As the elevated train arrived at the southern part of Nanjiang City.
Jiang Yuan and Lin Qingyan exited the terminal building and walked for ten minutes to a deserted town.
The town was bustling with people, mostly Martial Artists, dressed in a variety of styles—some with long spears, some with greatswords, some with firearms, some with cold weapons, both men and women, young, middle-aged, and elderly.
This was Abyss Town, also known as Devil Valley Town, located in the southern part of Nanjiang City.
Two spatially stable Abysses existed here.
A Level 1 Abyss.
A Level 2 Abyss.
Besides the military stationed to guard the Abysses, there were also many professional Martial Artists who didn't rely on major powers or guilds. They descended into the Abysses independently, slaying fierce beasts to earn merit points for a living.
These individuals were also known as—
Hunters!
Thus, this place was also called Hunter Town.
"So this is the famous Hunter Town?"
Jiang Yuan looked around with great interest.
Both sides of the town's streets were lined with shops catering to Martial Artists.
There were inns, taverns, weapon shops, potion shops, material shops, medical clinics…
On the streets, some Martial Artists also set up stalls, selling a diverse array of goods.
"Freshly made rare weapons, come and see!"
"Anyone have a purple venomous python's poison sac? I'll trade three merit points for it."
"Selling 10 roaring wild boar teeth at a low price, come take a look!"
"Anyone need an escort into the Abyss? LV23 Greatshield, fair price."
"Any healers?"
…
"It's just like a newbie village in a game!"
Jiang Yuan exclaimed involuntarily.
Although he had learned about this town online a long time ago, coming here in person still left him astonished.
It felt like stepping through a subway station wall and entering another side of the world.
Lin Qingyan, at his side, glanced at him: "You really haven't seen much of the world."
"What's so surprising about a Hunter Town of this scale?"
"If you went to Cain Town at the Corner of the World, that would be truly shocking. Backed by an S-Class Abyss, tens of thousands of people in that small town are Hunters from all over the world, with countless strong individuals, and even legendary weapons are traded there."
Jiang Yuan's expression was peculiar: "You know a lot. Did you go there?"
"I, I saw it online."
The two, looking like high school students, standing by the roadside, were an unusual sight in this town, attracting many curious glances.
"Hey, you two… *hic*."
A drunkard sitting under the eaves, drinking, saw the two: "Don't you know this isn't a place for children?"
"Now scram… *hic*."
Lin Qingyan ignored him and approached a roadside stall. The vendor was a one-armed, one-eyed old man who grinned when he saw Lin Qingyan:
"Miss, feel free to look around, these are all good things."
Lin Qingyan looked around, mostly seeing broken weapons, fierce beast bones and teeth, Ores, crystals, and the like.
She wasn't interested. Turning her head, she saw Jiang Yuan squatting at a nearby stall, picking up a long saber.
"How much is this?"
"E-grade alloy long saber, priced at 15 merit points," the middle-aged vendor said, with an air of no bargaining, no expectation of purchase.
Martial Artists descending into the Abyss would receive a record card, earning one merit point for every Level 1 fierce beast killed.
One merit point was worth 10,000 yuan and could be used as currency in the market and on the Starfield Network.
"One hundred fifty thousand yuan…" Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue.
He couldn't believe this broken saber, which he felt he could break with his bare hands, could sell for so much. It truly seemed easier to earn money as a Transcendent Martial Artist.
Seeing Jiang Yuan put down the blade, Lin Qingyan sneered: "Looks like you're not completely foolish."
Jiang Yuan looked at her: "What do you mean?"
Lin Qingyan put her hands in her jacket pockets and said calmly: "This kind of weapon, if you buy it from a blacksmith in the City, wouldn't even cost 100,000. He's trying to rip you off because he sees you don't understand."
"The people here aren't as simple as you think."
"You came here alone without knowing anything; you're bound to suffer losses. I advise you to go back."
As soon as she finished speaking, she looked up and saw Jiang Yuan already at another shop, picking up a long spear and listening to the female shop owner's eloquent speech.
"Little brother, I see this is your first time in Devil Valley Town, isn't it?"
"Do you know why the Hunters here don't use firearms?"
"Because fierce beasts have hard bones and strong hide defenses; ordinary bullets can't penetrate them and will bounce off. Armor-piercing and elemental bullets are even more expensive, significantly increasing the cost of killing a fierce beast."
"So, unless they're rich young masters who don't lack money, most people choose cold weapons. Look at this alloy long spear, forged from fierce beast bones combined with modern alloys. Although it's a damaged item, its durability is still very high, and it's quite sharp. If you buy it now, it's only ten merit points, and cash transfer is also supported. Whether you buy it as a gift or keep it for yourself once you become a Martial Artist, it's a great deal…"
Watching Jiang Yuan nod repeatedly, Lin Qingyan's expression turned ugly.
"What an idiot, I really shouldn't bother with him."
She tossed her long hair and turned to walk towards the Level 1 Abyss.
…
Arriving at the Abyss entrance guarded by the military, looking far ahead, one could see a huge blue glowing rift in the open plaza. In front of the rift were many Transcendent Martial Artists dressed in various outfits—warriors with greatswords, mages in robes, archers with large bows—standing in groups of two or three, conversing and exchanging information, forming a unique scene.
A patrolling soldier stopped Lin Qingyan: "Dangerous area ahead, non-Martial Artists stop."
Lin Qingyan showed her Martial Artist badge.
The stationed soldier was stunned, somewhat disbelieving: "You, you are a Transcendent Martial Artist?"
"You can verify it."
After verifying the badge was correct, the soldier's expression towards Lin Qingyan changed, showing both surprise and awe.
"Can I go in now?" Lin Qingyan said indifferently.
The stationed soldier: "Well… not yet. There's a rule that Level 1 Martial Artists entering the Abyss for the first time must be accompanied by 2-5 people."
Lin Qingyan's beautiful brows furrowed.
No wonder she had forgotten about this rule.
Hmph, what a hassle.
She turned her head.
Seeing Jiang Yuan walking towards them.
Her clear eyes brightened, and she pointed at Jiang Yuan, telling the stationed soldier: "He's with me."
The stationed soldier looked at Jiang Yuan approaching, surprised: "He's also a Transcendent Martial Artist?"
"Yes."
The stationed soldier felt a little like he was doubting reality.
Are young people outside really this powerful now?
…
After completing registration and inspection, and receiving their record cards.
Jiang Yuan and Lin Qingyan walked towards the Abyss entrance under the gaze of the stationed soldiers.
"Why do I have to go with you?" Jiang Yuan said reluctantly.
Lin Qingyan's small face was sullen: "Shut up, I don't want to be with you either. Blame that stupid rule."
"We can go in together, but don't you dare hold me back."
"That's what I should be saying."
…
Watching the two enter the Abyss entrance, a soldier shook his head: "Two young people who don't know the horrors of the Abyss, thinking that just because they became Martial Artists they can challenge it? The Abyss is a different world from the outside."
"We've seen rich kids who became Martial Artists by relying on tonics before. I bet they won't last an hour."
"An hour is a bit long, I guess half an hour."
"I guess ten minutes. Maybe they'll piss themselves when they see a fierce beast."
"Hahahahaha."
…