"What now?" Shen Mi Kang asked after he pulled Nick aside. They obviously can't stand indecisively in the middle of the road, as plenty of people use the bridge passage to enter the Core District.

Furthermore, from how it appears, the fee of a hundred points daily, or five hundred for a weekly pass, is an acceptable price to many. Otherwise, there won't be so many people going in and out, regardless of how they're dressed.

The number of people using this route surprised Nick and Shen Mi Kang because it wasn't little. This sight naturally made them reconsider how well the people living here, as they don't appear to have difficulty making a living.

Of course, compared to those living in the outer districts, the people they see here are mostly well-dressed and armed with a means of self-protection. Even the women had one to two guards accompanying them.

(Perhaps... Only unfortunate people like Tian Wenhao and his parents struggle to make a decent income. Naturally, this also includes people like Shen Mi Kang and myself...)

Nick thought. He believes that's likely the case here.

After all, survival shouldn't be a problem for the people here, based on what Nick could observe from this view. They're, in fact, thriving, but strictly based on their social hierarchy here.

This means those lazier, weaker, and put less effort would naturally have it more difficult compared to the manipulative, powerful, and smart individuals.

That was the jungle law of civilization, after all. No matter how one tried to escape from this, they couldn't unless they revoked their membership as a human.

"Let's return for now..." Nick shook his head when he made his choice. It is pointless to insist because there was nothing much he could do. The entrance fee alone would take him five weeks to save just to pay Gu Yong Cheng a visit.

Still, this harsh reality wasn't too different from Nick's life back on Earth. Didn't the diners of his pay a deposit in advance just to ensure they could taste Nick's Omakase Menu and First-Rate dining experience?

"I guess we could only go back..." Shen Mi Kang voiced his resentment softly while linking his fingers behind his neck.

"Huh? Is that you, Chengzi?" someone called Nick's name just as the two were preparing to leave. It was hard to deny that nobody was pulling the string of fate from behind based on how coincident it seemed.

"How come you're here?" the voice continued. The owner of this voice turned out to be Gu Yong Cheng, the one Nick was here for. Although the two only knew one another for a short time, they still left a memorable impression on one another.

Apparently, Gu Yong Cheng was on his way to one of the second-tier agencies in the Southwestern District to publish an agency mission there. And this explains why he's wearing a casual robe today instead of a military uniform.

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He looked extremely gallant and suave, even without donning a military uniform. Perhaps, a blessed feature like this was something only those from noble families could have.

"Big brother Gu," Nick cupped his fists together and politely responded to Gu Yong Cheng. A proper manner is still necessary regardless of how friendly the latter seemed.

"I can see that you're doing much better than before. At least there's a flame in your eyes, unlike before." Gu Yong Cheng chuckled and placed his hand on Nick's shoulder. He could notice that the current Nick was no longer gloomy and quiet like before.

Obviously, there's a reason for him to have such an impression on Nick.

First of all, Nick had just reincarnated into this body back then. It is normal for him to remain silent and only speak when necessary to avoid arousing suspicion due to how foreign he appears to everyone else.

But the current Nick is more or less integrated as a resident of Nanyao City. Although there is more to learn before he can confidently walk on his own, he could more or less do it at a normal pace with his Innate Spirit awakened.

"So... What brought you here?" Gu Yong Cheng asked. As a resident inside the Core District, he naturally knew the exorbitant price one had to pay to use this passage.

"I'm actually here to look for you, big brother Gu. But thinking of turning back after getting told what the entrance fee was." Nick answered honestly. There's nothing to be ashamed of, anyway.

"In that case, you're in luck because we ended up seeing each other before you paid the fee for no reason." Gu Yong Cheng smiled after hearing that Nick was here to see him. "Did you change your mind about the captain's offer to join our Punitive Army?" he added.

Gu Yong Cheng's words show that he has yet to give up on recruiting Nick into the Gu Punitive Army.

"I'm sorry, big brother Gu." Nick shook his head for disappointing Gu Yong Cheng again and quickly spoke to clarify why he was here today. "I am here to give you some seasoning I created using my Tool Spirit. I hope this shabby gift can express my gratitude for your saving grace before this." Nick added.

He handed the bag with seven bottles of seasoning inside. Each of them was about 30-50gm and was properly labeled.

"Oh? That's quite a lot of seasonings here. I'm surprised that everything was produced by your Innate Spirit. What kind of Innate Spirit was that?" Gu Yong Cheng asked. He didn't bother to check the content and straightly put it into his inner pocket.

"Yes." Nick nodded. "It's a Tool Spirit with the form of a Kitchen Knife." he continued.

"A Tool Spirit with the form of a kitchen knife? That doesn't sound too bad..." Gu Yong Cheng nodded.

"Anyway, since fate brought us together, why don't you two accompany me to the Silver Lotus Agency first? I'll treat you two to a meal after I publish an Agency Mission there." he continued.

"Sure! Please lead the way, big brother Gu." Nick cupped his fists together to express his willingness to go along with the suggestion. And with Gu Yong Cheng leading, the trio made their way into a second-tier establishment nearby.

This Silver Lotus Agency was much smaller compared to the Golden Expanse House. And because it was also part of the agencies based in the Southwestern District, they naturally use the Golden Token in their transactions.

The mission issued by Gu Yong Cheng turned out to be a collection Quest, requesting the taker to search for an ingredient. This ingredient can be found in the surroundings of Nanyao City. It can be considered quite a safe mission for those with cultivation below the third stage of the Spiritual Body Realm.

This plant was known as "Mysterious-Qi Herb," a necessary ingredient to refine the Mysterious Yuan Pill.

The trio turned around and made their way to a nearby reputable restaurant. As someone who heard about the Mysterious Yuan Pill for the first time, Nick asked about it. And apparently, it was a pill that only those who had formed a Spiritual Body could use.

This Mysterious Yuan Pill was more effective than a Yuan Qi Turquoise Fruit twofold. It also could replenish the Yuan Qi of three fruits in a single pellet.

"There's actually something so magical in this world?" Nick could not help but speak out after listening to Gu Yong Cheng's explanation.