Unrivaled Martial Emperor

Chapter 401 - Merit Elder

Chen Fan easily entered the Merit Hall.

Deep within the hall sat several powerful elders.

One of them was a high-level Core Formation realm expert. He suddenly opened his eyes, gleaming with intensity, and focused on Wei Buyu and Chen Fan.

“Long time no see, Wei Buyu. Are you here to make an exchange?”

“I brought someone here to exchange things,” said Wei Buyu. “Merit elder, you're likely aware. Chen Fan won the martial arts competition and has advanced to the Core Formation realm, becoming a holy disciple. The Sect Leader is sending him to complete a dangerous holy disciple mission. I have brought him here to exchange his contribution points for elixirs or treasures.”

“Hoho, I see. I heard you earned a fortune thanks to this good disciple of yours, Wei Buyu.” The merit elder smiled insincerely and stood up. “I've overseen the Merit Hall for years, always ensuring fairness. As long as you have sufficient contribution points, you can exchange them for anything valuable. So, what are you interested in? Young man, show me your token."

Chen Fan nodded, waving his hand to send his token into the elder's grasp.

The merit elder examined it briefly, his expression shifting. The number of contribution points was impressive.

Chen Fan had won every fight in the martial arts competition, so the amount of contribution points he had amassed was simply enormous.

Wei Buyu wanted to consider things for Chen Fan’s sake. So, he decided to ask for the item that best suited Chen Fan’s needs.

“Do you have any treasure that can break through space? I recall that with enough contribution points, one could buy a Space Penetrating Divine Talisman. Chen Fan has to go to a very dangerous place to complete his mission. If he comes across danger, he can use the Space Penetrating Divine Talisman to break open the space and escape.”

The divine talisman could be used for a quick escape, which would give Chen Fan a lifeline. Even in life-threatening situations, he would have the means to flee, which was crucial.

“What? Space Penetrating Divine Talisman?” The merit elder’s eyes sparkled briefly before a sly grin crept onto his face. “I'm afraid we're fresh out of those. You'd have to wait quite a while, maybe two to three years."

“Merit elder, aren’t you lying through your teeth?” Wei Buyu said angrily, “How could there be no Space Penetrating Divine Talisman?”

“It's the truth. Believe it or not, it's up to you.” The merit elder maintained his stance, his smile turning sinister. “Wei Buyu, I hope you're not considering searching the Merit Hall, are you? That's a grave offense. It comes with a steep punishment. Regardless of your status, you would be suppressed for a hundred years as punishment!”

“Fine. I'll choose something else," Chen Fan interjected.

He could also tell that this merit elder was purposely making things difficult for him. The elder likely belonged to the Sect Leader’s faction.

Wei Buyu suppressed his anger and said coldly, “A Five Thousand Kilometers Displacement Talisman would work as well.”

The merit elder calmly said, “Apologies, we are out of that too. We’ll have fresh stocks in three months.”

“How dare you!” Wei Buyu was thoroughly enraged. He scolded angrily, “Merit elder, I think you’re deliberately making things difficult for us. Don’t bother with these pathetic excuses. Let me put it this way. I don’t care whether you have those talismans or not; I want them, so you better bring them out.

“You can throw every rule in the rulebook at me, but what about the high elder? Does he also not have the power to search the Merit Hall?! If he finds them, will the Sect Leader save your hide!”

The merit elder’s expression changed. His face twitched, he smiled, and said, “Oh, I just remembered. There is indeed a Five Thousand Kilometers Displacement Talisman in the Merit Hall. This bad head of mine; I almost forgot.”

“Hmph!” Wei Buyu dismissed the merit elder's antics. “Given all the contribution points he has, he should still have a lot left after getting a Five Thousand Kilometers Displacement Talisman. What other treasures do you need, Chen Fan?”

The merit elder hurriedly said, “I’m afraid we’re out of some peak-grade pills. We are also running low on Grade-4 and Grade-5 treasures.”

Chen Fan wasn't particularly interested in those pills or treasures. He prioritized strength above all else. “Are there any items for increasing one’s life origin?”

“That, we do have.” The merit elder lit up with joy. A cunning smile briefly crossed his eyes as he said, “The best item for increasing one’s life origin is the Fountain of Life, but we’re out of that as well. I have a Divine Stone of Life obtained from an ancient abandoned mine here. You can use your remaining contribution points to exchange for it.”

“Ridiculous!” Wei Buyu immediately flew into a rage again and said, “If it were a genuine Divine Stone of Life, I wouldn't have objected. But that stone you're holding is tainted with evil qi. Even those in the Core Formation realm can’t refine it. What use do we have for this thing? It’ll only corrupt his mind.”

"Such ignorance!" The merit elder retorted defiantly. “Even the energy from the Fountain of Life is nothing compared to what’s in this stone. Though challenging to harness, it's a supreme treasure. Take it or leave it.”

“You!” Wei Buyu was furious, his anger rising to the skies.

“Alright, the Divine Stone of Life it is, then. I’ll exchange all of my remaining contribution points for it,” Chen Fan suddenly said.

Wei Buyu’s complexion immediately changed, as he grew anxious. “Chen Fan, why would you do that?! It is a useless stone contaminated with some unknown evil qi. Even high-level Core Formation realm experts can’t refine it and would be harmed by it instead. It's more a curse than a blessing."

“It’s fine, Master. I have a plan,” said Chen Fan with a smile.

Chen Fan knew that an uncontaminated Divine Stone of Life would be invaluable, beyond his reach even with all his contribution points. The contamination was the only reason the merit elder was even considering exchanging it.

“Hmph, Wei Buyu, since it’s what your disciple wants, why are you trying to stop him!” said the elder, seemingly afraid of Chen Fan going back on his words. “Alright, I’ve already deducted all of your contribution points. I’ll hand the Five Thousand Kilometers Displacement Talisman and the Divine Stone of Life to you in a moment.

“I have to say, you got it good this time. A Divine Stone of Life contains an incomparably massive amount of energy. Even Divine Nascent realm powerhouses yearn for it. It’s a rare treasure even if it’s contaminated by evil qi. You've truly made a remarkable deal."

The merit elder appeared eager to conclude the transaction and tossed Chen Fan’s token. Immediately, a light flashed from a gigantic door behind him, swallowing the token.

Soon, thick evil qi came out from the depths of the gigantic door.