Chapter 645: We Xu Shao Can Afford to Pay

"How was it?"The three people waiting inside the city immediately began to inquire eagerly as soon as he entered.Xu Xiaoshou smiled and shook his head, saying nothing more.This was clearly not the place to talk.Outside, there were still Path-Cutting level masters secretly observing him, and just based on the two "gazes" popping up in his info panel, he couldn't comfortably interact with his junior sisters.

"Let's go, first, let's explore this King City!"With a wave of his hand, Xu Xiaoshou strode forward.The few people behind him were sharp-witted.The two Ghost Beasts had even experienced hiding to survive, so after a brief thought, they didn't press further, simply stepping forward to follow.

Eastern Heaven King City was incredibly prosperous, living up to its name "King City." Even at the city gates, the buildings here were densely packed, either grand and imposing or dazzlingly opulent, exuding extreme luxury.

In this land where every inch was precious, there wasn't much ground to occupy, so buildings soared skyward. The streets were bustling with people, a continuous flow. Even though Xu Xiaoshou and his group had an extraordinary aura, once they entered this place, they seemed to blend into the crowd.This was because everywhere they looked, there were Spirit Refiners!While ordinary people did exist here, those who moved about were all conspicuously wealthy, traveling by carriage, in merchant caravans, and always accompanied by numerous Spirit Refiner guards. Evidently, anyone who could enter Eastern Heaven King City as a mortal was someone of great means.This discovery brought a touch of surprise to Xu Xiaoshou.

Looking at his info panel again:"Attracted attention, passive points, 32.""Being spied on, passive points, 18.""Feared, passive points, 22."He was already in a state of blending in with the crowd. Yet, as soon as he entered the city, the info panel continued to pop up notifications incessantly."This is a treasure trove!"Xu Xiaoshou recalled the routine questioning by the White-Clothed guards when entering the city; besides "name" and "origin," there was also "cultivation level."

"Are all the people coming and going here Spirit Refiners?" he asked, looking back, somewhat disbelieving.After more than half a month of travel, Spirit Refiners were as rare as deities in the mortal world. Suddenly seeing such a large group of Spirit Refiners outside the Spirit Palace, Xu Xiaoshou truly couldn't believe what he was seeing.Xin Gugu, however, nodded as if it were common knowledge.

"This is the King City, unlike the places you've been before. This is truly a world of Spirit Refiners. If ordinary people want to enter, their status and position must be high enough; otherwise, they don't even have the right to set foot here.""And!" He seemed to recall something, emphasizing, "Killing is not forbidden in the King City. However, conflicts between those at the King's Throne level and above must take place higher up."He pointed to the sky, "In the realm, and in aerial combat."Mu Zixi was startled. "Killing isn't forbidden? Wouldn't that lead to chaos?"

Xin Gugu shook his head. "You're overthinking it. This is the King City, almost ten times larger than other commandery cities. How could anyone manage all of it?""Even if they wanted to, the City Lord's Mansion and the Holy Temple wouldn't have enough manpower, so it's mostly governed by division."He said, looking at the surrounding buildings, and explained:"Once inside the King City, the size of a faction can generally be discerned by the height of its buildings. Typically, within any given area, there will be a tallest building.""The faction occupying that building naturally takes charge of security in that particular area.""If something truly goes wrong, the City Lord's Mansion only needs to communicate with them.""All in all, how can there be a world of Spirit Refiners without bloodshed?""As long as it doesn't disrupt the normal order of the King City, you can do whatever you want, and generally no one will interfere. Of course, all of this is predicated on you not provoking the highest authority in that particular area."

"What if someone does provoke them?" Xu Xiaoshou suddenly asked."Uh." Xin Gugu froze for a moment, thinking of the "arrogant conduct" mission he had received, feeling a bit timid. "That wouldn't be good, would it?"Xu Xiaoshou turned his head to look at him.Xin Gugu immediately felt helpless and could only continue, "If you truly provoke them, things will get serious.""Within that area, the highest authority has the right to execute. As long as the impact isn't too severe, if you truly harm their people, they can be killed on the spot without culpability.""This is one of the unique privileges of the governing factions!"He deliberately emphasized his tone, wanting Xu Xiaoshou to realize the gravity of the situation.

Xu Xiaoshou fell into contemplation upon hearing this.After a long pause, just as Xin Gugu let out a slight sigh of relief, he asked again, "What if the impact is very severe?"Xin Gugu: "???""Isn't your focus a bit odd?""What I want you to understand is that once we're in the King City, especially with two Ghost Beasts inhabiting bodies, wouldn't it be better for us to act a bit more discreetly?""Isn't it enough to be ostentatious outside?""Even a mighty dragon can't overpower a local snake.""Here, the local snakes are thicker than dragons, and tougher than dragons!"

