546: Yunque City, the cost is terrible (65k words)

“An adult newly arrived from the Universe Zone?”

Lin Yang repeated the question, then glanced at He Linchuan. From He Linchuan’s expression, it was evident that such occurrences were common in this spacetime and not a secret.

Therefore, with just two questions, he had already revealed himself as a newcomer.

He didn’t deny it, nodding, “You could say that.”

“Really?!”

He Linchuan was very excited.

Extremely excited.

He hadn’t expected his fantasy to suddenly come true!

He actually encountered an adult newly arrived from the Universe Zone.

Immediately, He Linchuan obediently said:

“To answer the adult, this is the Mirror Ruins Realm. This grassland is the Desolate Grassland, located between Jin Shi Kingdom’s Feng Gang City and Kunyu Country’s Yun Que City. It’s an ungoverned wilderness area.”

Saying this, he pointed in the direction behind Lin Yang, elaborating:

“If you head that way, it’s Jin Shi Kingdom’s Feng Gang City. Yun Que City is ahead. If you go to Feng Gang City, based on the average travel speed of newly arrived adults, it would take about half a month from here to Feng Gang City.”

Hearing this, Lin Yang’s eyes flickered.

Mirror Ruins Realm?

Jin Shi Kingdom?

He was somewhat astonished.

Before he came, the White Fatty Old Man had told him that if he ever arrived in the Mirror Ruins Realm, he hoped he wouldn’t form any connections with Jin Shi’s people.

But it was just a reminder.

After all, there were too many spacetimes in the Endless Spacetime, and the teleportation was random.

He hadn’t expected to be so lucky as to arrive in the Mirror Ruins Realm in one go.

But now… “My luck is still a bit too mysterious. I actually arrived in this Mirror Ruins Realm, and it’s quite close to Jin Shi’s city…”

Lin Yang also didn’t know what to say.

His luck… was indescribable.

After a moment of internal Feeling, he then asked:

“Little guy, it sounds like you think I’ll go to that Feng Gang City in Jin Shi Kingdom?”

The guy specifically introduced the situation for going to Feng Gang City, but didn’t mention Yun Que City.

Clearly, he assumed Lin Yang would go to Feng Gang City.

This made him a bit puzzled, or rather, curious.

He Linchuan immediately and respectfully explained:

“Adult, newly arrived adults who appear in this area basically all choose to go to Feng Gang City.”

“Because Jin Shi Kingdom is much stronger than Kunyu Country, and Feng Gang City is also slightly more prosperous than Yun Que City. In the Mirror Ruins Realm, the strength of a country represents greater safety.”

“Oh…” Lin Yang’s expression shifted again, understanding what the White Fatty Old Man meant by “newcomers find it difficult to completely avoid Jin Shi.”

Water flows downhill, and people strive for higher ground.

Since Jin Shi was stronger, anyone appearing near its sphere of influence would naturally choose to go to Jin Shi.

Admiration for strength is also one of human nature’s traits.

“However, Jin Shi, or rather, Jin Shi, is my master’s enemy, so I definitely won’t go to Jin Shi.”

Lin Yang muttered to himself, then asked:

“Then, what about going to Yun Que City?”

“Ah? Go to Yun Que City?”

He Linchuan was momentarily stunned, but immediately replied again:

“Adult, going to Yun Que City is a bit closer, it only takes about ten days.”

Lin Yang nodded slightly, then casually asked:

“What’s your name?”

“To answer the adult, junior He Linchuan, from the He Family of Yun Que City.” He Linchuan respectfully replied.

This made Lin Yang pause: “You are a disciple from a family within the city?”

“Yes!” He Linchuan quickly answered.

“Then why are you here?” Lin Yang re-examined He Linchuan.

He was somewhat surprised, or rather, astonished.

This guy was only at the Spirit Realm level.

Just now, he thought He Linchuan was from a wilderness settlement or a wanderer.

After all, families that could live within a city had a certain level of strength, and it was usually unlikely for them to let their juniors venture into the wilderness.

Especially alone.

Even if there was business to attend to, at least Old Ancestor Breaking Universe Realm individuals would go out.

Allowing a junior of the Spirit Realm level to survive and adventure alone in the wilderness was basically something only people from wilderness communities who couldn’t afford to live in the city would do for survival.

But he was actually from a family in Yun Que City, and they shared the same surname.

