The base was empty except for Chen Xiaobei who thought that killing the Demonic Beasts were like killing ants—there was no thrill, no challenge. It was better to stay back and put his feet up back here in the base.
He had no interest in joining the others in their child's-play mission.
"Oh, I could use this time to train!"
Chen Xiaobei ran into the bedroom and took out the medium-grade Spiritual Stone and the Two-Star Patinated Bronze Beast Core from his Infinite Space Ring. Since he had a new resource in possession, he might as well give it a try.
If you do not try, you will never know.
"Hmm… I'll start with the Spiritual Stones since it's more convenient!"
Chen Xiaobei picked up the fist-sized Spiritual Stones and absorbed the Spiritual Qi into his Dantian.
"Wow! God, it's dense!"
Chen Xiaobei immediately began to use the Spiritual Qi to increase his health via Emperor Health Ultimate Enhancement Skill.
…
"Shit! That's fast! It hadn't even been an hour and all the Spiritual Qi are used up!"
Chen Xiaobei was bewildered.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of Celestial Cultivation; Health: 90,400; Combat power: 70,000]
"It took me one day and 3,000 Spiritual Stones to increase my health by 300 back in the secret place. But with this medium-grade Spiritual Stone, which is equivalent to 1,000 low-grade Spiritual Stones, my health increased by 1,000 in only 1 hour! That's like ten times faster! How incredible! Does that mean that it's easier for those who are at Celestial Cultivation to absorb medium-grade Spiritual Stones?"
Chen Xiaobei deliberated for while before coming to a conclusion.
"Perhaps this has something to do with the density of the Spiritual Qi… Low-grade Spiritual Stones' Qi are like a clear broth that had been boiled only once. Medium-grade Spiritual Stones are like a thick stock that has been boiled for many hours, resulting in a higher 'nutritional concentration', and better 'nourishing effects'! It's the same principle that applies to Spiritual Items. The denser it is, the more effective it is for training!"
This was, of course, just Chen Xiaobei's own deduction. Whether or not that was true was not important.
What interested Chen Xiaobei was the medium-grade Spiritual Stones themselves.
"I will have to work really hard to get my hands on these medium-grade Spiritual Stones! I can save a lot of time training! I will just use the low-grade Spiritual Stones as fuel for crafting Spiritual Item and activating Witch Dragon Transformation Skill!"
Inside his Green Jade Gourd, there was a total of 8,000 Spiritual Qi: the 3,000 that he already had combined with the 5,000 he took from Ju Niao.
If Chen Xiaobei used them to train, it would take him three days and the results would be less satisfactory—it would just be a waste of time and resource.
It would be more suitable for fuel to craft other items.
In fact, he had another 2,000 Spiritual Qis, which would make it 10,000, Chen Xiaobei could borrow Monkey King's Jingu Bang again!
If he had had so many Spiritual Qi when he snatched Shen Gongpao's Spiritual Item, he would not have eaten it!
"Alright, the Beast Core is next!"
Chen Xiaobei turned his attention to the crystal the size of a jujube.
"Ning Yuchen said that this Beast Core can increase combat power or health by 100! It'd be great if it works as quickly as the medium-grade Spiritual Stone!"
Chen Xiaobei picked up the crystal and began to read it.
An unusual Spiritual Attribute actually communicated with Chen Xiaobei!
"Break!"
The Beast Core began to crack open, releasing a cloud of pale, red fumes.
"This must be the essence of the Beast Core! Sssshhk…"
Chen Xiaobei quickly inhaled the fumes through his mouth.
Ning Yuchen had told him that the Demonic Beasts were the quintessence of nature, and the essence of each beast was concealed inside their cores.
"Mm? This feeling… It's really familiar…"
Chen Xiaobei closed his eyes and concentrated on the feeling coursing through him.
This was his first time coming into contact with a Beast Core and absorbing its essence, but there was a strange familiarity to it.
"Ah! Yes! It's like the Blood Descendants' Dark Powers!" Chen Xiaobei's eyes flew open at that realization. "It felt like the last time when I absorbed the Xiuhcoatl's blood essence! It's a different method but it also uses the Demonic Beasts' essences to increase strength! Hmm, if that's the case, could I use the Blood Descendants' dark powers to convert the essence?"
If he does not try, he would never know. So, Chen Xiaobei began to summon the Dark Power.
When Damien used this Special Ability, he was able to increase both his health and combat power at once. But because Chen Xiaobei's Dark Neutron was crushed once, the ability was weakened and slowed the process. But as long as it worked, Chen Xiaobei was at an advantage.
"It worked! It really works! People can normally increase either their health or combat power when they absorb the Beast Core essence but if I use the dark powers of the Blood Descendants to absorb the same Beast Core, I could increase both!"
Chen Xiaobei continued to use the Dark Power to convert the essence. It took him less than an hour to complete the whole process.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of Celestial Cultivation; Health: 90,500; Combat Power: 70,100]
"Hah! Both my health and my combat increased! Damn! This is awesome!" Chen Xiaobei was over the moon. "It appears that the Beast Core is the best resource for training! It's convenient, efficient and the benefit is doubled! It's practically tailored for me! Shit! I must catch up with Ning Yuchen and the others! The colonel said that the beasts they were fighting were unusual. Who knows, they might have higher-ranking Beast Cores! If I could harvest hundreds of them, my cultivation will soar!"
Chen Xiaobei did not even have to think twice before rushing out of the room.
Let us not forget that Chen Xiaobei's plan was come to North Chasm to strengthen his cultivation!
Back in Atlantis, he made a promise to Demonic Fox that he would become so strong that would be the one protecting her instead of the other way around!
Getting stronger was Chen Xiaobei's primary goal!
And the Beast Core was Chen Xiaobei's shortcut to it!
…
Chen Xiaobei leaped onto the Somersault Cloud and disappeared into the sky.
In order to become stronger, Chen Xiaobei pressed forward courageously!
"What… How fast were they traveling? I was only two hours late, but I don't even see their shadow…"
Chen Xiaobei looked out for the troops on Somersault Cloud but he could not see a single soldier.
"They were headed toward this direction just now… I'm sure I'm on the right track… I think I'll have to start thinking about upgrading the Somersault Cloud!" Chen Xiaobei furrowed his brows, feeling a little sore. "Ning Yuchen won't tell me where they are even if I call them now. If I can't catch up, it'll be a big fat loss!"
BAM!
Just as Chen Xiaobei was worrying about not being able to find Ning Yuchen, there was a sudden loud explosion from afar. The fire rushed up to the sky and it was really terrifying.
"It must be over there!"
Chen Xiaobei quickly rushed over to the explosion.
…
All 3,000 soldiers from the 2nd Regiment were deployed.
A total of 30 large-capacity armored personnel formed a line like a swift dragon as they sped into depths of the pre-historic forest, away from the capital city.
"Captain, how strong do you think these Demonic Beasts are? I mean, even the Colonel came with us. Could they be Silver-tier Giant Beasts?"
Liu Chen asked Ning Yuchen who was sitting next to her, her tone anxious. They were late so they were on the last carrier.
"Don't worry, Liu Chen!" Ning Yuchen comforted her, "If they really are Silver-tier Giant Beasts, our Colonel would have asked for help the other Regiments! He won't be able to fight them on his own but with a few more Colonels from the other Regiments fighting with us, we won't have to be afraid of the beasts!"
"But I keep having this feeling… like there's something wrong… I don't know how to put it… I feel like something bad is going to happen…" Li Chen confessed.
"Don't worry. Even if the sky falls down, it will hit Hu Ben and me first. You know that, right?" Ning Yuchen joked.
"Alright… I hope I'm wrong…"Liu Chen nodded.
BAM!!
Suddenly, there was a loud explosion coming from the personnel carrier in the front!
There was a flash of blinding light that lit up the sky which was then followed by a column of fire and smoke. The massive blast sent a feverish wind storming towards them, raising goosebumps as it brushed across their skin.
"What happened…"
"What is happening in front…"
"What the hell…"
In that second, it was like all of the soldiers on the carriers were awaken from a slumber, sticking their heads out, trying to figure out what had just happened.
But the blast was too far.
The megaphones in the carrier cackled, and the Colonel spoke, "Red alert! Red alert! We are under attack! We are being attacked by a Silver-tier Giant Beast! The carriers behind are ordered to retreat! The further the better! Execute the order immediately! This is not a drill! I repeat, this is not a drill!"
Cackle…
It sounded as if the Colonel had tossed the walkie-talkie and went into battle.
If he, as a Colonel, did not get into the battle himself, all the soldiers in the carriers behind would be killed in action!
"Silver-tier Giant Beast… It really is… The Colonel won't be able to fight the beast on his own. He will die!"
Liu Chen clenched her fists and bit her lip, and her breathing grew ragged.
"There's no other choice… Other than the Colonel, none of us are strong enough to fight Silver-tier beasts! Even if we don't retreat, we wouldn't be able to help him!"
Ning Yuchen tried to alleviate Liu Chen's worry.
There was no other alternative but to retreat. All 3,000 of them. In fact, they had to pray that the Colonel would be able to hold the beast back for a while.
If he is defeated too soon, more than half of them would have to die here!
"I don't want Colonel to die… He is a little strict but he has always taken good care of us…"
Liu Chen sniffled.
It was common knowledge that even though both human and beast were the same rank, the beast would always prevail.
Liu Chen and her comrades were aware that their Colonel was trading his life to buy time for his 3,000 soldiers to flee!
"No one wants Colonel to die… But… We all know that the beasts are much stronger. Unless there's someone who can vanquish a Silver-tier Giant Beast… Nothing we say can change anything…"
Ning Yuchen was also devastated.
In this world, the fittest will always prevail over the weak! Power and strength will reign forever!
The weaker ones will have to give in to the stronger ones!
None of the soldiers in the remaining 29 personnel carriers wanted their Colonel to die. But no matter how unwilling they were, they had to retreat. And that was because they were all too weak.
…
"Roar!"
The frightening roars of the beast echoed in the skies. A vicious giant beast stood where at the scene of the explosion, howled, displaying its belligerence.
