Chapter 704: Embarrassment
Entering Radiant City requires paying an entry fee.
No matter which Kingdom of the Sacred Continent you're from, or which organization or faction, even members of the Holy Knights, everyone must follow the rules of Radiant City.
The reason is simple.
The city was built by a peerless powerhouse at level 192.
After a group of strong individuals who tried to capture Radiant City mysteriously died, no one dares to break the rules here.
Everyone entering must pay 10,000 Holy Crystal Stones.
The fee isn't too expensive.
However, when Avril and her companions arrived at the city gate, registered their information, and prepared to enter, the guard glanced at them and waved his hand, saying:
"Your entry fee has already been paid by someone else, so you just need to complete the registration to enter."
Upon hearing this...
The group was momentarily stunned.
Huh?
Someone paid their fee?
Who could it be?
Could it be another classmate on the same treasure mission?
That doesn't make sense...
This treasure mission is unique and has already been accepted by Avril. How could anyone else from Holy Academy be here?
Even if they came, without the key to the Radiant Secret Realm, they couldn't enter anyway!
"May I ask who paid the fee for us?"
At this moment, Avril asked softly.
The guard checked the system, clicked a few times, and said, "A person named Ling Zhan paid your entry fees in advance."
Hmm!!
The expressions of everyone in the group instantly changed!
What the heck?
Ling Zhan paid their entry fees?
He's already in Radiant City?
When did he arrive?
Moreover...
How did he get here faster than us?
Seeing their stunned expressions, the guard impatiently waved his hand, saying:
"If you want to enter, hurry up! Take your certificates. Without them, if the city's Order Guard catches you, not only will you be fined, but you'll also be detained!"
Urged by the guard, the group quickly collected their certificates and entered the city.
However, at that moment...
"Hey! You in the kimono from Fusang, stop right there!"
Yamashita Masahiko turned his head and frowned at the guard. With his personality, he didn't take kindly to being spoken to in such a manner.
"What is it?"
Yamashita Masahiko asked coldly.
"What do you mean, 'what is it'? You haven't paid the fee, you know that?"
"Hurry up and pay up! Stop acting high and mighty! If you're so capable, go ahead and kill me right here!"
Seeing this Fusang man acting so arrogant and cold, the guard immediately burst into anger, his voice becoming increasingly aggressive.
"You..."
Yamashita Masahiko froze upon hearing this.
Then, his expression instantly darkened.
Damn it!
Ling Zhan!
That bastard!
He paid the fees for Avril, Adolphus, and Ansely, but not for him!
The Professionals waiting in line behind them started voicing their impatience.
"Damn it! Fusang guy, hurry up and pay the fee! Don't waste our time, alright? Shit!"
"Can't even afford the entry fee? Haha!"
"Just pay up and move along! I've been waiting in line forever! What bad luck!"
Hearing the mocking remarks around him, Yamashita Masahiko was seething with rage. He could only quickly pull out 10,000 Holy Crystal Stones to buy a ticket.
Although furious, he didn't dare confront these people.
After all, the Professionals gathered here were all at least level 130.
Many were even level 140.
And level 140 wasn't considered particularly strong in the Sacred Continent.
Many older Professionals could reach this level.
In one-on-one battles, Yamashita Masahiko and other geniuses like Avril could easily defeat them. After all, even at the same level, there are differences in strength.
But now they were dealing with a crowd.
Yamashita Masahiko dared not provoke everyone.
Especially in Radiant City.
This wasn't Holy City Asal.
Nor was it the Holy Knights' territory.
It meant that if Yamashita Masahiko dared to curse these people out here, they would definitely gang up on him.
In that case, Yamashita Masahiko would surely die.
The Sacred Continent is a chaotic place, where countless factions and Kingdoms have risen over the years.
Beyond the Sacred Continent...
Superpowers like the Dragon Kingdom, the Free Federation, the Europan Alliance, and the Bear Kingdom dominate internationally.
But within the Sacred Continent, while the Holy City Council (composed of peerless powerhouses from these superpowers) still holds the dominant voice, there are local prodigies born and raised here who have reached level 190 and established their own Kingdoms.
For example, Radiant City.
It doesn't belong to any organization. Even the Holy City Council hasn't dared to destroy it, out of respect for its level 192 City Lord.
Indeed.
If the Holy City Council's powerhouses worked together, they could defeat this City Lord.
But remember...
This City Lord is extremely mysterious, with some saying he's actually a member of the Holy City Council.
Even if not, offending him could lead this level 192 powerhouse to target the younger prodigies of the Holy City. Who could withstand that?
I may not be able to beat those on my level...
But I can still be a nuisance. What can you do about it?
The truth that an open attack is easier to guard against than a hidden arrow is universally understood.
Thus...
Many powerful empires and factions within the Sacred Continent are believed to have level 190 powerhouses in the shadows.
To sum up Yamashita Masahiko's current predicament:
When out and about, whether you're a dragon or a tiger, you have to bow your head.
People may fear the Holy Knights, but these Professionals from various factions certainly don't.
Under such circumstances...
Even someone as proud as Yamashita Masahiko could only endure the jeers and pay his fee to enter the city.
Especially since the woman he liked, Ansely, witnessed his humiliation.
This made him even more furious!
And all of this was Ling Zhan's fault!
Damn it!
I will send that bastard Ling Zhan to hell in the cruelest way possible!
After this minor episode...
The four of them finally entered Radiant City without incident.
Avril received a message from Ling Zhan, asking her to bring everyone to Radiant Hotel, where he had already arranged accommodations.
When Avril led the group to Radiant Hotel...
They saw Ling Zhan, who was attracting everyone's attention.
Hmm...
This guy...
No matter where he went, he always drew a crowd. His handsomeness aside, his uniquely cold demeanor was striking.
For many women, this kind of demeanor was irresistibly attractive, making them want to melt this icy mountain with their charm.