Chapter 128: Wooden Sword

“Good.”

Jiang Jian smiled at his sister.

This bloodline, for ordinary people, is already an unreachable existence.

For his sister, it is even a cure for soul-loss syndrome.

But for himself,

it is not merely a burden—it is a shackle.

Now, his sister has not been controlled by the bloodline; instead, she has mastered it, turning it into a tool—that is the best possible outcome.

A few minutes later.

Jiang Jian sat alone by the window, opening his identity device.

Two files were sent successively to Director Xu.

A few minutes later.

“Student Jiang Jian, your efficiency is impressive.”

Director Xu replied, “With these two files, your resource package is virtually guaranteed.”

“You’ll hear news in about ten days.”

He ended the communication.

Jiang Jian’s gaze dropped to his unread messages.

Dense and countless—over a thousand in total.

Among them, dozens of messages glowed with blinding golden light.

“If Ji Xue were here, it would save me a lot of time.”

Jiang Jian practiced while swiping through the screen.

He thought of the gray fox.

It worked swiftly.

It greatly aided his focused cultivation.

“Time to replace the Level 3 Talent Orb.”

As he pondered, Jiang Jian carefully sensed the “Dark Fragrance” talent.

Dark Fragrance was highly lethal.

But most of its power stemmed from my own profound spiritual essence, allowing it to reach full potency.

Its traits—boosting cultivation speed and spiritual energy accumulation—

were already lagging behind the “Karma Fire” scripture.

“And you.”

Jiang Jian lowered his gaze to the wooden sword in his hand.

At some point,

fine cracks had appeared on the blade’s surface.

These cracks were thin.

Not obvious.

Yet within them,

a chilling, soul-piercing sharpness subtly seeped out!

Han Guang was never a wooden sword.

The outer white wood was a disguise, a protection.

As if sensing Jiang Jian’s thoughts,

Han Guang trembled lightly.

From the cracks, fine threads of white light struggled forth.

“A divine sword has spirit.”

Jiang Jian murmured to himself.

As a human from Earth,

whether Han Guang Divine Sword or Pure World Divine Fire,

both were gifts bestowed by divine grace.

The Four Realms of Earth-Moon had records of “Heaven-Given Blessings.”

But their number was exceedingly rare.

Jiang Jian, a pure Earth human, received the Heaven-Given Blessing: “Han Guang Divine Sword.”

In Guangling City, during the Divine Blessing Examination,

he also received “Pure World Divine Fire” during the Blessing Ceremony.

All of this—

was luck, opportunity, and divine favor.

It had nothing to do with the bloodline he had severed.

For Jiang Jian,

discarding the bloodline meant shedding shackles—immensely beneficial.

“Once you shed this wooden shell, I’ll store you in my Divine Palace.”

Jiang Jian gently caressed the wooden sword.

Han Guang trembled, emitting a faint chime only Jiang Jian could hear—as if in reply.

The sky vessel pierced through clouds and mist, flying at high speed.

At the horizon’s end,

the majestic, towering Tianzhu Mountain drew nearer.

“Supervisor!”

Captain Yang stepped before the aura barrier and bowed to Jiang Jian.

Jiang Jian pressed his identity device; the barrier dissolved.

“Supervisor,” Captain Yang asked, “Shall we proceed to the Prefectural Office or return to Linjiang Academy?”

“Take me to Linjiang Academy,” Jiang Jian paused slightly, “I won’t go to the Prefectural Office. Take the sky vessel directly back to report.”

Captain Yang replied: “Yes!”

A few minutes later.

The sky vessel adjusted its course slightly, heading toward Sanzhong Jiangcheng.

On his seat,

Jiang Jian pondered a moment, then initiated a real-time communication.

The next second, the call connected.

“Ji Xue.”

Jiang Jian asked, “Have you sorted the emails?”

From the other end came the gray fox’s voice: “All received and stored. The cargo is all accounted for—waiting for you to inspect.”

Its tone was excited, “So many resources! I’ve never seen this many before!”

“Even the auxiliary identity device permissions have been upgraded!”

“Two Prefectures’ Academy Heads!”

“This identity device permission has been certified by both prefectural offices and approved by their Divine Prayer Halls—extremely valuable!”