That meant he was at least a direct descendant.

How could a dignified city family let a Spirit Realm level direct descendant venture alone in the wilderness?

Lin Yang was very surprised.

No matter how down and out a family living in a city was, they wouldn’t be so poor as to be unable to support a direct descendant with the same surname, would they?

“Junior…”

He Linchuan hesitated, then honestly said:

“Junior is here to collect Xun Ge Vine by family command.”

He didn’t say anything else.

After all, this was an unfamiliar adult.

He only stated the reason and purpose for being there.

“Oh…” Lin Yang’s eyes flickered, and he didn’t ask any more about it.

He had experienced so much.

With a few words, combined with some of He Linchuan’s expressions, he could tell that this guy was likely not favored within the family and was therefore assigned such a dangerous task.

The He Family probably wanted this guy to die in the wilderness.

However, this was an internal family matter of others, so he naturally couldn’t say much.

After a pause, Lin Yang said:

“I’m new here and need a guide. If it’s convenient for you, I can hire you.”

Although He Linchuan had given him a general direction.

This Desolate Grassland was simply too vast, and in a high-level spacetime, without a precise direction, it was easy to deviate.

And even a slight deviation could ultimately lead to spending many times more time to find the exact destination again.

So, as a newcomer, finding a guide directly was the most time-saving option.

Many people who lived in the wilderness specialized in this kind of guiding work.

However, while some guides genuinely earned money by leading the way, there were also groups that specialized in hunting down newcomers.

Therefore, finding a suitable guide also depended a bit on luck.

Lin Yang felt that the He Linchuan in front of him was very suitable.

Firstly, this guy’s strength posed no threat to him.

Secondly, he was a disciple from a family within the city.

Although he seemed not very favored, he definitely knew more about the situation within the city.

All this information was very useful to him as a newcomer.

Besides that, this guy was also the first person he had encountered since arriving here.

People, for their first time and the first person or thing they encounter, tend to have a special feeling.

Therefore, Lin Yang decided to hire He Linchuan.

He Linchuan was immediately overjoyed, expressing his gratitude repeatedly:

“Thank you, adult, for giving junior this opportunity and care. Junior is endlessly grateful!”

He was genuinely very happy and excited.

Because before he even had a chance to ask, Lin Yang had actively offered to hire him.

This made He Linchuan extremely grateful.

“It’s not really care; this is more like mutual benefit.” Lin Yang waved his hand, then said: “Can we depart directly now?”

“Yes, yes!” He Linchuan nodded quickly.

The price of one employment was enough for him to exceed his quota for collecting Xun Ge Vine!

He naturally dared not delay, no longer thinking about collecting the remaining few Xun Ge Vines.

He was afraid Lin Yang would change his mind.

He turned and began to precisely guide Lin Yang on the route to Feng Gang City.

However, Lin Yang said: “I’m not going to Feng Gang City; I’m going to Yun Que City.”

“Ah?”

He Linchuan was first instinctively stunned, then immediately re-directed Lin Yang, apologizing in a panic: “I’m very sorry, adult. Junior thought you were only curiously asking about Yun Que City’s situation just now, and would actually still go to Feng Gang City.”

“It’s fine.”

Lin Yang waved his hand.

Newcomers basically all chose to go to Feng Gang City, so there was nothing wrong with this guy thinking that.

Immediately, he added:

“Also, you don’t have to be so constantly apprehensive. I won’t eat people; relax a bit.”

“Uh… yes… yes, junior remembers.” He Linchuan became awkward, then nodded stiffly.

But in his heart, he was much happier.

Lin Yang being so kind meant he had indeed encountered a benevolent adult!

Moreover, not going to Feng Gang City but to Yun Que City meant he could also go home along the way.

This way, he could not only save the cost of returning to Yun Que City from Feng Gang City later but also be safer.

He Linchuan’s heart was already brimming with excitement.

This trip, he would earn a lot more!

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

The next instant, He Linchuan only felt Lin Yang gripping his shoulder, enveloped by a surge of power, and they began to travel at an astonishing speed.

This immediately startled He Linchuan, and he quickly said: “A-adult, when traveling in the wilderness, especially at night, one must be careful not to disturb the fierce beasts…”

“It’s fine. As long as there are no super fierce beasts above the Boundary Realm, it doesn’t matter.”

Lin Yang, however, maintained his speed, speaking indifferently.

