Yuan’s Ascension

"Is Young Master familiar with the Divine Weapon Token?" Gu Ji asked.

"I once browsed through the 'Divine Weapon Records of the Jiang Continent' at the county martial academy, so I have some understanding of divine weapons," Wu Yuan replied, "I've heard of the Divine Weapon Token, but this is my first time seeing one."

"Young Master, your knowledge is impressive," Gu Ji praised.

"I come from a modest background. My elders were unable to guide me and I'm too young to explore the world, so I could only broaden my horizons through literature," Wu Yuan explained with a smile.

Gu Ji nodded approvingly, his impression of Wu Yuan growing increasingly positive. "Please take a look, Young Master. This token is a Divine Weapon Token of the Starcom Consortium," Gu Ji flipped the token over. Etched onto the back was the word 'Starcom'. Products from Starcom Consortium were sure to be of top quality.

"With the Divine Weapon Token, one can order a divine weapon of corresponding grade from the Starcom Consortium," Gu Ji continued, "This specific token is a third-grade Divine Weapon Token. Young Master, please keep it. In the future, when you visit a province-level Starcom Consortium, you can exchange it for a third-grade divine weapon that suits you." Gu Ji spoke confidently, evidently well-versed in such matters.

"Each Divine Weapon Token is classified by grade?" Wu Yuan seemed a bit surprised.

"Indeed," Gu Ji replied, "The third-grade Divine Weapon Token is the most common, and third-grade divine weapons are usually wielded by Savant experts. Even if a first-rate Adept possesses a divine weapon, they will not reveal it unless necessary. After all, a first-rate Adept isn’t the strongest existence out there. Once the news spreads, it will invite trouble from those seeking to steal it."

Wu Yuan nodded slightly. Harboring a precious gem was a great way to invite trouble. This principle was universally acknowledged.

Aside from throwing knives, third-grade divine weapons were mostly valued at more than 100,000 silver taels. At most, they could cost up to a few hundred thousand silver taels.

This sum of silver taels might not seem like much to a first-rate Adept. However, one must realize that this was just a single weapon!

One had to understand even for formidable martial arts experts, it was extremely difficult to rob a large family of a few hundred thousand silver taels. Properties, lands, and mines were immovable, and grains and fabrics were not portable, making them very troublesome to liquidate. But seizing a single divine weapon was equivalent to acquiring a few hundred thousand silver taels. It was enough to stir the hearts of any greedy Savant expert.

Indeed, even though many first-rate Adepts established large families and amassed vast riches, they seldom spent a fortune on forging divine weapons. To a first-rate Adept, there was no qualitative difference between fourth-grade superior weapons and third-grade divine weapons. Both were durable enough to withstand their explosive strength.

"Can this Divine Weapon Token be exchanged at the Starcom Consortium in Li City?" Wu Yuan inquired.

"No," Gu Ji shook his head, "Although the Starcom Consortium is a mighty force that ordinary experts are hesitant to provoke, a county-level branch has, at best, the protection of a second-rate Adept, which is insufficient to ensure the security of divine weapons."

Wu Yuan couldn't help but nod. "In that case, a second-grade Divine Weapon Token cannot be exchanged at the Starcom Consortium in the Southdream Province?"

"Correct!" Gu Ji laughed, "For a second-grade Divine Weapon Token, you must go to one of the fifteen continent-level branches of the Starcom Consortium to exchange it!"

"How about a first-grade Divine Weapon Token?"

"You will have to visit the Starcom Consortium's main tower in the Dong Continent," Gu Ji said. "However, a first-grade Divine Weapon Token is just a legend, and no one has ever heard of anyone owning one."

"A first-grade divine weapon is immensely valuable, every one of their owners is on the Land Rankings. Even for a powerful empire like Great Jin, it's no simple task to craft a first-grade divine weapon," Gu Ji sighed.

Wu Yuan listened attentively. This knowledge was not readily available in most texts.

"Do we have a first-grade divine weapon in our Cloudstride Sect?" Wu Yuan casually asked out of curiosity.

"We do!” Gu Ji confirmed, “It is no secret, as the news has already spread far and wide. One of our sect's two hierarchs, The Rain Hierarch, wields the Moontide Sword. With the might of this divine weapon, The Rain Hierarch is ranked among the top 30 on the Land Rankings!"

"She is our sect's revered ancestor, and also the number one Grandmaster of the Jiang Continent." Gu Ji added. "Within the Jiang Continent, only the Baijiang King can confront The Rain Hierarch directly and remain undefeated."

The Rain Hierarch? Number one in the Jiang Continent? Ranked in the top 30 of the Land Rankings? The gleam in Wu Yuan's eyes intensified as he absorbed every word. Such information was impossible to acquire within Li City.

