The Underground World passage really was a passage.
Lu Yuan hadn't expected that he'd actually be able to walk on solid ground inside it—
in the literal, physical sense.
The passage to the Underground World was pitch-black. Without a light, it was impossible to see the way ahead.
Using their flashlights, Lu Yuan followed the other members of the Fire Fox Team forward.
Before long, he spotted a patch of light up ahead.
Sure enough, that light marked the exit of the passage to the Underground World!
When Lu Yuan reached it and stepped out of the passage,
he couldn't help looking all around.
The scene he'd imagined—monsters gathered on every side, corpses strewn everywhere, and desolate wilderness—didn't appear.
He took a closer look and saw that the place was packed with people,
all gathered there.
A faint Primal Energy aura radiated from them. Every one of them was an Esper.
"Latest model potions! Anyone want the latest model potions?"
"Pills, pills! Anyone want to buy pills?"
"..."
Nearby, people shouted their wares.
After the Fire Fox Team emerged from the passage to the Underground World, some people noticed them.
"Disinfectant potions, wholesale price! Just 5,000 yuan for ten bottles! Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
"Detailed maps, only 100,000 yuan! They mark all the vicious beasts' territories, with incredible accuracy. What do you think? Want one?"
One after another, the hawkers crowded around and asked the group.
As the Fire Fox Team's captain, Zhou Wan smiled faintly and turned them all down one by one.
Just then, Huang Hao added, "Jiang Zhan City is full of potion, pill, and map sellers like these. Some really do have special channels to get cheaper supplies, but there are all kinds of people mixed in. For example, half the pills they sell might be fake. Unless you're experienced, it's hard to tell, and you could end up in trouble. Newcomers should keep their distance."
Lu Yuan nodded, committing Huang Hao's words to memory.
With the hawkers no longer bothering them, Lu Yuan's gaze gradually wandered farther afield.
He realized
that this was a small city, though its style was unlike modern architecture. It looked more like an ancient city.
A tall wall ran along the city's outermost edge.
It was uniform and tightly built, giving off a sense of strength and security!
Esper soldiers in combat suits had been dispatched by the government to guard the wall.
If their telescopes spotted a large group of vicious beasts gathering to invade and enter the city,
that was when these Espers would spring into action!
They protected the city, preventing vicious beasts from passing through the Underground World passages and reaching the real world.
If they spotted a high-level vicious beast through their telescopes, they had to call for reinforcements at once!
Only because they guarded every passage to another world could society outside remain relatively stable!
As Lu Yuan curiously surveyed the surroundings, Huang Hao sidled up to him with a grin and asked, "Lu Yuan, do you know what that building is?"
As he spoke, he pointed into the distance.
Following Huang Hao's gesture,
Lu Yuan saw—
a building with a classical air.
A wooden sign hung above its entrance, bearing the three characters "Moon Gazing Tower."
At the entrance stood two women with heavy makeup and daring, revealing clothes.
They posed and flirted there. It didn't take a genius to guess what they were doing.
Seeing this, Xu Lu stamped her foot and frowned. "Huang Hao, it's one thing if you're not respectable yourself, but don't lead the new guy, Lu Yuan, astray!"
Huang Hao waved a hand and replied nonchalantly, "Aw, I'm just giving him an introduction. Lu Yuan's so level-headed. How could I possibly lead him astray?"
After Lu Yuan answered that he didn't know,
Huang Hao leaned close to his ear. His voice was quiet but clear as he said, "That's where men go to unwind. It's something you understand without saying it! Listen, don't let Brother Hu's fierce looks and double-bladed axe fool you. He's actually a regular there!"
Lu Yuan's eyes widened, and he asked with a strange expression, "Seriously?"
He never would've guessed.
Huang Hao replied, "Why would I lie? When we hunt vicious beasts outside, we unconsciously pick up some of their Bloodthirsty Qi, and it puts a lot of pressure on our minds! Letting off steam now and then is a great way to ease that stress!"
Lu Yuan fell silent.
He agreed with Huang Hao, but he definitely wouldn't go himself.
Lu Yuan suddenly asked, "Doesn't Brother Hu have a wife?"
Wang Hu looked at least thirty-five.
Besides, as an Esper working out in society, he earned far more than an ordinary person. Supporting a whole family shouldn't be too difficult.
Huang Hao sighed. "People in our line of work could die in another world at any moment. Could you bear to leave your wife and children behind and be the first to go?"
At that, Lu Yuan looked thoughtful.
Then Huang Hao grinned and patted Lu Yuan on the shoulder. "Let's not talk about anything so heavy. Look on the bright side. You've just arrived in another world, so hurry up and get stronger. Find yourself a pretty girlfriend at university—that's better than anything!"
Before you continue