Chapter 41: Exchange, Revenge?

After the grain delivery was completed and they returned, it was already night.

Chu Danqing could only return to the Lu residence, but it wasn’t without gain.

Chu Danqing gained five thousand faction contribution points this time.

One stone of grain equals one faction contribution point—reasonable enough, but not overly so.

Adding this to his previous gains, he now had exactly six thousand faction contribution points.

To be honest, if he were willing to push harder, he might truly have a chance at the top-ranked Fine-tier legacy skill in the faction store.

Yet he believed in securing gains firmly, so the moment he returned to the Lu residence, he exchanged them for the *White Crane Immortal’s Notebook, Volume One*.

Unfortunately, the store didn’t refresh after the exchange—only the quantity decreased; otherwise, Chu Danqing had planned to swap everything for knowledge items.

The remaining three thousand points could only buy two doses of the Lu family’s physical cultivation elixir.

Now he was hesitating over how to use these two doses.

The simplest way was for him and Dabao to each take one and consume them directly, but there was another use: as cultivation resources.

If he waited until his Summoning Base Skill reached Level 10, these two doses could increase the success rate of Dabao awakening the enhanced bleeding skill.

After much thought, he decided to use them immediately.

Reaching Level 10 in a base skill isn’t easy, let alone continuing to cultivate it further.

“I don’t need it. Blood Rage is enough.”

“Xiao Chu, you eat,” Dabao refused, giving his reason: “You have more blood—you live longer.”

He meant Chu Danqing could easily revive him if Chu Danqing survived; but if Chu Danqing died, Dabao couldn’t revive him.

Chu Danqing urged him several times, but Dabao firmly refused, insisting he didn’t need it.

Seeing this, Chu Danqing could only consume both himself.

The elixir dissolved instantly upon entry, then surged upward as warmth in his belly; after about two minutes, the Dimension Paradise prompted him.

【Your maximum HP increased by 300】×2

In every respect, this elixir far surpassed the White Dragon Fish food Chu Danqing had previously consumed.

Both in efficiency and in HP increase.

Immediately after swallowing, Chu Danqing saw the last remaining Enhanced Attribute Elixir in the faction store had vanished.

Clearly, they feared he’d claim it all, so they rushed to exchange it themselves.

“That bald youth named Xiongquan, right?” Chu Danqing didn’t believe Jin Baiyan could gather fifteen hundred faction contribution points in such a short time.

“Xiongquan’s true target is almost certainly the top-ranked Fine-tier legacy skill in the faction store.”

“His faction contribution may not match mine, but exchanging for one attribute elixir isn’t hard.”

“He just didn’t expect my efficiency would be faster.”

“But my efficiency has reached its limit,” Chu Danqing knew that obtaining such large amounts of faction contribution next would be unrealistic.

He checked the time and thought it still early—it was barely past eight.

He simply took out the *White Crane Immortal’s Notebook, Volume One* and a desk lamp, and began reading by lamplight.

Otherwise, relying solely on candles would damage his eyes.

Dabao manually cranked a generator to power Chu Danqing’s reading.

Compared to the Qingyun Holy Disciple, the content in the White Crane Immortal’s notebook differed in emphasis, broadening Chu Danqing’s knowledge.

He read slowly, pondering every line and character, gaining immense insight.

Time slipped away second by second; Dabao, cranking the generator for Chu Danqing, suddenly paused, lifting his head to stare upward.

The desk lamp went dark. Chu Danqing didn’t ask what happened—he shoved the notebook into his storage space and went on alert.

Ready to strike at any moment.

Dabao’s eyes glinted with ferocity; his rending claws activated, and his burly frame leapt nimbly onto the rafters.

The next instant, he tore through the roof tiles and shot onto the rooftop, engaging an unknown enemy in combat.

Chu Danqing couldn’t see—his Life Link and Energy Link required targets and couldn’t penetrate obstacles, leaving him unable to assist.

But the commotion quickly drew attention from all corners of the Lu residence.

“How bold—to break into the Lu residence at night!”

The first to arrive was Xie Liyang; a fire serpent slithered forward, followed by crackling sounds.

After roughly three minutes, Dabao leapt down from the roof, his fur slightly charred—clearly caught in the crossfire.

“He fled—a shadow, a human.” Dabao said.

Xie Liyang followed in, his expression tinged with regret: “It seemed to be a demon creature—no one knows where it came from. Any clues, Chu Gongfeng?”

Given the scene’s traces, Chu Danqing had discovered it first, so naturally he was asked.

“I’m not certain—I was reading at the time,” Chu Danqing paused, then said: “Perhaps the Taiping Dao?”

If he had angered anyone, only the Taiping Dao had motive.

Otherwise, since entering the trial, he’d only offended a few other Dimension Apostles.

But those few had joined the Taiping Dao, so the suspicion remained unchanged.

What of Xiongquan? He’d joined the official faction—surely he was busy gathering faction contribution, with no time to bother with him.

At this moment, Lu Yin arrived. Hearing Chu Danqing’s words, his expression darkened.

“Nine out of ten, it’s the Taiping Dao,” Lu Yin said. “That demon creature bore a faint resemblance to the Upper Corpse Squat—but far more vile.”

“The Upper Corpse Squat wasn’t...” Chu Danqing was about to say it was on Ji Zhun, but then recalled that a mere miner named Lu San had used the Three Corpses Severance Method to create Upper, Middle, and Lower Corpses.

Creating another wouldn’t be difficult.

“Chu Gongfeng, you destroyed the Middle Corpse Trip and aided Ji Zhun in suppressing the Upper Corpse Squat—you’ve certainly disrupted the Taiping Dao’s plans,” Xie Liyang, privy to the details, added.

“What’s the plan?” Chu Danqing looked to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin paused, then said: “Chu Gongfeng, temporarily relocate your quarters. I’ll come to you tomorrow to discuss further.”

“Everyone else, disperse. Keep this matter quiet.”

Clearly, Lu Yin needed time to prepare before formulating a plan.

The Taiping Dao’s influence in Yangxian Commandery was weaker than the Lu family’s, but their followers were countless and spread across the land.

And their leader, the Taiping Dao Master, was none other than the current Imperial Tutor—riding the peak of power.

After everyone left, Lu Yin continued: “This trouble stems entirely from our Lu family’s affairs, dragging Chu Gongfeng into it.”

Chu Danqing replied at once: “I eat the lord’s grain, I bear the lord’s worries. Lord Lu, don’t speak of being dragged into it—this is precisely my duty as a retainer and gongfeng.”

His words deeply pleased Lu Yin, who then said: "Earlier, you mentioned needing heavenly treasures to compensate for Dabao's innate deficiencies—I've made some progress."

“I’ll send someone to deliver them to you tomorrow evening. If they’re unsuitable, I’ll have my household staff find others for you.”

“It’s late now—Chu Gongfeng, rest early.” With that, Lu Yin departed.

(End of Chapter)