Although Phoenix Academy exempted Zhang Chen from tuition fees and even offered him a scholarship, the surrounding consumption was outrageously high due to the presence of many descendants of noble and wealthy families. To live comfortably for four years, earning more money was a good idea.
Zhang Chen hummed a tune with excitement as he looked at the over a hundred first-tier crystal cores. He was so happy!
He casually glanced at the price of second-tier spirit cores and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in astonishment. The price listed was 65,000.
"65,000?"
Zhang Chen rubbed his eyes to confirm he wasn't mistaken. Second-tier spirit cores were a good deal, so much more expensive than first-tier ones! Moreover, its price had increased by over a thousand in just this short while. Spirit cores were hard currency, essential for both medicine and equipment. High-tier equipment didn't negate the need for lower-tier spirit cores; most required a mix of different grades, with some high-tier equipment even needing a significant amount of low-tier spirit cores as supplementary materials. Therefore, the price of spirit cores constantly fluctuated with market demand. The surge in demand for second-tier spirit cores in a short period naturally led to a price spike.
"One second-tier spirit core is equivalent to defeating over sixty first-tier demon spirits. This is a good deal!"
"Besides, Mo Ran has already leveled up to a third-tier demon spirit. Continuing to kill these first-tier demon spirits likely won't yield much experience."
"But... where can I find second-tier demon spirits?"
Zhang Chen pondered with a frown. Suddenly, his eyes lit up! The female students from Phoenix Academy! Unlike students who had just graduated high school and hadn't experienced real combat, those female students bearing the Phoenix Academy emblem would be at the sophomore level when school started. After a year of study, their strength would naturally be extraordinary. They wouldn't be here for first-tier demon spirits. There had to be more powerful beings hidden here, otherwise, they wouldn't have come in groups of four or five. Yes, if he could find them, he was sure to find high-tier demon spirits!
"Meow?"
Mo Ran squatted on the ground, cupping her cheeks with her paws, curiously staring at Zhang Chen, wondering why he was so still, shifting from distressed to happy.
"Help! Help!"
While Zhang Chen was deep in thought, a series of panicked shouts echoed from a distance. The group of people who had run off earlier were now running back.
"Huh? Why are they back?"
"Mo Ran, don't make a sound, don't let anyone find us!" Zhang Chen said gently, stroking Mo Ran's hair.
"Meow!"
Mo Ran nodded and then stood up.
"What happened?" Zhang Chen asked in surprise.
The group of people, seeing Zhang Chen standing there unharmed and all the nearby demon spirits gone, were also quite astonished. However, they didn't have time to ponder where the demon spirits had gone. As they ran, they shouted:
"Run! Those women from Phoenix Academy have gone mad! They somehow got a spirit gathering device and activated all the high-tier demon spirits hidden in Sunset City!"
"The entire Sunset City is like hell now. If we don't retreat, we'll all die here!"
"Compared to the monsters that are about to appear, first-tier demon spirits are incredibly friendly!"
The crowd, panting, ran up to Zhang Chen, spoke a few words, and without pausing to catch their breath, continued to run forward.
"But... isn't the way back behind you? How can you escape by running this way?" Zhang Chen asked curiously.
"In short, the road behind is no longer passable; it's too dangerous there. No, I have to call my Corpse Collector to save me; I can't run anymore!" The leading boy sat on the ground, took out a paper inscribed with characters from his ring, and injected energy into it.
*Poof!*
The paper instantly turned to ash. At the same time, a dark silhouette appeared directly in front of the boy.
"You're still alive? Why did you call me?"
"However, let me state beforehand, even if you're alive, my fee will be charged at the rate for the deceased!" the Corpse Collector said expressionlessly.
"Okay, okay, hurry up and take me away; it's too dangerous here!" The boy was on the verge of tears.
"Alright, something does feel a bit off here!" The Corpse Collector frowned, then waved his right hand. A large bird with a wingspan of over ten meters descended from the sky, grabbing the Corpse Collector by the shoulders. The Corpse Collector, carrying the boy like cargo, then soared high into the air. Just as they reached the top of a thirty-story building, a colossal hand suddenly opened from the ground, and with a bang, brought them both down along with the bird...