The next morning, Hongning Base City.
The dark blue King-Class Fighter slowly descended, and Shen Mu flew out from the aircraft.
The moment he arrived at Limit Martial Hall headquarters, Shen Mu saw a white-haired old woman in her sixties walking out from the entrance of the spaceship-like building.
She was Isadora, the HR Alliance's Speaker. Her strength was mediocre, though; while she had reached Planet-Level First Rank, her combat experience was terribly lacking.
"Councilor Shen Mu."
"Madam Isadora."
After Shen Mu exchanged greetings with Isadora, he was about to enter the martial hall headquarters when she said, "May I ask how Councilor Shen Mu fared on this trip to Mist Island?"
Another one after Mu Ya Crystals. Shen Mu had quite a few Mu Ya Crystals, but he had no desire to waste them.
"My apologies, Madam Isadora. I've already arranged with the Hall Master to exchange Mu Ya Crystals for some special treasures."
Although Isadora was disappointed, she still exchanged a few polite pleasantries and said they could cooperate more in the future if the opportunity arose.
After responding with a few words, Shen Mu entered the martial hall headquarters and headed straight for Hong's reception room.
Within the simple, tranquil room, Hong sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, brewing tea.
There was a special charm to his movements, probably the so-called art of tea. Shen Mu was a rough man and did not understand much about it.
"Hall Master." Shen Mu bowed slightly.
A faint smile appeared on Hong's face. "Sit. You took the initiative to exchange treasures with me. It seems you gained quite a lot from this trip to Mist Island."
Although Shen Mu was a member of Limit Martial Hall, no one had the right to comment on treasures he had obtained privately.
"I did gain something. I want to exchange for several Essences of Flora, as well as some special treasures from ancient civilization ruins."
"No problem."
As he spoke, Hong lightly raised a hand, and a light screen appeared before Shen Mu. It displayed a list of Essences of Flora and a list of treasures from ancient civilization ruins.
There was even a Laser Handgun on the ancient civilization ruins list. After modification and restoration, it could be charged with electricity, and its power was enough to kill Planet-Level monsters.
"I'll take four Black God Suits. I want this Laser Handgun as well, along with the No. 2 Essence of Flora, the Thousand-Year Black Root. I'll take all four of these."
Shen Mu gave the ancient civilization treasures one final glance and spotted the Ancient Civilization Gravity Chamber that had caught Babata's eye in the original story.
"I'll take this Ancient Civilization Gravity Chamber too."
Hong gave Shen Mu a surprised look. He had not expected Shen Mu to be so wealthy.
The four Black God Suits alone were worth one Mu Ya Crystal. The Laser Handgun was priced at two Mu Ya Crystals, while the gravity chamber cost 4.5 Mu Ya Crystals.
Including the four Essences of Flora, the total came to 7.9 Mu Ya Crystals.
With a wave of his hand, Shen Mu produced eight Mu Ya Crystals glowing with a faint light. "Hall Master, give me two portions of Dragon Blood as well. Let's round it up."
"All right."
Under the usual rules, each person could purchase only one Black God Suit, and there were many other restrictions.
But this time, Hong made an exception. He did not even mention any restrictions.
After all, one Black God Suit was enough for him, but he could never have enough treasures like Mu Ya Crystals. Whether for his own cultivation or for raising Mo Yun Vine, he needed a great quantity of Mu Ya Crystals.
"The Essences of Flora, Laser Handgun, and Black God Suits can be given to you now. As for the Ancient Civilization Gravity Chamber, someone will personally deliver it to your door in a few days."
After speaking, Hong waved his hand, and a thread-bound booklet appeared on the low tea table before them.
"These are some of my insights into domains. Take them back and have a look."
Shen Mu did not stand on ceremony and directly put away the booklet. "Thank you, Hall Master."
Kyoto Base City, Shen Mu's home.
"These are the legendary Essences of Flora?"
Chen Wen and Shen Gang looked at the two strange black plants with curious expressions.
"These are two Thousand-Year Black Roots. The instructions detail how to consume them. Dad, Mom, you're both martial artists. These two Essences of Flora can raise your physical fitness to the peak of the War God level."
After speaking, Shen Mu took out two Black God Suits. When his parents learned that the Black God Suits could weaken ninety percent of the force of attacks, including attacks from Councilor-level experts, they clicked their tongues in amazement.
"Treasure like this probably can't be bought with money, right?" Shen Gang asked his son.
Shen Mu did not deliberately hide anything. "Yes. I exchanged something that is very helpful even to Councilor-level experts with the Hall Master for them."