Although he was currently only an Old Ancestor, the Boundary Realm fierce beasts he had encountered while traveling before couldn’t cause him too much trouble.

He could shake off those Boundary Realm fierce beasts.

Moreover, by using the power of the “Boundary,” he could even completely suppress Boundary Realm fierce beasts.

That’s why Lin Yang traveled at full speed.

His time was precious, and he was unwilling to waste extra time on the journey.

He Linchuan, however, was in utter shock: “It doesn’t matter as long as there are no super fierce beasts above the Boundary Realm?”

He stared blankly at Lin Yang.

Didn’t this mean that Lin Yang didn’t even care about Boundary Realm fierce beasts?

Someone who had just arrived from the Universe Zone actually didn’t care about Boundary Realm fierce beasts?

“Could this benevolent adult be one of those super dazzling figures who became a Boundary Realm existence within the Universe Zone?!”

He Linchuan couldn’t help but speculate.

And he was even more shocked.

To not care about Boundary Realm fierce beasts, his strength was undoubtedly stronger than Boundary Realm fierce beasts.

At least, not weaker!

But under normal circumstances, someone who had just arrived in a new spacetime from the Universe Zone would at most be at the peak of the third level of the Breaking Universe Realm.

There was still a way to go before becoming a Boundary Realm.

Moreover, even if one had just become a Boundary Realm, it was impossible to completely disregard Boundary Realm fierce beasts.

After all, the three levels after the Boundary Realm had vastly different strengths.

The three levels of the Boundary Realm were not like the Breaking Universe Realm Old Ancestor, where the difference between earlier and later stages was not very significant, and only after the third level could the gap widen based on accumulated experience.

After reaching the Boundary Realm, the difference at each level was enormous!

It could be as vast as crossing major realms!

Even the early and late stages of the first level had such a large difference!

Therefore, even ordinary Boundary Realm existences wouldn’t easily say they could disregard Boundary Realm fierce beasts.

Among Boundary Realm fierce beasts, many possessed the power of the third level peak.

Yet Lin Yang said he didn’t care?!

This greatly shocked He Linchuan, even making his heart tremble.

His gaze and expression also became even more reverent.

Possessing such incredible strength right after leaving the Universe Zone meant his talent and potential were terrifyingly impressive!

Looking across the Endless Spacetime, he was definitely one of the most dazzling figures!

In fact, he had never even heard of such a figure appearing!

To reach the Boundary Realm within the Universe Zone was already enough to astound the Endless Spacetime.

As for someone like Lin Yang, who didn’t put all Boundary Realm fierce beasts in his eyes, He Linchuan couldn’t even imagine.

He couldn’t imagine that Lin Yang, having just arrived here, could possess such strength, and what incredible heights he would be able to reach in the future!

He only felt that he had incredibly good luck this time!

To be able to guide such a prominent figure.

"Perhaps in the future, when this adult becomes a well-known figure in the Mirror Ruins Realm, I can tell others that I once guided him!"

He Linchuan began to fantasize in his mind again.

But then, he seemed to have thought of something else, hesitated for a moment, and still spoke:

"Adult, I have something to say, I don't know if I should say it or not. It might be a bit presumptuous and offensive."

"Speak," Lin Yang turned his head to look at him.

"If you are leaving your universe for the first time and have reached this level of strength within the Universe Zone, then I still advise you not to easily expose this point, otherwise, there might be some trouble..." He Linchuan said cautiously.

Lin Yang frowned: "Trouble? What trouble?"

"Adult, being able to reach the Boundary Realm within the Universe Zone is already a very dazzling existence in the Endless Spacetime, and many forces will try to recruit you."

He Linchuan explained in detail again:

"And if someone recruits you, and you accept the recruitment, you will naturally offend some people. They will... will..."

Towards the end of his sentence, He Linchuan seemed a bit hesitant to speak certain words directly, fearing he might displease Lin Yang.

Lin Yang understood instantly, smiled, and said: "You mean that some forces or individuals will have the mentality of 'if I can't have it, I'll destroy it' to deal with powerful individuals who don't accept their recruitment, right?"

"...Yes." He Linchuan nodded lightly.

"I understand, thank you. I'll be careful." Lin Yang thanked him with a smile.

He Linchuan's words had indeed reminded him.

Now is not like being in the Ten Thousand Universes; the major forces in the advanced spacetime are complex, and one must act more cautiously.

