Chapter 394

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Protagonist:

Yu Changsheng

Besides top-tier pills, the Military Merit Mall contained a dazzling array of miscellaneous items available for exchange.

Many of them were treasures that made Yu Changsheng's heart stir, but in the end he glanced at his 10000 military merit and could only shake his head dejectedly.

10000 military merit, plus one Second Class Military Merit — theoretically a considerable fortune for ordinary soldiers — but for Yu Changsheng it was far from meeting his needs.

"It seems this trip to the Luo Ya Abyss, aside from the opportunities within the abyss itself, is also a good place to earn military merit."

Yu Changsheng pondered, deep in thought.

Regarding this trip to the Luo Ya Abyss, the token also contained an introduction and clearly listed some methods of obtaining military merit.

For instance, a single Luoya Token is worth one First Class Military Merit, 200000 military merit points — enough to drive a crowd mad, and showing that Wuzhou is determined to succeed in this Luo Ya Abyss expedition.

Besides that, it also stated that slaying a Golden Core Prodigy from Qingzhou's side grants one Third Class Military Merit, 10000 military merit points, and ten Third Class Military Merits can be exchanged for one Second Class Military Merit, but Second Class Military Merit cannot be exchanged for First Class Military Merit...

Of course, a Golden Core Prodigy being worth one Third Class Military Merit is not absolute; there is some variance depending on the cultivation base of the slain target.

Some prodigies yield massive military merit points upon being slain — this relates to their fame; to a certain extent, this kind of military merit has become a form of bounty.

For example, Yu Changsheng shockingly saw his own name at the very top of the Luo Ya Abyss military merit value ranking list...

"Name: Yu Changsheng"

"Camp: Wuzhou Wanxiang Sect"

"Slaying yields one First Class Military Merit, 300000 military merit points!"

"Profile: Suspected Heavenly Dao Golden Core, Beast Tamer, Sword Cultivator, strength peerless. Junior Brother of Peerless Prodigy Cao Jinxian. Once boasted the feat of slaying a Sub-Talisman True Lord's Phantom Dragon. Extremely terrifying. If encountered, must be cautious, aim for a one-strike kill! Do not take risks lightly, do not engage alone..."

This military merit value ranking list is shared by both states; without a doubt, this was annotated by Qingzhou's side.

Upon seeing it, Yu Changsheng couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Good grief, you people really hate me that much, to put such a high bounty on a mere Golden Core cultivator like me..."

Yu Changsheng clicked his tongue inwardly, rubbing his forehead, a bit of a headache.

You have to understand, a single Luoya Token is only worth one First Class Military Merit, 200000 points, yet my current value is even higher than a Luoya Token...

It shows Qingzhou's side is truly determined to get me, hating me to the bone, and I will undoubtedly become the target of countless eyes on their side...

"No wonder the Ancestor said this operation would make me the center of attention, fraught with crisis. So that's how it is. Now it seems there really will be countless gazes fixed on me, hoping to hunt me down..."

Yu Changsheng's gaze turned slightly cold; he sneered inwardly, staying vigilant but feeling no fear.

Such a high-ranking bounty naturally attracted attention not only to Yu Changsheng himself; the other Wanxiang Sect disciples all saw it too, and for a moment their eyes toward Yu Changsheng revealed a trace of strangeness.

"Changsheng, you've really made a name for yourself now. This value — even I'm tempted."

Li Minghan swallowed a mouthful of saliva, patted Yu Changsheng's shoulder, and said with a hehe laugh.

"Scram, scram, scram, don't annoy me."

Yu Changsheng rolled his eyes at Li Minghan, somewhat helpless.

"As if I wanted this. Damn it, this trip to the Luo Ya Abyss won't be peaceful again."

"Look on the bright side — at least your fame, Changsheng, isn't just in Wuzhou; even the enemy camp has heard of you, holding the top spot on the list."

Li Minghan joked, flipped through the list, didn't find his own name, and instantly felt deflated.

Yu Changsheng was speechless, ignored Li Minghan, and turned his attention back to the bounty list. The person right below him caught his eye.

"Name: Huangfu Yuanji"

"Camp: Qingzhou Royal Family"

"Slaying yields one First Class Military Merit, 250000 military merit points!"

"Profile: Qingzhou Royal Family Crown Prince, Golden Core Peak cultivation, suspected Heavenly Dao Golden Core, peerless combat power, masterful swordsmanship. Once fought a Sub-Talisman cultivator to a standstill, evenly matched..."

"Huangpu Yuanji? Nice name."

Yu Changsheng shook his head, muttering inwardly, and his gaze sharpened as he read the profile.

