Cosmic Professional Gladiator

Xu Jingming listened. Senior Brother Sakar was one of the top 20 Lv. 10 Origin lifeforms in Eternal Academy, so his network there was naturally much wider than his.

As they had a good relationship, Xu Jingming came to seek his help.

"I can help you exchange for Spirit Cleansing Water and the Guardian," Sakar said. "My first choice when the time comes will be the Spirit Cleansing Water! There are a total of ten drops of Spirit Cleansing Water, and I'm ranked in the top 20… According to my past experience, there's a 99% chance of acquiring it. As for the Guardian? That's trivial. Even if I can't get it through the exchange, my family still has more than ten drops. I'll sell you one."

"Usually, the premium for such a request is 50%," Xu Jingming said.

Sakar glared. "35 million credits for the Spirit Cleansing Water and 1,000 trillion cosmic dollars for the Guardian. Any more, and you aren't thinking of me as a friend."

"Alright, alright." Xu Jingming didn't dare say anything else.

Both parties had lived together for several years after all, so they knew each other's temper.

"There are only three Heavenly Python Scales. Although people will also choose other high-dimensional weapons and treasures…" Senior Brother Sakar frowned. "It's best to get someone ranked in the top five to ensure the procurement."

"According to past experience, those ranked outside the top ten can forget about the Heavenly Python Scale." Sakar went through the name list. "Those ranked in the top few aren't easy to talk to."

Xu Jingming nodded.

There were more Lv. 10 Origin lifeforms in Eternal Academy than in the Primordial Research Institute and Spacetime Island! Being ranked in the top five made their strength obvious. Typically, they fought the Void Celestials on the battlefield.

Killing a Void Celestial gave much more credit than killing a Hellion at the same level, but it was also much more dangerous there.

"There will be a gathering at Eternal Academy in three days. It's actually a gathering for the credit exchange," Sakar said. "Many members of the other top factions will also be here. They will request Eternal Academy's official members to help exchange for treasures. When that happens, I'll let you join me! I believe that we should be able to obtain the Heavenly Python Scale given our reputation."

"There will definitely be a premium to get those ranked in the top five to choose the Heavenly Python Scale as their first choice," Sakar said. "At least a 50% premium—perhaps even higher."

"I'm aware of that." Xu Jingming nodded.

Senior Brother Sakar didn't want any premium for the Spirit Cleansing Water and Guardian; they were good friends. However, he had never come into contact with others after all, so he would definitely have to follow the general rules.

…

Three days later.

In a virtual world—Dark Abyss City—other than service staff, only Origin lifeforms could come.

"I've found two good friends—Senior Brother Inzel and Senior Brother Lancel. The two of them aren't that easy to talk to," Sakar said, "but they're interested in meeting you. I'll accompany you later while you talk to them. If you want to obtain the Heavenly Python Scale, even they have to use their first choice. Therefore, there will definitely be some conditions."

"Understood," Xu Jingming said. "I really appreciate it, Senior Brother Sakar."

"The exchange for Eternal Academy happens every 1,000 years or so. It's very important to you, but it's nothing to me." Sakar brought Xu Jingming to the gathering.

In a very quiet open-air restaurant, the tables and chairs were either on the grass, on the rocks in the distance, hidden in the mist, or in small buildings… Many people were already there. They sat in twos and threes and chatted with each other without any sounds leaking out.

"Senior Brother Sakar."

"Senior Brother Sakar, is this Brother Wu Ming?"

Some of the guests at the gathering took the initiative to greet the stocky red-skinned elder—Sakar—and Xu Jingming. After all, Sakar and Xu Jingming were quite famous figures.

Sakar and Xu Jingming chatted briefly before constantly walking in.

Soon, they arrived at a small building.

A thin elder sat in a building and leisurely drank alone. After Sakar and Xu Jingming entered, he looked up at the two of them and nodded slightly.

"Senior Brother Inzel." Sakar smiled and sat down. "This is Wu Ming."

"I've heard of him." Inzel smiled at Xu Jingming. "He's the genius who's the fastest to become an Origin lifeform in this era. Many people believe that you can become a cosmic legend."

"I'm still very far from becoming a cosmic legend," Xu Jingming said humbly. There were only seven cosmic legends in the current human race, so it was clearly very difficult.

Inzel smiled. "You're too humble. Junior Brother Sakar has told me about your request. You want the Heavenly Python Scale?"

"Yes, I'll need to trouble you, Mr. Inzel," Xu Jingming said.

