Chapter 2017 - 2010: Can I Buy It Out?
"My companions at the survival base told me that many races ended up destroyed. Didn’t they have Holy Guardian Spirits?" Zhang Menglong suddenly recalled this, because the feedback he received from the Azure Dragon felt almost invincible. Can anyone really kill a Guardian?
"Of course, there are such cases," Lumes said, "Even if a race has only one person, they still have Guardians and Giant Cities, but the power of the Guardian comes from the race. The stronger the race, the stronger the Guardian. If the race perishes, the Guardian no longer exists."
"In other words, can Guardians actually be delayed by someone?" Zhang Menglong asked, "Even if someone wants to annihilate a race, they would still need someone to hold up the Guardian at least?"
"Hahaha, Brother Zhang, you jest. These Guardians are top-level Supreme Demon Beast entities. How could any of us possibly delay them? Generally, if a full-scale war is launched against a race, only a Guardian can hold up a Guardian!"
With Lumes’ explanation, it became clear that the essence of battles between races is still battles between people. These Guardians would restrain one another unless there is a massive gap in power between two races, which might result in one Guardian being killed by another.
Zhang Menglong gazed up at the Azure Dragon, and suddenly, he felt its gaze locking onto him; it was looking at Zhang Menglong.
At the moment when those eyes fixated on him, Zhang Menglong felt as if the blood in his body was boiling.
"Another little fellow carrying the Zhang Family bloodline!" The voice of the Azure Dragon suddenly appeared in Zhang Menglong’s mind.
"What the heck? You know me?" Zhang Menglong looked at the great dragon in surprise.
But on second thought, it made sense. To travel to the Supreme World, this place was on their way. It didn’t seem surprising to have encountered the Azure Dragon here.
"Of course I know you," the Azure Dragon grinned, "But your Zhang Family people only come here as passing guests. I hope during your stay, you can do something remarkable. I look forward to your performance."
After saying this, the Azure Dragon ignored Zhang Menglong and flew into the clouds to sleep.
"That’s how the Azure Dragon is, it mostly sleeps in the clouds, but if we really get into a fight with other races, it will surely step in immediately," Lumes said, "Brother Zhang, if you plan to go to the Ice Demon Race, you might encounter their Holy Guardian Spirit."
"What is their Guardian?" Zhang Menglong asked.
"A giant bat, its body like it’s sculpted from ice, even larger than the Azure Dragon, since the Ice Demon Race is much stronger than us humans, their Guardian is also much stronger."
Zhang Menglong silently memorized the Guardian of the Ice Demon Race, sensing that this time he would undoubtedly encounter that Guardian.
"Let’s head inside!"
The three of them walked shoulder to shoulder into the Great City of Aiville, with a bustling crowd at its entrance, mostly people from other survival bases coming here to buy supplies or accomplish other tasks.
After paying an entry fee, they obtained permission to stay here for three days. Naturally, this stay didn’t include accommodations; they could choose to sleep in a bridge cave. If they wanted a hotel, that came with another price.
In the Great City of Aiville, rule characters were everywhere like NPCs in a game, yet you couldn’t differentiate them just by appearance. Whether ordinary people or rule characters, they were merely roles under the rules of this world, virtually indistinguishable from living humans.
At this time, the day was just breaking, and everywhere still lay resting Martial Artists: on chairs, in corners, in bushes; wherever a body could fit. Anyone unaware might mistake this place for the city’s slums.
"This area of the Great City of Aiville is designated specifically for accommodating ordinary Martial Artists," Lumes said, "Lodging here is very expensive, even the cheapest hotel costs thousands of Supreme Coins a night; most people aren’t willing to spend this money."
"That’s no good; poor sleep will affect my condition the next day," Zhang Menglong shook his head, "We’re staying here for several days; we need a place to sleep. Do you have any recommendations? I want the best!"
Lumes and the others were now very aware of Zhang Menglong’s financial capacity. Since he wanted the best, they naturally took him to the finest places.
Walking through bustling streets, they gradually approached the city’s center; even here, Martial Artists could set up stalls. Many would sell their spoils because they received various weird tasks, but items were hard to drop, so people would sell what they didn’t need, hoping for a profit.
Of course, such transactions were only allowed within the Great City of Aiville; outside, even at survival bases, they were forbidden. Setting up a stall requires paying Supreme Coins, and transactions need taxes too; it’s almost as if the world’s rules strive to earn Martial Artists’ money.
Besides sellers, many people were purchasing items, some without survival bases formed teams to hunt Warcraft; if a scene exists in both games and the real world, it’s likely found here.
"This is the most luxurious hotel in the entire Great City of Aiville," Lumes led Zhang Menglong to one of the finest buildings in the city center, "This Aiville Hotel belongs to the City Lord’s legacy, a rule character who has reached the level of Ultimate Life Form!"
"Very luxurious indeed," Zhang Menglong marveled at the hotel. Its exterior resembled a towering castle, nearing the Azure Dragon’s perch at the top. Staying here undoubtedly signified identity and wealth.
"But as far as I know, no one has ever stayed here," Lumes said, "I heard the cheapest room here costs over a hundred thousand Supreme Coins a night. People earn Supreme Coins here through struggle, leaving once they’ve earned enough—who would spend it in such a place?"
"Let’s go; these next few days we’ll remember this place!" Zhang Menglong casually hooked his arms around the others’ shoulders and moved toward the hotel.
"Look! Someone’s going into the Aiville Hotel!"
"The newcomers, probably just sightseeing. Who’d waste money staying in a hotel?"
"Exactly, people go in every other day and come out quickly—nothing to fuss about."
"True, they’ll probably be shocked by the prices soon. They might think the hotel’s similar to those in lower tier worlds, right?"
Voices of debate emerged from behind, but Zhang Menglong paid them no mind, heading straight to the service desk.
"Hello, we need three rooms!" Zhang Menglong said.
"Honorable guest, you’ve chosen the right place. Our Aiville Hotel is the most luxurious in the entire Giant City. How long do you three plan to stay? What specifications of rooms do you want?" The receptionist smiled broadly at them.
"I want the best!"
Upon hearing this, the receptionist beamed, "The best room is simply 1.88 million Supreme Coins per night!"
"Just..." Lumes and the others’ faces twitched upon hearing.
"It’s not really expensive," Zhang Menglong nodded, "Can we buy it outright?"