Money (4000 words)

The Great Yong Dynasty ruled over the most prosperous land in the world, the Nine Provinces.

For six hundred years, through the reigns of nine wise rulers, the dynasty has reached its most prosperous period, with its national strength and the submission of all under heaven.

The background information of the <Shattering the Void> world appeared in Su Yuan's mind.

His gaze fell on the broken bowl placed in front of him, which was used for begging.

All players Empire Citizen will be assigned a specific, lower-level identity upon entering the game.

They might be destitute commoners, or beggars like Su Yuan.

The purpose of this mechanism is to maintain the balance within the game as much as possible.

Empire Citizen are already practically cheat-like once they enter the game; what if they also have a distinguished background?

No matter how powerful the Great Yong Dynasty was, it couldn't withstand the repeated meddling of its Empire Citizen.

"That's so real."

Although Su Yuan's gaze was fixed on the broken bowl in front of him, most of his mind was focused on perceiving the details around him.

The shouts of vendors in the distance, the whispers of passersby, and so on, were almost indistinguishable from the real world.

In addition, Su Yuan could also sense the Extreme Yang Power and Extreme Yin Power permeating the world.

After gaining a 20% understanding of Extreme Yang Power and Extreme Yin Power, Su Yuan could sense the existence of these two cosmic forces even without practicing his spear techniques.

However, practicing marksmanship allows for a clearer understanding of the techniques.

"No wonder it's a virtual game that claims to lead the evolution of life," Su Yuan thought to himself.

At least for him right now, this game world is no different from the real world.

"And."

Su Yuan looked around at the many pedestrians. These pedestrians were all natives of the <Shattering the Void> world. Although they were virtual, each of them was an intelligent life form with its own emotions and desires.

For these indigenous people, they have lived on this land since childhood, and everything they have experienced is not Illusion.

"In this world, the strength of the powerful is determined by ranks. The ninth rank is the weakest, the first rank is the strongest, and above the first rank is the Shattering the Void Realm, which allows one to break through the void and ascend to immortality in broad daylight!"

Su Yuan thought to himself.

Since the upper limit of physical fitness is fixed at the level of Level 1 Lifeform, the basis for determining strength is actual combat ability.

For a ninth-rank expert, assuming a level 1 physical attribute, the Combat Bonus needs to reach 150%.

For an eighth-grade expert, assuming a level 1 physical attribute, the Combat Bonus needs to reach 200%.

For a Rank 7 expert, assuming Level 1 physical attributes, the Combat Bonus needs to reach 250%.

A sixth-grade expert needs a 500% Combat Bonus.

A fifth-grade expert gains a 600% Combat Bonus.

A fourth-grade expert's Combat Bonus by 700%.

As for a third-grade expert? They already belong to the upper three grades, and their Combat Bonus far exceeds 1000%.

Same move, same power.

When used by a top-tier expert, it can kill a group of fifth- or sixth-tier experts.

"Currently, my Combat Bonus has reached 710%. If my physical fitness reaches level 1, it's equivalent to a fourth-grade expert."

Su Yuan thought to himself.

Even within the context of the Great Yong Dynasty, a fourth-rank individual is considered a powerful figure, second only to the upper three ranks.

Within Qingxiang City, fourth-rank experts stand at the very top.

This is also one of the reasons why Su Yuan entered the game at a specific time. He descended into Qingxiang City, and as long as he successfully got through the first few days, he would be a behemoth.

If one were to descend upon a capital Royal Capital teeming with powerful beings, even Starry Sky Lifeform could easily perish.

"Level 1 physical fitness."

Su Yuan wasn't worried, because the Empire Citizen players who could enter the <Shattering the Void> world were at least Level 1 Lifeform. Those who were less than Level 1 Lifeform were not even considered life forms in the judgment of the Canglan Galactic Human Empire, and could not become Empire Citizen.

Therefore, for Empire Citizen players in the game, raising their physical attributes to the Level 1 Lifeform level is not difficult at all.

It only requires absorbing external energy, and the body can reach its maximum capacity in a maximum of two days.

Just as Su Yuan was pondering...

Da da da--

A horse-drawn carriage stopped a short distance away.

"Little beggar!"

The carriage curtain was pulled back, and a slender arm stretched out, beckoning to Su Yuan.

"The third young lady of the Hua Family?"

Su Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

The Hua Family is a well-known Lineage in Qingxiang City, and the third young lady of the Hua Family, Hua Ying'er, is especially kind-hearted.

They often provide financial assistance to young beggars.

Su Yuan was one of the little beggars who received financial assistance.

Su Yuan stood up and walked to the carriage.

