No response?
Xu Yuan was both surprised and unsurprised.
Unsurprised because similar situations had occurred many times before.
For example, the spirit stones he gave to Jiang Xuansu were given to her sister.
The resources he gave to Xin He were given to Xin Yuan.
Even the current alchemy materials, he usually gave to Jiang Xuansu, who then gave them to Tang Luoluo.
As long as the items weren't given to him, the system didn't deduct the returned resources.
The reason for his surprise was that, based on his understanding of the system, it shouldn't have allowed him to churn out resources so extensively.
After all, this would reduce his motivation to find women who met the system's requirements.
And everything the system did was designed to entice him to find more women.
But regardless, no response was the best response for Xu Yuan.
After sending Hongjiao back, he continued to send people over one after another.
His spirit stones didn't decrease but increased.
Before long, he had churned out hundreds of thousands of spirit stones!
He had returned all the ones he had given out yesterday, and even had some left over.
However, after churning out about 500,000 spirit stones, his worries still came true.
"Host detected maliciously exploiting a vulnerability to obtain spirit stones. Warning!"
A line of striking red text suddenly popped up on the panel.
A new rule was then updated.
Essentially, transferring resources to those who don't meet the system's conditions through women who can return resources will result in the direct deduction of the corresponding returned resources.
Because he had anticipated this, Xu Yuan wasn't particularly emotionally affected. He
was even somewhat relieved that the system hadn't reclaimed the resources obtained through exploitation, but only issued a warning.
He sent Jiang Xuansu back and continued to approach people individually, signing contracts and delivering spirit stones.
Prioritizing those with a clear high level of goodwill towards him,
followed by those who performed diligently and whom he felt he could trust.
Nangong Wentian had also performed diligently, but because he was from the Nangong family, Xu Yuan didn't mention it to him.
He didn't even approach any of the Nangong family women who had a positive level of goodwill towards him.
Now, without the ability to exploit spirit stones, he could only support a maximum of a thousand people,
roughly one-third of the total number of the Yunyuan War Department.
Only one out of three people could be chosen, and the Nangong family, who might be spies, were naturally excluded.
In the end, Xu Yuan only spoke with a thousand people that day.
Without exception, they all agreed.
After the talks, he returned.
"General, what did you talk to them about?"
Yu Gonglan asked curiously.
Xu Yuan simply gave her a few perfunctory words and then ignored her.
That afternoon,
the enemy attacked again.
Chu Yun, who had only trained for two days, was also pulled onto the stone steps to defend. On
her first battlefield experience, she was surprisingly calmer than many men.
Coupled with her mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, she was initially quite capable.
However, her teammates, who were practicing the Three Talents Formation with her, were just two ordinary female cultivators at the first level of Qi Refining. They completely panicked once they entered the battlefield.
Not only did they fail to achieve the desired effect from their combined formation, but they also became a hindrance. They
soon died tragically under the enemy's blades.
The two women had previously worked as maids at the auction house and had known Chu Yun for quite some time.
Now, witnessing their gruesome deaths before her very eyes, their blood even splattering on her face, even the usually composed Chu Yun couldn't help but panic.
Moreover, without the strength of a Foundation Establishment cultivator or someone like Yuan, an individual in such a massive battle is like a floating duckweed in a vast ocean, easily swallowed by the sea of people.
Chu Yun quickly felt herself unable to hold on any longer. She had just finished off an enemy with a single spear thrust when she felt a stab to her side.
Trying to force the attacker away, she was blocked by several men, while several others simultaneously lunged at her with their spears.
"Am I going to die?"
"The battlefield, so this is what a dangerous place is..."
An indescribable weariness washed over her, making her want to give up.
Just then,
a long spear, like a dragon soaring through the sun, was hurled from the side, stringing the enemies in front of her together like a skewer of candied hawthorns.
The spear was then retrieved into the hands of a tall, imposing, and exceptionally valiant young general.
With a single swing, he swept away a large group of people.
Charging into the enemy ranks, he was virtually unstoppable.
Leading thousands of men, he swept through the enemy ranks like a whirlwind, easily crushing them in this area.
It was Xu Yuan, who had led the Yunyuan battle force to reinforce his own defensive position after repelling the enemy there!
Hearing the enemy's cries of despair, Chu Yun looked at the figure who continued sweeping across other areas without stopping.
At that moment, she felt that figure was infinitely tall in the setting sun.
She had heard before of Xu Yuan's bravery on the battlefield.
While admiring him, she couldn't help but guess that it was because of his noble status that others were exaggerating to flatter him.
But now, having personally experienced the cruelty of the battlefield and witnessed Xu Yuan's heroic figure...
her heart pounded uncontrollably.
Looking at Jiang Xuansu and the other women who followed Xu Yuan in battle, she couldn't hide her envy.
To be able to accompany such a hero, fight alongside him, experience life and death together, and share glory—it must be a very happy thing, right?
Even if one dies in battle, there will be no regrets!
After the battle.
"Thank you, General Xu, for saving my life."
Chu Yun came to Xu Yuan and clasped her hands in gratitude.
Xu Yuan glanced at her side: "You're injured?"
"Just a minor injury."
Chu Yun's eyes were complicated.
Compared to her teammates who died tragically, her minor injury was already lucky.
Xu Yuan glanced at her stats.
[Name: Chu Yun]
[Age: 26]
[Talent: Three Spiritual Roots]
[Favorability: 84] [
Appearance
: 89] [Figure: 71]
[Temperament: 89]
[Holiness: 90]
[Total Score: 84.6]
Her figure had indeed dropped by twenty points!
