The banquet was in full swing, and Wang Xu was having a lively conversation with old and new friends, during which he met many members from the top-ranked battle groups.
As time passed, the atmosphere of the banquet reached its climax. Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Yan Muling cut a special fifteen-layer cake. Wang Xu took a taste; it was sweet but not cloying, simply delicious.
"Old Jin!" A bold voice called out. Jin Tun and his companions looked over and saw that it was Yan Cheng, the host of the banquet.
"Old Yan!" Jin Tun laughed heartily, and the two exchanged a big hug.
"Let me introduce you. This is my battle group, called ’Red Flame.’ They are all just some inexperienced youngsters." Jin Tun introduced Wang Xu and the others to Yan Cheng one by one.
Except for Gui Suan, everyone else looked at Jin Tun in surprise, not expecting that he actually knew such a powerhouse from Tier Eight.
"Haha, I am Yan Cheng from the ’Black Eye’ Battle Group," Yan Cheng said with a clasped fist and a smile.
The Black Eye Battle Group!
The third-ranked Black Eye Battle Group!
Red Axe and the others felt a bit excited. They were just small Tier Five members, virtually insignificant in the eyes of someone from Tier Eight. Normally, they wouldn’t even be noticed standing in front of them, so they felt it was definitely worth coming today, an absolute privilege!
"No wonder all the attending groups are within the top hundred, and we, Red Flame, are the only ones outside it. Turns out there’s a privilege involved," Red Eye said straightforwardly.
Yan Cheng and Jin Tun were comrades from the same safe zone. After entering the Genius Battle Group, Yan Cheng was favored by a big shot, taken as a disciple, and given rigorous guidance. His cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds, while Jin Tun was still lingering at Tier Six, Yan Cheng had already reached Tier Eight.
Nonetheless, Yan Cheng was especially conscientious about loyalty, as evident by his seamless rapport with Jin Tun, which increased Wang Xu’s favorable impression of him even more.
Toward Wang Xu and the others, Yan Cheng was generous, gifting them several A-level weapons and A-level armors. This showed he was not only loyal but also adept at handling human interactions.
"Big brother, what should we do? This kid has actually hooked up with Yan Cheng."
In the corner of the hall, Lei Beng stared at Wang Xu from a distance with a grim face.
The Thunder Battle Group, being one of the top-ranked groups, naturally received an invitation. Ever since they entered the hall, they had noticed Wang Xu. Wang Xu didn’t recognize them, but they were all too familiar with him.
"No matter what, White Wolf’s vendetta must be avenged. So what if he’s connected to Yan Cheng? A mere Tier Five kid, could he really count on Yan Cheng to stand up for him?" Lei Beng sneered.
People are dead, and for that matter, they’re only dealing with a small fry from Tier Five. Lei Beng didn’t believe Yan Cheng would take Wang Xu’s side against him.
"Yan Cheng might not, but Jin Tun’s a rigid thinker, and Jin Tun’s also on great terms with Yan Cheng. I fear..." Iron Palm hesitated.
Lei Beng shot him a fierce glare: "What are you afraid of! Someone from our Thunder Battle Group was killed, and we’re going to turn a blind eye? If you’re scared, then get lost! Don’t disgrace our Thunder Battle Group!"
Iron Palm shrank his neck and dared not speak again. Lei Beng turned his gaze back to Wang Xu: "Keep an eye on Wang Xu; the moment he leaves the battle group base, show no mercy!"
An S-level weapon, along with bits and pieces of other weapons and armor, worth millions of contribution points—enough to rival an S-level mission, and the target is a Tier Five. Not even a C-level mission counts. Who wouldn’t take up such a lucrative task?
"Young friend Wang Xu, are you interested in buying ’Sword Romance’?" In the midst of their conversation, Yan Cheng suddenly asked.
Wang Xu didn’t hide his desire to purchase ’Sword Romance’ and nodded in response.
"What a coincidence. I recently bought a copy myself, but unfortunately, my understanding of sword techniques is quite limited. It’s hard for me to comprehend it in a short time," Yan Cheng said.
"Oh?" Wang Xu’s eyes lit up. The ’Nine-Column Thunder Saber’ was already at its limit, so to further enhance his strength, he needed to study a new sword technique.
"How about this, since this sword technique is useless to me, I’ll pass it on to you. I’ll wait for you at the trading hall tomorrow at noon."
"This... It’s too valuable." Receiving such a significant gift, Wang Xu felt a bit embarrassed.
"Old Yan, I know the value of ’Sword Romance.’ Transferring it requires paying a third of the contribution points of the original item, and you’ll also have to endure ’deprivation.’ It’s not appropriate." Jin Tun spoke up.
The Genius Battle Group had rules stating that martial arts secret techniques purchased in the Warband Mall were not allowed to be taught privately. If discovered, it would be pursued relentlessly, and both parties would sign a contract, strictly regulated.
But what if a trainee bought a martial arts secret technique and found they couldn’t cultivate it, or their cultivation speed was too slow? You couldn’t just let it go to waste, could you?
Thus, the battle group allowed secret techniques to be transferred, as long as it was verified in the trading hall, a new contract was signed, and a third of the contribution points of the original item were paid. Then, ’deprivation’ would be performed to erase the memory of the technique from the original owner, completing the transfer successfully.
