50: Side Quest Upgrades, Paid Items

Li Yinglong did not immediately check the Jade Slip, but put it into hisIn my arms, intending to read it carefully after finding a safe place.

With his objective achieved, he felt a slight relief and couldn't help but exclaim:

"Your Sect's efficiency is astonishing, and the information is detailed. Compared to a volume of 'records of strange tales of the universe' I occasionally acquired in my early years, it's like the difference between heaven and earth."

His words were unintentional, but the black-robed man, who was about to wave him goodbye, paused slightly, and the shadow of his hood seemed to lift a bit:

"Oh? Your Excellency also possesses a 'records of strange tales of the universe'?"

Li Yinglong's heart stirred, but his expression remained calm:

"Indeed, I obtained it during my travels many years ago. It's just that the content is superficial, seemingly a common item."

The black-robed man let out a sound like a soft chuckle:

"Could it be... Fellow Daoist doesn't know that this 'records of strange tales of the universe' was originally published by my Thousand Mechanisms Hundred Know Sect as a compilation of basic information for Loose Cultivators and small Families, aimed at popularizing common knowledge? Naturally, it cannot compare to the deep secret scrolls hidden within the Sect."

Li Yinglong was truly surprised this time.

This Hundred Know Sect even sold intelligence as a periodical?

"Which edition do you have, Your Excellency? Could you show it to me? Perhaps it can be upgraded here."

Seeing that Li Yinglong's expression did not seem feigned, the black-robed man guessed that he must have just entered the Cultivation world and didn't know much.

He immediately took out the white Jade Slip he had obtained from Liu Yi:

"Please take a look, Steward."

The black-robed man took the Jade Slip, pressed it against his black jade ruler Magical Artifact, and a spiritual light flickered.

"It is indeed a product of our Sect, the most Elementary 'Extensive Knowledge Edition,' purchased sixty years ago. The subsequent content has not been updated for forty-three years, and it only contains the most basic public information, which is why Fellow Daoist feels there is a lack of information."

"Oh? Update and upgrade? How does one upgrade?"

Li Yinglong was very interested.

"Our Sect's 'records of strange tales of the universe' membership service is divided into two tiers."

The black-robed man introduced with practiced ease:

"One is the 'Spirit-Communicating Edition,' with a monthly fee of fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones. After payment, Your Excellency's Jade Slip will be authorized to receive one content update per month, covering the latest developments in the Cultivation world, market conditions for resources in various regions, changes in Sect forces, predictions for Secret Realm openings, and so on. The information you just inquired about regarding 'Spirit-Severing Land' and 'Three Immortals Sect' is also within the readable scope of the 'Spirit-Communicating Edition,' without additional fees."

"The second is the 'Hundred Know Edition,' with a monthly fee of ten Medium-Grade Spirit Stones. In addition to enjoying all the benefits of the 'Spirit-Communicating Edition,' you can also, with your Jade Slip's authority, query all 'Earth' level and below secret scroll archives within the Sect, enjoy discounts on mission releases and bounty commissions, and schedule one-on-one exclusive consultant services, where senior stewards from the Sect will answer your questions and even customize the collection of specific intelligence according to your requirements. This last item will incur additional fees depending on the difficulty of the intelligence."

"Additionally: all 'Heaven' level intelligence secrets of our Sect are not included in either edition and require additional fees."

Li Yinglong's heart was shaken by what he heard.

Ten Medium-Grade Spirit Stones? That's a thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

That amount would be enough for a Cultivator with decent talent to go from Qi Induction to Qi Refining Middle Stage without much trouble.

However, this cost was something ninety-nine percent of ordinary Loose Cultivators would never be able to gather in their lifetime.

Even ordinary Disciples of regular Sects would find it incredibly difficult.

And this was just the monthly fee?!

But after thinking it over carefully, Li Yinglong expressed his understanding.

Having navigated the business world in his previous life for many years, he deeply understood the importance of information.

This model was very similar to the Advanced information subscription and VIP membership services of his previous life!

Especially the one-on-one consultant and customized collection services of the "Hundred Know Edition" were practically a replica of financial institutions, their value immeasurable.

However, this was not all.

The black-robed man's subsequent words truly unveiled the immense value beyond intelligence itself, represented by the "Hundred Know Edition."

"Furthermore, holding a 'Hundred Know Edition' Jade Slip automatically grants you the qualification to participate in our Sect's annual 'Hundred Know Night Banquet.'"

"Hundred Know Night Banquet?"

Li Yinglong's gaze sharpened; this was the first time he had heard this term.

"Indeed."

The black-robed man explained:

"This Night Banquet is coordinated by the main Sect and is held in rotation in the core Immortal Cities of various states in Shenzhou, or in a Secret Realm manor somewhere."

