"How does it work exactly?"Yi Tianxing asked with curiosity.
"The communication wristwatch is merely a medium—the real core is the StarNet. The wristwatch connects to it, but to operate it, one must use their own true essence and magic power. For calls, mental energy is used to maintain the starlight paths. Part of that energy sustains the call's star route, and another part gets absorbed into the StarNet. This absorbed energy can then be condensed into Virtual Eternal Coins or used to refine the StarNet itself. The more people use it, the faster this mental energy accumulates."Xinghai explained quickly.
Of course, using the StarNet doesn't come free.
"What's the mental energy absorption rate by the StarNet?" Yi Tianxing asked.
"Fifty percent."Xinghai replied.
Fifty percent—half of one's mental power gets absorbed and refined by the StarNet. That's a considerable amount.
In other words, while short-term communication is fine, longer conversations lead to mental fatigue, reduced focus, and exhaustion.
"Fifty percent is a balanced rate. A portion gets converted into Virtual Eternal Coins, while the rest is stored in the Source Pool to help create various virtual items. Eventually, it will build a more complete Virtual World. The communication wristwatch is merely the beginning, a means to accumulate resources for the StarNet. The true revolution lies in virtual space."
Yi Tianxing didn't find the ratio too harsh.
After all, nothing in this world comes free.Even in the modern era, phone calls had a cost. Here, it's just mental power—which can recover naturally, and frequent usage might even strengthen one's mental capacity over time.
Time passed silently.Unnoticed, changes began to unfold across the Great Yi Dynasty. Each day brought new transformations.
In the city of Xuanhuang, and other fairy cities throughout the dynasty, a nine-story pavilion was erected. Hanging above the building was a plaque inscribed with glowing golden characters: Langya Merchant Guild.
This building was called the Langya Pavilion.
It wasn't just any merchant establishment—it was one officially operated by the Great Yi Dynasty. The goods sold here were all developed by the dynasty itself. Yet, the Langya Merchant Guild's main function wasn't simply selling. Rather, it focused on acquisition—purchasing rare and precious treasures of all kinds.
Products like Cloud Brocade, Mist Brocade, Tiangang Pills, and Guiding Lamps were rare but available. However, the Guild's true purpose lay in acquiring rare materials, no matter how obscure—if it was rare, they would buy it.
From the very beginning, the dynasty made no attempt to hide its involvement.
Each fairy city had a Langya Pavilion of identical specifications, constructed directly by craftsmen from the Heavenly Craft Pavilion. After completion, large quantities of goods were transported into them.
However, during this period, the Guild remained closed to the public.
Unnoticed, half a month had passed since the last imperial court session.
Creak—
On one crisp morning, a clear sound echoed through every fairy city in the Great Yi Dynasty.Simultaneously, the previously sealed Langya Pavilion doors swung open.
The opening drew the immediate attention of the masses.
"The Langya Pavilion is open! That's the dynasty's official merchant guild! Senior brother, let's check it out! We're heading back to the sect anyway—we might as well bring back some local specialties."
A group of young disciples from Xiaohan Mountain had prepared to leave.
Their experiences over the past few months had erased their earlier arrogance.In this realm, their sect's reputation or power meant nothing. Here, everyone was a cultivator, and the bounty hunters were formidable. They weren't anything special.
Having witnessed the war between Xuanhuang City and the beastman army, their pride evaporated.They realized: in front of Great Yi, even their sect could be annihilated.
Over time, they saw with their own eyes how the dynasty's transportable cities moved like herds across the land, how countless human refugees were absorbed and integrated into society, and how even alien races dared not approach the boundaries of these fairy cities.
They had become bounty hunters, hunted in the wilderness, obtained household registration, and received Heavenly Citizen Cards—a mark of their legal status in Great Yi.
They knew now—this wasn't an ordinary kingdom.It was a destiny-fueled empire built for cultivators.
Now, before returning to their sect to report what they had seen, the Langya Pavilion opened.
