What Token?

Li Ao left the purple-faced bowman with Zhu Qiu for him to interrogate and turned a few steps away with the bike. There were several notifications blinking at the edge of his vision that he didn't see in the fight.

*Eliminated an Eighth-level Qi Condensation Cultivator, awarding 40 Universal Coins*

*Eliminated a Seventh-level Qi Condensation Cultivator, awarding 30 Universal Coins*

*Eliminated a Seventh-level Qi Condensation Cultivator, awarding 15 Universal Coins(Contribution)*

*Eliminated a Seventh-level Qi Condensation Cultivator, awarding 5 Universal Coins(Contribution)*

*Eliminated a Seventh-level Qi Condensation Cultivator, awarding 5 Universal Coins(Contribution)*

*Unlocked perquisite condition for a perk—Fist of Men(1-st Grade perk)*

Li Ao's eyes shone as he looked at the coins pouring in, and almost turned into a miniature Sun when he looked at the perk's description.

*[Fist Of Men]: A newly emerging Agent with righteousness. Grants the title holder 'Blessing of Men, increasing favourability in the eyes of the others. Unlocks 'Log' panel.*

*[Log Panel]: A comprehensive summary of the mission that can be viewed; detailing acquired information, current mission difficulty evaluation, and current mission evaluation percentage.*

*[Perk Conditions] (1/3)*

*1- Eliminate 5 Demonic Cultivators(5/5) [O]*

*2- Aid Ten People In Need (4/10) [X]*

*3- Leave a Core Memory (0/1( [X]*

'I still need to do a few more things...'

Li Ao regarded the options with scrutiny. He was suspicious of the assaulting group before, but the system prompt confirmed their nature. After all, without a demonic art, which always caused serious backlash to its users, how did they manage to catch up to the bicycle?

Thinking so, he observed the second condition. 'Does it count Chu Shu's family?'

Did it mean that he had not helped Zhu Qiu? Or, more reasonably, was his aid not considered 'help' since it was Li Ao's 'duty' to ensure his safety?

'That seems fair.'

Third one, however, puzzled him. What was a core memory? Was it an important memory, a long-lasting impression? More importantly, why did he have to leave a Core Memory? What did it achieve?

Li Ao shook his head. He could find out in due time—meanwhile, he also confirmed his past thoughts. Though the mission came from a higher-ranked agent, any progress he made still awarded him Universal Coins. This made him a lot more relieved.

Looking at the 116 Coins in his interface, all the while checking the bike for any damage, Li Ao settled down. Zhu Qiu came to him a little later, having buried all the bodies.

''They were demonic cultivators.''

'Right.'

Li Ao nodded. ''How did they find us?''

Zhu Qiu grumbled. ''He committed suicide.''

''That's wild.''

''It is common,'' Zhu Qiu looked over him and the bike. ''Anything important?''

''Nothing. Do we move on?''

''No.'' Zhu Qiu pointed behind him, and Li Ao turned around to see his gaze. Another group of dots seemed to be approaching them. ''I suspect there are a lot more of them around.''

''If they are of the same stage, then there is nothing to be afraid of.'' Li Ao smiled and pat his chest. ''Under Foundation Establishment, we are invincible!''

''Braggart monkey—''

Li Ao glared, but let go of his anger and took out a pair of Qi Gathering Pills. He shot one to Zhu Qiu, and used the other one himself. This was not generosity, but necessity, hence he didn't feel pity. He still had the few remaining %100 purity pills at a separate spot in his spatial ring.

'If we can get to a safe spot, I can advance by two realms.'

The weeks of travel wore him down, that was true, and after this particular fight Li Ao carried a sandy and unfazed aura on his face. His gains were plenty, perhaps even more, but he had no time to meditate on them. With the %100 purity pills, as well as the extra Universal Coins, he very well could attempt to get to 10th level of Qi Condensation when the chance arrived.

Zhu Qiu on the other hand had his own particular issues to ponder. Silent, a hot wind blowing on their backs, they replenished as much Qi as they could in a minute. Mounting the bike, Zhu Qiu at the front and Li Ao at the back, they started rushing towards the assailants.

