Chapter 146: The Shanhe Alliance Is Actually Cheap!

【You summoned Alliance Object #1 and #2, consuming 2080 Park Points this time】

【Alliance Objects have responded】

【Alliance Object summoning cognitive rationalization update completed】

Chu Danqing glanced over: in the Shanhe Alliance, Xiong Zhigang of the same rank required only 100 Park Points, while Guo Ming, two ranks higher, demanded 2000 Park Points from him.

But this was already an excellent deal—previously, the Blood Oath Alliance required 5000 Park Points just to summon Guo Ming.

Just this single skill upgrade saved Chu Danqing a massive amount of Park Points.

No wonder it was a Fine-grade skill.

The two figures materialized, and before Chu Danqing could speak, the Park once again displayed a prompt.

【Detected 3 incomplete Basic Skills and 2 Proficient Skills on Alliance Object #2; consume Park Points to complete or strip and sell】

【Note: Completing them will consume a Basic Skill learning slot】

Chu Danqing stared—he was stunned; so he could actually sell Xiong Zhigang's five skills: Military Strategy, Tactics, and Sword Art?

The Park truly didn't treat outsiders as people.

"Mr. Chu, this place is truly unique," Xiong Zhigang said upon arrival, scanning his surroundings.

Though the modern decor lacked the opulence of the court officials' residences, it opened his eyes.

Especially the array of modern appliances.

They had equivalents, but nothing as convenient as this.

"It's fine. How's things on your end, Grand Coordinator Xiong?" Chu Danqing asked.

"As you predicted, the Emperor, upon learning you and Brother Guo forced the Suqin to retreat with a single sword each, urgently summoned you to court."

"He intended to honor you as 'Adopted Father,' but since you had already left, it was all in vain," Xiong Zhigang said with a smile.

"Yet precisely because they cannot find you, the Emperor feels like thorns in his back—daring not to slacken for a moment."

Not being able to find someone was the most terrifying thing.

Who knew when he might suddenly strike?

"Good. Perfect for rest and recuperation—the more peace, the better," Chu Danqing said.

As long as there are people, war will never cease.

Chu Danqing had no such power to make war vanish forever.

"I called you here because next trial mission, I'll be undergoing a Rank Advancement assessment."

"Difficulty A-level—both side quests and hidden quests will trigger only A-level content."

"So I'll need your full support," Chu Danqing said. "Mainly you, Grand Coordinator Xiong."

"I'll be awakening all true spirits of the Nine Sons of the Ghost Mother Map, requiring you to command forty-nine ghost-infant spirits," Chu Danqing showed him the list of true spirits.

Guo Ming is best held as a trump card—do not summon him routinely.

He then checked Guo Ming's panel: Sword Art Proficiency had appeared, already at LV. .

"I'll suppress my cultivation for now and focus on refining my magical energy, avoiding breakthroughs during your assessment," Guo Ming knew his growth was too rapid.

It was good for him—but not for Chu Danqing.

If he broke through again, he'd exceed the Shanhe Alliance's upper limit, and Chu Danqing would have to pay a steep price to summon him again.

"No need to suppress. I'll just save more Park Points," Chu Danqing said immediately. "The stronger you are, the more confident I am."

As a trump card, there's no need to hold back.

Park Points are earned to be spent.

Guo Ming at Rank 2 might still not be enough—who knows what kind of trial world his assessment will be in?

"Alright," Guo Ming said nothing more.

Chu Danqing's current overall strength wasn't too difficult.

The danger lay in encountering enemies beyond normal difficulty—like the Son of Heaven or the Human Dao Master—or needing rapid long-range support, in which case Guo Ming would be necessary.

Xiong Zhigang was enough.

"Congratulations, Brother Chu, on forging your Dao Foundation and completing your cultivation," Guo Ming said, handing Chu Danqing a jade slip glowing with radiant light: "This is the Great Five Elements Auspicious Beasts Scripture—perfect for you."

Chu Danqing took it—its quality showed as a question mark: insufficient authority.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing knew trouble was coming.

"Fine, I'll take it for now—I'll check if I have enough points to pay later," Chu Danqing feared the Park wouldn't accept Park Points—that was the real problem.

"What about these pills?" Guo Ming was still pulling out pills; hearing this, he hesitated.

"Give them to me. If I can't afford the Great Five Elements Auspicious Beasts Scripture, I'll return everything," Chu Danqing knew these pills were meant to complement the scripture.

Without this inheritance skill, the pills were useless to him—better to save the Park Points.

"Then there's the inheritance scripture you asked me to find for Grand Coordinator Xiong," Guo Ming pulled out a book after finishing with the pills.

"It's called the Three Armies Strategy, an inheritance scripture once practiced by the creator of the Military Dao Scripture."

"The Military Dao Scripture emerged from it—its very essence bears strong traces of the Three Armies Strategy."

"Though its quality is low, it's solid and ideal for commanders like Grand Coordinator Xiong."

Chu Danqing took it—an Excellent-grade inheritance skill.

He handed it to Xiong Zhigang: "So you can seamlessly transition to the Military Dao Scripture later?"

He still remembered vividly the Blood Shadow Soldiers from the Blood Shadow Chapter of the Fierce Fist.

