When I woke up, I wanted to go home.

Zhu Chongjiu waited at the business for nearly half an hour before Tongli led his entire team to the scene.

After the waiter informed Zhu Chongjiu that his men had arrived, Zhu Chongjiu left the lounge and saw Tongli leading his entire team. He asked, "Why are you all here?"

Tongli replied, "Ninth Brother has 108,000 gold coins! What if he gets robbed on the way?"

Zhu Chongjiu replied: "In this small town, whoever dares to steal my things is practically asking for trouble!"

Alright, hurry up and settle the bill with the merchant, then go back. I'm a little tired!

Zhu Chongjiu then said, "I'll be going now. After you settle the bill, take the remaining gold coins and the goods I bought this time back to the camp."

I bought something for you guys too, and I'm sharing it with you guys!

Upon hearing Zhu Chongjiu's words, Tongli immediately beamed and went to coordinate with the business personnel!

Zhu Chongjiu returned to the camp alone, went into his stone house, lay half-reclined on the stone bed, closed his eyes to rest, and began to think about his conversation with the waiter earlier that day!

Zhu Chongjiu thought to himself: Martial arts technique?

"Practicing martial arts skills to release internal energy!"

The information I've gathered during this time—that martial arts masters can release qi—must also be due to martial arts techniques!

By practicing certain martial arts skills, one can release different levels of internal energy and qi!

Then sorcerers should also be practicing spell techniques!

To unleash magic through the practice of spell techniques.

Zhu Chongjiu thought to himself, "There's no doubt about it, that must be it!"

I still need to hurry up and go check out the magic academy in the big city.

When Tongli and the others return in a while, we'll ask the Dharma Academy about their admission requirements.

Speaking of Tongli, Zhu Chongjiu remembered that Young Master Zhao and his group had been taken away by the protector's nephew. When would his backer arrive?

If they don't come soon, I can't just keep waiting here, can I?

Leaving is not an option either. What if I leave and then Young Master Zhao's backer shows up, and then it would be disastrous to inform all of them?

You shouldn't let your own impatience for a day or two harm others.

If Young Master Zhao's backer hasn't arrived by the day after tomorrow, then I will personally take Young Master Zhao to find his backer!

Just as Zhu Chongjiu closed his eyes to ponder and secretly plotted, he heard Tong Li and the others' voices outside.

Is Ninth Brother inside?

Zhu Chongjiu said, "Yes, come in!"

Although Zhu Chongjiu's six senses are now sharp, he doesn't activate them often, otherwise it would be too noisy. Especially when everyone is resting after the moon sets and the weather is calm, Zhu Chongjiu can hear sounds from four or five kilometers away. With his current control over his body, controlling his six senses is a piece of cake for Zhu Chongjiu. He usually maintains the six senses of a normal person!

Tongli carried the package into the stone house, put it on the stone table and said, "Ninth Brother, everything is here. Please take a look and see if it's correct!"

There were two packages in total, one containing the remaining gold coins and the other containing the goods purchased today. Zhu Chongjiu opened the packages and took a look!

Tongli continued, "Ninth Brother, the goods totaled 31,250 gold coins. The merchant gave us a 10% discount, so it's 28,150 gold coins. Then the merchant said he wanted to make friends with you, so he wiped the lens off and charged us 28,000 gold coins!"

Then, the person in charge pulled out a ten-centimeter square black metal card from their pocket and said, "This is a black iron-level VIP card from the business for you!"

This card entitles you to a 10% discount when purchasing items at all Peace Merchants throughout the entire Ice and Snow Continent!

After inspecting the goods, Zhu Chongjiu took the card from Tongli's hand and said, "Black Iron grade?"

Damn it, it sounds like the lowest level card!

Zhu Chongjiu took the card and examined it carefully. The card was glossy black and had a metallic feel. There was a white gemstone inlaid in the upper left corner of the card. Zhu Chongjiu guessed that this gemstone was probably an anti-counterfeiting measure and information storage device similar to the chip used by the Earth Bank!

The front of the card is engraved with the four large characters "Heping Trading Company".

The back of the card contains some notes;

Holders of this VIP Black Card can enjoy a 10% discount at participating stores (excluding special or designated items).

This card is not registered under a real name; the merchant recognizes the card, not the person. If lost, it cannot be replaced.

After reading it, Zhu Chongjiu thought to himself, "I'm going!"

After putting the card away, Zhu Chongjiu opened the package of goods, took out the storage bag and hung it on his waist. He took out the three hundred aura transmission stones and put them in his pocket. Then he gave the fifty aura transmission stones to Tongli, and let Tongli distribute the remaining fifty one-aura transmission stones as he saw fit.

Anyway, this thing can't be used by anyone who isn't a mage.

The Tongli Squad currently only has nine mages, eight of whom are just beginners, and Tongli is the only intermediate-level mage, who only reached that level recently by feeding monster meat!

At this point, Zhu Chongjiu was in trouble again. He had met the requirements to become a sorcerer, but what about his magical skills? Without internal energy input, these skills were no different from handheld items!

"What a worry!"

Tongli looked dejected after seeing what Zhu Chongjiu had given him; "Brother Jiu, these are good things, but we brothers can't use them! We can't get into the mage academy, and we don't have any martial arts skills!"

Zhu Chongjiu asked, "Tongli, how do people who can't get into the Mage Academy acquire their martial arts skills?"

Tongli replied, "Ninth Brother, besides magic academies where one can cultivate magic techniques, there are also auction houses where magic techniques might be auctioned, the black market where they can be purchased, and large families and merchants who themselves possess some magic techniques."

Moreover, the magical techniques passed down by large families and merchants are even better than those taught in magic academies!

