The Struggle for Merit, Minor Success in Visualization!

Soul Ash, also known as Soul Sand because of its resemblance to fine sand, is a good material for refining weapons.

Feng Yue took out a jade bottle, put away the soul ash, and handed it to Lu Ze.

Lu Ze thanked them, and then everyone returned to the tavern to rest.

Although there were no casualties in the exchange just now, quite a few people were injured and need medical treatment.

At this moment, inside the tavern, Xiao Qi Xiang Chen was sitting cross-legged at the table cultivating, using the power of his qi and blood to temper his internal organs.

Immediately, Xiang Chen opened his eyes, looked at Lu Ze, Feng Yue, Hu Hai, Li Qinian, and the others, and said, "I see you are all injured. Did you encounter some kind of ghost? Do you need my help?"

Feng Yue said calmly, "That mere ghost has already been dealt with by us. Little Flag Master, you're overthinking it!"

Upon hearing this, Xiang Chen laughed and said, "Old Feng, you did a great job. Don't worry, I'll recommend you for credit!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ze instinctively felt something was amiss. Was Xiang Chen such a good person? Could he be trying to pocket his credit?

He looked at Feng Yue and saw that his expression was indeed not good, and immediately realized that his guess was correct.

Then, Xiang Chen looked at an injured Demon Suppression Guard and said, "Hu Hai, tell me, what level of ghost did you kill this time? So many people are injured, it must have been at least a high-level wandering ghost."

This wasn't the first time he'd taken credit for his subordinates' work; he was quite adept at it.

However, Hu Hai snorted coldly but said nothing.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't refuse to answer Xiang Chen's questions. But since Lu Ze had saved him twice, how could he possibly help Xiang Chen steal Lu Ze's credit?

Xiang Chen sneered and said, "You think I won't get the credit this time just because you don't tell me? The Demon Suppression Guard's token has a recording function; it automatically activates when it senses ghostly energy approaching. Hu Hai, hand over the token; I'll take it myself!"

This isn't even salty anymore!

At this moment, Lu Ze sneered, "You're a piece of trash, how dare you covet this credit!"

He didn't want to cause trouble, but he simply couldn't tolerate this kind of boss.

Upon hearing this, Xiang Chen was furious. He never expected that a new recruit of the Demon Suppression Guard would dare to turn against him.

Then, he stared coldly at Lu Ze and said in a deep voice, "Lu Ze, do you believe that with just one word, I can make sure you can't stay in the Demon Suppression Guard?"

Lu Ze coldly replied, "I don't believe it!"

Immediately, Feng Yue, Li Qinian, and the other Demon-Suppressing Guards all looked at Xiang Chen.

Seeing that the situation was not going well, Xiang Chen decided not to press the matter any further.

After all, even though he was a filthy martial artist, he couldn't handle that many Demon Suppression Guards.

Not long after, around dawn, another young flag bearer led ten Demon Suppression Guards to take over.

After the handover, Lu Ze, Feng Yue, and the others returned to the Zhenmowei Hundred-Household Office.

After that, they could practice or sleep at the Hundred Households Office, but they couldn't go home.

Because if a sudden ghostly incident occurs, these resting demon-suppressing guards must go to provide support.

However, Xiang Chen did not go with Lu Ze and the others.

Not long after, the Demon Suppression Guard Hundred-Household Office.

Lu Ze, Feng Yue, and others arrived at the office of General Zhao Beichen and took out the soul ash and the token that recorded the process.

Zhao Beichen glanced at the ashes, a look of shock appearing in his eyes, and said, "This was a vengeful ghost, how did you kill it?"

Feng Yue said, "This vengeful ghost was a mother and child ghost. We used five inferior exorcism talismans, but we couldn't kill her! Fortunately, Lu Ze had a low-grade exorcism talisman, which finally killed the mother and child ghost."

Zhao Beichen gave Lu Ze a deep look and smiled, "Well done! I'll recommend you for credit!"

Immediately afterwards, Lu Ze, Feng Yue, and the others went to the rest room of the centurion's office.

