Chapter 869 - Exchanging Treasures

Liu Wuxie had no desire to kill Tao Shan, but since the latter refused to heed his warning, he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless.

He resolved to teach Tao Shan a lesson that would deter future nuisances from crossing his path. Instead of evading the attack, he chose to face it head-on.

Liu Wuxie's punch was an overwhelming force that tore through the air with a loud crackle. The rapid compression of air produced a piercing sonic boom.

Before Tao Shan could react, Liu Wuxie's punch had already reached him. This was a perfect display of speed and strength.

The onlookers lost their footing and were thrown off by the gust of wind produced by Liu Wuxie's punch, with everyone tumbling about in complete disarray.

Tao Shan narrowed his eyes after sensing the danger, but it was too late for him to retreat. This was because Liu Wuxie had no intention of wasting time and wanted to end the fight quickly, as he still had to visit the Exquisite Pavilion to exchange for spiritual pills to aid Liu Feng and Liu Xin'er in their cultivation.

Tao Shan's attack struck nothing but air, while Liu Wuxie's punch connected squarely with his chest, unleashing a deafening rumble that sent shivers through the crowd. The sheer force of the impact left onlookers weak in the knees, their expressions frozen in shock.

Blood sprayed into the air, splattering onto the nearby foliage and staining the ground a deep crimson. Tao Shan shot backward like a broken kite caught in a storm, tumbling violently down the mountain path. He crashed into the ground, rolling uncontrollably before finally disappearing into a deep pit. Whether he survived was anyone's guess.

A collective gasp echoed from the onlookers, shocked by Liu Wuxie's strength.

However, Liu Wuxie ignored their fearful gazes and left quickly.

"How terrifying. His strength is already closing in on the top three on the Mortal Ranking," muttered the disciples, who got back on their feet.

The White Dragon Peak disciples looked grim. Not only had they failed to kill Liu Wuxie, but they had also allowed him to make a name for himself.

"Quick, report this! The Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy is about to change! A newly admitted disciple has reached the top ten in the Mortal Ranking in just half a year! This is an unprecedented record in the academy!"

The disciples began to leave one by one, paying no heed to Tao Shan, who was lying on the ground. After all, a loser did not deserve their sympathy, not to mention everyone was using him; he had already lost his value the moment he was defeated.

Liu Wuxie crossed several mountain paths before he saw a massive pavilion before him. This was the Exquisite Pavilion, a hub where all disciples exchanged items. One could even exchange points for a lesson with the elders.

The Exquisite Pavilion was located in a prime location at the heart of the academy. Its name was derived from its architecture, which resembled the graceful curves of a maiden—elegant and exquisite. From a distance, it appeared like a peerless beauty basking in the sunlight.

Upon entering the pavilion, Liu Wuxie noticed that it was packed with disciples, busily exchanging their points for various items.

With eight thousand points in his pocket, Liu Wuxie went to the counter meant for exchanging pills.

"I want to exchange for two first-grade spiritual pills," Liu Wuxie said as he presented his medal.

"Five hundred points," the deacon replied. Two pills cost Liu Wuxie five hundred points, and this was a frightening sum. Many people couldn't afford a spiritual pill after completing their missions.

Liu Wuxie did not feel heartache when five hundred points were deducted from the medal, as points were useless if they weren't used.

Next, he went to the spirit stone exchange counter. Although he had left a few spirit stones for himself, having given a portion to Liu Feng and Liu Xin'er, he planned to take some with him to the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion to help his family and friends increase their cultivation.

He spent three thousand points to exchange for twelve million spirit stones, which filled two interspatial rings. Liu Wuxie then headed for the next counter to get a movement technique.

His current movement speed was his weakness, and the Nine Heavenly Crane Dance could no longer keep up with him.

"What's that kid doing? Didn't he just take two spiritual pills? How is he getting twelve million spirit stones?"

For most disciples, managing to visit even a single counter was considered a stroke of luck. However, Liu Wuxie's effortless movement from one counter to another quickly drew everyone's attention.

"I want to exchange points for a movement technique. How many points do I need?" Liu Wuxie inquired.

"Five hundred points for a spirit-grade martial technique," replied the deacon.

It wasn't too expensive as most cultivators at the high level of the True Profound Realm would only need half a month to earn five hundred points. As for those at the low levels, it would be a challenge as they would have to complete more missions to save enough points.

"Can I choose the technique?" Liu Wuxie asked, uninterested in generic techniques.

He had attempted to cultivate movement techniques from his previous life but quickly realized they no longer suited him. His current cultivation path had diverged significantly, making it impossible to follow the same trajectory as before. The desolate world alone set him apart from his past self in ways he could not ignore.

"Pay the points first and take this token to the Martial Pavilion to choose your technique," said the deacon as he handed a token. This token could grant entry into the Martial Pavilion.

After paying another five hundred points, Liu Wuxie only had a little over three thousand points left. This meant he had spent over four thousand points in the blink of an eye.

Liu Wuxie initially planned to exchange points for a second-grade spiritual pill, but he gave up when he learned that it cost three thousand points.