But her favorability had increased by several tens of points.
He took out a healing pill and a Condensed Jade Pill and gave them to her.
"Here's some medicine for your wounds, take it."
Chu Yun took it blankly, hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "General, I wonder if your previous promise still stands?"
"What promise?"
"Before I find other men, I can come to you anytime and be your woman."
The two didn't hide their conversation from others.
Hearing Chu Yun's words, a considerable jeer immediately broke out in the audience.
However, not many people were surprised.
After all, this kind of thing happened often.
Xu Yuan was a little surprised, though. The woman who killed her husband because he cheated on her would actually ask to be his woman in front of so many people, knowing that he had so many women.
He nodded calmly.
"The promise I made naturally stands."
Chu Yun's blood-stained, elegant face couldn't hide her joy.
She had actually prepared herself to be rejected or even ridiculed. After all,
although Xu Yuan had made this promise, she had already politely refused before.
Now, however, she was actively asking him to fulfill his promise...
Although she knew it was shameless, she knew that if she didn't do it, she would definitely regret it for the rest of her life!
Hearing Xu Yuan's answer, her anxiety vanished, replaced by excitement and a sense of fulfilled happiness.
She couldn't resist standing on tiptoe and kissing Xu Yuan on the cheek in front of so many people.
The cheers grew even louder,
and countless envious glances were
cast at Chu Yun. Then, a large group of people rushed out to confess their love to Xu Yuan, including quite a few men who joined in the fun.
That evening,
Xu Yuan took Chu Yun home with him.
He gave her cultivation resources, beauty pills, and life-saving talismans.
Seeing that she was injured, he didn't expect her to repay him that very night.
She was still quite far from reaching her goal, and Xu Yuan didn't want to waste his limited time and energy. A few days later,
in a grove outside the west gate of Guanlan City, two strikingly beautiful but disheveled and weary female cultivators hid in the woods, exchanging silent glances. One of them was named Bu Yanran, a member of the Bu family of the Tianxuan Sect. Several months ago, she received a message from her Uncle-Master Luo Feiyang, saying that they had found the murderer of Bu Huiming and asked them to bring Gao Yunmiao for confrontation. She and her clansmen then brought Gao Yunmiao down the mountain to Guanlan City. However, when they arrived, Guanlan City was already besieged by the Haiqi Kingdom. After waiting for some time without finding an opportunity to enter Guanlan City, and then trying to retreat back to Tianxuan Sect, their escape route was blocked. They had also been discovered several times by cultivators from Haiqi Kingdom. Hunted and forced to hide, of their five clansmen, only she remained. The other was Gao Yunmiao, whom they had "escorted." "We can't delay any longer; we must enter the city today," Gao Yunmiao transmitted. Bu Yanran hesitated: "Can Guanlan City be defended?" She had personally witnessed the enemy's strength along the way. Moreover, to enter, they would have to overcome numerous checkpoints manned by the Haiqi Kingdom's army. The garrison in Guanlan City was unaware of their arrival and couldn't possibly come out to meet them beforehand. "They've already dispatched Foundation Establishment cultivators to search for us," Gao Yunmiao said firmly. "Whether we can hold it or not, we must break in today." A conflict flashed across Bu Yanran's face. Thinking of the Core Formation Ancestor in Guanlan City, and her own ancestor also being there, she nodded. "I understand." Night fell. Using their last concealment talisman, the two emerged from the forest and stealthily made their way towards Guanlan City. Halfway there, the noise they made alerted the Haiqi Kingdom cultivators. Seeing this, they summoned their flying swords and swiftly dispatched the Haiqi Kingdom cultivators blocking their path. Without further delay, they began a frantic sprint towards Guanlan City. Both were at the late-stage Qi Refining Realm, and ordinary Haiqi Kingdom soldiers were no match for them in either speed or strength. Even after hearing the commotion, patrolling Haiqi Kingdom soldiers continued to surround them. However, as long as they weren't overwhelmed by sheer numbers, the threat was minimal. They quickly passed through all the checkpoints, and were now less than three miles from the gates of Guanlan City. At their speed, they would arrive in moments. A look of joy appeared on their faces. The next second, a powerful divine sense enveloped and locked onto them, instantly chilling them to the bone. They probed backward with their divine sense. Sure enough, a short, thin Foundation Establishment cultivator was leisurely flying towards the two of them, hands behind his back. It's over! Despair gripped the two women. Knowing the vast difference between a Qi Refining cultivator and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they didn't even have the thought of resisting. Looking up and seeing the figure blocking their path, they stopped, all hope gone. "Hehe! You two are quite good-looking. Be obedient, and this cultivator might spare your lives and make you his concubines." "You're dreaming!" Bu Yanran retorted angrily. Gao Yunmiao was also prepared to perish together. Having cultivated to the late Qi Refining stage and being disciples of the Tianxuan Sect, they had been considered the pride of heaven since childhood. How could they tolerate such humiliation? "Good, good, good! A fiery temper is good! I like fiery tempers!" The short, thin Foundation Establishment cultivator leered. "It's more fun to play with them this way. It'll be even more satisfying when you're kneeling at my feet begging for mercy." The two women were even angrier and more furious upon hearing this. Seeing the other party flying down towards them, they were so desperate that they contemplated suicide to avoid falling into the hands of these demons and being toyed with and humiliated. But before they could make up their minds, they caught a glimpse of a striking streak of cold light flashing in the night sky, heading straight for the Foundation Establishment cultivator from Haiqi Kingdom. The Foundation Establishment cultivator from Haiqi Kingdom clearly noticed it as well. His previously confident face turned pale with fear the moment he turned around. "No!" He took out a magic weapon and held it in front of him. Boom! A violent surge of spiritual energy erupted, and the chill emanating from it made the two women, who were still some distance away, shiver. Yet, their hearts were filled with intense heat and joy. "It's the Foundation Establishment senior from Guanlan City who's come to save us!" Bu Yanran exclaimed excitedly. Especially seeing the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had just driven her to despair, even with a defensive magic weapon, still have his hands frozen by a chilling aura, ultimately forced to amputate an arm to escape, filled her with even greater excitement and joy. Not long after, a flying sword carrying two young cultivators arrived above them. Guanlan City actually has such a young and handsome Foundation Establishment senior?!