"You are too kind, Adult."

He Linchuan dared not accept Lin Yang's thanks and quickly bowed.

Lin Yang smiled, said nothing more, and continued to travel at full speed.

After several days.

He Linchuan seemed to have mustered his courage and cautiously said again:

"A-Adult, do you need some information about Yun Que City?"

"I can give you a copy, for only three thousand mirror ruins coins..."

Lin Yang turned his head to look at him again: "Information?"

"Yes..."

He Linchuan dared not look directly into Lin Yang's eyes and said with his head down:

"A piece of information within the city costs ten thousand. Although mine is not as comprehensive, the price is very low..."

"Of course, besides the information, I will also tell you all the slightly valuable news I know."

Lin Yang pondered for a moment upon hearing this: "Three thousand mirror ruins coins..."

To be honest, this price was not expensive.

Because the information Song Qingfeng gave him also mentioned that it was best to buy information from private hands.

This could facilitate a quick understanding of the current spacetime and the situation of the place.

Especially for those living outside the city, although their information was not comprehensive, the price was much cheaper, making it very suitable for newcomers to purchase.

The cost-effectiveness was extremely high.

However, the specific situation of the Mirror Ruins Realm was not recorded in that data.

He was not sure how many mirror ruins coins a special resource could be exchanged for here.

He Linchuan grew anxious when Lin Yang remained silent.

Fortunately, Lin Yang quickly told him: "Three thousand is fine, but I don't have any mirror ruins coins right now. Let's talk about it after I exchange some in the city."

He Linchuan was immediately overjoyed and repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Thank you, Adult! Thank you, Adult!"

Lin Yang shook his head, flipped his wrist, and a common special resource appeared. He asked He Linchuan: "Do you know the exchange rate between this resource and mirror ruins coins?"

"This is... Boundary Realm matter."

He Linchuan was quite knowledgeable about this and said directly:

"For this matter, common quality, the exchange rate with mirror ruins coins is one to ten thousand. Medium quality is one to fifty thousand. High quality will be more expensive, roughly one to two hundred thousand!"

"Oh... Is it that cheap?" Lin Yang was a little surprised.

This thing could allow an Old Ancestor at the third level of the Old Ancestor Realm to continue breaking through within the Universe Zone.

But he didn't expect it to be as valuable as he had imagined.

He Linchuan immediately explained:

"Adult, this matter is mainly for enhancing strength. It is rare and precious within the Universe Zone, but in an advanced spacetime like the Mirror Ruins Realm, because there are no restrictions on breakthrough, it is not as valuable. It is only used as an auxiliary means for some Breaking Universe Realm and Boundary Realm adults who want to quickly enhance their strength."

"Alright." Lin Yang immediately understood, then became slightly worried: "What about the housing prices in Yun Que City? If I want to live in the city for a long time, how much will I have to pay each year?"

"In Yun Que City... for housing in ordinary residential areas, renting for a year would cost about one hundred thousand. For better residential areas, depending on the quality of the house and various supporting facilities for strength improvement, it would be between three hundred thousand and five hundred thousand a year."

He Linchuan was very clear about these situations within the city and continued:

"But if you want to live in the area with the most refined spiritual power, the rent is much more expensive, at least a million per year, and there are also various surcharges, such as management fees, spiritual power usage fees, and service fees, etc.!"

"All sorts of miscellaneous fees added up, it would be at least two to three million a year."

"This doesn't even include food and drink."

"Uh..." Lin Yang was stunned.

A common special resource could only be exchanged for ten thousand mirror ruins coins, but renting a house in an ordinary residential area would cost at least one hundred thousand a year??

The cost of living in the best area for a year was several million at the very least?

He suddenly felt a little nervous.

Because all the special resources he currently had, when converted into money, didn't seem to be enough to live in the area with the best spiritual power for a few years... let alone seven hundred years.

Suddenly, Lin Yang was a bit bewildered.

After all this, he was at the level of a poor person here... "This... what about work? What is the level of compensation?"

Lin Yang frowned.

"As for work... if you work in the city without much risk, those below the third level of the Breaking Universe Realm can earn about one hundred thousand a year, and those at the extreme third level about two to three hundred thousand."

He Linchuan answered one by one:

"Reaching the Boundary Realm is much better. Even for an ordinary Boundary Realm, the first level earns at least a million a year, the second level can earn ten times that. As for the third level... at that level, there's basically no need to consider earning money for survival. They can go to any force and receive respect and very high treatment."