Standing at twenty meters tall, with jagged skin that looked like rocks, the beast looked very much like the ancient Tyrannosaurus!
Its head was large, and equipped with a giant blood-basin of a mouth that was lined with two rows of razor-sharp teeth.
And just like every other Demonic Beast, it did not have True Kang Armor but its talents were superior to humans of the same rank.
The only exception was, Giants Beast that had reached Silver-tier had the Special Ability to trigger Celestial Elements like humans could.
"Arghhh…"
The Colonel of the 2nd Regiment stood right before the Giant Beast, hands pressed against his chest and a trail of blood dripping down the corner of his lips.
His earlier collision with the Giant Beast caused him to suffer a massive injury.
But the injury he sustained was not lethal, he had enough strength left in him to make a run for it.
But for the sake of protecting his soldiers, he was going to continue to fight this murderous beast!
"Roar!"
The Giant Beast suddenly lay prostrate and opened its monstrous mouth to reveal a large, swelling ball of fire.
All around, the fire elements were being set in motion, and Celestial Fire was added to the ever-growing ball of fire.
It was the Giant Beast's intention to roast this Colonel and then attack the rest of the troop.
"Stupid creature! Stop howling already!" The Colonel said in a frosty tone. "I am ready to die! If you want to kill my soldiers, you will have to do it over my dead body!"
"Roar!"
There was a bloodthirsty look in the Giant Beasts eyes as the fireball in its mouth raged!
Clearly, the beast did not appreciate the Colonel's taunt. It wants to kill this unyielding man with its strongest attack!
"Goodbye, soldiers…"
The Colonel knew his fate. He exerted his Celestial Cultivation to its maximum. If he could hold the beast back for one second, he will take that one second.
"You are good Colonel! You don't have to die here!"
Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind the Colonel.
"Huh?"
At this critical moment, even the beast was stumped.
Since when was there another person?
And did this person have a death wish?
Why was he standing behind the Colonel?
"Who are you? What the hell are you doing here?"
Before the Colonel could turn around to look, he suddenly felt himself being lifted off the ground by an invisible force.
"What is happening? I could feel the movement of True Kang but why can't I see it?"
The Colonel had never seen or even heard of a True Kang that could be seen with the naked eye!
But what happened next boggled his mind even further.
The True Kang that was lifting him, suddenly tossed him behind like he was a shot put.
"Ah! Ah!"
The Colonel was thrown about a hundred meters away.
But with the protection of his True Kang Armor, he sustained only minor scratches. But he was too stunned to move, his eyes glued to the scene before him.
"Is that a Silver Plume General?"
The trees were too thick for the Colonel to see through clearly.
He could only make assumptions.
"That master's combat power must be at least 90,000! Not even foreign Northern Wilderness Soldiers are that strong! He must be a Silver Plume General! Who would've thought that a noble would actually save me!"
"Where did this bastard come from? How dare he ruin my fight? I will destroy you!"
The Silver-tier Beast growled; the giant fireball was ready in his mouth.
"If you want to burn then go ahead and do it already. Why do you have to talk so much? I'm looking forward to playing with that core of yours. But if you beg me, I might not have the heart to take it away from you," said a young man in his 20s. He sounded very composed and a little relaxed for a person who was standing in front of a vicious beast.
He had an invisible True Kang but he was not in a Northern Wilderness soldier uniform.
"You want to play with my core? And you want me to get down on my knees and beg? Are you insane?"
The Silver-tier Giant Beast could feel blood boiling under its bulky skin.
As a Silver-tier Giant Beast whose mere presence had caused countless Northern Wilderness soldiers to go weak in the knees, its favorite moment was when human beings kneel down and beg for mercy before it.
But today, two men challenged it instead!
First, it was the Colonel who was clearly not afraid to die, and the second was this young man who was so outrageously vainglorious that he told the beast to get down on its knees and beg! He even said that he wanted to play with its core!
This was not just a matter of discourtesy! This was a matter of a crass assault on its ego!
This was unforgivable! Absolutely unforgivable!
"Die, you little twat! Just because I haven't shown you my true power, you talk to me like I'm a weak creature?!"
The Giant Beast let out a blood-chilling roar.
Against the Colonel, the beast had gathered enough strength to launch a powerful attack.
But right now, for the sake of its reputation, it summoned every drop of strength in its body and managed to come up with 120% power.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The giant jaw cracked open and the ball of fire that had been brewing shot out!
It was not in the form metamorphosed by True Kang but by the Demonic Beasts' Special Ability! It was a real Demonic Beast 's talent, Crimson Flare exactly like Xiuhcoatls'! It was an innate talent!
The Crimson Flare of this Giant Beast was searing hot! It was even fortified with Fire Celestial Event!
On its way to Chen Xiaobei, the ten-meter-area around the fireball were scorched! The grass and trees were burnt, they were almost blackened! Even the rocks nearby by were starting to crack!
The fireball was traveling at a blistering speed. Soldiers of the same rank would never be able to dodge it.
BAM!
The fireball exploded as it made contact with Chen Xiaobei's head.
At that moment, the ground shook and the mountains trembled. The earth cracked and the surrounding vegetation turned into ash! It looked very much like hell.
'Die, you piece of shit! You trash! See if you dare get all cocky with me again?! Die! Die! Die!"
The Giant Beast raised its head and let out a deafening victory roar.
All of a sudden, a shadow shot out from the sea of flames toward the beast!
"Huh? You're unharmed? That's impossible!"
The Giant Beasts' eyes widened.
He could not fathom how Chen Xiaobei survived, completely unharmed by his attack.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei charging toward it, the beast mirrored him and ran headfirst, its jaw wide opened, baring its sharp teeth at Chen Xiaobei!
If it bit an ordinary elite, it could puncture the person's True Kang and hack its victim's body into pieces
But Chen Xiaobei did not belong to that category of ordinary elite!
Chen Xiaobei stepped through the fire and raised a hand.
Compared to the beast, Chen Xiaobei's palm was like a speck of sand.
His invisible True Kang was actually spreading out, forming an inconspicuous large hand! Reinforced with Celestial, it was faster and stronger!
Smack!
The palm landed on the left cheek of the Giant Beast.
"Argh!"
The twenty-meter-tall Giant Beast cried, as its hefty form was sent flying more than ten feet away from where it was standing and the forest was completely destroyed.
Brrrraargh!
Blood, along with half of its teeth, gushed out from that giant mouth of the beast.
Had it been a human, it would never be able to stand up after this slap.
But the Giant Beast was extremely tough, it was difficult but the beast managed to struggle to its feet.
"Roar! You twat! How dare you hurt me?!" The Giant Beast growled.
"Huh? Chen Xiaobei raised an eyebrow and asked, "Your strength is so low, don't you plan on kneeling down and begging for mercy?"
"Beg? I am the King of the Silver-tier Beasts! If you kill me, there will be an 'ocean of beast' looking to kill you! My king from my family will come after you. They will lead the horde of beasts and devour the entire Silver Plume City! We won't leave a single soul alive!" The Demonic Beast shouted. "I'm not trying to scare you but even the Silver Plume's governor doesn't have the balls to kill me! How would you?"
Just as the beast had finished talking, a black radiance lit up.
Chen Xiaobei looked unconcerned. "But the one I'm killing is you!"
"Ah!! How dare you kill me?!"
The Giant Beast let out a scream of agony. Before the Black Arc reached it, it knew that there was no way that it could survive from the attack. That was because the speed that the Black Arc was traveling made it impossible for it to dodge in time. The truth was the second Chen Xiaobei unleashed this attack, the ending was set in stone. That was why absolute strength had always been to key to a victorious battle.
Phissh!
Just like what Chen Xiaobei expected, the Black Arc that was as wide as ten meters passed through the Giant Beast's throat.
BAM!
Seconds later, the head of the Giant Beast dropped to the ground. And blood started to gush out from its headless body for at least ten meters in height like a fountain. Seeing that the Giant Beast was killed, Chen Xiaobei came back to the ground with his Dragon's Edge with not a drop of blood on it!
"Brother Ning mentioned that the skin and bones of the Giant Beast are extremely valuable! I know the buyers from Silver Plume Planet are more than willing to pay a high price for all these materials. Other than the Beast Core, I will harvest the rest of the parts as well!"
Immediately, Chen Xiaobei ordered his Chaos Blood Sword to absorb the soul and Blood Essence of the Giant Beast. With this, the Chaos Blood Sword could unleash an attack that was as powerful as 110,000 combat power! After that, he kept the carcass of the Giant Beast into his Infinite Space Ring. He was planning to ask Ning Yuchen how to deal with it.
Now, the battle was finally over.
Logically speaking, Ning Yuchen and the rest of them should have reached the base really soon. In order to not raise any suspicion, Chen Xiaobei jumped on the Somersault Cloud and flew back to the base.
Hundreds of meters away, the commanding officer was standing there and did not dare to get close to the battlefield or flee even further away from it. From where he stood, he could see the blood fountain and a mysterious elite step on the cloud.
"That is some crazy powerful elite! He just killed that Silver-tier Giant Beast with a single hit! I can't even begin to imagine how powerful he is!"
Until now, the commanding officer still could not stop shaking from the scene that he just witnessed. He never dreamt that his life would be rescued by someone so powerful. A surge of utmost respect and admiration rushed up to his heart and he swore that he would show his gratitude to the legend if he got to meet him in the future.
At the 2nd Regiment base camp.
Before the military convoy reached the base, Chen Xiaobei quickly stepped into the camp. After that, when he saw everyone gathered at the arena, Chen Xiaobei went ahead and joined them.
"Brother Ning. Why didn't you go into the room since you are back? You don't look happy. What's going on?" asked Chen Xiaobei.
At that moment, not only Ning Yuchen was feeling worry, everyone else felt the same as well. Female soldier like Liu Chen was weeping. It was as if she just suffered a major loss.
"What's wrong? No one is going to talk to me?" asked Chen Xiaobei, frustrated.
"Better not talk about it anymore. Thing is bad. We all feel terrible right now!" replied Ning Yuchen.