Two of them?!
Bu Yanran's eyes burned with excitement.
Seeing the senior with the bow jump down, she excitedly stepped forward: "Thank you so much for saving my life, senior!"
The man simply nodded to her, then looked at Gao Yunmiao beside him.
"Why are you here?"
Bu Yanran: "?!!!"
"You know the senior?"
She turned to look at Gao Yunmiao with a surprised expression.
Gao Yunmiao was even more astonished: "Xu...Yuan?!"
How long has it been since they last met?
Less than a year, and Xu Yuan, who was at the fourth level of Qi Refining, had already managed to scare away a Foundation Establishment True Person with a single arrow?
Seeing that the pursuers from Haiqi Kingdom had caught up, Xu Yuan knew that this was not the time to talk. He put away the Moonflower Bow, took out a spear, and said to Yun Mochen, who was slowly descending, "Take them back to the city first."
Yun Mochen nodded, switched from sword to spear, and after letting the two women stand on it, flew towards Guanlan City.
Under the moonlight.
The two women turned back to look at the lone figure holding a gun, blocking the Haiqi Kingdom's army. For a moment, they were both filled with unease.
"Won't he be in danger alone?"
Gao Yunmiao asked worriedly.
Yun Mochen smiled confidently and said, "Don't worry, Brother Xu can handle it."
Bu Yanran also said, "Senior Sister Gao, don't worry. That senior is so powerful, he'll definitely be fine."
Having successfully escaped death, her heart finally settled, and she regained her usual lively personality, even inquiring, "How exactly do you know that senior?"
Gao Yunmiao remained silent.
She couldn't very well say that the person she had "escorted" to this confrontation was likely the same one from earlier, could she?
At the same time, she wasn't sure what the situation was, and she was afraid of saying the wrong thing and causing trouble for Xu Yuan. So she simply
kept quiet.
After escorting the two back to the city wall, Yun Mochen turned back to fetch Xu Yuan.
It wasn't that he was worried about Xu Yuan.
It was just that Xu Yuan wanted to conceal his abilities and didn't want to reveal in front of others that he could fly on a sword at the Qi Refining stage.
And the city gates couldn't be opened at night.
He couldn't very well leave Xu Yuan locked up outside all night, could he?
When Xu Yuan returned covered in blood, the two women rushed over to greet him.
"Xu Yuan, are you alright?"
"Senior, you're amazing!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
After exchanging glances , Bu Yanran said,
"Senior Sister, isn't it inappropriate to address a senior by their first name like that?" "I'm not your senior." [At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 𝖙𝖜𝖐𝖆𝖓.𝖈𝖔𝖒] Xu Yuan clarified, "I'm only at the Qi Chain Realm." "Huh???!!!" Bu Yanran's eyes widened instantly. A Qi Chain Realm cultivator, who had repelled a Foundation Establishment True Person with a single arrow? And single-handedly blocked an army of thousands?! How could this be possible? In comparison, Gao Yunmiao was much calmer. Previously, Xu Yuan, at the fourth level of the Qi Chain Realm, had defeated Bu Huiming, who was at the late stage of the Qi Chain Realm, and killed the Ye family patriarch. Now, his strength had advanced further, repelling a Foundation Establishment True Person... Although it was still surprising, it was much easier to accept than Xu Yuan successfully establishing his foundation in less than a year. While the two were still stunned, Xu Yuan glanced at their profile information. [Name: Gao Yunmiao] [Age: 38] [Talent: Heavenly Spiritual Root (Earth)] [Favorability: 77] [Appearance: 94] [Figure: 89] [Temperament: 92] [Holiness: 100] [Total Score: 93.8] After the standard change, her figure score skyrocketed, from the seventies to almost 90! A significant boost. Her total score was second only to Luo Bingli and Jiang Xuansu, on par with Ji Linyuan. He then looked at the other person. [Name: Bu Yanran] [Age: 36] [Talent: Three Spiritual Roots] [Favorability: 62] [Appearance: 86 ] [Figure: 87] [Temperament: 85] [Holiness: 100] [Total Score: 88.8] Still a bit short of meeting the standard. Xu Yuan withdrew his gaze and looked at Gao Yunmiao: "Why are you here?" "I'll tell you later." Gao Yunmiao's voice transmission rang in her ears first, and then Gao Yunmiao spoke: "It's an order from our sect." Bu Yanran was too embarrassed to say that she wasn't sent by her sect to provide support, and she didn't know that Xu Yuan was the person she was looking for. Skipping over that topic, she asked curiously: "How did this senior brother meet senior sister?" "We met briefly when we passed through Guanlan City last time," Gao Yunmiao said quickly. "Just a brief encounter?" Bu Yanran asked suspiciously. Seeing that Gao Yunmiao didn't want to say more in front of Bu Yanran, Xu Yuan echoed Gao Yunmiao's words and then said to Bu Yanran: "It's getting late now. Where is the fairy going? I'll arrange for someone to take you." After being asked this, Bu Yanran, who had been in the wilderness for several months, lost her mood for chatting with the handsome man. She wished she could find a place to take a bath and eat immediately, and then have