C23 Sunset City

Sunset City is the largest metropolis within tens of thousands of miles, drawing daily crowds of merchants, mercenaries, and noble scions from neighboring towns.

Here, one can find nearly every conceivable treasure and marvel from the surrounding regions. If you can imagine it, you can buy it!

This place is both paradise and purgatory.

With money, you can indulge every whim; without it, you won't even make it past the front gates!

Despite numerous expansions, Sunset City's vast expanse still isn't enough to accommodate the throngs of people flocking to it. Owning real estate here isn't just a matter of wealth; it's a status symbol.

Gazing at the towering city walls, hundreds of feet high, and the ceaseless flow of people, Zhang Yu's astonishment was unmistakably etched on his face.

"Halt, please pay the entrance fee!" a grizzled guard halted the dust-covered Zhang Yu.

"An entrance fee? How much?" Zhang Yu inquired, taken aback.

"Ten Low Grade Spirit Stones per person," the guard replied with an air of impatience. "Make it quick, there's a line behind you."

Hearing that it cost ten Low Grade Spirit Stones just to enter, Zhang Yu couldn't help but lament. Big cities are in a league of their own! After all, the Zhang family members used to make about ten Low Grade Spirit Stones in a month, barely enough to get through the city gates. It's no wonder they seldom brought their goods to sell in Sunset City. Aside from the lengthy trek, the cost of food and lodging alone was substantial. When all was said and done, there was little to no profit to be had.

"Brother, could we step aside for a moment?" Zhang Yu asked the bearded guard with a smile, slipping him fifty Low Grade Spirit Stones. These were given to him by his father, a stash of about a thousand, which he hadn't expected to come in handy so soon.

Seeing Zhang Yu's cooperative gesture, the guard's demeanor warmed considerably. "No need for formalities, brother. Come, have a seat and enjoy some tea," he said, smoothly pocketing the Spirit Stones and gesturing for Zhang Yu to follow.

"You look like a first-timer in Sunset City, am I right? Anything you need to know, just ask me. I'm Gao Hu, and I'll spare no detail!" the stubbled man declared, thumping his chest with a promise.

"Brother Gao Hu truly has an eye for detail," Zhang Yu offered a compliment. "I'm curious about the customs of Sunset City. Being new here, I'm clueless and wouldn't want to inadvertently cross the wrong person—that would be disastrous. Could you offer some guidance?"

"In Sunset City, once you're within the city walls, engaging in violence is forbidden. This is a decree from the city's four dominant powers. Break this rule, and the City Guard Team will be after you. Resist, and you'll find yourself on a wanted list backed by all four powers."

Gao Hu paused to sip his tea, then resumed, "To the east, we have the Hao family, who run both a casino and a brothel. The women there are not just any ordinary courtesans; they're female cultivators, meticulously trained by the Hao family. Being with them offers pleasure and can even enhance one's cultivation. Alas, for someone without wealth or influence like me, it's merely a daydream."

His eyes gleamed with an uncontrollable fervor as he spoke.

"The Ding family controls the western district, operating the auction houses. Countless treasures pass through their hands daily. At their annual premier auction, it's rumored that Martial Sovereign Stage masters vie for rare items. The very thought of it is enough to set one's pulse racing."

"Down south, the Pill Refining Master Guild holds sway, monopolizing Sunset City's Medicine Pill market. Their influence, built on the back of these pills, is immense. They're arguably the most powerful entity here."

"To the north lies the Ouyang family, renowned blacksmiths. Ouyang Ye is said to have crafted a first-grade Profound Artifact, earning him the title of 'Craftsman God.' Their control over weapons and mines makes them rivals to the other three."

"It's wise to steer clear of these four factions to avoid serious trouble. Should you need anything, the city center has much to offer, and I'm confident you'll find what you're looking for."

"Thanks for the insight, Brother Gao Hu. Another question, though—why do some people enter the city without paying?" Zhang Yu inquired further.

