Shen Tian had just finished placing a massive order...thirteen SS-grade flying swords and a custom Unparalleled Sword Box.
To save a bit of money, he didn't use top-tier SS-grade materials for the sword box itself.
That would have been insanely expensive—just one made from SS-grade materials could cost tens of billions, which even he couldn't afford right now.
So instead, he settled for S-grade materials, which were still good but more affordable. The final price of the sword box was 400 million credits.
In total, everything came to 16 billion credits. That was nearly every coin Shen Tian had saved over the past ten years.
He stared at the confirmation screen with a pained expression and sighed deeply.
"…I'm broke."
Then suddenly, he slapped his forehead.
"How could I forget about that Black-Crowned Golden Eagle from this afternoon?!"
He had killed that powerful monster just hours ago.
It was a peak-level High Lord beast, not much weaker than the kind Tang Xiang and Fu Junyu were currently hunting.
In fact, with the two women working together, they'd probably only be able to bring down a mid-tier Lord-level beast at best.
Shen Tian quickly picked up his phone and called them.
"Ask the military if they're willing to sell us the flesh and blood from the eagle I killed earlier," he said.
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Meanwhile, on the road outside the city, a black Hummer sped toward the train station.
Inside the vehicle, Tang Xiang and Fu Junyu were fully armed and dressed for battle. Tang Xiang wore a sleek purple battle suit and carried a long sword nearly five feet in length, which gave her a strong and heroic look. Fu Junyu, in a softer pink outfit, carried a sword almost as tall as herself, making her look oddly cute.
"Xiao Xiang'er, don't you think…" Fu Junyu started teasingly, her arm around Tang Xiang's waist and her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Tang Xiang shot her a glare and swatted her hand away. "I don't want to hear it."
She was used to Fu Junyu calling her "Xiao Xiang'er" even though they were practically the same age—Fu Junyu was only one day older.
Still, deep inside, even Tang Xiang was feeling a bit uneasy.
They had always relied on high-grade beast general meat to support their cultivation.
But now, Shen Tian was asking for Lord-level beast meat. That could only mean one thing—a better recipe existed.
Even now, using beast general hearts and flesh, their cultivation speed had doubled.
But for warriors who had already tasted the thrill of fast advancement, that double speed now felt... slow.
They weren't the only ones stuck at a bottleneck.
Tang Qin and Jiang Fang, two of the strongest War Gods, had also hit a wall in their cultivation over a year ago.
And now Shen Tian, someone they'd been guarding for years, suddenly needed a higher-grade ingredient? It had to mean he had access to something better—a more advanced formula.
"Should we tell Sister Qin and Sister Jiang about this?" Fu Junyu asked, her voice quiet now.
Tang Xiang shook her head. "Not yet. Let's wait until it's confirmed.
And even if it is, it's not our place. Shen Tian will tell them himself."
As she said his name, Tang Xiang's thoughts drifted back to earlier that day.
She blushed slightly, her legs tensing as she recalled the kiss they had shared.
Fu Junyu noticed right away and smirked. "Wow, Xiao Xiang'er… you moaned so sweetly earlier. Did that kiss melt your heart?"
"And tell me," she continued playfully, "what's it like to be kissed by a man? Did he… you know… use his tongue?"
She pouted in mock frustration. "Ugh! I want one too!"
Tang Xiang rolled her eyes. "You pervert! If you're so curious, go find a man and try it yourself."
"I don't want just any man," Fu Junyu huffed. "I've waited three years for Shen Tian. Guarded him, supported him. No way I'm giving up now!"
She put her hands on her hips and added, "Besides, if I did try to leave, wouldn't I risk getting silenced?" She ran a finger across her neck, making a slicing motion.
Tang Xiang didn't reply, but both of them knew ....joking aside....there was truth to Fu Junyu's words.
Years ago, Tang Qin and Jiang Fang had chosen them to protect Shen Tian not just because of their strength or loyalty.
Tang Xiang was Tang Qin's niece, and Fu Junyu had been personally trained by Jiang Fang. But their looks also played a part.
Being close to Shen Tian for so long, it was impossible not to learn some of his secrets—especially the secret behind the powerful cultivation recipes.
Whether they had been tricked or not, the truth was clear now:
Tang Qin and Jiang Fang had assigned them this mission for a reason.
And both women were now deeply tied to Shen Tian, not just as guards—but as something more.
Even if someone tried to chase them away now, they wouldn't leave.
Shen Tian was theirs too. They helped raise him. Protected him. Cared for him.
But still… why had he kissed Tang Xiang first?
Fu Junyu secretly pouted again, glancing at her own height. Maybe it was because Tang Xiang was taller?
"If I were just a little taller," she muttered to herself, "he would've kissed me first!"
She made a mental note to start wearing high heels more often.
Maybe even dress a little more maturely.
Shen Tian had always shown interest in women with a more refined and older charm.
"Well then…" Fu Junyu smirked to herself. "If cute doesn't work, let's go full sexy big-sister mode!"
Just as the two girls were lost in their thoughts, Shen Tian called.
Tang Xiang picked up the phone, and after a short conversation, their Hummer changed direction—now heading straight for the military headquarters.
Shen Tian had asked them to check if the military was willing to sell the flesh and blood of the Black-Crowned Golden Eagle he killed earlier.
After all, although its feathers, bones, and claws were valuable, the meat itself usually wasn't considered important—unless you had a unique recipe like Shen Tian's.
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