This was the real world of martial arts experts! As Wu Yuan expanded his horizons, the vastness of the Middle Land far surpassed his initial expectations.

"Uncle Ji, I don't know when I'll be able to exchange this third-grade Divine Weapon Token." Wu Yuan shook his head, "It would be better for you to keep it."

"Me? I have no need for it!" Gu Ji shook his head, "A divine weapon is not of much use to me right now. When I grow more powerful, I have ways to acquire one."

"Moreover, I'm not expecting you to exchange it for a divine weapon many years later." Gu Ji smiled.

"Why is that?" Wu Yuan was puzzled.

"This Divine Weapon Token is affiliated with the Starcom Consortium, and it is considered a valuable asset. The sect is willing to purchase it for 100,000 contribution points. After you join, you may sell it to the sect. Although this exchange may result in a slight loss, it can greatly expedite your development." Gu Ji spoke with utmost seriousness.

"100,000 contribution points?" Wu Yuan's pupils contracted slightly. This was no small gift. In the training plan promised by Gao Yu, the finance hall would provide him with 50,000 sect contribution points a year. This single Divine Weapon Token was worth double that.

"Uncle Ji, what do you wish for in exchange for such a precious treasure?" Wu Yuan asked softly. He wasn't naive enough to believe that Gu Ji was willing to give him such a big gift just because he admired his looks.

"Young Master is forthright, so I won't beat around the bush either." Gu Ji looked into Wu Yuan’s eyes and said solemnly, "What I desire, is freedom!"

"Freedom?" Wu Yuan was genuinely surprised and couldn't help but look deeply at Gu Ji. "Wu Yuan is a bit confused, I hope Uncle Ji can speak candidly."

"Some matters can only be comprehended once you climb to a high position in the sect." Gu Ji said, "When you become the hall master of the Finance Hall or one of the sect hierarchs, I hope you will grant me freedom if I am still alive!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuan gained some understanding into Gu Ji’s words. Freedom? Logically speaking, was there anywhere in this vast world that a first-rate Adept could not go? Who could bind him?

Gu Ji appeared modest and silent on the surface, yet seemingly different from the typical sacrificial guard. Perhaps this involved some deeper secrets of the Cloudstride Sect.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yuan solemnly said, "Uncle Ji, I give you my word. If circumstances allow in the future, I will definitely set you free."

"Very well." A rare smile squeezed itself onto Gu Ji's face as he placed the Divine Weapon Token on the table nearby.

"Young Master, I shall take my leave. When the ship docks, I will inform you." Gu Ji slowly exited the room and closed the door, leaving Wu Yuan alone.

Gu Ji? Wu Yuan gently picked up the token from the table. His powerful soul sensed that Gu Ji was currently seated in the lotus position outside the room. He stroked the token and stored it within his clothing.

Freedom...if there exists a possibility in the future, there’s no reason why I shouldn’t grant it.

Becoming a hall master or sect hierarch held little allure for Wu Yuan. No one could predict the future. By agreeing to Gu Ji's request, he stood to gain a priceless treasure, and he saw no reason to relinquish it.

Doubts of Gu Ji's loyalty did not plague Wu Yuan's mind. Why should they? Power bred confidence, and Wu Yuan's strength reassured him of his decision.

In the outer chamber, Gu Ji sat cross-legged.

Exchanging the Divine Weapon Token for a promise is worth it. Even if I held onto it, it would eventually be confiscated by the hall master. By giving it to Wu Yuan, I can at least secure a promise.

Would Wu Yuan be willing to fulfill it in the future? That would have to wait until Wu Yuan became a Savant expert!

Ten years? Twenty years? To be regarded so highly by the sect and receive the added protection of another stealth weapons master, Wu Yuan's potential must be even more terrifying than what has been revealed!

He understood that the chances of him living to see the day Wu Yuan became a Land Ranker were slim. However, one must never lose hope!

…

As the hours slipped away, the boat carrying Wu Yuan and his companions finally docked at the nearest port just before dawn. Without delay, everyone disembarked, swiftly mounting their horses at the checkpoint. Taking advantage of the approaching sunrise, they set off on their journey to Southdream City by land, moving with stealth and covering their tracks.

Wu Yuan, Gu Ji, Wu Xiong, and the others encountered no further assaults, and by noon on the fourth day of their journey, they finally arrived at Southdream City.

Over a thousand li. Atop his horse, Wu Yuan fixed his gaze ahead at the massive, sprawling city with its towering city walls stretching tens of li into the distance.

Southdream City, at long last, we have arrived.