There are three Yearning Shops in Farfield City. One is in the Double Peach District, which is in the outer city.

  The inner city and the outer city divided Farfield City into two parts. A tall wall with a city gate marks the boundary between them.

  Nearly all residents of the Inner City are wealthy or noble, with three prominent families.

  Yet, these are not currently within Stirling's reach. His primary goal is simple: to get the tranquilizing pills. He wants to study its nature and overcome the current challenges.

  Half an hour later, Stirling arrived in front of a three-story building.

  Amid the shabby outer city, this brick-and-wood building stood out from the crowd. Its extraordinary character was instantly recognizable.

  Stirling glanced sideways at the large stone beside the small building. Inscribed on it were the words Yearning Palace in large, flamboyant characters. Below, in smaller characters, were the words: Yearning says human nature.

  Goodness! The administrator is so vulnerable that the malevolent cultists are displaying their full might.

  Stirling frowned slightly, thinking to himself. Without saying, these evil god proxies have regarded themselves as legitimate. It suggested that the Saxon Empire lost its control, much as Stirling had heard in the lounge. Stirling still behaved as usual. He entered the small building.

  As he entered, Stirling noticed it was more spacious than he had expected. Several people crowded the counter, paying for and collecting their goods. Behind the counter stood a young man and a young woman, both dressed in elegant silk clothes. They put on professional fake smiles to welcome the customers. Both were attractive. The young woman especially had a graceful figure that turned heads. Stirling walked to the back of the crowd. After a quick look around, he found out the price of the tranquilizing pills.

  10 pills for 1 silver coin, each one providing a peaceful night's sleep, unaffected by the Yearning Malice. Stirling's heart trembled at the price. This was too expensive!

  The silver coins he had taken from Old Larry and Monk Green combined amounted to only three or four. He had thought this money would last him a while in Farfield City. But he had not expected them to be enough to cover even a month's supply of tranquilizing pills.

  Even a single man like him found the price prohibitive, let alone those with families! At this moment, the crowds in front of Stirling shouted, "Give me five!" "I want seven!" Then, a wave of sadness welled up in his heart.

  Disaster struck; the empire was in tatters, and it was the lowest of the low who suffered.

  After a brief reflection, Stirling bought five pills to try out how they worked. After all, his own oil lamp could only last for half a month at most. Stirling had also tried to create a lamp that could dispel malice out of thin air. But the lifespan cost was enormous, completely negating the cost-effectiveness.

  So, once this disposable lamp ran out of oil, his only remaining option was the tranquilizing pill. Half an hour later, Stirling returned to his small house.

  As long as I can refine malice, I can gain longevity. But right now, the only tool I can rely on is this oil lamp.

  Once the oil in the lamp is gone, I can still rely on the tranquilizing pill. But it only protects me from the Yearning Malice, not longevity adding.

  Stirling sat at the table, pondering. His hand was rubbing back and forth on the small medicine bottle he had just purchased.

  What will happen if I strengthen the pill? Thinking of this, Stirling stopped worrying and opened the bottle. He poured out a tranquilizing pill, held it in his hand, and examined it carefully.

  [Current enhancement require a lifespan of 10 days. Enhance?]

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Stirling glanced at the prompt, gritted his teeth, and then steeled himself. Next, a flash of light made the tranquilizing pill in Stirling's finger grow larger. Then, a new prompt appeared before his eyes.

  [Spirit-Nourishing Pill]

  This pill, crafted from the spiritual aura of heaven and earth, can nourish the mind and calm the heart. Its effects last for half a month.

  Wow, half a month is quite good! Stirling raised his eyebrows at the prompt, feeling quite surprised. In exchange for this half-month of efficacy, there is a ten-day lifespan. So, it's hard to say whether it was a good deal.

  Since he had already spent a part of its lifespan, checking its effectiveness was the next plan. Stirling tossed the pill into his mouth. Then, he pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard. He was set on practicing his swordsmanship for a bit. Despite Stirling's practicing the Aether skills every day, he had slacked off in swordsmanship. Now that he had a safe place to stay, he must practice more and harder.