"Little beggar, here are some steamed buns for you." Hua Ying'er took out a few steamed buns and placed them in Su Yuan's hand.

At the same time, he slipped a silver coin the size of a thumb, mixed with a steamed bun, into Su Yuan's hand and whispered, "Once we've saved enough money, we'll learn a trade."

Su Yuan took the steamed bun without saying a word.

The third young lady of the Hua Family was far too naive, actually believing that these steamed buns and silver would fall into his hands.

The carriage slowly drove away, and a smile appeared on the young girl Hua Ying'er's face; she was clearly in a good mood.

"Miss is so kind," said the maid beside her.

"I just feel sorry for those little beggars. They lost their parents when they were young, unlike me, who had my father to protect me."

When her father was mentioned, Hua Ying'er's smile faded somewhat.

The Hua Family, as a prominent Lineage in Qingxiang City, is not as stable as it appears on the surface, at least not recently.

The Hua Family is facing pressure from the Money Gang.

The Money Gang is one of the three major gangs in Qingxiang City, and it is said to have government connections.

The leader of the Money Gang has recently set his sights on the restaurant run by the Hua Family.

The restaurant was doing very well and was one of the Hua Family's main sources of income, so the head of the Hua Family naturally did not want to give it up.

The two sides reached a stalemate.

Su Yuan watched the carriage drive away.

Immediately afterwards, several figures approached.

These figures were members of the "Beggar Sect," one of the three major gangs in Qingxiang City.

All the beggars in Qingxiang City are under the jurisdiction of the Beggar Sect. Every beggar's daily earnings must pass through the hands of members of the Beggar Sect' Sect.

Hua Ying'er thought that by not giving Su Yuan any big fish or meat, but just some steamed buns, she could prevent Su Yuan from being targeted.

But for those at the bottom of society, even a steamed bun is extremely precious; ordinary people can't afford such a white flour bun.

"Hehe, you're really lucky, kid. You actually caught the eye of the Hua Family's young lady."

"Let us see how much silver that Miss Hua Family secretly gave you today."

Several members of the Beggar Sect' Sect approached with ill intentions.

Su Yuan looked at the group, his expression unchanged.

If it were the original owner of this body, she would naturally hand over everything obediently to avoid a beating.

But Su Yuan?

Su Yuan carefully put away the steamed buns and silver, then turned and ran.

The members of the Beggar Sect' Sect were taken aback; they hadn't encountered a young beggar who dared to resist in a long time.

After realizing what had happened, the group immediately flew into a rage and gave chase.

The two sides chased and fled, and soon came to a dead end.

"How dare you!"

Several members of the Beggar Sect' Sect, panting heavily, looked at Su Yuan, who was stopped at the end of the dead end, their faces filled with brutality.

This little beggar not only dared to embezzle the money, but also made them travel such a long distance.

These members of the Beggar Sect' Sect had decided to cripple Su Yuan so that he could beg for more money, and Su Yuan himself would be powerless to resist.

Swish!

Su Yuan turned around and disappeared without a sound.

When they reappeared, they were already in front of several members of the Beggar Sect' Sect.

"No!!"

Before these Beggar Sect' Clan members could react, Su Yuan easily snapped their necks, their faces still showing signs of terror.

Su Yuan stopped and then searched the Beggar Sect Clan members.

Although Su Yuan's physical attributes have not yet recovered to level 1, his Combat Bonus is undeniable. The 710% Combat Bonus is enough for Su Yuan to easily kill dozens or even hundreds of ordinary Beggar Sect members.

Forty-two taels of silver.

Su Yuan nodded slightly after searching behind him.

In the world of <Shattering the Void>, currency can be exchanged for Canglan Coin through transactions outside the game.

Because all players start with very low rank, silver is difficult to obtain, making it even more valuable.

These forty-three taels of silver, according to the exchange rate, are equivalent to four thousand three hundred Canglan Coin.

"At least I've recouped some of my losses."

Su Yuan put away the silver.

Besides being used for in-game transactions, silver coins can also be used to purchase specific martial arts manuals from the official Dayong government.

Martial arts manuals are extremely beneficial for improving combat skills.

The method provided by the Grey Mirror, one of the worlds in the <Shattering the Void>, can greatly increase Su Yuan's speed in comprehending the Extreme Yang Power and Extreme Yin Power.

It was because of the martial arts manual.

"Leave now."

Su Yuan arrived at a corner of a dead end, kicked it, and a hole appeared.

The reason Su Yuan led those Beggar Sect members here was not only because there was no one else here, but also because of the existence of this cave entrance.

This cave entrance leads outside the city, allowing Su Yuan to completely break free from the Beggar Sect's control over him.

