When they say Basalt is a fortress, in fact, in terms of area, it's even larger than Wangbei City.

Everything within Basalt exudes a kind of majestic and rustic beauty, with very few intricate carvings. Even the food sold in the city's shops is large in size, substantial in quantity, but the cooking process is very simple.

Bai Pu and Dongbo Chengzhi were already famished, so they sat down at a food shop called "Rock House." The owner brought over a copper pot filled with steaming hot mountain pork and mushroom soup, surrounded by a circle of Black Tortoise Mountain Range's specialty black wheat cakes.

Seeing the two Oath Warriors bearing swords, dressed in tattered clothes and covered in scars, the owner showed extra respect and, aside from the main dish, also served two plates of crispy, refreshing pickled radishes and a shop specialty of fried catfish.

Bai Pu picked up a piece of mountain pork. The meat was full and elastic, and as he bit into it, fragrant juices spilled out, pairing with the coarse texture of the black wheat cake to create an indescribable harmony and complement.

The mushrooms soaked in the bubbling hot soup were also fully flavored. A single sip revealed the sweet freshness of the mushrooms blended with the fragrant taste of pork, soft and bouncy, along with the texture of pickled radish, it was top-notch.

The fried catfish was indeed the shop's specialty, using golden tempura batter (egg batter) to coat fresh catfish fillets and fried in hot oil. The crispy and aromatic tempura shell was perfectly complemented by the tender and smooth catfish meat inside. The combination of these two contrasting textures made one exclaim, "This is the perfect match."

Bai Pu picked up chopsticks and started eating. From the first bite, his taste buds were dancing with joy. The food here contained quite a rich amount of Spiritual Particles, Bai Pu felt his heart's beating grew stronger, and his once depleted Pure Blood was slowly condensing.

Dongbo Chengzhi didn't eat much and didn't particularly like the simple cooked dishes on the table, just eating two pieces of fried catfish. Bai Pu, however, devoured the dishes and bread on the table, letting Dongbo Chengzhi pay the bill.

Dongbo Chengzhi shook his head speechlessly, "You ate 99% of the food, and yet you're not treating."

The reason Bai Pu didn't pay the bill was simple, in the Heart Demon World, he was a bona fide poor soul without a single penny.

However, Bai Pu wasn't embarrassed. He took something out and said with a chuckle, "I'm not letting you treat me for free... How about I give you this?"

[Mysterious Wooden Sword Scabbard].

Dongbo Chengzhi's eyes instantly widened.

"This... where did you get this?" Dongbo Chengzhi grabbed the scabbard and examined it repeatedly, "This is the Demon Ghost Weapon of our Dongbo Clan's previous Patriarch — the White Dragon Fang's Sword Scabbard!"

"So it really is just a sword scabbard." Bai Pu said.

"What do you mean 'just'!" Dongbo Chengzhi took a deep breath and stayed composed, to keep from losing his cool again, "Do you know that the White Dragon Fang has been lost for a long time? This sword scabbard is the best clue to find it! It's really something, just bringing it out like that, I wasn't prepared at all..."

Upon saying this, Dongbo Chengzhi hesitated for a moment and looked at Bai Pu, "Are you really giving it to me?"

"I'm giving it to you."

Bai Pu said, "But I also have a request."

Dongbo Chengzhi sighed in relief, he'd be worried if Bai Pu had no requests, he said straightforwardly, "Please, speak!"

Bai Pu pointed to a row of mountain pork hams hanging in the shop, "The hams in this shop seem quite tasty. Can you buy me two to eat on the road..."

Dongbo Chengzhi: "..."

[Dongbo Clan Young Clan Leader: Dongbo Chengzhi's favorability towards you has greatly increased, current favor level: Friend 3000/10000]

Goodness, a single sword scabbard increased the favorability by 1500 points.

Bai Pu saved Dongbo Chengzhi's life, the cumulative favor increase from that was only 1100 points.

Moreover, favor level increases are easy at first and difficult later. The higher the favor level, the harder it is to increase.

