[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ember-dragon":3,"chapter-ember-dragon-ember-dragon-chapter-396":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ember Dragon",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1162162,1504,"Chapter 396: Taxing Exchanges","ember-dragon-chapter-396",396,"\u003Cp>Chapter 396: Taxing Exchanges\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon arriving above the Crimson Scale Garrison Post, the logistics personnel below raised red and yellow flags to signal instructions to the airborne wyvern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou instantly read the signal and patted Noodle’s side neck, speaking softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Landing spot thirteen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rawr~\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noodle let out a low roar, circled above the garrison post a few times, and landed precisely within the yellow-marked frame on the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surrounding logistics personnel immediately approached, wiping the wyvern’s scales, fastening chains, and filling the feeding trough with its favorite blood-meat paste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wyvern didn’t resist at all, stretching its body and enjoying the service.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the Empire’s growth and increased funding, the Crimson Scale Garrison Post had developed a comprehensive logistics system to ensure the wyverns always remained in peak condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, everyone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou greeted them and dismounted eagerly, heading down the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked, he accidentally bumped into another player—none other than Singo, dressed in a viscount’s attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you in such a hurry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyeing Singo’s luxurious viscount-exclusive robe, Mantou answered enviously, \"To exchange abilities, of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just read your guide. Didn’t you say professional players should spend their experience points early to improve their abilities?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Singo glanced at him and replied nonchalantly, \"That guide is for top-tier professional players. Are you one?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou gritted his teeth. \"I think I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Browsing Mantou’s stats, Singo coolly mocked, \"No way. Don’t tell me someone hasn’t hit the level cap yet and is still stuck at Level 7?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you haven’t even reached the cap, where’s the surplus experience coming from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou stubbornly retorted, \"Ever heard of planning ahead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it. Just tell me—where’s the Garrison Post’s Experience Shop?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s with Marquis Alger. You’ll need to go to his office, but there’s already a line of dozens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou continued down the stairs and soon arrived at the door to the commander’s office on the third floor of the garrison post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, a long queue had formed, and nearly all the Crimson Scaled Conqueror players he recognized were here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no choice, Mantou obediently joined the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the time required to exchange abilities wasn’t long. After about half an hour, Mantou found himself at the office door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He carefully pushed it open and entered the spacious, luxurious office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Scaled Conquerors’ Supreme Commander—Alger—stood not far away, still in his half-dragon, half-human form. His horns had grown longer, and his scales had become denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His ornate robe and the dragon-head medal on his chest made Mantou green with envy—they were symbols of an Imperial Marquis’s esteemed status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Alger lay a dragon-blooded giant eagle, unchained, chewing on precious magical ores while curiously tilting its head at the entering player.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou glanced at the title above Alger’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Crimson Scaled Conqueror Leader - Alger]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faction: Ember Empire\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Challenge Level: ???\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou sighed inwardly. Despite reaching Level 7, he still couldn’t see the challenge level of this \"original Crimson Scaled Conqueror.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, he spoke ingratiatingly, \"Boss Alger, I’m here to exchange abilities too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated briefly before adding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, Boss Alger, considering I’m one of your first two students, can’t you give me a small discount?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alger replied coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a genuine NPC, Alger couldn’t see the panel and merely followed orders to oversee the \"ability exchange\" for players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After each exchange, Alger felt a strange energy surge through him, enhancing his body. However, he couldn’t control it and could only passively accept it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, discounts were out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou scratched his head awkwardly and opened the [Experience Shop] interface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Alger Yeoman’s Experience Shop]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Proficiencies: Riding +18, Military +14, Reconnaissance +12, Hunting +11, Athletics +10, Survival +10\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Special Abilities: Commander’s Raid, Dive Attack, Aerial Brake, Rapid Turn, Flowing Motion, Recovery\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, so many options?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou couldn’t help but feel delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his excitement waned upon seeing the experience costs for these abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upgrading [Riding] proficiency to Level 18 required a whopping 9,000 XP—nearly a third of all the experience he’d ever earned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And acquiring a useful ability like [Commander’s Raid] would cost over 10,000 XP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can’t afford it. Totally can’t afford it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Mantou spent 3,000 XP to raise his [Riding] proficiency to Level 14.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pressing the [Confirm Exchange] button—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou’s experience bar dropped sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a resonance formed between him and Alger through the shared bloodline of the red dragon, creating a unique bond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alger’s memories and techniques related to riding flowed into Mantou’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His proficiency surged rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Mantou felt as though he’d been training in riding since childhood, spending decades with his mount and mastering the art on an eagle’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even his muscles seemed to gain some form of memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mantou came back to his senses, his stats panel had transformed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Riding +14]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amazing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mantou marveled at the experience, finding it utterly fascinating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alger, too, closed his eyes briefly, sensing the strange energy flowing into his body, making him stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starfallers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What peculiar beings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was used to the odd behavior of Starfallers, Alger was still amazed by this unique power transfer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What they didn’t know was that half of the experience Mantou had spent was \"taxed\" and sent to the faction leader—the Ember Empire’s Emperor, the red dragon Cassius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You gained 150 XP.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You gained 300 XP.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You gained 200 XP.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You gained 400 XP.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[You gained 1,900 XP.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius reviewed the continuous stream of updates on his panel, observing the flood of experience data. He found this \"harvest\" system deeply satisfying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, experience transfers through the [Imperial Grace] link.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As expected of the players.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In such a short time, they’ve contributed tens of thousands of XP. At this rate, I’ll soon break through to Level 18.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leveling up passively like this is far more enjoyable than grinding through enemies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red dragon grinned, baring a menacing smile—an expression filled with the joy of harvest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this moment onward, these players would become the fuel for his power growth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassius lightly flapped his wings, circling above Antonio City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live the Empire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live Emperor Cassius!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the city erupted into cheers, celebrating the Emperor’s presence and dreaming of a brighter future.\u003C\u002Fp>",1038,"2026-06-03T12:47:02.952Z","2026-06-03T12:47:07.061Z",1,"novelbin.me","f75e0a5d3274cacb5ad195cc3b270f4916b885a6ed08b5d0e8d62f73dbe659ca","ember-dragon-chapter-397","ember-dragon-chapter-395",603,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fember-dragon-cover.jpg"]