Call!

Following the cave entrance.

Su Yuan arrived at a desolate wilderness.

The desolate wilderness is extremely dangerous for the native inhabitants of this world.

However, as an Empire Citizen, Su Yuan only needs to safely get through the first two days to reach the level of Level 1 Lifeform.

By then, they would be fourth-grade experts, possessing the ability to protect themselves in this world.

"These past two days"

Su Yuan glanced around and, following the directions given by the Grey Mirror, arrived at a cave.

For the next two days, the cave was safe and undisturbed by wild animals.

It will not be discovered by humans.

"Let it run offline."

With a slight thought, Su Yuan left the <Shattering the Void> world.

As for the little beggar in the game world, he sits cross-legged in a cave, absorbing the energy of heaven and earth to improve his physical fitness.

At the same time.

Inside Qingxiang City, the bodies of several members of the Beggar Sect' Sect were discovered.

In the dead end, a group of the Beggar Sect members gathered, including a Beggar Sect elder.

To become an elder of the Beggar Sect, one must be at least a ninth-rank expert. The strength and status of the Beggar Sect' Sect elders are distinguished by the "bag" hanging on their waist.

Those with nine bags are called Nine-Bag Elders, and it takes a ninth-rank strength to hold this position. Those with eight bags are called Eight-Bag Elders, and it takes a eighth-rank strength to hold this position.

And so on.

"Was it that little beggar who did the killing?"

The leading elder of the Nine-Bag Beggar Sect' Sect frowned. "The attack was swift and clean. Does that little beggar have the strength?"

"Elder, I saw that little beggar run into this alley, and then several members of the Beggar Sect's Clan chased after him. After they hadn't come out for a long time, I came in out of curiosity and that's when I discovered the body."

A beggar, his face pale, said.

The death of two Beggar Sect members wasn't a big deal, but as one of the three major gangs in Qingxiang City, it was a loss of face, so they sent an elder to check on things.

"Catch that little beggar the moment he appears in the city."

After a moment's thought, the Nine-Bag Beggar Sect' Sect elder issued the order.

He also discovered the hole in the corner of the alley, which led out of the city, and speculated that Su Yuan had escaped out of the city through the hole.

The area outside the city is too vast; we can't just send out a large number of people to search for them just because a few of our members have died.

After Blue Star the <Shattering the Void> world, Su Yuan casually browsed the game community.

Players from Empire Citizen posted messages in the community, sharing their experiences in the game.

"Holy crap, my starting character in the game was a beggar, and I finally managed to beg for some silver, but now someone's asking me to hand it over?"

"I was furious, so I killed that person, but that immediately attracted a group of the Beggar Sect elders. Those beasts! A group of Level 1 Lifeform Beggar Sect elders, surrounding and killing me, a player who had just entered the game."

"Me too. I only stole a few things, and now I'm wanted by the authorities. Damn it!"

"You guys are alright. My initial identity was in the Royal Capital. I just glanced at a passing prince and was dragged away and beaten to death by the guards. Is this a game for humans?"

One by one, the players, Empire Citizen, complained that once their character died in the game, they would have to pay 100,000 Canglan Coin to re-enter the game.

Su Yuan looked at each "post" with a calm mind.

He had already thoroughly studied the Shattering the Void through the Grey Mirror.

The hidden rule of this game is order.

The Great Yong Dynasty in the game is at its peak, with strict order that cannot be violated.

The reason Su Yuan lured those beggars into an empty alley before making his move was because...

It's about preventing murders from happening in the street.

Murder in the streets of Qingxiang City? And the victim was a member of the Beggar Sect, one of the three major gangs?

Without sufficient strength, certain death is inevitable.

Especially for Empire Citizen who have just entered the game, even though they are Starry Sky Lifeform with more than 10 times the Combat Bonus, their physical attributes are too weak.

Surrounded by a group of powerful experts, the chances of survival are extremely slim.

"Once the secrets of the martial arts manual are revealed, it will attract even more players from the Empire Citizen."

Su Yuan thought to himself that the martial arts manuals in the <Shattering the Void> world could enhance Combat Bonus and aid in comprehending certain cosmic powers. Currently, it remained a secret.

A small number of players in the game knew about this, but they all tacitly refrained from publicizing it.

However, as time went by, more and more players learned about this, and it could no longer be kept secret.

"Continue practicing your shooting."

Su Yuan made up his mind, and his character in the game began to improve his physical attributes.

These past two days, Su Yuan didn't intend to waste any time. In addition to his regular cultivation, he continued to focus on practicing his spear techniques, comprehending the power of Extreme Yang Power and Extreme Yin Power.