Adventurer, did you revive today by watching the ads too?

After more than three hours of high-speed operation by the subway train, we finally arrived at our final destination.

The train emitted a piercing screech as the magical braking system activated, sending sparks flying across the steel tracks before finally coming to a steady stop on the platform, which glowed with a deep blue light.

The underground labyrinth has 20 floors.

"This train has arrived at its final stop," the train conductor said lazily, opening the doors and reciting the familiar training lines. "Adventurers, please disembark in an orderly fashion. The safe zone is protected by a barrier array, so monster attacks are generally not possible. If you encounter a monster horde, please call the headquarters hotline on the platform as soon as possible. The next train will arrive at 00:00 daily; please keep track of the time. Also, most areas of the underground labyrinth are affected by magical turbulence, causing crystal communicators to malfunction. Please be mindful of your personal safety and belongings, and avoid scams and robberies..."

In reality, not many adventurers actually reach the 20th floor.

There were only two carriages of people in total.

These are all adventurers with relatively good skills who want to take advantage of the Great Expedition to grab the leftovers first, while the rest of the people generally have to wait two to three days before setting off to the deeper levels.

In just a few minutes, most of the people on the platform had left.

The adventurers formed separate teams and departed in different directions.

Once you leave the platform and surrounding area, the level of danger increases dramatically.

Generally speaking, in the depths of underground labyrinths, due to the lack of oversight, the best approach when encountering other adventurers is to ignore them unless they are mutual friends. Even if the other person is in danger and clearly requests rescue, one must act cautiously. This is similar to helping an elderly person; one cannot gamble one's own life on the other person's conscience.

Another method is using recording crystals, which can record everything observed like a camera, but they are expensive and generally unaffordable for adventurers.

On the deserted platform, Hua Zhen and Tia Ge did not rush to act. They first checked the ropes binding them and made sure that the rope around the drowsy Karula's waist was securely fastened before taking out four large black iron pots from their backpacks.

"What are you doing?" Jin Jin was stunned. "Are you hungry and planning to cook right here?"

Hua Zhen and Tia Ge skillfully tied the pot to their chests and backs.

"This is our armor, you know? You've seen it before."

"Hahahaha, holy crap, two turtles!" Jin Jin laughed.

Jin Jin remembered that when she summoned the undead skeleton army to chase these guys around in the cemetery, they took off the pots they were carrying to lighten their load, but she didn't expect them to actually take them back.

"Shut up!" Tia said irritably. "You'll know how good this thing is once you get attacked. It's cheap and durable."

"That's enough," Miss Jin sneered. "I think you guys just didn't sell the pots back then, so you're reusing them, right? Using iron pots as protective gear? Are you trying to make me laugh to death so you can inherit my necromancy?"

Tia Ge and Hua Zhen's expressions froze.

Oh dear, Miss Jin was right. The two of them hadn't had a chance to use this thing since they brought it back from the cemetery. They were going to the underground labyrinth this time, so they brought it back for self-defense.

Ultimately, it all comes down to not having enough money.

Generally speaking, an ordinary adventurer can buy a set of equipment by gritting their teeth and saving for two months.

However, Hua Zhen's expenses are relatively high because she frequently buys bouncy bombs.

Tia Go, on the other hand, couldn't save much money because she had to send living expenses to her father.

"Miss Jin Jin, you don't understand. This is not for sale. Although it's not worth much money, it can fill your stomach," Hua Zhen said calmly. "After we're done, I can ask Tia Ge to cook me a couple of dishes when I get home."

"Exactly, my specialty fried skewers are incredibly delicious," Tia agreed. "Our iron pot is just as good as those high-end equipment, and besides, before I met Karula, I never thought I really needed this thing."

"Exactly, but fried skewers aren't anything special. If you don't believe me, ask Tia. She can even cook me a luxurious barbecue feast while wearing only an apron."

"Well... Mom, Hua Zhen, don't push your luck! I wouldn't do anything shameless!"

"Miss Jin Jin, do you not need any protective equipment?" Hua Zhen asked.

"Have you forgotten about my family's spirit rings?" Jin Jin deliberately covered her mouth and laughed. "I don't need this broken pot, and you two look like pregnant women who just ran out of the treatment center!"

