Oh, this was going to be complicated!

After Zhang Yuge finished distributing the Talismans, he turned to look at the other chosen ones who had received Wang Xiu's Nether Incense. He didn't say a word, but how could they fail to understand his meaning? The esteemed Saint Heir of the Longhu Immortal Sect, the sworn brother of their Junior Brother Wang Xiu, had still offered a gift in return after taking something. Would it not be shameless of them to do any less?

Thus, they quickly scrambled to offer something in return.

"Brother Zhang is right! How can we just take Junior Brother Wang Xiu's things for free?"

"I have here a top-grade White Jade Bright Moon Bead. It is as flawless as the bright moon, and the white jade itself is spiritually receptive. I obtained it on the shores of the East Sea after a fierce battle with over a dozen demons approaching the Nascent Soul Stage! It's the perfect match for a refined gentleman like Junior Brother Wang Xiu. Please, you must accept it!"

[Ding!]

[Detected someone bragging nearby. Congratulations, Host, you have gained +66 Mana!]

Zhang Yuge rolled his eyes. A White Jade Bright Moon Bead? Isn't this just a merman's pearl? It's a decent material for Artifact Refining and Elixir concoction, and the quality isn't bad, but what an exaggeration!

Yet Wang Xiu accepted it as if it were a priceless treasure. "Brother, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such a gift!"

"Our Shuiyue Cave Heaven's Xuan Yuan Water Control Talismans may not be as famous as the Five Thunder Heavenly Talismans from the Longhu Immortal Sect, but in terms of effect, they each have their own merits. Please, Junior Brother Wang Xiu, accept them!"

[Ding!]

[Detected someone bragging nearby. Congratulations, Host, you have gained +77 Mana!]

A corner of Zhang Yuge's mouth twitched. Yes, if truly well-made, the Shuiyue Cave Heaven's Xuan Yuan Water Control Talismans could indeed hold their own against the Five Thunder Heavenly Talismans. The problem is, that stack I gave you was all high-grade. You dare show up with just three or five mid-grade ones and try to compare?

Wang Xiu, however, was still beaming. "For you to part with such a treasure for my sake... Brother, I am deeply moved. Here, take a few more sticks of Nether Incense!"

"This Blood Ruyi... I found it by chance in the Mangshan Wilderness, in the tomb of a Saint Manifestation Stage expert. I've never known its true purpose! But today, upon seeing you, Junior Brother Wang Xiu, it suddenly grew warm and began to radiate heat! It was then I understood: this treasure has a spirit and has chosen its own master! Quick, Junior Brother Wang Xiu, take it!"

Zhang Yuge glanced at it and nearly choked. Blood Ruyi, my foot! This is clearly just an ornament crafted from Flamepith Crystal Jade from a volcanic abyss. Worn on the body, it can invigorate blood flow, relax the muscles, nourish the meridians, and dispel cold in extremely frigid environments. Of course it gets warm and hot! The item itself is quite good, but you people are laying it on way too thick! Found in the tomb of a Saint Manifestation expert... What kind of Saint Manifestation expert would be so destitute? One from the Sanqing Immortal Sect, perhaps?

In truth, it wasn't their fault for boasting. It was mainly that Zhang Yuge had set the bar far too high. He started things off with a stack of high-grade Five Thunder Heavenly Talismans, with a value soaring past one hundred thousand Spirit Stones.

He and Wang Xiu were sworn brothers now, so it was one thing for them to exchange fine gifts. But this crowd of people wasn't his sworn brothers. The Nether Incense was good, but it wasn't so good that they'd trade their most prized treasures for it, right? Yet, if they didn't embellish their stories a little, wouldn't the things they were giving seem paltry in comparison?

Everyone shared this thought, so it was all part of an unspoken understanding.

Wang Xiu, for his part, acted as if he were completely unaware of the items' true value. No matter who presented a gift, he wore an expression of being deeply honored and surprised. After accepting, he would always say something that left both parties feeling extremely comfortable. The atmosphere instantly became exceedingly harmonious.

While many factions had come forward to befriend Wang Xiu, it wasn't all of them. Most were those with close ties to the Longhu Immortal Sect. A good number of Cave Heavens and blessed lands remained at a distance, observing the scene and murmuring amongst themselves, maintaining an attitude that was neither close nor distant.

As for the Saint Heir and Saintess from the Mount Shu Immortal Sect and the Shan Hai Immortal Sect, they had vanished without a trace after boarding the Other Shore Ark. No one knew where they had gone. This disappointed Wang Xiu, who had planned on getting to know them and listening to them boast a little. But he didn't dwell on it. After all, there would be plenty of other opportunities.

Soon, the crowd around Wang Xiu thinned out, each person leaving with a considerable amount of Nether Incense. Zhang Yuge watched them go before glancing at Wang Xiu, looking as if he wanted to say something but was hesitating.

Wang Xiu smiled. "If you have something to say, just say it!"

Zhang Yuge frowned. "Big Brother, the things those people just gave you aren't as amazing as they claimed!"

Wang Xiu nodded. "But they aren't bad, either!"

Zhang Yuge was stunned. "You knew? Then why did you..."

Looking at him, Wang Xiu smiled. "I never expected them to give me anything in return. But since they insisted, I accepted. Whether the items are good or bad, it's the thought that counts!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yuge couldn't help but click his tongue. After a long moment, he said, "Big Brother, you're just too nice! Act like this, and you'll easily be taken advantage of!"

Wang Xiu simply smiled without replying.

Taken advantage of? Impossible! To begin with, the items these people gave me were in and of themselves no less valuable than the Nether Incense I'd given out; in fact, many were worth far more. After all, I have Nether Incense in spades—a boundless, inexhaustible supply. And those treasures, Elixirs, and Talismans... they would all be useful eventually. Furthermore, the benefits I reaped just from chatting with them and listening to their bragging were immense.

Wang Xiu felt that after making his rounds, his Cultivation Level was showing signs of another breakthrough! This rate of progress was simply astonishing! What more could he possibly ask for?

However, in Zhang Yuge's eyes, his smiling silence was a sign of magnanimity and open-mindedness. He saw a man who refused to quibble over gains and losses!

My Big Brother... he is such a good person! Perhaps only a person like him could see through the vanity of fame and fortune, not getting caught up in the internal squabbles for fame and profit within the Human Race, and focus his entire being on slaying fiends and demons. That's how he cultivated his Thunder Technique to such a pure state! From this day on, I, Zhang Yuge, will strive to be like my Big Brother!

RUMBLE!

Just then, the Other Shore Ark shook violently. Everyone looked up to see the phantom of an incredibly magnificent and vast world eclipsing the sky above them.

It felt as if an entire world was about to fall and crush them

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