Chapter 49

At the party, Zhuochuan did not say much in the way of thanks, nor did he boast about what he would do in the future. But everyone knew that he would never forget this friendship. After all, they were people of the new world. Apart from emotions, their higher intelligence brought greater rationality. But precisely because of their extremely high intelligence, they clearly understood in their hearts that the friendship they had formed with Zhuochuan could bring significant returns in the not-too-distant future. This was the friendship of a B-level upper citizen. Knowing this, those invited to this victory party could not control their excitement.

Especially the last person invited, Xie Huitian, an underground reserve citizen and a soul successor like Zhuochuan. He constantly reminded himself not to get too carried away, as this was truly the best investment he had ever made, though there was also some regret. Before meeting Zhuochuan, he had heard about the duel but subconsciously thought it would end like previous similar situations, with the death of a reserve citizen. Therefore, he had only glanced at it casually and did not take it to heart.

It was not until he encountered Zhuochuan at the Tianhua Combat Training Hall, where Zhuochuan defeated the citizen instructor Fang Lao, that he realized Zhuochuan could really win. He decided to befriend Zhuochuan on the spot, but the bond was already somewhat lacking. However, he had done a lot of work, at least telling Zhuochuan many secrets.

(Certainly, I must continue to cultivate this highly potential person. Yes, I can also tell him about that alliance organization later, but not too eagerly.) Xie Huitian thought to himself, while maintaining his charm and laughing and chatting with Zhuochuan's classmates, drawing closer to them.

Zhuochuan's classmates did not reject this somewhat unfamiliar person. Old Xu and Zhuochuan introduced him, explaining that he was also a soul successor like Zhuochuan, though only an H-level lower citizen. However, his potential was not something they could compare to, especially since his situation was different from Zhuochuan's. He had inherited a more complete set of the previous soul's memories and legacy, making his current overall strength much greater than Zhuochuan's.

Of course, in terms of combat power, no one thought he could surpass Zhuochuan. In the recent duel, Zhuochuan had already proven that he was above all E-level citizens.

Xie Huitian thought for a moment, then walked up to Zhuochuan, clinked glasses with him, and said, "You're about to become a trillionaire in the underground society. Although underground currency is not as solid as soul crystals, it is still a lifeline for many who are destined to never become citizens. I have a suggestion on how you can use this huge wealth, and I believe you won't get lost in this wealth."

Zhuochuan naturally nodded, "Sure, go ahead, Huitian. I believe your advice will be much better than my plans."

"Previously, when we chatted, I mentioned that the authorities also open up a portion of soul crystals for all humans to exchange, but there are time limits, quantity limits, and a lottery to determine who has the qualification to exchange. In our previous situation, we didn't have the qualifications to compete with citizens, but now you are different. First, you just defeated an E-level mid-citizen, giving you the qualification to compete. Second, you now have a large amount of underground currency."

Zhuochuan understood without needing more explanation. This one sentence made him realize how to use the trillion funds he was about to receive. "Your point is that I should buy many people's lottery qualifications online in advance, or buy them from those who have obtained the exchange qualification?"

"The second option is almost impossible. After all, soul crystals are most useful for underground reserve citizens to accumulate and exchange for soul repair services from the Earth Mother. Once obtained, they cannot be transferred. Given the large number of reserve citizens, I won't mention the lower and mid-grade soul crystals, which most citizens don't care about, but the ten high-grade soul crystals that are opened for exchange each year usually flow into the underground reserve citizen society first. This is the focus of the citizens' competition," Xie Huitian explained slowly.

Seeing the huge value of high-grade soul crystals and having a big hole to fill, Zhuochuan naturally paid attention. After all, his family needed at least one soul crystal per year, and before he became a citizen, he needed a stable source.

Xie Huitian paused and continued, "Of course, open robbery, like using the lives of underground reserve citizens to threaten voluntary transactions, is absolutely impossible. This kind of violent plunder has been morally unacceptable throughout history, and even more so in contemporary society. Before, Jie Cheng could use the threat of death to make you participate in the duel because he had a noble cause to support him. Their method is usually to buy a sufficient number of reserve citizens' lottery qualifications in advance on the underground society network, sign contracts, and legally transfer them."

Zhuochuan nodded, understanding that his guess was correct. The transfer of lottery qualifications was much more likely, as for individual reserve citizens, the chance of obtaining a high-grade soul crystal was only ten in a trillion, and they also needed a large amount of currency. The probability was much lower than winning a lottery in the modern world. Compared to the impossible, it was more practical to exchange this qualification for some underground currency.

"There should be another way, right? Offering conditions that reserve citizens cannot refuse, such as becoming a citizen or very valuable guidance?" Zhuochuan would not overlook other possibilities.

"Yes, of course, but the cost is too high. Becoming a citizen is a probabilistic, sporadic event. Except for us soul successors, who have a physical foundation and memory from our predecessors, the probability is high enough that the Earth Mother has to spend a high cost to protect the citizens' bodies. For other ordinary reserve citizens, there is no formula to become a citizen, only some general paths. Even upper citizens can only provide some guidance, but the time spent on guidance is too much, far less efficient than the first method. Just hire a few agents, gather enough currency in the underground society, and operate it naturally."

"Alright, I completely understand your advice. Now I have the qualifications to hire agents to manage this trillion amount of underground currency and use it to buy lottery qualifications for exchanges," Zhuochuan said.

"Exactly. I know many such agents, and I believe they will be very interested. After all, compared to many citizens, your potential is greater, and you already have real influence," Xie Huitian revealed his purpose.

Zhuochuan naturally did not worry that Xie Huitian would defraud him of this underground currency. Although the amount was huge, compared to Zhuochuan's true value, it was small. Not to mention Xie Huitian, everyone at the party knew how to choose.

He readily agreed and asked Xie Huitian to handle it.

The two talked for a while, and the party lasted the entire evening. After everyone had their fill, they returned home to rest.