"Hahaha, even if I'm pregnant, my watermelon belly is invincible! No other pregnant woman can beat me!" Tia patted her pot belly not far away, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Why doesn't she get angry when I scold her?" Miss Jin was startled.

In her opinion, Tia was a powder keg that could be ignited at any moment, but it seemed that the powder keg had been extinguished just now. Or was it that this powder keg's rhetoric was so low that it couldn't even understand good or bad words?

"That's because you didn't hit the mark. I'm a man, so I don't get pregnant and don't feel embarrassed," Hua Zhen said from the side. "As for Tia, it's probably because of her mother that Tia has a very high level of respect for women."

How tall is it?

"It's about the same height as two pills stacked together..."

Miss Jin Jin fell silent.

Regardless of whether Hua Zhen is right or wrong.

To be fair, upon closer reflection, this blond-haired woman does seem to have little respect for women. Not only does she spout all sorts of vulgar language, but she also doesn't seem to possess any of the modesty or kindness expected of a woman.

Could it be that this blonde girl was beaten badly by her mother before?

"Speaking of which, Miss Jin Jin, isn't that Susanoo... oh wait, that giant skeleton magic that can protect you behind you supposed to be used casually?" Hua Zhen asked curiously.

"That's generally true, but as long as you prepare in advance, it's fine. Magic is essentially a magical process. As long as you prepare well, it can be convenient under certain conditions. I didn't sleep all night because of this... Alright, come with me. I have prepared a map of the underground labyrinth."

"We have that too," Tia said.

"Duh, this is the latest version, updated to version 1.6. In terms of accuracy and practicality, mine is undoubtedly more authoritative. You know better than an old woman with wrinkles to choose from a young girl, right?"

As she spoke, Miss Jin led the way.

The platform is a semi-open space with entrances and exits on all sides.

She headed towards Exit 3.

Hua Zhen and Tia Ge exchanged a glance, then followed with Karula.

After all, Miss Jin Jin has been here before. Following an experienced person won't guarantee that nothing will happen, but at least the risk of something going wrong will be greatly reduced.

After exiting from Exit 3 and walking a short distance forward, you'll see several dilapidated and old road sections.

Looking around, there are broken walls and ruins everywhere. Dense vegetation and wildflowers grow on the broken stones and steps. A stream flows across the broken steps, and moss grows on the sides.

"I've heard that the scenery in the underground labyrinth varies, but this looks like some kind of ruined path in the wilderness," Hua Zhen said.

"This is what the 20th floor looks like," Jin Jin said. "Floors 1-10 are typical dungeon scenery. Floors 11-20 are not much different from the ones above, but they are more dilapidated and have more vegetation, so you can find magical plants here. The reason you can't make money is because you haven't come to the underground labyrinth."

"What does that mean?" Tia was stunned.

"You can only earn the commissioned portion of the money by completing a commission, and you only get it if you succeed," Jin Jin said. "For the same commission, the money you get for low-level adventurers is different from that for high-level adventurers, but the underground labyrinth is different. Monster materials and the harvesting of magical plants are rewards you can get just by working. If you don't have a suitable commission, you might as well come and explore the underground labyrinth."

"Wait a minute..." Tia said, "So, the reason we're so poor is because we haven't come here?"

"It's not that bad. There are advantages to taking on commissions. Once you have a reputation, you won't have to worry about commissions coming your way. But for low-level adventurers, having a stable income is always better than having none."

Hua Zhen understood.

The general idea is that if you enter the underground labyrinth, you will gain something if you work hard, but the upper limit is generally not high.

Take monster materials and magical plants, for example. Once acquired, these things have a shelf life due to the influence of magical energy circulation. Therefore, hoarding them is completely useless; they can only be bought at low prices by buyers, who will then process them into products and sell them at high prices on the market.

Adventurers lack the funds, technology, and storage capacity, so they can only remain at the bottom of the production line.

Fortunately, for adventurers, true wealth lies only in undiscovered treasures and deeper labyrinths. Those who can prosper must either have strength or luck.

However, commissioned work is different; its upper limit is very high.

The more famous the adventurer, the higher the price of their commission; some nobles even come to them in a humble manner to beg for their services.

Although their development paths differ, they ultimately lead to the same goal.

After all, girls who love going to nightclubs are usually lucky with pregnancy, and guys who can venture deep into the underground labyrinth are naturally not bad in reputation either.

"I understand now," Tia said suddenly in a deep voice.

