Ao Dagang and Xu Songlin were both shocked, then couldn't help but laugh. Just after eliminating the Catfish Demon Queen and bringing a short-lived peace back to the Great Radiation Zone, they were surprised by another piece of good news—Zhang Lingfeng had become a Bloodline Martial Artist and even comprehended the second layer of Spear Momentum. Entering the top three in the provincial exam seemed almost certain now.

...

Five hours later.

Zhang Lingfeng returned to Base No.7.

He hadn't forgotten Xuan Yue and Zhou Xiaotong, but the entrance he came through was blocked. He and Marquis Zhuge took another route when they left, though the exit was also in the Abyss. Inside was a complex maze, and they never crossed paths.

Luckily, three hours ago, Xuan Yue, Zhou Qiang, and Zhou Xiaotong returned to Base No.7.

Zhou Qiang had just been sent back to South City.

He was reckless and got caught between two Catfish Demon Kings, eventually escaping with Xuan Yue's help but at the cost of losing an arm.

Fortunately, the Zhou Family had a potion that could make his arm grow back.

"A potion that can heal the internal organs?"

"This... the Zhou Family doesn't have it, but a first-tier province should!"

Upon learning that Zhou Qiang's arm could regrow, Zhang Lingfeng sought out Zhou Xiaotong, intending to extend Wang Dashan's life.

As it turned out, the Seven Great Star Systems Alliance indeed had a potion that could regrow internal organs, but it was unobtainable in the market unless exchanged with points and merits.

Zhang Lingfeng didn't know if Ao Dagang's merits were enough to exchange for a potion to regrow internal organs and keep Wang Dashan alive.

But he still found Ao Dagang the next day.

The Catfish Demon Queen was successfully slain, and the Catfish Demon hordes were almost wiped out. Factories could now be moved back to the Great Radiation Zone, temporarily eliminating the threat to South City. Last night, the uplifting news already spread throughout South City and even Jiangbei Province.

Countless people took to the streets in celebration.

The name Ao Dagang spread through every alley; people hailed him as a savior and the myth of South City, building statues and monuments, writing biographies, and singing hymns for him.

Everyone regarded Ao Dagang as a hero.

Among them was Zhang Lingfeng.

"You want to save Principal Wang?"

Ao Dagang asked.

As South City's hope, Zhang Lingfeng could see him anytime. Seeing Zhang Lingfeng seeking him early, Ao Dagang already sensed his purpose and reacted with a half-smile upon learning of it.

"Yes, don't you want to?"

Zhang Lingfeng retorted.

"I do, of course, but how should we save him?"

Ao Dagang fired back.

"Exchange merits for it. Yesterday, I discussed it with Miss Zhou; the Seven Great Star Systems Alliance has a potion that can rejuvenate internal organs. Even without Viscera Phase or Dirt Realm cultivation, it can save him."

Zhang Lingfeng declared resolutely.

"The Spiritual Liquid of the Heart."

Ao Dagang stated.

"What?"

Zhang Lingfeng was momentarily caught off guard.

"The potion that can save Principal Wang is called the Spiritual Liquid of the Heart. It's a spirit liquid that all cultivators dream of, not only aiding physical transformation but also boosting spiritual power."

Ao Dagang explained.

"Yes, exactly this medicinal liquid."

Zhang Lingfeng exclaimed excitedly.

"You want me to use my merits to exchange with the Seven Great Star Systems Alliance for the Spiritual Liquid of the Heart to keep Principal Wang alive, correct?"

Ao Dagang asked leisurely.

"Yes, yes."

Zhang Lingfeng nodded repeatedly.

"Zhang Lingfeng, there's something you might not know. The value of the Spiritual Liquid of the Heart and its importance to South City—what if I told you I'm unwilling?"

Ao Dagang sneered.

"What would make you willing?"

Zhang Lingfeng countered.

Ao Dagang gazed into Zhang Lingfeng's eyes for a long moment before speaking: "If Principal Wang agrees, I can exchange for the Spiritual Liquid of the Heart for him."

Wang Dashan's sacrifices were witnessed by Ao Dagang, and he too didn't want to give up on Wang Dashan. Yet he knew the cost was too high to justify.

"What?"

Zhang Lingfeng was taken aback.

It turned out Ao Dagang wasn't unwilling to save Wang Dashan; rather, Wang Dashan didn't want to live—or perhaps the cost of living was too steep.

Zhang Lingfeng had never considered this.

As the saying goes, it's better to live shamelessly than to die with dignity.

Fearing the Spiritual Liquid of the Heart would lose its original value and opting for death instead seemed overly rigid!

Being someone who liked to coast along, Zhang Lingfeng, while moved, couldn't quite grasp or endorse such values.

It felt too burdensome, and he didn't like it.

"Principal Wang, it's better to live shamelessly than to die with dignity; it's just a bottle of Spiritual Liquid of the Heart, why must you?"

Zhang Lingfeng couldn't help but implore.

"The provincial exam is in a few days, don't forget our promise."

Wang Dashan didn't offer any explanation, only a reminder.

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