Stepping out from behind the counter, Long Haochen and his companions all appeared calm, with no sign of whether they had gained anything. Although the demon hunters outside the counter were curious, none of them asked any questions. It was a rule not to pry into other people’s secrets. Moreover, these Marshal-level demon hunters were more curious about the age of Long Haochen and his group. They looked too young. Normally, becoming a Marshal-level demon hunter around the age of thirty was the norm, but these three didn’t look anywhere near thirty, and probably quite a bit younger.

“Boss, why did we buy those two Legendary pieces of equipment?” Lin Xin asked in a low voice near Long Haochen’s ear. The excitement on his face had disappeared, replaced by worry.

The two Legendary pieces of equipment cost 570,000 merit points, and Lin Xin’s own purchase alone cost a hefty 320,000 merit points. Long Haochen had previously said that Wang Yuanyuan and Han Yu should be prioritized.

Long Haochen said, “Haven’t you noticed? Legendary equipment isn’t that easy to come by. It’s not like we can just buy whatever we want. I’ve looked at some shops, and Legendary equipment is in high demand. It’s even possible that only the official trading center sells them. In that case, our plan needs to change. We buy what we can get first, and whoever can equip it first, equips it. Merit points are just numbers; equipment is what’s actually useful.”

Lin Xin asked doubtfully, “But what about the Ice Snow Pride? None of us can use it!”

Cai’er, who was beside them, suddenly whispered, “You’re usually quite smart, why are you so stupid now? Because no one wants to spend 10,000 gold coins on an inspection fee, these demon hunters buying things don’t know what the official Legendary equipment is. If we buy it and can’t use it ourselves, doesn’t that mean other demon hunters can? You can set up a stall to exchange it for the Legendary equipment we need, and make up the difference in merit points based on the other party’s equipment attributes. That way, at least we have a chance to acquire Legendary equipment!”

“Right!” Lin Xin suddenly realized, slapping his forehead and laughing. He turned and ran, eager to set up his stall.

Just as Long Haochen had anticipated, the others couldn’t find suitable Legendary equipment even after searching the entire third floor of the trading center. Lin Xin’s stall wasn’t going well either. He naturally wanted to exchange the Ice Snow Pride for space or light attribute Legendary equipment, but space attribute Legendary equipment was scarce, and light attribute Legendary equipment was in high demand. Many people were interested in the Ice Snow Pride, but no one was willing to trade for it.

However, overall, this could be considered a successful venture, as Lin Xin’s strength had further increased. As he possessed the Azure Flame Phoenix Spiritual Stove and the Fire Curse Spell attached to the Fire Crystal Staff, Lin Xin’s role in the team was constantly growing. His strength being enhanced by the Wings of the Fire Dragon was also a considerable boost to the entire team.

By evening, after still no other gains, the group returned to the villa. After dinner, Lin Xin and Sima Xian slipped out. Lin Xin naturally went to deliver the dragon crystal to Ye Weiyang. Sima Xian’s stated goal was to protect his safety, but his real goal was naturally… the bedroom. Cai’er and Long Haochen sat opposite each other, watching Long Haochen’s thoughtful expression. Cai’er asked, “Still worried about the equipment?”

Long Haochen’s brow relaxed slightly, and he smiled, “Yes! I didn’t expect to not be able to spend merit points even when we have them.”

Cai’er shook her head, and said, “Actually, you don’t have to be so anxious.”

“Hmm?” Long Haochen’s eyes showed a hint of inquiry.

Cai’er said, “Don’t you think you’re being a bit too eager for quick success? Since our demon hunter group was formed, although we have experienced several difficulties, the speed of our growth has been astonishing. In just one year, we have advanced from a Soldier-level demon hunter group to a Marshal-level. In fact, what we need now is not to continue to improve our strength at such a high speed. Perhaps our cultivation is still stable, but everyone’s mentality is a bit impetuous.”

After hearing her words, Long Haochen immediately showed a thoughtful expression, nodded, and said, “You’re right, go on.”

Cai’er said, “We each have at least Radiance-grade equipment now, and we still have quite a few merit points left. It’s certainly good to equip everyone with Legendary equipment. But with our current strength, powerful Legendary equipment may not be usable by everyone. Merit points should indeed be exchanged for immediate combat power, but it’s not just equipment that requires merit points. Moreover, there are many directions in which we can improve now. I think what we need most now, besides improving our strength, is a period of stability. As for changing equipment to Legendary, we can wait until our cultivation reaches the seventh rank before making a full change.”