“It’s usable anywhere within both prefectures!”

The gray fox grew more excited, feeling it had secured a powerful patron, “If you just let a tiny bit of crumbs slip through your fingers, I’ll break through Surge Spring!”

Hearing this,

Jiang Jian chuckled slightly and said, “Get to work immediately. Organize everything. Don’t waste time.”

The gray fox thought for a moment and asked, “Should I start now? Sort all the common resources first, then leave the precious ones for you to open yourself?”

Jiang Jian nodded: “Fine.”

The communication ended.

The sky vessel, mighty and imposing, pierced through the Tianzhu Mountain corridor.

It landed at the academy’s landing field in Sanzhong Jiangcheng.

“Student Jiang Jian, Sister Jiang Zhao.”

Zhao Jianxue picked up her bag, “I’ve finished the Prefectural Office business—I’m heading back now.”

Jiang Jian greeted her: “Alright.”

Jiang Zhao asked, “Student Zhao Jianxue, which academy are you in?”

Zhao Jianxue said, “My entrance exam results were average—I was assigned to the Thirteenth Academy.”

She glanced at Jiang Jian, smiling politely, “To be honest, I’m here at Linjiang Academy thanks to your brother’s influence.”

With that,

she waved to the two and descended the gangway directly.

“Supervisor, we’ll be returning now.”

Captain Yang stepped forward and bowed to Jiang Jian.

Jiang Jian replied, “Alright.”

He disembarked from the Skyship.

Instantly.

Around him, countless students halted their steps and turned to look at Jiang Jian.

Most of their gazes carried awe and admiration; many held respect and reverence.

“It’s Jiang Jian from the First Academy!”

“The Dual-Fu Academic Champion!”

“Dominates both prefectures, ten thousand new students!”

“Level Five Talent!”

“Good heavens!”

“I told you all along—Qi Ming, Lu Tingting, and the others can’t compare to Jiang Jian!”

“Dual-Fu Academic Champion—the pride of Linjiang Academy!”

“I watched every match of the squad combat—our Dual-Fu Academic Champion is utterly invincible!”

“He descended from a cliff hundreds of meters high, riding his sword, and obliterated a top-tier squad!”

“So cool!”

“He’s also ridiculously good-looking!”

…

Many academy students buzzed with excited chatter.

In the vast landing field.

Jiang Jian instantly became the center of attention!

Someone spotted Jiang Zhao beside him and asked, “Who’s that girl with the Dual-Fu Academic Champion?”

“She’s unbelievably beautiful!”

Someone immediately said, “That’s Jiang Jian’s sister—Jiang Zhao from Anhe Academy.”

“Anhe Academy? Jiang Jian has a sister? I didn’t know that!”

“His sister is stunning—standing there quietly, like she stepped out of a painting. Good heavens.”

“By the way, who’s prettier—Yin Yin from the First Academy or Jiang Jian’s sister?”

“I’m face-blind. I can’t tell.”

“Me neither.”

…

Under the gaze of countless eyes.

Jiang Jian boarded the unmanned aerial pod; the cabin door slammed shut.

“All this attention is like thorns in my back,” his sister shrugged. “Where are we going?”

Jiang Jian said, “Where are your roommates? Have they arrived?”

His sister replied, “I messaged Zhong Ling. She’ll come tomorrow.”

“Then I’ll take you to the Academic Affairs Office to complete your enrollment.”

Jiang Jian entered the command.

The aerial pod lifted off and sped toward the Academic Affairs Office.

His sister turned her head, watching the rapid blur of dormitory towers outside the window, and said, “Jiang Jian.”

“I came in second. I got a lot of resources too.”

“Take a look—among these spiritual items, is there anything you need?”

She turned back, opened her identity device.

A long list appeared on the holographic screen.

Although her reward was only one person’s share.

Still, the second-place prize included abundant spiritual resources!

“Whatever you have, I have too.”

Jiang Jian glanced at the list. “Keep these resources for your own cultivation.”

Jiang Zhao shook her head gently, her finger tapping the screen. “Some of these rare spiritual items are limited-release. Even though you have ten shares, it might still not be enough.”