Twelve million contribution points were insignificant, but deprivation was different. Its side effects had a significant impact on the body, increasing in pain and severity with higher martial arts levels.
That Yan Cheng would be so kind to Wang Xu, whom he had just met, was indeed a great favor, no doubt.
Yan Cheng waved his hand with a smile, "Don’t try to dissuade me. I can’t even grasp the basics of this secret technique, and the deprivation won’t impact me much. Besides, holding onto it is a waste; it’s better to give it to young friend Wang Xu."
Wang Xu was speechless, Yan Cheng’s generosity left him at a loss, though moved, he couldn’t reject his kindness.
"Sword Romance" has immense significance for Wang Xu. If he can elevate his exertion level to 3.0, he will instantly be able to unleash a terrifying force of thirty thousand kilograms, significantly improving his prowess, and having no difficulty dealing with Tier Seven.
"I indeed need ’Sword Romance’. I accept Brother Yan’s kindness, and if ever there’s something Wang Xu can assist with in the future, I will spare no effort!" Wang Xu earnestly thanked Yan Cheng and said.
"Haha, it’s a small matter!"
Wang Xu genuinely felt the trip was worthwhile, meeting many old friends and obtaining "Sword Romance," saving him much effort.
Gradually, people began to leave, the banquet thinned out, and even Tang Yan, Ying Xing, and others all left with their Battle Groups.
Jin Tun and Yan Cheng were both heavily intoxicated. They didn’t use energy to sober up, rather in their drunken states, they reminisced about the past, speaking so deeply that their eyes turned red, with tears brimming.
The banquet came to a close, and as there is no eternal feast, Jin Tun and Yan Cheng parted ways, being assisted back.
"Brother, look at you today, reeking of alcohol." Yan Muling glanced at the drunken Yan Cheng, with a delicate frowned brow.
"I was happy today, reminiscing with old friends from the past, shared a few more drinks."
Yan Cheng smirked drunkenly, then energy surged within him, and the alcohol fumes evaporated out, his complexion immediately returning to normal.
"Brother, have you met the apprentice I mentioned to you?" Yan Muling inquired.
"I have met him, his name is Wang Xu, coincidentally an apprentice under one of my old friends. He doesn’t seem particularly outstanding; without you telling me he could unleash almost ten thousand of fist power, I wouldn’t have believed he has such abilities." Yan Cheng said with a deep tone.
"Wang Xu? That’s an unusual name." Yan Muling pondered, "Brother, did you express anything?"
"What do you think? I even gifted him the ’Sword Romance’ I recently acquired." Yan Cheng chuckled.
Yan Muling covered her small mouth, looking surprised: "Brother, that’s quite a hefty gesture, gifting it could cost you ’deprivation’.
"No matter, I believe Wang Xu’s potential far exceeds the nearly ten thousand fist power you mentioned. There’s something else I haven’t seen in him, so the cost is nothing."
Yan Cheng’s intuition told him Wang Xu was worth befriending, and his intuition has always been very accurate.
The next day, Wang Xu arrived at the trading hall as agreed, meeting Yan Cheng who had been waiting for a long time.
"Brother Yan!" Wang Xu walked over.
"Let’s go, we’ll start the transfer now."
The transfer process was quick, conducted through the Light Computer. After signing the contract, Yan Cheng followed a staff member to undergo the "deprivation".
Moments later, Yan Cheng came out, looking slightly pale and weak.
"Brother Yan, are you alright?" Wang Xu asked worriedly, having specifically researched information on deprivation; it’s something that targets the physical body and nerves, leaving side effects.
"I’m fine, after all, I’m an Eight Tier, just need a few days to recuperate." Yan Cheng waved his hand with a smile.
The stronger the person, the harder the deprivation process; as an Eight Tier, Yan Cheng faced greater side effects. Fortunately, he hadn’t yet mastered ’Sword Romance’, so it didn’t have much impact.
Yan Cheng refused to let Wang Xu see him off; an Eight Tier powerhouse wouldn’t be crippled by a deprivation. After Yan Cheng left, Wang Xu quickly returned to the Cultivation Room, eagerly opening ’Sword Romance’.
"I have Vajra, able to break ignorance!"
With those words, Wang Xu was mentally invigorated, as if he was in a vast world with a gigantic golden saber hovering in the air, slicing through the void chaos!
As he continued reading, Wang Xu became more and more engrossed, utterly immersed in the world of ’Sword Romance’.
In Wang Xu’s mind, countless sabers floated in the sky, all with different forms, every one exuding intimidating energy.
Wang Xu’s thoughts wandered in the world of sabers, randomly picking one from the air and casually slicing, the void shattered.
This feeling was indescribably profound, fast yet slow, drawing Wang Xu deeper and deeper.
Time slowly passed, Wang Xu devoured ’Sword Romance’ like a starving man for three days, nearly frantically absorbing.
Countless insights flashed through his mind. He extended his finger, casually slicing, though not fast, it emitted a whistling sound, the airflow being cut apart.
"Exquisite... Remarkably exquisite!" Wang Xu’s eyes shone brighter than ever, marveling, "The ’Nine-Column Thunder Saber’ is like mere sand in front of it!"
After flipping through ’Sword Romance’ over ten times, Wang Xu reluctantly set it down, took out the Blood Bone Giant Saber, and began cultivating based on the insights he gained from it.