Li Yuan was at a loss for words, with nothing to say.
Money is very important, but it serves as a measure for the value of common items.
For some rare treasures, or those that can attract the topmost powerful individuals of human civilization… money carries little significance.
What can be measured in terms of money, mostly pertains to treasures that can be continuously produced and have a stable supply.
“This time, you can choose a Third Rank treasure,” Dean Hai said, “but there is a cap on its value, the cheaper the selection, the larger the quantity.”
“The more expensive, the lesser the quantity,” Dean Hai pointed at the myriad of options on the screen.
“I hope for guidance from the Dean,” Li Yuan said politely.
How could he choose the most correct among these treasures, when he had only heard of one or two by chance?
“If you were to ask me, then it would be the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal,” Dean Hai said indifferently.
Li Yuan was taken aback.
Wasn’t this the Heavenly Materials Treasure that Lord Yang of the Province had promised to him?
“Heard of it?” Dean Hai smiled.
“Yes,” Li Yuan nodded, “The contract with the Martial Hall includes a clause stating that if I reach the Fifth Level before the age of 20, the contract will be upgraded to S-rank, and such a treasure will be gifted to me.”
There was no need to hide such a secret from Dean Hai.
“The Marrow Crystal is a rare treasure nurtured by the heavens and earth, with many wonderful uses, such as strengthening the body, nurturing the younger generation, enlarging the divine soul, recovering from injuries… Its uses are extremely broad,” Dean Hai explained, “and its types are numerous as well.”
“Your practice of the ‘Solid Rock Cultivation Technique’ is very much in line with this method, so the Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal should be the most suitable for you,”
“For a normal Martial Path genius, they possess High Rank Cultivation Methods, and choosing a Heavenly Materials Treasure that enlarges spiritual power is the best option.”
“But you do not need that.”
“On the contrary, your body is most in need of it for transformation and growth,” Dean Hai said with a smile. “Of course, this is my suggestion, the actual choice is up to you.”
“I will follow the Dean’s advice,” Li Yuan immediately said.
Advice?
When a leader gives a suggestion, it’s best to take it as an order, or else a suggestion becomes just an opinion.
Besides, Li Yuan also felt that what Dean Hai said made sense.
“Alright.”
Dean Hai nodded slightly, “You’re ranked second this time, which allows you to exchange for eight units of Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal.”
“This item cannot be kept at your residence for safety reasons; you should apply in advance each time you use it and utilize it in a specialized room within the Vermilion Bird Building.” Dean Hai continued, “I will have it arranged.”
“Not safe?” Li Yuan was taken aback.
“You could have several million or tens of millions of Blue Star Coins in your card without attracting envy,” Dean Hai said calmly, “but these Heavenly Materials Treasures are physical items, easily sold for upwards of a hundred million Blue Star Coins… If given directly to you, should someone learn of it, there is no guarantee they won’t harbor ill intentions.”
“It’s bad enough if the treasure can’t be safeguarded, but your life might also be at risk.”
“Remember, never test the hearts of others.”
“Yes,” Li Yuan felt a chill in his heart.
That was true.
If he were to lose a treasure worth over a hundred million Blue Star Coins… the key concern was his personal safety.
“There’s one more thing,”
“Today or tomorrow, the Starfire Martial Hall should contact you to upgrade the contract from A-rank to S-rank,” Dean Hai spoke softly, “The promised Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal, equivalent to ten units, will also be prepared for you.”
“As for the specifics, wait for someone from the Starfire Martial Hall to contact you.”
“S-rank contract with the Martial Hall?” Li Yuan was puzzled.
He had received no news of this, how did the Dean know?
“Any other questions?” Dean Hai asked, “If not, you may go.”
Questions?
After pondering for a while.
“Dean, if someone has suffered severe bodily harm, resulting in a shortened expected lifespan, is there a Third Rank treasure that can extend one’s life?” Li Yuan couldn’t help asking.
“Your uncle?” Dean Hai asked with a faint smile.
Li Yuan was astonished.
“I have read through all your files,” Dean Hai said calmly, “Yes, there are several kinds.”
Li Yuan’s eyes lit up.
“The value is considerable, and your uncle has been stricken with Flame Erosive Bone Poison… While it seems that the High Origin Spirit Spring has cleared the toxins, it’s just a superficial fix…
Too fragile for supplements, many rare treasures would actually cause side effects if used, potentially backfiring,” Dean Hai continued, “One that works exceptionally well and is relatively common is the ‘Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit’; it is the best at countering the Flame Erosive Bone Poison.”
“With it, your uncle can completely recover, without any hidden dangers, and his expected lifespan could exceed 120 years.”
“Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit? An expected lifespan of over 120 years?” Li Yuan was thrilled.
It was indeed true!
Different strengths bring different perspectives.
