New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 179 Arms Negotiations, Nightmare Mushroom

Mr. Yuan, from a declining industrial city, spent the entire afternoon, accompanied by his guide Meng Xiyue, only managing a cursory glance at the territory of the [Knowledge School]. After dinner, he was forced by the pink-haired senior to attend a two-hour open lecture.

They've all graduated high school, are working part-time in the [Space of Gods], chatting and laughing with [King Mao Mao], and committing the [Cicada City Heist], yet they still can't escape the curse of 'learning until you're old'.

He, a successful 18-year-old socialite and a Holy Light System supernova who achieved Foundation Establishment and Dao Enlightenment in just two months of cultivation, was forced to attend classes at a university.

The main content of the open course revolves around the historical evolution, industrial layout, and international influence of the "Knowledge School, Mechanics Magic Network, and Contemporary Magic Network." The content is extremely detailed, with a lavish, brainwashing feel to it.

After hearing it, all that could be said was how amazing the [Magic Network] was! It was even more promising than the [Pale Law], and the Holy Light was nothing compared to it.

But stimulated by the spicy snack, he quickly calmed down.

The 【Magic Network】, an acquired pollution system, naturally has weaknesses compared to those 【innate sources】. Its influence seems enormous, but it is built on the foundation of the 【Magic Network】's 100% open source nature and cooperation with various 'minor pollution sources', which is why it has spread all over the world and left its mark everywhere.

As for the "Pale Law," it is also a product of human creation, but its foundation and intent are completely different.

The [Law System] is the only extraordinary power in the world capable of forcibly intervening, binding, gathering, accommodating, and refining all [Contaminated Systems].

Its creation was to forge an artificial, awe-inspiring Heavenly Dao for this chaotic world, using absolute power. Like the First Emperor, it would forcefully unify the eight wastelands and six directions, suppressing and unifying all systems!
Of course, the idea is good, but success is a long way off.

After finishing his open class, Yuan Zhu dragged his tired body to the luxurious Imperial Suite on the 36th floor of the deluxe campus hotel that Pink Hair had booked for him.

Through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, one can look up and gaze down at the 'celestial palace' open to the public below the floating island. Well, his 36th-floor apartment also subtly evokes the imagery of the 36th heaven.

He had only been in Taixi for two days when he discovered that although the city was very similar to modern cities in many ways, the details were full of the dregs of the old dynasty. Eastern culture permeated every part of the city, which made him, a time traveler from the Celestial Empire, feel at home.

...

The next morning, Yuan Zhu, who was still asleep, was forcibly awakened by a pink-haired man holding an access card who broke down the door.

"what……"

Looking at Yuan Zhu, who was leaning against the headboard and quickly regaining his composure from his daze, Meng Xiyue showed a hint of regret.

Yuan Zhu tugged at his wrinkled collar and asked, "What kind of perverted expression is that? Are you disappointed you didn't see the R-rated scene?"

As he spoke, he threw back the covers and stood up. He was wearing loose, colorful pajama bottoms, giving the female pervert no opportunity. Boys alone away from home must learn to protect themselves.

"Lord, she's lusting after you too!"

Meng Xiyue straightened her slightly crooked backpack and asked, "Tch, who cares? I've already marked up the arms order you gave me yesterday. Where are we going to negotiate?"

Yuan Zhu recalled everything after a brief moment: "The other party gave me an address, but I don't know if they will stand me up?"

"Breaking the promise? Why?"

Yuan Zhu looked slightly worried: "My supplier was arrested yesterday at the preliminary rounds of the [Saintess of Sighs] competition for crimes including illegal possession of weapons and unauthorized use of dangerous firearms. I wonder if he will be released?"

"and many more!"

The pink-haired girl frowned, realizing that things weren't so simple: "You said you went to watch the auditions for the [Saintess of Sighs] yesterday?"

Yuan Zhu quickly shook his head and argued, "No! That's not how it is. The meeting place just happened to be at the audition site. I didn't go there specifically to watch."

Meng Xiyue completely ignored her: "You mean, your trading partner also participated in a stage performance? Was arrested for illegally using firearms on site? And is he an idol?!"

"She was originally a contestant sponsored by [LaserGod Industry], so it's perfectly reasonable for her to promote her sponsor on stage, right?"

Meng Xiyue's voice grew louder and louder: "You made me wait like an idiot all morning, just so you could be at the audition looking at girls, stunts, and legs?!"

“I think… it’s necessary to increase your control over the Shadow Domain.”

Meng Xiyue's voice immediately softened: "Okay, I'll go with you to the agreed location first. If we don't see him, we'll go to the Security Bureau to meet with Zhou Chu and ask her to get him out."

