Comprehensive Network: Starting with Martial Artists to Stack Passive Skills

Chapter 19 Selling, Breathing Technique

In a quiet room.

Xuanzhenzi stared at the image of the demon core in the post, which exuded a chilling aura, and fell completely silent.

This thing is indeed a material that drops only after defeating the core demon soul.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Boss, what should we do with this thing?"

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "Deal with it? That's simple. Find a place with strong yang energy and let it dry in the sun, or roast it over a fire to slowly grind away the yin energy and resentment inside. Once the energy dissipates, it will become waste. But that would be too wasteful."

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Mmm."

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "Green-quality 'Demon Cores' contain pure Yin energy and are one of the core materials for certain specific pills or magical artifacts."

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Yes, yes."

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "List a reasonable price in the trading area, such as 400 Disaster Coins, and someone should buy it quickly, especially some ghost cultivators, necromancer apprentices, or alchemists who need specific materials."

[Hydrogen Wind]: "And then what?"

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "If you're not in a hurry, you can keep it for yourself. It will be useful when you meet a suitable alchemist or weapon refiner, or when you want to study a secondary profession."

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Okay."

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "However, I suggest you sell it. Your blood and energy are full of yang energy, which doesn't match your attributes. Carrying it for a long time won't do you any good. It's best to get rid of it sooner rather than later."

Just as Lu Qingfeng was about to send another message of support, Old Deng seemed to have anticipated his move and sent yet another message.

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "Stop repeating..."

Then, the other side seemed to fall silent for a while.

This made Lu Qingfeng wonder if the other side had disconnected.

A little while later.

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "I found out. I have a junior brother who happens to be collecting these things, but he's missing a key ingredient. Although your demon core is damaged, its resentment is pure and its attributes are suitable. He's willing to pay 600 Calamity Coins for it, which is 20% higher than the market price. It's a favor to a newcomer."

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "If you agree, we will trade through the comprehensive network."

"600 disaster coins?"

Lu Qingfeng's eyes lit up; this was much higher than the market price of 400 that Xuanzhenzi had mentioned before.

But could this be a trap?

Lu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes again, his intelligence instantly taking over his mind.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Boss...cough cough...um..."

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "I can only say that I sincerely want to accept it, and we can go through the online notarization process."

Lu Qingfeng naturally agreed.

The big shot helped him so much, so he should at least buy him a prop or something.

Moreover, a green item selling for 600 is already quite expensive.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Deal! Thanks, sir!"

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "No problem. Hang the items up, the money will be here soon."

Lu Qingfeng immediately used his mind to operate the integrated network panel and put the [Incomplete Demon Core (Green)] into the trading column.

But after waiting for a while, the disaster relief funds still hadn't arrived.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "?"

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "Something's happened..."

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "The area you are in has been sealed off. A 10% transit tax will be levied on entry and exit."

[Hydrogen Wind]: "??? Tax? The internet even has taxes?"

Lu Qingfeng was stunned.

A transaction worth 600 Disaster Coins, and 60 of them are being taken away for no reason?

How is this any different from robbery?

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "It wasn't collected by the comprehensive network. It's the rule of your plane. All spatial transmissions through the nodes of this region are subject to a forced extraction of a portion of energy or a toll."

Xuanzhenzi's tone carried a hint of helplessness and understanding.

"Many primitive or closed dimensions have similar settings, which are a form of self-protection."

Lu Qingfeng looked at his pitiful 550 Disaster Coins on the panel, his heart bleeding.

60 disaster coins!

[Hydrogen Wind]: "...Can we bypass it? Or not pay?"

He clung to his last shred of hope.

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "Difficult. Bypassing the precise coordinates of a powerful being who understands spatial rules to perform point-to-point teleportation would be far more costly than these 60 Calamity Coins. As for not paying?"

Xuanzhenzi sent a cold laugh emoji.

"The trade will be directly blocked by the power of the rules. The demon core won't be delivered, and you won't receive the money. Forcing a breakthrough? With your current strength, it's like banging your head against a dimensional barrier."

Seemingly realizing that his words had been too harsh, Xuanzhenzi sent another message to comfort him:

"Actually, you don't need to feel so bad, I still have to pay this tax..."

"I'm from the east side too..."

silence.

Lu Qingfeng stared at the icon of the [Incomplete Demon Core] on the panel, then looked at his empty wallet.

The anxiety of poverty and the frustration of being exploited are intertwined.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "...Hand it over!"

As he typed those words, Lu Qingfeng felt his heart clench. "60 it is! It's better than letting it rot in my hands!"

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "A wise choice. You can't resist, you can only accept it."

[Network notification: Cross-dimensional space transmission request detected...]

[The 'Plane Transit Tax' rule has been detected at the Origin Dimension (ID ████) spatial node...]

[An additional 60 Comprehensive Network Disaster Coins are required as a tax fee. Do you wish to confirm payment?]

Lu Qingfeng gritted his teeth and used his mind to forcefully press the "Confirm" button.

Payment successful! Tax of 60 disaster coins has been deducted.

[Transaction complete! You have lost [Incomplete Demon Core (Green)] and gained 540 Cross-Network Disaster Coins.]

Seeing his Disaster Coin balance jump from 550 to 1090 in an instant, Lu Qingfeng's joy was instead dampened by a bucket of cold water.

All that's left is the resentment of "Damn it, I lost 60."

This tax is making his liver hurt!

However, just as he was feeling sorry for him, Xuanzhenzi sent him another message.

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "The money and goods are settled. Also, I'll give you something as a token of goodwill. I've already paid your taxes, so you can use it without worry."

[System notification: You have received an email attachment from [Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]. Please check your inbox.]

Lu Qingfeng opened his email, and there lay a faint, ethereal jade slip attached to the file.

【Basic Breathing Techniques: Cultivating Qi (Special)】

[Type: Knowledge/Skill Book (Passive)]

[Description: This text records the most basic methods of inducing Qi, preserving the spirit, and nourishing the breath. While not a profound technique, it is balanced and gentle, capable of warming and nourishing Qi and blood, strengthening the foundation and cultivating vitality, and subtly increasing the natural recovery speed of energy (Qi, blood/internal strength/mana, etc.). Long-term practice helps stabilize the mind and enhance perception of energy fluctuations.]

[Learning Requirements: Intelligence ≥ 10, Perception ≥ 12 (You meet these requirements)]

[P.S.: A tall building rises from the ground; first, lay a solid foundation. — A saying from Xuanzhenzi]

[Tested and found to be safe. —Pan-dimensional Consciousness]

"Breathing technique!"

Lu Qingfeng's heart skipped a beat.

This is exactly what he needs right now!

While the [Qi Gathering] skill is good, it is more like a passive means of guiding and restoring energy, lacking a method for actively cultivating and enhancing the source of energy.

This "Basic Breathing Method" is a godsend!

It can not only improve blood circulation and restore vitality, but also nourish the body's foundation and even enhance perception.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "Boss! This is incredibly valuable! Thank you so much!"

Lu Qingfeng was genuinely grateful.

[Hydrogen Wind]: "By the way, boss, I have another question, but I'm not sure if I should ask it."

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "?, speak."

Lu Qingfeng then sent his questions about the mysterious post in the trading area.

[Azure Netherworld - Xuanzhenzi]: "...This?"

[Qingming Realm - Xuanzhenzi]: "It's nothing valuable, and since it's not an extraordinary item, it doesn't need to be reviewed by your world consciousness. I'll just give you one directly."