Chapter 1 Heaps of Wealth

Li Miaomiao, standing beside him and looking at the list, was also amazed.

This information wasn't confidential. After all, it wasn't a secret to the alien races of the universe. Even the most valuable 'Nightmare-class' Abyss Armor only cost one hundred million merits. It might make tenth-level Origin Lifeforms envious, but it was far from being a treasure that could safeguard a race.

The 'No. 9 Primordial Battle Armor' bestowed upon Xu Jingming by the Dean was a treasure that could safeguard a race! Treasures of this level were unlikely to appear on the regularly updated exchange list.

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

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

"It's so expensive. Even the cheapest 'Black and White Fruit' costs five trillion cosmic dollars," Li Miaomiao sighed. "Back then, the Black Moon Civilization had to almost empty its coffers to apologize."

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

It wasn't easy for ordinary ninth-levels to accumulate five trillion, and they wouldn't spend it all on a single fruit.

"What do you plan to buy?" Li Miaomiao asked curiously.

"These three." Xu Jingming clicked a few times in a row.

"Heavenly Python Scale? Clear Spirit Water? Guardian?" Li Miaomiao read. "That's eighty-five million merits and one trillion cosmic dollars combined. So expensive. High-dimensional items are indeed frighteningly expensive. A scale and a drop of water add up to being worth almost the entire Pearwood Group."

The value of one merit for an Origin Lifeform was generally higher than one hundred million cosmic dollars. After all, during exchanges, the most precious items could only be exchanged for merits.

So, if they could use cosmic dollars, they generally would.

The net assets of the Pearwood Group barely exceeded one trillion cosmic dollars, and in terms of value, it might not be worth eighty-five million merits.

"It's not much for your husband," Xu Jingming said with a smile.

Killing a ninth-level Prison race member was worth one hundred thousand merits, so eighty-five million merits was equivalent to killing only eight hundred and fifty ninth-level Prison race members! When killing the Prison race, one could also obtain enough spoils.

So, in terms of cosmic dollars obtained, it was more than merits.

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

"As long as the Pearwood Group can be managed well, I will provide continuous support," Xu Jingming said with a smile. "As for how much money, I've been accumulating and improving every year. As an Origin Lifeform, I now pay taxes at the highest rate of 50%. I should have accumulated over ten trillion over the years, but I've paid half in taxes, invested some in the Pearwood Group, and have a little over four trillion left."

Li Miaomiao exclaimed, "That's 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 Pearwood Group.

Now it seemed that investing in the Pearwood Group was just a fraction, and paying taxes was the biggest chunk.

As the first executive officer of the Pearwood Group, she knew many important figures and was also aware of the many large families and forces in the human race of the universe. She knew very well that one trillion cosmic dollars was already a huge fortune.

"Well, it's more than some tenth-level Origin Lifeform families. But compared to the 'King' families of the advanced civilizations of the universe, it's still far behind," Xu Jingming said. "And there's no way to compare it to the cosmic legends."

Those 'Kings' who controlled high-dimensional power might not be as efficient at intercepting as he was, 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, burly, red-skinned man sat at the dining table, preparing delicacies and fine wine. At this moment, Xu Jingming walked in from the void.

"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, you always 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 picked up a bone and gnawed on it. "Eating meat in large bites 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 juice 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 a formal member of the Eternal Academy, and also a King of the 'Abyss Civilization', an advanced civilization of the universe. Who else would I look for if not Senior Brother Saka?"

"We weren't the only ones who intercepted the Prison race back then," Senior Brother Saka said.

"I can't compare to Senior Brother Saka's wide network of friends," Xu Jingming flattered.

Xu Jingming also received orders to help in the other two cosmic territories plundered by the Prison race! Therefore, he had long-term cooperation with the three high-dimensional power-wielding guardians of the Eternal Academy and the two high-dimensional power-wielding guardians of the Space-Time Island. They lived together, often drank and chatted, and joined hands to kill enemies, so they also formed friendships.

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

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

"The Guardian is insignificant," Senior Brother Saka frowned. "The Heavenly Python Scale and Clear Spirit Water have always been in great demand. Many tenth-level Origin Lifeforms who cultivate the Heavenly Python Evolution Method want the Heavenly Python Scale, and every Origin Lifeform wants Clear Spirit Water. Among them, the Heavenly Python Scale is produced in small quantities... only a few pieces are released occasionally, and the competition is fierce every time. Clear Spirit Water, on the other hand, is released every time it's opened."

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.

"I can help you exchange for Clear Spirit Water and the Guardian," 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'm ranked in the top twenty... according to past experience, it's 99% likely to succeed. As for the Guardian? That's simple. Even if I can't exchange for it, my family still has more than a dozen. I can just sell you one."

"Generally, there's a 50% premium for asking for help," Xu Jingming said.

Senior Brother Saka glared. "Clear Spirit Water is thirty-five million merits, and the Guardian is one trillion cosmic dollars. If you give 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 temper.

"There are only three Heavenly Python Scales. Although I 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."

"According to past experience, the Heavenly Python Scale won't be available outside the top ten," Senior Brother Saka thought about the list. "Those ranked in the top few aren't easy to talk to."

