The Village Chief! A deal!

"To think tiny Redfang Village held so many secrets."

"Unfortunately, most of those secrets meant nothing to a passerby like me."

"Still, I could pay the Village Chief a visit. I had 97 taels of silver left!"

Within this secret realm world, silver had considerable purchasing power.

From basic food, clothing, shelter, and transportation to items beyond the mundane, everything could be bought with silver.

Perhaps this was another benefit of the "Newcomer Secret Realm."

An idea stirred in Wu Yu's mind, and he decided to take a look tomorrow.

"If I followed Yu Tiezhu and the others' example, I could leave Redfang Village and take the main road to the nearest extraction point in no time!"

"But then..."

He leaned against his pillow, his gaze sharpening slightly.

In the eighteen years since he had come to this world, Wu Yu had actually been fortunate.

In this chaotic, insane era, it was far too difficult for an ordinary person to get ahead.

Megacorporations monopolized everything. A single lunch for the rich cost an astronomical sum that the poor could scarcely imagine earning in a lifetime.

"I regained my memories early, and with my family's wholehearted support, I managed to get into the Higher Academy. Along the way, I even secured an investment contract from a major corporation. At the very least, I could become a corporate lackey in the future."

"But even with an [External Heavenly Spiritual Root], I could work my entire life and never catch up to those born into wealth."

"I could become a corporate lackey, become a transcendent to protect my family, and settle for a comfortable life."

"Or..."

Wu Yu narrowed his eyes, almost seeing the scene of his blood being drawn at the academy's [Spirit Cultivation Association] again.

He felt no humiliation, only a refusal to accept his lot!

He had been reborn, witnessed this vast new era, and gained an unimaginable opportunity.

Was he really going to spend his entire life being ordinary?

As anxiety gripped him, Wu Yu looked into his Inventory and saw the little stones, each already inscribed with a [Bi Fang Sigil].

"..." He took a deep breath, then suddenly smiled.

Getting up, Wu Yu made arrangements by the door, the window, and across the floor.

He placed several small stones in each spot, just in case.

The power of the [Bi Fang Sigil] was extraordinarily mysterious and would not harm Wu Yu.

But shattered stones and other flying debris still posed a threat, so caution was best.

Only after everything was ready did he pull his blanket over himself and slowly drift off to sleep.

The next day!

Wu Yu woke at the first light of dawn.

He got up, straightened his clothes, and strode down to the first floor.

"Good morning, sir!"

The innkeeper probably had not risen yet. An early-rising worker was cleaning and hurried to greet Wu Yu when he saw him.

Wu Yu smiled gently and asked, "Could you tell me the way to the training grounds?"

"Are you going to have a look at the training grounds, sir?"

Curiosity filled the worker's face. He quickly pointed the way and said, "Just follow this road!"

"Thank you."

Wu Yu nodded and walked briskly outside.

A window opened on the second floor.

Chen Lingling sat by it, watching Wu Yu with a puzzled look.

Most of the villagers in Redfang Village were already awake.

The training grounds were even livelier, with burly men hard at work practicing martial arts.

Before Wu Yu could approach, one of the men on the training grounds turned and fixed him with a cold stare.

It was Captain Lu!

"Boy, what are you doing here?"

Captain Lu strode over with a snort.

"You can't learn martial arts by sneaking a few looks. If you want to learn, get up early every day and train hard with us!"

"Thank you for the kind offer, Captain!"

Wu Yu smiled slightly and said, "I'm here to see the Village Chief."

"Hm?"

Captain Lu frowned and flatly refused. "No!"

But just as he spoke, a voice came from farther away.

"Here to see me?"

"Little Lu, let him in!"

The voice came from a building far across the training grounds.

Hearing this,

Captain Lu could only comply. With a stern face, he said, "Please follow me."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Wu Yu nodded.

When they reached the wooden house, Captain Lu stepped aside at the door, gesturing for Wu Yu to enter on his own.

Wu Yu showed no fear. He pushed open the door and strode inside.

The little wooden house was less than fifty square meters, filled with all sorts of boxes, miscellaneous objects, and a blue-green meditation cushion!

The Village Chief was an old man in gray robes. He stroked his beard and watched Wu Yu with a smile.

"Little Lu has been my guard for thirty years, so he's rather stiff. Please be understanding, young man!"

"You're too kind, Village Chief."

Wu Yu shook his head, understanding dawning on him.

No wonder he was called the Guard Captain!

"Let's speak plainly!"

The Village Chief wasted no time and said with a smile, "Of all the people who arrived with you, you're the only youngster with any sense!"

"Some are arrogant and disdain speaking to commoners like us."

"Some are vile and enjoy stealing and robbing!"

"Others are calculating and want something for nothing."

"Only you treated every villager as an equal!"

Wu Yu was astonished to hear this.

Apparently, this mysterious Village Chief had observed everything their group had done in Redfang Village.

"Of course! Most importantly..."

The Village Chief abruptly changed tack and said with a smile, "You have plenty of money!"

"...You must be joking, Village Chief."

Wu Yu was inwardly speechless, but this was precisely why he had come.

Since the Village Chief was a shrewd businessman, things would be easy!

"I still have a little silver and would like to purchase a few things."

"Good. As long as you came prepared! I don't like talking to fools, either."

The Village Chief nodded in satisfaction and patted his waist.

A little cloth pouch hung there. As he patted it, the pouch opened, and one item after another flew out.

"Boy, these are all transcendent items! I haven't inflated the prices!"

With that, the Village Chief spread out a cloth, placed the items on it, and introduced them one by one.

"[Ascending Dragon Pill], ten to a bottle! They boost your vitality and help with Essence-to-Qi Refinement! Only twenty taels!"

"This peerless cultivation method is called the 'Heaven-Earth Limitless Immortal-God Cultivation Method.' Only fifty taels!"

"[Immortal Dao Imperial Weapon], a supreme treasure capable of obliterating the Great Dao! Yours for twenty taels!"

Spittle flew as the Village Chief spoke excitedly, his face full of reluctance, as though bringing out these treasures had already been an agonizing decision.

Wu Yu looked up and saw panels appearing over the items.

The so-called [Ascending Dragon Pill] was actually an inferior [Vitality Pill], with only white quality.

The supposedly peerless cultivation method was actually "Basic Body Refining Fist," also white quality.

And the [Immortal Dao Imperial Weapon] was merely a modified [Inferior Iron Blade], likewise white quality.

He inspected them one by one. There were more than twenty items, and every last one was junk!

"Village Chief!"

Wu Yu interrupted him.

"Which one would you like? Since you're so sincere, I'll give you a good price!"

The Village Chief looked kindly and approachable, his expression brimming with approval.

Wu Yu's face twitched. He shook his head and said, "I have regular [Vitality Pills]. Why would I buy inferior ones? And the rest of this junk isn't even worth mentioning!"

With that, he flicked his wrist, and a [Vitality Pill] appeared.

Its fragrance wafted into their noses.

The Village Chief's expression changed, and he immediately burst out laughing.

"Oh dear! Wrong items, wrong items!"

As he spoke,

he waved his hand and put everything away.

"It seems you know your stuff, young man!"

With that, the Village Chief brought out another batch of items.

This time, however, there were only four.