Everyone wasn't from the same top faction. When they interacted, they only addressed each other as peers only if they were very familiar with each other. Xu Jingming was already very respectful when he first met Inzel and addressed him as mister.

"Only three Heavenly Python Scales are available," Inzel said. "Although high-dimensional lifeforms—Heavenly Pythons—were killed by the Tower Master back then, their scales are ultimately limited. Although some scales can be recovered, some will also be spent on the production of high-dimensional weapons. Some will even be snatched by aliens. Therefore, the numbers are always decreasing. The competition is very intense every time."

Xu Jingming nodded.

"Those outside the top ten have no chance with the Heavenly Python Scale," Inzel commented. "I also have to choose it first to have the confidence of successfully exchanging for it."

"50 million credits are needed to exchange for it." Inzel glanced at Xu Jingming. "I definitely need to charge a premium."

Xu Jingming nodded. "For credit, I'll trade it using the Primordial Research Institute's credit. When the Primordial Research Institute opens up the exchange, I'll exchange for the items you need, Mr. Inzel."

"That needs to be doubled then!" Inzel said. "Decades later, the Primordial Research Institute will open up the exchange. You will pay it back with 100 million credits."

Double? Although Sakar had expected it, he still sighed with emotion at Inzel's demanding request.

"Sure." Xu Jingming was already mentally prepared. Although it was slightly higher than expected, there was nothing he could do about it.

The Heavenly Python was killed by Eternal Academy's Tower Master, so Heavenly Python Scales were usually available for exchange only at the Eternal Academy. The other factions didn't have one in tens of thousands of years. The premium was usually at least 50%, with an occasional doubling. It was still acceptable.

The three strongest factions each had some special products in their exchange. For example, the Spacetime Star Sand was something only Spacetime Island had.

"In addition, five quadrillion cosmic dollars." Inzel looked at Xu Jingming. "The value of cosmic dollars is much lower than the credit. The premium is slightly more than double."

"Another five quadrillion cosmic dollars?" Sakar—who had been beside him—couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother Inzel, there's no need, right? Just waive that on my account!"

Inzel smiled and said, "A premium of slightly over double isn't a lot. I believe Junior Brother Sakar has guessed that many people have requested my help. Someone has already agreed to exchange for treasures at a 100% premium. I'm here to meet Junior Brother Wu Ming on account of you."

Sakar's expression changed slightly as he looked at Xu Jingming.

"Mr. Inzel, I've only become an Origin lifeform for about 100 years, so my wealth is limited." Xu Jingming smiled and got up. "I'll try to think of something else."

Inzel nodded slightly.

Xu Jingming got up and left.

"Junior Brother Wu Ming, you go first. I'll chat with Senior Brother Inzel for a while," Sakar said.

Xu Jingming nodded and walked out of the building.

Only Sakar and Inzel were left in the building.

"Inzel." The red-skinned Sakar's face turned even redder, and his eyes seemed to be on fire. He sat down and frowned. "We've known each other for tens of thousands of years. I've asked you for help, and I've already told you that he's my good friend! Isn't it enough to charge him a 100% credit premium?"

"This was a deal to begin with. It is mutual." Inzel was calm. "I wouldn't have met him if not for you."

"Yet, you charge double the credits with an additional five quadrillion cosmic dollars?" Sakar was furious. "Don't you think your price is excessive?"

"I only did it on your account, not his, so it can't be cheap." Inzel smiled and held his wine glass before taking a sip. "Don't find it too much! I'm more than 80,000 years old after all. I work hard to earn credit on the battlefield. This credit exchange is a rare opportunity, so I naturally have to save up for the family."

Sakar stared at him. "According to the usual rules, a 100% premium is already very high. You shouldn't quote such a price even if it's for the family."

"For a genius valued by the Primordial Research Institute and his Pearwood Group to have that many assets, he must've accumulated quite a bit." Inzel shook his head. "Unfortunately, he's stingier than I thought."

Sakar was speechless.

"Sakar, you're too nice to him." Inzel shook his head and said, "We naturally have to make a killing when it's a genius from the Primordial Research Institute who wants treasures of our Eternal Academy. As for talent? To be honest, he became an Origin lifeform very quickly, but it doesn't mean that his evolutionary path to Lv. 9 and Lv. 10 will be smooth. Perhaps he will end up on my level at the end of day."

"Moreover, even if he becomes a cosmic legend, he will just be a cosmic legend of the Primordial Research Institute. As for me, I'm a Regis of Eternal Academy. He can't affect me," Inzel said.