In the Ledal Crafts Center, Xu Fang stood inside Lin Bo's shop, clad in a black cloak, discussing matters after purchasing artifacts for Long Xiu.
"Lin Bo, do you know where I can exchange Manifest Coins for Gold and Silver Coins?" Xu Fang inquired.
"Brother Dai, how many Manifest Coins are you looking to exchange?" Lin Bo asked with a smile.
"Around 1000 or a little over, if possible," Xu Fang replied with a serious tone.
"Apologies, Brother Dai, I only have other coins equivalent to 50 Manifest Coins for exchange. You can find a proper exchange center just three buildings away from here," Lin Bo informed him, smiling after Xu Fang's unexpected request.
"Alright, Lin Bo. One more thing, considering your shop is conveniently located, if you gather some information for me, I'll be sure to reward you for your efforts," Xu Fang added, asking Lin Bo for assistance in gathering information.
"Brother Dai, what type of information are you looking for?" Lin Bo inquired, curious about the details.
"For now, two things. First, there's an herb called Pure Yang Lotus. I need to know if anyone has it or if there's a map indicating its location.
The second thing is maps and information about Heavenly Fires," Xu Fang specified, noting the seriousness in Lin Bo's expression, especially at the mention of the second request.
"Brother Dai, I can gather information on the first request, but the second one will be challenging to find because if anyone finds the location of Heavenly Fires, then they want to take it for themselves." Lin Bo informed him with a serious demeanor.
"I understand. Keep a watchful eye and ear on both matters. I'll return here every few days. Consider this an advance for your efforts," Xu Fang said, handing Lin Bo another Elemental Qi Stone as an advance payment before leaving the shop.
'Brother Dai is wealthy and humble. I'll work harder and more honestly for him. He gives me hope to become stronger, something I lost long ago,' Lin Bo reflected in his mind as Xu Fang exited the shop.
Xu Fang proceeded directly to the exchange center in the Ledal Crafts Center, following Lin Bo's recommendation.
"Welcome to the Exchange Center, respectful sir. How may I assist you today?" greeted the female receptionist from across the counter with a smile and a tone of respect.
"Hello, I'd like to exchange some Manifest Coins for Gold and Silver Coins," Xu Fang informed her, maintaining the altered voice he had used earlier.
"Respected Sir, how much would you like to exchange? We have special offers and rates for Manifest Coins:
For 1 to 10 Manifest Coins: 1 Manifest Coin equals 1,000 Gold Coins.
For 11 to 50 Manifest Coins: 1 Manifest Coin equals 1,010 Gold Coins.
For 51 to 100 Manifest Coins: 1 Manifest Coin equals 1,025 Gold Coins.
For 101 to 500 Manifest Coins: 1 Manifest Coin equals 1,050 Gold Coins.
For 501 to 1,000 Manifest Coins: 1 Manifest Coin equals 1,100 Gold Coins," the female receptionist explained the exchange rates.
"What if I wish to exchange more than 1,000 Manifest Coins?" Xu Fang inquired with a serious tone.
"Respected sir, the exchange rate for 1,000 or more Manifest Coins remains the same," the female receptionist responded, her surprise evident in her voice, but she maintained a respectful tone.
"Sure thing. Let's go ahead and swap 1,000 Manifest Coins for some Gold and Silver Coins," Xu Fang directed with a serious air.
"Sir, follow me, please," the receptionist said, leading Xu Fang toward the supervisor's office.
"Mr. Fu, this gent here wants to turn in 1,000 Manifest Coins for Gold and Silver," the receptionist informed upon entering.
In the room, a round man sat scribbling away on a scroll. Brown hair, brown eyes, and a bit on the pudgy side—it seemed like he was in his late twenties. Xu Fang, using his treasure feature, checked out the man's details.
[
Name: Fu Ping
Age: 39 Years old
Gender: Male
Species: Human
Cultivation: Ethereal Fusion Realm (Stage-6)
Elements: Fire, Earth
Profession: Ledal Exchange Center Manager, Craftsman (Tier 4 mid-level)
Title: Fire-Pig, Fatty
]
"Respected Sir, if you don't mind, may I see the Manifest Coins you wish to exchange?" Fu Ping, taken aback by the receptionist's words, asked Xu Fang with a tone of respect.
Xu Fang nodded, waving his hand. Twenty rows of fifty coins each materialized on the table before him, surprising both the receptionist and Fu Ping.
Fu Ping carefully counted the Manifest Coins, then opened a drawer in the table, retrieving two storage rings. He handed them to Xu Fang, stating:
"1,000 Manifest Coins are equivalent to 1,100,000 (1.1M) Gold Coins. Here are 1,000,000 (1M) Gold Coins, and the remaining 100,000 Gold Coins are substituted with 10,000,000 (10M) Silver Coins."
With a smile, Fu Ping informed Xu Fang of the exchanged amount. Xu Fang took the storage rings, infused his Qi to verify the contents, and, after a brief moment, nodded in approval. Fu Ping then waved his hand, storing the Manifest Coins from the table in his storage ring.
"Thank you, and accept this for your excellent service," Xu Fang said, waving his hand to summon four Manifest Coins. He distributed them equally to both Fu Ping and the female receptionists.
