"The main reason why demonic beasts are running rampant is because our Holy Empire has declined. If we want to change this situation, we must open the Holy Royal City and rekindle the power of the Holy Law."Kong Changxing's tone was resolute as he looked at Smith with unwavering eyes."Mr. Su, once your city is secured, would you consider joining us to support the Holy Royal City?" he asked seriously.Smith was momentarily caught off guard by the direct question. He felt slightly embarrassed and hesitant to reject such a heartfelt request on the spot. After a moment of thought, he simply replied, "If the opportunity arises, I'll go.""Hahaha, that's good enough. I hope we'll meet again in the Holy King City someday," Kong Changxing laughed heartily before turning to leave.The battle might have ended, but his responsibilities as the city lord had not. Tai'an City still had many post-war matters requiring his attention.After Kong left, Smith couldn't wait any longer. He eagerly took out the space ring and carefully began counting the demon cores he had received.Inventory:Second-level Primary Demon Cores: 30 pieces × 200 energy points = 6,000Second-level Advanced Demon Cores: 10 pieces × 280 energy points = 2,800Third-level Primary Demon Cores: 10 pieces × 300 energy points = 3,000Third-level Intermediate Demon Cores: 10 pieces × 350 energy points = 3,500Fourth-level Primary Demon Cores: 2 pieces × 600 energy points = 1,200Fifth-level Advanced Demon Core: 1 piece × 2,000 energy points = 2,000Total energy acquired: 18,500 points!Smith stared at the final number in disbelief."Eighteen thousand five hundred… I actually hit the jackpot!"Nearly twenty thousand energy points! That was enough to exchange for several powerful techniques. The excitement surged through his veins as he immediately opened the system's interface and navigated to the Sharingan Store.Sharingan Abilities:Mangekyō Sharingan (Kamui): 20,000 energy pointsMangekyō Sharingan (Kotoamatsukami): 20,000 energy pointsSmith's face darkened slightly."So close, yet still not enough…"Next, he browsed the Wood Release section:Wood Release: Wooden Golem Technique – S-rank, 10,000 energy points (consumes 10,000 spiritual energy to use)Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique – S-rank, 10,000 energy points (same usage)He had enough to get one.Smith frowned. "I suddenly don't feel so rich anymore…"Moments ago, he thought he could go on a shopping spree. But looking at these prices, his enthusiasm deflated."Wait. Maybe there's a better deal somewhere. Let's check the Mystery Store."He switched tabs.Mystery Store Inventory:Wood Release: Flower Tree World Advent – 10,000 energy pointsWood Release: Wooden Golem Technique – 10,000 energy pointsWood Release: Wood Dragon Technique – 10,000 energy pointsWood Release: Ranking Technique – 10,000 energy pointsSpiritual Summoning: Five-Layer Rashomon – 10,000 energy pointsSpiritual Summoning: Yamata no Orochi – 8,000 energy pointsSealing Technique: Demonic Sealing Technique – 10,000 energy pointsSealing Technique: Evil Sealing Mark – 3,000 energy pointsSmith's eyes lit up."If I could get a 10% discount on this, I'd be rolling in power!"With anticipation surging, he activated the store's discount draw."Da da da da…""Come on, give me 10%! One discount, one discount…"Finally, the spinning stopped. A golden glow burst across the screen.50% off!"…Just 50%?"Smith sighed, clearly disappointed. He had hoped for the elusive 90% off. But after a second's thought, his grin returned."Well, 50% is still better than nothing!"The prices were now halved:Flower Tree World Advent: 5,000Wooden Golem Technique: 5,000Wood Dragon Technique: 5,000Ranking Technique: 5,000Five-Layer Rashomon: 5,000Yamata no Orochi: 4,000Demonic Sealing Technique: 5,000Evil Sealing Mark: 1,500"Let's go!" Smith cheered internally.After a quick review, he made his choices:Wooden Golem Technique – 5,000Wood Dragon Technique – 5,000Ranking Technique – 5,000He spent 15,000 points on the three core Wood Release techniques.As for the Flower Tree World Advent, Smith decided to skip it. While visually grand, it simply added a poison attribute to Tree World Birth—a feature he didn't really need.That left him with 3,500 energy points.He scanned the store one more time and chose to purchase the Evil Sealing Mark for 1,500 points.Balance: 2,000 pointsHe decided to save the rest for now."Perfect!" Smith exclaimed.Acquiring the three major Wood Release techniques in one go gave him an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. It felt like leveling up after grinding for hours."I earned so much from this beast tide. If a few more roll through, I could get filthy rich!"The thought lingered for a moment before he shook his head."No… That's too reckless."It was true that beast tides brought opportunities, but they also brought unimaginable danger. He might have survived this time, but next time? It could go either way.Plus, Kong Changxing's explanation about the Great Beast Tide had weighed heavily on his mind.If the Holy Empire wasn't revived… If they failed to suppress the monsters…Then all the cities would eventually be swallowed by that tide.Smith, despite his power, knew he couldn't face that future alone."The Holy Royal City... I'll definitely go there someday."---Though only one wave of the beast tide had struck, Tai'an City remained alert for the next ten days. Thankfully, no additional waves came.Still, the city didn't rest.People were busy preparing for their journey to the Holy Royal City alongside Kong Changxing.After all, most of Tai'an's elite were originally assigned by the Holy Royal Court. Their duty was to protect the Royal City.Eventually, Smith also made the decision to leave.On a sunny morning, beneath a cloudless sky, he approached the city gates.Kong Changxing and Xu Yue were both waiting to see him off."Su Bai, take care of yourself," Xu Yue said softly. She wore a simple, graceful white dress, resembling a noble lady from a painting.Smith chuckled. "Miss Xu, you're good at fortune-telling, right? Why not predict what'll happen to me after I return?"Xu Yue looked a bit flustered. "I'm sorry… My predictions only apply to myself, not to others.""Hahaha, no worries." Smith smiled. He didn't believe in predictions anyway.But Xu Yue wasn't finished."However," she said, gathering her courage, "I do predict that we'll meet again—at the Holy King City."Her cheeks were tinged with a soft blush, and her eyes were gentle but determined.Smith was momentarily stunned. Then he nodded with a gentle smile."Alright. I'll look forward to seeing you there."With that, Smith turned and walked away from Tai'an City, setting out once again into the uncertain world—toward destiny, toward war, and toward the Holy Royal City that awaited him.
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