Bai Pu inwardly sighed in relief. If this had been a fragment of a swordsmanship manual, Beiming Jihu would likely not care about Dongbo Chengzhi's reputation and might have turned against him to seize it.

Now it was a fragment of a halberd technique. Beiming Jihu weighed his options and realized it wasn't worth losing face for, so he gave up.

Bai Pu quickly put away the Celestial Dragon Fragment. His main quest 2 was complete now, and he could return to reality at any time, so he wasn't afraid of Beiming Jihu scheming against him.

However, leaving the Heart Demon World now would make it difficult for Bai Pu to carry out his other grand plan.

"Lord Beiming, though the weapons differ, at higher levels, they all converge to the same truth. There is value in the principles." Dongbo Chengzhi continued to try, "Could you give him some guidance?"

Beiming Jihu glanced at Bai Pu and said, "His foundation is not solid. Continuing to comprehend this fragment will only waste the spiritual imprint left by its owner, and the benefits he gets will be minimal."

Bai Pu suddenly understood. No wonder this fragment required him to use spiritual power to perceive and read it, and after each reading, he occasionally executed stunning moves, with his combat specialization proficiency improving slightly.

It turned out this fragment contained the spiritual imprint left by a strong figure—possibly Lu Bu.

Bai Pu cupped his hands and said, "Please, Lord Beiming, guide me on how to build a solid foundation."

Beiming Jihu ignored Bai Pu; the unfamiliar favor level was certainly not enough to make Beiming Jihu impart everything he knew.

In fact, Bai Pu was counting on Dongbo Chengzhi.

Do something useful, Dongbo!

Dongbo Chengzhi chuckled and said, "When it comes to building a foundation, no style in the world can compare to the Beiming Xuanjing Style."

This flattery softened Beiming Jihu's expression.

After some consideration, he still spoke on behalf of Dongbo Chengzhi, "I see you are a power type, focused on defense, which aligns with the path of the Beiming Xuanjing Style. I'll give you a practice heavy sword; go and practice. When you can lift it as lightly as if lifting nothing, your foundation will be solid."

Beiming Jihu then explained a series of practice points to Bai Pu.

[You have received guidance from the Beiming Xuanjing Sect Leader, Beiming Jihu.]

[Your advanced swordsmanship specialization has obtained the qualification for a direct advancement to level 4 trial (after passing the trial, you can directly advance to advanced level 4 two-handed swordsmanship) and will receive additional insights upon passing.]

The so-called trial involves using the practice heavy sword to continuously strike and kill eight flies on the wall, but the bodies of the flies must not stick to the wall; one must die, one must fall!

This step is called "Lifting Heavy as Light."

Bai Pu initially thought it was quite simple, considering he had the Limit Breaker + level 1 specialization, which appeared to be only advanced level 3, but his technique was actually at advanced level 4, so passing the trial shouldn't be difficult.

But when Bai Pu received that practice heavy sword, he realized he had been too optimistic.

[Practice Heavy Sword: Special item. A practice basic heavy sword for elite disciples of the Beiming Xuanjing Style, inscribed with a tenfold gravity curse seal, extremely heavy.]

This dark sword... or rather, this dark iron rod, didn't possess the usual lightness and sharpness of a normal longsword, it wasn't even sharpened!

When Bai Pu took it from Beiming Jihu, his wrist immediately sank, and with a clang, the end of the heavy sword smashed to the ground. He had to grip it with both hands and use his full body strength to lift the heavy sword.

Seeing the trembling sword edge, Dongbo Chengzhi chuckled and said, "It seems you won't achieve Lord Beiming's requirements without hard practice."

The two left Beiming Jihu's tea room.

Dongbo Chengzhi planned to tour Black Tortoise City, while Bai Pu remained in Basalt.

In fact, Bai Pu's time was quite pressing. He asked some disciples at the Beiming Dojo and quickly found Beiming Gangma, the elder mentioned in the merit exchange.

