There's a skeleton dungeon connected to my basement.

Chapter 523, The Rye Act

"I really can't stay idle for a while."

Normally, at this time of year, Xiao Yang would go to the Rotten Land to find monsters to kill.

"Idleness is also idleness."

"Slash! Slash!"

It should be like this.

However, recently the monsters near the Rotten Lands have become visibly sparse.

Xiao Yang really shouldn't destroy the ecosystem.

This shift was certainly not due to the Salvation Army and the expeditions going too far in their killings.

Perhaps it's because of the large amount of remnants of dungeon rules.

Even the dungeons were gradually transformed into some kind of lair by the evil gods.

However, the spread of all sorts of monsters across the wilderness did not stop at all; on the contrary, the situation became increasingly out of control.

These monstrous creatures weren't born or migrated normally; instead, they appeared abruptly in the open wilderness every so often, in a way similar to monster spawning in a game.

This new mechanism presents a major challenge in establishing settlements in decaying lands.

Even with the construction of tall city walls, these monsters will still suddenly spawn in the city.

"It's a headache."

Previously, Xiao Yang relied on the stronghold system of the Gods Game to dispel this refresh mechanism.

But now there are new options.

"The River of Purification".

The purifying river flowing through this land gradually dispels the stubborn pollution and renders the troublesome monster spawning mechanism ineffective.

Time passes.

Now, it's time to exercise restraint and hold back.

Therefore, in order to protect those remaining monsters.

"The main purpose is to use them as teaching aids."

Xiao Yang cannot make a move; if he does, it would disrupt the balance too much.

There was also a little incident.

The mainstay product of Hope City Tavern, "Rye," has recently been in short supply.

Rye grows on the slightest trace of pollution remaining in the soil.

However, the purification river's cleansing effect is too powerful.

The solution is to "reclaim dangerous land in the peripheral areas".

Now, when investing in land on the border, the first year is during the period before the Purification River spreads through the excavated channels, or during the period when it has just spread.

Sow large quantities of rye seeds whose traits have been stabilized through the induction of the mage.

"In just one year, we can recoup most of the development costs."

This is a fleeting benefit.

The price of rye has surged more than tenfold, and it is still slowly increasing even now.

The bill was paid by all the drunkards of the City of Hope.

Even today, a glass of watered-down rye wine sells for almost a Hope Silver Coin, but that doesn't stop the endless stream of mercenaries from raising their glasses and drinking with gusto.

What's that saying again?

"He who doesn't drink rye beer is no hero!"

Without needing to guess, Xiao Yang knew where those words came from.

………….

Night in a land of decay.

The most bustling tavern in the City of Hope.

All sorts of people gather here.

They were mostly mercenaries; not everyone could withstand the strict discipline and rules of the Salvation Army.

Several players with bright smiles on their faces were pushing glasses of rye beer toward the figure in front of them.

"A friend you know!"

"How can you visit the Land of Decay without trying this unique rye wine!"

"I'm not lying to you, every great hero who drank it said it was great! What's that saying again?"

Speaking of it.

This cheerful player suddenly raised his glass high.

"He who doesn't drink rye beer is no hero!"

This remark drew responses from the various figures in the tavern.

"One top salesperson, and more than one."

Xiao Yang did not raise his glass.

To some extent, what this player said was correct; Xiao Yang had indeed drunk rye wine and even said that it tasted quite good.

It was difficult to refute at the moment.

But there's one thing. "He didn't drink the watered-down version."

He's a top salesman, and Xiao Yang even suspects that this guy might be one of the investors behind the recent surge in rye prices.

This scene suddenly gave Xiao Yang some ideas.

Lena has been complaining about the various accounts in Hope City lately, with each one being seriously over budget. Since rye wine is so popular, perhaps she can do something about it.

Anyway, let these guys treat rye like a futures contract and speculate on it.

Don't underestimate these players' ability to cause trouble.

They seized the opportunity.

Xiao Yang almost witnessed the birth of Bitcoin in another world.

The only slight difference from Bitcoin is that rye is at least a legitimate product, and its ever-increasing price has only made mages and workshop owners invest in it as if they were blinded by greed.

This also spurred the landed nobles to embark on a frenzied expansion into the periphery.

On a newly developed piece of marginal land, the price for a one-year production buyout is even starting to reach an exaggerated figure of one hundred Hope Gold Coins.

What a number that is!

"One Hope Coin can get a hundred young men into the Extraordinary Enlightenment Class."

Of course, only the first year of newly developed land can be so valuable.

Behind this farce, Hope City and Xiao Yang were actually acting as guarantors.

"Amidst the continuous victories, everyone in the City of Hope believes that tomorrow, in the future, the city and themselves will be able to move forward."

"The exploration will never stop!"

"But this farce should stop."

It doesn't matter if those mages, workshop owners, and landed nobles are cheated.

Recently, however, this rye carnival has shown a tendency to spread to ordinary residents and Salvation Army soldiers in the City of Hope.

Probably tomorrow.

A notice will be issued by the Iron Fist of Hope City to inform these troublemakers.

What will be the cost of involving Hope City and Xiao Yang's reputation?

Xiao Yang is about to collect the copyright fees he is entitled to.

The price of rye will be forcibly fixed and it will be forcibly transferred to the Hope City's exclusive goods list.

Of course, the price of rye wine won't drop much.

Perhaps in a few years, these drunken mercenaries will be able to pat their chests and proudly declare this.

"It was the wine I drank that gave rise to such a large Salvation Army!"

Think of this.

Xiao Yang revealed a strange smile with a subtle undertone.

However, this is something I need to deal with tomorrow.

I won't think about it too much today.

He really did come to the tavern just to relax.

A drunken mercenary suddenly climbed onto the table. The people in the tavern were used to this, but what was unexpected was that he wanted to say something.

With a flushed face and a thick neck, he raised his wine glass high.

Shout loudly.

Cheers! To courage!

Such shouts garnered followers.

Inside the tavern, figures laughed and raised their glasses.

Cheers! To courage!

Xiao Yang did not remain silent in this atmosphere.

They all raised their glasses together.

"For courage!"

The drunkard who climbed onto the long table seemed to want to say something.

Shaking his arms.

"Cheers! To Grandma Ross's smoked sausages from next door!"