"Yang Yuan, that's Li Qingshan."
Suddenly, Zhao Jiayan looked towards a person in the crowd.
Yang Yuan followed her gaze and instantly his eyes grew cold.
He recognized that person, it was Li Qingshan who had betrayed them before.
Seeing Yang Yuan look his way, Li Qingshan hurriedly bowed his head in fear and turned to leave.
Aside from Li Qingshan, several others also had flickering eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
It seemed that aside from the unlucky Liang Gao, those who had once betrayed him had all joined the safe zone and were living well.
Zhao Jiayan whispered: "Those were the people you took in before. With your current status, just a hint from you might make them disappear within no time."
Yang Yuan raised an eyebrow, smiling: "Didn't see it before, you're quite ruthless."
But he could use this matter to test his importance in Jia Weixin and others' hearts, paving the way for the discussion about exterminating the Drought Fiend later.
If they valued him enough, they would not outright dismiss such topics, allowing negotiations to continue without being seen as madness.
Zhao Jiayan pursed her lips and said: "Perhaps from their perspective, they just wanted to survive, which isn't wrong. But from our standpoint, they are ungrateful, and they took away our food and water; dying several times wouldn't be enough!"
In fact, with her current status as a Superpower User, she could completely ignore a few ordinary people. She had almost forgotten about that group who had betrayed them until seeing them again now was like a thorn in her heart, causing discomfort.
"We'll talk about it after this matter is settled."
Yang Yuan didn't express anything but also didn't correct Zhao Jiayan's thoughts.
He glanced at the mist covering the entire safe zone, suddenly taking a quick step forward to ask the soldier leading the way: "Hello, can you tell me, what Marvel is this mist?"
The soldier hesitated, shaking his head: "Sorry, discipline prevents me from disclosing such secrets..."
"Let me explain."
At this moment, Chen Xianzhi caught up, saying: "This is the Celestial Marvel 'Cloud Soaring'."
"Chen's Staff?"
Yang Yuan saw Chen Xianzhi catching up in haste and asked in confusion: "Does Chen's Staff have other matters to discuss?"
Chen Xianzhi didn't directly answer, instead, walking alongside Yang Yuan: "Are you interested in Marvels, Mr. Yang Yuan? I can introduce them to you."
Despite his doubts, Yang Yuan nodded: "Then I'll trouble you."
"No trouble at all."
Chen Xianzhi deliberately waited until they were away from the crowd to smile and continue: "Marvels, as far as I know, are divided into four main categories: Celestial Marvels, Earthly Marvels, Human Marvels, and Spirit Monster Marvels."
"Celestial Marvels, Earthly Marvels, Human Marvels, Spirit Monster Marvels?" Yang Yuan nodded slightly, awaiting the continuation.
Chen Xianzhi continued: "Celestial Marvels are born of the universe, such as clouds in the sky or man-made objects. When integrated into this world, they are assimilated by rules or undergo special mutations to possess miraculous effects. They all qualify as Celestial Marvels."
"Overall, Celestial Marvels are the most precious, yet due to their unpredictable birth process, they are almost impossible to artificially cultivate."
"Earthly Marvels, as the name suggests, are Marvels naturally cultivated by the earth over endless years, traceable and even some special plants can be classified as Earthly Marvels."
"Human Marvels originate from powerful Superpower Users' complete corpses after death. These items generally retain some abilities of their previous owners, yet take a long time, often decades or centuries, to emerge. Current Human Marvels are all excavated from Ancient Ruins."
"Lastly, Spirit Monster Marvels are derived from special materials of Spirit Monsters' bodies, boasting amazing effects."
Chen Xianzhi paused before continuing: "Spirit Monster Marvels are considered the cheapest because they are the most numerous, yet they require substantial costs to use. Even so, a most ordinary Spirit Monster Marvel can trade for thousands of Spirit Monster Cores."
"That expensive?"
