It wasn’t entirely unreasonable to understand.

When Jiang Ye sent Zhou Qiming into the Reincarnation Graveyard, his original intention wasn’t specifically to save him.

Zhou Qiming wasn’t stupid.

Even genuine life-saving favors could be met with ingratitude.

Let alone this kind of insincere “life-saving favor.”

It’s just that his method was particularly disgusting.

He had relied on Jiang Ye’s connections to get this trading opportunity with the Nomadic Merchant.

Yet the content of this trade was actually meant to harm Jiang Ye.

Wasn’t this purely intentional provocation?

Sure enough, Jiang Ye cooperatively displayed an expression of shock and anger, glaring furiously in Zhou Qiming’s direction.

However, Zhou Qiming remained unmoved, merely returning Jiang Ye’s gaze with a sidelong glance.

That disdainful look seemed to say—this is the Nomadic Merchant’s territory, what can you do to me?

Hmph.

If that’s how it is…

Jiang Ye’s practiced anger faded in an instant, replaced by a half-smile directed at Zhou Qiming.

He subtly signaled his Administrator 4444 clone, maintaining the illusion that Jiang Ye and Administrator 4444 were separate individuals.

Then, Administrator 4444 perfectly acted out receiving Jiang Ye’s signal.

Administrator 4444 then addressed the Nomadic Merchant:

“Speaking of Glyph Pattern Abilities, I just remembered—”

“I promised that crazy woman Lin Ling to notify her when trading with you…”

“Could you kindly bring Lin Ling here, Merchant Lord?”

His tone was excessively polite, even addressing him as “Merchant Lord.”

Zhou Qiming’s expression immediately changed upon hearing this!

He was about to say something to prevent the Nomadic Merchant from summoning that madwoman.

But unexpectedly, the Nomadic Merchant acted with terrifying efficiency!

With a simple raise of his right hand and a grasping motion in the air…

The dim space seemed to tear like a black curtain!

Lin Ling’s figure appeared as if grabbed by an invisible hand, forcibly pulled through the rift!

The scene resembled when Administrator 9999 had been similarly captured for Jiang Ye to kill.

Naturally, Lin Ling’s expression was extremely unpleasant upon being abruptly summoned.

She even seemed injured, with blood seeping from her lips.

From his observer’s perspective, Jiang Ye suddenly understood why the Rookie King’s “Summon Nomadic Merchant” privilege shouldn’t be used casually…

Because the summoned party was placed in an utterly passive and humiliating position…

Lin Ling’s terrible expression made that abundantly clear.

However, her grim expression immediately smoothed over when she saw the Nomadic Merchant.

Then spotting Zhou Qiming, her expression shifted to something more complex, her gaze murderous.

Zhou Qiming instinctively retreated half a step under her intimidating stare.

He’d heard descriptions of this woman’s madness from Ge Ge and Jiang Ye…

Now facing her gaze directly, the terrifying sensation of being prey was overwhelming!

Zhou Qiming paled momentarily, but forced himself to calm down, quickly warning Lin Ling:

“I advise you not to act rashly! I still have unfinished business with the Nomadic Merchant!”

Truthfully, if not for the Nomadic Merchant’s presence restraining Lin Ling…

Given her temperament, she would’ve already slapped him.

Recognizing Lin Ling’s suppressed rage, Jiang Ye stepped forward to mediate:

“Hey, Lin… Left Alliance. Zhou Yuling told you about me, right? We’re practically family now!”

He said this with a cheeky grin and enthusiastic tone.

For some reason, Lin Ling found this kid particularly punchable.

But her attitude toward Jiang Ye had indeed improved, nodding politely with an “Mm.”

Zhou Qiming witnessed this exchange with utter shock!

What??

Jiang Ye and this madwoman? Since when were they so close??

Family?? What does that mean?!

Most importantly—how does Jiang Ye keep making such connections?!

The White-Robed Woman acknowledged him and gave him missions;

Huang Bo from the Light faction and Administrator 4444 both had ties with him;

Now even this crazy Defender woman was “family”?!

This is…

While Zhou Qiming was still reeling with jealousy,

Jiang Ye seized the opportunity to probe: “Zhou Qiming just proposed transferring the Glyph Pattern Ability he obtained from the Jade Flask to me.”

“But honestly…” He looked directly at Lin Ling, “Rather than making you target me for having it, why not transfer it to you instead?”

Zhou Qiming’s expression cycled through shades of dismay.

Fortunately, Lin Ling outright refused:

“Impossible. As a Defender, I can’t possess Glyph Pattern Abilities.”

Having such an ability would turn her into a dark-type creature.

She’d develop light sensitivity and obvious weaknesses.

Moreover, when preparing to revive the Jade Flask…

If the Flask’s Glyph Pattern Ability resided within her, it might interfere with the process—like physicians struggling to heal themselves.

Yet the Jade Flask’s ability remained crucial to her plans.

After brief consideration, Lin Ling’s eyes flashed with inspiration.

Producing a glass bottle, she addressed the Nomadic Merchant:

“Then transfer it to this person instead.”

The “person” referred to Yang Wenchao, whom she’d previously captured and stored in the glass bottle.

To be precise, the dual-soul fusion of Yang-Wan-Wen-Xin-Chao…

Trapped in isolated confinement, Yang-Wan-Wen-Xin-Chao had been drowning in despair.

Suddenly released, they had no context for their surroundings.

Their first sight was a shadowy figure.

Then they spotted Jiang Ye!