''Let's go!'' Li Ao circulated Scarlet Path and created his lance. The tip brushed Zhu Qiu's nose.

Zhu Qiu slapped it away. ''My nose hair!''

''Go you son of a horse—''

*********

Almost four months passed.

Li Ao and Zhu Qiu fought off constant waves of attackers every two or three days on their path. In the beginning, there were only demonic cultivators. But after the second month now they faced weird assassins specialized in long-range attacks and poison—the force behind them, Zhu Qiu pointed out, had already made a profile of their abilities to counter them.

Constantly being on the run and with no safe shelter at sight, they kept pace in tatters and exhaustion. Li Ao tried to read the elementary books on Forging and Formations, but his exhausted mental state proved it too difficult to understand.

If there was one consolation, it was that Li Ao gained plenty of coins from their constant fighting and continuously improved his fighting ability. When they used up the Qi Gathering pills from his grandfather he bought lower purity bottles from system's Alchemy Shop. One bottle of %80 purity Qi Gathering Pills only cost 10 coins, so he remained in net profit.

Apart from that, Zhu Qiu moved up a small stage, becoming a 9th Level Qi Condensation Cultivator. Li Ao remained stuck in his level out of choice, for they were now near the Lei Province's first few towns. These towns were all heavily guarded by imperial family because of their 'Border Town' status.

After passing several of these towns they would reach their eventual destination, First Capital of Bai Dynasty.

Right now, however, the duo had a long way to go.

''Are you sure?''

Li Ao nodded at Zhu Qiu.

''It might be too high profile, but if we can get a good place to stay I will be able to cultivate in peace.''

Not many people would be able to create trouble in a border city. Almost all of them were manned by Foundation Establishment cultivators, and hundreds of twelfth and thirteenth level Qi Condensation soldiers. Even bar fights were taken seriously and punished.

Li Ao learned a lot more about them from Zhu Qiu as they approached the first town. The average level of this Bai Dynasty was a step lower than Great Wei dynasty of Li Ao' world. The current emperor was a low-quality Silver-Core Core Formation Cultivator.

Core Formation stage was a single step realm, but it was a decisive factor in establishing one's growth. Of the several known qualities of Qi Core, anyone with a Bronze or Silver Core would always be confined to Core Formation realm. Those with Golden Cores had a large chance to reach Nascent Soul, and people with a Purple Core was guaranteed to become Soul Formation cultivators with proper nurturing.

This gave him a sense of security. After all, the enemies of a state were proportional to its strength. If this was a grand dynasty and they met a foe stronger than Core Formation cultivator, he would be killed a hundred times before being able to press 'Abort Mission' button.

''I need to rest as well. There is also people to contact.''

Li Ao raised a brow. ''What kind?''

''Fellow envoys.''

''There are more envoys?''

Zhu Qiu had a blank look on his face. ''Why would we send a single person for an important matter?''

Li Ao's face darkened. Indeed, why did he not think of it before?

Was he really stupid?

It couldn't be.

''Are they stronger than you?''

''It depends.'' Zhu Qiu slowed down the bike and turned over to a stone-paved road. Now there were walls rising in front of them, almost twenty meters high, and manned by a myriad constructs that let out dangerous traces of Qi. ''Most wouldn't survive what we went through.''

''I hope they are safe, then.''

''Indeed...''

At four kilometers mark, they dismounted and Li Ao took the bike into his spatial ring.

''Get your token out.''

Li Ao raised his brows. ''What token?''

Zhu Qiu turned to look at him, face blank.

''Your token, identity token.''

''I don't have one.''

Zhu Qiu's face darkened.

''Why? Did you lose it?''

''I never had one.''

Zhu Qiu started coughing.

''Why did you not fucking say so!?''

''How the hell do I got to know something like that!?''

Huffing, trying to calm himself, Zhu Qiu pressed on his chest.

''They won't let you through without a token...we need another identity for you...''