For example, initially, when Bai Pu showed Dongbo Chengzhi the [Celestial Dragon Fragment] with unwavering trust, he could gain 400 favor points, but now that he's at Friend level, such a small attitude doesn't even add 100 favor points.

With a high favor level, Awakened's excavation of side quests becomes very convenient. For instance, now, if Bai Pu says "I'll help you find the White Dragon Fang," Dongbo Chengzhi is likely not to refuse, which opens up a side quest.

Because the two are already on friendly terms.

However, Bai Pu's boosting of Dongbo Chengzhi's favor level has another purpose.

"Dongbo, I'm not joking. I have something I'd like to ask for your help with, as an introduction."

"What is it?" Dongbo Chengzhi put away the sword scabbard and asked, raising his head.

"Do you remember the first time we met, the fragment I showed you?" Bai Pu's eyes were sparkling, "Besides the Zhu Clan in the Southern Ash Sea, you said only Lord Beiming Jihu could guide me."

"Oh, it's this matter, of course, I remember." Dongbo Chengzhi thought for a moment, "Hmm, it should be okay, the standard of your fragment is extremely high, it's almost the pinnacle of human martial skills, Lord Beiming Jihu would be interested."

He would definitely be interested, but I'm just worried that he'd flip once he's too interested and snatch my stuff, which is why I'm asking you to vouch for me.

Bai Pu thought silently.

"Hmm, wait a moment, not yet." Dongbo Chengzhi suddenly said.

Bai Pu resisted the urge to say "Give me back the sword scabbard," and asked, "What's wrong?"

Dongbo Chengzhi stretched his arms and pointed at his messy hair and dusty face, "I don't want to go see Lord Beiming Jihu in such a disheveled state."

...

Bai Pu and Dongbo Chengzhi went ahead to the bathhouse for a proper wash.

Dongbo Chengzhi's blue robe was not ordinary, clearly stained with blood, but with a gentle shake, it was spotless and clean as new.

Bai Pu wasn't so lucky, his Wild Warrior outfit was an illusion of Spirit Realm Will, now tattered without any automatic cleaning or repair function.

Dongbo Chengzhi volunteered to pay, buying Bai Pu a set of samurai attire. Of course, this outfit couldn't be taken out of this world.

Seeing Bai Pu after the bath, adorned in new clothes, Dongbo Chengzhi nodded in satisfaction, "At least now, you won't undermine your magnificent appearance. Let's go!"

Leaving the bathhouse, Bai Pu followed Dongbo Chengzhi, and they went together to Beiming Xuanjing Sect's Main Dojo.

Located at the very northern end of Basalt, Beiming Xuanjing Sect's Main Dojo was part of the Beiming Family mansion. Consistent with Basalt's architectural style, it was primitive and rough, with few decorations.

The disciple responsible for communication was also exuding a fierce aura.

Bai Pu discreetly tossed out a [Nine Chapters], he was astonished to discover that even the lowest-ranking disciples were of the Elite Level 3 template!

With disciples like that, one can only imagine the strength of the Sect Leader Beiming Jihu, probably even at Lord Level.

Bai Pu wouldn't randomly use [Nine Chapters]'s detection function on Beiming Jihu.

Because detection essentially involves releasing Spiritual Power to stealthily inspect the target. If the target's perception is particularly keen, they might notice they're being spied upon, and even reverse the situation to uncover the observer.

So Bai Pu typically only drops [Nine Chapters] on enemy targets.

Facing powerful warriors from a friendly faction, he relies on sensing their aura to roughly gauge their level of power. Detailed probing is unnecessary, as it might incite dislike if detected.

For someone like Dongbo Chengzhi, with Spiritual fortified and extremely sharp, Bai Pu probing him would bring nothing but trouble and possibly earn displeasure.

Although "Friend" level favorability is high, once something unbefitting the title is done, the favorability can plummet faster than the Vietnamese Dong depreciating in the real world.

Thanks to Dongbo Chengzhi's connections, Bai Pu soon met Lord Beiming Jihu in the tea room.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.