Page 29

Song Tianqi looked at Xu Jintang's expression, then glanced at Song Duoduo on the hospital bed and spoke up. "Then I'll take the disguise mask. I have plenty of ways to attack anyway, so the other two artifacts wouldn't help me much."

Song Duoduo frowned. "That defensive artifact should give you a decent boost. Let me have the disguise mask."

Seeing both of them competing for the lackluster artifact, Xu Jintang shook her head with a smile. "Stop arguing. I'll take the disguise mask."

To other people, the disguise mask might not be much use.

But to her, it was very useful.

She had already been thinking that if she really joined the Inscriptionist Association, she would definitely have to reveal her second ability as well. With the disguise mask, however, she would have much more room to maneuver.

Besides, although the disguise mask's effects were lackluster, its selling price was anything but low. It cost twice as much as the ruby sleeve crossbow she had bought before.

She really would have balked at paying for it herself.

Getting it for free now was a win for her.

"I really do want this disguise mask," Song Tianqi hurriedly said. "Class rep, the All-Star-Region Joint Examination is almost here. Those offensive and defensive artifacts will help you and Duoduo a lot in the exam. Don't fight me over this."

Clearly, everyone thought Xu Jintang was just being modest too.

The disguise mask's effects were so underwhelming that people generally wouldn't ask for an artifact like it specifically.

Xu Jintang was adamant and waved a hand. "I really have a use for this disguise mask. I'm taking it. You two can divide up the remaining artifacts yourselves."

With that, she took the disguise mask and put it in her bracelet's storage space.

That left both Song Tianqi and Song Duoduo silent.

After a quiet moment, Song Tianqi suddenly looked up. "Then give both of the remaining artifacts to Duoduo. I'm going back to Leikedasi tomorrow anyway. I can just get some artifacts out of my military academy."

Xu Jintang nodded. "That works too. The joint examination allows artifacts, so Duoduo, take these two and do your best."

Song Duoduo looked stunned. "But..."

"No buts. We're classmates. It's just an artifact." Song Tianqi scratched the back of his head, an honest smile spreading over his round face.

Xu Jintang turned to Song Duoduo. "Take them."

Song Duoduo pressed her lips together and lowered her head, hesitating for a while before nodding. "Class rep, Song Tianqi, thank you."

For Xu Jintang and Song Tianqi, the artifacts were certainly powerful, but going without them wouldn't affect their strength.

Song Duoduo, however, only had a plant-type support ability. Without artifacts to protect herself, she would struggle to distinguish herself in the joint examination on her own.

"No need for thanks. We're teammates. Get some rest and recover. Song Tianqi and I won't disturb you any longer." With that, Xu Jintang smiled in farewell and turned toward the ward's door.

Song Tianqi waved too, then turned and followed her.

Song Duoduo put the remaining two artifacts into her storage bracelet and watched them leave.

Originally, she hadn't expected much of herself. She had only thought that getting into an ordinary military academy through hard work would be good enough.

But now, she was starting to want to become stronger.

If she had been a little stronger, perhaps Xu Bohan wouldn't have been able to knock her off the arena with a surprise attack that day without giving her any chance to fight back.

Ever since joining this team, she had been getting carried, winning without lifting a finger.

But from now on, she couldn't keep relying on the class rep and Song Tianqi.

After a long silence, Song Duoduo raised her head, picked up the healing apple on the bedside table, and began taking big bites.

She had to recover quickly, then put everything into preparing for the military academy entrance exam!

Early the next morning, Xu Jintang personally saw Song Tianqi and Jiang Shiyi onto a large passenger aircraft bound for the Federation Star Region.

"Class rep, see you in Leikedasi!" Song Tianqi stood on the aircraft's steps, waving and shouting.

His shout drew the attention of all the passersby nearby.

Xu Jintang hurriedly waved and gestured for him to be quiet.

Only then did Song Tianqi settle down and turn to enter the cabin with Jiang Shiyi.

Xu Jintang watched the large passenger aircraft slowly start up, speed into the distance, and disappear from view before looking away and leaving.

An hour later, Xu Jintang arrived at the Myriad Treasures Pavilion in the main city.

As soon as she entered, a young female clerk in uniform greeted her with a smile. "Welcome. How may I help you?"

The hall's glazed lamps shone with multicolored light. Transparent glass display cases filled with all manner of rare treasures stood all around, while wooden stairs in the left corner led to the second floor. A sign beside them read "Second-floor VIP area."

Taking in the luxurious decor before her, Xu Jintang clicked her tongue again.

This was more lavish than all the shops she had visited put together.

"Can I use a complimentary purchase card here?" Xu Jintang asked the clerk, getting straight to the point.

The clerk paused, then delight rose in her eyes. Her tone became even more respectful as she bowed slightly and gestured invitingly. "This way, please. Let's talk upstairs."

Xu Jintang climbed the stairs to the second floor and followed the clerk to the VIP area.

