Chapter 161: Time Crystal

Fusing various crystals heavily burdens the soul; even a prodigy can fuse one crystal, but each additional crystal requires the soul to be twice as strong.

A warrior who fuses ten crystals is called a Black Warrior, and the temple issues a Black Warrior Medal.

"I see, the first task is manageable—at worst we can seize a Domain Lord—but the second task is hard to accomplish! No wonder it's ranked as the most dangerous cultivation mission!" Xiao Yu closed the book, his expression solemn.

The second task is too hard; fusing ten crystals demands the soul in the body to be tens of thousands of times stronger.

Moreover, the first task requires contending with a Realm Lord—how can we not give it a try!

The party slowed down, and Xiao Yu looked up.

Ahead stood the ancient city gate, already a hundred zhang tall.

The Star Lord City had already been reached.

Among them, 1 platinum coin equals 1,000 gold coins.

He loaded all the Beast Cores into the spatial wristband previously obtained, then declined the boss's invitation to a meal, and left the wild beast material shop.

Green Lawn Pavilion spans over ten kilometers in diameter, its interior scenery is beautiful, and it can accommodate nearly 50,000 guests at most; a constant stream of visitors pours in daily, and many people from the Star Territory enter the city, making business here thrive.

"Quick, pay up."

1 purple coin equals 1,000 platinum coins.

They didn't demand an entry fee from Yu Qi's party, but Fang Lei still tossed them a platinum coin, saying, "For the brothers to drink."

"Sir, you're joking," the boss replied, still thinking the aura‑radiating, Lingxiao‑level strongman before him was fooling him, "You couldn't possibly be unaware that fusing Divine Crystals requires immense spiritual power. Buying such a massive amount of Beast Cores must be preparation to become a Black Warrior!"

"Do you sell Beast Cores here?" Xiao Yu asked.

The burly soldiers' smiles grew even broader.

Inside Star City.

"Young Master Yu Qi is back; make way quickly," the burly soldiers shouted as they saw Xiao Yu and his group approaching the city gate, instantly adopting an exceedingly enthusiastic demeanor.

"Third‑tier Beast Cores," Xiao Yu said. "However, I need a large quantity; I wonder if you can handle it!"

…

He then sat in a living‑room chair, looking at the servant before him.

"Haha, you're right," Xiao Yu chuckled.

"No need, let's part ways here," after reading those books along the way, Xiao Yu already had some plans in mind; the plan was too daring, and he didn't want to become too entangled with this world—after all, he was merely a passerby.

"Want to get in without money? You're courting death!" a group of burly soldiers brandishing large cleavers or swinging Great Axes shouted and yelled there.

As the central hub within a radius of tens of millions of kilometers, the main city 'Star City' has walls about four hundred meters high, stretching endlessly like an infinite black mountain range. Its city gate is nearly a hundred meters wide and three hundred meters tall, where a group of burly soldiers in scale armor collect entry fees.

Xiao Yu surveyed it, nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad."

"Separate?" Yu Qi was startled, and Uncle Fang Lei's face also showed a hint of anxiety.

Yu Qi, Fang Lei, and the others watched the mysterious master in black battle armor, bearing a warblade, disappear into the distance; Fang Lei whispered excitedly, "He's the strongest master I've ever encountered up close in my life."

Night fell, and Xiao Yu arrived at the most luxurious lodging in Star City, the Green Lawn Pavilion.

The Green Lawn Pavilion's most extravagant suite, the 'Heaven'-level room, costs 5 purple coins per night, equivalent to five million gold coins.

From first‑tier to fourth‑tier Beast Cores, Xiao Yu had already obtained some in the ancient forest; each tier increase multiplies the soul power inside the Beast Core by dozens of times, and considering purity, the difference reaches about a thousandfold, making third‑tier Beast Cores the most cost‑effective purchase.

Soon the uniformed woman summoned a short, plump, white‑haired old man—the shop's owner. Upon hearing Xiao Yu's massive order, the owner, a bit worried it might be competitors from other cities, hesitantly asked, "Sir, may I ask what you intend to do with such a huge quantity of Beast Cores?"

Xiao Yu then turned and walked down the endless street toward the distance; his figure blurred, and in an instant he was already far away.

Yu Qi warmly invited, "Brother Xiao, I'm very familiar with this city; stay at my place, and later I'll give you a proper tour. Though the capital is huge, there's truly nothing I don't know about it."

Xiao Yu smiled, "What else are these Beast Cores for? Aren't they just for boosting or replenishing spiritual power?"

"Sir, feel free to give any orders. While you stay at our Green Lawn Pavilion these days, I will attend to you continuously," the young servant said respectfully.

Xiao Yu didn't rush to lodge; instead, he strolled around the city, dined here and there, listened to nearby diners' conversations, and learned more about the affairs of Star City.

The servant led Xiao Yu to a three‑story loft with gardens and ponds; on a stone plaque outside the loft courtyard were the characters 'Heaven, 933'.

Gold coins are a currency used on Viska Star; Viska Star has three types of money: fractional coins, gold coins, platinum coins, and purple coins.

"Six million pieces," Xiao Yu smiled.

The owner wore an expression that I couldn't see through.

The uniformed woman smiled and asked, "Sir, how many would you like to purchase?"

After a brief discussion, the owner immediately offered a 10% discount, and Xiao Yu added another 700,000 pieces to his order, purchasing a total of 6.7 million third‑tier Beast Cores.

"Brother Xiao, I'm in the city and would like to see you—can I meet you?" Yu Qi nodded in disappointment and asked.

After entering the city.

"I'm just a passerby; I won't stay long in Star City," Xiao Yu said, looking at the youth and smiling.

"What?" the uniformed woman shouted excitedly, "Sir, wait a moment; I'll summon our owner. I can't make decisions on such a large transaction."

Even in the pricey Star City, a regular person's meal is insufficient, let alone for someone living comfortably; 60 million purple coins is a hefty sum even in the world capital, let alone in Star City.

"Sir, this way," a handsome young man in servant attire said respectfully, leading the way.

"We have them, sir. We sell Beast Cores from first to fourth tier. First‑tier costs 10 gold coins each, second‑tier 10 platinum coins, third‑tier 10 purple coins, and fourth‑tier 100,000 purple coins each," the uniformed woman asked enthusiastically, "Which tier and how many would you like to buy?"

Commerce in Star City is highly developed, with all kinds of food, drink, and entertainment; Xiao Yu found a commercial district specializing in Beast Cores and wild beast materials.

Seeing that one wild beast material shop spanned over ten kilometers in diameter, Xiao Yu entered, and a woman in a blue uniform approached, "Sir, what would you like to purchase?"

"Indeed! Sir Xiao," Fang Lei beamed, while a group of guards behind him watched Xiao Yu anxiously, unable to speak.

Xiao Yu took a purple coin from his spatial wristband, placed it on the table, and said slowly, "It's my first time in Star City, and I'm not very familiar with it. What famous snacks do you have? What attractions? And which notable figures or merchants are here?"

Seeking recommendations!!! Seeking monthly tickets!!!

(End of chapter)