Transaction

Hearing her smiling words, Xu Yuan didn't think that Li Qingyan had fallen in love with him.

The princess's so-called "suicide pact" was most likely just her telling him that she, Li Qingyan, was prepared to die here.

For a woman possessing almost all the qualities of an excellent general to say such a thing, it can only mean that she holds an extremely pessimistic view of his next actions.

Even so, the princess did not strip him of his title as "commander-in-chief".

Trust tinged with doubt.

Xu Yuan sighed silently to himself, feeling somewhat helpless.

Cangyuan is ultimately just a game, while reality has too many details that games cannot encompass.

Just like this ancient underground city with people in it, and Bai Muxi, who shouldn't be here.

Who could have known beforehand that, after tens of thousands of years, humans would still be alive in the Strange Ghost ' lair?

Who could have known beforehand that this leggy beauty, Simin, had escaped from this Underground Palace?

In addition, the butterfly effect could also bring uncontrollable variables to this Dead Silence Underground Palace.

Now trapped in a desperate situation, all he can do is adapt to the available information as much as possible, use the certain information to his advantage, and try to keep the situation under his control.

They remained silent the whole way.

As the three continued to speed through the dilapidated ancient city, the streets below gradually began to change.

The residential buildings on the outskirts of the ancient city have changed from wooden structures to stone ones.

Will Soul to probe inside, one could occasionally sense the presence of mortals, but these people all huddled nervously in the basement of the house, none of them venturing out.

Thinking about it, Xu Yuan glanced sideways at Bai Muxi, who was flying to one side of the two.

As it sped against the wind, the female Simin's gauze dress clung tightly to her curvaceous figure.

It sways back and forth.

Before Xu Yuan could stare at it for long, Bai Muxi's clear voice rang out:

"A tremendous tremor came from the Blood Demon Cave earlier, indicating that something must have happened within the Strange Ghost. They can easily detect the presence of mortals, so I ordered the mortals in the outer city to take refuge. The vigilance is still in effect, and no one is allowed to leave."

That punch from the Barbarian King?

Xu Yuan understood upon hearing this, but then he also glanced in the direction they had come from.

I wonder how that muscular barbarian Barbarian King is doing now.

Back in Cangyuan, this Barbarian King was a Saint-level powerhouse who could easily clear this dungeon. But now he's not at his full potential and has suffered considerable injuries. The siege of those high-level Strange Ghost should give him a run for his money.

Having thought this through, Xu Yuan gathered his thoughts and asked:

"Simin, I see that most of the stone houses below are single-family dwellings. Why are there no men and women living together?"

"Cohabitation between men and women?"

Bai Muxi frowned, her clear and melodious voice crisp and direct. "Are you referring to mortals engaging in private sexual intercourse?"

As he spoke,

Bai Muxi curled her lips into a smile, looked down at the ground, and said matter-of-factly:

"The inner city sends out Blood Armor Guard to search daily. Those caught violating the law will be severely punished, and those caught twice will be expelled from the city. Ordinary mortals dare not defy the law."

"."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan remained silent.

Suppressing human nature and strictly controlling population.

At this time,

Li Qingyan transmitted a voice as if sighing:

"The probability of offspring born from intercourse between cultivators becoming cultivators is far higher than that of mortals. In the environment of the cave Underground City, the value of mortals is almost zero. To continue the lineage and control the reproduction of mortals is the best and optimal choice. Over time, this way of thinking should have become common sense in this cave Underground City."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan glanced at her and chuckled:

"So, does that mean the high-level cultivators here are all harems?"

Li Qingyan shook her head and said softly:

"The higher the level of the cultivator, the lower the probability of having offspring. In order to maintain the population, the ' Divine Palace ' here should organize 'production' at specific times."

Xu Yuan's eye twitched.

Impart, right?

He paused for a moment,

Li Qingyan's serious tone suddenly disappeared, replaced by a teasing tone tinged with amusement:

"If you, Changtian, had been born in this cave Underground City, given your personality, you would have been expelled from the city long ago, wouldn't you?"

Xu Yuan turned around and glared at the princess:

"You don't know anything."

"I truly do not understand."

Li Qingyan nodded with a smile, her beautiful eyes narrowing. "Changtian, you know a lot?"

Xu Yuan met his gaze without hesitation, and smiled as he transmitted his voice:

"You'll understand after we get married."

"Oh?"

Li Qingyan raised her eyebrows, her phoenix eyes crinkling into a smile. She raised her hand and gestured a length in front of Xu Yuan, then chuckled softly.

"Heh~"

"."

Xu Yuan felt insulted, took a deep breath, and calmly shook his head.

"I've seen people who are Cultivation Method at talking beforehand, I hope you don't end up like her, Qingyan."

Li Qingyan licked her red lips, a dangerous glint in her phoenix eyes:

"For example?"

"Sky"

He stopped Xu Yuan halfway through his sentence, frowning and stunned.

Why did he suddenly bring up that washboard saintess?

As he pondered this, Xu Yuan realized a possibility, and an incredulous look appeared in his eyes.