Yuan Zhu was puzzled: "That simpleton could do something like this? I don't believe it!"

"She's not the only one in the Security Bureau. Through her, I've met many employees of the Security Bureau, and not everyone is as rigid and dogmatic as her, always arguing with everyone and everything. On the contrary, there are many people in the Security Bureau who are flexible about their bottom line, and it's entirely possible to get people out indirectly."

"Then do it!"

...

After breakfast, Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue traveled together to District 15, which was just one district away. They arrived at a teahouse on the second floor just in time to wait and ordered a table of morning tea.

Before he could finish eating, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared across from Yuan Zhu at the table. One second he was slurping soup dumplings, the next he looked up slightly and saw that familiar figure sitting opposite him, reaching into the steamer in front of him and taking a serving of shumai.

Yuan Zhu was startled when he realized what was happening. He hadn't sensed anything at such close range. It was only after his gaze locked onto A Miao that his senses belatedly detected her presence, confirming that this was indeed her. Then, a captivating fragrance (body scent) wafted into his nostrils—the familiar and sweet scent of love!
Spicy Strip: "Hey, it smells so good! I love it!"

Yuan Zhu: "Me too!"

"Huh?! Who are you?!"

After Yuan Zhu stared wide-eyed and blinked repeatedly to confirm that this wasn't a hallucination, Meng Xiyue, who was also munching on a snack, belatedly realized that there was suddenly someone next to her! And a wicked woman with a figure even more lewd than Zhou Chu's, a face more alluring than Zhou Chu's, baring a pair of tiger teeth, and a wicked smile in her narrowed eyes…!
Danger! At first glance, her intuition told her that this was a bad woman who could bring disaster, misfortune, and danger.

In Yuan Zhu's eyes, A Miao was fragrant, soft, and beautiful. Today, she had even changed her hairstyle, with her long gray-brown hair tied into a loose braid that fell in front of her left shoulder.

The more I look at her, the more virtuous she seems; I have an urge to snatch her home and lock her up. She's right here in front of me, yet it feels like she could vanish in the next second.

At this moment, A-Miao spoke up: "You guys arrived quite early. Do you mind if I have something to eat? I've been locked up all day, and I've been starving all day."

Yuan Zhu asked curiously, "You were only locked up for a day before being released?"

Meng Xiyue also looked at the strange woman with a very peculiar aura with curiosity. She also tried to sense and analyze the other party, but the information she received became increasingly chaotic and contradictory. This was a strange person with a faint aura, who possessed information shielding abilities and even the ability to resist divination and prophecy.

Her (server) database didn't even have the other party's 'energy fluctuations' recorded? The other party's power system must be extremely rare and strange.

On the other side, A-Miao snatched several portions of food from Yuan Zhu without any hesitation, eating heartily and cheerfully. She took a moment to reply, "How could that be? Do I look like someone who only needs to be locked up for a day? I escaped this morning."

Meng Xiyue: "When you have some free time?"

Amiao nodded to Mengxi Yue and explained naturally, "Yes, yesterday I was taken to the investigation bureau to give a statement. The environment there was pretty good, and my fellow 'roommates' who were also detained were quite capable. So I decided to stay overnight, exchange experiences, fill in the gaps in our knowledge, and improve together, which also saved on accommodation fees. By morning, after a good rest, my roommates were no longer of any reference value, so I slipped out."

As she spoke, she stretched languidly, taut her fitted waistcoat to its limit. The button on her chest gave the impression that it might pop off at any moment.

"Impossible! This is Taixi, not some other third-tier city. How can you escape from a Security Bureau detention cell so easily?"

At that moment, Yuan Zhu and A Miao both felt looked down upon. Are we Running so low-class? Look how fair and smooth our skin is!

The two exchanged a glance and sensed a tacit understanding.

Ah Miao smiled and said, "What this pink-haired lady said is true. But as an industry insider, if I didn't have some skills, how could I gain the trust of customers and get them to customize services from me? The mere security bureau of Taixi can't stop me at all, otherwise, my business would have been ruined long ago."

Meng Xiyue then recalled the business introduction Yuan Zhu had mentioned on the way. This beautiful and energetic underground idol was actually a middleman in the underground black market of Runing, a crime city. She was a genius criminal girl who was involved in arms trafficking, counterfeiting, smuggling, and more.

Why does it feel like she and Zhou Chu are naturally incompatible? This Running City is full of strange and eccentric people.

