Abundant Martial Arts Virtue

Qiong stood honestly behind him, clinging to him.

Despite being one of the strongest few in the entire bomb shelter, boasting a "Ranger" skin, commanding and decisive, feared by everyone—

she was so well-behaved in front of him.

Wu Xiaode distinctly felt the air was filled with the sour taste of lemons.

But he didn't care.

What's the first rule of surviving the streets?

Don't mess with me.

You must make everyone on the street know you are not to be trifled with.

If you're in food service, it's all about flavor, in filmmaking, it's all about the story, in law, it's all about the legislation.

On the streets, if you look like a harmless student—

Who cares about you?

Naturally, Wu Xiaode knew this well, but he had been very cautious since the world had changed.

After all, there were too many unknowns.

Now, he needed to stand out and attract the sequence's attention.

And his strength was not weak.

"Chatham, is it? How you want to screen me? Please hurry up, I need to close the door and have a heart-to-heart with my woman soon,"

Wu Xiaode said, holding a cigarette, squinting, tilting his head, completely at ease.

Chatham's eyebrows twitched, and the muscles on his face involuntarily twitched a few times.

"Arian, since you're a powerful healer, from now on all our medical needs here will depend on you,"

he said with a smile.

Wu Xiaode also smiled.

Meeting the expectant glances of the people around, he spoke:

"You get what you pay for, bring enough gold if you seek my services—since you can't expect the doctor to pay for your treatment, I guess you all understand this principle."

Suddenly.

A gaunt man stepped forward from behind Chatham, staring fiercely at Wu Xiaode, and shouted:

"Did you just say you wanted to beat us to death?"

The whole place went silent.

Chatham subtly cleared a little space and said:

"Not yet introduced, this is Skinny Wolf, the strongest fighter in our bomb shelter who is specially responsible for screening newcomers."

Skinny Wolf immediately stepped forward, radiating a murderous intent, and facing Wu Xiaode, he said:

"I'm giving you a choice now, apologize immediately or fight me right now."

The crowd around them stepped back to make space.

Since there were no monsters outside and such a situation had arisen, no one minded watching the excitement.

Who doesn't want to know if Qiong's man is up to the task?

Wu Xiaode smiled.

Is this the screening? I know this question!

It's actually just a show of power, wanting to kill the spirit of newcomers, teaching the newcomers to be obedient.

But if you want to treat me like that, then no need to be polite.

"Brother, you might not be aware of something," Wu Xiaode said.

"What?" Skinny Wolf asked.

"The most powerful healing magic in the world belongs to the Holy Side. Now, with such severe storms and so many spirits around, if you have gold, it's like having an extra life—"

"Especially since you're standing right in front of a Holy Healer."

Wu Xiaode took out a gold bar, stepped forward and said:

"I'm also giving you a choice now."

"Get slapped with the gold bar, and it's yours; or you can fight me, at the cost of never seeking my healing services ever again."

Skinny Wolf sneered, "Before you came, we've managed just fine without any Holy Healers."

"Two gold bars," Wu Xiaode said.

Skinny Wolf's anger flared up, and he growled, "You think—"

Wu Xiaode didn't wait for him to finish speaking, casually waving his hand.

Clang clang clang clang!

In the crisp sound of metal striking metal, a wall made of stacked gold bars appeared in front of Skinny Wolf.

"So much gold."

Someone said hoarsely.

The wall was two meters high, five meters long.

All made of gold.

Glowing with a dazzling golden light, it seemed almost magical, illuminating the dark, gloomy underground passage.

Everyone was stunned.

Wu Xiaode placed the gold bar in his hand on top of the gold wall, speaking indifferently:

"Now it's a wall of gold bars, that's your price now—so will you let me slap you? Think carefully before you answer, you won't get a chance to regret."

Skinny Wolf looked at the wall of gold bars, his throat moving back and forth, disdainfully said:

"There's a saying, wealth should not be flaunted, don't you even know that, kid?"

"Sorry, my wealth has all been plundered," Wu Xiaode said gently.

Skinny Wolf's expression changed, his gaze shifting from the gold bar wall to Little Wu.

He saw him leisurely smoking a cigarette, one hand in his pocket, the other being gently kneaded by Qiong.

It appeared that he didn't care at all about what was happening in front of him.

Indeed.

in such chaotic times, anyone showing off a wall made of gold bars should have been dead long ago.

But he was still alive.

And seemed to be living well.

So what now?

"Come on, Skinny Wolf, I see you're a man of substance, that's why I'm talking about this wall of gold bars with you; if you won't speak, I'll just take them back," Wu Xiaode said.

