UGB Chapter 106: The Clearing of Air Before Departure
Chapter 106: The Clearing of Air Before Departure
The System Mall had finally reached a new milestone, advancing to level 2.
This upgrade meant that the highest quality of treasures available for trade had improved significantly, moving up from the Heavenly Origin rank to the more prestigious Dao Palace rank.
As expected, the cost to exchange for these various treasures had also increased substantially.
Jiang Chen took a quick look at the prices.
For spiritual plants of the Inquiring Journey rank, the standard varieties were priced around three thousand points of Villain Value on average.
The more affordable options were priced similarly to the Heavenly Star Crossing Calamity Precious Ginseng, with the higher-end varieties costing between four to five thousand points of Villain Value.
The starting price for spiritual plants of the Dao Comprehension rank was a steep ten thousand points of Villain Value.@@@@
For those at the Dao Palace rank, the starting prices were at an impressive fifty thousand points of Villain Value, showing a significant jump from the Dao Comprehension rank.
Compared to spiritual plants, the prices for fully concocted pills were significantly higher.
This trend held true for cultivation methods and various artifacts as well.
’Now, it seems I can barely afford many of these items,’ Jiang Chen mused, eyeing the treasures with a mix of desire and restraint. Nevertheless, he chose to save his Villain Value points for the time being.
Right after, he opened his personal attribute panel.
[Host: Jiang Chen
Aptitude: Perfect Grade
Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body
Realm: Early-stage Heavenly Origin
True Combat Power: Early-stage Heavenly Origin
Cultivation Methods: Starry Abyss Heavenly Scripture (Heavenly Origin, Main Technique), Wind Void Steps Manual (Heavenly Origin, Entry-level), Cold Sky Frost Brilliance Art (Heavenly Origin, Great accomplishment-level), Void Rainbow Sword Technique (Heavenly Origin, Great accomplishment-level)... Partially omitted
Indeed, Jiang Chen understood he could instruct the disciples to remain silent, but maintaining such secrecy could become challenging if they encountered the next protagonist.
Furthermore, disclosing his advanced cultivation base upon leaving the Cave Heaven Secret Realm might actually serve his plans beneficially.
Reflecting on how Sect Master Feng Jun had perceived him as an extraordinary talent worth investing in, immediately rewarding him with a treasured sword upon revealing his cultivation base at the Late-stage Spiritual Awakening realm, Jiang Chen recognized that returning with the power of the Heavenly Origin realm would significantly enhance his bargaining position.
He wouldn’t have to wait for offers; he could assertively request what he wanted and was likely to get it. More importantly, assuming direct leadership of the Starry Abyss Sect with his new power would be effortlessly achievable.
To successfully oppose the protagonist, Jiang Chen was fully aware that treating his followers merely as expendable assets was not viable. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the necessity of having subordinates; they were crucial for collecting intelligence and serving as his eyes and ears.
This became particularly clear in his interactions with Lin Feng. Without members of the Jiang Clan serving as informants, keeping tabs on Lin Feng’s activities would have been much more challenging for Jiang Chen.
Assuming leadership of the Starry Abyss Sect would position Jiang Chen at the forefront of a formidable force.
He was aware that this strategy was like handling a double-edged sword. Nevertheless, Jiang Chen was convinced that the benefits outweighed the potential drawbacks at this point. If the situation were to become unfavorable, he was ready to gather his most trusted allies and depart.
While Jiang Chen was deeply absorbed in his strategic thoughts, the groups from the Starry Abyss Sect, the Floating Spirit Sect, and the Ice Heart School finally reached the location of the spatial passage, which was hovering high above in the sky.
Facing Jiang Chen, Duan Ziming, Mu Tao, Miao Xiaorui, and their followers all demonstrated their respect by clasping one fist in the other before them and greeting him, "Lord Jiang Chen!" Their voices in unison brought Jiang Chen back to the present, and he quietly acknowledged them with a nod, a soft smile on his face. Internally, he mused, ’Sigh, ruling over others is much easier in this world.
All it takes is having a power they can’t resist!’
After a moment’s silence, Jiang Chen finally spoke up, addressing the assembled crowd with a grave and earnest tone, "Before we depart, there are a few things I need to say."
"Firstly," he started, "I owe you all an apology for cutting your exploration of the Cave Heaven Secret Realm short and for disrupting your chance at finding treasures. I could never have anticipated that my advancement to the Heavenly Origin realm would have an adverse effect on the secret realm, but it did, and that’s something I can’t undo.
I hope you’ll be able to forgive me for this." With his statement complete, Jiang Chen then slightly bowed with his hands clasped together as a gesture of his sincerity and regret.
Upon hearing Jiang Chen’s words and witnessing his actions, everyone was visibly shocked, their eyes wide. Of all the things they might have expected from this new Heavenly Origin realm powerhouse, an apology was completely unforeseen.
As Duan Ziming, Mu Tao, Miao Xiaorui, and the others began to regain their composure and tried to respond, Jiang Chen lifted his hand to stop them, his expression still earnest.
"Secondly, I hope the members of the Floating Spirit Sect and the Ice Heart School don’t bear any resentment towards me, thinking that I was already as strong as I am now when we first encountered those blood-colored monsters and chose to let your fellow sect members die while I merely watched. The truth is, it was only after we parted ways that I found the source of my current power."
Taking a deep breath and locking eyes with Mu Tao and Miao Xiaorui, who were standing side by side, he continued, "Perhaps I’m overthinking this, but it was important for me to clarify this matter."