Patience

Xu Wuyi rose to his feet and returned the salute with clasped fists.

"Grandmaster Ba, you're too courteous."

Ba Shan bent down, lifted the metal case, and set it on the conference table.

When the case was opened, it revealed a neat row of fist-sized, deep-blue crystals. Fine energy patterns slowly flowed across the surface of every crystal.

"A specialty of the Iron Wall Star Realm: deep-blue Energy Crystals. These are rare on the Astral Battlefield, and even our Iron Wall Star Realm can only mine a limited amount each year. These are from my personal collection. I'm giving them to Grandmaster Xu, and I hope they will aid your cultivation."

Xu Wuyi looked at the deep-blue crystals as his Order perception swept across their surfaces.

The energy contained within each crystal was exceptionally pure, its concentration several times greater than the origin energy at Federation strongholds.

Energy Crystals of this grade were worth a fortune apiece on the Federation market.

"Grandmaster Ba, this gift is too valuable," Xu Wuyi said.

Ba Shan waved a hand, sincerity written across his rugged face.

"You helped me during the summons. If you hadn't held off that Beast King during the hunt, I might not have walked out of the battlefield alive. I've always remembered that debt. These crystals are merely a token of my appreciation. If you refuse them, you'll be looking down on me."

Xu Wuyi looked at Ba Shan, fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Then thank you."

He closed the metal case and placed it beside his chair.

Ba Shan exchanged a few more pleasantries, mostly greetings and blessings. He said that the Iron Wall Star Realm was willing to strengthen its cooperation with the Federation and hoped they would have another chance to fight side by side