Mo Mo calmly spoke from the side, "If the impact is severe, then the City Lord's Mansion and the Holy Temple would have to intervene. Theoretically, the superior of the highest authority is the City Lord's Mansion Imperial Guards.""If the situation worsens further, the Holy Divine Guards, and even the White-Clothed and Red-Clothed, might appear.""Do you have something in mind?"Mo Mo tilted her head.She had witnessed Xu Xiaoshou's growth and knew he wouldn't remain idle. Especially with the intermittent mental communication with the Grey Mist person, she had gained a deeper understanding of Xu Xiaoshou's actions in the White Cave. Recalling his past, it wasn't difficult to guess Xu Xiaoshou's thoughts.

"If you plan to cause trouble, you should probably stop at the level of the City Lord's Mansion guards."Mo Mo's gaze was fixed forward. She hadn't intended to say more, but the incessant chatter in her mind finally prompted her to add, "Otherwise, it'll be difficult to clean up the aftermath."

Xu Xiaoshou glanced at her in surprise. *How do you know what I'm thinking?* he thought inwardly, but didn't voice it, merely parrying casually, "You're overstating it. I won't easily cause trouble. I value my own life, and I certainly won't drag you down with me..."As he replied, Xu Xiaoshou watched the info panel's incessant pop-ups, his lips almost splitting into a wide grin.

"Attracted attention, passive points, 62.""Attracted attention, passive points, 73."*What kind of treasure trove is this?!**This is exactly where I, Xu Xiaoshou, should be!**In this place, I don't even need to cause trouble; just walking around the street flamboyantly can yield countless rewards!*"No trouble, no trouble..."Xu Xiaoshou mumbled as if in a trance.Initially, only a wisp of his spiritual sense was focused on the info panel, but now, a wisp was dedicated to the road, while his entire mind was internally counting money. Aside from avoiding collisions, Xu Xiaoshou was completely oblivious to the gazes of those around him.

Seeing this, Xin Gugu and the other two were speechless, exchanging glances."Suspected, passive points, 3.""Cursed, passive points, 1, 1, 1, 1..."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, and several turns, they found themselves before the tallest building they had seen so far.It was a dazzling, golden pavilion, as grand and magnificent as a royal palace. It was called a pavilion simply because its external structure still resembled one, but its height... With just one glance, Xu Xiaoshou roughly estimated it to be forty to fifty stories tall!It was important to note that in a place where the sky itself was a battlefield, the higher the building, the greater the risk.Ordinary factions dared not exceed a dozen stories at most. Stronger ones, relying on the blessings of powerful formations, might reach twenty or thirty stories.A building this fearlessly tall, appearing around a corner, was simply too eye-catching!

"Polyglot Merchant House..."Xu Xiaoshou hadn't expected the first "local snake" he encountered in Eastern Heaven King City to be the familiar Polyglot Merchant House.He had previously seen a branch of this merchant house in Tian Sang City and had even coincidentally met the God of Avarice there. He never thought he would have such a connection again.Pausing for a moment, and after a brief thought, Xu Xiaoshou had an idea.

Just then, Xin Gugu suddenly stepped forward from behind him and roared, "Stop!"As his King's Throne-level aura erupted, the surrounding crowd involuntarily stopped and turned to look."Surprised, passive points, 492.""Speculated about, passive points, 333.""Awed, passive points, 681."Xu Xiaoshou paused, raising his eyes to look ahead.

Xin Gugu wasn't actually targeting everyone. He had suddenly dashed to the front, intending only to block a small, slick-looking man with a pointy chin and sunken cheeks."Houtian (Post-natal)?"Xu Xiaoshou was bewildered again.He had thought they were once again inheriting Tian Sang City's tradition of trouble seeking them out. He hadn't expected it to be just a Houtian?If this were an assassin, they would be far too weak, wouldn't they?"What's going on?"Xu Xiaoshou frowned. Then, glancing at his info panel, he adjusted his tone and patted Xin Gugu. "Well done."*Whatever the situation, that shout was perfectly timed!**Even better if he shouts a few more times!*

Xin Gugu transmitted a message: "Someone who has been following us with ill intent since the city gate.""Ill intent?"Xu Xiaoshou's eyes instantly sparkled. He quickly waved at the man. "Come here.""Resisted, passive points, 1."

The man opposite him had an expression like he was constipated. His scrawny figure, nearly falling to the ground under the pressure of the King's Throne aura, combined with a face so wrinkled it could almost squeeze a fly to death, was truly the epitome of constipation!Heaven knew, he had only overheard a few words at the city gate and deduced that this group of four were rich young masters who had just entered the city. For people like him, this was a fat sheep. Just reselling a few pieces of well-known information could amount to several months of income.But he had never imagined that among these seemingly young, wealthy individuals, most of whom were Innate-level cultivators, one of them was actually a King's Throne!"I'm done for..."His heart panicked.He turned his head, hoping to ask his companions for help, but as far as his eyes could see, besides a crowd of pitying gazes, there were no companions. Not even a single young man!

"Come here!" Xin Gugu repeated loudly.The surrounding people dared not linger. Realizing that the King's Throne was not directing his temper at them, they scattered like birds and beasts, not daring to stay a moment longer. Even in Eastern Heaven King City, a King's Throne was a formidable master, a realm ordinary people dared not aspire to.Although they might occasionally be encountered, meeting them versus directly interacting or clashing with them were two entirely different concepts.