"Actually, we should all be more optimistic about it. I don't think the matter that all of you have in mind is that bad!"
Out of good will, Chen Xiaobei tried to console everyone. However, before he could finish with his sentence, someone shouted at him.
"You are just a Black Steel Zero Star Newbie! You know nothing! We were assaulted by a Silver-tier Giant Beast just now!"
"Do you know how powerful and scary is Silver-tier Giant Beast? The moment he jumped in front of us, a military convoy was destroyed! Hundreds of soldiers died within seconds!"
"And our commanding officer decided to stay back to protect us! That's how we got out from that sticky situation! I don't think they can come back safely this time!"
Everyone around Chen Xiaobei was really agitated. The way they spoke was full of hostility. And Chen Xiaobei could understand how they felt right now. So, he chose not to argue with them about it. Some time later, there were sounds coming from the entrance of the base.
"They are back! Our commanding officer is back! And some of our brothers-in-arms are alive as well!"
"Oh god! It's really them! Looking from the number of people, I don't think we lost too many of them!"
"How did they escape from the Silver-tier Giant Beast? This is unbelievable!"
High up in the sky, everyone at the base could see a dozen military convoys flying toward them at high speed. If there were three to four soldiers in each military convoy, that would mean none of them died on the battlefield! Immediately, all their worries and despair were swept away and replaced by joy! Every single one of them rushed to the entrance to greet their allies and commanding officer.
"Brother Zhufeng! I love you so damn much!"
Liu Chen was so excited that she gave Chen Xiaobei a bear hug. Realizing that there were a lot of people looking at her, she let go of Chen Xiaobei a few seconds later.
"Zhufeng! You are awesome!" said Hu Ben with a smile.
Hu Ben was the kind of that that did now know how to express himself. However, from his reddened eyes, Chen Xiaobei knew that he was relieved from the sadness that he experienced just now. And all those that scolded Chen Xiaobei earlier approached him and apologized to him.
"Zhufeng! We are so sorry! We let our emotions take over us just now! We didn't expect that the thing that that you said to us will come true! I hope you can forgive us!"
"I'm not angry!" said Chen Xiaobei in a calmed manner while shrugging.
After that, everyone gathered at the entrance and were eager to know what had happened to the team. So, during the explosion earlier, every soldier in the military convoy managed to activate their True Kang to protect them from the blast. And for those who did not manage to activate their True Kang in time suffered from some light injuries. Finally, when they saw the Silver-tier Giant Beast was killed, they began to gather together and returned to the base.
"Oh my god! That is so unbelievable! How powerful is that elite?! He just killed that Silver-tier Giant Beast with only a single hit! Too awesome!"
All the male soldiers were filled with awe, hoping that someday they could become someone as powerful as the elite that killed Silver-tier Giant Beast.
"Damn! That legend stepped on the cloud and flew away? Oh god! He is our girls' dream lover! Is he handsome? Or, is he some manly middle-aged man? I want to have his babies!"
Every single female soldier was really excited when they talked about the mysterious powerful elite. Chen Xiaobei then took a look at all the hundreds of female soldiers.
"So many women here! I don't think my body can take it even if I consume supplements!" Chen Xiaobei thought to himself.
Cough!
"There should be a limit to your joke!"
Suddenly, the commanding officer stepped up.
Enough joking around!
The Colonel was well-respected, so once he opened his mouth, all 3,000 soldiers hushed.
His gaze swept across the crowd and said in a solemn voice, "From today onward, that mysterious elite is I, Hao Yue's, savior! He is also our 2nd Regiment's savior! Without him, our entire troop will have died in the hands of that Silver-tier Giant Beast! So, I am laying down an order effective immediately: No one is allowed to disrespect our savior! Those who violate that order will be punished according to martial law!"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
The whole team complied.
If Chen Xiaobei had not shown up on time, the Colonel would have been murdered and the Silver-tier Giant Beast would have continued its attack on the rest of the carriers.
There was also a chance that other Demonic Beasts might have appeared at the scene. The 3,000 soldiers would have no chance of surviving the horde's attack.
It was not only the Colonel who was grateful. A good number of them felt indebted to the mysterious elite.
They would never have in a million years figured that the person who had saved them was standing at the back of the brown, watching them.
Chen Xiaobei made no plans to explain anything to them. He merely observed them like a wise man, chuckling to himself inside.
He knew everything, yet he said nothing.
After that, the assembly dispersed.
Chen Xiaobei finally had the chance to ask his questions, "Brother Ning, how many Spiritual Stones would you say a Silver-tier Giant Beast would sell for?"
"Little Zhufeng! You really are quite a miser! You just can't stop talking about Spiritual Stones!" Liu Chen said, "This is not an insult but, with your cultivation, you won't ever be able to kill a Silver-tier Giant Beast! Not in a hundred years!"
Chen Xiaobei simply laughed it off. "It's always good to dream. What if it really happens someday?"
"Yes! We must have goals! That way we can always improve ourselves!" Ning Yuchen backed Chen Xiaobei up, "Silver-tier Giant Beasts are worth an unusual amount of money! Its hide is worth hundreds of medium-grade Spiritual Stones! One piece of bone is also worth about the same! Its internal organs, on the other hand, are worthless but they could sell for about a ten medium-grade Spiritual Stones! That's roughly a total of 300 medium-grade stones! Of course, I've never seen anyone sell any of that! So, that's just an estimation. To get a more solid number, you'll have to consult the Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce!"
Ning Yuchen did not know much about it so he merely did an educated guess.
"What about the Beast Core? How many Spiritual Stones is that worth?" Chen Xiaobei asked again.
"Are you crazy?" Liu Chen cut in. "That's a rare Spiritual Item! It's super effective for training! No one would ever sell that!"
"That's true." Chen Xiaobei nodded, knowing very well that he himself would never have the heart to sell the Beast Core.
"Oh, right, Brother Ning, where is this Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce you were talking about?"
Chen Xiaobei was relentless.
'Why do you want to know?"
Liu Chen eyed him suspiciously.
"I want to kill Demonic Beasts with my own bare hands all day long. So, I'm just trying to get a better understanding. Is that alright with you?" Chen Xiaobei said, "Colonel Hao Yue wouldn't allow me to train with you or go on missions with you. So, I'll just walk around when I'm bored."
"Mm, it's good to get a feel of things beforehand!" Ning Yuchen said, "The Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce is on 2nd Street. It's open 24/7. You can go whenever you want!"
"Alright! I really need to go to the toilet now!" Chen Xiaobei said before running off, away from the group.
Of course Chen Xiaobei was not stupid enough to go to the Chamber of Commerce now. He found a hiding place where no one would find him and took out the spirit cage, and commissioned Qie Loulan to make a mask of a serious-looking old man.
No one would a fresh-faced twenty-year-old seriously. People dismiss as a fool claiming to sell the parts of a Silver-tier Giant Beast. They would kick him out without a second thought.
Chen Xiaobei was not afraid of that, of course. He had been facing this sort of discrimination since the beginning! And he had always used the truth to prove them wrong. But today, the circumstances were a little different, Chen Xiaobei was an illegal visitor who had slipped through the cracks to get to Northern Wilderness Starfield.
If his cover was blown, he would either have to run for his life or be forced out of Northern Wilderness Starfield.
After he was done giving Qie Loulan the instructions, Chen Xiaobei returned to his room.
Qie Loulan finished the mask the next morning. Coincidentally, Ning Yuchen and the others had to go for training.
Chen Xiaobei took the opportunity to head to Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce.
Because it was on 2nd Street, near the residences of the half-nobles, everything was exceptionally luxurious and metropolitan.
66th Street, where Sister Hua's tavern was, was a slum compared to this place.
This Chamber of Commerce was managed by the Northern Wilderness Temple themselves. They were divided into branches that were categorized according to the capital cities of each planet in Northern Wilderness Starfield. It was the biggest commerce chamber, known all throughout Northern Wilderness Starfield!
These branches had become the economic bloodline of Northern Wilderness Starfield. Over time, it had earned a large return for the Northern Wilderness Temple. You could say that it was one of the most important cornerstones of Northern Wilderness Temple.
As far as the Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce was concerned, their continuous prosperity all these years were due to the stringent regulation they had practiced. Regardless of who they were doing business with, they would always ensure that they were treated fairly and objectively
The word 'Integrity' was the signature of the Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce!
That was why everyone—from the nobles to the unemployed vagrants, would think of the Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce first whenever they wanted to trade.
With the assurance of honesty, Chen Xiaobei had nothing to worry about. He only had to play his part well and keep his identity concealed.
After putting on the mask and a black cloak, Chen Xiaobei walked through the doors of the Northern Wilderness Chamber of Commerce.
Just as he set foot into the place, a young man came up to him and asked in a polite manner, "Hi, sir. Are you here to sell or to buy?"
Chen Xiaobei used True Sound to speak in the voice of an elderly man, "I'm selling the whole of a Silver-tier Giant Beast! Give me a price!"
"What? Silver-tier Giant Beast?" There was a look of admiration and awe in the young man's eyes.
Before a Silver-tier Giant Beast, those whose cultivation were below Celesitial cultivation were like helpless ants! Only those who possessed formidable strength were able to kill a Silver-tier Giant Beast!
"I'm afraid I won't be able to make any decisions regarding this transaction." The young man's tone grew even more courteous and he even bowed. "Please follow me to the 3rd floor. The manager will discuss a price with you!"
"Alright."
Chen Xiaobei nodded.
The place was huge, and the 3rd floor was a world of its own.
The place was painted black and solemnly decorated. Upon entering, you could feel a heavy, oppressive feeling forcing down on you. If a regular person were to enter this place, they might feel suppressed to the point of breathlessness.
"I didn't expect a VIP like you will come to my shop. Sorry to keep you waiting!"
An old gentleman greeted Chen Xiaobei with a fist-and-palm salute.
Chen Xiaobei was taken aback for a moment when he spotted the silver feathers on the old gentleman's ears.
He was a Silver Plume Citizen! A true noble of this planet!