Instantly, Wan Xin’s consciousness seized control, desperately pounding the glass while screaming:

“Brother Jiang! Lord Jiang! Save me!!”

To Wan Xin, Jiang Ye represented their only hope for salvation.

Yang Wenchao also secretly hoped Jiang Ye could help them.

After all, their current predicament somewhat stemmed from Jiang Ye.

Yang Wenchao had demonstrated the glitch to enter the Reincarnation Graveyard specifically for Jiang Ye.

Though their capture resulted from the dual-soul fusion…

Yang Wenchao had mentally cursed Wan Xin’s ancestors countless times.

Given the chance, he’d gladly dismember Wan Xin a thousand times!

But currently…

Being more prideful, Yang Wenchao unusually refrained from fighting for control.

Letting Wan Xin handle the undignified pleading.

Jiang Ye naturally noticed Yang Wenchao’s exaggerated gestures inside the glass bottle.

He seemed to be shouting something.

Unfortunately, the soundproof glass muffled any words.

Yet just from their expressions, Jiang Ye could tell with absolute certainty—

Wan Xin’s soul was currently in control.

The proud Yang Wenchao would never resort to such undignified begging…

Truthfully, Jiang Ye cared little for Yang Wenchao or Wan Xin’s survival.

Especially since Lin Ling clearly valued them only as experimental subjects for studying dual-soul fusion.

Their immediate safety wasn’t in question.

However, Jiang Ye actually opposed transferring the Jade Flask’s ability to Yang Wenchao.

Yang Wenchao’s innate talent included resurrection effects.

The Jade Flask’s ability provided immunity to lethal effects after death.

Combining these would create an overpowered synergy!

Admittedly, Jiang Ye coveted this Glyph Pattern Ability himself.

If Lin Ling wouldn’t target him for possessing it…

He wouldn’t mind accepting Zhou Qiming’s “generous gift.”

As these thoughts crossed his mind,

Zhou Qiming’s expression turned increasingly sour.

Just as Zhou Qiming prepared to speak, the cloaked Nomadic Merchant interjected.

Addressing Lin Ling bluntly:

“Let me clarify—my trading partner is him, not you.”

He pointed at Zhou Qiming.

Relieved by this support, Zhou Qiming prepared to leverage the Nomadic Merchant’s authority.

Then an overwhelming pressure engulfed him…

Followed by an inexplicable pulling sensation!

He distinctly felt an immense force tugging at his body.

Yet he couldn’t move—completely paralyzed!

The pull seemed to target his soul!

For a moment, he feared his spirit might be ripped from his body…

But soon his frozen form witnessed—

A palm-sized phantom of the Jade Flask being extracted from him.

In an instant, the phantom flew toward Jiang Ye and merged into his body!

The entire process lasted barely ten seconds.

The moment the phantom appeared, Lin Ling’s eyes burned crimson.

Her intense gaze remained locked on Jiang Ye who’d absorbed the phantom.

Jiang Ye himself felt little beyond momentary chest chill.

He knew the ability’s “tattoo” had marked his heart.

Jade Flask… “A heart as pure as jade in the flask”?

Checking his status panel, he indeed found a new entry under Glyph Pattern Abilities: [Scar of Defiance (Tier 1)]

As Zhou Qiming described, even at Tier 1 it granted immunity to lethal effects.

Each death would leave a “Scar of Defiance”—essentially a wound—on the Jade Flask phantom.

When the scar healed, that lethal effect became permanently nullified.

However, [Scar of Defiance] didn’t include resurrection capabilities.

It required pairing with resurrection effects to maximize potential.

Advancing this ability also proved challenging.

Requiring nine scars to reach Tier 2.

At Tier 2, scar healing would accelerate with a 1% chance to replicate the lethal effect.

Reaching Tier 3 demanded ninety-nine scars.

Meaning dying ninety-nine times to nullify that many lethal effects…

Without reliable resurrection methods, advancing this ability would prove difficult.

Moreover, higher tiers would grow exponentially harder!

After nullifying hundreds of lethal effects…

Death itself might become unattainable.

Then the challenge becomes discovering novel ways to perish…

Regardless, this ability was undeniably powerful.

Beyond just nullification.

At Tier 2 it could replicate lethal effects…

Higher tiers might allow post-death replication!

Wait—

Jiang Ye noticed a paradox—

Suppose he collected 999 scars to reach Tier 4.

By then, those 999 lethal effects couldn’t kill him—how would he replicate more?

Higher tiers would make dying progressively harder, limiting replication opportunities…

Perhaps higher tiers introduced new mechanics?

Regardless, Jiang Ye was pleased with this free acquisition.

As for necessary resurrection abilities…

Did [Clone Sacrifice] count as resurrection?

Probably not.

[Clone Sacrifice] transferred lethal effects to a clone sacrifice.

Meaning the clone bore the lethal effect.

No matter—his Administrator 4444 clone controlled the Reincarnation Graveyard’s abundant revival stones.

After completing this trade, he’d research binding those stones.

Jiang Ye felt thoroughly satisfied.

Zhou Qiming, however, was dumbfounded!

What?!

This?? How??

Just like that, [Scar of Defiance] went to Jiang Ye?!

Wait! He’d been about to change the trade terms!

This damn Nomadic Merchant worked too efficiently!

Normally, trades followed the “payment upon delivery” principle.

Why did this merchant disregard convention and deliver immediately?!

Zhou Qiming’s mind screamed: This isn’t right! I want a refund!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep