Gratitude

"Hmm, I reached it not long ago."

Fang Yi responded with these words.

The astonished group couldn't help but exclaim, "The waves of the Yangtze River push the ones ahead..."

Luo Feng glanced at the backpack behind Fang Yi; the massive bag was now bulging, giving the impression that it might burst at any second. It was clear that Fang Yi had made quite a haul in this county town.

This street.

It was one of the paths leading back to the Military Supply Base, and it was clear that Fang Yi intended to return to the base to sell his monster materials.

The others realized this as well, so they didn't force Fang Yi to chat any longer.

Just as Fang Yi turned to leave, the vice-captain seemed to remember something and reminded him, "Brother Fang Yi, on the outskirts of that abandoned highway, there is a female martial artist who seems to be looking for you."

Fang Yi frowned slightly upon hearing this. Even though his eyes were wrapped in Black Satin, one could still sense the look of confusion on his face.

After a moment of thought, however, Fang Yi guessed who it might be.

He gave a slight nod and headed toward the outskirts.

Abandoned highway.

Using the Power of Analysis of his Double Pupil Eyes, Fang Yi scanned a female martial artist wearing a combat suit with a backpack on her back.

It was none other than the squad leader whom Fang Yi had saved earlier.

The longbow emblem on the female martial artist's chest had a massive claw mark across it, and the smooth gold paint was now chipped and incomplete.

"You, what happened to your eyes?!"

Before Fang Yi could ask, the female martial artist quickly stepped forward, her brows furrowed as her mature eyes scanned Fang Yi's entire body, seemingly searching for other wounds.

"Do you need something from me?"

Through the Power of Analysis of his Double Pupil Eyes, Fang Yi could see her movements clearly, but he was more interested in why she was looking for him.

Military Supply Base.

A server brought over a glass of freshly squeezed fruit juice and a bottle of draft beer.

"Um... it's mainly to thank you for your help last time." Ze Zi held the chilled draft beer in both hands, looking down with a complicated expression. "Could you please give me your account number? I want to transfer the reward for the rescue last time to you."

Fang Yi took the juice and took a sip, nodding calmly as she laid out her intentions.

He also remembered that she had indeed mentioned this before.

But at the time, Fang Yi hadn't taken it to heart, as his entire focus had been on the Crystal Spined Scorpion.

After drinking a few sips of juice, he gave her his account number.

The female martial artist hurriedly began operating her device, and not long after, a notification appeared on his phone—"Bank of Communications deposit of 50 million yuan..."

Fang Yi frowned as he looked at the amount.

She was quite wealthy.

One had to know that her squad was composed of three high-level martial artists and one intermediate martial artist.

They weren't considered elite, yet they could still produce a reward of 50 million.

Just as Fang Yi was preparing to leave to sell the monster materials he had collected and then rest and cultivate, the female martial artist named Ze Zi hurriedly added, "Um, could I treat you to a meal?"

"No need." Fang Yi waved his hand in refusal. Just as he stood up to leave, the female martial artist immediately followed him, saying, "It's just... there's actually something else..."

Something else?

Yangzhou City, outskirts of the city.

On the bustling streets, the sounds of people talking and laughing were constant.

Fang Yi held his phone in one hand, checking the notifications.

"Bank of Communications deposit of 480 million yuan..." Looking at the message on his phone regarding the sale of the Bloodthirsty Tank and other materials, Fang Yi checked his current total balance with a good mood.

Adding in his previous savings and the startup funds from the Limit Dojo.

Fang Yi's total balance had now reached around 600 million.

"Ding ding~"

Led by Ze Zi, Fang Yi arrived at a breakfast shop.

"Uncle Xu, one serving of Lotus Root Starch Dumpling, a Huangqiao Sesame Cake... what would you like to eat?"

Ze Zi turned back to ask.

Fang Yi put his phone down and glanced at the menu posted above the table: "One serving of Yangzhou Fried Rice."

"Uncle Xu, add one order of fried rice."

As soon as the words fell, the two sat down at the dining table.

Then, the sound of stir-frying drifted out from the kitchen.

Fang Yi also asked about the real business: "So the important matter you mentioned was just treating me to a meal? You've already paid the rescue reward; there's no need to be so polite."

Upon hearing this, Ze Zi reached out to twirl the long hair by her ear before saying, "You should remember that person in our team..."

"The intermediate warrior who died?"

"Yeah... he was just cremated and buried a while ago. His parents heard that you were the one who saved us, so they asked me to find you, at least to express their gratitude."

"It was just a small favor."

"Ding-ding~"

While they were talking, a few more people walked into the breakfast shop. Among them, a burly, large man happened to spot the two talking and immediately called out a greeting.

"Hey, Sister Ze!"

Ze Zi looked up upon hearing this, as if seeing an acquaintance, and waved gently.

Fang Yi turned his head to take a look, and the few people who had just entered happened to be martial artists as well.

Under the scan of his analytical ability, he could tell at a glance that these people were only at the strength of intermediate warriors.

"Um, Sister Ze? Is your squad still recruiting? After all, with little brother Yun gone, you must be quite short-handed, especially since your family still has..."

Those few martial artists sat in one spot, their questioning words revealing a hint of caution.

Ze Zi shook her head without hesitation after hearing this.

It was also at this moment that the shop owner brought the stir-fried rice to the table.

Fang Yi only noticed when he took it.

The owner of this breakfast shop was blind in one eye, and the other eye was visibly red and swollen, with a large dark circle around it. Even his gait seemed strange; looking down, he realized the owner's left foot was missing.

"Your fried rice."

"Mm."

Fang Yi took it, quickly pulled out his chopsticks, and after taking a light bite, he subconsciously nodded slightly.

"It's indeed good."

The owner, who had set down the food, saw a hint of a smile appear on his silent face: "As long as you like it."

He then turned and left, returning to the kitchen.

"This owner is the father of that deceased young man, right?" Fang Yi asked after eating a few mouthfuls of the fried rice.

Ze Zi was slightly surprised upon hearing this, then her face darkened as she nodded.

Fang Yi didn't ask any further. When the two had finished their simple meal and were about to leave, the breakfast shop owner hobbled out again.

"Young man, if you like it, you can come often in the future... we won't charge you."

The breakfast shop owner, his face weathered by life, leaned against the side wall.

Fang Yi didn't speak after hearing this, but looked at Ze Zi and then nodded.

When the two left the shop.

As the owner cleared the bowls, he noticed that the payment display on the side indicated a receipt of one hundred Huaxia Currency.

On the street.

Ze Zi handed her phone number to Fang Yi.

"If you have any needs in the future, you can contact me. After all, a life-saving grace is hard to repay; whatever we can do, we will try our best."

Fang Yi took a look and memorized the number.

Fang Yi didn't mind having more acquaintances; after all, they might come in handy at some point in the future.

The two parted ways at the train station.

Fang Yi still had to head to the Bright Moon Residential District to prepare for the breakthrough period of his Double Pupil Eyes.