Chapter 1 The List

Li Miaomiao, looking at the list of information on the side, was also amazed.

This information was not required to be kept secret. After all, to the alien races of the universe, it wasn't considered a secret. Even the most expensive 'Nightmare-class' Abyss Armor only cost 100 million merits. Perhaps tenth-level Origin Lifeforms would covet it, but it was far from being a treasure of a race.

The 'No. 9 Primordial Origin Armor' bestowed upon Xu Jingming by the Dean was a treasure of a race! Treasures of this level were unlikely to appear on the regular exchange list.

Or that 'fragment', the source of the fragment, that complete high-dimensional weapon... its value was enough to alarm alien races, even higher than the No. 9 Primordial Origin Armor. But just a fragment, its value was lower.

This list was open to official members of the Eternal Academy, and many high-level members of large families in the universe could also access this information.

"So expensive, the cheapest 'Black and White Fruit' requires 5 trillion universe coins," Li Miaomiao exclaimed. "Back then, the Black Moon Civilization almost exhausted all its cash to scrape together that much as an apology gift."

Xu Jingming nodded, "So, although it's said to be open to all official members of the Eternal Academy, ninth-level Origin Lifeforms generally can't afford it."

Ordinary ninth-levels wouldn't easily accumulate 5 trillion, let alone use it all to buy a fruit.

"What are you planning to buy?" Li Miaomiao asked curiously.

"These three," Xu Jingming clicked several times in a row.

"Heavenly Python Scale? Clear Spirit Water? Guardian?" Li Miaomiao said as she looked, "Adding them up, that's 85 million merits and 1 trillion universe coins, so expensive. High-dimensional space items are indeed terrifyingly expensive, a scale and a drop of water add up to no less than the entire Liwood Group."

The value of one merit for an Origin Lifeform was generally much higher than 100 million universe coins. After all, when exchanging, the most precious items could only be exchanged with merits.

Therefore, if universe coins could be used, they would generally be used.

The net assets of the Liwood Group barely exceeded 10 trillion universe coins, and its value might not necessarily be worth 85 million merits.

"Not much for your husband," Xu Jingming said with a smile.

Killing a ninth-level prison clan member was worth 100,000 merits, so 85 million merits was equivalent to killing only 850 ninth-level prison clan members! And when killing the prison clan, he could also obtain enough spoils.

Therefore, he earned more in terms of universe coins than merits.

"Jingming, how much money have you accumulated?" Li Miaomiao asked.

"As long as the Liwood Group can be managed well, I will continuously support it," Xu Jingming said with a smile, "As for how much money, I accumulate and improve every year. As an Origin Lifeform, I now pay taxes at the top rate of 50%. I should have accumulated over 10 trillion over the years, but after paying half in taxes and investing some in the Liwood Group, I have a little more than 4 trillion left."

Li Miaomiao exclaimed, "So much, many tenth-level Origin Lifeform families don't have that much."

She thought her husband earned a lot and invested it in the Liwood Group.

Now it seemed that investing in the Liwood Group was just a fraction, and paying taxes was the bulk.

As the first executive officer of the Liwood Group, she knew many important figures and was also aware of the many large families and powerful forces in the universe's human race. She was very clear that 1 trillion universe coins was already a huge fortune.

"Well, a little more than some tenth-level Origin Lifeform families. But compared to the 'King Conferral' families of advanced civilizations in the universe, it's still far behind," Xu Jingming said, "Even more impossible to compare with universe legends."

Those 'King Conferrals' who controlled high-dimensional power might not be as efficient at intercepting and killing as himself, but many had lived for tens of thousands of years, and the wealth accumulated over tens of thousands of years was naturally enough.

...

Virtual World Network, a personal space.

An old man with red skin and a stout body sat at a dining table, preparing delicacies and fine wine. At this time, Xu Jingming walked out of nothingness.

"Junior Brother Wu Ming," the red-skinned old man greeted, "Come, come, eat meat, drink wine."

Xu Jingming walked over with a smile, "Senior Brother Saka, every time you invite me to eat meat, can't you change it up?"

"There are all kinds of meat in the universe, and countless more in the virtual world, isn't it always changing?" Senior Brother Saka grabbed a bone and gnawed on it, "Eating meat in big mouthfuls is a great enjoyment in life."

Xu Jingming also sat down, took a sip of wine, and began to pick up a bone and eat meat. This long strip of rib meat weighed five or six pounds, and the gravy in his mouth made Xu Jingming quite enjoy it.

"What brings you here?" Senior Brother Saka asked, "Is it about the Eternal Academy merit exchange?"

"Yes."

Xu Jingming said, "Senior Brother Saka is an official member of the Eternal Academy and a King Conferral of the advanced civilization 'Abyss Civilization' in the universe. If I don't look for Senior Brother Saka, who would I look for?"

"It wasn't just the two of us who intercepted and killed the prison clan back then," Senior Brother Saka said.

"Not as widely acquainted as Senior Brother Saka," Xu Jingming complimented.