"Who are you?"Xu Xiaoshou smiled, watching the disheveled man, who looked as if his soul had fled, walk toward them, his eyes full of anticipation."G-g-g-Greetings, my l-lord... This humble one, this humble...""Speak clearly!" Xin Gugu roared, and the man nearly collapsed to his knees."Feared, passive points, 322."That shout clearly startled more than just one person.Xu Xiaoshou's smile grew even wider.

"Liu Lu... This humble one is Liu Lu, my lord, you can just call me Little Liu." Liu Lu was on the verge of tears, partly from fright and partly from regret.If he could live this life again, he would choose to take today off and not accept any orders."Little Liu?" Xu Xiaoshou frowned. "Judging by the situation, you're not here to cause trouble?""How would this humble one dare?!"Liu Lu exclaimed, his pupils dilating.Cause trouble?In front of a King's Throne, he wouldn't dare even with ten times the courage!

"If you're not here to cause trouble, then why are you following us?"Xu Xiaoshou's eyes darted to Xin Gugu. "King City, killing isn't forbidden, right?""That's right!" Xin Gugu sharply barked, and a murderous aura ignited in his eyes."M-my lord, please have m-m-mercy... I'm truly not here to cause trouble."Liu Lu pleaded, his knees bending as if to kneel.Halfway down, however, he felt something supporting him beneath his knees. His body went limp, and he simply collapsed onto it.

Xu Xiaoshou felt relieved, and with a flick of his spiritual energy, he sent the man back to his feet.Judging by his reaction, he really wasn't there to cause trouble.The idea that he was a disguised assassin, secretly a King's Throne or Path-Cutting realm cultivator, was likely unrealistic, so there was no need to ask. This was undoubtedly one of those people who loitered by the city gates to fleece newcomers."I have money."Different people had different uses. Xu Xiaoshou suppressed his disappointment, dragged the man to a dark corner, and smiled, "Do you have anything to sell me?""I-I-I..."Liu Lu was momentarily speechless.He stared in shock at the quartet surrounding him, especially the young man who was holding him by his collar like a chicken.This was a ruthless character; how could he be a lamb?"I have nothing to sell, and I wouldn't dare sell it..."Liu Lu truly began to cry, his nose sniffling repeatedly.It was his first time encountering such an undignified King's Throne expert. How could someone, how could someone get so angry at even a Houtian cultivator?It would scare people to death!

"If you have nothing to sell, then you have no use to me." Xu Xiaoshou's face grew serious.Xin Gugu also appropriately hardened his expression."Shall I just kill him then?""Feared, passive points, 1.""Resisted, passive points, 1.""Pleaded with, passive points, 1.""Nooo..."After that single word, Liu Lu suddenly came to his senses.These people knew what he was trying to do!They were turning it to their advantage.—A chance to live!"Yes!"He immediately wiped away his tears and snots, stating earnestly, "I do have something to sell! Whatever my lord wishes to know, this humble one will tell you everything, hold nothing back, nothing at all..."

"Shut up. I ask, you answer." Xu Xiaoshou said, annoyed."Understood!""Anticipated, passive points, 1.""Is there any organization behind you?" Xu Xiaoshou asked.*Organization?*Liu Lu hadn't even had time to feel relieved before the question stunned him.*So, this isn't about utilizing me, but about taking down my entire group?*"N-n-no..."His voice instantly reverted to a whimper."Why are you so wishy-washy?!"Xu Xiaoshou hadn't even gotten angry yet when Xin Gugu had already slapped Liu Lu on the shoulder, nearly sending him sprawling. "If you have none, then what about those companions who were with you earlier?""I..." Liu Lu was choked with emotion, speechless for a long time before gasping, "Then, there is...?""There is?" Xin Gugu countered."There is!" Liu Lu cried out, his voice now a tone of exclamation."Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled and got straight to the point, "I want you to spread a piece of news, the kind that can sweep across the entire Eastern Heaven King City overnight. Can you do it?"*News?*Liu Lu experienced the feeling of falling from heaven to hell and then being pulled back from hell. He was ecstatic and exclaimed, "Yes!""What's the price?" Xu Xiaoshou asked."Hmm..."Now Liu Lu was speechless.He did indeed work in intelligence.Normally, fleecing a few small "fat sheep" was enough to live comfortably and pass the time.He could certainly handle serious tasks too.However, that would require contacting the organization's internal network.The kind of news this man in front of him wanted—something that could become popular throughout Eastern Heaven King City overnight—would definitely require the organization's deployment, and the cost wouldn't be small.But...The King's Throne's hand was still gripping his dislocated joint.How could he possibly state the price?Liu Lu's face was a picture of conflict."Just say it," Xin Gugu said, understanding Xu Xiaoshou's intent with a glance. Releasing his grip, he added, "As long as you can get the job done, our Young Master Xu can afford it!"