Chapter 424: Royal Apology Gift, Hong Jishi's Extortion

He purchased 500 Intermediate Skill Scrolls at once, which is definitely a huge expenditure.

The Exchange's administrators were startled again.

Jiang Chen had just sold equipment worth 9 billion, then turned around and bought Intermediate Skill Scrolls worth 4 billion, which left the administrators dumbfounded.

"If there were no discount, we could have made an extra 1 billion," the administrator muttered, spacing out.

For many people, 1 billion is already an astronomical figure.

But for Jiang Chen, money is not an issue.

He can run a few more Instances; selling the gear brings in cash.

After all, he farms Instances alone, so all the equipment belongs to him and doesn't need to be shared.

The money comes too easily; Jiang Chen even finds it a bit boring.

So he bought, in one breath, a full 1,000 Intermediate Skill Scrolls, nearly buying up more than half of the Exchange's stock.

"One thousand should be enough," Jiang Chen thought; the quantity was about right.

If it's not enough, he could consider buying flashing Intermediate Skill Scrolls.

Returning to Hong Shen Courtyard, Jiang Chen felt an outsider's presence before even entering.

It seems someone has come to visit.

Jiang Chen's mouth curled into a slight smile, "So it's a gift‑giver after all."

Stepping into the courtyard, he saw Si Tu Liang and Si Tu Yu.

Si Tu Yu, upon seeing Jiang Chen, had a flash of apologetic expression in his eyes.

It was unclear whether he felt sorry because he had fallen into Fusishi Jie, or because of the unreasonable request he made last time.

Jiang Chen wasn't that petty; some matters, once past, are simply past.

Si Tu Liang, seeing Jiang Chen, smiled and greeted, "Divine General Jiang, you have returned."

His attitude was calculated.

He was being courteous; as a ruler and a Divine-level Strongman, he originally didn't need to be like this toward Jiang Chen.

But for various reasons, he was extremely courteous to Jiang Chen.

He knew clearly that as long as Jiang Chen lives, he will inevitably surpass him in the near future.

Any ruler title or Divine-level Strongman status is insignificant before Jiang Chen.

As a sovereign, he still has this perspective.

Si Tu Liang was courteous, so Jiang Chen naturally responded politely, "The ruler is well, Princess Yu is well."

"Divine General Jiang is well," Si Tu Yu said, addressing Jiang Chen as Divine General Jiang out of respect.

Then Si Tu Liang's eyes narrowed sharply, his voice trembling slightly, "Divine General Jiang, you have become a Two-star Divine General."

Jiang Chen nodded, "Hmm."

While speaking, Jiang Chen had already moved past Si Tu Liang and stood beside Hong Jishi, saying no more.

The purpose of the two was crystal clear to Jiang Chen.

This matter should be left to Hong Jishi to decide; it's better if he stays silent.

The extortion scheme is Hong Jishi's specialty.

The only question is whether Si Tu Liang and Si Tu Yu have just arrived or have already been fully extorted.

At this moment Hong Jishi spoke, "Eastern ruler, I have received your intentions; the previous incident was an unintentional mistake on your part, so there's no need to bring it up again."

Hearing this, Si Tu Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

This matter is considered settled.

Jiang Chen also understood that the extortion had already been completed.

The two exchanged a few more polite words before finally leaving Hong Shen Courtyard.

During that, Si Tu Liang's attitude toward Jiang Chen was extremely courteous.

As they departed, he even gave Jiang Chen a special greeting.

After being teleported back to the Imperial Palace, Si Tu Yu was a bit puzzled, "Father, why has your attitude toward Jiang Chen suddenly become so courteous?"

Although he was already courteous before, it never got to this extent.

This

All of this made Si Tu Yu feel that his father was trying to flatter.

Si Tu Liang cleared his throat lightly, "He has become a Two-star Divine General."

Si Tu Yu, not understanding, asked, "Wasn't he already a Divine General? What's different about being a Two-star Divine General?"

Si Tu Liang replied, "Of course it's different. As long as one's Military Merit is sufficient, one can become a Divine General."

"A Zero-star Divine General and a One-star Divine General are essentially the same; enough enemy kills will achieve it."

"But Two-star is different; it requires killing a Demon King. It means at least one Demon King must have died at Divine General Jiang's hands."

"I had heard before that the Flaming Demon King entered an Instance to hunt Divine General Jiang, but was counter‑killed. I never believed that someone below Level 50 could possibly kill a Demon King."