Wow. No way?

The image of Tianyan appeared in his mind, and he pondered for a moment, but no related memories surfaced.

Li Qingyan also frowned:

"Sky?"

Xu Yuan collected his thoughts, coughed lightly, and shook his head:

"Nothing."

If I can't remember, then let's pretend nothing happened.

"Haha."

Li Qingyan at Xu Yuan and chuckled, not pursuing the matter further.

"Fine, then. But if Changtian wishes to take a concubine, remember to let me know."

"Would you agree if I told you?"

"No, but it will make it easier for me to bring Changtian into the military camp sooner."

"."

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes, ignored the woman, and gazed into the depths of the ancient city.

"."

Bai Muxi knew the two were communicating telepathically, but she couldn't eavesdrop without disturbing the aloof woman.

Seeing that the two remained silent, she finally spoke:

"Gentlemen, we are about to enter the inner city."

"Um."

Xu Yuan replied, "I saw it."

Even with his own eyesight, he could vaguely see a magnificent city wall, nearly twenty feet high, standing silently in the darkness not far ahead.

Bai Muxi considered for a moment, then said in a clear voice:

"What I mean is that before entering the city, I will prepare two sets of clothes for you two. I hope you will wear them over this Blood Armor."

"."

Xu Yuan glanced at Li Qingyan's long, slender, and perfectly sculpted figure, which was encased in the Black Death Fungal Armor.

After a moment of silence, he casually took a black robe from his Sumeru Ring and tossed it to her.

"Qingyan, put it on."

"."

Li Qingyan took it and stared at Xu Yuan for a few moments with a half-smile:

"Since Changtian wants to watch alone, I will grant your wish."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Yuan let out a soft hum, and her alluring curves were concealed by the bulky black robe.

Bai Muxi, standing to the side, noticed the sudden appearance of the black-robed figure, her eyes narrowing, and her voice tinged with surprise:

"Is this... the Sumeru Ring recorded in the documents?"

"Um."

Xu Yuan responded softly, put on a garment for himself, and then asked in a low voice:

"Simin, you underground people also know about this kind of armor?"

Beneath the thin veil, Bai Muxi smiled gently:

"In the seven cities, once someone reaches the fourth rank, they can enter the Blood Demon Cave under the guidance of a priest to collect a piece of Blood Armor."

"Blood Armor? You mean the ' Blood Armor Guard ' that the soldiers on the outer city walls talk about?"

Xu Yuan did not ask how the other party discovered it.

Over tens of thousands of years, the humans in this cavernous Underground City must have explored the "Blood Demon Cave" where the Strange Ghost dwelled countless times, so it is not surprising that they discovered that the Black Death Fungal Mat could form armor.

Bai Muxi nodded, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, and said in a low voice:

"Yes, but that's all in the past. After the priest's death, I prohibited the wearing of this armor. If outsiders or people in the inner city saw it, it might cause unnecessary trouble."

Xu Yuan chuckled lightly:

"Because this armor devours human lives?"

"Um."

Bai Muxi's eyes showed slight surprise as she reminded Xu Yuan, "Your Excellency, although this armor will increase the wearer's strength, even a fourth-rank expert's lifespan will be rapidly shortened once they put it on."

"."

Li Qingyan frowned slightly and transmitted his voice:

"Changtian."

Xu Yuan sensed the worry in her voice and smiled directly at Bai Muxi:

"Thank Simin reminding me, the reason this armor is devouring lives is because the Source Qi of a fourth-grade Fusion Realm is insufficient to supply the armor's needs. I Source Crystal, so there is no shortage of Source Qi for me."

You can't gain power without spending money; you have to spend your life.

"Source Crystal?"

Bai Muxi's eyes lit up for a moment. "But those crystals that can supply Source Qi?"

Seeing this, Xu Yuan grinned and asked with interest:

"What, Simin, you really want it?"

Upon seeing the smile on the other person's lips, Bai Muxi's eyes instantly darkened, and her wide sleeves closed.

"I hope you will not misunderstand; I have no intention of stealing."

"I know."

Xu Yuan said nonchalantly, "What I mean is, do you want to make a deal with me?"

"A deal?" Bai Muxi, her eyes filled with doubt.

Xu Yuan said in a low voice:

"How about exchanging your ' Blood Armor, ' accumulated over thousands of years, for my Source Crystal?"

Large-scale stripping of the Black Death Fungal Mat in a short period of time would attract the attention of the monster deep within the Blood Demon Cave, but judging from Bai Muxi's words just now, there should be a considerable amount of Black Death Fungal Mat in the city.

There should be at least enough to synthesize "blue equipment".

Although he can't use it, he can give it to Li Qingyan.

The princess's military formation employed a wide-ranging, close-quarters combat style, making this type of armor a perfect fit.

Bai Muxi agreed without hesitation:

"Of course, it's just a matter of price."

Xu Yuan smiled slightly:

"No rush, we can talk about it when we get to the Divine Palace."

