Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 476 - 348: Reduced to Mere Ornamentation

The middle-aged man was speechless when he saw the other party persistently harassing him.

After all, he had just blurted something today, although after reaching A-level, he spoke and acted more freely.

Unexpectedly, he encountered such a madman.

By now, he was almost certain he probably couldn’t beat the other person; otherwise, why would someone propose a life-and-death battle?

Anyway, when facing a stranger who is A-level, he definitely didn’t have the courage to insist on a life-and-death duel.

He pondered for a moment and finally took a deep breath, "Alright, I was careless with my words... is that okay?"

Qu Jianlei shook his head and replied expressionlessly, "If an apology worked, what would be the point of the Inspection Bureau?"

The middle-aged man heard this and took a deep breath, feeling he couldn’t back down anymore, "Can you at least say where you’re from first?"

Qu Jianlei looked at him and spoke calmly, "I’m on a secret mission, are you sure you want to know?"

I don’t want to know! The middle-aged man instantly made up his mind.

Because just for a verbal spat, there was already a push towards a life-and-death battle. If he heard something more critical, it might end worse, right?

So he straightforwardly declared, "Then I won’t ask... say, how can we move past this?"

"Move past?" Qu Jianlei was genuinely surprised to hear this. This timid?

Instinctively, he thought about extorting some cultivation resources, but on second thought, it would really be beneath him.

So he shook his head and snorted disdainfully, "Haha, all you have is this much, only daring to show your teeth to ordinary people!"

After saying this, he turned around and grandiosely walked away.

Sofia saw this and hurriedly took two steps to catch up with him, not daring to face a superpower warrior alone.

This damn... seeing this, the middle-aged man even forgot to be angry. You’re just leaving like this?

The next moment, he realized, "Is this saying I bully the weak and fear the strong? Who gave you the guts?"

However, he only dared to say it verbally. To chase after them now, he absolutely didn’t have the courage.

Natasha, however, whispered, "Sir, this person’s background might be questionable."

"Stop giving bad ideas," the middle-aged man glared at her irritably, "I almost got badly burned by you today."

After reaching A-level, indeed, there is some ability to sense danger. He had just felt that the other person was really dangerous.

However, Natasha spoke seriously, "A-level resources can’t possibly appear at the counter, he doesn’t even know this."

In fact, up until now, she still suspected whether the other person was really A-level, "Maybe he found an excuse to leave."

"This person is very dangerous," the middle-aged man stated bluntly, "Even among A-levels, he’s a master."

Sofia chased down Qu Jianlei to the car, then opened the door and sat in the driver’s seat.

While starting the car, she excitedly asked, "Panda sir, so you are actually an A-level big shot?"

"I tricked him," Qu Jianlei replied offhandedly, "Actually, just a C-level."

"I don’t believe it," Sofia rolled her eyes upon hearing this, "If you were really A-level, I would have asked someone to check Papong’s resources."

As soon as this condition was set, Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but admit, responding vaguely, "Not far off."

Sofia glanced at him through the rearview mirror, speaking in a tone both amused and accusatory.

"I knew it, you’re tricking me again... that confidence can’t be faked!"

After dropping Panda home, on her way back she called her sister.

"Rose, I finally confirmed Panda’s cultivation level... guess what level it is?"

Rose wasn’t interested in this topic, lazily responding, "Are you showing off, saying you had a wonderful day with him?"

"A-level, it’s A-level!" Sofia exclaimed, "And a very powerful A-level at that!"

"Really A-level?" Rose couldn’t help but raise her voice, "You’re not mistaken, are you?"

"Of course I’m not mistaken, you don’t even know how overbearing he is," Sofia recounted her recent encounter word for word.

"... I’ve never seen anyone talk like that to the Two-headed Snake."

The Two-headed Snake was the nickname for that middle-aged man, a Water Attribute A-level, enough to show how difficult he was to deal with.

When Rose heard this, her breathing became rapid, "Then what is Panda’s attribute?"

"That I really haven’t figured out," Sofia sighed, "Give me a little more time."

Rose was silent, finally speaking after a while, "Is it possible to win him over?"

"Very difficult," Sofia answered without hesitation, "This person has a strong determination, not easily persuaded."

"Then we must try," Rose’s attitude was firm, "A strong-minded person could be of great help to us."

"Then I have a suggestion," Sofia replied, "Deploy some A-level resources in Papong, especially crystals."

"It’s very challenging," Rose sighed, "Neither of us are superpower warriors, do you think proposing this suggestion is useful?"

"Then don’t keep pushing me in the future," Sofia coldly snorted.

