After Dongguan took control of the situation, there was little more to say about what followed.
Having received the seventeen soldiers' "contributions," Dongguan came before Jueyuan.
Apart from the soldier who had fallen earlier, all those who followed endured with Dongguan's "help," though it was more difficult for them.
What Dongguan taught them was genuinely "practical knowledge." Some of the techniques concerning willpower, especially the method of "polarizing" one's will and pursuing its limits, were extremely valuable not just here, but outside as well.
Even military merits could hardly buy secret techniques concerning willpower.
Jueyuan naturally understood this.
In a certain sense, those soldiers had not really lost out.
"My turn?" Jueyuan smiled bitterly.
"Yes." Dongguan nodded.
As for "connections," once his strength rose, he could establish them whenever he wished.
He had enjoyed chatting with Jueyuan, but not enough to forgo the benefit of a million military merits.
"All right! Here." Jueyuan did not consider himself anything special either.
Coming to him last already showed that Dongguan valued their acquaintance.
With everyone treated equally, there was nothing to resent.
Dongguan put away the treasures Jueyuan handed over and prepared to leave, find an empty spot, and wait for the Third Layer's trial to end.
As for who would pass afterward and who would not, that would depend on their own abilities.
"We're still friends," Jueyuan suddenly said.
Dongguan turned slightly and studied Jueyuan, the red-haired young man in black armor, intently.
"If you're willing."
He had not expected that Jueyuan, whose "treasures had been seized," could still be his friend.
But whether the other man was sincere or scheming, while he could not let down his guard, there was no need to reject another's goodwill.
Neither said much more.
The other soldiers watched this scene as well.
Some still