The half-elf nodded, and the scholar followed suit. The burly man said, “I looked at the three items available for exchange. I don’t know how powerful the Shangqing Battle Fist is, but I’ve learned quite a few combat techniques myself, so I doubt it’s much better. This thing is worthless against a robot army, so I definitely won’t choose it. As for the Bingxin Technique, it claims to let you cultivate internal energy. Even if it’s not a scam, cultivating anything takes more than a day or two. To be honest, I don’t even dare believe this Lord God Space is real—maybe it’s all just my own fantasy. So we need a method that gives immediate results to verify… the Shangqing Zhuxian Technique.”

The half-elf spoke up as well: “I’ve studied magical runes, so as soon as I exchange for it, I’ll know if it’s real. That’s the first point. The second is what’s written above: these four runes, when combined, can unleash great power. They can be activated with external objects or with one’s own energy. Using external objects would require us to leave here to test, but using our own energy is simple. I have magic power, so I can verify it immediately. You two don’t seem to have magic, but the human body has heat, and there’s sugar and other energy in the blood. If what’s written is true, I can inscribe the four runes on you both with my magic, and you’ll be able to verify on the spot whether this technique is real or fake.”

The burly man nodded at this. Although he didn’t believe in magic or anything like that, right now he needed to convince the scholar, so he continued, “You’re covered in blood—I guess you were in danger before coming here? The Shangqing Battle Fist and Bingxin Technique are useless for your situation, so why not try the Shangqing Zhuxian Technique? Fifteen hundred reward points—exactly the total of our three points combined. Once we exchange for it, we can all share it and get it immediately. That way, you’ll also have a chance to escape your predicament, right?”

The scholar stood there in a daze for a while, then suddenly said, “So who among us will do the exchange?”

This scholar had always seemed a bit slow, but this question hit the mark. The other two fell silent. After a while, the scholar cupped his hands and said, “I am not talented, but I have studied the classics for twenty years. Why not let me do the exchange? I can tell you both the details. Besides, I am weak and unarmed, and there’s only about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn before we leave this space. If either of you suspects me of any plot, you can subdue me at any time. Besides, you both seem wary of each other, so I think my suggestion is the best.”

Both of them looked at the scholar in surprise—even Henry Clark looked at him with new respect. For a moment, neither the burly man nor the half-elf spoke. After at least a minute, the burly man finally said, “I think this works. What about you, mage?”

The half-elf hesitated. As far as he knew, humans were part of the Light Faction, but their reputation wasn’t great—especially the nobles, who were said to be extremely cunning. Some nobles had even betrayed the faction and tried to join the Dark Faction. In truth, he didn’t trust humans, but with two votes for the scholar to do the exchange, unless he didn’t want the technique at all, he had no choice but to agree.

After thinking it through, the half-elf nodded as well. “Let’s do it, then. Sometimes you have to take a gamble to know the outcome.”

With that, all three agreed on the decision and sent their intent to the Lord God together. Within a few seconds, the scholar stood there in a daze. After a moment, he said, “Amazing… Come, I’ll tell you both.”

The scholar then drew four runes on the ground and relayed the entire content of the incomplete technique to the other two. Both of them did their best to memorize everything. With less than a minute left before departure, the half-elf said, “I’ll inscribe the runes for you two. According to the technique, the four runes are for absorbing energy, concentrating energy, controlling energy, and releasing energy. The rune for absorbing energy should be inscribed over the heart, the one for concentrating energy should be inscribed on…”

The half-elf, having magic, quickly inscribed the runes on the other two. He added, “My magic is still weak—I can only do this twice at most, and I don’t know what side effects there might be. You both need to be extremely careful. There’s not much time left, so you’d better test it in your own worlds. If this is real, we’ll need to discuss things in ten days.”

The burly man and the scholar both nodded. Suddenly, the burly man grabbed the scholar and said, “You’re Chinese, you’re Han—stop calling yourself a Jin. And if someone tries to kill you, you can kill them back. Don’t just close your eyes and wait for death. As long as you’re alive, there’s hope. If you die, there’s nothing left. Remember that, scholar—I don’t want to never see you again in ten days.”

“And, ever since the Industrial Revolution, with guns and cannons, those bandits suddenly became warm and hospitable, good at singing and dancing. I hope that in your world, all so-called ‘compatriots’ will also become warm and hospitable, good at singing and dancing.”

The scholar nodded blankly. Before he could even thank them, he suddenly felt a wave of dizziness—and found himself standing beside his wife’s remains.