The three major universe regions plundered by the prison clan, Xu Jingming also received orders to go to the other two universe regions to help! Therefore, he had long-term cooperation with the three high-dimensional power wielders guarding the Eternal Academy and the two high-dimensional power wielders guarding the Time-Space Isolated Island. Everyone lived together, often drank and chatted, and joined forces to kill enemies, so they also formed friendships.

"What do you want to exchange?" Senior Brother Saka asked.

"Heavenly Python Scale, Clear Spirit Water, and a Guardian," Xu Jingming said.

"Guardians are not worth mentioning," Senior Brother Saka frowned, "Heavenly Python Scales and Clear Spirit Water have always been in great demand. Many tenth-level Origin Lifeforms cultivate the Heavenly Python Evolution Method, who doesn't want a Heavenly Python Scale? Clear Spirit Water is even something that every Origin Lifeform wants. Among them, Heavenly Python Scales are scarce... only a few are released occasionally, and the competition is fierce every time. Clear Spirit Water, on the other hand, is released every time it's open."

Xu Jingming listened, Senior Brother Saka was among the top twenty tenth-level Origin Lifeforms in the Eternal Academy, and his network of relationships within the Eternal Academy was naturally much larger than his own.

Because they had a good relationship, Xu Jingming came to ask for help.

"Clear Spirit Water and Guardians, I can help you exchange," Senior Brother Saka said, "My first choice for exchange at that time will be Clear Spirit Water! There are a total of ten drops of Clear Spirit Water, and I am ranked in the top twenty... based on past experience, there's a 99% chance of success. As for Guardians? That's simple, even if I can't exchange them, my family still has more than a dozen, I can just sell you one."

"Generally, asking for help comes with a 50% premium," Xu Jingming said.

Senior Brother Saka glared, "35 million merits for Clear Spirit Water, 1 trillion universe coins for a Guardian, if you give me any more, you're looking down on me."

"Okay, okay, okay," Xu Jingming didn't dare to say more.

After all, they had lived together for several years and knew each other's temperament.

"Heavenly Python Scales, only three pieces, although others will also choose other high-dimensional weapons and treasures," Senior Brother Saka frowned, "But... it's best to ask someone ranked in the top five in merits to be sure."

"Based on past experience, Heavenly Python Scales won't be available outside the top ten," Senior Brother Saka thought about the list, "Those ranked in the top few are not easy to talk to."

Xu Jingming nodded.

The Eternal Academy had more tenth-level Origin Lifeforms than the Primordial Research Institute and the Time-Space Isolated Island! To be ranked in the top five, their strength could be imagined. Generally, when they went to the battlefield, they also fought with the Void God Race. Killing a Void God Race member was worth more merits than killing a prison clan member of the same level. But it was also much more dangerous there.

"Three days later, the Eternal Academy will have a gathering, which is actually a gathering held for this merit exchange," Senior Brother Saka said, "Many members of other top forces will also come, and they will ask official members of the Eternal Academy to help them exchange treasures. At that time, I will take you there! I believe that with the faces of the two of us, we should still be able to get the Heavenly Python Scale."

"Letting those ranked in the top five choose Heavenly Python Scales as their first choice will definitely come with a premium," Senior Brother Saka said, "At least a 50% premium, maybe even higher."

"I understand," Xu Jingming nodded.

Clear Spirit Water and Guardians, Senior Brother Saka was unwilling to take any premium, that was because they were friends.

But others, he had never contacted, so he would definitely follow the general rules.

...

Three days later.

Virtual World Network, 'Abyss City' world, in addition to service personnel, those who could come here had to be at least Origin Lifeforms.

"I found two friends, Senior Brother Yin Xiao and Senior Brother Lan Xie, neither of them is easy to talk to," Senior Brother Saka said, "But both are interested in seeing you, I'll accompany you later, you go and talk to them. If you want to get the Heavenly Python Scale, even they have to use their first choice. So there will definitely be some conditions."

"Understood," Xu Jingming said, "I'm really grateful to Senior Brother Saka this time."

"The Eternal Academy's exchange is about once every thousand years, it's very important to you, it's nothing to me," Senior Brother Saka led Xu Jingming to the location of the gathering.

It was a very quiet outdoor restaurant, with tables and chairs either on the grass, or in the distant rocks, or hidden in the mist, or in the small building... there were already many people there, sitting together in twos and threes, chatting with each other, their voices not leaking out at all.

"Senior Brother Saka."

"Senior Brother Saka, this is Brother Wu Ming?"

Some of the guests at the gathering, seeing the stout, red-skinned old man 'Saka' and Xu Jingming, many took the initiative to say hello. After all, Saka and Xu Jingming were both quite famous figures.

Saka and Xu Jingming also chatted simply for a few words, and then continued to walk inside.

Soon they arrived at a small building.

Inside the small building, a gaunt old man was sitting there, leisurely drinking alone. After Saka and Xu Jingming came in, he raised his head to look at the two of them and nodded slightly.

"Senior Brother Yin Xiao," Saka said with a smile as he sat down, "This is Wu Ming."

"I've heard of him," Yin Xiao looked at Xu Jingming with a smile, "The fastest genius to become an Origin Lifeform in the current era, many people think that you can become a universe legend."