Feng Yue and the others chose to sleep, while Lu Ze chose to sit cross-legged and cultivate the Nine Yang Visualization Diagram instead of sleeping.

This is the key to his current breakthrough to the eighth level of the Nine Yang Golden Body Technique, and he cannot be careless!

The next morning, Lu Ze slowly finished his practice and opened his eyes. The Nine Yang Visualization Diagram (entry level 70%) had increased by a full 60%. The golden sun in his sea of ​​consciousness had become two, and they had become much more solid.

He then prepared to go home, but was taken to the office of Commander Zhao Beichen by a Demon Suppression Guard.

Zhao Beichen said, "The centurion has already reviewed it. Your squad's merit points are 1000. As the one with the most merit, you get 40% of the credit, squad leader Xiang Chen gets 10%, and the other nine get 50%. Lu Ze, do you have any objections?"

Lu Ze said, "This subordinate has no objections!"

Although he was somewhat annoyed that Xiang Chen, that petty person, had taken a share of the credit, this was the unspoken rule in officialdom. Superiors were entitled to a share of the credit when subordinates made contributions.

Zhao Beichen nodded in satisfaction and said, "Lu Ze, you did a good job. You slayed the evil spirit, saved your colleagues, and prevented civilian casualties!"

"Thank you for the compliment, sir!"

Lu Ze clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Then, Zhao Beichen explained the function of merit points, which could be exchanged for cultivation techniques, spells, pills, talismans, and so on.

Soon after, Lu Ze arrived at the treasury of the centurion's office, ready to exchange items.

The guardian of the treasure vault was an old man in a gray robe. He took out a list of exchange items and handed it to Lu Ze.

Inferior talisman, 50 merit points.

Bull Body Tempering Technique, 100 merit points.

Tier 1 Intermediate Spell: Vine Spell, 500 Merit Points.

Low-grade magic weapon, Blazing Sun Flying Knife, 2000 merit points.

The Qi Refining Realm Immortal Cultivation Technique, Azure Wood Everlasting Spring Technique, requires 5000 merit points.

……

Lu Ze put down the redemption list and turned to leave.

5000 merit points? That's still a long way off!

He can't even afford a spellbook now!

Not long after, Lu Ze went to Butcher Li's house to slaughter a pig and harvested 1 source point, bringing his source point total to 155.

He then returned home and had breakfast with Lu Cheng, Liu Yumei, and Lu Xuan.

A short while later, Lu Ze took out a Spirit Essence Pill, consumed 10 Source Points to enhance it into a low-grade Nourishing Spirit Pill of the Mortal Rank, and then swallowed it in one gulp. Afterwards, he returned to his room and sat cross-legged to cultivate the Nine Yang Visualization Diagram.

An hour later, he refined the medicinal power of the Nourishing Spirit Pill, and three golden suns appeared in his sea of ​​consciousness. He checked the attribute panel and found the Nine Suns Visualization Diagram (Proficiency 45%).

This Nourishing Spirit Pill is indeed quite effective. One more pill and my visualization technique will be able to break through to the minor completion stage!

Therefore, he consumed another 10 source points to enhance a Nourishing Spirit Pill, and spent an hour refining it, finally raising the Nine Yang Visualization Diagram to (minor success 2%).

At this moment, the number of golden suns in Lu Ze's sea of ​​consciousness had increased to six, and many had been condensed. His spiritual cultivation had also greatly improved, and he could sense the Nine Yang Internal Force within Lu Xuan's body.

He should no longer take the Nourishing Spirit Pill and needs time to purify his spiritual cultivation.

Therefore, he began to cultivate the Nine Transformations of Thunder and the Black Tiger Soul-Slaying Blade.

Meanwhile, in the main hall of a mansion, Song Linfeng looked at the middle-aged man in yellow before him and asked, "Uncle Tong, has the cause of He Ting's death been determined?"

Tong Huai said, "The investigation is complete. He Ting only has a minor scratch from a blade strike and a fatal stab wound to his neck. The killer is a master swordsman, far superior to He Ting!"