Shortly afterward, Supervisor Sun hurried over after receiving word. Dressed in a black uniform and beaming, he approached respectfully. "Hello, I'm the floor supervisor of this branch. You can just call me Little Sun."

Xu Jintang turned to look at him. "Do you have any treasures that can improve mental power cultivation?"

The All-Star-Region Joint Examination was almost here, and she wanted to speed up her cultivation progress a little more. If she could break through to tier two in one go, that would be an unexpected bonus.

Supervisor Sun considered for a moment, then quickly answered with a smile. "Of course. We recently received a batch of flood dragon blood essence. Any ability user below tier four can immediately advance one tier after taking it, with absolutely no side effects."

As he spoke, he turned and gave the clerk a look, directing her, "Quickly fetch it for our honored guest."

The clerk hurried away.

Xu Jintang asked curiously, "By flood dragon blood essence, do you mean blood from a flood dragon demonic beast?"

Supervisor Sun nodded and continued smiling as he replied, "That's right. You must have heard about the Ice Soul Dragon incident a while ago. Although flood dragons can't compare to true dragons, their bloodline still contains a trace of dragon power. This blood essence is extracted from a flood dragon's true blood and contains extremely powerful energy."

"I recommend taking it at tier three. That way, you can break through to tier four in one go and make the most of the flood dragon blood essence."

Hearing this, Xu Jintang finally understood why the conflict between humans and demonic beasts was so severe.

It wasn't just divine beasts like the Ice Soul Dragon. Even other slightly stronger demonic beasts had their flesh and blood sold by humans as tonics.

Xu Jintang looked up at Supervisor Sun. "Do you have any other recommendations?"

"Yes." Supervisor Sun quickly sent the clerk to fetch several other products and continued introducing them with a smile.

Just then, the Ice Soul Dragon in her sea of consciousness spoke slowly. "Buy the flood dragon blood essence."

Xu Jintang spoke to the Ice Soul Dragon through her thoughts. But that supervisor said it's best saved until tier three. I'm still some way from tier three.

The Ice Soul Dragon said, "He recommended taking it at tier three because before tier two, ability users' bodies are too weak to fully absorb the power of flood dragon blood essence. With my help, you can absorb all of it even if you take it now."

All right, understood. Xu Jintang brought her attention back to the present.

"Little Sun." Xu Jintang interrupted Supervisor Sun's introduction. "I've thought it over. I'll take the first one, the flood dragon blood essence. That one looks good to me."

Supervisor Sun hurriedly nodded with a smile. "Of course, no problem. It is indeed the best product we currently have in our store. I'll wrap it up for you right away."

Xu Jintang nodded, took out the Myriad Treasures Pavilion's complimentary purchase card, and handed it over. "Use this to cover it."

The moment Supervisor Sun saw the card, his eyes lit up.

The Myriad Treasures Pavilion only issued complimentary purchase cards to honored guests of distinguished status or great strength. Once such a card appeared, money no longer mattered. What mattered was properly serving the honored guest before him to maintain that connection.

Supervisor Sun's smile grew even brighter. Bowing, he accepted the card with both hands. "Certainly. This flood dragon blood essence is worth 380,000 star coins. This single purchase qualifies you for our platinum membership, so we'll register your membership details for you. You'll receive a twenty percent discount on future purchases."

Xu Jintang's eyes widened at the price.

Three hundred and eighty thousand!

No wonder people said the poor pursued scholarly studies while the rich practiced martial arts. Ordinary people really couldn't afford these prices.

Then she thought of Jiang Shiyi, who could hand out three complimentary purchase cards at once. Just how wealthy was she?

After leaving the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Xu Jintang returned to the academy, shut the dorm room's doors and windows, and sat cross-legged by the bed.

"Brother Dragon, is there anything I need to watch out for when taking this flood dragon blood essence?"

The Ice Soul Dragon's voice rang out. "Just drink it. I'll stand guard for you."

Xu Jintang took a deep breath, anticipation rising in her eyes. "All right."

Then she picked up the flood dragon blood essence and began swallowing it.

The blood essence containing the flood dragon's power traveled down her esophagus and rapidly spread throughout her body.

Warmth flowed through her entire body. Xu Jintang's cheeks flushed slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.

The air currents surrounding her began circulating faster, and powerful energy suddenly erupted from within her.

The dragon blood power that had remained hidden inside her also stirred under the stimulation of the flood dragon blood essence.

Immediately afterward, a gentle power spread from her sea of consciousness, quickly dispersing the fierce energy within the flood dragon blood essence.

"Steady your mind, circulate your mental power, and absorb all this power into your body," the Ice Soul Dragon's voice slowly rang out.

Xu Jintang dared not let her attention wander and quickly began circulating her mental power.

With each cycle, some of the flood dragon's power within her was absorbed. After several cycles, Xu Jintang's mental power began increasing dramatically.