#2203 - Know how to face the gap

When Jun Wuxie arrived at the Divine Travel Commerce, it was even more bustling than the last time he came.

By today, most of the people who entered at the beginning of the two realms' fusion had already reached the towns from the initial lands.

Of course, the initial lands should still be packed with people.

After all, entering and exiting the secret realm is now free, so there will inevitably be a constant stream of people coming in.

The manager was still leaning back in the chair near the entrance of the inner hall, his eyes half-closed, looking leisurely.

When he saw Jun Wuxie, he ignored him, only glancing at him and then pretending not to see him.

Jun Wuxie said nothing, directly stepping forward to pull him up from the chair.

"What are you doing? Let go!"

The manager glared at him, struggling a few times, but couldn't break free.

He couldn't help but feel shocked in his heart.

How long had it been, and this 'beginning' was already so powerful?

His strength was too terrifying; he couldn't even break free?

The hand gripping him was like an iron clamp.

Jun Wuxie didn't speak, forcefully dragging him into the courtyard of the inner hall before letting go.

The manager shook his wrist, and when he looked, it was bruised, making him tremble with anger.

"Could you be a little gentler?"

The manager held his hand in front of him, "Pay me for the medicinal ointment!"

"Come, trouble you to forge my Swift Wind Shoes to the fifth order."

Jun Wuxie took off his shoes and took out the fifth-order Order Forging Stone.

"What did you say?"

The manager was startled, his gaze instantly drawn to the divine stone in his hand.

"It really is a fifth-order Order Forging Divine Stone! Where did you get it?

Doesn't this thing only drop from fifth-order immortal-level creatures?"

He was shocked that a fifth-order Forging Divine Stone had appeared so early!

He knew that the Fallen Immortal King was likely killed by this 'beginning'.

But the Fallen Immortal King was not a fifth-order creature.

Fifth-order items are the highest level within the Clear Wind Ancient Town area.

How long has Clear Wind Ancient Town been open to outside cultivators?

Moreover, the fifth-order Forging Divine Stone is an extremely rare item.

"I picked it up on the road; I guess I was lucky."

Jun Wuxie said casually.

"Stop kidding me; why don't you say it fell from the sky?

Could this thing be from the Fallen Immortal King's body?"

The manager took the Forging Divine Stone in his hand and examined it, exclaiming, "I really didn't expect you to get a fifth-order Forging Divine Stone so quickly…"

His tone carried a hint of emotion.

He didn't really care about these rare divine stones before.

But that was all tens of thousands of years ago.

Back then, he and Jian Feng traveled together, grew together, and shook the world with their fame, a truly glorious and extraordinary time.

Since the invasion of the Evil Demons, a tragic battle left him severely injured, and he has yet to recover.

For tens of thousands of years, his realm has remained unchanged.

Now, he is only at the fifth-order realm; he can't deal with fifth-order immortal-level creatures at all.

Thus, the fifth-order Forging Divine Stone is now extremely precious to him.

This 'beginning' has only been in this world for such a short time, yet his gains are astonishing; this progress is simply unbelievable.

"For Jian Feng and the Swift Wind Shoes' sake, I'll help you, hmph!"

The manager snorted coldly, obviously still harboring resentment about what happened a few days ago.

He had an obsession with the Swift Wind Shoes.

After speaking, he ignored Jun Wuxie and began forging.

Halfway through, the manager grumbled, "You only come running to me for help when you need something, and then you leave without giving me any reward. Don't you think it's shameless to do that?"

"If you want a reward, just wait.

In the future, I guarantee your shop will earn so much money that your hands cramp from counting it."

The manager's expression changed upon hearing this, and he glanced at him suspiciously, "Tell me, how will you increase the profits of my Divine Travel Commerce?"

Jun Wuxie didn't respond, slowly walking to the hall, pouring a cup of tea, taking a sip, and then saying, "If Clear Wind Ancient Town has a similar flow of people to a regional central city in the future, do you think your Divine Travel Talismans' sales will increase?"