"Its primary purpose is to provide a platform for esteemed guests with 'Hundred Know Edition' qualifications to exchange information and expand their network."

He paused, then emphasized:

"Those invited are invariably influential figures, reclusive Old Ancestors, representatives of large Immortal Families, or rising stars with the potential to reach Golden Core, assessed by the Sect as having immense potential. An invitation to the Night Banquet itself is a symbol of status. For the holder, it may allow them to break through regional limitations, glimpse the true upper-echelon structure of the Cultivation world, and the connections forged are of immeasurable value."

Li Yinglong was even more astonished now.

If it was truly as the other party said, then these ten Medium-Grade Spirit Stones were not just worth the money, but an incredible bargain!

More important than information were connections and social circles!

This was no longer a simple intelligence service, but a "ticket" to enter the upper echelons.

"The climax of the Night Banquet is the 'Hundred Know Secret Auction,' which is only open to attendees."

The black-robed man continued to drop a heavy bait:

"The auction items are all from our Sect's secret collection or entrusted by esteemed guests, often things that are unimaginable to the outside world. They might be incomplete Ancient Cultivation Techniques pointing directly to the Golden Core Great Dao, or precise land deeds for ownerless Spiritual Veins, rare mineral veins, or even exotic treasures and strange items like 'Heart-Cleansing Bodhi Seeds' that aid Epiphany, or 'Substitute Puppets' that can withstand a Golden Core strike... Such resources are often kept secret and are only seen and have a chance to be contended for at the Night Banquet."

"What's more,"

The black-robed man's voice lowered a few shades, carrying a certain implication:

"During the Night Banquet, with cups exchanged and whispered conversations, the value of the information sometimes surpasses that of the overt auction. Sect secrets, opportunities for Secret Realm openings, certain Great Power's Cultivation Technique preferences... Many crucial pieces of information may circulate during conversations. For those aiming to strengthen their Family, this place is both a source of intelligence and a place to seek allies and be warned of threats."

After he finished speaking, the quiet room was so silent that a pin could be heard dropping.

Li Yinglong was so shaken by the described scene that he held his breath.

Fairly speaking, he desperately wanted to obtain this qualification.

But currently, it seemed difficult to achieve.

The monthly fee of ten Medium-Grade Spirit Stones (one thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones) was still too heavy a burden for the current Li Family.

Moreover, he deeply knew that his own strength was too low. With his current strength, even if he obtained the qualification, he would not be able to integrate into those circles.

Even if he rashly forced his way in, he would only be disliked, and might even inadvertently invite disaster.

But knowing this news was also a good thing; at least he would have a goal for the future.

After a brief moment of contemplation, he decisively said:

"My strength is low, so I'll upgrade to the 'Spirit-Communicating Edition' first."

At least being able to continuously obtain updated and more comprehensive information was crucial for the Family's development.

"Alright. You have already paid two hundred Spirit Stones. The first month's fee for the 'Spirit-Communicating Edition' is fifty, so you need to pay an additional one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones, of which fifty is for next month's reserved fee. Thereafter, at this time each month, you must ensure that your Jade Slip's linked account has at least fifty Spirit Stones to automatically renew and receive updates. Spirit Stones can be recharged at any Thousand Mechanisms Hundred Know Sect branch, and after upgrading, the Jade Slip will include a map of all branch locations."

The black-robed man took the additional Spirit Stones from Li Yinglong and, with a clear procedure, operated the black jade ruler, sweeping it across Li Yinglong's Jade Slip, and a spiritual light flashed.

"Upgrade complete. Your prepaid one hundred and fifty Spirit Stones have been deposited into your account."

With the transaction complete, the black-robed man said no more, nodding slightly to signal the end of the meeting.

Li Yinglong put away the now different Jade Slip and, with Lin Xiaowan, walked out of the quiet room and left the Thousand Mechanisms Hundred Know Sect branch.

Returning to the bustling market, the sunlight was dazzling.

Recalling the experience just now, Li Yinglong felt as if he were dreaming.

In and out, three hundred and fifty Spirit Stones had disappeared.

And he was just a small fry, handling only ordinary business.

From this, he could infer how enormous the capital flow behind the Thousand Mechanisms Hundred Know Sect was.

But these Spirit Stones were well spent this time!

Not only did he obtain crucial intelligence, but he also opened a window for continuously acquiring information.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt enlightened.

"Let's go, Little Wan,"

His gaze swept over the bustling crowd:

"Let's find a teahouse, rest for a while, and I'll check the information while we wait for the brother and sister."

After speaking, the two strolled leisurely, merging into the bustling crowd.