Just as Meng Xiyue was lost in thought, A Miao glanced at Yuan Zhu and the other man and said, "You've been sensing and scanning me for so long, have you gained anything? Or have you found nothing, and instead developed a strange sense of mystery? I highly recommend my 'smuggling, escape, withdrawal, and concealment' services. If you're interested, you can contact me. Whether it's helping you infiltrate your target location, escape from prison, or evade pursuit... you can contact me, Miss Taixi."

After saying that, she handed one of the same cards to Meng Xiyue. Her gaze towards the pink-haired girl was full of expectation, a stark contrast to her attitude towards her fellow townsman.

Perhaps the other party sensed Meng Xiyue's distinguished family background, or perhaps the [Knowledge School] had extensive connections, and thus extended a benevolent gesture. In contrast, Yuan Zhu only unlocks more services after a certain level of spending and a certain credit score is achieved.

Meng Xiyue accepted the card and put it away. Then she took out the selected weapons from her backpack, handed them to the other party, and began the bargaining process.

Yuan Zhu had absolutely no talent for negotiation; he neither knew how to bargain nor understood market prices. He was equally clueless about the arms category that Meng Xiyue had highlighted.

He felt these weapons were even more powerful than those on his home planet Earth, and that A-Miao's offer was too low. If it were him, he would have agreed long ago.

However, Meng Xiyue was not satisfied and offered an even lower price. A Miao was not angry; instead, she argued with her, relentlessly haggling over the price details, spewing out a bunch of incomprehensible phrases, as if they had found common ground. Both of them wore expressions of enjoyment.

Spicy Strips, equally unable to understand the fun they were having, said with concern, "Big Brother, look at how they look, so happy and understanding of each other. Do you think we might get cheated on?"

With a nameless worry in his heart, Yuan Zhu listened to the two sides haggling for nearly 20 minutes before finally stopping, satisfied, having successfully driven the price down. Actually, the cost hadn't decreased, but A-Miao agreed to give away an extra batch of goods.

As for the specific expenses, Meng Xiyue would bear them all. In addition to the basic money, they also needed to pay for a batch of extraordinary supplies. Originally, Yuan Zhu planned to use the pills from Insect City to settle the debt, but Meng Xiyue interfered and pulled out a lot of junk obtained from Grasshopper City... intending to use these to fool the other party.

When it comes to the polluted waste in the Nightmare Foam Layer, even those who don't know much about it can hardly judge whether these seemingly worthless junk might play an extraordinary role in other systems.
Similar situations occur frequently, so A-Miao couldn't make a judgment for the time being. However, she wouldn't overestimate the value of the junk supplies, and the two sides began a new round of competition in the details.

When several low-value items, such as polluting mushrooms, fluorescent moss, and slime molds that are commonly found in underground pits and tunnels, were placed on the table, A-Miao exclaimed in surprise, leaned closer to examine them, sniffed their scent, and took out a 'monochrome lens' that had been imbued with special power to carefully observe them.

“The contamination on your ‘mushroom’ doesn’t seem to originate from the Spirit Realm; rather, it seems to have traces of the Nightmare Bubble Layer.”

Meng Xiyue: "You know a lot, huh?"

A-Miao nodded confidently and said, "Of course! This kid should know that I have a bar on Cat Street in Running. The most profitable thing in the cat house is naturally the homemade illegal drinks. And one of the most popular drinks in Duling is 'Mushroom Wine'."

Hearing this, Yuan Zhu suddenly remembered something. When he bought [Echoes of Yellow Millet], he had also seen many different brands of 'fluorescent alcoholic beverages and fluorescent drinks', the raw material of which was a special and harmless 'fluorescent spores'.

In addition, Running also produces a large quantity of special drinks made from illegally (contaminated) mushrooms, which inherit the hallucinogenic properties of certain dangerous mushrooms and produce a strange feeling after consumption.

Including [Huangliang Echo], these are all drinks with special effects.

One of the key reasons why illegal underground mushroom-based beverages are strictly prohibited and cracked down on is that in the past, all sorts of contaminated mushrooms could cause people to lose their senses and come into contact with the demons dwelling in the "Nightmare Layer" in a half-real, half-dream state, where they would be instilled with 'forbidden knowledge' and gain power.

Even now, with the [Spirit Realm] acting as a firewall for Duling Star, similar incidents still occur. The first time he was taken to the [Investigation Bureau] for questioning, he eavesdropped on an evil god, 'something pink,' who had previously sold hallucinogenic fake alcohol in Runing's underground black market.

"The mushrooms produced in the Nightmare Foam Layer are far superior to those contaminated by the Nightmare Layer; they are excellent natural ingredients for brewing. Your mushrooms aren't very good. Do you have any other good stuff? Bring it out and let me see your capabilities!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhu's eyes lit up immediately: "Yes, yes, yes, how about this one!"

(End of this chapter)