Nine Revolutions Star Transformation-Chapter 681 - 701: Shopkeeper of the General Store

"You all don't look like you're from Linsha City. Just from your attire, it's obvious. Which city did you come from? Being able to reach Linsha City shows that you're not ordinary!" the middle-aged man from the general store remarked.

Chu Linfeng glanced at the man and realized that this middle-aged man had at least the power of the Fourth Layer of Saint Martial Realm. Even a shopkeeper for a general store possessed such strength; the Netherworld was indeed extraordinary.

If Chu Linfeng could notice, then Young Master Feiyu and the others could as well. They finally realized that the Netherworld truly held hidden dragons and crouching tigers; they really needed to keep a low profile in the future.

"You're joking, big brother. The four of us siblings ran into enemies while out on an errand, and after many trials, we ended up here. I recall my master saying that Yuelai Inn in Linsha City might be able to help us, so we specifically came here to inquire," Chu Linfeng replied calmly and confidently, revealing no flaws in his story.

"Since you're also of the human race, I won't make things difficult for you. Among the Five Great Races in the Netherworld, humans are the weakest. If it weren't for the superpower Masters like Xiang Shaolong, the human race might have long been wiped out by the other races.

Yuelai Inn is under Xiang Shaolong's jurisdiction. If you're seeking refuge with him, you likely aren't qualified yet. Without the power of the Sixth Level of Holy Martial Realm, they certainly won't accept you, so my advice is to let go of that idea. However, in about half a month, there's an Outer Disciple selection process. Perhaps you could give it a try," the middle-aged man suggested.

"Outer Disciple? Yuelai Inn recruits Outer Disciples too? Could you please share the requirements, elder brother? I would greatly appreciate it!" Chu Linfeng asked.

"Enough standing outside, come in. I've been in this Netherworld for about three hundred years, and it's my first time seeing such handsome young men and women like you four. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll close shop temporarily. You can't earn all the money in the world anyway," the middle-aged man said.

Upon hearing this, Chu Linfeng and his friends were startled. Fortunately, the Demon Lord had previously warned Chu Linfeng not to judge ages by appearances in the Netherworld; many people were shockingly old. This middle-aged man was a living example, already over three hundred years old, which seemed unbelievable.

"Thank you, senior. It's inappropriate of me to have addressed you as brother earlier. Please forgive my impoliteness!" Chu Linfeng immediately corrected himself. Encountering such a kind-hearted person was truly rare. Of course, if the man had any ill intentions, Chu Linfeng and his group wouldn't be afraid; disposing of him would be an instant affair.

Then, Chu Linfeng and his party entered the shop. The middle-aged man led them to the inner courtyard and said, "Please sit down, make yourselves comfortable. Linsha City is but a small city, it's rare to see unfamiliar human faces here. Where did you travel from?"

This question stumped Chu Linfeng and his friends. They had never heard of Linsha City before, let alone other cities. He smiled and replied, "Senior, we come from a very small city ourselves. The Netherworld is so vast that even if I told you, you might not know it."

Seeing Chu Linfeng's reluctance to share, the middle-aged man didn't press further. "The entrance to the outside world from the Netherworld has been sealed for ten thousand years. It's uncertain when it might open again. I'm curious to see what the so-called sun and moon actually look like. So, what brings you to Yuelai Inn? Have you really run out of options?"

"To be frank, my siblings and I have indeed run out of resources and plan to check out Yuelai Inn. Since you've been here for so long, you must be quite familiar with this place. Could you brief us about the current situation in Linsha City? Our sect resides in seclusion, and we know nothing of the outside world," Chu Linfeng said.

The middle-aged man glanced at Chu Linfeng and his companions and said, "You must be their senior brother. From the way you speak, I can tell you're a cautious person. But rest assured, I mean you no harm. It appears the three of them have surpassed the Saint Martial Realm, but you seem to still be at Divine Martial Realm. What's the story here?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Linfeng immediately replied, "Senior, you indeed have sharp insight. I haven't broken into the Saint Martial Realm due to the lack of Netherworld Purple Orchid. Our sect is weak and doesn't possess extra Netherworld Purple Orchids for me. When I asked my master about obtaining it, he wouldn't say. I wonder if you, senior, might know?"

"Haha! Lad, you've asked the right person. Previously, Netherworld Purple Orchid wasn't worth much. However, after that great battle when the abundant Netherworld Lake was destroyed, the orchid became scarce. Now, only large sects have a few. Your sect having some is already commendable," the middle-aged man commented.