At the herbal section, Liu Wuxie spent another five hundred points to exchange for a large quantity of spiritual herbs. He was preparing to refine pills himself and help Liu Feng and Liu Xin'er while he was at it.

He intended to strengthen the Heavenly Dao Society upon his return, ensuring its growth and stability.

A crowd had gathered behind him when he was exchanging points for twelve million spirit stones. Their curiosity about Liu Wuxie was evident, but greed burned even brighter in their eyes when they glimpsed the substantial points stored in his medal.

However, Liu Wuxie paid them no mind—he had already noticed them long ago.

"I'd like to exchange for materials containing fire and water elements. Are there any available?" Liu Wuxie asked. He planned to gather the materials to forge the remaining two suppression steles.

By relying on the second-grade spiritual pill his master had given him, Liu Wuxie could break through to the third-level True Profound Realm. He planned to utilize the suppression steles to push himself further to the fourth level. Only by doing so could he establish a stable foothold in the Central Plains.

Though Liu Wuxie wasn't afraid of killing Ning Hai, it was undeniable that the Profound Cloud Sect had sent many disciples into the academy throughout the years, and they would surely seek vengeance for Ning Hai. His strength was far from enough to face those potential enemies.

"We only have Divine Heavenly Dipper Flame, which costs two thousand points. As for water element treasures, we have none in stock," said the deacon attending Liu Wuxie.

Water element treasures were too rare. Back at the Blood Sea Abyssal Island, he had only found the xiantian spirit deep in the ocean by luck.

This meant he would have to venture deep into the ocean to find the required water element treasure.

However, most humans avoided the ocean depths due to their extreme danger, as sea demons lurked, ready to strike at any intruders.

Just the Divine Heavenly Dipper Flame alone cost two thousand points, which was a terrifying price.

"Alright, I'll take it!" Liu Wuxie said. He wasn't in a hurry and could wait until he collected the required water element treasure and forged them together.

Fire and water were naturally opposed, and balancing their refinement was crucial to achieving a perfect fusion. If he refined the suppression stele separately, the risk would be immense.

After spending another two thousand points, Liu Wuxie had little balance left on his medal. He had slightly over a thousand points left, which he exchanged for materials required for refining the suppression steles.

By the time he finished, night had fallen, but he felt no regret over exhausting his points. Instead, a surge of excitement coursed through him. With these materials in hand, his cultivation would advance swiftly once he secured the final water-element treasure.

His next goal was to visit the Martial Pavilion, pick a movement technique, and spend the remaining time grasping it.

A growing crowd trailed closely behind him when he left the Exquisite Pavilion.

"Eight thousand points! He squandered them all just like that! Why didn't he choose to train in the cultivation chamber or the Auspicious Cloud Cave?"

Everyone had different needs, and Liu Wuxie didn't require the Auspicious Cloud Cave or the cultivation chamber. With his comprehension of spatial laws, he planned to create his own cultivation chamber in the near future.

Liu Wuxie was irritated by the crowd following behind him. He turned around and roared, "Have you all stared enough? If so, get lost!"

"Kid, cut the crap and hand over the two first-grade spiritual pills," said a disciple at the pinnacle of the True Profound Realm.

He had initially planned to ambush Liu Wuxie at night, but seeing no reason to delay, he decided to act immediately.

The other materials Liu Wuxie carried were less appealing, especially the Divine Heavenly Dipper Flame, which was notoriously difficult to subdue. While his stash of spirit stones was impressive, they weren't particularly rare.

However, spiritual pills were different, as he could use them to increase his cultivation.

"I want ten million spirit stones!"

"I want the Divine Heavenly Dipper Flame!"

"I want that movement technique!"

More people joined the fray, each demanding their share. The logic was simple—no single person could be blamed if everyone participated.

They wouldn't have made the first move if no one had spoken up. But once someone took the lead, they all followed, driven by the fear of missing out—that was human nature.

They had already divided Liu Wuxie's treasures among themselves.

"You want my treasures?" Liu Wuxie asked with a smile, his eyes gleaming with a cold edge. To him, these people were courting death.

Several disciples at the Spirit Profound Realm stood at a distance, watching but refraining from joining in. After all, it was beneath them to rob someone at the Nascent Transformation Realm.

In their eyes, Liu Wuxie was only a weakling at the seventh-level Nascent Transformation Realm. Besides, they had plenty of ways to earn points with their cultivation, and ordinary spiritual pills held little value for them.

However, it would be another story if it was a second-grade spiritual pill.

"Enough talk. With so many of us here, I advise you to hand them over, or you won't leave this place alive!" One of the disciples snarled, his voice dripping with menace.

The academy wouldn't interfere in a battle between disciples.

"Since that's the case, come at me together!" Liu Wuxie's eyes turned cold with murderous intent radiating from him.

His murderous intent sent a chill down many people's spines, forcing them to avert their gazes, unwilling to meet Liu Wuxie's eyes.

"What are we waiting for? Kill him and split his treasures!" the disciple, who had confronted Liu Wuxie first, roared and lunged at him.