Led by Bai Muxi Simin, the highest authority in the city, the three entered the inner city's "Divine Palace" without any hindrance.

Walking through the silent stone palace complex, the soft sound of footsteps carried far in the darkness.

suddenly,

"You two."

A clear, crisp voice suddenly rang out. "May I ask you some questions?"

Bai Muxi, walking ahead, had her face hidden beneath a thin veil, her bright eyes fixed on the two of them, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Li Qingyan remained silent on the question, Xu Yuan responded:

"What?"

Bai Muxi asked hesitantly:

Are there still Strange Ghost on the surface?

Xu Yuan's voice was gentle:

"The Strange Ghost were wiped out by humanity ten thousand years ago, and now humanity is thriving on the earth."

Upon hearing this, Bai Muxi's beautiful eyes flashed with excitement, and her voice unconsciously quickened:

"Are those two from the Medicine God Palace?"

Medicine God Palace.

Upon hearing the unfamiliar name of the sect, Li Qingyan subconsciously glanced at Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan had heard Old Man Luo mention this sect before, because it played a crucial role in the Great Calamity of the Strange Ghost ten thousand years ago.

After a moment's pause, Xu Yuan smiled and shook his head:

"No."

Bai Muxi's beautiful eyes flickered for a moment, then a hint of a smile appeared on them:

"Those must be people from the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, right?"

"No, not either."

That's Qianfeng.

"The Simin."

Xu Yuan interrupted, smiling, "She and I are not from any sect, but from the imperial dynasty."

Upon hearing this, Bai Muxi's gaze turned somewhat strange as she looked at Li Qingyan beside her:

"Those mortal dynasties? But this person's cultivation level..."

Xu Yuan explained with a smile:

"Ten thousand years have passed in the outside world. All the Simin you mentioned, except for the Heavenly Oversight Pavilion, have turned to dust."

"."

After saying that,

Bai Muxi's bare, fair legs paused instinctively. She turned to look at Xu Yuan in a daze, remaining silent for a moment.

Xu Yuan was slightly speechless.

They know nothing of the Qin and Han dynasties, let alone the Wei and Jin dynasties.

This ancient city in the karst cave is truly a unique "Shangri-La".

Thinking it over, Xu Yuan explained softly:

"The land is now under the rule of the imperial dynasty. The era of sect dominance ended four thousand years ago. The Great Yan Dynasty has dominated fourteen continents for over thirteen hundred years, and all sects within its borders have submitted to the Great Yan imperial family."

"."

These words seemed to touch upon Bai Muxi's worldview, which had become narrow -Simin due to her environment.

After a long silence, she murmured to herself:

"Dynasties rule the world? Aren't dynasties just puppets of sects? How can they possibly surpass sects?"

"Ten thousand years can change a lot of things."

Xu Yuan interrupted Bai Muxi's mutterings, stared at her, and then smiled, "Alright, although this information isn't very important, Simin, don't you think it's a bit impolite of you to ask us questions one-sidedly?"

Bai Muxi was silent for a moment, then asked:

"What would you like me to do for you, sir?"

Xu Yuan smiled and proposed a classic exchange condition:

"Of course it's about making a deal. You ask a question, I'll ask a question, how about that? You don't have to answer, but you absolutely cannot hide anything."

Upon hearing this suggestion, Bai Muxi seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said in a clear voice:

"That's excellent."

Xu Yuan raised a finger and asked directly:

"First, what is the population of your ancient city? How many cultivators are there, and what are their cultivation levels?"

"."

Upon hearing this question, Li Qingyan immediately turned and glanced at Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan gestured for her to shut up.

He certainly knew the question was offensive.

This is almost equivalent to directly asking a woman the color of her underwear.

But it doesn't matter.

If this woman isn't stupid, she will definitely answer.

Because they come from the ground, from a humane and prosperous world.

Based on this alone, Bai Muxi couldn't refuse them.

The inky darkness accentuated Bai Muxi's deathly pale skin, and the three of them fell silent for a moment.

However, Bai Muxi quickly made a decision and whispered:

"There should be three questions."

Xu Yuan smiled upon hearing this, thought for a moment, and then whispered:

"In that case, Simin, you shall only answer the two questions concerning cultivators."

Beneath the thin veil, Bai Muxi bit her lip and truthfully told the story:

"The Seven Cities Alliance has a total population of 370,000, with over 7,000 cultivators, including 17 Nascent Body Fusion, 3 Grandmaster, and 1 Origin Beginning Origin Beginning."

"."

Upon hearing these numbers, Xu Yuan and Li Qingyan subconsciously exchanged a glance, both seeing a look of astonishment in each other's eyes.

In such dire circumstances, the humans in this cave Underground City still possess such fighting strength.

and,

If what the other party said is true,

The ratio of mortals to cultivators in this underground ancient city is frighteningly high.

It's roughly fifty to one.

If the ratio of mortals to cultivators in the Great Yan Dynasty were this high, they could easily sweep away the surrounding alien races while fighting a civil war!

I had a swollen bump on my eye and went to the hospital.