Masters Are Worse Than Dogs, Dragons Roam Everywhere

After blending into the town, Gu Qingfeng seized an opportunity to slip away from the young woman. Once he entered a secluded alley and confirmed no one was around, he dispelled his Size-Shifting and Invisibility spells and strolled out casually.

As he walked, he muttered to himself, "That girl is quite wealthy. Who would’ve thought someone so young already owns an airport at home?"

He wandered aimlessly through the streets, taking in the customs and culture of the Cangming Realm. The practice of cultivation seemed incredibly widespread here. Cultivators were everywhere—in just a short while, Gu Qingfeng had spotted no fewer than a hundred Grandmasters, along with quite a few Dragon Transformation experts.

True Divinity Realm cultivators were relatively fewer, but he still caught glimpses of one or two now and then.

Truly, Grandmasters were as common as dogs, and Dragon Transformation experts roamed the streets.

Of course, given the vast population of the Cangming Realm, while cultivators were numerous, ordinary mortals were even more so. The only difference was that the mortals here had slightly stronger physiques than those of the Qing Realm.

After all, the density of spiritual energy here was nearly a hundred times that of the Qing Realm. Even ordinary people living here would naturally develop sturdier bodies.

With such abundant spiritual energy, reaching the Grandmaster level was a hundred times easier here than in the Qing Realm.

After all, the Qi Sea Realm was all about refining energy—with enough spiritual energy and a modicum of talent, even a pig could become a Grandmaster.

However, this environmental advantage diminished sharply at the True Divinity Realm, as cultivation at that stage focused on refining the soul.

Given the sheer number of cultivators, most shops in the town specialized in cultivation-related goods.

There were stores selling spirit weapons, talismans, and elixirs—basically everything one could need.

Even street vendors peddled their wares, pointing at a shabby wooden carving on their stalls and claiming it was a relic from the Primordial Era.

This thriving, bustling scene was a novelty to Gu Qingfeng.

Just then, a young boy suddenly blocked his path.

The boy was an ordinary mortal, dressed in coarse linen with dark skin, but his bright, expressive eyes sparkled with intelligence.

He clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Esteemed senior, is this your first time in Sunset City? Would you like a guide?"

Gu Qingfeng wasn’t surprised the boy could tell he was new—after all, he had been wandering around curiously, stopping at every stall, clearly a first-time visitor.

"You can be my guide?"

Hearing the interest in Gu Qingfeng’s tone, the boy immediately brightened. "Senior, though I’m young, I’ve lived in Sunset City my whole life. There’s no place here I haven’t explored. Whether you’re looking for weapons, elixirs, talismans, or rare treasures, I can take you right to them."

Gu Qingfeng considered it briefly—he did need a guide at the moment—and nodded. "How much?"

The boy wasn’t offering his services out of kindness; this was clearly how he made a living. Gu Qingfeng had already noticed several similar boys eyeing passersby on the streets.

Overjoyed at Gu Qingfeng’s agreement, the boy beamed.

Gu Qingfeng’s guess was correct—these boys made a living guiding cultivators, who were often wealthy and generous. A satisfied customer might even take a liking to them and accept them as disciples, elevating their status overnight.

The boy studied Gu Qingfeng’s luxurious attire and ethereal, immortal-like demeanor, thinking, This must be a truly important figure.

If he could forge a connection with someone like this, his future would be set.

Wanting to make a good impression, the boy decided to charge less.

He had initially considered offering his services for free but feared it would seem too obvious, so he settled on a modest fee.

Hesitantly, he extended two fingers, then reconsidered and retracted one.

Gu Qingfeng watched, immediately understanding the boy’s thoughts.

Human nature is the same in every world, he mused, reminded of a modern-day scenario.

A man, short on cash but smitten, spends two thousand on a designer bag for a woman and another thousand on a lavish dinner—only for her to accept the gifts but reject his advances.

The same story, different approach:

Another man, also with three thousand to his name, spends two thousand renting a luxury car. During dinner, he claims to be tired of fancy restaurants and suggests street food instead.

They share a bowl of spicy noodles—paid for by the woman—and later end up at a hotel, where she also covers the bill.

The woman, like this boy, instinctively avoids making the wealthy spend too much, fearing they’ll be seen as greedy. Instead, they go out of their way to please, even at their own expense, just to secure a connection.

Gu Qingfeng said nothing. Everyone had their own way of surviving, and he wouldn’t interfere. If the boy was willing to lower his price to a single copper coin, so be it.

Casually, he tossed a copper coin into the boy’s hand.

The boy caught it, but his smile faltered when he saw the payment.

"Senior, this…"

Gu Qingfeng frowned. Hadn’t the boy lowered the price himself? Now he was complaining?

"What? Not enough?"

The boy forced a smile. "Senior, please don’t tease me. Why are you giving me a copper coin?"

Gu Qingfeng paused, realizing his mistake—the boy hadn’t meant copper coins. He’d meant one tael of silver!

Damn!

Is the cost of living in the Cangming Realm this high?

A guide charges a whole tael of silver?

Are they trying to cause hyperinflation?!

"Here."

Gu Qingfeng took back the copper coin and handed over a tael of silver.

But the boy’s smile grew even more strained.

"Senior, if you don’t want to hire me, you can just say so. Why mock me with a lump of ore?"

"Ore?!" Gu Qingfeng was stunned. "You don’t use gold and silver as currency here?"

The boy gave him a strange look. "Senior must be joking. Gold and silver are only occasionally used in forging weapons—they’re practically worthless otherwise. Why would anyone use them as money?"

Gu Qingfeng’s expression darkened. "Then what do you use?"

"Spirit Stones, of course," the boy replied.

At the mention of Spirit Stones, Gu Qingfeng nearly exploded.

Spirit Stones?!

What about the mountains of gold and silver I’ve painstakingly accumulated over the years?!

Are they all just worthless rocks now?!

No!

It’s over!

All my life’s savings—gone!

His chest tightened, and he felt lightheaded, as if he might pass out.

A famous line from a comedy sketch came to mind:

The greatest sorrow in life is dying with money left unspent.

The greatest greatest sorrow is living on, but penniless.

Now, Gu Qingfeng wanted to add:

The greatest greatest greatest sorrow is being alive, still having money—but the damn currency’s changed!

Damn it all!