a good night's sleep. Anyway, they were both in Guanlan City, and she would have plenty of time to get closer to the handsome man later. She hadn't washed or groomed herself for days, so it was best not to get too close to anyone, lest she leave a bad impression. "Thank you for your trouble, senior brother," she said with a charming smile. "Master Duchen of the Tianxuan Sect is my grandfather. Please arrange for someone to take me to his residence." Xu Yuan and Yun Mochen exchanged a glance, both looking puzzled. "Who is Master Duchen?" "You don't know my grandfather?" Bu Yanran's smile turned to surprise. In Guanlan City, there were only a handful of Foundation Establishment True Persons, how could they not know him? It seemed they hadn't even heard of him. Xu Yuan shook his head. Yun Mochen also shook his head, saying, "Currently, there is only one True Person surnamed Luo from the Tianxuan Sect in the city." " How is that possible?" Bu Yanran didn't care about being discreet anymore: "Isn't there a True Person named Bu Jiechen?" Yun Mochen and Xu Yuan still shook their heads. "I arrived rather late, perhaps they left before I arrived?" "I haven't heard of them either." Xu Yuan hadn't heard of them either, but guessed it must be the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had come looking for trouble and whom he had casually killed while assessing his own strength. Bu Yanran swayed, her eyes unfocused. After a long silence, she said, "Please send someone to escort me to the Tianxuan Sect's headquarters, Senior Brother." Xu Yuan turned and called out, "Er Niu, escort this fairy to the Tianxuan Sect's headquarters." "Yes, General!" After Zhang Er Niu accepted the order and led Bu Yanran away, Yun Mochen also tactfully stepped aside. "I'm on night duty tonight, would you like me to arrange accommodations for you?"
"Xu Yuan asked.
Gao Yunmiao shook her head, then told Xu Yuan about the purpose of her trip to Guanlan City.
Knowing she had been summoned to confront him, Xu Yuan couldn't really protest.
Before, he could confidently say he hadn't killed Bu Huiming, but now, he had truly killed members of the Bu family.
And more than one!
However, he wasn't too worried.
"By the way, how's your Foundation Establishment going?"
Xu Yuan suddenly asked again.
Last time they met, Gao Yunmiao had already reached the Qi Refining Perfection stage.
But more than half a year had passed,
and her cultivation level remained stagnant.
Gao Yunmiao then briefly told him about being stripped of her spot to enter the Lesser Heaven.
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Xu Yuan was still optimistic about Gao Yunmiao's Foundation Establishment.
After all, she had a Heavenly Spiritual Root!
Even if she couldn't refine a Foundation Establishment Pill, using Breath Soil as a Foundation Establishment spiritual material, her probability of Foundation Establishment would be at least 50%!
Gao Yunmiao thought he was referring to helping her enter the Lesser Heaven.
She thought that with less than a year left until the next opening of the Small Cave Heaven, she might not make it in time.
But to avoid causing Xu Yuan unnecessary trouble, she simply nodded.
The two sat on the stone steps, chatting idly, and soon Gao Yunmiao fell asleep leaning against Xu Yuan.
Although she no longer needed sleep at the late stage of Qi Refining, she was still tired.
Having Xu Yuan by her side gave her a sense of security.
Even sitting on the stone steps couldn't stop the drowsiness.
Meanwhile,
seeing his prepared backup plan arrive, Luo Feiyang felt no joy.
In this situation, even without evidence proving Xu Yuan was the murderer,
and even if there were, the city lord certainly wouldn't touch him if Xu Yuan was confirmed to be the killer of Bu Jiechen.
The same went for other high-ranking officials who still wanted to live.
Fearing Bu Yanran would ruin his plans, Luo Feiyang didn't even show his dissatisfaction with Xu Yuan in front of her, nor did he mention that Xu Yuan might be the killer of Bu Jiechen.
The next morning,
when Xu Yuan brought Gao Yunmiao back to their residence...
Seeing Gao Yunmiao, Jing Liuli immediately began to question her existence.
No way! How could someone who looked younger than her be so much older?
She indignantly compared herself to Gao Yunmiao from head to toe.
Height… surprisingly, she actually won.
Appearance… although the other was prettier, she looked more mature!
But when her gaze shifted to Gao Yunmiao's chest, Jing Liuli felt an indescribable sense of defeat.
How could she be so tall?
Even Shen Meiqing and Yan Jiu in the manor might not be able to compare to her.
However, no one cared what she thought.
Xu Yuan directly led Gao Yunmiao into his room. He
closed the door,
then pulled Gao Yunmiao into his arms, half-lifting her against the door, and leaned closer.
"Wait!"
Gao Yunmiao's face flushed slightly: "I haven't bathed yet."
Xu Yuan paused, but didn't put her down.
"Then let's do it together."
Chapter 107 Capturing the Natives Alive, News from Blacklight Outpost
The last rays of the setting sun were dappled through the dense canopy of trees, casting mottled patterns on the forest path leading back to school.