Shen Gang frowned slightly. "Don't do this again in the future. Your mother and I will cultivate diligently. You should keep treasures meant for Councilor-level experts for yourself."
Shen Mu repeatedly agreed without arguing.
For the time being, Shen Mu did not intend to tell his parents about the Mu Ya Crystals. Once the Golden Horned Beast incident was over, he could use Mu Ya Crystals to help his parents break through to the Planet-Level.
"Dad, Mom, I also bought some other treasures. I plan to give them to Sister Yongqing, so I'm leaving first."
"All right, hurry along," Chen Wen said quickly.
Shen Mu had never claimed to be some lofty, noble person. He had indeed approached Tang Yongqing with ulterior motives at first. Although he no longer needed to, he would not simply kick her aside.
More than ten minutes later, Shen Mu appeared before a pharmaceutical research institute under a certain research academy in Kyoto's main urban district.
"Councilor Shen... you can go right in."
The security guard at the entrance of the research academy cautiously approached and spoke respectfully.
Shen Mu smiled and shook his head. "Forget it. If I go in, I'll probably disturb quite a few people. There's no need to make such a fuss."
Just as Shen Mu spoke, Tang Yongqing, dressed in a white lab coat, jogged over from the entrance of the research building.
"Ah Mu!"
There was a hint of delight in Tang Yongqing's voice.
Shen Mu turned to look at Tang Yongqing. She had probably just come out of the laboratory. She wore protective goggles, her hair tied in a bun, along with a mesh cap.
"Sister Yongqing, I brought you a gift."
As Shen Mu spoke, he handed Tang Yongqing the combination case in his hand. "The password is your birthday."
Tang Yongqing looked at the silver-white briefcase. A case that large certainly would not contain an engagement ring, so she looked at Shen Mu in confusion.
"There's a portion of Dragon Blood, an Essence of Flora, and a Black God Suit inside."
Tang Yongqing had never heard of a Black God Suit, but as a researcher in a national pharmaceutical laboratory specializing in martial artist genetic medicine, she naturally knew the famed names of Dragon Blood and Essences of Flora.
"This... Ah Mu, this is too precious."
Tang Yongqing's hand froze halfway through taking the briefcase.
Although they had met each other's parents and had reached the stage of discussing marriage, they were not married yet. Given Tang Yongqing's values, she could not accept such an extravagant gift with peace of mind.
"Sister Yongqing, you need to get used to it. Who do you think your fiancé is? He's the youngest Councilor-level expert in the world. If you're like this, I won't know how to get along with you."
What did he mean, he would not know how to get along with her? That was supposed to be her line.
Tang Yongqing took a deep breath, as if making some sort of decision, then looked at Shen Mu. "Ah Mu, wait a moment. I'll take some leave."
Without waiting for Shen Mu to respond, she carried the briefcase and ran back toward the main building.
About half an hour later, Tang Yongqing finally came out. Her outfit had changed to a business-style blue blouse and skirt, and she had replaced her goggles with rimless glasses. Her aura had soared immediately.
"Let's go, Ah Mu. Your sister will take you out for some fun. Are you familiar with the main urban district?"
Tang Yongqing pretended naturally as she took Shen Mu's hand, but her fingers trembled slightly from nervousness.
"No. I've lived in Changshan City for the past ten-plus years and have only come to the main urban district a few times."
"Is that so? Your sister will take you somewhere fun."
Tang Yongqing put on the air of an older sister and led Shen Mu around the main urban district for most of the day. It was basically amusement parks and movie theaters, nothing particularly exciting.
At dusk, the sun was about to set.
Tang Yongqing pulled Shen Mu into a hotel, took out her ID card, and said in a slightly trembling voice, "One room."
The receptionist did not recognize Tang Yongqing, but she recognized Shen Mu, who had trended several times recently.
"Certainly, one king room." The receptionist wore an indulgent grin.
After completing the procedures, Tang Yongqing took the room card and awkwardly pulled Shen Mu upstairs.
The curtains closed, blocking out the faint sunset and plunging the entire room into darkness.
The night lamp flickered with dim light as graceful curves intertwined and surged.
"Sis, is the room cold? Why are you trembling the whole time?"
Tang Yongqing shut her eyes tightly, as though she had not heard Shen Mu's question.
Shen Mu raised his brows slightly and demonstrated spearwork at the level of Harmony of Man and Nature on the spot.
"Sis isn't... isn't cold..."
Tang Yongqing's voice sounded like a sob. Faced with Shen Mu's spearwork at the level of Harmony of Man and Nature, she was completely outmatched and could no longer maintain her older-sister composure.
Happy New Year's Eve. A bonus chapter for all you degenerates.
Before you continue