This elder was in charge of distributing logistics supplies at the Beiming Dojo and effectively acted as a steward responsible for "commerce" in the Beiming Clan. Bai Pu took out the demon general ghost leather's treasures he had obtained from the Yellow Springs Cave—a pile of glittering equipment and treasures.

These items were scavenged and couldn't be taken out of this world by Bai Pu, but the Natives could use them.

Beiming Gangma elder glanced at the ghost leather's treasures with an expressionless poker face and started nitpicking about the faults of these treasures, mentioning damages, creases, stained with demon qi and bloodstains that needed thorough cleaning, etc.

Bai Pu retorted: "If you keep on I won't sell them."

It's not that Bai Pu wasn't good at haggling; he just didn't like wasting time on such trivialities, especially when he was pressed for time.

If Old Deng didn't get the hint, Bai Pu might as well not sell and directly feed it to the Spider Demon Egg!

Beiming Gangma hurriedly switched to a warm smile, "...These treasures do have value; I can purchase them at market price."

Bai Pu frowned slightly, "Let me see the money first."

Beiming Gangma took out a box, and upon opening it, inside were neatly arranged gold and silver bars.

[Refined silver ingot: Precious item, a common currency in many Spirit Realm Planes, can be exchanged for 1000 Spiritual Points.]

[Gold bar (small): Precious item, a common currency in many Spirit Realm Planes, can be exchanged for 3000 Spiritual Points.]

[Gold bar (large)...]

Bai Pu immediately took a liking to these gold and silver. Unlike the Three Kingdoms: Chibi scene, where the Four Rivers Gang gave money, this could be taken out of the Spirit Realm Plane!

Appropriately storing some Spirit Realm gold and silver currency is very important because Spirit Realm Natives do not recognize Spiritual Points and only acknowledge these monetary currencies. With money, many unnecessary trivialities can be avoided.

If lazy, one can even use Spirit Realm monetary currencies to directly "buy" favor from some Spirit Realm figures—though the cost is quite high.

However, on the surface, Bai Pu showed no sign of disturbance, saying with slight impatience: "Just tell me how much you'll give. Lord Gangma, I'm pressed for time. You only get one chance to quote. If I'm not satisfied, I'll walk away."

"That won't do, many of these are relics from the Beiming Clan's warriors!" Beiming Gangma was startled and quickly pointed out.

Ultimately, Beiming Gangma honestly gave a quote, offering the total value of 17,000 Spiritual Points in gold bars and silver ingots.

Bai Pu frowned slightly, estimating: "Let me see the money first before we talk."

Beiming Gangma presented a box and opened it, revealing rows of shiny gold and silver bars inside. Bai Pu was immediately attracted.

[Refined Silver Ingot: High-value item. Common currency in many Spirit Realm Planes, can be exchanged for 1000 Spiritual Points.]

[Small Gold Bar: Valuable item. A common currency in many Spirit Realm Planes can be exchanged for 3000 Spiritual Points.]

[Large Gold Bar...]

Thinking it over, Bai Pu knew he was getting a fair exchange. After all, these items could not be taken out since they were spoils not usable by Awakened but exchanging them for 17,000 Spiritual Points was worth it.

He considered these 17,000 Spiritual Points as a rewarding risk for breaching Yellow Pool and slaying the Blood Shaver. It was quite generous compensation. If he were to sell them, the Spirit Realm Will might not allow it!

In fact, as Bai Pu pondered, he wondered if the presence of Dongbo Chengzhi had further escalated the risk of acquiring the Black Emperor's True Blood!

Because of Dongbo Chengzhi's presence, Ghost Leather dared not attack Bai Pu alone, which prompted the risk of acquiring the Black Emperor's True Blood to escalate!

You may even purchase favor level directly from certain Spirit Realm figures with gold and silver money—though this comes at a very high cost.

Not to forget, selling off Ghost Leather's treasures also earned Bai Pu 500 reputation points, though he didn't advance to the revered level.

After all, among Ghost Leather's treasures were many items left by Guardian Camp samurai, which naturally had special significance.

Just imagine, selling Ghost Leather's treasures also granted Bai Pu 500 Reputation Value, though it didn't break through the Revered level.