"Understand? Understand what?" Hua Zhen asked.

"Elukiki, a member of the strongest adventurer group in Farlans, 'Shining Wings,' and a renowned diamond-level adventurer, once said, 'The dungeon is like your out-of-the-box girlfriend—full of opportunities and challenges. I didn't understand before, but now I do; there's truth to that.'"

"Oh? Tell me more."

"Whether you successfully infiltrate the other party, leaving them with a burden before running away with the money, or whether you accidentally give them leverage and are subjected to mental suppression, and are instantly refined by the opponent and the 'confidante,' becoming a 'green turtle' with a chain of money for the rest of your life, depends entirely on your own strength."

Tia's expression was serious, as if a philosopher were uttering some profound truth: "In short, the underground labyrinth is a rotten symbol! If we want to make money off it... we'll have to resort to any means necessary!"

Hua Zhen fell silent, while Tia Ge continued spouting seemingly reasonable nonsense.

Why does Tia talk so much?

"The blonde is right. The underground labyrinth won't show you any mercy just because you're a virgin. All those who advocate protecting the underground labyrinth are talking nonsense," Miss Jin nodded to Tia. "I agree with your understanding."

Oh my god, are you two never going to stop?

Ms. Jin Jin continued her explanation: "Generally speaking, floors 1 to 10 are a good place for novice adventurers to hone their skills. Since the upper floors have more complete facilities, even if you accidentally get trapped, you can escape in time with the help of the surrounding support. The mortality rate is only about 20%."

"But correspondingly, since the majority of adventurers are in the upper levels, there are too many monks and not enough porridge, so the income can basically only be made up of the materials from monsters. Although there are many unexplored areas in the upper levels, the possibility of getting money from those places is as high as the chance of you marrying a girl from Round Corner Street and finding out that the child is your own."

"Isn't that very low?" Hua Zhen said.

"Hey Hua Zhen, to put it bluntly, what Miss Jin Jin said is just like the prostitutes on Round Corner Street," Tia explained. "You can have fun, and the chances of getting scammed are low, but the chances of getting a good experience are still pretty slim."

Hua Zhen: "..."

"Floors 10 to 20 are where experienced adventurers go. The danger level is higher, but the rewards are also higher. Not only can you get monster materials, but you can also collect magical plants that grow in the underground labyrinth and some special minerals. It's a case of risk and reward being proportional."

"These are legitimate shops on Round Corner Street," Tia continued, acting as the translator. "It's worth the extra money for the experience, but the only thing to watch out for is the possibility of encountering unscrupulous shopkeepers who might try to play dirty tricks on you. They might take the opportunity to frame you with a recording crystal under the pretext of role-playing, and send you to the police station without paying a large sum of money."

Hua Zhen: "..."

"And the area beyond the 20th floor is an insurmountable barrier for lower-level adventurers, because it is too dangerous. The nature of the magic below is vastly different from that above, and the danger level of the monsters is also much higher."

Before Tia could say anything, Hua Zhen stuffed a Darou stick into her mouth.

"I understand, I understand," Hua Zhen sighed. "It's just like the most dangerous brothels on Round Corner Street. Some of the women may look mature, but if you touch them, you could face a sentence of three years or more and the death penalty. So you absolutely must not go there."

"Mmm..." Tia pulled the Daruo energy bar out of her mouth, her face full of surprise. "You finally got it, Huazhen!"

"Screw you! They've explained it so clearly in plain language, why are you giving me this weird translation?" Hua Zhen said angrily.

"Insulting me?!" Tia was stunned. "I meant well, Hua Zhen, have you given up all your dignity and conscience?"

"Can you two stop arguing? What happened to avoiding a fight?" Miss Jinjin laughed in exasperation. "Are you planning to lure all the monsters around here to go to that Round Corner Street brothel you mentioned?"

"..."

The group continued walking forward.

Everyone remained quiet this time, and Miss Jin Jin would only say a few words when necessary. Hua Zhen and Tia Ge nodded to indicate that they understood.

Suddenly, Hua Zhen's sleeve was tugged.

Shiva looked completely bewildered, while Karula wore a bitter expression.

She was seen pulling on Hua Zhen's sleeve and shaking it back and forth, while mumbling incoherently.

"son……"

"Hungry...hungry..."

"Mom... food... food..."