“For example, the Hundred-Year Yunling Mushroom.”

“For example, the Tongqiao Pills.”

“For example, the Yongquan Great Herb.”

“These scarce resources greatly aid cultivation.”

Her voice was soft.

Jiang Jian replied automatically, “Keep them for now.”

“If I need them, I’ll tell you.”

Hearing this,

His sister nodded. “Alright.”

Academic Affairs Office.

The aerial pod stopped.

“I can handle it myself.”

The cabin door opened; his sister leaned against the frame, turning sideways.

Jiang Jian raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Zhao didn’t look back; she waved her slender, pale wrist. “I’m not useless.”

“I’ll handle enrollment myself.”

“If I need help, I’ll message you.”

Hearing this,

Jiang Jian gave a slight nod. “Then I’ll return to the dormitory tower first.”

The girl stepped down the ramp. “Alright.”

The cabin door closed.

The aerial pod turned and headed toward the First Academy dormitory tower.

A few minutes later.

Jiang Jian returned to his apartment.

The robotic butler stood at the door, face filled with admiration.

The gray fox wagged its tail, lowering its fluffy head to nuzzle Jiang Jian’s clothes.

Jiang Jian set down Han Guang, pushed the fox aside, and asked, “Have you sorted everything?”

Ji Xue replied proudly, “Everything’s organized!”

On the desk.

Piled high were boxes and crates of all sizes, emitting fragrant scents and shimmering aura.

Ji Xue swiped his identity device, pulling up an impossibly long list.

“First, credit rewards.”

“Last week’s Ladder Ranking Tournament settlement: 2,200 credits.”

“First place in combat: an additional 10,000 credits.”

“But yours is ten-person share.”

Ji Xue clicked his tongue. “So you’ve unprecedentedly earned 100,000 credits!”

His eyes glowed brightly.

“Do you know how insane 100,000 credits is?”

“As long as it’s not a scarce resource,”

“You can buy anything else!”

Ji Xue stared at the screen and continued.

“Faction reward credits: 1,500 credits.”

“Special commendation from Academic Affairs Office: 2,000 credits.”

“Special allocation from Department Head Zhang Jian: 1,000 credits.”

“Plus your original 6,650 credits.”

Ji Xue exclaimed excitedly.

“Your credit total has reached an unbelievable level!”

“A total of 113,350 credits!”

“Over 110,000!”

“Even third-year students don’t have more credits than you!”

Credits were extremely valuable.

The Feishuang Bracelet, which greatly enhanced Jiang Jian’s power,

Was purchased with credits.

"113,350 credits."

Jiang Jian smiled lightly. "Continue."

Ji Xue used all four paws to leap onto the sofa, pressing against Jiang Jian, its gray paws swiping across the screen.

"Next up—Union Coins!"

The gray fox stared at the screen’s numbers, its gaze reddening.

"First place in the martial contest: a reward of one million Union Coins!"

"But here, you’ve earned ten times the reward!"

"So you’ve received ten million Union Coins!"

Ji Xue slammed its paw on the screen. "You placed a bet of three million Union Coins, wagering that you’d become the Dual Prefecture Academic Champion—with a maximum payout of ten times!"

"The betting platform returned thirty million Union Coins!"

"Aside from these two major sums,"

"there’s also the Special Award from the Academic Affairs Office: one million Union Coins."

"The Department Head’s Award: five hundred thousand Union Coins."

"Third-year student Gu Qi sent a congratulatory letter: one million Union Coins!"

"The younger master of the Jiangcheng Auction House sent a congratulatory letter: five million Union Coins!"

"Second-year student Xu Fengming sent a congratulatory letter: eight hundred thousand Union Coins!"

"Within the Worship Sect, students from the second and third years—various individuals—all sent congratulatory letters."

"Together, that adds up to seven hundred thousand Union Coins!"

Ji Xue lifted the screen and placed it before Jiang Jian.

"Add your remaining eighty-three thousand Union Coins."

"Now,"

"you have forty-nine million eight hundred thirty thousand Union Coins!"

The words ended.

Even the nearby machine butler’s eyes spun wildly, glowing blue.

"These are merely monetary rewards."