"How is that possible? Are you making fun of me?"

The manager obviously felt this idea was too far-fetched.

Clear Wind Ancient Town is only a second-tier city; a regional central city is a third-tier city.

How can a second-tier city have the flow of people of a third-tier city?

The second-tier city is the closest town to the initial lands; the strongest Evil Demon creatures here are only at the fifth order.

This means that as the outside cultivators slowly grow stronger, they will inevitably gradually leave here and go to larger cities to obtain resources corresponding to their realms.

By then, those who leave will basically not come back.

Even if they do come back, they will only be passing through, so why would they spend money in this city?

"So, you are short-sighted.

Think about it, if in the future there are sixth-order, seventh-order, eighth-order, or even higher-order, ancient, supreme exclusive divine artifacts auctioned in Clear Wind Ancient Town, wouldn't cultivators from the outside world gather in Clear Wind Ancient Town?

As long as your Divine Travel Commerce researches divine travel talismans with unique characteristics before then, and the prices are slightly more favorable, wouldn't you have people coming to spend money?

Furthermore, although Clear Wind Ancient Town is only a second-tier city.

Tens of thousands of years ago, ninth-order and tenth-order Evil Demons came here.

They were ultimately sealed by the Heavenly Dao, and some Evil Demons fell in realm due to the great battle back then, but some Evil Demons may not have fallen in realm.

This Clear Wind Ancient Town should have many hidden areas, right? Once they are opened in the future, this city will be a hub."

"I'm short-sighted?"

The manager was furious; he took a deep breath, "You mean, you will bring all the exclusive divine artifacts you sell to our city for auction in the future?

As for the hidden areas you mentioned, whether they will be opened in the future is another matter.

The Evil Demons inside are too powerful.

In the battle back then, the top experts of our world almost all perished.

How long will it take for you cultivators to grow to be able to deal with Evil Demons of that level?

Even if your realms increase, whether you can deal with them is another matter.

Do you know what immortal-level tenth-order or higher Evil Demons mean?"

"Tenth order is nothing; in this world, there are definitely creatures beyond the tenth order.

Although you have lived in this world for tens of thousands of years, there are still many things you don't understand.

Helping me will only benefit you in the future.

Give up on the Swift Wind Shoes; don't covet them, and don't hold a grudge about it."

The manager's face turned red upon hearing this, and he forcibly retorted, "Who… who coveted your Swift Wind Shoes? Don't slander me; I have always been upright and kind, with a broad mind. How could I hold a grudge? You are damaging my image and insulting my character!"

"If that's the case, then I can only say I'm sorry; image and character are precisely what you lack."

"You…"

The manager's hand trembled with anger, and he almost dropped the Swift Wind Shoes in his hand.

This 'beginning's' eyes are too sharp; he actually saw through the fact that he lacked image and character?

He had to admit that he seemed to be a little unscrupulous…

"Alright, here are your Swift Wind Shoes."

The manager threw the successfully upgraded Swift Wind Shoes to Jun Wuxie.

Jun Wuxie took a look, and the effects had indeed improved a lot.

Swift Wind Shoes: Secret Realm Exclusive Fifth-Order Ancient Special Divine Artifact, obtained through special channels, unique, the former divine artifact of Secret Realm genius Jian Feng.

Increases the wearer's base defense by 125% and increases the wearer's total defense by 500%, additionally providing the wearer with 50 times speed and agility.

Comes with secret skill — Silent Subterfuge, the effect can deceive the perception of any creature below the sixth-order immortal level. In subterfuge state, you will lose extra movement speed.

Comes with secret skill — Carefree Roaming, the effect can ignore any attack methods used by creatures below the sixth-order immortal level, freely moving and roaming without hindrance.

Casting Carefree Roaming requires consuming Wind Essence, Wind Essence recovery time is a quarter of an hour.