Huangpu is the surname of the Qingzhou Royal Family. As the Crown Prince of a state's royal family, his talent goes without saying; Golden Core Peak cultivation is normal. That he is also a Heavenly Dao Golden Core surprised Yu Changsheng a bit.

But on second thought, it's also normal. After all, gathering the power of a state, as the Crown Prince — one below the ruler, above ten thousand — only such talent qualifies him as Crown Prince; otherwise he couldn't command the masses.

"Heavenly Dao Golden Core — perhaps I'm not the only one, but Heavenly Dao Qi — you may not necessarily possess it."

"Don't know what other methods this person has; no detailed intelligence."

Yu Changsheng thought, shook his head, silently made a mental note, recorded this person, then continued scrolling down.

The other's bounty is only slightly less than mine — that point made Yu Changsheng very tempted.

The later rankings include cultivators from both states, all absolute peak prodigies. But from Wanxiang Sect's side, the only ones Yu Changsheng saw on the bounty list were himself and Zhang Tianwen.

Conversely, among the Three Gates, several names appear on the list; Wei Ran is also on it, and he has met Yu Changsheng once before, in the Tian Sha Secret Realm.

After his gaze lingered on this bounty list for a bit, Yu Changsheng continued reading down, gaining more understanding of the whole Luo Ya Abyss expedition.

"Even a state's royal Crown Prince has to personally take the field — looks like Qingzhou is dead set on this Luo Ya Abyss trip."

Setting aside these messy thoughts, Yu Changsheng looked at the Military Merit Mall again.

Finally his gaze stopped on an auxiliary item.

"Extreme Yang Dawn Glow..."

"Introduction: A rare cultivation auxiliary treasure, formed over a thousand years of sun and moon convergence, tearing open the void in chaos, a ray of Primordial Light left in the mortal world... Contains the violent power of Primordial Sun Morning Radiance, scorching beyond compare, can illuminate the heart, clarify the spirit. For those cultivating related arts, it has unimaginable wonderful uses, with a chance to let the cultivator comprehend related artistic conceptions... perceive the hidden divine abilities contained within..."

"Price: one First Class Military Merit, 400000 Military Merit Points!"

………

Looking at the introduction on it, Yu Zhangsheng's brows furrowed tightly; after a long while, he exhaled a deep breath, looking thoughtful.

"Extreme Yang Dawn Glow……"

"Can help cultivators comprehend the artistic conception within……"

Yu Zhangsheng pondered, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his gaze flickering uncertainly. "Primordial Opening Heaven Sword, to reach the level of a Saint Level technique, one must thoroughly comprehend the Primordial Realm; this Extreme Yang Dawn Glow might be of no small help to me……"

Yu Zhangsheng mused inwardly, but in the end glanced at its price and cast those thoughts aside.

"Forget it, let's not worry about it for now. Such a supreme treasure is not something the current me can consider; after this journey to Luo Ya Shen Yuan, perhaps there will be a chance……"

Thinking thus, Yu Zhangsheng continued browsing, focusing on things he could actually exchange for.

"Fifth Rank Spirit Beast, the meager true blood of the Yan Huang Spirit Dragon……"

"Price: one Second Class Military Merit, 100000 Military Merit Points!"

………

"This thing, the true blood of a Fifth Rank Spirit Beast Yan Huang Spirit Dragon…… this is a good thing; my Chi Lian Purgatory Dragon just fused with Spirit Dragon True Bone, bone transformation is done, but still lacks flesh transformation…… this involves the bloodline level."

"This Yan Huang Spirit Dragon's true blood can fill this gap perfectly, it's just……"

Yu Zhangsheng was somewhat tempted, exhaled a deep breath, looking at the clearly marked price of 100000 Military Merit Points on it, feeling somewhat troubled.

He had a Second Class Military Merit, but Military Merit Points, only 10000; the distance to 100000 is not merely a matter of one extra zero.

But now about to enter the Abyss, how many dangers lie within, Yu Zhangsheng is also unclear; if before this there is a chance to boost his strength again, Yu Zhangsheng naturally does not want to miss this opportunity.

"Perhaps…… it's not that there's no chance."

Yu Zhangsheng's mind moved, gritting his teeth, he thought for a moment, then still took out the Chuan Yin Yu Tong, explained the situation to Yuan Menghua, and sent a message.

"Now we'll see if the Ancestor's side has a way."

Setting down the jade tube, Yu Zhangsheng exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, made some arrangements, then returned to his own tent, waiting with a trace of apprehension.