"Today it was finally confirmed to be true; the Military Badge doesn't lie."

Si Tu Yu wondered, "Couldn't Hong Shen's Confucian God have beaten the Demon King half to death, then let him finish the kill?"

Si Tu Liang chuckled, "Then you simply don't understand the Military Badge; that approach is useless."

"In short, when you see him in the future, you must show even more respect. His future achievements will far exceed imagination."

In Hong Shen Courtyard, Hong Jishi was grinning so broadly his mouth couldn't close.

Jiang Chen didn't know how many good things Hong Jishi had extorted, but estimated it was a lot.

Li Xueru said, "Look at how you're smiling, drooling all over."

Hong Jishi laughed brilliantly, "The royal family is truly wealthy, far richer than I am."

"I've spent most of my life gathering materials, and they can't repay that much all at once."

Seeing Hong Jishi act so out of line makes Jiang Chen even more curious about what Si Tu Liang actually brought.

Hong Jishi said, "Xiao Chen, you

do you want to go to Fusishi Jie again?"

Jiang Chen's forehead instantly sprouted three black lines; his teacher seemed to have gone mad.

Li Xueru sighed, "Ignore him, that guy is crazy."

"This time Si Tu Liang is at least sincere, bringing a lot of good stuff. In other words, your consumption during Second Transcendence has been fully replenished."

"The materials for Third Transcendence are also sufficient."

"Moreover, there are some things you can use right now."

Jiang Chen knows that Hong Jishi emptied his fortune almost entirely for Jiang's Second Transcendence.

Don't be fooled by his status as a Divine-level Strongman; his wealth isn't that abundant.

He certainly can't compare with a millennial family like the Royal House.

If they casually pull out a few, they might have more than Hong Jishi, which is normal.

Li Xueru couldn't stand it any longer and flicked a beam of light at Hong Jishi.

Hong Jishi was instantly knocked flying, soaring several hundred meters away.

After Hong Jishi flew back, he finally returned to normal.

He didn't blame Li Xueru for attacking him, but his face was still a bit embarrassed.

He took out two crates and tossed them to Jiang Chen.

"The other stuff isn't very useful to you; what's here is for you to use."

Jiang Chen took the crate and opened it.

Inside the first crate, the scrolls were neatly arranged in rows.

Ten shining Intermediate Skill Scrolls.

They are indeed what he needs.

And with ten Intermediate Skill Scrolls, that brings him to fourteen shining Intermediate Skill Scrolls in total, which is more than enough.

Then he opened the other crate, and the moment it opened, something surged out of it.

Inside was a Skill Scroll, a shining High-level Skill Scroll.

A High-level Skill Scroll is already extremely pricey; its price on the Exchange is 100 million.

As for the shining High-level

Skill Scroll, it is priceless.

So far, Jiang Chen only has one.

Now he has a second.

Hong Jishi said, "Ten Intermediate, one High-level."

"Shining High-level Skill Scrolls are hard to obtain; even the Royal House likely has few left. Use it when you're Level 80."

Jiang Chen understood Hong Jishi's point: when doing Third Transcendence at Level 70, try to complete Profession Ascension.

That way, Level 70 skills are automatically mastered, without needing to waste High-level Skill Scrolls.

At Level 90, after metamorphosing into Divine Level, Skill Scrolls are also unnecessary.

Only at Level 80 are they needed.

Jiang Chen put the crate away, "Teacher, I bought some Intermediate Skill Scrolls on the Exchange. I'll keep the shining scrolls as reserves, just in case."

Hong Jishi nodded, "That's what I meant. You're at Level 50 now, use ordinary Skill Scrolls."

"When you reach Level 60, use the shining scrolls; fourteen shining scrolls are enough for you, you won't have that many skills."

"By the way, how many Intermediate Skill Scrolls did you buy, is the money enough? If not, the teacher has some."

Jiang Chen said, "One thousand."

Pfft!

Hong Jishi nearly spat out his tea, "Where did you get so much money?"

One thousand, without discount, totals a full 10 billion.

Jiang Chen said, "I sold all the gear I farmed in the Instance, and that's how I got it."

"The Exchange gave me a discount; I can get it at 80% of the price."

After all, it's a Solo Run; getting a bit more loot is normal.

Hong Jishi said, "First restore your Essence Qi Spirit to optimal condition, then you can use Skill Scrolls."

"One thousand should be enough."