Among the above effects, the defense enhancement effect is halved for non-Secret Realm creatures.

Very good; he was very satisfied.

The biggest improvement was not the basic effects and speed, but the attached secret skill effects, which could make it difficult for creatures below the sixth-order immortal level to perceive him in subterfuge state, and he could also freely move through the attacks of creatures of this level!

"'Beginning', I hope you can promote the development of the era faster, so that previously unseen treasures of heaven and earth will appear.

That way, I might still have a chance to recover my realm and return to my peak…"

The manager suddenly became sentimental.

He had been in a state of decline for tens of thousands of years, and his realm had remained at the fifth order.

Over the long years, he felt like he was a waste.

He spends his days eating and waiting to die.

Although he was used to it, whenever he recalled the glorious years of the past, his heart would breed a feeling of disgust for his current state of life, despising his own appearance.

"Don't worry; you will have a chance to recover in the future.

Perhaps, there will also be a chance to have a real flesh and blood body, and even if you leave this world, your body will not disappear."

"What did you say?"

The manager was shocked, his mind shaken.

These words sounded like a fantasy.

He was a product of order; his ancestors were evolved from the Heavenly Dao.

Generation after generation, they could not change.

Although he had a flesh and blood body in this world, it was only limited to this realm.

He could not leave this world; leaving meant death.

He also understood that this world was evolved by a powerhouse beyond his understanding.

That powerhouse was the Heavenly Dao.

So, this world isn't a true native world. To the native worlds outside, this world is "illusory," and so are the living beings within it.

"I said it's possible. It's not certain yet; we'll have to see how things go.

I'm leaving. I'll come find you next time the Gale Shoes can be upgraded or improved."

With that, he left, leaving the steward standing there, staring blankly at his departing figure.

On the way back to the Qingfeng Trading Company, he passed through a bustling downtown area.

It was packed with people.

There was a high platform in the downtown area, with several people standing on it, banging gongs and drums and promoting something.

"Everyone, everyone, don't hesitate any longer! Joining the Imperial Dao Alliance is our wisest choice!

The day of the Evil Demons' siege is getting closer and closer. We need to unite and have unified command to achieve better results and obtain more resources!

I heard that the Imperial Dao Alliance's leader, Emperor, and the Child of Destiny are invincible figures.

You know about the 'Defeating Immortals with Weakness' honor on the榜, right?

According to inside information, that Fallen Immortal King was killed by Emperor and the Child of Destiny working together!"

Whoa!

The crowd below erupted in an uproar.

"Really? Where did you get this information?

The榜 hides the names. How would you know? Who leaked it out?"

"I didn't expect it to be Emperor and the Child of Destiny.

That's right. Besides those two, who else could defeat an immortal?

Even Shi and Dusk Princess don't have that kind of strength.

After all, Shi is a rogue cultivator, and although Dusk Princess has the backing of a dynasty, she chose to go it alone.

She teamed up with Shi, a powerful alliance, but in the end, it's just two people. Their power is weak.

Emperor and the Child of Destiny are different. They have powerful families and sects as their backing. As long as they're willing to pay the price, defeating an immortal isn't impossible."

"I didn't expect Emperor and the Child of Destiny to be so low-key. They obtained such brilliant honor but chose to hide their names.

In comparison, Shi and Dusk Princess are a bit too eager to show off. Every time they get an honor, they put it high on the leaderboard. Don't they know to keep a low profile? Do they really think they're the most dazzling?

They've been slapped in the face now, right? It's still Emperor and the Child of Destiny."

"What you said makes sense. True experts never bother to show off; they're always low-key.

On the other hand, people like Shi and Dusk Princess have a little strength and opportunity and don't know how to restrain their sharpness and love to show off. Alas, we are still too young and not mature and stable enough."

"Your insights are unique, seeing through the essence. I admire you."

Jun Wuxie patted the speaker on the shoulder, praising him.