"Do we know each other?" Chen Xiaobei looked thoughtfully at the old man. Even though this was his first time meeting a Silver Plume native, his acting skills were unaffected. He spoke with the authority and composure of an elite.
"I don't think we do. But those who could set foot here in this place will automatically become an honored guest of mine!" The old man chuckled. "My name is Gu Congwen. I'm the manager of this place. Dare I ask for your name?"
"Chen." Chen Xiaobei said.
Gu Congwen nodded and smiled.
"Please come in, Elder Chen."
Gu Congwen ushered Chen Xiaobei in before exchanging a whispered conversation with the young man who left immediately after.
In the guest hall on the 3rd floor.
Gu Congwen sat Chen Xiaobei down and then asked, "My man told me that Elder Chen has decided to sell the body of a Silver-tier Giant Beast. I wonder how the remains have been preserved? If it was severely damaged in the fight, then I'm afraid it won't sell!"
"It was decapitated in one slash. Other than that, there was no other disfigurement." Chen Xiaobei said, sounding very firm and stern.
"One… slash?!"
A flabbergasted expression took shape on Gu Congwen's face.
Gu Congwen was worried that Chen Xiaobei's strength was close to the Giant Beast's. The battle would have been a difficult one and he feared that Chen Xiaobei might have destroyed the Demonic Beast's hide, and broken its bones. If that was the case, then its carcass would be worth next to nothing.
Killing the beast with one swing was not something he expected Chen Xiaobei to do!
A chaotic battle or a seckill were both ways to defeat the beast, but they speak of victors with very different ranks!
Gu Congwen's was glazed with esteem and awe upon hearing this.
He was a noble but he was extremely deferential when speaking to Chen Xiaobei, "Elder Chen, may I know what kind of Giant Beast is it that you've killed?"
"There's no need for so many questions. We can find a place where you can examine the goods." Chen Xiaobei said monotonously. "I trust that you won't short-change me on the pricing. After you've inspected it, I will sell it to you at whatever price you offer!"
"Er…" Gu Congwen was surprised by his forwardness. "Since you trust me, then please follow me to the inspection room. May I know how big the Giant Beast is?"
"It's 20 meters tall!"
"Twe… Twenty meters?!" Gu Congwen gulped, his voice trembling as he said, "The inspection room is not big enough… Let's go to the backyard instead…"
Chen Xiaobei nodded but said nothing.
In all honesty, Chen Xiaobei did not trust Gu Congwen all that much.
That was because he did not know what species the Giant Beast was and there were a lot of things he did not know about. If Gu Congwen had kept up with his questions, Chen Xiaobei might let slip his inexperience and lack of knowledge. It was better to just ask him to offer a price.
Luckily, Gu Congwen regarded Chen Xiaobei with such high esteem that he did not suspect anything of him. He would most definitely not have the guts to cheat Chen Xiaobei on the price.
This was the advantage of putting on a mask.
If Chen Xiaobei had come as himself, he would have been dismissed and disregarded. Gu Congwen might even take the opportunity to bully Chen Xiaobei, offering him the lowest price possible. And since Chen Xiaobei knew nothing about selling the carcass of Demonic Beasts, he would be forced to suffer his loss in silence.
But with this high-profile front, it was safe to assume that Gu Congwen would not try to pull a fast one.
…
In the backyard.
Chen Xiaobei could not care less about the flowers and the grass. He took out the body of the Silver-tier Giant Beast and laid it in the center of the yard.
"My god! This… This this…"
Gu Congwen nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw the mammoth beast.
"If I'm not mistaken, this is a Demonic Beast King!"
Chen Xiaobei did not make any remarks. The Giant Beast had claimed that he was a king. But since Chen Xiaobei did not know for sure, he decided that silence was the best option.
"Elder Chen! You have opened up my eyes! No one on Silver Plume Planet has ever killed a Demonic Beast King! This particular beast may be on the smaller side, but compared to the other Demonic Beasts, it is much more valuable!" Gu Congwen said, "I would normally offer around 300 medium-grade Spiritual Stones for a common Demonic Beast but since this is a royalty, I will raise it to 500!"
"500? Deal!" Chen Xaioebei revealed nothing on his face but deep inside he was doing the victory dance!
Chen Xiaobei had thought that getting 300 medium-grade Spiritual Stones, as Ning Yuchen had estimated, was good enough. He had never thought that this beast had a special ranking that could earn him 200 more!
This was not a small amount!
One medium-grade Spiritual Stone was equivalent to 1,000 low-grade Spiritual Stones.
500 medium-grade Spiritual Stones would make 500,000 low-grade Spiritual Stones!
Chen Xiaobei had never seen what 500,000 Spiritual Stones looked like.
He would never have dreamt that he could own so many Spiritual Stones at once!
He recalled how the 100,000 Spiritual Stones in Tenshou's treasury had shocked him. In hindsight, it was nothing impressive!
With these Spiritual Stones, Chen Xiaobei could train and convert them into either 50,000 combat power or health.
Chen Xiaobei's strength would skyrocket!
If you count it according to the ranking, then it was Platinum-tier!
"Since you have no objection, I will ask my men to bring the stones!"
Gu Congwen did not expect Chen Xiaobei to take the deal so willingly. So, he quickly sealed the deal in case Chen Xiaobei changed his mind.
"There's no need to rush!" Chen Xiaobei shook his head and asked, "How much is the Beast Core worth? Give me a price!"
"Be… Beast Core? You want to sell the core? No way." Gu Congwen gave Chen Xiaobei a curious look.
People would normally keep the Beast Core for themselves. Unless they were pressed for money, they would never sell it."
"The Beast Core is still in the body of the beast. Name me a price. If I like it then I'll leave it inside." Chen Xiaobei pretended to appear indifferent toward the Beast Core.
"Er…"
Gu Congwen found himself at a loss for words. How powerful is this old man that he was so cavalier about a Silver-tier Giant Beast's core?
Gu Congwen may be a Silver Plume noble but he dared not wrong an elite.
Gu Congwen spoke in a lowly manner, "Elder Chen… This is a Silver-tier Beast Core. It could increase a person's combat power or health by 10,000. In other words, that's 100 medium Spiritual Stones' worth. That would mean that you'd be making a loss by selling it…"
Chen Xiaobei thought about it for a while before deciding. "Alright, have someone remove the Beast Core for me. I won't sell it."
Most people used the core to increase either their health or combat power, but with the Blood Descendants' Dark Powers, Chen Xiaobei could raise both!
If he had exchanged it with 100 medium-grade Spiritual Stones, he would have made a massive loss!
"Alright! I'll ask my men to do it right away!" Gu Congwen nodded. "There is something that I'd really like to ask you. Would you mind telling me the answer?"
"Go ahead and ask," said Chen Xiaobei.
"If Elder Chen is free tonight, I'd like to invite you for dinner."
Gu Congwen smiled ingratiatingly.
Considering that Chen Xiaobei was extremely powerful and easy to deal with, this meant increasing the chances of earning more money for Gu Congwen.
He was a businessman after all!
"Dinner?" Chen Xiaobei thought about how in the few days he had been in Northern Wilderness Starfield, he had not seen much of it, so he nodded. "Alright. Time and place."
"We'll set it at six in the evening in Violet Bamboo Restaurant at 1st Street. I will arrive half an hour earlier to wait for you!"
"Alright! I'll see later!" Chen Xiaobei nodded and left.
…
It was still early in the morning, about ten more hours to go before dinner.
So, Chen Xiaobei decided to take a tour of 2nd Street, and then third, and forth.
These blocks were bustling with different people. It made Chen Xiaobei felt like he was in an international city.
He occasionally spotted a few Silver Plume natives, dressed extravagantly and oozing class and swank.
Chen Xiabei used the Netherspirit Battlescouter to observe them and realized that these Silver Plume natives' cultivation was not low.
Gu Congwen's combat power was 80,000, making him a Five-star Platinum.
The rest of the Silver Plume natives he saw on the street had combat power above 70,000—all of them were Platinum-tier.
It appeared that they were not just nobles. They also possessed strength that surpassed the foreigners from the low-ranking starfields!
The few that he had met on the street were more than capable of annihilating the entire 2nd Regiment!
But all that Chen Xiaobei had just seen were just the tip of the iceberg. Silver Plume planet was also just another tip on the iceberg that was Northern Wilderness Starfield!
How many elites were there in the entire starfield? How strong were they?
Chen Xiaobei shuddered just thinking about it.
Celestial Cultivations everywhere, True Kang as common as strays—these were not exaggerations!
But the more he thought about, the more it made sense—on every planet, most of the Spiritual Qis and Spiritual Stones, the best Spiritual Medicine and Items were all in the possession of the nobles! Even if they were to train a pig, with the abundance of resources, its cultivation would turn up pretty high!
…
After he walked around the few blocks, Chen Xiaobei stepped into 1st Street with anticipation.
That place was just as luxurious and high-end. But one thing stood out. There was a large wall north of the block. It was about a few hundred meters tall, and stretched as far as the eye could see. From where he was standing, Chen Xiaobei could not find the end of the wall. Who knows how long it was? But one thing was certain, this wall separated the living quarters of the nobles in the inner city from the outer city where the foreigners lived!
Ju Niao said that the half-nobles lived in 1st Street. Even though they had permanent residences, they were not considered to be true nobles and were not allowed to pass through that wall.
The only way a foreigner could do that was to become a Northern Wilderness soldier chosen by the temple!
It dawned on Chen Xiaobei just how frightening this starfield was!
Even a 110,000 combat power Phantom Rain was eliminated! The 130,000 combat power Emperor God was not selected!
What did that mean?
Only those whose combat power exceeded 130,000 were chosen?
130,000 was already the Pinnacle Phase of Celestial Cultivation! If it goes up any higher, that would be a whole new Ethereal Cultivation!
Only those who reached Ethereal Cultivation could be chosen?
Of course, this was just Chen Xiaobei's speculation.
Phantom Rain might not have been chosen because her strength was not enough, but what was the reason the Emperor God was not chosen?
The only way to find out was to get to that stage.