Jiang Ming walked at the forefront, his silver plate armor gleaming coldly in the woods.
Behind him, Li Bin and two students escorted the dejected Baron caravan.
These native merchants hunched their shoulders, their ankles bound together with rope, staggering along behind.
Due to the terrifying pressure emanating from Jiang Ming, Baron didn't even dare to breathe loudly, only silently praying to the gods. When the towering reinforced concrete outline of the faculty dormitory building came into view of the natives, Baron and the others nearly popped their eyes out. In their understanding, only dukes' castles possessed buildings of this scale.
Moreover , this entirely gray-white, mirror-like stone was simply unheard of. "What... a miracle?" Baron's lips trembled, his legs went weak. At that moment, Zhao Yanzhi was waiting with several archers at the sentry post at the entrance of the faculty dormitory building. Seeing Jiang Ming return, Zhao Yanzhi immediately waved for the roadblock to be lowered. "Brother Jiang is back! And he brought back... people?" The news spread like wildfire among the survivors. Dozens of students who were working inside the building rushed to the windows or the entrance of the hall, looking down curiously. "Holy crap, are those natives? Why are they dressed like those refugees from the Western Middle Ages?" "Look at that beard, and that skin, they're not fakes, they really are otherworldly beings!" "Why do they look so afraid of Brother Jiang? Did Brother Jiang raid their hideout?" The survivors discussed among themselves, their eyes filled with the curiosity and excitement of watching monkeys in a zoo. Jiang Ming walked into the hall expressionlessly, his heavy combat boots striking a heart-pounding rhythm on the terrazzo floor. Baron and the others were led into the hall. Seeing the strangely dressed "otherworldly beings" around them, each carrying a glowing plastic tube (a powerful flashlight), they were terrified and immediately knelt on the ground, frantically kowtowing. They spewed out a series of rapid syllables, their tone pleading, but no one could understand them. Jiang Ming frowned; this inability to communicate made him feel a little irritated. The information gap was a huge chasm, and he needed to bridge it immediately. "Brother Jiang, what kind of gibberish are these guys talking about?" Wang Yang leaned over, scratching his head. Just then, a thin boy wearing black-rimmed glasses squeezed out from the crowd. His name was Zhou Wen, usually a marginal figure with very little presence at school. "Brother Jiang—" Zhou Wen's voice trembled slightly, his hand tightly clutching a skill card that emitted a faint blue glow. Jiang Ming stopped, his cold gaze sweeping over Zhou Wen. "What's up?" Zhou Wen swallowed hard, then boldly stepped forward. "I won this in a lottery last night. I wonder if you need it." Jiang Ming took the card, and the system panel instantly popped up with information: [Proficiency in Native Language (Skill Book): After learning, you can master the common language of this plane, including reading and writing.] Jiang Ming's eyes narrowed slightly. This was exactly what he needed right now. "What do you want?" Jiang Ming didn't waste any words and went straight to the point. Zhou Wen pushed up his glasses, a hint of longing flashing in his eyes. "I—I want to join your core team, or, give me a weapon that can save my life." He knew that in this godforsaken place, skill cards were precious, but if you couldn't use them, they were just a piece of waste paper . Giving them to Jiang Ming in exchange for protection was his smartest choice. Jiang Ming nodded and casually pulled out a rusty iron spear he had picked up in the goblin camp from behind his back. Then, he took out a piece of discarded aluminum alloy window frame from his [Portable Storage Card]. [Synthesis Activated.] A ghostly blue light devoured the two items in Jiang Ming's palm. Three seconds later, a [Refined Steel Spear], gleaming with a cold light and featuring a spiral pattern on its tip, appeared in his hand. [Refined Steel Spiral Spear (Excellent Weapon): Attack Power +12, with the special effect "Armor Penetration," easily piercing light leather armor.] A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Jiang Ming casually tossed the spear and two bags of compressed biscuits to Zhou Wen. "The stuff is yours. You can move to the second floor; Zhao Yanzhi will arrange it for you. But this skill book is mine." Zhou Wen clutched the spear like a precious treasure, thanking him profusely. Jiang Ming crushed the skill book. A massive surge of information instantly flooded his mind; countless obscure pronunciations and distorted characters became instantly clear. The feeling was strange, like chaotic noise suddenly transforming into a familiar mother tongue. Jiang Ming turned, coldly looking down at Baron kneeling on the ground. "Raise your head," Jiang Ming said, speaking in the Common Language Baron was familiar with, but with an undeniable chilling tone. Baron shuddered, looked up in horror, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"My lord—you, you speak Grimm?"
"Now I'm asking you, not the other way around."
Jiang Ming walked up to Baron, the tip of his black iron sword lightly touching Baron's chin.
"Name, identity, and where is this place?"
Baron felt the chilling killing intent emanating from his chin, cold sweat trickling down his temples.
"My name is Baron, a free merchant from the eastern border of the Kingdom of Grimm, my lord."
"This is the outer edge of the border forest of the kingdom's eastern border, the locals call it—the Glimmering Woods."
Baron spoke extremely quickly, as if afraid that a second's delay would result in his head being chopped off.
"Glimmering Woods?"
Jiang Ming repeated.
"Yes, this is a no-man's-land. A month's journey east leads to the Tranquil Forest, the territory of the elves; about three months' journey west, crossing a large canyon, leads to the kingdom's northern border—"
Jiang Ming sneered inwardly, it seemed his previous assessment was correct.
This "enclave" of the school happened to be situated at the intersection of multiple powers.