Yang Yuan feigned surprise: "Do Spirit Monster Marvels need very powerful Spirit Monsters to birth?"
"Not necessarily, only very special Spirit Monsters can produce them,"
Chen Xianzhi explained: "For instance, Stone Monsters count as Spirit Monsters, but slaying thousands would seldom yield a Marvel. It's not about strength."
Yang Yuan suddenly understood.
Rarity defines value.
Chen Xianzhi continued: "Next in rarity are Human Marvels, where generally only Rule System Superpower Users' corpses might yield a Marvel. It's not guaranteed, other Superpower Users have chances too, but rarer. We haven't tested this; entering this world has been just three years, and these details stem from Ancient Ruins, hence quite precious."
Yang Yuan nodded.
Summing such insights in mere three years would have been impossible.
"Earthly Marvels' prices fluctuate greatly, the cheapest comparable to Spirit Monster Marvels, but the priciest are priceless, hard to calculate in money."
Chen Xianzhi said: "Celestial Marvels are the most precious, but I mean precious not just in terms of rarity, but also usage costs."
"Usage costs?"
Yang Yuan puzzled, Marvels have usage costs?
He had many Marvels himself, but never noticed any costs.
"Correct."
Chen Xianzhi nodded: "Most Marvels entail costs to use, some good, some bad."
"Generally, Celestial Marvels are the best to use, having minimal negative effects, consuming external elements."
"The mist covering the safe zone is a Celestial Marvel 'Cloud Soaring,' which consumes water; the more water, the larger the range, with no adverse effects on the holder."
"Earthly Marvels, Human Marvels, Spirit Monster Marvels have high costs, like devouring blood, lifespan, even leading to physical impairment, burdens are immense."
"Marvel types depend on usage costs; although Marvels differ in strengths, their functions vary so greatly there's no definitive hierarchy. Some Spirit Monster Marvels may even exceed Celestial Marvels in power."
Here, he turned to Yang Yuan: "Did you know the items you've created are Marvels?"
Yang Yuan raised an eyebrow and nodded.
Of course.
He knew his creations were Marvels.
Chen Xianzhi felt lucky not to have deceived Yang Yuan.
"So, Mr. Yang Yuan, what are the usage costs of your Marvels?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Uh..."
Yang Yuan thought for a moment: "Take up space?"
Chen Xianzhi: "...?"
What's that as a cost?
Yang Yuan suddenly recalled something, saying: "I got it, the usage cost should be causing negative effects, like tornadoes, Marvel coolers without the Isolation Box cannot be stopped unless destroyed. Hence, outsiders cannot use them alone."
Chen Xianzhi: "..."
"What about the Isolation Box's usage cost?" Leader Chen asked.
Yang Yuan shook his head: "I haven't found it yet, research at your leisure. My creations haven't shown apparent downsides, they're almost entirely positive."
Chen Xianzhi marveled: "This... can be treated as Celestial Marvels, such a thing..."
Here, he bitterly laughed: "Frankly, Mr. Yang Yuan, we wish to work with you properly, but even at a fraction of a Marvel's value, purchasing many would be difficult. Is there anything else you want, artifacts or privileges? As long as reasonable, it's negotiable."
So you rushed forth for bargaining?
Here's an opportunity to gauge military importance.
Artifacts are desired but not urgently needed. Solving the immediate crisis was more pressing.
Reflecting on prior plans, Yang Yuan abruptly shifted topics with a sigh: "During my escape, I was nearly killed by some vile characters. Seeing them again was discomfiting, I'm no saint to forgive easily. Does Chen's Staff understand such sentiments?"
Zhao Jiayan and Jiang Yiyi instinctively glanced over, then subtly looked away.
Chen Xianzhi, with a barely noticeable frown, feigned outrage: "Who was so wicked? Daring to disregard lives, truly despicable!"
Judging within himself, he carefully probed: "Those capable of harming Mr. Yang Yuan, were they formidable Superpower Users?"