…
As he strolled around the place, questions filled Chen Xiaobei's mind. He also managed to find out where Violet Bamboo Restaurant was.
Once he was done exploring, he found a quiet place where he summoned the Somersault Cloud and left.
There were still nine hours before his dinner appointment. With his pocket full of resources, it was only right that used the time he had left to train.
To some people, nine hours is barely enough to sleep but to Chen Xiaobei, it was a whole lot of time to increase his strength!
"I will reserve the 500 medium-grade Spiritual Stones since it's a currency here. I could use it to buy things I may need. I will only use the Beast Core to train since I could use it to increase both my health and my combat power!"
Chen Xioabei was sitting on the Somersault Cloud when he conjured up this plan. He took out the Platinum-tier Beast Core out from the Infinite Space Ring, it was shaped like a crystal and it was giving off a paler silver aura. This one was a much higher grade than the one Chen Xiaobei had used before.
"Shatter!"
Chen Xiaobei used the Spiritual Attribute to break open the Beast Core.
Silver fumes were released from the core and traveled into Chen Xiaobei's stomach through his mouth.
This was the essence of a Silver-tier Giant Beast!
The tiny particles brought about a feeling of rivers and streams rushing into his limbs and his bones, soaking into his veins.
"Wow! That was intense! If I could convert all of it, my strength and my health will increase by 10,000!"
Chen Xiaobei did not wait a second longer to summon the Dark Powers to convert the essences!
Based on the speed of his prior training, he could increase 100 Attribute Points in 1 hour and 10,000 Attribute Points would need 100 hours!
"100 hour is equivalent to 4 days… It's still quite a waste of time…"
Chen Xiaobei thought to himself while he was converting the essence of the beast.
He was used to increasing his combat powers and health at a rapid rate. Four days was really quite slow for him.
If anyone heard what he was saying, they would have attacked him for showing off.
To regular people, to increase 10,000 Spiritual Points, even with enough resources would take a few years, maybe even a decade!
Chen Xiaobei's complaints that four days was to slow would annoy many other practitioners.
"What if I use the Sunlight Cache? I could complete it in four minutes!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled and proceeded to retrieve the Sunlight Cache.
"Prajna Paramita."
Chen Xiaobei chanted the spell and the Sunlight Cache illuminated its surroundings with at least two meters in radius in red.
The area which the red light irradiated, would experience an acceleration of time. One day inside the light was equivalent to one minute outside the light.
That was how four days of training could be shortened to four minutes!
Four days to increase 10,000 combat power and 10,000 health was enough to raise the envy of the other practitioners! But to do it in one day was would send them into a rage! Four minutes for what people spent years and years of hard training. This was something many people, either on earth or in high-ranked starfield, would never be able to achieve in their entire lifetime.
The four minutes passed by very quickly.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of Celestial Cultivation; Health: 100,100; Combat power 79,700!]
The four minutes, to Chen Xiaobei, was four whole days, 96 hours!
With the help of the Blood Descendant's Dark Power, Chen Xiaobei's health and combat powers increased by 9,600!
The rest of the essence would take another four hours to convert.
Since every one minute of using the Sunlight Cache would take away one year of his life, it was not that worth it to spend one year for 4 hours.
He still had quite some time before dinner anyway. He could use the time to do it slowly.
Chen Xiaobei continued to convert the essence.
…
It took him exactly four hours.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Celestial Cultivation; Health: 100,500; Combat power: 80,100]
The entire Silver-tier Giant Beast was completely devoured by Chen Xiaobei—both his combat power and health had improved greatly.
With the help of the Prime of Tongtian's Divine Skill, the Primordial Witch King Combat Training Enhancement Manual, he could unleash 124,300 combat power.
But limited by his health, the highest his actual combat power could reach was only 105,000! According to the Northern Wilderness Starfield's ranking system, he had reached Five-Star Gold!
It took the prodigy Phantom Rain ten years to increase her combat power to only 110,000.
But today, Chen Xiaobei would only have to spend another few minutes and 240 medium-grade Spiritual Stones to surpass her!
The fact was, Chen Xiaobei did have enough Spiritual Stones at hand!
"There's still some time left. In for a penny, in for a pound—I might as just increase my cultivation even more!"
Chen Xiaobei was feeling very enthusiastic.
Ding!
His phone suddenly rang.
It could only connect to Three Realm Intranet, so it must be someone from the group.
Immediately, Chen Xiaobei took out the cell phone.
Yanwang: Xiaobei! Why did you use the Dark Power and the Sunlight Cache again? I was reading the Book of Life and Death just now and saw that your lifespan has decreased! You can't just simply use it! ?
Chen Xiaobei: Mm… I know. I know that using the Dark Power would take away some years off my life. But I had 7,470 years left. That just a little bit of it! I want to increase my cultivation as quickly as I can!
Yanwang: It was not just a little! It was a lot! So very much! Like a frigging lot!
Chen Xiaobei: Really? How much? ?
Yanwang: It is recorded in the book that using the Sunlight Cache will take away 400 years of life. Using the Dark Power will take off 5,000 years! Now you only have 2,070 years left!
Chen Xiaobei: What the f*ck! No way! Brother, I think you got it wrong! ?
Yanwang: No, I did not! The Life and Death Book is never wrong!
Chen Xiaobei: Did your PE teacher teach you math? ? Using the Sunlight Cache for four minutes should take only 40 years off! Using the Dark Power should only take 1,000 years off! Not only is the Book of Life and Death wrong, it is so wrong it is ridiculous!
Yanwang: It really is never wrong! The problem must be with the Law of Time! I suspect that Sheng Gongpao had asked the Lord of Primordial Heaven to change it!
Chen Xiaobei: What… What do you mean? The Law of Time can be changed?
Yanwang: Of course! The Sunlight Cache and the Moonlight Cache are two Spiritual Items that mess with the Law of Time! Now that Chanism is ruling the heaven, every single law within three realms is controlled by the Primordial Lord of Heaven! The Law of Reincarnation was taken back by the Ancestral Lord. Other laws are still under the Primordial Lord of Heaven's ruling. All he needed to do is make a tiny amendment and he will be able to get what he wants!
Chen Xiaobei: F*ck! That old bastard and Shen Gongpao are so cunning! I could've accidentally used my lifespan and died in the middle of training!
Finding out the truth boiled Chen Xiaobei's blood and he swore indignantly.
Yanwang: Mm, luckily the calamity is just around the corner. The other saints are watching them closely, so the Primordial Lord of Heaven doesn't dare to do as he wishes! Or you would've died!
Chen Xiaobei: This is just outrageous! I must retaliate!
Yanwang: Xiaobei, calm down. This is not the time to take revenge on anyone. If Chanism was trying to mess with you last time, they are coming after your life this time!
Chen Xiaobei: I know that already. Jiang Ziya, Six Ear Macaque, and Heavenly Soldiers came down to the earthly realm… I know the Chanism's shady tricks all too well. They will definitely do whatever it takes to eliminate me!
Yanwang: It's good that you know! But the Primordial Lord of Heaven amended the Law of Time with two different intentions!
Chen Xiaobei: You mean there's another reason for it other than to get rid of me?
Yanwang: Of course! They do that so that you won't be able to use the Dark Power and the Sunlight Cache as you like. That way, your training will progress so much slower! So even if doesn't kill you, it would be easier for the people they send to kill you!
Chen Xiaobei: I understand. My training speed will suffer. But at least I still have Sifu's Scripture of Heaven and Earth! As long as I work hard, I could still continue to increase my combat power and health at a steady pace!
Yanwang: Yeah! Thankfully, you still have the Prime of Tongtian supporting you! You must not give up! You are the only disciple that the Prime of Tongtian has!
Chen Xiaobei: I must! For Sifu and I will not let that old bastard get what he wants! I beat whoever they send to come after me so badly until their mothers don't recognize them!
Yanwang: That's good! Remember that you cannot use the Sunlight Cache and the Dark Power! And you also have to try to earn back your years of life!
Chen Xiaobei: How am I going to do that? I can't eat the Saturn Peach anymore. What other ways are there?
Yanwang: There are actually many Divine Items that can increase a person's lifespan, for example Grand Deity Zhen Yuan's Ginseng fruit! Laotzu also has a lot of pills that can lengthen your lifespan! You can also exchange merit points for life! Unfortunately, the Merit Points Book is in the Chanism's hand. I think they will take advantage of you if you plan to spend your merit points to buy those items!
Chen Xiaobei: Tell me how can I use merit points to exchange for life! I have quite a lot of it now. I will figure out something if they try to take advantage of me!
Yanwang: Normally, 10,000 merit points can be exchanged for 1 year!
Chen Xiaobei: What?! 10,000 for only 1 year?! That's insane! 😧
Yanwang: It's not, actually. Think about it, you are rewarded with 10,000 merit points for killing one first-generation villain! But a regular person would never be able to accumulate so many points even if they do good things their entire life!
Chen Xiaobei: Oh…. That's true… If a normal person has enough merit points, how are they going to exchange it? They can't contact Chanism!
Yanwang: They can do it through prayers! Once they have enough merit points, heaven will immediately receive their prayers! He can ask for longevity, peace, luck… No matter what he asks for, it will happen according to how much merits he has! This rule was set by the Ancestral Lord himself for the sake of promoting good in humans. He wants the people to know the heaven will always reward those that do good!
Chen Xiaobei: Is that true? Then why is it that so many good people are in bad situations?
Yanwang: That's because they only pray for their friends and family, some even pray for everyone in general! Every time heaven answers their prayers, their merit points are deducted. So, when bad things come to them, they will not be protected by heaven!
Chen Xiaobei: Oh, now I know… It's not because heaven is blind but because these kind people are too selfless!
Yanwang: Exactly! There are actually quite a lot of these people!
Chen Xiaobei: Back to serious business! Then can I play like a normal person? Then I won't have to deal with Chanism!
Yanwang: You can't. If your prayer reaches the heavens, the people guarding the Merit Points Book will know that it's you. No matter what, you cannot avoid Chanism!