"Alright, let's go in. Over the past few months, we've earned some Eternal Coins. Let's buy some specialties as proof for our elders. That'll help them believe us."
The senior disciple agreed after a brief pause.
Together, they stepped into the Langya Pavilion.
"Welcome!"
At the entrance, two maidservants greeted them with pleasant smiles.Their elegant appearance and sweet voices made people feel instantly comfortable.
"Dear guests, welcome to the Langya Pavilion. Is there anything you're looking for? Our merchant guild doesn't carry ordinary goods. We sell exclusive items only available in Great Yi—like Moonlight Spring Water, Spirit-Gathering Elixirs, Five-Colored Beast Soul Liquids, Guiding Lamps, Cloud Brocade, Mist Brocade, and more. Supplies are limited—once gone, there's nothing left!"
Behind the counter stood a short, plump man in an exquisite robe made from Cloud Brocade.His small, glimmering eyes flickered with shrewdness, looking quite approachable.
He smiled warmly, radiating friendliness.On closer inspection—it was none other than Heshen.
Yes, the infamous Heshen.
After the founding of the Great Yi Dynasty, Heshen realized that with his own mediocre cultivation potential, his only chance at greatness was by integrating into the dynasty and receiving the benefits of fate baptism and worldly authority.
So he joined the Hall of Talents.
Heshen's resume had the whole hall trembling.He was a notorious historical figure, a corrupt official without peer.
Even the likes of Huang Chengyan and Xue Jin were on high alert.Xue Jin personally guarded the Ministry of Revenue to prevent Heshen from "sneaking in."
After all, corrupt officials often had great talent—that's how they became grand thieves.
Upon learning of it, Yi Tianxing simply said:
"The Langya Merchant Guild needs a general manager. Let Heshen go. If he can embezzle from that, he deserves the spoils."
And so, Heshen became the chief steward of the Langya Merchant Guild.
The decision startled many. Putting Heshen in charge of money was like letting a wolf guard a flock of sheep.
But strategist Jia Xu said:
"Only a true grand thief, reborn, can learn the bitter lesson and truly reform."
That silenced most critics.
Inside the Langya Pavilion, the counters and shelves were made entirely of glass and crystal, offering clear views of the goods inside. Everything was neatly arranged.
Bottles of Spirit-Gathering Liquid and Beast Soul Liquid glowed beautifully inside crystal vials.
Bolts of Cloud and Mist Brocade shimmered like flowing clouds.
"How beautiful! This must be Cloud Brocade! I heard it's woven from celestial clouds and emits spiritual light. It's a top-tier material for crafting robes! I need a few bolts—our sect's seamstress can sew masterpieces from this!"A female disciple beamed with excitement.
"Tiangang Pills—aren't those the fabled ten-percent-purity pills, with no impurities at all? These are true spirit and immortal pills. With them, cultivation progress is exponential!"
"Look at this—what's that?"
Someone spotted a strange item behind the counter.
It was a wristwatch, crystal-like, radiating gentle light and a mysterious allure.
"Dear guests, allow me to introduce this treasure!" Heshen leaned over, beaming."This isn't just any artifact—this is a Communication Wristwatch, model name: Lingxi, inspired by the poem 'Though we are not phoenixes with twin wings, our hearts are linked like one.'"
"Once worn, even across a thousand or ten thousand miles, you can chat freely."
"Young friends—judging from your auras, you're bounty hunters of good standing. This tool is priceless for you! In the wilderness, do you ever encounter strange herbs but fear they're poisonous? Afraid of damaging medicinal properties during harvesting?"
"With the Lingxi Watch, all such worries vanish. It can scan and identify herbs, displaying results immediately on your wrist. No more guessing!"
As Heshen passionately described the functions, the young disciples found themselves mesmerized.The Communication Wristwatch felt like an irreplaceable treasure—a tool truly worth its weight in Eternal Coins.