Xu Jingming nodded.

There were more tenth-level Origin Lifeforms in the Eternal Academy than in the Primordial Research Institute and the Space-Time Island! To be ranked in the top five, their strength could be imagined. Generally, when they went to the battlefield, they also fought against the Void God race. Killing a member of the Void God race earned much more merits than killing a Prison race member of the same level. But it was also much more dangerous there.

"Three days later, the Eternal Academy will hold 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 to ask formal members of the Eternal Academy to help exchange for treasures. At that time, I'll take you there! I believe that with both of our reputations, we should still be able to get the Heavenly Python Scale."

"To have those ranked in the top five choose the Heavenly Python Scale as their first choice, there will definitely be a premium," Senior Brother Saka said. "At least a 50% premium, or even higher."

"I understand," Xu Jingming nodded.

Senior Brother Saka didn't want any premium for the Clear Spirit Water and the Guardian because they were friends.

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

...

Three days later.

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

"I've found two friends, Senior Brother Yin Xiao and Senior Brother Lan Xie. Neither of them are easy to talk to," Senior Brother Saka said. "But they're both interested in meeting you. I'll accompany you later, and you can 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, but it's nothing to me," Senior Brother Saka led Xu Jingming to the location of the gathering.

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

"Senior Brother Saka."

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

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

Saka and Xu Jingming also chatted briefly before continuing to walk in.

Soon, they arrived at a small building.

Inside the small building, a thin old man sat there, leisurely drinking wine alone. After Saka and Xu Jingming came in, he looked up at the two 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 this era. Many people believe that you can become a cosmic legend."

"I'm still far from becoming a cosmic legend," Xu Jingming said humbly. There were only seven cosmic legends in the human race in this era, so the difficulty was obviously very high.

Yin Xiao smiled. "You're 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.

If they weren't from the same top force, they would only call each other senior brother if they were very familiar and close. Xu Jingming was meeting Yin Xiao for the first time, so calling him Mr. was already very respectful.

"Only three Heavenly Python Scales are released," Yin Xiao said. "Although the high-dimensional lifeform 'Heavenly Python' was killed by the Tower Master, the scales are limited after all. Although some scales can be recovered, some are also consumed in the manufacture of high-dimensional weapons, and some are even taken by alien races. So there are fewer and fewer, and the competition is very fierce every time."

Xu Jingming nodded.

"The Heavenly Python Scale won't fall outside the top ten," Yin Xiao said. "I must also choose it as my first choice to be sure of a successful exchange."

"It requires fifty 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. "Decades later, when the Primordial Research Institute opens for exchange, you will repay with one hundred million merits from the Primordial Research Institute."

"Double?" Although Saka had expected it, he secretly sighed that Yin Xiao's appetite was not small.

"Okay."

Xu Jingming had been prepared for this. Although it was slightly higher than expected, there was no way around it. The Heavenly Python was killed by the Tower Master of the Eternal Academy, so the 'Heavenly Python Scale' was generally only available when the Eternal Academy opened for exchange. Other forces couldn't see a single piece for tens of thousands of years. Generally, there was at least a 50% premium, and occasionally it was doubled, which he could also endure.

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

"Plus fifty trillion cosmic dollars," Yin Xiao looked at Xu Jingming. "Cosmic dollars are worth much less than merits, which is a little more than a double premium."

"Also adding fifty trillion cosmic dollars?" Saka, who had been on the side, couldn't help but speak. "Senior Brother Yin Xiao, is it really necessary? Give me some face! Let's just drop it!"

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

Saka's expression changed slightly as he looked at Xu Jingming.

"Mr. Yin Xiao, I've only been an Origin Lifeform for a little over a hundred years, and my accumulation is limited," Xu Jingming said with a smile as he 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's face became even redder, and his eyes seemed to be on fire. He sat down and frowned. "We've known each other for tens of thousands of years, and I asked you for help, and I've told you that he's my friend! Doubling the merits isn't enough?"

"This is just a transaction, a voluntary matter," Yin Xiao said indifferently. "I've already given you face, otherwise there's no need to meet him."

"Giving me face means doubling the merits and adding fifty trillion cosmic dollars?" Saka said angrily. "Don't you think your quote is too much?"

"I'm only giving you face, not him, so it's not cheap," Yin Xiao smiled, holding his wine glass and taking a light sip. "Don't think it's too high! After all, I'm over eighty thousand years old. Earning merits and money on the battlefield is a matter of risking my life. This merit exchange is a rare opportunity, so 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 Pearwood Group has such assets, he must have accumulated a lot," Yin Xiao shook his head. "Unfortunately, he's 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 wants treasures from our Eternal Academy, so naturally we have to ask for a hefty sum. As for talent? To be honest, he became an Origin Lifeform very quickly. It doesn't mean that the evolutionary path of the ninth and tenth levels will also be smooth. Maybe the limit of his life is my level."

"Moreover, even if he becomes a cosmic legend, he's a cosmic legend of the Primordial Research Institute. And I'm a King of the Eternal Academy, he can't affect me," Yin Xiao said.