Chen Xiaobei: Hmm, this is really quite troublesome. I will give Grand Deity Zhen Yuan and Laotzu's method a try first. Using my merits will be the last resort.
Yanwang: Yes! This is the right decision! Other than exchanging for extra life span, you can exchange for a whole lot of other stuff at Merit Points Book! You should save those merit points first. Maybe you will need them in the future.
Chen Xiaobei: What can I exchange them for? 🤔
Yanwang: Theoretically, if you have enough merit points, you should be able to exchange a lot of things. But the reality is, the more valuable an item is, the more merit points it will cost! It could even reach an astronomical price! It would be difficult to get really good items. You can go ask Jiang Ziya more about it! He used to guard the Merit Points Book!
Chen Xiaobei: Alright! Thank you for your guidance! I think I've pretty much understood everything!
Yanwang: Good. There's something else I want to tell you! The Duanwu festival is coming! Get ready for a wave of exciting Red Envelope Snatching Session!
Chen Xiaobei: Ooh! That is what I like! I always get a lot of Red Envelopes! But I have a question! Duanwu festival is to commemorate Qu Yuan… Why is the heavenly realm butting in?
Yanwang: Who said the heavenly realm is butting in? We are celebrating it on our own! You haven't received a Red Envelope for a while now, so, I especially prepared this Duanwu festival party and made sure that this whole snatching session is legal! So that you can get more!
Chen Xiaobei: You're saying that you are having this party for me? Brother! I don't know to thank you!
Yanwang: Don't you already have the answer to that? Don't you know what I like?
Chen Xiaobei: Understood! Spicy sticks, WaHaHa High Cal Milk, and spicy mini lobsters! I will make sure that your cravings will be satisfied!
Yanwang: That sounds great! 🤤 But do you have anything different? I like trying new things!
Chen Xiaobei: Of course! There's five-kernel zongzi 1 , durian zongzi, Laoganma zongzi… There's nothing you can't think of that I don't have!
Yanwang: Sweet! Oh, just thinking about it makes me happy! Wahaha…
Chen Xiaobei: It's all set then. Duanwu festival! Be there or be square!
Yanwang: Of course! 🤤
Yanwang: Oh! I almost forgot something! Give me one merit point now!
Chen Xiaobei: Why? 🤔
Yanwang: I'll help you upgrade your Netherspirit Battlescouter so that you can keep tabs on your lifespan. I don't always read the Book of Life and Death. In case the Primordial Lord of Heaven wants to play any tricks again, you are aware of how many years you have left. That way we can prevent any accidents!
Chen Xiaobei: Great! I really have to keep an eye out!
After that, Chen Xiaobei sent one merit point over to Yanwang as a 'fee' for upgrading his Netherspirit Battlescouter. It was actually just to keep Shen Gongpao off their backs.
Ding!
[1 merit point delivered!]
Ding!
[You current total merit points is 2,859,998. That is 140,002 points away from the next level. (Charm: 286,000; Luck:286,000)]
"It's always good to have the support from our own people. My ex-Shixiong gave me two Cleansing Bodhi last time and only asked for one merit point! This time, I got an upgrade for the Netherspirit Battlescouter! This is awesome!"
Chen Xiaobei placed his Nertherspirit Battlescouter in a Red Envelope and sent it over as well.
Of course, Chen Xiaobei was not naïve enough to believe that one merit point could buy him some groundbreaking Divine Items.
The Primordial Lord of Heaven had prohibited giving Red Envelopes to the people in the earthly realm without the exchange of merit points. His sorry excuse was that this was to protect the earthly realm.
The bigger the item, the greater the influence to the earthly realm, the more merit points it would cost.
Cleansing Bodhi and upgrading the Netherspirit Battlescouter had minimal influence on the earthly realm. So, it was reasonable to exchange only one merit point for them.
If Monkey King also sold his Jingu Bang for one merit point, Shen Gongpao would definitely come knocking at his door!
Ding!
[Congratulations! You've received Yuanwang's Red Envelope! You have received a Netherspirit Battlescouter. It has been stored in your treasure chest!]
The upgrade seemed to be pretty simple. He got it back almost immediately.
Chen Xiaobei then immediately retrieved it.
This Nertherspirit Battlescouter was like another Golden Gaze Fiery Eyes. It was a Spiritual Item, not actual eyes.
After communicating with its Spiritual Attribute, a blue light shone right into Chen Xiaobei's left eye.
Then ancient writings of the underworld swam inside his eye like a river, brewing a mysterious power.
The words formed into a circle like an ancient formation and complete blocked Chen Xiaobei's left eye.
The Netherspirit Battlescouter was in place.
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of Celestial Cultivation; Lifespan: 2070; Health: 100,500; Combat power: 80,100]
"Oh! I see it! I can see my lifespan! That way, there won't be any problems the next time I use the Dark Powers or the Sunlight Cache!"
Chen Xiaobei grinned. From now on he did not have to worry about speeding up his training.
"My Netherspirit Battlescouter has leveled up! Even my phone is upgraded!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled as he took out his new Dami 17!
What Chen Xiaobei meant by upgrading his phone was not that he was going to do anything to the phone physically but he was going to transfer the function of Red Envelope Group to his Dami 17.
Actually, since he learned that his new phone could be used on earth, he had been itching to perform the upgrade.
Right now was just the right time and place to do it.
The process was actually very simple.
One time, Liu Xuanxin had slapped him so hard he fell into the water. He really freaked out because his phone was wet. But Old Wang explained (refer to chapter 738) that there was a small Spatial Formation in his phone, it was also his first treasure chest.
Chen Xiaobei transferred the Spatial Formation into the Wrath Bolt ring, which became today's Infinite Space Ring. Not only did the ring served as a treasure chest, but it was also a hotspot for Three Realms Intranet.
Changing his phone was like connecting to a new wifi connection, and this hotspot could connect to the Three Realms Intranet. All Chen Xiaobei needed to do was to key in his account password in the chat setting and use all of the functions of the Three Realm Envelop Group as usual.
"Done!"
Chen Xiaobei had successfully connected to Three Realms Intranet using Dami 17 and signed in to the Three Realms Red Envelope Group.
The line on his old phone went offline immediately.
This meant that Chen Xiaobei was the only person who could sign in the Three Realms Red Envelope Group.
Even if other people were able to connect to the Three Realms Intranet, without the account password, they cannot chat with other people. What was the point of being connected then?
Next, Chen Xiaobei transferred the contacts in the old phone to the new one. Now his old phone could retire with pride.
"When I've earned enough Spiritual Stones, all my friends and family will be using Dami 17. They will have a heck of a time!" said Chen Xiaobei with a smile.
He then drove his Somersault Cloud to land in a no-man zone.
It was nearly dinner time.
Chen Xiaobei put on the old-man mask and the black cloak then headed for Purple Bamboo Restaurant.
Because it was dinner time, the streets were bustling. Some people were traveling on Spiritual Beasts while the others were on their flying cars.
When he was nearing Purple Bamboo Restaurant, Chen Xiaobei saw an old lady with a four or five-year-old boy.
They were trying to cross the road. But there were too many vehicles zooming past, and none of them stopped to give way to the grandmother and grandson.
Every time she stepped forward, she would have to retreat a few more steps.
Her grandson was getting irritated, jumping and begging to go home.
The old lady's frowned every time the little boy complained.
"Let me bring you over!"
Chen Xiaobei walked up to the pair.
"Er…" The granny looked doubtful.
"Follow me."
Chen Xiaobei said nothing more and stepped out into the crazy traffic.
Honk! Honk!
Screeeeech…
The cars and the Spiritual Beasts on the roads screeched to a halt. They were forced to stop for Chen Xiaobei.
"Hey, grandpa! Who crosses the road like that! If you're tired of living then feel free to tell me!"
"Hey old man! You scared me to death!"
"What the f*ck, you old frump! You scared the shit out of my Spiritual Beast! Can you afford to pay me back?"
The drivers and riders were screaming at Chen Xiaobei. He had obviously stepped on their toes.
"Come on, I'll help you get across!" Chen Xiaobei turned around to say.
Seeing the angry crowd spewing hateful words, the granny and her grandson froze.
That annoyed the drivers even more, some were even rolling up their sleeves, ready to teach Chen Xiaobei a lesson.
It was quite an awkward scene!
Chen Xiaobei was stuck in the middle of the road. He could not retreat not move forward. It was so difficult to be kind!
But a voice spoke and broke the awkward spell.
"Everybody! Stop scolding! We should respect the old and care for the young! You should all learn from this old gentleman instead! Don't be proud of immorality!"
It was a girl's voice, soft and sweet like the summer rain.
But this gentle voice had a certain persuasiveness about it. The lambasting quieted down.
The aggrieved drivers and riders shut their mouth, not daring to even breathe.
Chen Xiaobei raised his head and saw a white flying car.
All of the cars were quired to fly near the ground in 1st Street but only this car was allowed to fly higher up in the air. Obviously, the owner of the car was someone of high standing.
In the back window of the car, Chen Xiaobei spotted a beautiful face.
Her features were delicate like those of a character from a comic book. Her skin was fair and satiny like flawless porcelain! She had straight, long dark hair and a silver feather on each of her ears!
Her beauty was comparable to that of a goddess!
Other than her appearance, there was an air of regality about her and she had a certain sacred appeal about her, like a compassionate bodhisattva.
The fact that she had stopped the car just to stop the mob attacking Chen Xiaobei was enough proof that she also had the benevolent heart of the bodhisattva.
The idiom "the appearance stems from the mind" was really quite true!
But this gorgeous, kind-hearted, prestigious, prominent, and rich girl suffered one of the biggest shortcomings—her health!
With Chen Xiaobei's medical skills, he could tell, even from a distance, that this noble young woman was terribly ill, so ill that it was lethal!
Ding!
[Cultivation: Early phase of Ethereal Cultivation; Lifespan: 6 months; Health: 100; Combat power: 180,000]
Chen Xiaobei was shocked by what he discovered using his newly upgraded Netherspirit Battlescouter.
Just as he had predicted, she only had six months left to live.
