"This Blue-Wave City is not something that ordinary people can enter. Either they are strong, or they have a certain power background."

The scorpion demon leaned back in his seat, his tail lightly tapping the wooden floor of the carriage. His tone was calm, but beneath it lay an undisguised sense of superiority—as if this truth were an iron law that had existed since the birth of the Demon Territory.

"I see that you're from Skyreach Territory," he continued, his compound eyes narrowing slightly as they sized Ethan up.

"So you're not from a large demon clan, right?"

"Yes," Ethan replied with a gentle smile.

"You have a good eye."

"I knew it…" The scorpion demon chuckled softly.

"Still, seeing that you're kind-hearted, I reluctantly brought you along."

Ethan did not refute the words. Instead, he leaned slightly forward, his expression relaxed.

"Brother, let's be straightforward," he said.

"How much does it cost?"

The scorpion demon laughed and waved his claw dismissively.

"You kid, you really know how to talk."

He straightened his back slightly, his tone gaining weight.

"I am the director of a chamber of commerce in Blue-Wave City. I have an identity token and can enter and leave the city at will."

"If you're an outsider and your realm is below the fifth level, there's no chance at all."

"Fifth level?" Ethan raised his brows, deliberately feigning surprise.

"That requirement is too high."

The scorpion demon snorted.

"Too high? Don't forget where this place is."

"This is Blue-Wave City—one of the six major cities of the Demon Territory."

"It's not comparable to that backwater place like Netherfall Pass."

He paused briefly before continuing, clearly enjoying the explanation.

"Before this, you only needed to reach the fourth level to enter the city. If you wanted to live here long-term, you needed at least the sixth level, plus annual settlement fees."

"But now things are different."

"The training trial has begun in advance. To prevent overcrowding and stop people with ulterior motives from sneaking in, the city raised the requirements."

Ethan rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

The rules of the Demon Territory were far stricter than those of the human lands.

Fourth level was equivalent to the Nascent Soul Realm. Fifth level corresponded to Soul Formation. If one wished to stay in the city for an extended period, they needed to reach the seventh level—Body Integration.

In Skyreach Territory, a Body Integration cultivator was already an elder of a first-class sect.

But here, it merely qualified one for residence.

That alone revealed how terrifying Blue-Wave City truly was.

"One hundred top-quality spiritual crystals," the scorpion demon said abruptly, his voice low and enticing.

"I'll take you into the city."

"You can stay for about ten days. If you want longer, that's another price."

"…."

Ethan fell silent.

One hundred top-quality spiritual crystals—just to step through the gate.

Even though I have more money than I could ever spend, it's too dark to collect a hundred spiritual crystals just for entering a city

This scorpion demon truly lived up to his identity as a chamber-of-commerce director. He knew exactly how to squeeze people dry.

There was an old saying Ethan remembered well.

The more shameless a person was, the easier it was for them to make money.

The scorpion demon observed Ethan carefully, his gaze sharp.

Judging by Ethan's calmness and composure, this roe deer spirit was clearly not poor.

Under normal circumstances, the price to enter the city hovered around thirty top-quality spiritual crystals. Recently, it had been raised to fifty.

Asking for a hundred was nothing more than deliberate profiteering.

"One hundred top-quality spiritual crystals is too expensive," Ethan said lightly.

"With that amount, I could sleep with courtesans in a brothel every day for several years."

The scorpion demon was not offended. Instead, he smiled patiently, as though he had expected such a response.

"Little friend, we're both cultivators. Blue-Wave City is a land of spiritual abundance, where the essence of heaven and earth converges."

"There's a massive spirit-gathering formation inside the city."

"One day of cultivation here is worth ten days—perhaps even half a month—outside."

"One hundred top-grade spiritual crystals is really not a loss."

He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially.

"How about this? Pay the hundred. I'll do my best to let you stay as long as possible."

The scorpion demon was certain of one thing.

Ethan hadn't refused outright.

Which meant he had the money—he just didn't want to spend it.

"I'll think about it," Ethan replied casually.

"Fine," the scorpion demon nodded.

"Take your time."

The carriage creaked as it rolled forward, merging into the main road.

Blue-Wave City loomed ahead like a colossal beast slumbering between forest and sea.

Ethan lifted the curtain and looked out.

The scene was chaotic yet orderly.

Endless queues stretched toward the city gates. Carriages, demon cultivators, and merchants crowded together, voices overlapping into a constant roar.

All around them, native residents of Blue-Wave City openly sold "entry assistance," turning access to the city into a lucrative business.

The scorpion demon glanced at Ethan from the corner of his eye but said nothing.

He planned to wait until they reached the gate.

If Ethan still refused, he would kick him out and let him experience despair firsthand.

People always changed their minds once they felt pressured.

After a long wait, the convoy finally reached the towering gates.

City guards, fully transformed into human forms, inspected each caravan with cold expressions.

The scorpion demon opened the curtain, showed his token, and exchanged a few words.

Then he turned back toward Ethan.

"Well? Have you thought it through?"

"One hundred top-quality spiritual crystals are still too expensive," Ethan replied calmly.

"Can it be cheaper?"

The scorpion demon's expression cooled instantly.

"Boy, don't push your luck. If you won't pay, then get off."

"Oh."

Ethan stepped down from the carriage without hesitation.

He placed ten spiritual crystals on the ground—the agreed travel fee.

"Is this little roe deer from your Four Seas Chamber of Commerce?" one of the guards asked.

"No," the scorpion demon waved dismissively.

He smiled with faint contempt, clearly waiting to see Ethan embarrassed.

The guard walked over, scanning Ethan from head to toe.

"Do you even know where this is?" he asked impatiently.

"I know," Ethan replied.

"If you know, then why are you wasting my time?" the guard barked.

"Get lost!"

He had already checked—just a third-level little demon.

Not worth another word.

Ethan narrowed his eyes and smiled.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 1 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 2 Extra Chapters

Dragon - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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