Two Million Federation Coins

After three years of grueling cultivation, coupled with the Spirit Pagoda's unlimited investment of resources, Wang Chuan's cultivation had reached the realm of a Three-Ring Soul Venerable.

A Soul Elder at nine years old was extraordinarily rare even in the entire continent's history.

During that time, he had entered the Primary Spirit Ascension Platform several times for training, causing not only his combat experience to soar.

He had also successfully raised the age of his first Soul Spirit, the Rainbow Dragon, to an astonishing five thousand years.

His reputation had long since spread throughout the Spirit Pagoda Headquarters. Even Qiangu Dongfeng had personally visited the Aolai City branch to summon and lavishly praise him.

Therefore, in the Aolai City branch and even throughout much of the Spirit Pagoda system, no one dared look down on Wang Chuan because of his age.

On the contrary, everyone treated him with sufficient respect, and some even with awe.

This gave Wang Chuan a rather favorable impression of the Spirit Pagoda.

At least here, talent and potential received the most direct respect and rewards. It was far more practical than that so-called "number one academy on the continent," Shrek.

Whenever he thought of Shrek, a trace of disdain rose in Wang Chuan's heart.

In his view, Shrek's method of cultivating geniuses through "suppression" was simply baffling.

The greater the genius, the more obstacles they had to be given.

Under the lofty banner of "tempering one's character," they made geniuses become Work-Study Students and toil for resources, while those with mediocre talent could sit back and enjoy the benefits, cultivating in peace.

That was completely putting the cart before the horse!

Instead of wasting time on this so-called "setback education," if they simply provided resources properly, the growth of geniuses would already be on an entirely different level.

If not for the Spirit Pagoda's full support over the past three years, he too would have found it difficult to reach the Soul Elder realm at nine.

Thus, the importance of resources during the early stages of cultivation went without saying.

Wang Chuan truly could not understand, nor did he care for, Shrek Academy's model of practically getting something for nothing—investing little in actual resources, yet expecting geniuses to remain utterly loyal after enduring hardship.

As such, he had never considered entering Shrek or having anything to do with it.

"This is my younger brother, Tang Wulin."

"He came to purchase a Soul Spirit today. Please receive him."

Wang Chuan stopped walking and pointed at Tang Wulin beside him as he instructed several Spirit Transmitters. His tone was calm, yet naturally carried weight.

"Yes, Envoy."

The Spirit Transmitters answered respectfully, without the slightest hint of neglect in their attitudes.

Tang Wulin's heart surged as he watched from the side. His gaze toward Wang Chuan was filled with excitement and dependence.

"Brother Xiaochuan..."

He called softly, warmth flowing through his heart as he became even more determined to grow strong in the future and protect Brother Xiaochuan.

"Let's go."

Wang Chuan smiled at him and gestured for the Spirit Transmitters to lead the way.

The group was soon led to the very room where Wang Chuan had chosen his Soul Spirit in the past.

The enormous soul-guidance display lit up once more.

This time, under the Spirit Transmitters' deliberate operation, the list of Soul Spirits displayed on the screen was far richer than what ordinary channels offered.

It included not only the usual eleven types of Hundred-Year Soul Spirits, but also many rare varieties, with lifelike projections and detailed information.

Tang Wulin was immediately dazzled. His gaze lingered over the projections of Soul Spirits in all kinds of forms, his little face full of excitement and hesitation.

With the Spirit Transmitters' suggestions and Wang Chuan's occasional guidance, he ultimately chose a Hundred-Year Plant-Type Soul Spirit.

The Soul Skills granted by this kind of Soul Spirit generally leaned toward flexibility and control. It also complemented the characteristics of Blue Silver Grass to a certain extent, and its quality was considered superior among Hundred-Year Soul Spirits.

"This one!"

Tang Wulin pointed at the Hundred-Year Soul Spirit on the screen, finally making up his mind.

The Spirit Transmitter in charge of receiving them was a gentle-looking woman. She nodded and recorded the choice, then smiled.

"Very well. This Soul Spirit is priced at two million Federation Coins."

"Will you be paying by card or in cash?"

"Tw... two million?"

The smile on Tang Wulin's face instantly froze, and his mind went blank.

He blurted out instinctively.

"N-No, isn't it thirty thousand?"

His entire savings, accumulated with difficulty over three years, amounted to only thirty thousand Federation Coins.

The female Spirit Transmitter explained patiently.

"Thirty thousand Federation Coins is the fee to participate in a random Soul Spirit draw. You may draw a Ten-Year Soul Spirit or a Hundred-Year Soul Spirit, but the odds are very low, and the type is completely random."

"Seventy thousand is the price to directly purchase a specified type of Ten-Year White Soul Spirit."

"And one million is the price of a basic Hundred-Year Yellow Soul Spirit."

"As for the rare Hundred-Year Soul Spirit you selected, the price is generally higher. Two million is the standard price."

She paused. Her tone remained gentle, but she laid out the reality.

"Furthermore, rare Soul Spirits like this are usually not listed for ordinary buyers. Even having money does not necessarily mean you can purchase one."

After saying that, she instinctively glanced at Wang Chuan, who stood beside them with a calm expression. She felt somewhat uneasy, afraid that her explanation might seem insufficiently respectful to this young envoy or imply something inappropriate.

Tang Wulin's little face had already turned somewhat pale. He clenched his fists, struggle and unwillingness flashing through his eyes.

He turned to Wang Chuan, his lips moving as he was about to say that he did not have enough money...

But before he could speak, Wang Chuan asked first.

"Do you like this Soul Spirit?"

Tang Wulin bit his lower lip. In the end, he honestly nodded and admitted in a low voice.

"I like it..."

"But, Brother Xiaochuan, I don't have enough money."

However, Wang Chuan seemed not to have heard the latter half of his words and directly instructed the female Spirit Transmitter.

"We'll take this Soul Spirit."

"Also, prepare a quiet room and arrange the fusion ceremony."

"Yes, Envoy."

The female Spirit Transmitter agreed without hesitation and turned to make the arrangements.

"Brother Xiaochuan!"

"I..."

Tang Wulin panicked and grabbed Wang Chuan's sleeve.

Two million!

To him, that was an astronomical sum!

Wang Chuan turned around and placed both hands on Tang Wulin's slightly thin shoulders. Looking into his eyes, he spoke in a steady yet powerful tone.

"I'll handle the money."

"Since you like it and think it suits you, fuse with it."

"Don't force yourself to settle for a Soul Spirit you don't like and that has worse potential."

"Your first Soul Spirit is very important. Starting from a higher point will make the road ahead much easier."

Tang Wulin stared blankly at Wang Chuan. His eyes reddened instantly, and the tears that had gathered in them could no longer be restrained as they spilled over.

He suddenly threw his arms around Wang Chuan, burying his face against his shoulder. His choked voice was filled with boundless gratitude and excitement.

"Brother Xiaochuan..."

"Y-You're too good to me!"

"Sniff..."

Wang Chuan gently patted his back, his tone carrying a rare softness.

"All right, you're a big boy now. Don't cry like this."

"Go get ready. The Spirit Transmitter sister is waiting for you."

Tang Wulin sniffed hard, raised his head, and wiped his tears roughly with his sleeve. His eyes were a little red from crying, yet astonishingly bright.

He looked at Wang Chuan with incomparable seriousness and said, word by word.

"Brother Xiaochuan, I'll consider these two million Federation Coins a loan from you!"

"I will definitely pay you back!"

"Definitely!"