Basic Attack currently takes a slightly higher priority than Oratory.
Besides, fifty Qi Fortune could be saved up in a month or two, so there was no need to be so conflicted over the choice. With his decision made, a thought from Zhang Deming set things in motion.
"Do you wish to consume 50 Qi Fortune to upgrade the Ruyi Jade Demon Blood-Sucking Vine?"
"Yes!"
Instantly, inside his Dantian, the Vine Technique Rune on the script began to change.
When everything was complete, Zhang Deming paused. It seemed the Vine Technique had finally undergone its ultimate transformation.
With a thought, his entire arm transformed into a jade-green vine. With another, the vine exploded into countless threads.
It wasn’t just his arm. He could now transform his entire body into a vine, much like a Transformation Technique. Of course, the effect was completely different.
Simply put, he could now become the vine itself. Factoring in the Ruyi Vine, the improvement was nothing short of a massive leap.
After a long while, Zhang Deming finished taking stock of the gains from this promotion.
He checked his reserves. Merit: 13.4, Qi Fortune: 11.2, Karma: 1.4.
Looking at his remaining resources, Zhang Deming felt a wave of melancholy. More than half a year’s savings, all spent in one small burst. ’Why am I always so poor?’
’When will this affliction of being poor ever be cured!’
Dejectedly, he closed the panel, left the Cultivation Room, took out his Identity Card, and sent a message.
A moment later, Qin Shizhong walked in.
As usual, Qin Shizhong entered and first gave a respectful bow to Zhang Deming. "Martial Uncle," he said, "what are your instructions?"
Zhang Deming had told him more than once that he didn’t care for such formalities, but since the man insisted, he let him be.
Zhang Deming looked at Qin Shizhong and asked, "How is your cultivation of the Techniques coming along?"
A smile appeared on Qin Shizhong’s face. "Thanks to the Spirit Nurturing Bead you acquired for me, Martial Uncle, I’ve managed to comprehend both the Dragon and Snake Transformation and the Powerful Ape Transformation in the last three months."
"However, because I’m aiming for the Dual Transformation Foundation Establishment, I plan to spend another half a year or so in quiet cultivation to fully familiarize myself with them before taking that final step."
Zhang Deming nodded. "You’re quite lucky, actually. I helped Steward Zhang with a matter a while back and received a limited-time benefit."
"For certain reasons, I can’t use it myself. But since it’s a limited-time offer that can’t be saved for later, I put your name forward."
Qin Shizhong was taken aback. "A benefit?"
Zhang Deming nodded. "It’s a promotion benefit exclusive to Alliance Disciples. You really have a blessed source of fortune. I didn’t even get to use it myself; you’re the one who benefits completely."
Qin Shizhong looked at Zhang Deming. "Martial Uncle, this... I... For you to treat me so well, Martial Uncle, I truly have no way to repay you."
Zhang Deming shook his head. "I was just worried it would go to waste. If it’s not used within the time limit, it’s lost. There’s no need for all this. I’m just giving you a heads-up so you can be prepared."
"I received a notification that the final trading channels for our new district are preliminarily scheduled to open today."
"The opening of these channels should also coincide with the distribution of member benefits. Your benefit will be granted then."
"After this, the new district will be considered fully established—at least, all the official procedures will be complete. Although some welfare protections will remain, everything from now on will depend on Contribution."
Qin Shizhong gave Zhang Deming a deep look, then nodded. "I understand. I will focus on my cultivation in the coming days."
"Alright, go on and wait," Zhang Deming said. "I won’t chat any longer, in case the Alliance makes its move while we’re talking."
Hearing this, Qin Shizhong bowed again. "Then I will take my leave."
"Mm, go and prepare," Zhang Deming said with a nod.
Zhang Deming watched Qin Shizhong leave, waited another moment, and then entered the Spirit Nurturing Space.
Rune Summoning: Spirit Nurturing Summoning Technique - Dragon Turtle!
A ball of light appeared, rapidly stretching and shaping itself into the form of Elder Huang.
Rune Summoning: Spirit Nurturing Summoning Technique - Feng Mingyou!
Immediately, a ball of light merged into Elder Huang’s body. His entire demeanor changed in an instant, taking on an air of transcendent indifference.
Then, Zhang Deming’s consciousness plunged into Elder Huang’s body.
Elder Huang calmly opened his eyes. Standing atop Xuanhua Tower, he scanned his surroundings.
With a wave of his hand, the Book of All Living Beings descended from the sky to hover beside him.
After doing all this and feeling the time was right, Elder Huang waved gently toward the points of light in the sky.
The points of light representing Qu Qingxian, Qu Qizhong, Feng Mingyou, Li Shifan, Xu Weihai, and Qin Shizhong—the six-member council of the All Living Beings Tower—appeared simultaneously before Elder Huang.
For a moment, all six were disoriented. Then, through their respective points of light, they saw Elder Huang standing with his hands clasped behind his back atop Xuanhua Tower. All of them were stunned.
Elder Huang glanced around at the lights, as if he could see each person through them, and then he spoke.
"Today, the trade audit for the Celestial Spirit New District has been approved. Henceforth, free trade is permitted within the Celestial Spirit District. All preliminary audits for the new district are now complete."
"The Alliance’s Newcomer Welfare Exchange Mall is now open. The Longevity Path has been revealed, and an opportunity for the ages has emerged. I hope you will all cherish it."
When he finished speaking, Elder Huang held out his hand, and the Book of All Living Beings appeared in his palm. He gestured with his other hand, and the book’s pages began to turn slowly.
At that moment, their own copies of the Book of All Living Beings appeared before each of the six individuals and slowly opened. The first new page was a dedicated trading interface, one where they could even post trade requests.
The book’s pages continued to turn. The second page was a mall, but the items listed were few.
1. Spirit Nurturing Bead
Effect: Allows one to acquire a designated Spirit Nurturing Bead (Special Level, full Mastery, with up to a 50% chance of triggering Enlightenment Dao).
Contribution: Variable (depends on the specific Spirit Nurturing Bead).
Requirement: No ’Dao Fruit’ required.
2. Request for Aid
Effect: Member safety assurance.
Contribution: Variable (depends on the target and circumstances of the intervention).
Requirement: No ’Dao Fruit’ required.
3. Promotion Enlightenment
Effect: Allows one to briefly gain breakthrough insights, as well as the experiential understanding of the post-breakthrough state.
Contribution: Variable (depends on Cultivation level; Apprentice breakthrough starts at 10 points).
Requirement: A breakthrough of a certain level requires a promotion ’Dao Fruit’ of the corresponding Star Level.
4. Heaven and Earth Seal of Approval (Unique, each member has only one opportunity to redeem this).
Effect: Obtaining this seal allows one to become the favored child of the era, the protagonist of Heaven and Earth.
Contribution: Variable.
Requirement: One special ’Dao Fruit’ of the Heaven and Earth Seal.
Note: Most ’Dao Fruits’ are obtained from Alliance mission rewards.
...