Upon hearing that, Zhao Xuan didn't immediately reply to Lian Jie. Instead, he fell silent, his mind spinning rapidly.
He had learned about ruins back in high school during the general culture courses, and had also looked up information online afterward—so he knew a fair bit.
For example, he was familiar with the Ruin Trials and the concept of the Heart of the Ruin.
After a moment of thought, Zhao Xuan suddenly asked, "Why do you want me to participate in the trial? I'm only a Tier-3 ability user, while you, President Lian, are a Tier-4 yourself."
"It's like this, Zhao Xuan," Lian Jie explained with a warm smile. "That particular ruin is classified as a minor ruin. Only Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 ability users are allowed to enter. Any ability user of Tier-4 or above will be repelled by the ruin's space itself."
"I see."
Zhao Xuan nodded thoughtfully. Then, recalling something he had read online, he asked again, "President Lian, I heard that this ruin produces Spirit-Nurturing Fruits worth five million a day. Is that true?"
"That's right," Lian Jie confirmed with a nod. "Zhao Xuan, I suppose that makes us look pretty stingy, doesn't it? A ruin that produces five million's worth of Spirit-Nurturing Fruits per day, yet we're only offering you ten million in payment."
Zhao Xuan was about to respond when Lian Jie continued before he could speak.
"The truth is," Lian Jie said, "half of that five million—two and a half million—has to be handed over to the Headquarters of the Ability Users' Guild. After all, the temporary portal we're using to access the ruin was opened by a high-ranking ability user dispatched from headquarters. That portion is essentially his fee."
Two and a half million every day!
That was seventy-five million a month!
Holy crap.
That kind of money… It was faster than robbing a bank!
Zhao Xuan couldn't help feeling a surge of ambition—an even stronger desire to grow more powerful.
Lian Jie's voice continued, "Out of the remaining two and a half million, one million goes to the Tongcheng local government. That leaves only one and a half million."
"And out of that one and a half million, about one million is used to pay the ability users who participate in the ruin's exploration and defense."
"In other words, out of the five million daily profit, our Tongcheng Ability Users' Guild only actually keeps five hundred thousand."
"To be honest, it's not about the money. The true treasure lies in the spiritual energy density within the ruin. Training inside a ruin and training outside—it's a completely different world."
"I understand now."
Zhao Xuan nodded and said, "President Lian, I'll agree to your request—but on two conditions."
"Go ahead," Lian Jie said, raising a brow.
"First," Zhao Xuan said, "I want the ten million reward entirely converted into cultivation resources."
"No problem at all," Lian Jie agreed immediately.
"Second," Zhao Xuan continued, "I want to fight you."
At that, both Lian Jie and Liu Huan froze in surprise.
Then Lian Jie suddenly laughed. "Are you serious, Zhao Xuan? I'm a Tier-4 ability user. There's a vast gulf between Tier-3 and Tier-4—you do realize that?"
"Of course," Zhao Xuan replied calmly. "But I just want to experience what it's like to face a Tier-4 opponent—get used to the pressure early. After all, the National Exam always includes a few Tier-4 monsters."
Silently, he added to himself, And I also want to see how much proficiency the system gives me for fighting someone way above my level.
"It seems you're determined to ace the National Exam," Lian Jie said meaningfully.
"Heh." Zhao Xuan only grinned in confidence, not denying it.
"Very well. I accept," Lian Jie said. "So, Zhao Xuan, do you want to test yourself against me now—or after a few days?"
"After a few days," Zhao Xuan said. "Let me get the Heart of the Ruin for you first."
"Good."
And so, the group set out swiftly toward the Wutong Mountain Range on the outskirts of the city.
"Oh, right—President Lian," Zhao Xuan asked on the way, "what exactly are the trials inside the ruin?"
"There are eight stages in total," Lian Jie explained patiently. "So far, our people have only managed to clear the fifth. The sixth is where we've always failed."
"The first stage requires defeating a single Tier-1 Mystic Bird. The second stage—nine Tier-1 Mystic Birds. The third—one Tier-2 Mystic Bird. The fourth—nine Tier-2s. The fifth—one Tier-3 Mystic Bird. The sixth—three Tier-3 Mystic Birds. As for the seventh and eighth, we don't know the specifics yet, but judging by the pattern, they're probably six and nine Tier-3 Mystic Birds respectively."
After explaining, Lian Jie looked over at Zhao Xuan with a hint of anticipation in his eyes. "Well? Do you think you can do it?"
Thinking of the oppressive Dragon Might he could unleash in his semi-draconic form, Zhao Xuan smiled confidently.
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