Han Lang's words held no persuasive power for Tang Geng at all.
He clutched the Xuan-tier high-grade sword manual tightly in his arms, looking at Han Lang with disbelief.
"Brother Han Lang! You're not joking, are you? I don't want a perfectly good Xuan-tier high-grade sword manual, and you're offering a mid-grade spirit sword? What's the use of that?"
Han Lang became anxious and retorted, "How so? Is this sword not as good as the one you're using?"
Tang Geng replied somewhat sheepishly, "That's not it! The one I have is just a mid-grade magic artifact. Compared to this mid-grade spirit sword, I would naturally be tempted! But if I have to choose between a Xuan-tier high-grade sword manual and this mid-grade spirit sword, I'd still lean towards the manual!"
Han Lang was truly speechless at this point. He forcefully snatched the sword manual from Tang Geng's hands, then shoved the sword into his grip, saying, "Listen to me! Just take this sword! With this sword, your combat power will increase by several levels at least. With your cultivation nearing the late stage of the Martial Practitioner realm, as long as your opponent doesn't exceed the Golden Core stage, you'll have a fighting chance!"
"But..."
Tang Geng was about to say more, but Han Lang interrupted him again. "No 'buts'! It's just a Xuan-tier high-grade sword manual. When we get out, I'll give you a Tian-tier high-grade sword manual! It'll be enough for you to use your whole life!"
Tian-tier high-grade?
Tang Geng was dumbfounded.
He had thought Han Lang was just speaking casually and joking when he heard Ma Long and Han Lang discussing martial arts techniques earlier.
He never expected Han Lang to actually prepare Tian-tier martial arts for him!
This was simply unbelievable!
"Brother Han Lang, are you telling the truth? Do you really have Tian-tier martial arts?"
Hearing this, Han Lang cast a contemptuous glance at Tang Geng. "Of course, it's true! If it were false, and I forced you to take the sword now, wouldn't you kill me when we get out?"
Hearing Han Lang's firm affirmation, Tang Geng finally believed him completely.
"Alright, alright! I'll listen to you! I'll return this sword manual right away!"
Just as he picked up the sword manual to walk back, Han Lang suddenly stopped him. "Wait! Take these low-grade gauntlets and the high-grade claws as well! Brother Ma is skilled with fists, so these gauntlets are for him! As for Tang Qin, although the claws might not meet her needs, among the Tian-tier martial arts, only claw techniques are suitable for her. Tell her to make do!"
Hearing that Han Lang had also prepared Tian-tier techniques and martial arts for Ma Long and Tang Qin, Tang Geng was overjoyed and replied repeatedly, "Okay, okay! Don't worry! Tang Qin doesn't have that much of a 'beautiful girl' complex! Heh heh..."
With that, he picked up these items and happily walked towards Ma Long and Tang Qin.
When Ma Long received the gauntlets, he was initially surprised, but as soon as he heard they were chosen by Han Lang, he accepted them immediately. "That's right! I was really out of my mind! Young Master said before that after I reached Foundation Establishment, he would prepare techniques for me. Why was I racking my brain looking for techniques? I'm truly sick!"
Tang Qin's face twitched upon hearing Ma Long's words.
She both disdained Ma Long's subservient attitude towards Han Lang and disliked the claws Han Lang chose for her.
She even angrily cursed Ma Long, "You're happy! What about me? These claws are too ugly!"
Tang Geng quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, Tang Qin. I told Brother Han Lang that you don't have that much of a 'beautiful girl' complex. I really didn't expect you to dislike them. But Brother Han Lang said that among the Tian-tier martial arts, only a set of claw techniques is suitable for you, you see..."
Ma Long also chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! These claws are high-grade spirit artifacts! Coupled with the Tian-tier martial arts Young Master prepared for you, in time, perhaps neither of us will be your match! What more are you dissatisfied with!"
Hearing their words, Tang Qin's mood finally eased. At least she knew that Han Lang had considered her subjective opinion when making choices for her.
"Fine, fine! At least wearing these claw covers isn't that obvious. Otherwise, I wouldn't learn this thing even if you killed me!"
Ma Long sweated. He thought, "This woman really doesn't distinguish between ordinary people and cultivators! In their eyes, beauty is far more important than strength! Tang Geng had the same thought as Ma Long, but he didn't show it, instead following Tang Qin's words and flattering her, "Exactly, exactly! Wearing the claw covers doesn't affect your appearance, Tang Qin. It might even save you from manicures in the future!"
Hearing this, Tang Qin's anger flared, and she unleashed a flurry of punches on Tang Geng. "Who are you mocking, Tang Geng! You think I can't tell, right!"
Fifteen minutes passed quickly.
When all the new recruits had chosen their desired treasures and returned to the entrance, the spirit artifacts in the hands of Han Lang and his companions once again drew ridicule from all sides.
"Damn it! What did you guys choose! Are you planning to sell scrap metal after leaving the special forces?"
"Yeah, yeah! Look at that girl, she's so pretty, and her looks are considered top-notch! She's actually holding a pair of claws!"
"Brother, you're mistaken! We are all cultivators, how can we just look at appearances? Besides, whatever a beautiful woman chooses, she has the right to do so!"
"Exactly, exactly! As long as it's a high-quality beauty, let alone choosing claws, even choosing a hammer is normal! But that brother behind her, I really can't understand! Is that, did he choose a piece of iron?"
"Oh! I didn't notice until you said it! Isn't that just a piece of iron? This thing probably doesn't even count as a spirit artifact, does it?"
"I think it's at most a fragment of a broken spirit artifact! Otherwise, it wouldn't be stored in the treasure vault!"
"Haha..."
Faced with everyone's mockery, Han Lang, Ma Long, and the other men were naturally indifferent.
But Tang Qin, holding the pair of claws, had a face flushed with embarrassment. At this moment, apart from clutching the claws tightly, she felt completely out of place!
Seeing this, Han Lang immediately stepped forward to comfort her. "It's okay, it's okay! You don't need to pay attention to these vulgar words! At worst, when we get out, I'll help you paint these claws and make them your nail polish!"
Hearing this, Tang Qin felt like crying and laughing at the same time! She immediately stomped on Han Lang's foot fiercely. "You're still talking! It's all your fault for choosing such a lousy weapon for me!"
Han Lang winced in pain, but he still didn't forget to comfort Tang Qin. "My dear lady, please don't be so pragmatic! In the world of cultivators, strength is paramount. If you defeat all these people on the new recruit arena with these claws, who would dare to mock you again? Isn't our deputy squad leader Liu Xiaoxiao your best example?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Qin immediately felt relieved. "That's right! With a role model like Squad Leader Liu, who cares about the opinions of you stinky men! When the time comes, I'll make sure you're all surprised!"
Seeing Tang Qin's joy, the three of them finally breathed a sigh of relief. It was just a pity for Han Lang, who kindly chose spirit artifacts for her and gave her Tian-tier martial arts, only to be kicked by her in the end. Wasn't this a classic case of losing the wife and the soldiers?