Smuggling into Zelan Star

[Happy Again, Aren't You] had a cooldown of six hours per use, but she had a necklace that reduced cooldown time by 15%. Calculated that way, she could actually use it once every 306 minutes. Theoretically, as long as she timed every cooldown precisely, she only needed less than eleven days' worth of skill charges to trade for one chance to visit another world. Yu Xunge could completely accept that price!

If she owned this door, she would probably have set a similar price herself. It matched the preciousness of the opportunity without being extortionate, and it could also earn her some goodwill from the other party.

Yu Xunge said, "I only need you to turn me into an animal and get me out of the city. How much does that cost?"

Zhao Shuying said, "Five skill crystals."

Yu Xunge was numb. She asked one final question, "Then if that person dies, can we still come back?"

Zhao Shuying said, "Mm, that involves another fee."

Yu Xunge said, "How about you just leave? I'll pretend you were never here today."

Zhao Shuying and Wu Qingbai rose in unison. "All right."

Yu Xunge raised a hand. "Let's talk this out!"

Wu Qingbai said, "We told you, but you didn't like hearing it."

Yu Xunge said, "..." I'm the mighty female lead of a rebirth revenge story!! How dare you treat me like this... Believe it or not, I'll really get angry!

Zhao Shuying said, "We have skill crystals containing portals. Crush one, and you can come back on your own, perfectly safe. Only 52 crystals each."

Yu Xunge said, "...Do you accept gold coins?"

Zhao Shuying said, "No. We only accept your skill crystals."

Yu Xunge said, "Can I take out a loan? I mean, I'll go over first and pay back a few crystals every now and then."

Zhao Shuying said, "Of course! But since your circumstances are special, with a loan, you must make a payment every three days. Each payment must be at least ten crystals, and you must also pay an additional five crystals in interest."

Yu Xunge said, "Are you really government people?"

Wu Qingbai said, "Absolutely genuine."

Yu Xunge felt like she had run into a scam ring.

The smuggling... no, teleportation fee was fifty crystals. Turning into an animal and being sent out of the city cost five skill crystals. The return teleportation cost 52 skill crystals. The loan fee was five skill crystals.

After seeing them off, Yu Xunge sat alone on the sofa, clutching 112 blank skill crystals, a loan contract, and a confidentiality agreement. The confidentiality agreement was extremely detailed. Not only did it require her not to tell anyone that they could enter the game, but if she was captured in the other world, she could not reveal any information related to players either. Every time she tried to leak information, she would be silenced for several days.

Zhao Shuying said it was the product of a divine gift talent. Yu Xunge had seen such things in her previous life. After checking it and finding no traps or overly harsh terms, she signed it.

How had things suddenly turned out like this?

She still seemed to be a lone wolf, but now she was a lone wolf saddled with enormous debt.

She had been planning to sell this skill for three gold coins per use! One hundred and eight uses—round that up, and wasn't that five hundred gold?

Yu Xunge wiped her face and thought that this time, she had to at least earn back her costs before returning.

She spent several days investigating Zhao Shuying and Wu Qingbai first. Only after confirming that they really were government personnel did she finally relax.

She posted a vague message directly to her social feed. Those who understood would understand: [Lucky 10] has been taken by the authorities, and it will no longer be sold to outsiders.

Then she went to the backyard to make baked cat biscuits. They were tastier and more nutritious than cat food. She did not stop until she had filled all five feeders. They dispensed food every three hours, and the stored food inside was enough to feed the cats for a month.

Finally, she sent a message in the family group chat.

Only the idle Yi Qiuguo replied instantly. The other two were probably on Do Not Disturb.

[Yu Xunge]: My skill can only be used for government people lately. I'll be going on a business trip for over a month afterward, and I'm not allowed to say where.

[Happy Autumn Fruit]: Ah, are they paying you?

[Yu Xunge]: What do you think?

[Happy Autumn Fruit]: I think they can't possibly not pay.

[Yu Xunge]: They're not paying me. They even said I have to pay taxes.

[Happy Autumn Fruit]: How can they do that!!! Is there no justice left?

[Yu Xunge]: Exactly!

After spouting a few bits of nonsense that were actually true, Yu Xunge changed into clothes that were convenient for movement: a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and boots, all made of light, soft material. She did not care about windproofing or waterproofing, only that they would not make rustling sounds as she moved. Then she checked her weapons, potions, and food once more. After confirming everything was in order, she drove to the address Zhao Shuying had given her. A portal would open there tonight.

Wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a baseball cap, Yu Xunge entered the top floor of the library. It was already packed with people, most of whom wore masks and sunglasses like her, unwilling to let others see their true faces.

There was a dining table in the corner piled with food and drinks. Yu Xunge did not go over. She had trauma from such things. In this life, she would not eat anything free.

They waited until seven in the evening before someone in military uniform entered and explained the rules for the trip to the several hundred people present.

"Those following the team must obey orders. If you defy orders more than three times, we have the right to kill you."

"Cooperative players who are not following the team may act freely after leaving the city. If you encounter danger, you may also seek our protection, but I believe you all understand the price. We are only generous to our own people."

"And to those friends who have taken out loans, I hope everyone repays on time. Otherwise, it will be difficult to cooperate again in the future."

"I hope everyone will abide by the terms of the confidentiality agreement. That is the product of a divine gift talent. I trust none of you wish to learn the consequences of violating its terms."

"Everyone, understood?!"

Yu Xunge shouted "Understood" along with the crowd, feeling as though she had somehow joined military training.

Su Yitong only learned about Yu Xunge's situation after finishing her meeting.

Her brows furrowed slightly. That skill had actually been taken by the authorities...

She felt displeased, as though something belonging to her had been snatched away.

But she quickly controlled that emotion and instead began considering why the authorities needed the divine gift talent [Wheel of Fortune].

When she returned home for dinner that night, she asked Yu Xunhuan at the table whether he knew about it.

Yu Xunhuan directly showed her the group chat.

Su Yitong's gaze lingered on the line, "I'll be going on a business trip for over a month afterward, and I'm not allowed to say where," for a moment.

She asked, "They really didn't pay her?"

Yu Xunhuan shrugged. "Probably true. She may be a little stingy, but she wouldn't lie about something like this."

Su Yitong nodded thoughtfully and said nothing more.

Soon, she put it out of her mind.

She assumed the authorities needed [Lucky 10] for some special task, just as she and Liang Yuchuan had once needed divination to go more smoothly.

That skill really was useful. Recently, she had actually been considering bringing Yu Xunge into the Su Family. She was only still thinking about which branch family member to have marry Yu Xunge. Someone too outstanding would be beneath Yu Xunge, but someone a little worse would make her lose face. After all, no matter what, Yu Xunge was her husband's older sister...

Unfortunately, she was one step too late.

Forget it. It was only a B-rank talent, after all.