Skinny Wolf suddenly snapped back to reality, just about to speak when Chatham suddenly interjected:

"Money isn't everything, kid."

Wu Xiaode exclaimed in surprise, "Whoever said money is everything? It's just a small gift—basic etiquette in social interactions, what's the problem?"

Chatham didn't speak, but he threw a fierce glance at Skinny Wolf.

Skinny Wolf was somewhat annoyed.

Testing my patience, every time something comes up, it's me who has to probe.

And what Chatham pays is too little.

Not to mention the others aren't weak.

Didn't you see how Qiong follows him like a lovestruck girl?

An extra healer, an extra life.

A wall of gold...

Who wouldn't want that?

"Alright, Arian, you are indeed a tough guy. Come on, slap me hard with your gold brick,"

Skinny Wolf said solemnly.

As soon as he said this, Chatham's expression changed.

"Skinny Wolf, you—"

"No nonsense, my old injuries from boxing in the early years still need treating, and I trust the Holy Side's capability in this regard," Skinny Wolf said.

The atmosphere silently shifted.

At that moment, testing had turned into choosing sides.

Even if Skinny Wolf was just for the money, for an extra life, at that moment, he stood by Wu Xiaode!

Chatham would certainly not let him off easily!

Otherwise, their resolve would crumble.

Wu Xiaode could clearly see this, so he let go of Qiong, took a brick from the wall of gold, hummed a little tune, and leisurely swayed towards Skinny Wolf.

"Slapping you—was just a little joke I made."

He said, grinning.

Skinny Wolf immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

—Bowing your head for survival is fine.

But the other party gave him face in the end, and he really didn't slap him, so his reputation wouldn't suffer.

Later, this would be a good story rather than him being willing to be slapped for money.

At that moment,

Wu Xiaode summoned Fiery Flame Magic, making the entire brick glow red-hot.

"However, my gold brick is very hot. Dare you take it?"

Skinny Wolf naturally understood.

"...In this era, everyone has only one life, what is there not to dare?"

Skinny Wolf glanced at Chatham, took the gold brick, and let his palm sizzle with the sound of burning.

"Tough enough, I like that—remember to come see me later," Wu Xiaode laughed aloud.

He took Qiong by the hand and passed through the crowd towards the depths of the air-raid shelter.

He left behind only the stunned crowd.

Skinny Wolf didn't care about others, directly pulled out a metal box, stepped forward, and began collecting gold bricks.

The box seemed also to be a storage vessel; as each brick was tossed in, it immediately disappeared without a trace.

He kept busily collecting, not even lifting his head as he said:

"Don't look anymore, this gold is all mine—as for whether I'm bribed? Sorry, I just got a bit of the benefit of being scrutinized."

"Anyone would have wanted these benefits."

"In the future, if he commits an offense, I'll still act against him!"

...

Elsewhere,

The door closed.

Wu Xiaode had just sat down when Qiong personally poured him a cup of tea and brought it to his front.

"Remember you like this,"

She smiled sweetly, gazing brightly at Wu Xiaode.

Wu Xiaode took a sip and asked, "How's the Destruction Council?"

"When the worlds merged, everyone scattered, and many were directly killed by the rain robbery. I just barely escaped with my life," Qiong said.

Wu Xiaode nodded.

Qiong hesitated and said, "Arian, about the things you've done..."

"Don't ask too much, there are some secrets knowing will not benefit you, they will only bring you danger," Wu Xiaode said.

Seeing the worried look in her eyes, Wu Xiaode was somewhat surprised.

—Did she really fall for me?

Or say—

Am I just that ordinary yet self-assured?

Forget it, let's talk about the important matters.

Wu Xiaode thought silently.

Qiong had already tightly closed her lips, gently knelt at the coffee table, massaging his fingers.

"Qiong, I need you,"

Wu Xiaode said.

"Mm," Qiong replied softly.

She had just unfastened a button on her shirt, but Wu Xiaode stopped her.

"I need a Shadow Follower, Qiong, here's how the magic works..."

Wu Xiaode explained.

Qiong listened carefully and cheerfully said, "What problem is there? I am yours anyhow, both this body and my heart, my soul."

Without hesitation, she placed her hand on the Book of the Dead.

Rows of ice crystal text suddenly appeared:

"You have activated Super Shadow Followers (guild version)."

"The contract is established."

"Qiong is willing to become your follower."

"Congratulations."

"You have obtained a new role: "

"Prison Flame Ranger, Qiong."