Ji Xue scrolled through the list.

"Forty-nine million eight hundred thirty thousand Union Coins."

Seeing the list, Jiang Jian felt a surge of satisfaction.

Cultivation is hard.

It demands unimaginable quantities of resources to make any progress.

These credits and Union Coins,

are enough for me

to replace every single hardware and software tool needed for cultivation!

The Frost-Flight Bracelet, costing twelve hundred credits, has always worked well.

But now that I have enough credits,

I naturally must upgrade to something better.

The Green Frost Sword Array doesn’t need replacing yet.

But the Level-3 Talent Orb, Dark Scent, is due for replacement.

"Level-4 Talent Orbs are genuinely rare resources, extremely difficult to obtain."

As he pondered, Jiang Jian opened the platform.

Of course.

Neither the Prefecture Office platform nor the Academy platform

offered any Level-4 spiritual items for sale.

He closed the platform.

Jiang Jian recalled what Young Master Zhang of the Jiangcheng Auction House had said.

At the banquet, he had offered me a slot.

The right to bid on a Level-4 Talent Orb.

One such slot was worth as much as a gold card—ten million Union Coins!

Then how exorbitant would the actual price of a Level-4 Talent Orb be?

Could these forty-nine million eight hundred thirty thousand Union Coins even afford one?

Jiang Jian wasn’t sure.

After all,

Level-4 Talents, while alive, were all prodigies!

The Four Realms of Earth and Moon had regulations:

Native Level-4 Talents had extremely high growth ceilings!

They were forbidden to be stripped before death!

Therefore,

even if fully voluntary, the talent could never be removed.

Only when a Level-4 Talent’s lifespan was exhausted, nearing death,

would the local prefecture and Worship Temple dispatch envoys to negotiate with them.

At a secret price, they would purchase the Level-4 Talent Orb.

After the individual voluntarily relinquished it, they would take the Orb away.

Only then,

would this Level-4 Talent Orb

become legally and compliantly available on the market.

"The Level-5 Resource Pack contains one."

As Jiang Jian pondered, he still refused to abandon the idea of acquiring a Level-4 Talent Orb.

He could not be short-sighted.

Even if his spiritual essence cultivation remained only around 70% of the Divine Bestowal Realm,

He must prepare in advance for cultivation in the Spring Spring Realm.

The Shen Que point could hold one Level-4 Talent Orb.

The Spring Spring point could hold another Level-4 Talent Orb!

Thus,

If he wished to reach the optimal talent state in the Spring Spring Realm,

he would need to obtain two Level-4 Talent Orbs!

One to cultivate in the Shen Que point.

The other to cultivate at the Spring Spring point!

The Level-5 Resource Pack could provide one.

But the other—he’d have to find a way himself.

As he pondered,

Ji Xue suddenly spoke: "The second-year team martial contest is over!"

"The Dual Prefecture Academic Champions are the Fengming Team!"

A holographic screen appeared in the room.

At the Cliff Overlooking the Water,

five students, battered and bruised, stood atop the cliff’s peak.

Leading them,

was Xu Fengming—the prodigy Gu Qi had recruited!

"Xu Fengming has secured the second-year Dual Prefecture Academic Champion title."

Jiang Jian lifted his gaze to the screen. "Didn’t he send me a congratulatory letter not long ago?"

Ji Xue replied: "Yes. Xu Fengming’s letter included eight hundred thousand Union Coins!"

"That money must be sent back."

Jiang Jian waved his hand. "Send him a congratulatory letter with one million Union Coins attached."

Ji Xue moved swiftly, manipulating the identity device, yet its eyes showed visible pain: "Two hundred thousand Union Coins—just gone."

Jiang Jian remained calm. "Two hundred thousand Union Coins can buy invisible benefits far exceeding their value."

As he spoke,

Ji Xue continued organizing the list.

"Aside from monetary rewards,"

"the greater portion consists of spiritual resource rewards!"

It extended its paw and tapped the holographic screen.

"I’ve categorized all the ordinary resources from various sources."

"170 large crates of cultivation herbs."

"1,200 drops of Qi-accumulating liquid."

"310 bottles of Calming Pills."

"500 simple Qi-accumulating arrays."