"Correct. But the full version exists only in the imperial palace—you'll need some maneuvering to obtain it," Guo Ming continued. "No rush now."

"Grand Coordinator Xiong's cultivation pace will be slower than yours—by the time he completes it, the Guo Clan should already have it."

Compared to Xiong Zhigang, Guo Ming cared little.

After all, he'd only met Xiong Zhigang a few times—barely an acquaintance.

Had it not been for Chu Danqing's favor, he'd have had no dealings with Xiong Zhigang at all.

"Thank you," Xiong Zhigang tucked away the Three Armies Strategy.

Guo Ming gave him no pills—just this one skill cost Chu Danqing 2000 Park Points.

If he added pills, more Park Points would be consumed.

Guo Ming must prioritize Chu Danqing—he owed him a debt and could bring profit to the Guo Clan.

Their bond was deeply intertwined.

Chu Danqing didn't overthink it—he added: "The Park says your Basic and Proficient Skills can be completed. What do you think?"

"Oh? So I can sell them for Park Points."

Chu Danqing then listed the details.

Completing a Basic Skill cost 500 points; a Proficient Skill cost 1000.

Selling them fetched the same price—the Park made no profit margin.

Guo Ming looked at Xiong Zhigang's skill panel and fell silent.

Truly blessed—he could only have one, but Xiong Zhigang carried three—even incomplete, they could be fully restored.

"I have nothing to my name. To receive one inheritance and then burden Mr. Chu further—it would be improper."

"I think I'll decline," Xiong Zhigang refused.

Chu Danqing said: "Don't worry—I can afford it."

If it were another digit, he'd hesitate.

But completing all three cost only 3500 Park Points—he could manage.

"Besides, the stronger you are, the easier it'll be for you to command me later," Chu Danqing truly needed Xiong Zhigang's talents.

Incomplete Military Strategy and Tactics would bring negligible benefits.

Second, it was an act of favor—Xiong Zhigang was a man who repaid kindness.

The more Chu Danqing gave, the more diligently he'd work—and he'd be less likely to refuse future summons.

Guo Ming saw this too and joined in urging him.

Eventually, Xiong Zhigang could only grit his teeth and agree.

"Then as Mr. Chu wishes," Xiong Zhigang paused, then added: "Complete only Military Strategy and Tactics—sell off my Basic Sword Art."

He felt ashamed to take everything—he'd already cost Chu Danqing 2000 Park Points for the Three Armies Strategy.

"I don't use it anyway. With no time to practice, it'll vanish eventually."

He'd once trained in swordsmanship, but now with official duties, he had no time—better to turn it into Park Points now than lose it later.

"Alright," Chu Danqing didn't press further—he agreed immediately and began operating.

【Alliance Object #2's Basic/Proficient Skills completed, consuming 3000 Park Points】

【Alliance Object #2's Basic Skill sold, you gained: 500 Park Points】

A radiant light swiftly enveloped Xiong Zhigang—countless light particles flowed into him, while others were drawn out.

The entire process took roughly ten minutes.

"My mind now holds many military and tactical principles—I'll need to study them thoroughly upon returning," Xiong Zhigang's trial world was lower than Guo Ming's.

Combined with its unique nature, he sensed no major change and couldn't directly perceive the strength of his Basic Skills.

"Study them well—your time is limited," Chu Danqing smiled.

They chatted further, and Chu Danqing focused on asking about Guo Ming's Sword Art Foundation.

After all, the Park had warned: consequences were your own.

Guo Ming's answers reassured Chu Danqing—he hadn't been influenced or possessed by the Sword Art Foundation.

He then warned Xiong Zhigang to be cautious—he too had two skills, and his world's level was low.

If there were any issues, you should have spoken up when Chu Danqing summoned you; Chu Danqing would have found a way to resolve them for you.

【Detected unnotarized skill; provided by covenant partner. You may choose standard notarization or waive notarization.】

【1. Notarize: consume 1, 00 Paradise Points】

【2. Waive notarization: skill will be returned with you upon repatriation】

——

【Detected covenant partner carrying an excellent-grade skill scroll belonging to a reserve-dimensional apostle. You may pay a processing fee to complete transfer or waive transfer.】

【1. Processing fee: 1, 00 Paradise Points】

【2. Waive transfer: skill scroll will remain where it is】

——

【You returned Covenant Partner #1 and #2. Repatriation cognitive rationalization completed. Current duration: 1 hour. Consumption: 491 Paradise Points.】

——

The extra 1 point in the 491 was Xiong Zhigang's consumption; maximum reduction for command base is 1 point—no zero consumption is possible, truly unfortunate.

As for the Great Five Elements Auspicious Beasts Scripture, Paradise system indicates insufficient authority; Chu Danqing must pay one S-rank evaluation and 100, 00 Paradise Points to retain it.

Only when his authority increases will the price return to normal.

Paradise Points are manageable—he can grit his teeth and pay.

But he has no S-rank evaluation at all; even if he wanted to give one, he cannot.

So he had to return the pills along with it.

Thus, total expenditure was only the notarization fee and processing fee for the Three Armies Strategy—by far the most economical session.

(End of Chapter)