Misery: There is a pawn shop here

Chapter 193 The Illusion of the Towering Pillar Opens
The three-day deadline was fast approaching amidst the clamor of the martial world. During this time, the discussion about the Five Divine Weapons in the martial world not only did not cease, but intensified like wildfire. The destruction of the Ghost Liang Military Mansion, like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, stirred up countless waves, spreading widely in the martial world and becoming a topic of conversation for everyone.

Even though the time has not yet come, many martial arts practitioners are already eagerly waiting at the foot of the Tongtian Pillar. The conditions offered by Li Xuanxiao are not low. Since the Tongtian Pillar has such a name, those who can climb the Tongtian Pillar are naturally not ordinary martial arts practitioners. However, Li Xuanxiao also gave them the opportunity to satisfy their desires, namely, to obtain the qualification to climb to the top of the Tongtian Pillar by pawning.

It can be said that the top and bottom of the Tongtian Pillar form a layer of screening.

Just as everyone was discussing and eagerly anticipating, dark clouds seemed to be summoned by an invisible hand, quickly covering the sky above the pillar of heaven. The thick clouds seemed to contain boundless pressure, and a terrifying atmosphere instantly spread, making it almost impossible for the martial arts practitioners present to breathe. Everyone unconsciously held their breath, looking up at the sky with eyes filled with fear and curiosity. A moment later, a familiar figure in black robes slowly appeared, its blurry form partially obscuring the sky.

"Ah, it's him again!"

"Just how powerful is this person? He seems so terrifying."

"Don't think too much about it. People like that are definitely big shots. Don't even think about it."

"Who says you can't dream about it? If only I could get my hands on one of those five divine artifacts..."

"Hey, who's going to piss on him and wake him up? Someone who can't even climb the Heavenly Pillar is hoping to get a divine artifact here. If you ask me, we so-called demonic cultivators should just stop thinking about these nonsense and just watch the show in peace."

"Stop pouring cold water on me, I'm all ready, this is my chance to make a name for myself!"

……

People from all over the martial arts world, including martial arts practitioners and ordinary people, were expressing their thoughts and ideas. At that moment, Li Xuanxiao's voice echoed throughout the entire Tongtian Pillar.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

"After three days, the journey to the Illusionary Realm will begin. After pawning your belongings to obtain entry qualifications, you can enter the Illusionary Realm to explore. If you fail to pass the challenge, you will be sent back to the Heavenly Pillar. In the early stages, there will be a limit to the number of people who can enter each day. Today, only one hundred people can try to enter."

"Also, although there is a high probability that you will be sent back after failure, there are also some cases where you may perish in the illusion. How to weigh the risks is up to you. Hahahaha."

Li Xuanxiao laughed loudly, and the black-robed figure that had enveloped the entire Tongtian Pillar vanished. At the same time, a thatched hut appeared out of thin air at the top of the Tongtian Pillar, with Xiao gracefully standing in the courtyard. Below the Tongtian Pillar, a middle-aged woman with white hair, leading a white-haired child, and a house also appeared out of thin air; they were Bai Sanniang and Yuan'er.

"Martial arts heroes who do not wish to expend too much energy climbing Tongtianzhu, exchange your climbing tickets here."

Yuan'er sat down on a chair in the courtyard and waved her hand. Upon hearing this, the martial arts practitioners present rushed towards the house like madmen. However, the next moment, an invisible spatial barrier separated the two spaces. Ten martial arts practitioners appeared in the courtyard, while everyone outside was completely isolated.

"Ah, you guys are really lucky to be among the first to come in. If you want to save energy going up the mountain, you'll have to pay the price."

"May I ask what price we will have to pay?" asked a young swordsman carrying a sword among the ten.

“Well…” Yuan’er pointed to a large scale next to the courtyard, “This is ultimately just a ticket to the mountain. Whether it’s martial arts or gold and silver treasures, they have all been invested as capital to go up the mountain. But if you have nothing left, you can pawn your emotions or even your fate and lifespan. Put your promises and current agreements on the scale. If it works, the scale will be balanced. When you step on the scale, you can go to the top of the mountain.”

"In that case." It was the same swordsman who took out a jade pendant from his robes after hearing Yuan'er's words. "This jade pendant is quite valuable; I wonder if it can serve as a token for going up the mountain."

The swordsman felt a pang of guilt as he put down the jade pendant, but the thought of becoming famous made the small price he paid seem insignificant. Father, wait, your son is about to become famous.

Yuan'er looked at the swordsman and simply said, "Place the object there, and the result will naturally follow."

"Ok?"

The jade pendant fell, the scales balanced, and the swordsman's previously conflicted expression instantly brightened. Without hesitation, he stepped onto the scales and vanished before the others, the pawned items disappearing from the scales as well. Seeing the swordsman go, the others, impatient, rushed to the scales, placing their pawned items before disappearing one after another into the courtyard.

"So fast, these people." Yuan'er was somewhat surprised to see that these people did not hesitate at all. Ten people, without exception, did not hesitate at all. Some of them could even be said to have given up their entire fortune.

"Mother, what do you think they're after?" Yuan'er shook her head. People who need external help to climb the Heavenly Pillar, do they really think they have the ability to pass the illusionary barrier set up by the shopkeeper?

If we can't get through it, what will we gain by giving everything we have?
Bai San Niang shook her head, saying nothing, only hugging Yuan'er. A moment later, Yuan'er let the next group of people in.

Just like the previous group, these people were also full of enthusiasm and madness. After briefly learning the rules, they immediately and without hesitation gave up their pawned items for climbing the mountain and followed closely behind to the top of the Tower of Heaven.

"These people, sigh..."

……

"Tsk tsk, so it turns out that staying at the grassroots level is indeed the most profitable way?"

Inside the pawnshop, Li Xuanxiao shook his head as he looked at the crowd of martial arts practitioners thronging the water mirror.

Although the value of what these people offered as pawned tickets for the mountain climbing trip was limited, Li Xuanxiao didn't mind. After all, it was practically free, and every little bit counted.

Besides, this is just the beginning; the real bloodshed is yet to come before the illusion at the mountaintop. And how much value can these people possibly offer?

Most importantly, they give everything, all for the right to die. Humans, sometimes, are truly beyond judgment.

“Given your capabilities, there’s no need to limit the number to a hundred,” said Jueqingshu from the side.

"Haste makes waste. If we can't let this matter continue to ferment, how can we attract more people to participate? Most of these people can only be exploited once. They are not the ones I'm interested in."

(End of this chapter)