But the 180,000 combat power Ethereal Cultivation was not what he had expected. This girl looked about the same age as Phantom Rain!
Her training speed was scary!
Chen Xiaobei wondered for a moment if he should help this girl. But the girl rolled up the window and left the scene.
"Guess it's not fated…"
Chen Xiaobei looked back and said, "Old lady, bring your grandson over! Everybody is waiting."
"Oh! Coming…" The grandmother held the little boy by the hand and followed Chen Xiaobei across the road.
Ding!
[Respecting the old and caring for the young. You have been awarded 2 merit points!
Ding!
[Your total merit points is now 2,860,000. You are 140,000 merit points away from the next level! (Charm: 286,000, Luck: 286,000)]
"Ooh! That rounds it up!"
Chen Xiaobei smiled as he waved goodbye to the old lady and her grandson.
But when he arrived at Violet Bamboo Restaurant, Chen Xiaobei was stunned for a moment. The white flying car just now was parked right in front of Violet Bamboo Restaurant!
"Oh! Master Chen! You're here! I was starting to worry that you weren't going to show up!"
Gu Congwen greeted Chen Xiaobei at the door of the restaurant—a gratifying smile seemed to permanently stuck on his face.
"Mm." Chen Xiaobei simply nodded, and then asked casually, "Who is the owner of this car?"
"That…"
Gu Congwen took a glance at the vehicle parked out front and his face immediately paled. He said in almost a whisper, "If I'm not mistaken, this belongs to the eldest daughter of the Wenren Family, Lady Wen…"
"Wenren Family?"
Chen Xiaobei cocked his head in interest.
"You must be from a very faraway planet, Master Chen. Or you would know that the Wenren family is one of the few long-standing aristocrats!" Gu Congwen's expression change into one of reverence as he explained. "The Wenren family's predecessors were core Elders of Northern Wilderness Temple! This lady's father is the current patriarch of the family. He also holds a very important role in the temple!"
"Oh… No wonder." Chen Xiaobei nodded and said, "On my way here I witnessed this lady's authority. It all makes sense now!"
Gu Congwen thought for a while and then asked, "Not really, actually! I heard a rumor recently that her father will be transferred back to Silver Plume City! That's basically giving him the boot! That's why my advice is that you don't get too close to the Wenren family…"
"Transfer back to Silver Plume City?" Chen Xiaobei's mind drifted off.
He had learned from Ju Niao that the destruction of Atlantis meant the Lu family's short-lived reign was cut short.
The reason for the head of the Wenren family was asked to return to Silver Plume was not because he was about to be given the axe but because the Temple was so confident in him, they wanted to entrust him with the responsibility of handling the sudden disturbance!
In earth's term, he was like an imperial emissary! Even the Silver Plume governor would have to kowtow to him!
But right now, much was not made known to the common folks, they have merely heard rumors like Gu Congwen did.
Only the handful of people who were aware that something had happened to Atlantis would understand; only those close to the Wenren family would know the truth!
There was something troubling about this.
Only a few were notified of what had happened to Atlantis. This was a telling sign that the Temple did not want the public to know about it!
It could probably be a move to protect the Lu family!
The Lu Family's forefather was a temple Elder and the Lu Family had profited greatly in the Southern Town Star Temple. They would have built deep connections and extensive networks.
What happened to Atlantis was not trivial. If the Lus were displaced, they would lose everything.
Even if they had to dig deep into their pockets to buy themselves out of trouble, or even if they had to exhaust all their connections, the Lu Family would do everything to protect themselves.
If that was the case, then Chen Xiaobei's plan to annihilate the entire Lu Family as taking vengeance for Demonic Fox would go down like a lead balloon.
What if the Lu Family combed through the earth and dug up everything about Chen Xiaobei?!
That would be the biggest threat!
If they found out about Chen Xiaobei's identity, they might assassinate all of his friends and family on earth!
Chen Xiaobei must think of a way to resolve this! He would have to get up close and personal with the Wenren family, Lady Wenren!
"Master Chen? Why aren't you talking? Come on, let's get inside!" Gu Congwen said.
"Alright, let's go in."
As the top restaurant in 1st Street, Violet Bamboo Restaurant was of considerable size and of excellent quality. Of course, that meant that the cost was also very high. Chen Xiaobei picked up the menu and browsed through it. A meal could cost up to a few hundred low-grade Spiritual Stones. And that did not even include ordering a bottle of good wine!
If this one meal was paid in yuan, it could bankrupt a billionaire in China!
While dining here cost literally an arm and a leg, it was fair considering nearly everything they served featured a 1-star Spiritual Item: Spiritual Fruit salad, Spiritual Vegetable stir-fry, Spiritual Beast meat, etc.
If he borrowed Xiao'er's Special Ability, one meal could greatly increase his cultivation. That was basically the same as eating Spiritual Stones. Of course, it was expensive!
Certainly, other than the ingredients they use here, what really drew people to dine here were the seven intergalactic master chefs!
They were well versed with the cuisines of the dozens of neighboring planets and were skilled at preparing and working with hundreds and thousands of ingredients.
The dishes they served were appealing in taste and presentation, and were often innovative.
For this reason, the governor of Silver Plume City would visit Violet Bamboo Restaurant a few times every month. During one of his visits, he would taste the food the public had to offer him. If a person's dish was chosen, he or she would be rewarded.
"Master Chen, pick whatever you like. Treat this as your own home. Don't restrain yourself."
Gu Congwen had invited Chen Xiaobei here to show him how generous a person he was.
Chen Xiaobei then put down the menu and said, "Why don't you pick something for me. I don't wish to bankrupt you."
"No! No! You don't have to be so courteous with me, Master Chen!" Gu Congwen said, "Allow me to claim ties with you! You feel like an old friend to me! If you don't mind, I would like to call you brother. From now own, we are on the same side!"
"Huh?" Chen Xiaobei was taken aback.
He then resorted to speaking in his own natural voice.
"Since we are on each other's side, I won't pretend with you anymore. I am actually from a younger generation," said Chen Xiaobei as he peeled off his mask.
Chen Xiaobei had put on the mask to avoid any scuffle from being looked down at in the Chamber of Commerce.
But since Gu Congwen had expressed his regard for Chen Xiaobei, there was no need for him to continue his disguise.
But more importantly, Chen Xiaobei's next plan was to make contact with Lady Wenren. He would be saving himself a lot of trouble in the future by doing that as his real self.
"Oh my god… Master Chen… You…"
Gu Congwen gawped at Chen Xiaobei's real face.
"You don't have to call me that."
"Yes… Mr. Chen, you almost gave me a hard attack! You are a young hero! How impressive!" Gu Congwen exclaimed.
"You're too kind, Elder Gu. I hope you don't judge a book by its over. I hope you won't treat me just as a young amateur."
"How could I?!" Gu Congwen said. "Mr. Chen is willing to show your real face to me. That means you trust me. And I will be even more sincere toward you!"
"Then I have nothing to worry about." Chen Xiaobei nodded and said, "Since I will be here in Silver Plume City for quite some time, I will be visiting you quite often to trade with you!"
Chen Xiaobei knew that Gu Congwen had roped in him in hopes that they could do more business together in the future. So, Chen Xiaobei made the first move, knowing that Gu Congwen would appreciate the favor.
"You're welcome! You'll always be welcome!" Gu Congwen patted his chest and said, "The next time Mr. Chen comes to my shop, you will receive the VIP treatment! I will always try to give you the best price possible! I will make sure you don't make any losses!"
"Alright! That's a deal!" Chen Xiaobei smiled.
"Oh no… Oh no…"
There was a sudden commotion outside the private dining cubicle.
"Water! Hot water! Hurry! Bring a bucket of hot water! Lady Wenren's illness is acting up…"
"Elder Gu, what illness is Ms. Wenren suffering from?" Chen Xiaobei asked.
"I heard that it's something called Freezing Demon Illness… Gu Cong said, "She would have episodes where her body will temperature would drop severely and emit cold air. She would eventually be completely frozen and the temperature of her surroundings will drop drastically!"
Chen Xiaobei raised a brow. This sickness was called ALS back on earth.
But this illness that Lady Wenren had could affect the temperature around her. ALS was nothing compare to it!
"Hot water doesn't help cure her, does it?" Chen Xiaobei was still uncertain as to how to cure this illness but he was very sure that hot water was ineffective.
"No, of course not. But no one in the entire Northern Wilderness Starfield could cure this strange sickness!" Gu Cong said, "Even the doctors of the Temple were unable to do anything. They could only use hot water to try to control the cold. There's no cure… It's really unfortunate—she's a very good daughter and she's hanging on to dear life…"
"I actually have a way to not only suppress the cold, but also to prolong her life!" Chen Xiaobei said, his brows furrowed.
"You know a cure? How is that possible? You are so young!" Gu Cong looked at Chen Xiaobei with disbelief.
"I thought you said you don't judge a book by its cover!"
"Yes, yes, yes…" Gu Cong quickly tried to explain himself, "I'm just looking at it logically. I'm not judging you by your age!"
Chen Xiaobei could not deny that. There was an old Chinese proverb that goes 'a youth without facial hair cannot be relied upon'. It was unavoidable that people would question when a young man does anything big.
The only way to shut them up was to prove them wrong.
Chen Xiaobei said, "Based on what I've observed, she only has 6 months left to live. Am I right?"
"That's right… but the Temple's ordained doctors had already made the same diagnosis. This is something many people already know…"
"Alright, it seems like you still don't believe me. Let's go over and take a look!"
Chen Xiaobei could not be bothered to argue with him. Action speaks louder than words.
"Hold on, Mr. Chen! Did you forget what I said? This is not a good time to get too close to the Wenren family.
"It won't be a problem. It's you don't want to get involved, you can pretend not to know me!"
Chen Xiaobei shrugged and walked out of the cubicle.
"I…"
Gu Cong really did not want to go but he had just openly declared that Chen Xiaobei was his own people now. If he abandoned Chen Xiaobei now, he would insincere.
For the lack of better options, Gu Cong braced himself and followed behind Chen Xiaobei.
