The cultivators used their returner stone to teleport to the designated location of the newly opened exchange floor. As they arrived, they found themselves in a spacious and well-lit lobby with high ceilings and marble floors.
The walls were lined with large windows that provided a stunning view of the surrounding landscape, and there were several ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm golden light throughout the room.
In the center of the lobby was a circular desk where several attendants were standing, ready to assist any visitors. The desk was made of polished wood and had several scrolls and books stacked neatly on top of it, as well as a large, glowing crystal that seemed to be the source of the light in the room.
Behind the desk was a set of double doors that led into the main exchange floor. The doors were made of thick, dark wood and were carved with intricate designs that seemed to pulse with energy.
As the cultivators approached the desk, one of the attendants greeted them with a warm smile. "Welcome to the exchange floor. How may I assist you today?"
The cultivators looked at each other, unsure of where to start. This was their first time in an exchange place, and they didn't know what to expect. The attendant seemed to sense their confusion and offered some guidance. "If you're looking to buy or sell items, you'll want to head through those doors and into the main exchange floor. Once there, you'll be able to browse the various stalls and speak with other cultivators to make trades. If you need any further assistance, don't hesitate to ask."
The cultivators nodded their thanks and began to head towards the double doors, eager to see what treasures awaited them on the other side. However, before they could take another step, the attendant stopped them. "One thing to keep in mind before you go in. To purchase any item inside, you'll need to have soul coins. Do you have any?"
The cultivators looked at each other again, this time with more confusion. "What are soul coins?" one of them asked.
The attendant smiled patiently. "Soul coins are a form of currency that is used exclusively in exchange floors. They're obtained by killing monsters. Each monster you kill will reward you with a certain number of soul coins, which will be added to your account. To view your soul coins, all you need to do is think 'soul coins' in your mind, and a transparent screen will appear with your balance."
The cultivators nodded, finally understanding the concept. "And what if we don't have enough soul coins to purchase what we want?"
The attendant shrugged. "Then you'll need to kill more monsters and earn more coins. It's the only way to get more."
They decided to try the soul coin viewing method and each focused on their balance. To their amazement, a transparent screen appeared in front of them, displaying the number of soul coins they had accumulated.
The cultivators thanked the attendant for the information and proceeded to enter the exchange floor. As they walked through the doors, they were greeted by a bustling market filled with stalls and shops, each one offering a variety of rare and valuable items.
Another cultivator arrived and explained to them all the things he said to the earlier group.
Everyone then immediately tried the soul coins viewing method.
One cultivator smiled in satisfaction as he saw that he had over 100 soul coins. However, the other cultivator's smile quickly faded as they saw that they only had 2 digits of soul coins. He looked up at the attendant with an ugly expression on his face.
"This isn't fair," he complained. "How am I supposed to buy anything with only 30 soul coins? Can I even afford the cheapest items here?!"
The attendant sympathized with the cultivator's frustration. "I understand how you feel. It can be challenging to earn soul coins, but it's the only way to purchase items here. Perhaps you can try trading with other cultivators to get the items you want?"
The angry cultivator grumbled but then sighed in resignation. "I guess I'll have to. But what if someone tries to cheat me or steals my soul coins?"
The attendant's smile turned into a serious expression. "I understand your concern. That's why we have strict rules in place to prevent cheating or theft. If anyone is caught breaking the rules, they will be banned from the exchange floor. For the first offense, they'll be banned for a week. For the second offense, they'll be banned for a lifetime."
The cultivator's eyes widened in surprise. "A lifetime ban for the second offense? That seems harsh."
The attendant's expression softened. "We take the safety and fairness of our exchange floor very seriously. We want to ensure that everyone who comes here has a positive experience and is treated with respect. That's why we have these rules in place. I hope you understand."
The cultivator nodded slowly. "I do. Thank you for explaining it to me."
The attendant smiled again. "Of course. If you have any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask."
The cultivators nodded, feeling a bit intimidated by the attendant's stern warning. They realized that they were in a place called a dungeon, an unknown bizarre place, one hundred percent the attendant was not joking. So they needed to be careful not to cause any trouble.
As they made their way through the stalls, the cultivators marveled at the variety of items on display. There were swords, armor, magical artifacts, rare herbs, and even beasts for sale. The prices were steep, but the cultivators knew that the items were worth the cost.
After some browsing, the cultivators finally found a stall that caught their attention. The vendor was selling a set of rare magical talismans that were said to enhance the cultivator's strength and speed.
The cultivators approached the vendor, and after some negotiations, they managed to strike a deal. The angry cultivator was pleased to have acquired the talismans, even though he had to part with almost all of his soul coins. The other cultivator was content with his purchase of a few herbs that he needed for his cultivation practice.
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