"They keep urging us to recruit skilled hands, but they’re unwilling to invest at all... Without resources, how can we recruit anyone?"

"People approached us for help, it was just a random act," Rose replied indifferently.

"In such a big city like Green Water, with all these complicated forces, there are really too many people like us."

Sofia remained silent, because what her sister said was true. Throughout Green Water City, countless spies were hidden.

The next day happened to be an odd-numbered day, and there was a black market in Papong that night.

Qu Jianlei originally planned to set out in the evening, but in the afternoon, Sofia came and said she would take him to Papong.

Qu Jianlei didn’t realize that yesterday’s conflict was instigated under her guidance.

Though it couldn’t entirely be her fault, since she hadn’t anticipated the Two-headed Snake appearing at that critical moment.

Still, Qu Jianlei didn’t want her too involved in his life — I haven’t even expressed my stance, and you’ve already decided to come?

However, Sofia had a reason; she said she released some rumors, and maybe someone has already brought goods to Papong.

The black market does business based on money, not people, but for the same deal, having acquaintances does make a difference.

In fact, Sofia was bluffing, and if Qu Jianlei could sense her emotions, he would have noticed something was off.

Yet, Qu Jianlei wasn’t unscrupulous; although he had this ability, he wouldn’t easily use it under normal circumstances. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Spying on others’ privacy without reason, isn’t that voyeurism?

He didn’t expect the rumors Sofia spread to necessarily work, but since she made arrangements, shouldn’t he at least show some attitude?

Besides, he had never been to Papong; having someone to help look out in a strange place would be better.

Qu Jianlei’s own abilities weren’t poor, but he had hired a business guide in both Central City and Green Water City.

This showed that it wasn’t about handling problems, but about not wanting to spend too much effort on unnecessary matters.

This time was the same; having someone to facilitate things could save a lot of trouble.

As it proved, he wasn’t wrong. At least at the start, Sofia helped him locate the black market.

Papong isn’t a street name, but an area, covering roughly ten square kilometers.

It’s somewhat similar to place names like "West River" or "Pudong."

If Qu Jianlei carefully perceived, finding the black market wouldn’t be hard, but isn’t it easier if someone directly takes him there to stake out?

Green Water City’s permanent population exceeds fifty million; he wouldn’t believe there aren’t any Supremes.

Moreover, in such a big city, there must be dedicated equipment for detecting energy fluctuations, so it’s best not to casually use spiritual perception.

In the afternoon, when it was still bright, Sofia drove and took Qu Jianlei for a ride around the black market area.

The black market’s address was at the junction where the Muddy River flows into Green Water, underneath a large bridge.

A super-large city inevitably has many overpasses; it’s a rule on Blue Star, as well as in the Empire.

This bridge was the same, three layers in total, exceptionally tall, spanning the "T" shaped intersection.

The bridge structure wasn’t complex, so you wouldn’t get lost, and the bridge surface was very wide, avoiding congestion.

Therefore, the bridge occupied a large area.

Unlike the labyrinthine overpasses in Divine Land, which due to insufficient ground area are forced to expand vertically.

Papong’s black market was below the ramp on the Muddy River side, some also on the bridge piers.

It may sound small, but the area was indeed considerable.

Sofia drove around once, gave some advice, then left without getting out of the car, "We need to disguise a bit."

Entering the black market... Disguise was necessary, Qu Jianlei wasn’t surprised, "Are you familiar with this place?"

Sofia drove steadily, "It’s a bit dangerous for young women to come here, but I have a few friends who have been."

Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, "Is Green Water City’s public security that bad?"

He didn’t mean to be sarcastic, he simply didn’t know much. The Empire’s territory is vast, and each planet has its own characteristics.

"It’s alright," Sofia replied calmly, "There aren’t that many serious crimes."

"High-end residential areas are much safer, and as for young women, it’s best not to walk in dark places after dark."

Qu Jianlei couldn’t help but be stunned, "All those surveillance systems installed for nothing?"

He didn’t mean to argue; if the public security were terrible, could Green Water be worse than the Gathering Areas on the Garbage Star?

He could hardly imagine it; there were far more surveillance systems here than in Bailan and Cyan Feather City, yet security was so bad?

"Some people deliberately destroy the cameras," Sofia replied indifferently, no trace of resentment visible, only a face of apathy.

"Moreover, the city is too large, and defense forces are inadequate; unless the case is particularly serious, there’s no manpower to investigate."

Is this even possible? Qu Jianlei’s mouth twitched slightly; come on, it’s already the interstellar great navigation era.

"So, security is never about force, but what the common people at the bottom amount to."

"High technology, without a focus on humanity, is just a bunch of showpieces."