…
Ms. Wenren's cubicle was surrounded by onlookers.
They were mostly Silver Plume nobles. None of them entered the cubicles, they were just nosing around.
"Sigh… These people at Violet Bamboo Restaurant people are too realistic!" said a young Silver Plum noblewoman. "Last time, when Ms. Wenren needed hot water, they would bring it in a pure gold bucket and bend over backward to get it to her! But it's taking them so long to get it to her now!"
"Based on what you're saying," a Silver Plume nobleman said, "The Violet Bamboo Restaurant boss also has his own support! Wenren Jinghao is being sent back to Silver Plume planet. We already know what is going to happen!"
"What? Wenren Jinghao is fired?" The woman asked.
Many of the other Silver Plume nobles shot a look of disdain at the woman for her ignorance of the issue.
Apparently, most of the nobles already knew about Wenren Jinghao's transfer back to Silver Plume Planet, but none of them knew about what happened to Atlantis!
Back when Wenren Jinghao was still a Temple Elder, these people would not have stood around outside but rush into the cubicle to try to help his daughter to curry favor.
…
"Mr. Chen, do you see that?"
Standing behind the crowd, Gu Cong said in a hushed voice, "Here in Northern Wilderness Starfield, the Temple is the highest authority. Those whom the temple sack are people who have done wrong! Who would dare mingle with a sinner?"
"Alright, just pretend you don't know me!" Chen Xiaobei said in a somber tone, "That girl is very kind. I will not watch her suffer and do nothing about it!"
"But…"
Gu Cong wanted to advice Chen XIaobei against it Chen Xiaobei was already making his way to the door of the cubicle.
"Hey kid! Who are you? You can't just enter as you please!"
The Silver Plume nobles who were standing outside asked rudely when they saw Chen Xiaobei, the foreigner.
"I am a Silver Plume 3rd Regiment soldier, Chen Zhufeng!" Chen Xiaobei answered in a calm voice.
"3rd Regiment? Isn't that the rubbish new regiment that was destroyed?"
The noblewoman who had spoken earlier affronted.
Chen Xiaobei replied in a frosty tone, "All of the soldiers in the 3rd Regiment sacrificed their lives to protect the Governor of Silver Plume. Please show some respect!"
Even though Chen Xiaobei was not really a soldier from the 3rd Regiment, he had seen how the soldiers risked their lives to defeat the Demonic Beasts that threatened the safety of the planet.
It annoyed Chen Xiaobei that the woman called the 3rd Regiment rubbish.
"Heh, hehehe…" The noblewoman laughed. "Northern Wilderness soldiers—that's the nicer way to call yourselves. But the uglier term for you people is 'watchdogs that the Temple bought with Spiritual Stones'! Isn't it expected for dogs to die for their owners?!"
Chen Xiaoberi was even more exasperated by this comment. As an outsider, he was seen as just a dog to these Northern Wilderness nobles?
"Bullshit!"
Before Chen Xiaobei could express his irritation a bold voice came from behind.
When the crowd turned around, they saw a muscular man walking towards them. He was also a Silver Plume noble, and he looked very much like Ms. Wenren.
He was, obviously, Ms. Wenren's father, the sinner in the people's eyes, Wenren Jinghao!
Before this, whenever Wenren Jinghao visited, the owner of Violet Bamboo Restaurant would personally greet him at the door. But today, he was nowhere to be seen.
Even the Silver Plume nobles who had gathered outside the cubicle did not bother to greet him. They just whispered amongst themselves and pointed fingers at him.
Wenren Jinghao did not even bother to look at them. He merely walked to the noblewoman and said, "I want you to apologize to that little soldier!"
"Why should I?" The noblewoman looked at Wenren Jinghao disrespectfully.
"The population in Northern Wilderness Starfield is small and the Demonic Beasts roam about as they please! If all this while, the soldiers from the lower-ranking starfield had not come to assist us, god only knows how many of our planets would be overrun by those beasts! Think about how many nobles will have died?!" Wenren Jinghao's expression was icy as he said, "As a noble, you should apologize for speaking disrespectfully! You must!"
When Chen Xiaobei heard this, he found himself feeling fond of Wenren Jinghao .
From the way Wenren Jinghao defended the Northern Wilderness soldiers, it was easy to see that he was an upright and forthright man.
Of course, this was reflected upon his daughter. If he were not upright, how could he have brought up such a kind-hearted daughter?
Chen Xiaobei had recently gotten to know from Yanwang that good people might not always be rewarded.
But Chen Xiaobei had decided that he would do something good for these father and daughter pair.
Sadly, Chen Xiaobei was the only who thought that way.
The other people saw Wenren Jinghao as their enemy. They all looked at him with contempt and animosity.
"I won't apologize!" The Silver Plume noblewoman rolled her eyes. "These foreigners are just petty watchdogs. They can always be replaced. Who cares?"
"Are you sure?" Wenren Jinghao asked.
"Heh, what is there not to be sure about? Are you going to hit me if I refuse to apologize?"
The noblewoman raised her chin.
"No, I won't hit you. But you'll pay for it!" Wenren Jinghao said icily.
Those who were listening to the conversation burst out in laughter.
"Haha! So, the rumors are true! Who knew that Wenren Jinghao could be so inciting!"
"Yeah! To think that back then, Wenren Jinghao was so remarkable! All he had to do was stamp his feet and the whole Silver Plum City would tremble! Now, he can't even get a third-grade noble in line. How insulting!"
"Right now, he had all of his authority, he's just like us now. Who would be afraid of him?"
…
The crowd's laughter grew louder, laced with scorn.
"Dad… It hurts… Can you just ignore them…"
Ms. Wenren's voice came from the cubicle. She sounded very weak.
"Alright! I'm coming!" Wenren Jinghao tapped Chen Xiaobei on the shoulder and said, "Young man, you should go ahead and leave! I want to thank you for your kindness. We don't need a soldier here. You should return to your base!"
Chen Xiaobei shook his head and said, "I'm not just a soldier. I practice traditional Chinese medicine! I'm a Chinese doctor!"
"Chinese?" Wenren Jinghao repeated, his mind suddenly drifted to earth and Atlantis.
But before Wenren Jinghao could react the group of nosy nellies turned their arrows toward Chen Xiaobei.
"The f*ck! Is this kid crazy? He can't even grow a full beard and he's claiming to be a traditional Chinese medicine doctor?!"
"Yeah! Traditional Chinese medicine is one of the most esteemed jobs in Northern Wilderness Starfield. Did this kid really think we're stupid enough to believe his lies?"
"And you know what, he thinks he can cure this strange sickness that even the Temple-ordained doctors are unable to cure?! This is some mind-blowing bullshit! Wow!"
…
Clearly, no one believed Chen Xiaobei.
Even Gu Congwen shrank into a corner, pretending that he did not know who Chen Xiaobei was.
Chen Xiaobei did not mind these people's reactions. To him, they were just a group of clowns.
What was more important was for Wenren Jinghao to believe him.
But.
If it were you, would you believe a young man in his twenties when he tells you that he was an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor?
Wenren Jinghao said in calmly, "Young man, thank you for your kind intentions. But there is no cure for my daughter's sickness. Just go back!"
Chen Xiaobei felt a little annoyed with himself. If he had not removed his mask, Wenren Jinghao would have taken his word already.
Wenren Jinghao looked out at the walkway and shouted, "Hot water! Why isn't here yet?"
"Coming! Coming!"
A little kid was running towards the cubicle with a basin of hot water.
"Qing'er? How come you are the one who fetched the water? Where are the workers of Violet Bamboo Restaurant?" Wenren Jinghao frowned.
"They gave all sorts of excuses not to do it. So, I had to do it!" Qing'er answered. She looked disheveled as she ran over as fast as her little legs could take her.
This little girl's name was Wenren Qing'er. She was a Silver Plume orphan that the Wenren family had adopted. Since she could walk, she was always taking care of Ms. Wenren. She was almost like the half-daughter of Wenren Jinghao!
When Wenren Jinghao saw her little hands reddened and burned by the hot water, his blood boiled.
Bang! Splash!
Just as she was running over, the noblewoman who had argued with Chen Xiaobei put out a leg to trip over Wenren Qing'er.
The little girl was so focused on sending the water over that she did not notice the outstretched leg and tumbled to the ground.
The water splashed all over the floor and her clothes were soaked.
"What are you doing?!" Chen Xiaobei shouted.
He could not stand and watch anymore.
"What does that have anything to do with you? Be a good dog and go guard the door! You are in no position to speak here!" The noblewoman spat.
"Young man, don't argue with her. She's the woman who sticks out her right leg to trip people!"
Wenren Jinghao was pissed but he did not attack the woman but went to help Wenren Qing'er.
"Oh, you remember that I used my right leg? If you have the guts to, then come over here and break my right leg! It's useless for use to hold the grudge!"
"What is happening here?"
A portly man, guarded by four very well-dressed middle-aged man came to the scene.
"Governor…"
"Greeting, governor!"
The crowd went down on one knee and kowtowed to the portly man.
Only Wenren Jinghao and Chen Xiaobei remained standing.
"Is Wenren Jinghao crazy? Why isn't he kneeling down? He's a sinner! And that kid! He's just a new soldier and look at him refusing to bow before the governor! How audacious!"
"Why are you so worried for them? They will be punished for not showing the governor his due respect!"
The governor overheard the two Silver Plume nobleman talking amongst themselves.
"What did you just say?"
The governor turned around and looked at the men.
The four well-dressed men did not need any instructions. They walked towards the men and picked them up by the arm.
"Did you just say that Elder Wenren is a sinner?" The governor of Silver Plume said sternly, "Slandering the Temple Elder is punishable by death!"
"What?!"
The two men who had been talking gawped at the governor. "Wasn't Wenren Jinghao transferred back to Silver Plume Planet because he had sinned? Why… Why is he still an Elder?"
"What?" The governor looked at the men like they had just spawned another head between them. "This is an absolutely ridiculous rumor! Who was the one to spread it? I will cut out his tongue!"