A bottle of Cola. A pack of spicy strips.
Originally priced at just ten crystals—
Now, among the cultivators, their value had skyrocketed to thousands.
And—
The price was still climbing.
A dozenfold increase, even a hundredfold, was enough to prove just how coveted these items had become.
But why?
Simple.
Because their effects had been personally verified.
One cultivator had sliced open his arm to the bone with a spirit weapon. Blood gushed. The wound was deep.
Then, with a single gulp of cola—
A few breaths later—
Not even a scar remained.
In the Origin Mall back in Nine Stars City, Luo Chuan had originally set strict rules—
No reselling.
But now, with his store rating rising, the restrictions had loosened.
And that rule?
It had disappeared entirely.
Luo Chuan had expected this.
Did he want to raise his own prices?
Of course.
But his store's star rating simply wasn't high enough yet.
So instead of watching the chaos unfold—
He had simply left with Hu Kuang.
But outside the store, the frenzy continued.
Dozens of powerful cultivators still refused to give up on acquiring Jade Nectar and mineral water.
"One million spirit crystals!"
An old man's voice rang out, amplified by spiritual power, echoing through the crowd.
"I'll pay one million spirit crystals for a bottle of mineral water! And in return, the Chu Family will owe you a favor—unconditionally!"
Another cultivator immediately countered.
"Five million spirit crystals for Jade Nectar !"
"I'll trade a Nine-Leaf Spirit Jade Grass for mineral water!"
The offers piled up, growing more desperate.
Because no one knew if they would ever meet the mysterious boss of Origin Mall inside the ancient ruins.
If they missed this chance—
Would they ever get another?
Yet, despite their frantic pleas—
No one responded.
And so, the whispers began.
"Wait—did he say Old Monster Chu of the Chu Family?"
"Yeah, I heard he's offering that price just to save mineral water for his unborn grandson."
"His son and daughter-in-law are both top-tier geniuses. If their kid drinks mineral water while growing up—his talent will be godlike!"
"Five million spirit crystals? I've never even seen that many in my life! Too bad I didn't buy more when I had the chance..."
"Nine-Leaf Spirit Jade Grass… that's a Heaven-tier elixir that increases the chance of surviving tribulation lightning. That's no small trade..."
The murmurs continued.
The envious glances were impossible to hide.
The wealthy were truly in a league of their own.
Luo Chuan hopped off the tiger's back.
"Alright," he said lazily. "Now, tell me—what's this really about?"
They had landed atop a high mountain, the view stretching endlessly in every direction.
Here—
Luo Chuan fully understood what it meant to tower above all.
With the combined auras of Hu Kuang and Mo Yuan—the mighty Tiger and Demon Ape—
Not a single beast within hundreds of kilometers dared to stir.
The Monster Royal Clan ruled by birthright.
Hu Kuang and Mo Yuan exchanged glances.
"Are we really telling him?"
"He's the boss. Should be fine, right?"
"Yeah, I think so."
"Alright then."
Their silent conversation finished, Hu Kuang turned to Luo Chuan.
"Boss, I told you before—the Ancient Ruins this time are connected to our Monster Royal Clan."
Luo Chuan nodded.
That much, he already knew.
Back then, he had learned what the Monster Royal Clan truly was.
But Hu Kuang's expression darkened.
"There's something else," he said solemnly.
Mo Yuan exhaled sharply.
"It's about the real reason these ruins have been opened."