"30 auxiliary cultivation arrays."

"290 units each of weapon-casting materials, array materials, and cultivation resources."

"A pile of Level 1 Talent Orbs."

"A pile of Level 2 Talent Orbs."

"39 Level 1 Divine-Granted Weapons."

"17 Level 2 Divine-Granted Weapons."

"1 Level 3 Divine-Granted Weapon."

Here, Jixue pointed to the crates beside it.

"This crate contains the Level 3 Divine-Granted Weapon awarded specially by the Academic Affairs Office."

"Worth four million Alliance Coins."

Here, it said.

Jixue scrolled to the bottom of the list.

"The rest are extremely precious rare resources."

"I haven't opened any of them."

"They're all listed here."

Upon hearing this,

Jiang Jian picked up a wooden box and said, "What exactly is inside?"

Jixue said, "There are five rare resources in total."

"Century Yùnlíng Mushrooms — a Creation Spirit Item that raises your Spirit Reserve limit!"

"You have ten portions here!"

Jixue’s claw trembled slightly.

Century Yùnlíng Mushrooms were extremely expensive!

They never appeared on the market.

Thus, no price could measure their value.

Their effect was simple and brutal.

Raise the Spirit Reserve limit!

Even if a being had reached the absolute limit of Spirit Reserve within their realm,

consuming a Century Yùnlíng Mushroom

would still allow them to advance further, beyond the peak!

This was the most precious reward the Two Ministries could offer their top students!

It was also the greatest gesture of sincerity the Two Ministries could show toward nurturing prodigies!

Century Yùnlíng Mushrooms allow students who have built up profound foundations, waiting to break through to the Surge Spring realm, to surpass their limits and exceed the Divine-Granted realm’s Spirit Reserve by 100%!

Yet their realm remains the Divine-Granted realm!

This accumulated limit,

once they enter the Surge Spring realm, will instantly surge!

Like a volcanic eruption, blazing magma explodes outward in a furious torrent!

Jiang Jian received ten portions here.

That’s ten full Century Yùnlíng Mushrooms!

This extremely precious rare resource’s value far surpassed Alliance Coins!

But,

the first Century Yùnlíng Mushroom yields the greatest effect.

By the sixth or seventh, its effect vanishes entirely.

Jixue stared at the lifelike Century Yùnlíng Mushroom on the holographic display.

Its saliva nearly dripped down.

Its eyes glowed red as it continued downward.

"Tōngqiào Pills — a rare pill that increases the capacity of acupoints and meridians!"

"You have ten here as well!"

Jixue licked its lips. "I really want to eat one."

Tōngqiào Pills were also a reward for first place in the tournament.

They were the Two Ministries’ gift to top prodigies, aiding their cultivation foundations.

Ordinary top students of the Two Ministries received only one.

Jiang Jian received ten Tōngqiào Pills!

But,

a person’s acupoint and meridian capacity has a fixed limit.

One Tōngqiào Pill is enough to fully open the meridian walls, allowing Qi to gush like a spring!

More than that is useless.

"The third rare resource."

"Surge Spring Elixir."

Jixue pointed at the screen. "Its effect is simple."

"When your Spirit Reserve cultivation reaches the absolute limit of the Divine-Granted realm,"

"it helps you break into the Surge Spring realm!"

"You have ten portions here as well."

As it spoke,

Jixue scrolled the list to the very bottom.

"The fourth rare resource is Wild Ghost Essence."

"Each Wild Ghost Essence is equivalent to about 50% of a Divine-Granted realm’s power."

"Its origin is legal and compliant."

"You have twenty portions here!"

Upon hearing this,

Jiang Jian lifted his cup, took a sip of water, and murmured, "Only 50% of the Divine-Granted realm?"

"But,"

"twenty portions are more than enough for reaching the Surge Spring realm."

Jiang Jian asked, "What’s the final rare resource?"

Jixue looked at the holographic screen and said, "The fifth rare resource is ten opportunities to train in the Star Ring Celestial Tower."

"You have ten opportunities here as well."

Star Ring, Celestial Tower.

Jiang Jian opened his identity device and checked the Celestial Tower’s data.

(End of Chapter)