The Xu Shen Dian Sect was truly grand and vast, built with high-quality materials that clearly reflected their pride. Lin Yue was intrigued, curious about the financial system in this world.
"Yu Han, what do they use for currency in Huangtian Continent?" Lin Yue asked.
Yu Han paused, raising his hand slightly, and then, surprisingly, a beautifully symmetrical crystal appeared in his palm.
"They usually use this," he said, making Lin Yue's eyes light up for a moment. This was unlike her old world, where paper and metal coins were common.
"A beautiful crystal… why use this?"
Yu Han sighed. He didn't want to explain too much, but Lin Yue was genuinely naïve about this world. Who knew what trouble she might stir up next?
He patiently explained that the crystal served as currency, formed from the essence or "breath" of the world itself. The crystals came in several colors: white as the lowest, then blue, green, yellow, and red.
There were actually three higher-tier colors, but Yu Han didn't mention them—they were extremely rare and usually used only for priceless transactions.
He added that crystals weren't just for currency; under certain conditions, they could be used in cultivation if one's method aligned with them.
Lin Yue glanced at the yellow crystal in Yu Han's hand, its glow captivating. "So… does that mean you're rich?"
Yu Han didn't answer. Instead, he tossed the yellow crystal to her.
"Take it."
Quickly, Lin Yue caught it and stored it carefully. This crystal would surely attract attention in any market.
"You're just giving this away?" she asked, surprised.
"I don't need it," he replied.
Lin Yue nodded, smiling like a blooming flower. "Fair enough." After all, Yu Han's frail body couldn't use it for cultivation, so technically, it was useless to him.
"You're flattering the wrong person," Yu Han murmured in his usual calm tone, slightly slower this time. "..Besides, I can't keep being a walking encyclopedia for you."
"This is the last one. From now on, you handle yourself," he added.
Lin Yue fell silent, realizing the truth: in this cultivation world, one could only rely on oneself. And Yu Han, though weak, was observant and smart.
"Of course! If I can't rely on myself, how can I keep you by my side?"
Yu Han's eyes twitched slightly. Lin Yue's thoughts were clear as day. She had dragged him out of that domain from the start, and now she acted as if she were responsible for him. Shouldn't he be the one bothered?
"That's illogical," he murmured, but he couldn't do anything about her small thoughts. It was a curious phenomenon.
.....
Their conversation didn't last long. They arrived at the sect entrance, guarded by several outer disciples. Lin Yue stood tall, chin slightly raised, exuding poise.
The guards couldn't help but notice her—someone with no cultivation aura yet carrying an air of subtle arrogance.
"What brings you to the sect?" one asked, sounding displeased.
Typically, someone without aura was either weak or a powerful person hiding their strength. Lin Yue seemed like the former, pretending to be superior.
"Take me to the sect elder."
"What?" The guards were shocked. It was rare for an outsider to demand a meeting with the elder so boldly.
"You have ears," Lin Yue snapped impatiently.
Before one could finish a reply, Lin Yue produced a familiar token.
The guards were even more stunned—it was an elite sect token, usually held by high-ranking disciples. They quickly realized Lin Yue was no ordinary person and had no choice but to comply, bringing her to the elder rather than risk trouble.
"And this young man…" one guard hesitated, glancing at Yu Han.
"He's with me," Lin Yue replied. The guards sighed in resignation.
"Follow me, then," one of them said, leading the way.
Lin Yue followed lightly, observing the extravagant interior. Even the jade used was of the finest quality. Yu Han, on the other hand, remained uninterested, unimpressed by her little show.
Their footsteps echoed until they reached a reception room. It wasn't huge, but the furniture was luxurious and lavishly used.
Lin Yue felt uncomfortable—was the entire sect this excessively opulent? Too wasteful!
Soon, footsteps approached: an elderly man in plain white robes entered. Simplicity concealed the fact that the fabric was extremely expensive.
"We haven't had such an impolite guest forcing their way into the sect in a long time," the elder said politely, though his words were cold.
Lin Yue didn't care for pleasantries. "I don't want small talk. I have something to show you," she said, tossing the elite token onto the table.
The elder laughed, displeased at her bluntness and the token she carried.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
"From the black market."
"Huh?" The elder frowned. One of his disciples had asked permission to go out, but who expected them to venture into the black market?
"Your disciple poked the wrong place, so I kindly brought this back to Xu Shen Dian Sect before… 'someone else' found it," Lin Yue said, feigning generosity—but it was clearly a threat.
The elder's annoyance grew, though he masked it with a thin smile. His disciple's carelessness had now dragged the sect into trouble. Did they not know the black market owner was not to be trifled with? What would happen to their reputation?
"What do you want?" he asked suspiciously, trying to interrogate her about the black market connection.
"Simple—let me become a disciple here. I have my reasons."