"Oh, that's because they own property within the city. They just need to flash their identity card," Gao Hu explained.

"Got it. Thanks, Brother Gao Hu. I've got things to do, so I'll be on my way. Catch you later."

"Until next time!"

...

As Zhang Yu strolled along the expansive streets of Sunset City, he marveled at the hustle and bustle, the throngs of people, and the cacophony of vendors calling out their wares. It was a testament to the city's vibrancy.

He meandered, occasionally pausing to purchase novelties that piqued his interest. Yet, for Zhang Yu at this stage, what he truly needed were potent martial skills and Medicine Pills to enhance his strength. The trinkets were merely indulgences for his inner child.

Suddenly, the Creation Jade Disc within Zhang Yu stirred. "Could it be detecting something out of the ordinary?" he wondered silently.

Turning on his heel, he retraced his steps to a stall he had just passed, halting before a disheveled old man.

"My good sir, what can I do for you? Feel free to browse; I've got plenty of treasures here."

Zhang Yu responded with a noncommittal hum.

He examined each item on the stall, guided by the impulses from the Creation Jade Disc. He zeroed in on a target—a stone that seemed utterly mundane, nestled among fragments of weapons, hardly drawing the eye.

Zhang Yu was aware that when shopping in such places, it was crucial to maintain a poker face. The seasoned market veterans could read the slightest emotional flicker and would jack up the price in a heartbeat.

Conversely, if you appeared indifferent, they'd go out of their way to make a sale. So, he casually inquired about the price of an item before setting it back down.

"Shopkeeper, is this a piece of a spiritual weapon?" Zhang Yu inquired, lifting a broken sword that glinted with a chilling light from the heap of weapon scraps.

"You have quite the discerning eye, young master. But no, this isn't a fragment of a spirit weapon. It was once a long sword of Treasure Artifact caliber, but it's been broken for reasons unknown. Still, the edge of this broken sword surpasses that of any common spirit weapon. If you're interested, I'll offer you a discount—eighty thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. How does that sound?"

"Come on, boss, you're really pushing it, aren't you? Eighty thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones could get me a fifth-level Spirit Weapon! If you're not going to be serious, then forget it." Zhang Yu's voice dripped with disappointment.

"Business is all about haggling, right? Quote high, negotiate down. If you're not happy, I can knock the price down a bit more. Between us, this item is rumored to be a rare find from an ancient tomb."

Zhang Yu seemed intrigued, prompting the vendor to continue his pitch. "Just think about it, ancient relics are in a league of their own. You might even unlock some legendary cultivation technique. That would be a real windfall!"

Previously, Zhang Yu would have dismissed such claims about discovering legendary techniques as ludicrous. Did he think fate was so generous that stumbling could lead to finding treasure, or that buying some random rock might house a Peerless Expert? But today, the prospect of striking it lucky had him secretly thrilled, though he maintained a resolute expression.

"Alright, boss, I'll take it for seventy thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones, but you have to throw in this whole pile of items."

The old man hesitated, his face flickering with doubt. But after a thorough check ensuring nothing was amiss, he agreed, albeit begrudgingly.

"Here are seven hundred Middle Grade Spirit Stones for you," Zhang Yu said, wincing as he handed over the payment, then eagerly stashed everything into his Storage Ring.

In Sunset City, a small Storage Ring wasn't too rare or costly, purchasable for tens of thousands of Low Grade Spirit Stones. However, if anyone knew that Zhang Yu's ring could hold thousands of cubic meters, he'd be on the run.

As he walked away, Zhang Yu couldn't stop thinking about mastering that peerless cultivation technique.

The old vendor watched Zhang Yu leave, his reluctance quickly replaced by glee. "Haha, I've fleeced another one! I've made tenfold on what I paid for those few thousand Low Grade Spirit Stones. What a rush! Tonight, I'm off to celebrate with Peach Blossom."

He let out a sleazy laugh as he gathered the items scattered on the ground. Humming a cheerful tune, he made his way out with a spring in his step.