"Besides you humans, what else is around here?"
"Goblins—those green-skinned scum are everywhere, and the ones you just killed."
Baron swallowed hard and continued.
"And the occasional ogres, and the secluded half-elf settlements deep in the woods. My lord, we're just a passing caravan. Our goods include salt and spices. If you release us, they're all yours!"
Jiang Ming sheathed his sword.
Salt and spices?
In this other world, those are hard currency.
But in Jiang Ming's eyes, the information these natives themselves provided was far more valuable than that little bit of salt.
He turned to Zhao Yanzhi.
"Find an empty room and lock them up. We'll verify the accuracy of the information after our meeting."
"Also, you few bring him with me. We need to prepare for the meeting."
Jiang Ming looked out the window, his eyes deep.
"We have more neighbors than we imagined."
On the second floor of the faculty dormitory, smoke filled the temporary command post.
That was a half-pack of damp Hongtashan cigarettes that Wang Yang had found in a teacher's dormitory drawer. It smelled pungent, but here it was a rare luxury.
Jiang Ming sat behind a large, solid wood desk, his fingers rhythmically tapping the surface.
Opposite him, the caravan leader, Baron, knelt on the floor, his forehead pressed against the cold floor, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
"You mean, going west for most of the day, there's a place called 'Blacklight Outpost'?"
Jiang Ming's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable air of authority.
Baron swallowed hard, his voice hoarse as he replied, "Yes—yes, sir. It's a supply point set up by the Kingdom of Green on the edge of the Twilight Forest, and also—also the largest black market for stolen goods in the vicinity."
"A black market for stolen goods?" Jiang Ming raised an eyebrow.
"The Glimmering Woods isn't just home to goblins and wild beasts, but also many exiled knights, wanted criminals, and bounty hunters,"
Baron said, not daring to look up, rattling off the details. "Although Blacklight Outpost is nominally under the kingdom's jurisdiction, it's actually controlled by the local garrison commander, One-Eyed Gareth. As long as you can pay the entrance tax, they'll buy and sell anything there."
Jiang Ming glanced at the simple map on the table.
The school was currently located deep in the woods, resource-scarce, and constantly threatened by beast tides.
Although he could create most basic tools using his synthesis abilities, some things couldn't be conjured out of thin air.
These included magical materials, monster cores, and detailed information about this world.
"How many troops does that outpost have?" Jiang Ming asked the most crucial question.
Baron pondered for a moment, then cautiously replied, "About two hundred standing guards, plus quite a few mercenaries. However, even Commander Gareth is probably no match for you, sir."
He had personally witnessed how Jiang Ming crushed a goblin shaman like an ant on the riverbank.
That pure physical strength far surpassed that of most professionals at Blacklight Outpost.
Jiang Ming nodded, having made his calculations.
A guard of two hundred might be troublesome if it were a regular legion, but these border guerrillas posed little threat.
"Very good."
Jiang Ming stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the survivors carrying supplies.
The parade ground was piled high with junk seized from the goblin camp—rusty iron knives, stinking animal hides, and unidentified bones.
In Jiang Ming's eyes, these things were all trash.
Keeping them took up space, but throwing them away was a waste.
"Zhao Yanzhi," Jiang Ming called out without turning around.
Zhao Yanzhi, who had been waiting at the door, immediately pushed it open and entered: "Brother Jiang, I'm here."
"Take stock of the warehouse."
Jiang Ming turned around, his gaze sharp: "Pack up all the goblin weapons, and all the surplus supplies we collected at the school that we don't need."
Zhao Yanzhi hesitated: "Brother Jiang, those rusty iron pieces and scrap are useless to us, are we going to throw them away?"
"Throw them away?"
Jiang Ming's lips curled into a cold smile as he pointed to Baron kneeling on the ground.
"Take these natives with us, make them porters."
"We'll go to Blacklight Outpost and set up a stall."
Since that place is a dumping ground for stolen goods, that's perfect.
He'll exchange all this "waste" from industrial civilization, as well as the "garbage" he stole from the goblins, for resources that can enhance his strength.
As for Baron's caravan?
Jiang Ming never intended to keep these idle people around.
The school's food reserves are already tight, so rather than keeping them to eat and drink for free, it's better to let them contribute their remaining energy as free labor and guides.
"This—to set up a stall?" Zhao Yanzhi was a little confused by Jiang Ming's train of thought.
In this dangerous alien world, shouldn't the first reaction be to stay in the base and farm?
But he didn't dare to question it and immediately nodded: "Understood! I'll go arrange for people to pack it up right away!"
Jiang Ming walked up to Baron and looked down at him.
"You just said your goods included salt and spices?"
Baron's heart skipped a beat. That was his entire fortune, but to survive, he could only nod painfully. "Yes, sir, there are five large barrels of coarse salt and a chest of black pepper—"
"Now they're mine."
Jiang Ming declared ownership directly, his tone matter-of-fact.
He crouched down, took a crudely made silver coin from Baron's pocket, and toyed with it in his hand.
"As your guide, if this transaction goes smoothly, I might consider sparing your lives, and even give you a good meal."
Baron suddenly looked up, his eyes blazing with a will to survive. "Praise be to you! Merciful sir! I will definitely lead the way! I know the Black Light Outpost's black market inside and out!"
Jiang Ming casually tossed the silver coin up and caught it cleanly.
Merciful?
No.
This was simply the rational use of resources.
"Go prepare, we'll depart in half an hour."