"You flatter me, you flatter me. I don't deserve it."

The man's expression was quite proud when he saw that his views were supported. "I'm just a little smarter than those blind followers who don't understand anything.

Those people now worship Shi and Dusk Princess like gods, but they don't know that their understanding is low and their IQ is insufficient. They're just a bunch of ignorant fools."

"Speaking of that Shi, he seems to have a high reputation and is covered in glory, but that's all there is to it."

Another person interjected, joining the conversation, "He just killed some Transcendent-God-level beings, using the achievements brushed out by some nameless weaklings."

"Transcendent-God-level beings? Nameless weaklings?"

Someone was so angry that he laughed, stepped forward, looked at the man, and said, "You call fourth-order Transcendent-God-level beings nameless weaklings?

Why don't you do it and kill a fourth-order Transcendent-God-level weakling for us to see?"

"Hehe." The man laughed disdainfully, in a strange tone, and said, "Typical 'you can you up'. What, just because I can't do it, I don't even have the right to comment?

I can't do it, but Emperor and the Child of Destiny can.

They are the real strong ones, who can even defeat immortals, let alone Transcendent-God-level beings?

After all, they come from the Great Boundless World, which is several streets ahead of our Divine Ancient World. Is it so hard to admit the gap?"

"That's right. We must understand how to face the gap squarely in order to see our own shortcomings.

There is indeed a big gap between the top geniuses of our Divine Ancient World and the top geniuses of the Great Boundless World. We have to admit it.

As this fellow Daoist said, Shi and Dusk Princess of our Divine Ancient World can only use weak Transcendent-God-level beings to brush up their glory and achievements. What's the point? It's just deceiving themselves.

Emperor and the Child of Destiny of the Great Boundless World are the real invincible experts. Who can compete with the glory of defeating immortals?

Shi and Dusk Princess are not worried, but you brainless fanatical worshippers are worried first. How funny!"

"I don't know where the wild news came from. Did you see Emperor and the Child of Destiny defeat an immortal?

I even said that Shi and Dusk Princess defeated an immortal."

"Hahaha, you fanatical worshippers are just fantasizing. You just know how to blindly praise.

Do you get exclusive coins for praising Shi and Dusk Princess so much?

How many exclusive coins do you get for one praise? Where do you get them? Please introduce me to them?

"People are saying that Emperor and the Child of Destiny defeated an immortal. At least news has spread. Do you have news of Shi and Dusk Princess defeating an immortal?

Just relying on your fantasies here?

What, can you win like this?

If winning is counted like this, I admit, you've won big, our Divine Ancient World has won big, hahaha."

"Damn! You group of kneeling slaves, soft bones! Does belittling your own world make you proud and self-satisfied? Why are you so cheap?"

"You're the cheap ones, obviously not good enough but still trying to force praise!

Do you understand what it means to look at problems from a rational, objective, and neutral perspective?

Blindly loving your own universe is a disease that needs to be treated.

Our world is crushed by the Great Boundless World because there are people like you who like to fantasize and self-orgasm in their own fantasies every day, without thinking about progress."

"You think about progress, so you kneel on the ground and give the geniuses of other worlds a rim job?

Have you progressed? I see that your oral skills have progressed, your tongue flexibility has progressed, and the height of your cheapness has progressed!"

… …

Jun Wuxie listened to the two sides spraying each other.

He left without saying a word.

He didn't expect that both sides of the conflict were actually people from the Divine Ancient World.

In fact, every world has such people.

It's just that he didn't expect to encounter them here.

"Emperor, Child of Destiny, I overestimated you."

Jun Wuxie was a little surprised. He didn't expect that these two would use the fact that he and Lian Yue were hiding their names to take the glory of defeating immortals for themselves.

Obviously, they wanted to use this to build momentum. First, they could raise their fame to the extreme, and second, they could attract a large number of people to join the so-called Imperial Dao Alliance. It was killing two birds with one stone, a good plan.