Lingyun, who had no idea he was being watched, entered the fifth floor after paying ten thousand spirit stones.
'So expensive...'
He paid through gritted teeth but didn't show it. As soon as he arrived on the top floor, he saw various cultivation resources, armors, puppets, pills, and maps, all arranged in a corner.
"Young master, what I recommend for you is a five-colored spiritual flower. No matter how poor your talent is, with it your limits can be temporarily broken," the clerk explained, pointing toward the flower display.
Lingyun, hearing this, raised his hand, signaling her to stop talking.
"Hey, I get that treasures of heaven and earth can break barriers, but how exactly does it work? Even as a young master, I never looked into these things out of shame... for my family's reputation."
The woman, hearing this, kept her usual smile.
"It's normal to maintain appearances, young master. Don't worry, this little one won't tell anyone. As for treasures, of course it's possible. Wealthy families, to hide children with poor talent, often buy various resources, building cultivation through spiritual elixirs—" Before she could finish, she was interrupted.
"Is there any way to break through limits without becoming a human elixir? Weaker than others in the same realm? I have pride! Even if I'm useless, I don't want to rely on shortcuts that'll hurt me later. It'd be disgraceful to lose to someone at a lower level."
Lingyun cut her off, this time being somewhat sincere. As someone who aspired to supreme power, he knew that shortcuts were harmful in later realms.
In front of him, the beautiful receptionist turned to face Lingyun. When she saw his eyes, she found them interesting. That spoiled young man was hardworking. If her interest had first been money, now there was a genuine one as well—though wealth was still more important.
"You truly desire that? I can offer you a body training method. Instead of using the treasures to build your foundation, you'd use them to temper your body manually... but in return, you'll feel pain." She paused and looked deep into Lingyun's pupils. "Is it worth it, young master? To suffer? Isn't it better to live glamorously, enjoying your status?"
With her words ended, she observed the next move of the rich young master.
"Of course, woman. Since you're helping me, I'll offer a piece of advice from someone of high class: in this world, power is everything! People who are too interested in what others have are only good as cannon fodder—or playthings. What I mean is... disposable people. I don't know much about you, but take this advice I give."
He stepped closer to her, tapped her forehead, and then whispered into her ear:
"That sweet little act doesn't fool me. Think you're the first I've seen like this? I've met plenty like you... and they always ended up with more suffering than happy endings. Status is no blessing, especially in the High Lands. Relying only on strength is the only way to become someone in life."
As he finished, he seemed to remember something.
'Why am I talking to this woman?'
Lingyun frowned after that advice. He felt he was giving too much attention to a potential future enemy.
The clerk, on the other hand, was shocked. Her eyes trembled. She had no reaction. It wasn't that she didn't know that—but life had forced her hand. "Is it wrong to dream of reaching greater heights?"
Lingyun, hearing that, paused and placed his hand on his chin.
"That's not wrong. I don't criticize your thinking. It's better to cling to someone to make the dream easier, follow the simpler path... But have you thought about what happens if you're tossed aside like garbage? Do you know that someone else might think just like you? And what if that someone is better than you in every way?"
He dropped that bomb, then laughed. "Who do you think we'll choose? Girl, I know you understand the world—after all, you work in a place where you've seen many people. But you still don't understand the dark side of nobles.
To us, people like you hold little value. If you want to prove your worth, become strong. Don't rely on others. If you want to be an Empress of wealth, pursue your dream honestly."
He finished, and once again felt strange.
'Did I say that to her? Or to myself? Well... it works for both of us. But in my case, I don't need money... just power!'
Lingyun spoke truth to himself and then grew serious. "Show me the body art."
"Yes!" the woman replied and continued, "Follow me to the fourth floor, young master."
She said and walked ahead, her mind still spinning from Lingyun's earlier words. The more she thought about it, the more empty her eyes became.
Haunted, from this day on, she would see the world in a new light.
Changing the way she thought.
***
Lingyun, who saw all of that, was left speechless.
'What did this woman take from my words? Hopefully she remembers it... and doesn't become ungrateful in the future. I saved her from stepping into a trap.'
He saw it as something mundane. A kind of guidance from a senior to a junior.
'What am I thinking?... What do I know? I'm a rat dangling on a tightrope, where a single slip could expose my secret and flip my life upside down. Wealth without power is terrifying.'
Lingyun's eyes also darkened.
In this dangerous world, everyone has their own goals and paths, where at any moment, you can slip.
***
Fourth floor.
Upon arriving, the two walked to a shelf in the back. The receptionist then took out a blue book.
"Here, young master. This method is called the Limitless Body Technique. A kind of technique that can change someone's life... or destroy it. It costs two hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones—or two thousand medium-grade ones. Can you afford it?"
"Let me see the sample," Lingyun requested. He knew these types of sales always had one. No one wanted to risk buying a fake.
"Take it." The woman didn't hesitate and handed Lingyun a piece of paper, which he accepted without resistance.
Taking it, he began to read.
[Limitless Body Technique]
[People with superior talent, leave. This isn't for you!]
[Poor youths, give up too!]
[Young master with a weak will, what are you doing here? Gonna ask daddy to buy treasures for you?]
[If you kept going... congratulations. You've arrived in hell!]
This body technique, as the name implies, is about breaking the shackles placed on the human body. To do so, you must continuously reshape your physique — and each process is harder than the last.
You'll need a lot more money. Or luck. Or intelligence to steal without getting caught. If you can't, prepare to be stuck.
As the creator of this method, I'm an example. My path, at the moment I wrote this, became limited. The treasure I need appears once in a millennium.
[Haa!]
[This is the life we have. If you plan to practice this, be ready to die! It's costly.]
[It's a rushed life. Sometimes not even money can buy what's needed—it takes scheming and manipulation.]
[If you've got that... it's up to you.]
[Good luck, talentless bastard.]
[Don't be upset... we're both the same.]