Jiang Ming waved his hand, dismissing Baron like a fly.
Once he was alone in the room, Jiang Ming opened the [Synthesis of All Things] panel.
His gaze fell on a pile of unsold goods he had scavenged from the school supermarket:
several boxes of cheap glass cups, a bunch of stainless steel spoons from Yiwu, and a few boxes of unwanted colorful plastic beads.
On Earth, these would be industrial waste.
But in this other world with its low productivity—
Jiang Ming grabbed a handful of plastic beads and then a glass cup.
[Synthesis Activated.]
A faint blue light flashed.
The originally cheap glass cup became crystal clear, its surface inlaid with colorful "gems" that refracted brilliant light in the sunlight.
[Glass Five-Colored Holy Grail (Exquisite Craftsmanship)]
[Evaluation: Although it doesn't offer any attribute bonuses, its exquisite craftsmanship is enough to drive any country bumpkin nobleman crazy.]
Jiang Ming looked at the "Holy Grail" in his hand and smiled with satisfaction.
This was a dimensional reduction attack.
Using Earth's industrial waste to harvest the real gold and silver of another world.
This deal was a guaranteed profit no matter how you looked at it.
Half an hour later.
A strange team had assembled at the school gate.
Jiang Ming, clad in a clean, polished Silver Knight's Full Armor and carrying a Black Iron Horse-Slaying Sword, rode his tall, grey warhorse like a lord embarking on a campaign.
Behind him were fully armed Wang Yang and Li Bin, along with five handpicked suicide squad members.
Further back was the dreaded Baron caravan.
Each of these natives carried heavy bundles; some wielded rusty goblin scimitars, others bundles of animal hides, and one even carried two crates of glassware.
"Move out,"
Jiang Ming commanded.
The caravan marched into the dense, shimmering forest, heading west towards the Blacklight Outpost.
Chapter 77 Marina's Correct Discipline
This book is first published on Taiwan Novel Network, the first choice for reading Taiwanese novels, t̸̸w̸̸k̸̸a̸̸n̸̸.c̸̸o̸̸m̸̸. Read anytime, providing you with error-free and disordered chapter reading experience.
[500 points settlement: Title draw count ×1]
[Next settlement score requirement: 5000]
Five thousand points!
Seeing this settlement requirement that has increased tenfold, Lynn was not worried at all.
He was even a little happy.
Because the color was still silver, not the bronze color of the past!
A reward of the same strength as [Skull Slave Master]!
Lynn naturally couldn't be happier.
And when he saw the current slave master rating on the title page, Lynn was even more surprised.
His rating had actually skyrocketed to a full 2778 points!
Scanning the illustrations of Agatha and others, it was naturally all due to their increased ratings.
The value of those "masters" he had just heard was still increasing.
The negative affix "Belief in Returning Home" disappeared completely.
All instances of "Achilla Worship" transformed into "Lynn Worship."
Although—the ratings for "Lynn Worship" were generally low, with the highest being only 6 points for Agatha.
Most others received +1 or +3, and some even +0.
However, now that the pattern was understood, increasing the affix's value was easy.
It simply involved showcasing more "miracles."
In addition, Lynn discovered a new affix appearing uniformly on the profiles of Agatha and the other 42 slaves.
These affixes even bore their own names.
The affix: "Lynn's Free People"—a unique type of slave under slave owner Lynn, even better than true free people.
This affix was also classified as a potential affix.
However, judging from the score increase, it was even more dramatic than "Lynn Worship."
As for the pattern, Lynn, as the proposer, was naturally quite clear.
As long as they lived under his control like free people, there would inevitably be an increase in their value.
This was simple enough and aligned with his original goal.
He estimated that once the production brigade system was fully implemented and the first batch of wheat was harvested and distributed to them,
there would inevitably be a breakthrough in performance.
He quickly estimated the average slave points needed to reach 5,000 points and unlock the next level of rewards.
His brow furrowed again.
He feared that the slaves he currently had wouldn't be enough.
He needed at least more—
"Rad—"
At this moment, Lynn thought of the royal court slave trader, wondering if he had found any new slaves for him.
He was also relieved that, until he found a way to increase the number of pages in the "Slave Owner's Handbook," he adhered to the principle of "better to have none than to have bad ones," otherwise he might have been stuck at 5,000 points. After
reviewing Agatha and the others' entries, he finally turned his attention to Milia and Marina, whom he hadn't looked at in a long time.
Marina's entry was almost unchanged, while Milia's entry had a new entry.
Entry: Strange Bedtime Service Method (+1)
Introduction: This is a hard-to-imagined bedtime service method, seemingly a combination of horsemanship, herbalism, and bedtime service etiquette—
what a mess—
Lynn thought helplessly.
Now he understood that Marina clearly didn't understand his meaning. He had
finally found such a special talent as Marina.
Of course, he didn't want her to teach him any strange bedtime service positions. He
was originally counting on Marina to help him manage things.
It would be best if she could also train Milia.
There would be countless places that needed talent in the future.
If he had to be responsible for everything by himself, he would probably be exhausted.
