A Gentle Break

The group walked out of the white jade harbor.

A colossal creature stood on the broad street.

It resembled a giant centipede and stretched dozens of yards long. Bluish-black armor covered its body, while some kind of formation marked its belly.

"This is one of the city's Earth-Walking Dragons." Dantai Ming beckoned everyone aboard. "It's a demon-beast puppet refined by the sect specifically for transport. The ride's smooth."

Everyone filed in.

The beast had been hollowed out and converted into a spacious carriage.

The seats were covered in soft animal hides.

They could even feel the faint rise and fall of its breathing.

It was astonishing.

As they boarded, Dantai Ming lightly scanned a crystal beside the door with his Void Terminal.

"Beep. Three hundred Mystic Crystals deducted."

A crisp notification sounded.

"Brother Dantai, what are Mystic Crystals?" Shi Lei could not help asking.

"Mystic Crystals are money in the Supreme Unity Mystic Sect." Dantai Ming took a seat and tapped his folding fan against his palm. "Don't underestimate them. They contain extremely pure star power that you can absorb directly, greatly speeding up conversion through your Star Vortex. They're very useful."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

They could speed up cultivation? That was good stuff.

"But Mystic Crystals are only the currency for everyday spending," Dantai Ming continued. "Above them are Spirit Crystals, which are much more precious. In this sect, you spend Mystic Crystals on ordinary purchases and Spirit Crystals on treasures."

"In fact, you've only just arrived."

Dantai Ming smiled. "The sect has already credited each of you with an initial sum of Mystic Crystals. Check your terminals."

At that, everyone looked down and fiddled with the Void Terminals on their wrists.

"I've... only got five thousand?" Shi Lei scratched his head, pained by the number on the