"I'm still far from being a universe legend," Xu Jingming said humbly. The current human race only had seven universe legends, and the difficulty was obviously very high.

Yin Xiao smiled, "Too modest, Junior Brother Saka has also told me about your matter, you want the Heavenly Python Scale?"

"Yes, I need to trouble Mr. Yin Xiao," Xu Jingming said.

Everyone was not from the same top force, when dealing with each other, only very familiar and close people would call each other brothers and sisters. It was Xu Jingming's first time meeting Yin Xiao, and calling him Mister was already very respectful.

"Only three Heavenly Python Scales are being released," Yin Xiao said, "Although the high-dimensional lifeform 'Heavenly Python' was killed by the Tower Master in the past, the scales are ultimately limited. Although some scales can be recovered, some are also consumed in the manufacturing of high-dimensional weapons, and some are even taken by alien races. So they are becoming increasingly rare, and the competition is fierce every time."

Xu Jingming nodded.

"Heavenly Python Scales won't fall outside the top ten," Yin Xiao said, "I must also choose it as my first choice to have a chance of exchanging it successfully."

"It requires 50 million merits to exchange," Yin Xiao looked at Xu Jingming, "I definitely need some premium."

Xu Jingming nodded, "In terms of merits, I will trade with the merits of my Primordial Research Institute. When the Primordial Research Institute opens for exchange in the future, I will exchange for the items that Mr. Yin Xiao needs."

"Double the merits!" Yin Xiao said, "In decades, when the Primordial Research Institute opens for exchange, you will repay with 100 million merits from the Primordial Research Institute."

"Double?" Although Saka had expected it, he still sighed secretly at Yin Xiao's appetite.

"Okay."

Xu Jingming was prepared, although it was slightly higher than expected, but there was no way, the Heavenly Python was killed by the Tower Master of the Eternal Academy, so 'Heavenly Python Scales' were generally only available when the Eternal Academy opened for exchange, and other forces couldn't see a single piece for tens of thousands of years. Generally, there was at least a 50% premium, occasionally there was even a doubling, and he could tolerate it.

The three strongest forces each had some special outputs in their exchanges. For example, 'Time-Space Stardust' was only available on the Time-Space Isolated Island.

"Plus an additional 5 trillion universe coins," Yin Xiao looked at Xu Jingming, "The value of universe coins is much lower than merits, it's considered a little more than a double premium."

"Also, an additional 5 trillion universe coins?" Saka, who had been on the side all along, couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother Yin Xiao, isn't it necessary, give me some face! Erase it!"

Yin Xiao smiled, "A little more than a double premium is not much. I believe Junior Brother Saka also guessed that there are many people asking me for help, and some have already agreed to exchange treasures with a little more than a double premium. I'm giving Junior Brother Saka face by coming to see Junior Brother Wu Ming first."

Saka's face changed slightly, and he looked at Xu Jingming.

"Mr. Yin Xiao, I've only been an Origin Lifeform for a little over a hundred years, my accumulation is limited," Xu Jingming smiled and stood up, "I'll think of other ways."

Yin Xiao nodded slightly.

Xu Jingming got up and went out.

"Junior Brother Wu Ming, you go first, I'll chat with Senior Brother Yin Xiao for a while," Saka said.

Xu Jingming nodded and walked out of the small building.

Only Saka and Yin Xiao were left in the small building.

"Yin Xiao." The red-skinned Saka, his face becoming even redder, his eyes seeming to be on fire, he sat down and frowned, "We've known each other for tens of thousands of years, I asked you for help, and I told you, he's my friend! Doubling the merits is not enough?"

"This is originally a transaction, a matter of mutual willingness," Yin Xiao said indifferently, "I've already given you face, otherwise, there's no need to see him."

"Giving me face is doubling the merits and adding 5 trillion universe coins?" Saka said angrily, "Don't you think your quote is excessive?"

"I'm only giving you face, not him, so it's not cheaper," Yin Xiao smiled as he held his wine glass and took a light sip, "Don't think it's high! After all, I'm over 80,000 years old, earning merits and money on the battlefield is risking my life, this merit exchange is a rare opportunity, I naturally have to save more for my family."

Saka looked at him, "According to the usual rules, doubling is already very high, even if it's for your family, you shouldn't quote like this."

"The genius that the Primordial Research Institute values, his Liwood Group has such assets, he must have accumulated a lot," Yin Xiao shook his head, "Unfortunately, more stingy than I thought."

Saka was speechless.

"Saka, you're too good to him," Yin Xiao shook his head, "The genius of the Primordial Research Institute, if he wants the treasures of our Eternal Academy, he naturally has to be squeezed hard. As for talent? To be honest, he became an Origin Lifeform quickly. It doesn't mean that the evolutionary path to the ninth-level and tenth-level will also be smooth, maybe the limit of his life is my level."

"What's more, even if he becomes a universe legend, he's a universe legend of the Primordial Research Institute. And I'm a King Conferral of the Eternal Academy, he can't influence me," Yin Xiao said.