These 17,000 Spiritual Points he saw as a substantial reward for the risks he took in venturing into Yellow Pool and claiming the trophies from Blood Shaver.

White Pigeon, pondering for a moment, alleged that perhaps involving Dongbo Chengzhi had escalated the risk of acquiring the Black Emperor's True Blood!

Since Dongbo Chengzhi was involved, Ghost Leather figured that Bai Pu alone was not enough to secure it, so the Black Emperor's True Blood's risk escalated!

Moreover, selling Ghost Leather treasures brought Bai Pu an additional 500 Reputation Value, although it did not break through the revered level.

Considering Ghost Leather's treasures included many relics of Guardian Camp samurai, it's naturally significant.

Bai Pu, reflecting, figured that the 17,000 Spiritual Points were a generous reward for the risks taken by venturing into Yellow Pool and defeating Blood Shaver.

In the thought process about Black Emperor's True Blood, Bai Pu wondered: "It might have been because I brought Dongbo Chengzhi along, causing the risk of acquiring it to escalate!"

Given Dongbo Chengzhi's involvement, Ghost Leather knew he couldn't handle Bai Pu alone, thus multiplying the risk of securing the Black Emperor's True Blood!

Additionally, selling Ghost Leather's treasures granted Bai Pu 500 Reputation Points, but he did not break through the revere rank.

After all, many of Ghost Leather's treasures included the relics of the Guardian Camp samurai, naturally possessing special meaning.

Bai Pu packed the 17,000 Spiritual Points, viewing them as his reward for the risk taken during his venture into the Yellow Pool and slaying Blood Shaver; it was a considerable bounty.

Truly selling the spoils of Ghost Leather at 17,000 Spiritual Points was fitting since Awakened couldn't use them, making it a suitable exchange.

As Bai Pu considered, his actions seemed to have been rewarding, given that the Spirit Realm Will had honored him with 17,000 Spiritual Points as he ventured into the Yellow Pool and slain Blood Shaver, a substantial reward for the risk.

Setting out to exchange the rhino skin and adornments looted from the Yellow Springs Cave demon general, Bai Pu gave these to Beiming Gangma.

Elder Gangma managed obtaining and distributing the logistics supply for the Beiming Dojo, essentially overseeing the "commerce" in the Beiming Clan. Bai Pu then presented the glittering pile of the demon general's ghost leather's treasure troves retrieved from the Yellow Springs Cave.

The treasures, which Bai Pu couldn't directly use, were still highly valuable to the Beiming Clan, as some even held relics of Guardian Camp samurai among them with distinct significance.

As Beiming Gangma kept criticizing them for this and that, Bai Pu snapped back, impatient, "Sound off more, and I won't sell them to you."

Not that Bai Pu was bad at bargaining, but threatening not to sell was still effective.

Catch it quickly with a warm smile, "...These treasures do have value; I can purchase them at market price." Beiming Gangma's poker face shifted to a genial grin.

Bai Pu coolly pressed, "Let me see the money before we discuss."

Beiming Gangma switched to a warm smile, "These treasures are quite valuable, still. I can purchase them at market price."

Bai Pu carefully considered, nodded slightly, and received 17,000 Spiritual Points in gold bars and silver ingots.

These bars, not being items usable outside the Spirit Realm Plane, were still worth exchanging for 17,000 Spiritual Points, sufficient recompense for the risks taken into Yellow Pool and slaying Blood Shaver.

Setting out to exchange the merit points, Bai Pu sought the Beiming Gangma Family Elder, overseeing the logistics distribution for Beiming Dojo and the commercial responsibilities for the Beiming Clan, to claim the supplies from the merit exchange.

Unbeknownst to Beiming Gangma, who was responsible for logistic supply distribution, Awakened could exchange their merit points for items through the Spirit Realm Will, using his body as a human front for this trade.

The Spirit Realm Will used Beiming Gangma as a "commercial" instrument to provide items in exchange for merit points.

With a gentle smile, Beiming Gangma's presence gave way to the "shh" of a list unfurling for merit exchange right before Bai Pu's eyes.

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