Hearing this, Chu Linfeng felt a pang of dejection. "Senior, truthfully, I'm not desperate for the Netherworld Purple Orchid; it's all about fate. I won't force it. What I really want to know is, given that the Netherworld has Five Great Races and Five Great Cities, I know about the races, but I'm unclear about the cities. Could you enlighten us, since our sect is so remote, we're unaware of just about everything," he said.

"It seems your sect is a reclusive one; such sects are rare nowadays. The Five Great Cities are closely tied to the Five Major Sects. Each race governs a city, and for humans, it's Xianglong City ruled by City Lord Xiang Shaolong.

The Ghost Race's city is controlled by Ghost King Hei Tian and is called Black Spirit City, considered the strongest in the Netherworld. The Ghost Race's city, Jiuyou City, is the most mysterious, with almost no humans present. Similarly, the Black Spirit City of the Ghost King lacks humans but hosts some powerful human warriors.

The Nether Beast's city is called Beast King City, the most populated among the Five Great Cities, housing billions of Nether Beasts. No race dares to provoke them, but Nether Beasts generally don't attack other races either.

The last is the Nether Race, its city called Underworld, said to consist of eighteen smaller cities. The ruler, the Netherworld King, is a formidable figure in the Netherworld, having broken into the Venerable Martial Realm along with human Xiang Shaolong, Ghost King Hei Tian, Jiuyou City Lord of the Ghost Race, and Beast King of the Nether Beasts. However, who is stronger remains unknown.

The great battle of the past didn't have a definite victor because all parties feared others would take advantage, so no one revealed their true strength." The middle-aged man explained at length, leaving Chu Linfeng and his companions wide-eyed.

They finally understood the power distribution in the Netherworld. To accomplish their task, they needed acceptance from the strongest human, Xiang Shaolong. Chu Linfeng realized this was an opportunity; perhaps they could enter Xianglong City.

"Senior, what are the requirements for Outer Disciples at Yuelai Inn? Can any human participate?" Chu Linfeng inquired.

"Not exactly. Even Outer Disciples require a certain power level, at least at the Ninth Layer of Divine Martial Realm. Members of the Four Great Races can participate as well, but most participants are human. If an Outer Disciple becomes an Inner Disciple, they can enter Xianglong City; only humans qualify for Inner Disciple status," the middle-aged man explained.

"Lin Feng, we must be selected as Outer Disciples this time. If possible, I hope you become an Inner Disciple so we can return sooner," Lin Ruoxi interjected.

"It's not easy to be chosen as an Outer Disciple. You need to register and pay a certain fee, plus the trials are perilous, with death looming at any moment. It's best not to have high expectations," the middle-aged man said, dampening their hopes.

"Don't worry, senior. My siblings and I have been accustomed to hardships from a young age. Otherwise, our master wouldn't have sent us down the mountain. No matter how dangerous, we aren't afraid. But could you tell me what this fee is? We're penniless and have no idea how to proceed!" Chu Linfeng asked.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man froze slightly but quickly resumed composure, though Chu Linfeng noticed it all. Perhaps he was disappointed at having nothing to gain from them.

"Do you have anything valuable? I can take you to the pawn shop not far from here to exchange. Without money, you can't get anywhere here. How did you reach Linsha City?" the middle-aged man sighed.

Chu Linfeng took out two Ice Crystals and Fire Crystals from his Storage Ring and asked, "Can these be exchanged?"

"These Ice Crystals and Fire Crystals can barely exchange for a hundred Nether Stones, but they're insufficient for the fee. Do you have anything better?" the middle-aged man asked.

Chu Linfeng then produced an Upper-Grade Star Stone and asked, "How many Nether Stones can this Star Stone exchange for?" He recalled the guards at the city gate going wild seeing Star Stones, indicating their significant value here as well.

"You have a Star Stone? Why didn't you mention it earlier? Star Stones are equivalent in value to Nether Stones, one Upper-Grade Star Stone equals one Upper-Grade Nether Stone. If you wish to participate in the Outer Disciple selection, you need eight Upper-Grade Star Stones," the middle-aged man beamed.

"Eight! I have them!" Ouyang Hong said, revealing dozens of Upper-Grade Star Stones, including one Top-Grade Star Stone, which made the middle-aged man's eyes light up.

"Excellent, excellent! If you want to exchange them for Nether Stones, I can do it immediately. Honestly, absorbing Nether Energy from Nether Stones daily is driving people insane. I propose you exchange these Star Stones with me. I am eager to absorb their Star Power and see what it's like," the middle-aged man suggested.