Chapter 308: Shanks' Adventure Begins—The Chivalrous Hero
Once the Interworld Shop interface opened,
an array of dazzling items appeared before the two men.
[Dragon Essence (Consumable)]: Formed from the divine blood of the Seven Slayers' dragon kill. Grants immense power, immortality, poison immunity, and the ability to transform into a dragon (Gold-grade). Price: 500,000 Reward Points, 10,000 Contribution Points.
[Dragon Vein (Material)]: The spine of the Yellow Emperor, formed over time from the accumulated martial will of the world (Gold-grade). Price: 700,000 Reward Points, 12,000 Contribution Points.
[Peerless Blade (Weapon)]: Forged from [Black Cold], a mystic stone left behind by Nuwa after mending the heavens (Gold-grade). Price: 350,000 Reward Points, 8,000 Contribution Points.
[Threefold Returning Qi (Skill)]: A combination of fist, palm, and leg techniques. The fusion of three types of internal energy unleashes limitless power (Gold-grade). Price: 400,000 Reward Points, 10,000 Contribution Points.
[True Black Tortoise Technique (Skill)]: A fusion of ten supreme martial arts. Its lethal moves slaughter in every direction (Gold-grade). Price: 450,000 Reward Points, 10,000 Contribution Points.
"What an insanely powerful world. All the items here are gold grade?"
Shanks' eyes lit up with the passion of an adventurer.
After the update,
the pirate world also gained access to its own Interworld Shop, offering Devil Fruits, sword styles, martial arts, Seastone items, and Vegapunk's tech products.
Most of them were blue or purple grade.
But in the Fengyun World, almost everything was gold grade.
A simple comparison showed the massive gap between the two worlds.
Mihawk remained calm. "Aren't you worried? The stronger the items we can buy, the stronger the enemies we'll have to face."
Items in the Interworld Shop didn't come from thin air.
They were actual relics of the world's original lore.
Which meant the martial arts were all techniques people actually practiced.
Some of the skill descriptions were so exaggerated even Mihawk couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
For example—
[Heart of the Sacred Master (Skill)]: A technique created by Dishi Tian. Grants immortality, instant regeneration, and even resurrects the dead (Gold-grade). Price: 500,000 Reward Points, 15,000 Contribution Points.
"If this Dishi Tian guy is one of Xiongba's top lieutenants, then we're in serious trouble."
Mihawk analyzed.
He and Shanks were not the kind of players with overwhelming destructive force.
Tanky healers with this kind of regeneration could counter them completely.
Shanks laughed heartily, draping an arm over his shoulder.
"Relax. With a name that bold, he's probably a hero like Whitebeard. There's no way a guy like that would stoop to being someone's lackey."
"Ice Soul, White Dew, Black Cold, God Stone…"
Mihawk's eyes gleamed at the four legendary stones displayed in the shop.
These were the leftover stones from when Nuwa patched the heavens. Each possessed a unique property.
The Reincarnation Game had labeled them as [Gems].
Once socketed with a gem cutter, they could be embedded into weapons and gear, granting special attributes.
Enhancement, forging, gem inlay, rune inscription, enchantments, gear fusion…
As players continued to build their equipment,
the Equipment Leaderboard was bound to update rapidly.
While Mihawk didn't care about fame—
he wanted his Black Blade to stay at the top and not be surpassed by other weapons.
"A single Ice Soul Stone costs 200,000 Reward Points?"
Even Shanks was stunned.
Though he wasn't focused on gear crafting right now, he recognized the trend.
The Game Merchant's update had made it clear—
crafted gear was the way forward.
Whiteboard gear and crafted gear had massive stat gaps.
Even a low-tier white item, if properly enhanced, could match a high-end purple item.
Without crafted gear, whiteboard users would eventually be unable to keep up.
Still—
That kind of price made even him hesitate.
"If you need Reward Points, I can lend you some. But Contribution Points can only be earned by completing main quests in Fengyun World. I can't help you there."
Shanks glanced at his friend, whose eyes were starting to redden with obsession.
Swordmasters truly were intense types—not free-spirited like himself.
They couldn't walk away from something once it caught their eye.
"Thank you."
Mihawk didn't stand on ceremony.
Their relationship needed no hollow words.
This mission offered 2,000 Contribution Points,
but they would still need to complete additional quests afterward to get what they needed.
"Twelve Killers of Heavenly Pool… Xiongba…"
Mihawk's eyes blazed with anticipation.
Now that he had reached Tier-2, the sword aura seed in his body had begun to sprout,
growing into a radiant and pure sword intent.
Normally, it would remain refined and controlled.
But the treasures in the shop made it surge violently—testament to the passion he now felt.
"Mihawk, don't get carried away."
Shanks noticed the fading white barrier around them.
They were about to fully integrate into this world.
"Let's first evaluate the strength of these Twelve Killers. They likely rank mid-high in World Society. If that's true, then Xiongba must be even stronger."
This wasn't a monster hunt—it was a Counterattack Quest.
Death is real.
They had to proceed carefully.
"I understand."
Mihawk took a deep breath, suppressing the sword aura around him.
Crack—
The barrier shattered.
Suddenly, the chaotic sounds of the world rushed into their ears.
The two of them stood in the courtyard of Huo Manor,
surrounded by anxious disciples of the Huo family, the entire estate shrouded in a cloud of death.
Leading them was Huo Butian. He was calm and well-mannered.
Though clearly terrified of the approaching killers from Heavenly Pool,
he buried that fear deep within.
Facing his panicked disciples, he said,
"Do not fear. Our Huo family has stood strong in the martial world for generations.
Heroes who oppose tyranny will surely come to our aid.
The World Society's evil shall not go unpunished. We will endure."
His words brought a measure of comfort.
Hope flickered in the eyes of the frightened disciples.
"Really?"
"Of course. Those less skilled should take the women and children to safety first.
The rest of us will hold the line."
As he spoke,
a bitter smile appeared at the corners of Huo Butian's mouth.
The World Society had already devoured half the martial world.
Its influence was at its peak.
Who would dare to help Huo Manor now and risk becoming the next target?
He had already made secret arrangements with his disciples—
they would fight to the death to protect the manor,
and give the innocent time to flee.
"He's a good man."
Shanks stood nearby, quickly seeing through Huo Butian's noble lie.
Someone willing to sacrifice himself to protect those around him
was, in his eyes, a true hero.
Even without a main quest—
He would have helped anyway.
"Lord Huo, I am Shanks, known as the Red-Haired Hero. I have come to assist you."
He awkwardly mimicked the tone of Huo Manor's disciples,
stepping forward and clasping his fists respectfully.
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