Chapter 467 - 239: Great Yan Kingdom’s Demon Martial, Jiang Che’s Crisis, Duobao Peak’s Shock

However, when their gazes drifted down to the cold, hard number, everyone gasped.

"Rejuvenation Pill: Replenishes a True Master’s core essence and enhances cultivation. Price: 1,000 points per pill."

"O-one thousand?!"

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes widened. She counted on her fingers in disbelief. "We only get a hundred points a month. How long would we have to save up for that? It would take forever!"

She instinctively pulled out a few high-denomination gold notes and asked the Steward behind the counter, "Sir, can I use gold to buy this? I have money, lots of it!"

The Steward didn’t even look up, replying coldly, "Within the Sect, points are everything. Gold and silver are mundane trinkets. They’re fine for buying food and clothes in the Marketplace down the mountain, but you want to buy cultivation resources? Forget it."

Su Xiaoxiao instantly deflated.

And it wasn’t just the Rejuvenation Pill; there were even more expensive items nearby.

"Nine-Turn Soul-Shaping Pill: Repairs damage to the Divine Soul and strengthens Divine Thought. Price: 3,000 points per pill."

"Ten Thousand Poison Extinguishing Pill: Cures all manner of poisons. Essential for entering major Secret Realms. Price: 2,000 points per pill."

Jiang Che’s eye twitched as he looked at these prices.

He might have been wealthy, but under the Sect’s point system, his current five hundred points made him practically destitute.

"Let’s go see something else. Sticking around here is just depressing," Bao Da said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Next, the group arrived at a branch of the Scripture Pavilion.

It didn’t display the full texts, but rather a catalog with descriptions.

": An offensive Secret Technique that perfectly complements the . It can summon celestial lightning and is balanced in both offense and defense. Points required: 8,000."

": A Body Technique that perfectly complements the . When cultivated to the Great Success stage, one can create countless illusions, making it impossible to distinguish the real from the fake. Points required: 15,000."

": A supreme Healing Secret Technique... Points required: 6,000."

Looking at these Cultivation Techniques, Jiang Che was itching to get his hands on them.

’These are exactly what I’m missing!’

’Especially those more obscure, specialized Cultivation Techniques. If I could learn them and then use the Dissipating Skill, I could definitely acquire a lot of rare Talents!’

Unfortunately, the prices were staggering.

’With five hundred points, I can’t afford a single decent Cultivation Technique here!’

Next, the Divine Weapon Pavilion and the Treasure Hall dealt the group an even heavier blow.

Moon-Slaying Saber, a Spirit-grade Weapon with an Armor-Piercing effect, was priced at 3,000 points.

Golden Silk Armor, capable of withstanding a full-force blow from anyone below the Seventh Layer of True Master Realm, was priced at 4,500 points.

There were also various rare and exotic materials, such as Centennial Thunderstruck Wood for 1,000 points and Deep Sea Cold Iron Essence for 2,000 points.

These were all top-tier materials for forging Weapons and Magical Treasures. The sight made everyone’s mouth water, but they could only look on with helpless longing.

Finally, the group arrived at an open area on the mountainside—the Beast Taming Garden.

Before they even got close, they could hear a chorus of loud squawks and bestial roars.

In the sky, they saw senior disciples clad in Inner Sect Daoist Robes, occasionally streaking past on magnificent Exotic Beasts or hovering in mid-air. They looked incredibly suave and majestic.

"Are those... mounts?!"

Bao Da stared, his eyes wide. He was so envious he was practically drooling.

In this world, although experts at the True Master Realm could briefly fly, it consumed an enormous amount of True Qi and wasn’t even necessarily that fast.

For long-distance travel or maintaining mobility in a fight, a powerful Flying Mount was an absolute necessity.

More importantly...

This thing was a huge status symbol!

Who wouldn’t want to ride an Exotic Beast and look down upon the world from above the clouds?

The four of them quickly crowded around to look at the price list.

"Wind-Chasing Wolf: A land-based Riding Beast that can travel two thousand li a day. Excellent endurance. Price: 1,000 points."

"That one is actually pretty cheap. If we work hard, we might be able to afford it," Lin Xiao mused, his eyes glinting with interest as he gazed at the magnificent azure wolf.

But when they looked at the Flying Mounts, their hearts sank completely.

"Iron-Feathered Eagle: An entry-level Flying Mount. Ferocious temperament, can assist in battle. Price: 3,000 points."

"Cloud Crane: Flies smoothly and is extremely fast. And that’s just the starting price... 5,000 points!"

And in the most prominent enclosure was a lion-headed eagle, its body wreathed in faint red flames.

"Red Flame Lion Eagle: Possesses the bloodline of an Ancient Exotic Beast. Its combat power is comparable to the Third Layer of True Master Realm, and its flight speed is unrivaled among its peers! Price: 30,000 points!"

"Th-thirty thousand?!"

Bao Da felt like he was about to suffocate.

He glanced at the pitiful five hundred points reflected on his waist token, then back at the majestic lion eagle, and a profound sense of helplessness washed over him.

This was a soul-crushing reality check.

They, the so-called prodigies of the State Mansions, were nothing but a group of beggars upon arriving at the Myriad Phenomena Dao Sect!

Jiang Che stood before the Red Flame Lion Eagle’s cage. Though his expression remained calm, his heart was in turmoil.

He thought of his own Xiaohei.

’Once Xiaohei is fully grown, it might not be quite as impressive as these Flying Mounts, but it won’t be far off.’

’The crucial thing is, it will be under my complete control!’

’Still, I can’t just bring it out now. For a brand-new disciple, it would attract way too much attention.’

"Let’s go."

Jiang Che took one last, deep look at the lion eagle, then turned and walked away.

"Aren’t you going to look anymore?" Su Xiaoxiao asked, still gazing longingly at a Seven-Colored Spirit Deer priced at 8,000 points.

"No amount of looking will make it ours."

Jiang Che shook his head. "It’s pointless, aside from making us more frustrated."

The others fell silent after hearing his words.

’He’s right. What’s the use in looking if we can’t afford any of it?’

As the four of them left Duobao Peak, the setting sun stretched their shadows long behind them.

The initial excitement they felt upon joining the Sect had been completely crushed by the brutal prices.

But because of this, an even stronger desire and fighting spirit ignited within each of their hearts!

"This is unacceptable! I’m going to do missions!"

Bao Da suddenly clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. "I can’t stand being this poor! I need points! I’m going to buy an Iron-Feathered Eagle!"

"Me too!" A sharp light flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. "Without resources, forget about switching Cultivation Techniques—even our daily cultivation will be unsustainable. This won’t do. I’m going to Xuanwu Hall to accept missions!"

"I’m going too!" Su Xiaoxiao, having lost her earlier petulance, declared with puffed-out cheeks. "I’ve never been short on money in my entire life! They’re just points, right? I’ll earn them, just you watch!"

Jiang Che just smiled and shook his head.

He didn’t say anything, but there were plenty of things he wanted to buy as well.

The staggering prices had wounded their pride, but they had also ignited their ambition and desire.

’Earn points!’

That became their one and only thought.

...