That's right, he planned to go through Yuan Menghua to see if he could exchange for this Yan Huang Spirit Dragon blood in advance; after all, who knows when this thing might be exchanged away by someone else first; as for Military Merit, he'll owe it for now.

Before long, the Chuan Yin Yu Tong in his hand suddenly trembled; Yuan Menghua sent a message back, concise and to the point.

"Wait, already arranged."

"Many thanks, Ancestor!" Yu Zhangsheng beamed with joy.

The Identity Token in his bosom flashed with a streak of Spirit Light; the information on it also underwent some changes.

"Qingzhou Wanxiang Sect, Yu Zhangsheng"

"Military Merit Rank: None. Military Merit Points: —90000!"

And on the Military Merit Mall, regarding the Yan Huang Spirit Dragon blood information, an additional line of "sold out and delisted" notice appeared.

This slight change naturally did not escape Yu Zhangsheng's perception; he scratched his forehead, somewhat helpless, yet delighted in his heart.

"Negative ninety thousand Military Merit Points, haven't even started acting yet, already heavily in debt, hehe."

Yu Zhangsheng chuckled hehe, amidst his roused spirit, he waited anxiously.

Not much time, just half an incense stick's time, suddenly someone knocked on Yu Zhangsheng's tent.

"Is it Yu Zhangsheng?"

Outside the tent, a familiar voice suddenly rang out, making Yu Zhangsheng startle; he proactively stood up to welcome the visitor.

The visitor was none other than He Zhi, who had just left not long ago.

"Senior He Zhi."

Yu Zhangsheng respectfully cupped his fists in greeting.

"Meeting again?"

He Zhi smiled faintly, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes as he looked at Yu Zhangsheng, and nodded lightly.

"Hehe." Yu Zhangsheng scratched his head, laughed hehe, looking at the visitor, feeling some doubt in his heart.

"Wonder what business Senior He Zhi has coming here?"

Yu Zhangsheng asked.

"No need for such politeness; in the military camp we don't distinguish these things; if you don't mind, calling me He Ge is fine."

He Zhi said with a smile, raising an eyebrow slightly at Yu Zhangsheng.

"Then…… alright, He Ge."

Yu Zhangsheng hesitated a moment, then said so.

"Mm," He Zhi nodded, "you just used Military Merit to exchange for something, right? I came to deliver the goods."

Yu Zhangsheng started, looking at He Zhi, somewhat surprised: "Indeed exchanged for some things."

"I happen to be in charge of some work at the Military Merit Office; take a look, check for any problems and I'll head back."

He Zhi spoke, then took out a Storage Bag bearing the Military Merit Office emblem, from which he took out a Red Wood Box and handed it to Yu Zhangsheng.

Yu Zhangsheng received the box, his brows and eyes twitching slightly, feeling some excitement in his heart; although this box had a Formation's isolation, he could still sense a thick dragon aura from within.

So he took a deep breath, and said gratefully to He Zhi: "Many thanks, He Ge, trouble you."

"No matter, all within my duties; if any problems just come find me." He Zhi waved his hand, hesitated a moment, looked at Yu Zhangsheng with meaningful eyes, and smiled:

"It's only because it's you; if it were anyone else, before even participating in the war, wanting to overdraft Military Merit, such a thing could only be a fool's dream."

"But fortunately you yourself already have Second Class Military Merit, so it's not that troublesome; Military Merit Points are easy to borrow, but Military Merit Rank, that there's no way."

"Right now our Wuzhou Military has placed great hopes on you; you just cultivate peacefully and prepare well for entering Luo Ya Shen Yuan."

Hearing this, Yu Zhangsheng's complexion flashed a trace of unnaturalness; after thanking He Zhi once more, he saw the other off, then simply set up some formations near the camp, and with a trace of excitement gently opened the Red Wood Box's seal.

"Worthy of being Spirit Dragon Blood!" Yu Zhangsheng said quite shockedly.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!"

A heat wave rushed forth, the air suddenly grew hot, the box opened, a completely transparent jade bottle about half a palm in size was slantingly placed on it, inside the bottle a drop of entirely fiery yellow blood like fire lay swaying unsteadily.

This blood, crystal clear and transparent, although there was some isolation from the jade bottle, there were still strands of dense dragon might spreading out, as the blood swayed, clusters of yellow flames rose from nowhere, igniting the entire jade bottle.

And the blood was within these spreading yellow flames, flashing with cyan-yellow light, appearing increasingly sacred and noble, strands of faintly audible dragon chant sounds reverberated, faintly visible within, a baring-claws-and-brandishing-fangs, entirely sacred-flame-covered fire dragon shadow coiled around the blood, scattering endless divine might. (Chapter End)