Walking back and forth, Zhu Qiu suddenly cast a look to the walls.

''Let's walk slowly towards the gates.''

''They are watching?''

Zhu Qiu walked and Li Ao followed behind, latter listening to the former's mutterings.

''If I forge one, it will cost a great deal....no, will there be a forger at a border town? Bribery...''

Suddenly, as if a great idea came upon him, Zhu Qiu's restless spirit calmed. With a serious look, he turned towards Li Ao.

''Can you dress like a woman?''

''What? I'm not into that stuff!''

Zhu Qiu slapped his nape. ''Be serious!''

Grimacing, Li Ao snorted. ''Watch this.''

Saying so, Li Ao swept his hand over his face. Suddenly, his youthful handsome features were gone and instead a shy-looking delicate girl appeared.

It was the face of Sui Li, the servant girl of Pangu Sect.

''HOLY GOOD HEAVENS WHAT DID YOU DO!?''

Zhu Qiu leaped a few good meters back from shock. Trembling, confused, then aware of where they stood he returned to his calm pace. Still, there was great shock on his face that he couldn't wipe off.

''How did you do that?''

''Trade secret~''

''Trade secret my ass—''

''I am kidding. It is an item.''

''It must be pretty high-grade...''

Pondering so, Zhu Qiu turned back to look at him.

''But your voice is still the same. That's a big problem.''

''I'm working on it.'' Li Ao said and opened up his system interface. Zhu Qiu had long seen him poking the air with his fingers many times, so he didn't question it and only attributed it to Li Ao's mentally challenged status.

*Universal Coins: 1870*

Looking at his current balance, Li Ao let out a unintentional laugh.

''Ehehehehe~''

''Fuck, they should ban you from laughing.''

Li Ao opened up the general store and input 'Voice Changer'

There were a myriad of appliances and manuals in front of him, almost all of the former starting from 3000 Coins.

'Dogsh*t luck!'

He had just became rich...only to be left poor again.

Looking over several disgusting devices like 'Voice-Altering Cicada' and a rather feisty pink collar with over a million reviews, he stumbled upon a rather interesting manual.

*Rick's Elementary Infiltration Techniques*

*Description: A set of three techniques: Bone-Shaping, Voice-Changing, Presence-Hiding. Bone-Shaping manual can help you increase or decrease your height, or widen your bones to make yourself bulkier depending on your mastery. Voice-Changing manual enables you to temper your vocal cords to control your voice and increase your proficiency of sound arts. Mastering the Presence-Hiding manual will make your cultivation base hidden, improve Qi control and circulation, and at greater mastery can even shield you from the divine sense of someone a great realm above your level.*

*Author's note: It is advised for you to buy 'Rick's Elementary Body Tempering Guide' to get a solid foundation for this art. The limit of these techniques are Soul Formation level. After reaching grand mastery in all three arts, you can combine their Essence to form Rick's Divine Spark. Only those with Divine Sparks are eligible to learn Rick's Intermediate Infiltration Techniques.*

*Required Cultivation: Tenth Level of Qi Condensation*

*Required Cultivation(Physical): Fifth Level of Qi Condensation*

*Cost: 1150 Universal Coins*

Curious, Li Ao searched the body tempering technique and discovered it was just two hundred coins. It also had a Divine Spark included, which one could gain after reaching Core Formation level Body Cultivation.

Not only was this manual incredibly suited to his needs, the promise of a continued legacy made him almost buy it at haste. But the combined cost would leave him with only 520 coins. Also, he could not, in good spirit, believe that he could master the Voice-Changing manual in two minutes even if he had the required cultivation.

By now there were sentries' eyes all over the duo. The other travellers remained few and tight like a group. The gate had a dozen guards protecting the order and making inspections on small carts, with occasional body checks. Few people were able to pass unbothered, and they all had the same black plate armor as the sentries.

'I will think about it later.'

''Bow your head and follow my steps. Don't speak. Let me do the rest.''

Nodding, Li Ao fell behind Zhu Qiu and they came before the gates.

''Halt!''