He would be so tired that he would fall asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed, becoming an incompetent husband— what was the point of
bedtime service? Getting up and walking outside, Lynn immediately saw Milia burying her head in a large ceramic jar. "Milia, where is your mother?" Not knowing what Milia was doing, Lynn walked in and asked. Milia immediately lifted her head from the jar, her face showing a mixture of guilt and panic. Lynn then noticed a tiny speck of white porridge on Milia's nose – a "trace of the crime. " Was she smelling coconut porridge? He immediately guessed what was going on and said, "There's plenty of coconut porridge, Milia. You don't need to sneak a sniff; you can eat it directly." "Huh?" Milia blushed instantly after her master saw through her act. She lowered her head, like a child who had done something wrong. "But Mommy said Milia is just Master's possession." Marina actually said that? Lynn frowned, but then thought about it, and realized that this was indeed extremely correct education in this world—what a load of rubbish!
Slaves, treating themselves as tools, cannot possibly exercise agency like humans.
Besides—it's clear Marina has educated Milia into some kind of special tool.
Although—
thinking back to the feeling of holding Milia that day, it does seem somewhat similar.
"Go and call Marina here, Milia."
"Yes, Master!"
"Marina, what have you taught Milia?"
"Master, I've taught Milia many things according to your requirements."
Marina's face suddenly flushed.
"I think you'll be satisfied, Master."
"Milia can serve you now, I, I can guide Milia from the side—"
"I certainly won't disappoint you."
Feeling her mother's outstretched hand, Milia hesitated for a moment, then understood Marina's meaning, and was already preparing to take off her robe.
"Stop, Milia."
Lynn then realized that the actual situation was even more complex than he had imagined.
He was busy being a monarch, hoping Marina could be of some help.
But all Marina was thinking about was playing the three-person game?
This is absolutely not the right time—
"Marina, I'm asking you to teach Milia some useful knowledge.
1
"Milia told me before that you're very good at these things."
As soon as the words fell, Milia's hand, which was taking off her robe, stopped abruptly, and a hint of doubt appeared on her blushing cheeks.
She seemed to be trying to recall when she had said something she herself didn't even know she had.
Marina, on the other hand, looked surprised.
But it wasn't because Lynn knew she knew about managing the oasis, but because Lynn actually wanted her to do this.
"Master, you said you want me to manage the oasis?"
"But I'm a slave, or—a female slave."
Slaves can only be used as tools, whether as agricultural implements on the fertile land or as containers in bed, it's all taken for granted.
It's enough to make one sick to think about a woman managing an oasis.
But to let a female slave like herself manage an oasis is something Marina had never imagined.
Seeing Marina's reaction, Lynn immediately understood.
If it were before, he really wouldn't know how to explain it clearly.
But now, he had a rather perfect way to put it.
"Marina, you are my slave, but on my oasis, you can be a free person."
"Master's slave? And—a free person?"
Marina's face showed even more confusion.
"That's right, you are still a slave, Marina, but I allow you to be a free person on my oasis."
"I—I'm still a free person—"
Seemingly understanding, Marina's eyes even welled up with tears.
"Master, I—how can I repay your kindness?"
Kindness?
A good word.
One's own kindness is better when it accumulates.
That way, one can become a sufficiently useful person—
and sufficiently loyal.
"Repay me, then remember what I'll tell you later, and then help me manage the others."
The fertile land on the oasis is about to be fully cultivated.
The next step is large-scale planting, which is when a production system never before seen in this world will be implemented.
Plant as much fertile land as possible before the harvest day.
This is the most direct manifestation of labor, a key factor in getting those small slave owners onto his ship.
And now, it's time for Marina to play her role.
Just as Lynn was about to tell Marina about the upcoming system,
he suddenly heard the sound of paper tearing in his mind.
Unlike turning a page, the sound was quite piercing.
Looking at the "Encyclopedia of Slave Owners," he immediately found the unusual page.
Alena—
a scream accompanied by the thunderous sound of galloping hooves.
In the desert twilight, a cloud of dust rose from behind the desert horses.
Only when the slave hunters on the desert horses felt somewhat tired from the jostling did they stop.
Looking at Alena, who had stopped resisting, the dark-skinned slave hunter took out his water pouch and took a sip.
"That's enough, Nag. We have to take her to the city-state of Kas before dark. The priests there like women with particularly tall figures like her."
"We'll definitely get a good price then."
"Wait, wait a little longer."
Looking at Alena, who was still struggling to pull the rope around her neck, the slave hunter called Nag took another big gulp.
"You've only just become a slave hunter, kid. Remember, these slaves have to be tortured properly."
"Otherwise, you can't sell them."
As he said this, Nag thought of the group of dwarf priests in the city-state of Kas.
He also thought of the priests' pleasure in crawling into the bellies of tall women, and chuckled twice.
Suddenly, Nag lashed out with his whip.
"Ah!"
A scream followed immediately.
The whip struck the bronze thigh squarely, tearing open the skin.
"If you dare touch the rope around your neck again, I'll—"
But then, Nag stared in astonishment at the rope Alena had been pulling on.
With a snap, it broke!
This!
Even the strong male slaves they hunted couldn't have broken the rope!
Before they could react, Alena sprang to her feet.
She rushed towards Nag with unimaginable speed.
"Quick!"
She shouted, only to feel the whip vanish from her hand, and a sudden tightening around her neck—
two figures fell from their desert horses.
Two slave hunters, one experienced, the other young and strong.
Both died instantly at Alena's hands!
Snatching the water pouch from the ground, Alena ignored the sand embedded in her flesh and began to gulp it down.
To quell the desert horses' wildness, Alena first punched and kicked both of them.
Then she mounted one.
She gazed at the setting sun for a long time, the pain in her body growing heavier, far more agonizing than the branding she had suffered as a slave.
Leading the other desert horse, Alena headed in the opposite direction from home, towards the city-state of Atreides