? There wasn't a single thing to get out of him. What a waste of my breath..."
The soldier muttered something and turned back, no longer looking at Ling and Jiang Quan.
"etc!"
Just then, Zero suddenly called out to the soldiers who were about to return to the city gate.
"What are you doing!?"
Upon hearing Zero's voice, the soldier turned around somewhat impatiently.
"I may not have any spirit stones, but I have this. Let's see if you dare to accept it..."
As the sound of zero fell, a green plant suddenly appeared in his palm.
This is a medicinal herb from the Zero Elixir Space.
Although it's not a particularly old medicinal herb, Tu Ling said it's very valuable.
Although the Earth Spirit has been away from the Upper Realm for over a thousand years, the value of the spiritual medicine will not gradually fade with the passage of time.
Moreover, spiritual herbs are much less valuable than spiritual fruits, and therefore don't attract much attention.
Therefore, Zero took it out.
As for offsetting the city entry fee, that's naturally impossible.
Putting aside the fact that the soldier in front of him was clearly lying, there was no need for any "protection fee" to enter the city; it was all money he had collected privately.
Seeing that Ling and his group were unfamiliar and came from the other side of the border, he naturally saw them as "lambs to the slaughter," and how could he not take advantage of them?
Zero's real purpose in taking out the elixir was actually to meet the man by the window of a pavilion not far from the city.
Ever since he and Jiang Quan entered the city, Ling had felt a gaze watching them. There was no malice in it; it seemed to be just a simple observation and curiosity.
Those who cultivate can see a thousand miles ahead depending on the depth of their spiritual power, so Ling's actions naturally attracted that person's attention.
Therefore, he took out the elixir to test the man's reaction.
He could understand the soldiers not recognizing the value of the goods, but the person in the attic…
Zero clearly sensed something was amiss, even a subtle mental pressure. This pressure wasn't deliberately released, but rather felt natural, as if it were something he was born with.
...
"You think some random roadside weed is worth fifty spirit stones?"
The soldier merely glanced at the elixir in Zero's hand and then said disdainfully.
"If you don't have spirit stones, you should leave Luoyun City."
The soldier was about to send them away when—
"Young friend, please wait!"
Seeing Zero feigning anger as he turned to leave, the person in the attic finally couldn't hold back any longer.
As soon as the words were spoken, a figure suddenly appeared beside the three of them.
The man was dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, extremely handsome, with an elegant demeanor, light steps, and a smile as gentle as a spring breeze on his face.
He first took a few steps to Zero, nodded slightly in greeting, then turned to the soldier and said gently:
"They are both my friends, let them go into town."
Upon hearing this, the soldier immediately sprang to his feet and quickly bowed his head in response:
"Yes, yes!"
The soldiers instantly turned into docile lambs at the sight of the suddenly appearing boy, not even daring to look him in the eye...
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