After hearing the news about the Dragon Army, Yan Xiaobao nodded once again. He leaned back in his chair, his eyebrows furrowed in deep thought. Xu Biao remained completely silent, allowing his guest to think as much as possible.
"For my final answer, I want to understand the information about life in these caves. Information about people’s lifestyles, ways of working, and the economy would be vast."
Xu Biao nodded before he began to explain the world he currently lived in once again.
"So far, living in these caves has been my entire life. I’ve dread of another world, but I’ve always known it’s just a dream. Most people spend their entire lives in the caves they were born in. There are various job opportunities, but most young people will spend their lives as rcenaries, trying to earn so quick money. Those who don’t will beco farrs, carpenters, rchants. Truly."
"The currency inside these tunnels is referred to as Demon Coins, which are created from the magical beast core. At a core to coin ratio of one to one. So Cultivators with tal Affinity can produce two coins from one core, but they are highly sought after and extrely rare. Usually, they end up working in the capital ranges for many banks."
"The tunnels are typically a place where rcenaries will enter in groups when they harvest herbs or hunt Demon Beasts. Demon Beasts sell for a significant amount of money, even when dead, with their cores always at least equivalent to one Demon Coin."
"Living in these caves is easy. There aren’t many noisy crowds in the city, as the Dragon Army handles them. The only downside is that it’s not easy to enter the next cave, as they are hard to access. Prices are becoming increasingly luxurious, not to ntion the cultivation level needed to traverse the tunnels connecting the caves."
Upon hearing what Xu Biao said, Yan Xiaobao nodded. It seed that life underground was entirely the sa as life on the surface, and sohow, this eased Hui Yue’s flood of emotions. As for how they would enter the next cave, Hui Yue wasn’t too concerned about it.
"As you might have guessed, it’s best not to tell anyone we co from above," Yan Xiaobao said with a shy smile, causing Xu Biao to snort.
Although the young man looked innocent, it was clear he was plotting sothing, and even Xu Biao knew that staying on the good side of these ubiquitous people would be most beneficial to him.
"Well, I suggest we sign the four of you up as mbers of the rcenary Guild," Xu Biao said with a smile, pressing a mory Stone. Shortly after, the heavy wooden door opened, and a woman rushed in.
"Xie Lan, find four Golden rcenary Badges," the woman instructed as soon as she opened the door. She gave a slight bow before leaving again and closed the door behind her.
"These badges will provide you discounts throughout the city," Xu Biao said proudly. Yan Xiaobao was not foolish; he knew they were receiving a lot of face to instantly receive golden badges, but he said nothing, just nodded.
"As mbers of the rcenary Guild, there are multiple benefits," the young man continued. "First, you don’t need to pay for hotel rooms, but you will have your own courtyard within our area."
"Second, you will have access to the bulletin board, where citizens and the Dragon Clan company request items or small tasks in search of soone. Typically, this is where most rcenaries find work."
Yan Xiaobao sneered at this information and made a ntal note to visit the bulletin board later. They really needed money now, and it was clear that the simplest way to obtain it was to be employed in so way.
He still had the possibility of selling many items they had acquired by killing Demon Beasts during their travels; however, the idea saddened Yan Xiaobao, and when he heard another option, hope filled his eyes.
Looking at the young boy in front of him, Xu Biao felt sorrow, as he thought the reason Yan Xiaobao looked so hopeful was because he was truly poor. The old man decided to help them right from the start. The mory Stone he was given was a priceless item within the Underworld, containing information about the outside world as well.
The wooden door opened once again, and Xie Lan walked in holding four golden badges, each engraved with a mark at the top, reading "Golden rcenary Guild mber."
"Don’t be shy!" Xu Biao said with a smile as he stood from his chair and opened his arms wide, his face alight with excitent. "Co now, everyone take a badge, and make sure to bind it to yourself with your Qi. Then I’ll ensure to take you around the rcenary Association. Oh, and yes, you might want to wear those black cloaks again."
After leaving the office, Xu Biao carried out his plan completely and first led Yan Xiaobao and his friends to the courtyard to choose a house to stay in within the city.
The courtyard they chose was one of the smaller ones, as Yan Xiaobao’s group of four was considered a small group within the rcenary community.
Though Yan Xiaobao was considered only a leader of a small group, this small group beca the talk of the town. Other rcenaries displayed much excitent upon seeing how the Guild Leader led the cloaked n and even showed them different places within the rcenary Guild headquarters.
The compound occupied by the rcenary Guild wasn’t the largest, but many courtyards and palaces were squeezed into the small space. Stalls were placed in every corner and crevice, as everyone misused space and maximized its potential.
Xu Biao quickly walked through the residential area, guiding his four guests toward the stables. "Owning a Demon Beast as a mount is one of the most luxurious things a rcenary can have, as it’s hard to ta beasts living within the tunnels."
"We provide shelter for captured Demon Beasts, provided the owner pays 10 Demon Cores or Demon Coins monthly."
Returning to the stables, Yan Xiaobao noticed that inside there were very few magical beasts. Only a few could be seen, none as fierce as those Hui Yue had encountered in the tunnels.
If one wished to ta a beast, then obtaining a magical beast as a mount wasn’t easy. The beast would only be interested in following those who bound them. If one wished to purchase a magical beast, they had to be bred by kennels that specialized in breeding magical beasts.
Seeing the few beasts within Huoyue’s stable, it was clear although there weren’t many, it was evident there were so rcenaries within the city capable of taming these beasts. Clearly, the power within this cave exceeded the previous one.
With the introduction to the rcenary Guild, Xu Biao led Yan Xiaobao to various stalls to show him what they were selling.
So sold weapons, while others sold accessories. So sold inscriptions and other provisions. So stalls sold all the items rcenaries might need, and even dicinal booths focused on selling various potions.
The Magic Potions here weren’t as effective as pills on the surface but were pastes made from herbs sold to the stalls by other rcenaries. Although these potions were far less effective than dicinal pills, they still greatly helped rcenaries who didn’t have wood-affinity therapists with them.
Looking at the armor and weapons, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but admire each piece, crafted from black iron. Reflecting, Yan Xiaobao understood that the people living in these caves had abundant and heavy iron.
Looking at the weapons, the prices were quite fair. They were certainly much cheaper than on the surface, and Hui Yue decided to visit the shops more frequently in the future. Even if he had to spend his beast core, it was certainly worth it.
Seeing the keen interest in Yan Xiaobao’s eyes, Xu Biao couldn’t help but feel quietly pleased. Impressed by the young white-haired boy, the Guild Leader felt a juvenile sense of satisfaction. Earlier shocked by the information about the outside world, being able to astonish this young man with their world, he couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
The tour continued as they slowly entered the main hall. The main hall was a large room filled with various stalls. Each stall had its own sign, with so having long queues.
Looking at these signs, Yan Xiaobao felt excitent because he saw how many options there were. One of the stalls was nad "Demon Beast Hunting," and it detailed all requirents related to Demon Beast hunts. "Herb Gathering" was another stall, with a huge blackboard behind the counter, showcasing various photos, each representing soone searching for specific herbs.
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