187: Barely purchased

"My god..." Xia Ya couldn't help but exclaim softly, "The foundation of this Medicine King Valley... is too strong!" What he casually brought out were Earth Rank Medium Grade and High Grade masterpieces, and they suited their respective needs so well!

Qin Feng was also shaken. Any one of these pieces of equipment, if leaked to the outside world, would be enough to cause Martial Kings to fight over them. The Fire Refining Hall's treasury was indeed astonishing.

Ouyang Lie stroked the stubble on his chin, saw the excited expressions of the four, and grinned, "How is it? Satisfied? These are all finished products my Senior Brother and I made for practice or improvement. They aren't top-tier, but for your use, they're more than enough."

"Satisfied! Extremely satisfied! Thank you for your generous gift, Senior!" Qin Feng was sincerely grateful.

"Don't be in such a hurry to thank me." Ouyang Lie waved his hand and held up two fingers, "These things aren't given for free. According to the hall's rules, Earth Rank Medium Grade equipment has a market price of about 500,000 gold coins, and High Grade doubles that. This 'Great Fang', 'yan luo umbrella', and three pieces of 'flowing cloud inner armor' will be 2.5 million for you. The 'purple moon dagger' is of higher quality, so it's 800,000. Totaling 3.3 million gold coins. Seeing as you're going to risk your lives for my Fire Refining Hall and were recommended by Senior Brother Duanmu and the others, I'll only charge the cost price—two million gold coins."

Two million!

The four gasped. All the gold coins, gold notes, and even what they had gained from bandit suppression and rewards combined only amounted to about 1.2 million; they were still short by exactly 800,000!

Qin Feng gritted his teeth, took out the soaring dragon token gifted by General Li Ju from his robes, and offered it with both hands: "Senior Ouyang, we can only scrape together 1.2 million gold coins at the moment. This is the 'soaring dragon token' gifted by General Long Teng of the Northern Frontier, Li Ju, to serve as collateral. Once we return from completing the mission, we will surely gather the remaining 800,000 to redeem this token. I wonder if Senior could make an exception?"

Ouyang Lie took the soaring dragon token, weighed it, and a strange look flashed in his eyes: "Li Ju's token? You guys have some connections. Fine, I'll take the token for now as collateral. With the 1.2 million gold coins and this token, you can take these pieces of equipment and use them first. Remember," his expression became a bit more serious, "if you can come back alive and successfully bring back the earth core flame marrow, I can even ask my Senior Brother to join me in personally upgrading and refining your existing weapons and armor! The two of us taking action is an Opportunity that ordinary people could never hope for!"

"Senior's great kindness is something we Juniors will never forget!" Qin Feng and the other three bowed deeply. This condition was extremely generous, also revealing the importance the Fire Refining Hall placed on this mission, as well as Ouyang Lie's attentiveness and righteousness beneath his hearty exterior.

The deal was struck. The four gathered 1.2 million gold coins on the spot and paid, receiving the brand-new equipment in exchange. Xia Ya carried the Great Fang broadsword on her back and wore the flowing cloud inner armor inside; Ji Ruxue hid the purple moon dagger in her sleeve and boot, also changing into the inner armor; Xiao Chun studied the yan luo umbrella with great affection and put on the inner armor as well. Although Qin Feng didn't change his weapon, he felt invigorated by the overall improvement of the team.

"Prepare yourselves; we set out in three days. These are the relevant materials and maps for the Molten Core Secret Realm; study them carefully." Ouyang Lie handed the mission Jade Slip and another information-recording Jade Slip to Qin Feng. "I will arrange for someone to take you near the entrance of the Secret Realm. Remember, safety first, and act within your capabilities."

...Just as Qin Feng's group was arming themselves at the Fire Refining Hall, deep within the Medicine King Valley, Valley Master Li Changqing put down a communication Jade Slip and said indifferently to the Disciple standing by: "Pass an order to the guards at the Self-Reflection Cliff. Starting this month, Chu Tianhe's daily expenses are to be provided according to the standards of an Inner Sect Deacon. Additionally, deliver an extra bottle of 'Warm Sun Pills' and a portion of 'Nine Treasures Spiritual Food' every day."

The Disciple took the order and left.

The Vice Valley Master chuckled while holding a game piece: "Is Senior Brother... making an early investment? Or is it to soothe people's hearts?"

Li Changqing's gaze fell on the chessboard, his voice calm and steady: "The tree that stands taller than the forest will be destroyed by the wind. That girl's prominence has already shown, and she will inevitably attract jealousy. Showing her father a bit of leniency both fulfills the bond of fellow Disciples and allows those youngsters to risk their lives with more peace of mind. Moreover..." He paused, "If they truly can bring back the earth core flame marrow and prove their value, this small expenditure is nothing."

In the sky of the Medicine King Valley, clouds drifted and curled.

Inside the Bamboo Rhyme Residence, the four packed their gear, studied the materials, and adjusted their states. The brand-new equipment brought confidence, the unknown Secret Realm brought challenges, and the quietly improved treatment on the Self-Reflection Cliff was like a warm breeze, blowing away the heavy concerns in their hearts.

Three days later, they would head to the southern volcano to obtain that scorching "earth core flame marrow" for the Fire Refining Hall and for themselves.

The final stage of the path to save their master; with blades sharpened, they set off.