  After all, the world seemed perilous at every turn. And Stirling was more and more eager to improve his strength. The small house had a courtyard wall about two meters high, so Stirling felt safe from prying eyes. After practicing for an hour, he stopped, sweating all over.

  "Huff!" Stirling was out of breath. He sat down on a wooden bench in the courtyard, picked up his water bag, and gulped down a drink. As Romeo mentioned, before the apocalypse, Saxon revered martial arts. The samurai are a senior class in the empire, who enjoy an excellent reputation and power. The chief samurai was even a key figure next to the Prime Minister, demonstrating their prestige.

  But after the apocalypse, the god-worshipping sects emerged, overwhelming traditional samurai. But this world possesses profound martial arts.

  If I could obtain a copy and enhance it, I wouldn't need so much lifespan to withstand various malice.

  A thought jumped into Stirling's mind.

  This Aether skill currently only seems to extend lifespan and increase strength. Although Stirling had a hunch, there was more to it than that; he had no clue how to delve deeper.

  But if he could access this world's complete martial arts system, things would change. Stirling believed that with his bone ring and his hard work, he could achieve anything he wanted.

  Thinking of this, Stirling's eyes rolled, then he set down his Tang Dao and hurried out of the courtyard. "Knock, knock, knock!"

  Stirling knocked on his neighbor Romeo's door.

  "Who's there?" Soon, Romeo's voice rang from behind the door.

  "Mr. Romeo, it's me, Luis Chilavert," Stirling called out.

  "Oh, it's Luis!"

  The wooden door creaked open. Stirling saw Romeo's smiling face as the voice got closer.

  "Luis, come in!" Romeo greeted Stirling with a single hand.

  "Sorry to bother you, Mr. Romeo." Stirling bowed to Romeo and walked into the yard.

  Romeo planted his yard with a few small, unidentified trees. The moment Stirling entered, it felt vibrant and full of life. It was a far cry from his own barren yard. Romeo observed Stirling's gaze, then smiled and said, "Luis, this is a passion fruit tree. When the fruit is ripe, I'll give you a few to taste."

  "Ahem, Mr. Romeo, you're too kind. I'm here today to ask you something," Stirling immediately looked at Romeo and coughed.

  "Luis, please go ahead." Romeo pulled Stirling to sit on a wooden bench in the courtyard and asked with a smile.

  "Well, Mr. Romeo, where in this city can I find a job?" Stirling asked.

  "A job? It seems you have also discovered how hard it is to make money." Romeo's expression dawned on him, then he smiled and said, "There are only a few ways to make money in Farfield City: selling crafts, traveling, growing vegetables... But these are for ordinary people, and they make little money, especially in current world."

  "But the others are different."

  "If you're a samurai, you can apply to be a guard for the three major families. Not only will you receive free tranquilizing pills per month, but the salary is also good."

  "If you're a samurai master, you can open a martial arts school in Farfield City. And you can take in some eccentric people as disciples. You'll live a carefree life for sure."

  "If you are a talent and Yearning Palace notices that, then congratulations! You'll be on the rise in a day. When you do, please give me your support, Luis!"

  After Romeo finished speaking, Stirling seemed lost in thought. After a brief pause, he asked, "Is there anyone who can reach out to Yearning Malice or something like that?"

  "Oh?" Romeo glanced at Stirling in surprise, then pondered for a moment before speaking.

  The Night Watch in the city has a chance. But they are more likely to encounter different malice from other worshipper sects. After all, there are many demon gods in the world. The Yearning Palace may officially control this kingdom, but many sects are still snatching food from the tiger's mouth.

  Hearing this, Stirling's mind flashed back to William. He claimed to be a member of the Night Watch and had gone to Rock Village to investigate the Blood Temple.

  While the Yearning Palace is dominant in the Monterey kingdom, its foundation is not yet solid. And there are still many evil gods coveting it.

  The thought flashed through Stirling's mind.

  Stirling and Romeo continued chatting for a while until dusk fell. Then, he said goodbye to Romeo and returned to his own courtyard. After seeing Stirling off, Romeo returned to his courtyard and sat back on the wooden bench.

  Luis Chilavert...

  Romeo muttered gently, shaking the tambourine in his hand. His lips curled up a bit.