"Respected Sir, there's no need for this. We receive our salaries from the Empire," Fu Ping responded with a smile.
"I'm aware of that. Consider it a reward for your honest work," Xu Fang insisted, his tone serious.
"Thank you, Respected Sir." Both Fu Ping and the female receptionists bowed slightly, expressing their gratitude.
Xu Fang left the Exchange Center, finding a secluded street. Removing his cloak, he set his cultivation seal and then proceeded back towards the castle. Along the way, he connected with Long Xiu through Mind Connection.
'Wife, meet me in my room as soon as possible.'
'Husband, what has happened? Are you okay?' Long Xiu's worried voice echoed in his mind.
'Don't worry, wife. I'm okay. I just have something for you,' Xu Fang reassured Long Xiu, conveying that he had a matter to discuss.
'Thank God you are okay. I'll be there shortly,' Long Xiu responded with relief.
Within a few minutes, Xu Fang returned to the castle, entered his room, and found Long Xiu already waiting inside. Locking the door behind him, he turned toward Long Xiu, but before he could say anything, she enveloped him in a tight hug.
Xu Fang didn't have a chance to respond, as he was already embraced by Long Xiu.
"What happened, Xiu Er?" Xu Fang asked her, concern evident in his tone.
"Nothing, Husband. I was just scared when you said you wanted to meet as soon as possible," Long Xiu explained, revealing her fear that something might have happened to him.
"My silly wife, don't be afraid like that. What could happen to me inside the castle?" Xu Fang reassured her, and Long Xiu nodded in response.
They both settled on the bed, and Xu Fang waved his hand, conjuring four wooden boxes on the bed.
"Xiu Er, choose the one you like," Xu Fang offered, encouraging Long Xiu to pick the design of the artifact she preferred.
"Husband, don't tell me you've already bought artifacts," Long Xiu asked, her tone a mix of shock and excitement.
"Indeed. Here are four 'Might Seal Bracelet' artifacts, all Tier-4, and they all have the same function. You can choose the one you like the most," Xu Fang informed her with a smile.
"Tier-4? Husband, that's a truly valuable artifact. How did you manage to acquire it?" Long Xiu expressed her shock upon learning that they were Tier-4 artifacts.
"I'll tell you the details later, but for now, pick the one you like," Xu Fang suggested, gesturing toward the assortment before Long Xiu.
"Wow, Husband, they're all so beautiful, but I've settled on this one. What do you think?" Long Xiu exclaimed, eagerly opening each box to inspect the designs. After a brief moment, she made her choice and proudly displayed it to Xu Fang.
"Let me help you put it on," Xu Fang offered, taking a Might Seal Bracelet artifact from Long Xiu's hand and securing it around her wrist.
"This artifact is gorgeous," Long Xiu remarked, her eyes lighting up like any woman appreciating jewelry.
"Indeed, it's beautiful because it's now adorning your hand," Xu Fang complimented, eliciting a smile from Long Xiu as she happily embraced him.
A few moments later, Xu Fang instructed Long Xiu to infuse the artifact with her Qi and give it a try. Long Xiu followed suit, channeling her energy into the artifact and adjusting her previous cultivation level to test its functionality. Xu Fang, utilizing his unique ability, inspected her cultivation progress, and Long Xiu's detailed panel materialized before his eyes.
[
Name: Long Xiu
Age: 29 Years Old
Gender: Female
Species: Human
Cultivation: Ethereal Fusion Realm (Stage-4) *{ Original Cultivation: Ethereal Fusion Realm (Stage-7) }*
Elements: Wind, Nature
Profession: Array Formations (Tier-4)
Title: 3rd Queen of the Ledal Empire, Arraymaster, Plants Queen
]
"Fantastic! It's operational, and your cultivation level is back to the Ethereal Fusion Realm (Stage-4)," Xu Fang confirmed, satisfied that Long Xiu's artifact was functioning correctly.
"Husband, this feature of checking others' cultivation is amazing," Long Xiu remarked, a smile gracing her face.
"Wife, I've got two more artifacts for you," Xu Fang announced, a grin playing on his lips as he conjured a 'Jade Body Armor' and a 'Zephyr Wind Blade' sword into his hands.
"Zephyr Wind Blade and Jade Body Armor? Husband, do you know I've been wanting this sword since your age, but it's a challenge to find because it's a peak-tier 4 artifact," Long Xiu exclaimed joyfully upon seeing the two artifacts.
"You never tried to find it afterward?" he inquired with curiosity.
"No, I didn't. At that time, I purchased a Tier 4 artifact sword, and I've been using it ever since," Long Xiu replied.
"Then, in the future, make use of them. I'll acquire even higher-tier artifacts for you," Xu Fang assured her with a warm smile.
"Husband, you really shouldn't spend your resources on getting artifacts for me," Long Xiu insisted, her expression serious.
"Silly Wife, if it ensures your safety, I'd go to any lengths to make it happen," Xu Fang declared, playfully pinching her nose. Long Xiu didn't respond verbally; instead, she hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Wife, I can't bear to see you sad or in tears. You know that, right?" Xu Fang said it with a hint of frustration, wiping away her tears gently with his hands.
"I'm sorry, Husband," she apologized, a small smile breaking through her tears.