“I asked Grandpa Ying, and in Marshal-level demon hunter groups, it’s already quite good for a team to have one piece of Legendary equipment. And what about us? Besides Lin Xin’s piece, there’s your Ballad of Light Goddess, my Sword of Samsara, and Sima’s Pill of Great Strength of Light, which is about to be forged, will also surely advance to Legendary. Once Yuanyuan’s Aegis of the Divine Giant has the Sky Silver Crystal embedded in it, advancing to Legendary is also a matter of course. That’s already five pieces of Legendary-grade or higher equipment. And we all have spiritual stoves, and six of us have synthesized spiritual stoves. I dare say that if a Marshal-level demon hunter group internal competition were held, we could even win the final championship. Today, you even defeated a seventh-rank Templar Knight by yourself! Han Yu didn’t even have to make a move throughout the entire process.”

“I’m telling you all this to let you know that our current strength is already quite strong. So, you don’t have to worry about improving everyone’s strength.”

Long Haochen silently nodded and said, “Then what do you think we should do next?”

Cai’er said, “Follow your original plan. We can continue to look for Legendary equipment, and let Lin Xin set up a stall for half an hour every day. One piece of Legendary Ice Snow Pride is enough to attract attention. As long as he goes at a fixed time every day, someone will want to exchange it sooner or later. Internally, we can start using those remaining dragon crystals to improve everyone’s overall external spiritual power. At the same time, everyone will cultivate their spiritual power. We should wait a while longer before entering the Eternal Tower. Focusing on cultivating internal spiritual power can gradually dispel the impetuosity in our hearts and gradually stabilize us. We need such a period of time to recuperate. At the same time, we can also take out some merit points for everyone to exchange for the skills they need. Now that we’ve reached the sixth rank, we always need some powerful secret techniques to enhance our strength. This is also a way to improve immediate combat power. And I think it’s better to work on skills than equipment, because once a skill is learned, it can be used forever.”

Looking at Cai’er, a smile gradually appeared on Long Haochen’s face, “You’re right, you should have told me this sooner!”

Cai’er gently shook her head and said, “Your decisions and plans are not wrong either, and besides, you are the leader of our 64th Marshal-level demon hunter group. We are just discussing it privately. Don’t tell them that I helped you with the idea. A good team is best to only have one voice, even if we…”

Speaking here, her pretty face flushed slightly red, but she didn’t continue.

Long Haochen took Cai’er’s hand and said softly, “You are really my good helpmate! Can I hug you?”

“No.” Cai’er exclaimed, floated down, and hid to the side. Since they were honest with each other at the place where spiritual stoves were synthesized in Dream Paradise, she had become much more shy than before and would not easily let Long Haochen approach her.

Long Haochen helplessly scratched his head, “Don’t run away! Would I force you?”

Cai’er chuckled, “Hate it, who is your good helpmate? You’re so bad at the age of fifteen.”

Long Haochen chuckled, “I don’t know who insisted on sleeping in the same bed with me. It seems that this person is even younger than me.”

“You…”

Morning.

Long Haochen, Cai’er, and their companions habitually sat around in the living room for breakfast.

Sima Xian held a large bowl of porridge and ate it loudly with slurping sounds.

Chen Ying’er couldn’t help but tap the table lightly and said, “Bald man, pay attention to your image, okay?”

Lin Xin chuckled aside and said, “Don’t bother with him, he’s depressed.”

Long Haochen said, “By the way, yesterday you gave the dragon crystal to Miss Ye Weiyang, what did she say? Also, what’s wrong with Sima?”

Lin Xin said, “Miss Ye didn’t want our dragon crystal. She said that you were right, divine swords should not be measured by money. Miss Ye is already very satisfied that you can make it shine again. If we are really willing to compensate, then let us do something for her when she asks for it in the future.”

Long Haochen frowned. He would rather pay the price of a dragon crystal than give the other party a promise. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Then you take another trip today and tell her that it is okay to promise her something, but it is limited to me alone and cannot involve our team.”

“Okay.” Lin Xin agreed.

Long Haochen looked at Sima Xian, who was still trying to eat, and gave Lin Xin an inquiring look.

Lin Xin chuckled and said, “He’s been hit! He saw that little white flower, but she directly told him: I don’t like bald heads, let alone bald-headed priests. Then she left without even looking at him. This isn’t turning grief into appetite.”

Chen Ying’er chuckled aside and said, “Sima, you won’t give up so easily, right? Chasing girls is not that easy in the first place! However, I don’t think you have much hope of pursuing that little white flower. Beauty and the beast, the contrast is too strong, right? hehe.”

（To be continued）