Uncle Wan knew nothing of these, only rumors, but as a Flying Heaven Warrior, Dean Hai could provide the perfect remedy.
“This item.”
“If measured in terms of money, it is worth at least ten billion Blue Star Coins,”
“And you’d still have to find the right opportunity to purchase it,” Dean Hai spoke slowly, “after all, restoring vitality is not its primary purpose; many powerful Martial Artists need it.”
Ten billion Blue Star Coins? Li Yuan felt his heart sink.
That’s really expensive!
“Thank you, Dean, for the information,” Li Yuan said; regardless, he was relieved to finally have some clues.
“That’s right.”
“Your spiritual power has surpassed level 20, and you can choose a Spiritual Secret Manual, ‘Spirit Concentration Technique,’ to start practicing,” Dean Hai suddenly spoke up, “Wait until you become a Prime Warrior and your spiritual power exceeds level 25 before you practice more spiritual secret manuals.”
“Yes,” Li Yuan nodded.
…
After Li Yuan left, the door gently closed.
“Dragon Spirit Heart Fruit?” Dean Hai muttered to himself before closing his eyes once again.
He silently resumed his cultivation.
With Dean Hai’s strength and wealth, procuring such treasures wasn’t difficult.
However, he wouldn’t do so.
Even if a Flying Heaven Warrior took a fancy to Li Yuan, none would make such an investment.
A treasure worth over a billion Blue Star Coins, just to save an ordinary person? And not even for saving a life, but for extending it?
This went beyond the conventional meaning of ‘cultivation’ and ‘investment support.’
…
Soon after returning to his villa,
Li Yuan received a notice from the school, as well as a bank transfer notification.
“Eight units of Stellar Earth Marrow Crystal to be stored in the ‘school treasury’?” Li Yuan read through the document, “If I want to use them, I have to apply one day in advance each time?”
“They will arrange a special room?” Li Yuan mused to himself.
Li Yuan had to admit that Kunlun Martial University’s arrangements were very reasonable and the safest.
As for the other bank transfer notification,
it was the ’20 million’ Blue Star Coins reward from the Ten Schools Freshmen competition.
“It will keep me worry-free about money for the next several months,” Li Yuan revealed a slight smile.
Immediately,
his eyes swept over the many messages from classmates and friends on his smart bracelet.
Most were inquiring or congratulating him on his achievements in the Ten Schools Freshmen competition.
People like Tian Dazhuang and Li Tianyou had sent messages.
After replying to each one,
“I’ll continue my spear practice,” Li Yuan put down the smart bracelet and silently resumed his spear technique practice.
“Subtlety is a realm,”
“As long as I continue to cultivate and comprehend, my Spear Technique and Fist Technique will quickly break through the 90% bottleneck of the Fourth Level,” Li Yuan thought to himself, “When the Fist Technique crosses into 90% of the Fourth Level, the evolution efficiency of my body will increase significantly.”
“Level 14?”
“I should be able to reach it within a week,” Li Yuan was filled with anticipation.
Once he reached level 14, he would be able to perform Spiritual Guidance.
…
He practiced continuously until after 8 o’clock at night, having consumed a High Origin Spirit Spring in the middle of his session.
Li Yuan finally stopped, glancing at an entry on the Divine Palace panel out of the corner of his eye:
Skill Realms: Spear Technique (Fourth Level 91%), Movement Technique (Fourth Level 84%), Fist Technique (Fourth Level 91%)
Within a day’s time.
He had finally achieved a real breakthrough.
“Subtlety! Now, my skills can truly be said to have reached the Perfection of the Fourth Level, and if I were to face Dantai Feng now, it would be even harder for him to win against me,” Li Yuan slightly closed his eyes, his spirit sensing throughout his body.
The powerful spiritual power seemed to perfectly merge and unite with every muscle, flesh, and bone.
Several deeply hidden injuries, minor flesh wounds from previous cultivation,
were all crystal clear at that moment.
If one didn’t reach ‘Subtlety,’ these injuries would gradually accumulate, affecting bodily progress and even expected lifespan.
But now, with a single thought from Li Yuan, all the minor hidden injuries began to heal.
Over the next few days, Li Yuan’s body would become more vigorous and robust.
One could say,
that without any treasures, every Martial Artist who had achieved Subtlety could maintain their body’s functions at their peak for a long period.
“Vigor!” Li Yuan arrived at the Fist Strength testing area, concentrating and calming his spirit.
Suddenly, he threw a fierce punch.
As he erupted, the countless minute strands of vigor throughout his muscles and flesh were instantly mobilized by the power of his spirit.
Whoosh!
His fist smashed fiercely onto the huge testing sandbag.
“Thump!” A muffled explosion sounded.
Instantly.
The screen above the Fist Strength testing area clearly displayed: “15,224 kilograms (action qualified).”