Just as Tongli finished speaking, a deafening shout rang out from outside: "Who injured my son? Come out and confess your sins!"

Upon hearing the voice, Zhu Chongjiu secretly rejoiced; Haha... It's just like a pillow being delivered when you're sleepy, here comes the magic technique!

Zhu Chongjiu dashed to the outside of the stone house and looked around but didn't see anyone calling out.

At this moment, Tongli whispered to Zhu Chongjiu from behind: Ninth Brother, don't look at the ground, it's in the sky!

After Tongli finished speaking, Zhu Chongjiu looked up at the sky.

Wow, that's so cool!

A giant eagle with a wingspan of six or seven meters hovered above the center of the camp!

Atop the giant eagle stood a stern-faced old man, and on the eagle's back lay another subordinate, the one who had gone back to report the news!

Without turning his head, Zhu Chongjiu asked, "Tongli, do you know what's flying in the sky?"

Tongli replied, "It's a level two demonic beast, the Heavenly Snow Giant Eagle!"

Zhu Chongjiu then asked: Tongli, can demonic beasts be tamed and used by humans?

Tongli replied: Most monsters are fine, but generally they must be raised and tamed when they are still cubs.

They also need to be fed a large amount of rare and precious materials to help them advance, so raising a monster is very difficult. You must have enough financial resources and understand the habits of monsters!

Zhu Chongjiu has hit the nail on the head!

It's pure white, with a wingspan of six or seven meters, and it's only at level two. If it were to advance to level three or four, how big would it be?

How cool would it be if I just stood there on it!

Just as Zhu Chongjiu was thinking about his good fortune, the old man above him pointed at him and interrupted him, saying, "You're the one who injured my son."

Zhu Chongjiu looked at the intimidating figure behind the old man pointing at him and replied, "Old man, come down here first. You're standing so tall, it hurts my neck!"

The old man did indeed come down, but instead of letting the giant snow eagle fly down, he leaped down directly, splashing up some dust, and landed in front of Zhu Chongjiu.

Then he turned to Zhu Chongjiu and asked, "Why did you hurt my son?"

Zhu Chongjiu looked at the old man and said, "Your son's surname is Zhao, so I'll call you Old Man Zhao."

Did you ask your son why I hit him?

If you've already asked and are still causing me trouble, then just tell me the truth directly, no need for all this trouble. If you haven't asked, then go back and ask your son first!

After hearing this, Old Zhao took two steps back, narrowed his eyes slightly, and said: "This young master has a good spirit. Since you are an upright and honest person, then I will not hide anything from you."

I am Zhao Tianhu, one of the guardians of Viter City!

May I ask your name, sir, and where you live?

Zhu Chongjiu didn't answer his question but said, "Those who know me know my temper. The reason I've talked to you so much is because I want this matter to end with you. Otherwise, I would have already sent you to your grave with one punch."

It's not that I'm afraid you'll find someone with connections, but my time is also precious, and I have other things to do.

Listen to me, I'm going to fight you now, not for any other reason than to show you whether I have the ability to kill you.

After I lose to you, you have to promise me a few things. If you don't, I won't just knock you out with one punch like I did with your son and your men. I'll really beat you to death.

And those behind you shouldn't even think about getting revenge on me! Once I leave, I guarantee no one will be able to find me.

I'll say it again: it's not that I'm scared, it's that I don't want to waste my time on you guys, do you understand?

If you understand, then let's begin!

After Zhu Chongjiu finished speaking calmly, he gestured to Zhao Tianhu to invite him to leave.

Zhu Chongjiu's words reflected some of his true thoughts.

Another reason is that I want to see what the techniques are like and how they are used in combat by fighting Old Zhao. I can't stay in the dark like a headless fly!

After Zhu Chongjiu gestured for him to enter, Old Man Zhao, still displaying some martial virtue, said: "Then young master, you must be careful!"

Actually, Old Zhao was also feeling uneasy.

Because he knew that the young man opposite him was definitely at least at the Emperor level, but he didn't know whether he was at the beginner, intermediate, or advanced level within the Emperor level.

It's unlikely to be an Emperor-level mage or higher, since he's too young. He knows that he's the only Emperor-level mage of that age in the entire empire, so it's best to keep a low profile!

As soon as Old Zhao finished speaking, he threw a punch. Zhu Chongjiu stood still, raised his hand to block, and used his small hand to grasp Old Zhao's fist, which was as big as a sand pot. Then he swung his arm and sent Old Zhao flying back three or four zhang away!

Old Zhao was secretly shocked. His punch, delivered with only the strength of a mid-level Emperor, had been so easily taken by his opponent.

Although I only used half of my strength and did not use any martial arts techniques, it is a fact that the opponent easily flung me three or four zhang away!

Old Zhao, startled, said, "I've used all my strength, young master, please be careful."

After saying that, Old Zhao suddenly roared, "Mountain-Lifting Fist!" This roar was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, making everyone around him's ears ring.

Before he finished speaking, Old Zhao took a big step forward like a tiger descending a mountain. His originally hunched body straightened up instantly, and he exuded a powerful aura.

Old Zhao stomped his left foot hard on the ground, using the recoil to shift his weight forward. At the same time, he clenched his left fist and slammed it into the ground as if trying to smash a hole in it. His right hand was clenched tightly, muscles tense, joints slightly white from the excessive force. Then, his right arm swung out with a fierce roar, like a dragon emerging from the sea, striking forward with a sharp gust of wind!

The instant Old Zhao unleashed his punch, Zhu Chongjiu suddenly felt an invisible pressure bearing down on him. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that streams of energy of different colors and thicknesses were continuously emanating from various parts of Old Zhao's body.