"Of course, if you take risks, such as hunting fierce beasts in the wild or joining major forces and doing very dangerous tasks for them, you can earn a lot more, but then the chance of death is also very high."

"..."

Lin Yang fell silent for a moment.

At this moment, he finally understood why the cost of living in the city was so high!

An ordinary Old Ancestor, working for a year without eating or drinking, would only earn enough to pay rent in an ordinary residential area!

Even an Old Ancestor at the third level extreme would not be able to afford living in a medium-level residential area for a year without eating or drinking.

Only by reaching the Boundary Realm could things get better.

But the Boundary Realm was not that easy to reach.

And even if one reached it, without special circumstances, a year of not eating or drinking would not be enough to pay for a year's rent in the best residential area!

This was simply... "Outrageous!"

Lin Yang was a bit at a loss for words.

If he couldn't reach the Boundary Realm quickly, and at least the second level.

Then once he used up all his special resources, he wouldn't be able to afford living in the city either!

"With such outrageous living costs, no wonder many people at the Boundary Realm level continue to live outside the city."

"Otherwise, all the money they earn would only go to rent, not enough to buy resources for self-improvement!"

Lin Yang realized the pressure and cruelty of life here.

Either take risks and fight for survival.

Or struggle and grit your teeth.

Only by reaching the second level of the Boundary Realm could one be considered qualified to establish a life in the city.

And for Old Ancestors who were new to the place, this was indeed a distant prospect.

"No wonder the messages from the predecessors in the Human Alliance always emphasized that the cost of living in the city was expensive, the pressure was great, and that upon arriving in a new spacetime, one should quickly find suitable groups in the wild to join..."

Lin Yang mumbled, then sighed.

Because from this information, it could also be inferred that those predecessors who came out of the Ten Thousand Universes didn't seem to be doing very well... otherwise, they wouldn't all be giving such hard-pressed advice.

If even one of them had been doing better, they wouldn't all be like that... This was very... "Forget it, although the pressure is great, I have no retreat; I must establish myself in the city!"

Lin Yang planned in his mind.

He still decided to enter the city first.

Although his current strength was comparable to the Boundary Realm, he wasn't officially there yet.

He still needed to go to the city to cultivate for a period and break through to the Boundary Realm.

After officially breaking through, his strength would soar again, and then he would have many more choices and opportunities.

Subsequently, Lin Yang said nothing more and hurried on his way.

A few days later.

Within sight, an incredibly majestic and spectacular city appeared.

"Adult, that is Yun Que City."

He Linchuan had some excitement in his eyes.

After more than two months in the wild, seeing Yun Que City naturally gave him a feeling of returning home.

"Yun Que City..."

Lin Yang looked at it from afar.

This would be his place to establish himself in the Mirror Ruins Realm.

Soon, they approached the city.

Outside the city was a circle of special energy shield.

There was a guard team patrolling continuously.

At the same time, as Lin Yang rapidly approached, a warship came over, and a cold voice came out:

"Within ten li of Yun Que City, no approaching, stationing, or gathering is allowed. Please withdraw immediately."

"If you wish to enter the city, please present your city residency identity or work permit, otherwise, you must pay the full entry fee of one hundred mirror ruins coins."

"After entering the city, if you have no residence, you are not allowed to stay in the city at night."

"Any violation will result in expulsion from the city and placement on the Yun Que City system blacklist, with a penalty of prohibition from entering the city for a period, depending on the circumstances."

Lin Yang was startled.

Entering the city also required an entry fee?

Moreover, it wasn't cheap.

If he had no place to stay, entering the city would cost one hundred coins each time, and he could only stay for one day.

This was a bit... "This is a bit too dark, isn't it?"

Lin Yang couldn't help but murmur.

"Cough cough, Adult, these are the rules. If you temporarily don't have a place to stay at night, you can stay in an inn, it's just that the price of the inn isn't very cheap..." He Linchuan saw Lin Yang's expression and quickly explained in a low voice.

"..."

Lin Yang was silent, then said:

"I need to complete the entry procedures, and at the same time, I need to exchange some mirror ruins coins."

Upon hearing this, the voice from within the warship immediately became enthusiastic:

"Alright, please wait a moment. Our mobile exchange office will serve you right away!"

"..."