Chapter 396: Taxing Exchanges
Upon arriving above the Crimson Scale Garrison Post, the logistics personnel below raised red and yellow flags to signal instructions to the airborne wyvern.
Mantou instantly read the signal and patted Noodle's side neck, speaking softly:
"Landing spot thirteen."
"Rawr~"
Noodle let out a low roar, circled above the garrison post a few times, and landed precisely within the yellow-marked frame on the platform.
The surrounding logistics personnel immediately approached, wiping the wyvern's scales, fastening chains, and filling the feeding trough with its favorite blood-meat paste.
The wyvern didn't resist at all, stretching its body and enjoying the service.
With the Empire's growth and increased funding, the Crimson Scale Garrison Post had developed a comprehensive logistics system to ensure the wyverns always remained in peak condition.
"Thank you, everyone."
Mantou greeted them and dismounted eagerly, heading down the stairs.
As he walked, he accidentally bumped into another player—none other than Singo, dressed in a viscount's attire.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
Eyeing Singo's luxurious viscount-exclusive robe, Mantou answered enviously, "To exchange abilities, of course."
"I just read your guide. Didn't you say professional players should spend their experience points early to improve their abilities?"
Singo glanced at him and replied nonchalantly, "That guide is for top-tier professional players. Are you one?"
Mantou gritted his teeth. "I think I am."
Browsing Mantou's stats, Singo coolly mocked, "No way. Don't tell me someone hasn't hit the level cap yet and is still stuck at Level 7?"
"If you haven't even reached the cap, where's the surplus experience coming from?"
Mantou stubbornly retorted, "Ever heard of planning ahead?"
"Forget it. Just tell me—where's the Garrison Post's Experience Shop?"
"It's with Marquis Alger. You'll need to go to his office, but there's already a line of dozens."
"Damn."
Mantou continued down the stairs and soon arrived at the door to the commander's office on the third floor of the garrison post.
Sure enough, a long queue had formed, and nearly all the Crimson Scaled Conqueror players he recognized were here.
With no choice, Mantou obediently joined the line.
Fortunately, the time required to exchange abilities wasn't long. After about half an hour, Mantou found himself at the office door.
He carefully pushed it open and entered the spacious, luxurious office.
The Crimson Scaled Conquerors' Supreme Commander—Alger—stood not far away, still in his half-dragon, half-human form. His horns had grown longer, and his scales had become denser.
His ornate robe and the dragon-head medal on his chest made Mantou green with envy—they were symbols of an Imperial Marquis's esteemed status.
Beside Alger lay a dragon-blooded giant eagle, unchained, chewing on precious magical ores while curiously tilting its head at the entering player.
Mantou glanced at the title above Alger's head.
[Crimson Scaled Conqueror Leader - Alger]
Faction: Ember Empire
Challenge Level: ???
Mantou sighed inwardly. Despite reaching Level 7, he still couldn't see the challenge level of this "original Crimson Scaled Conqueror."
Thinking this, he spoke ingratiatingly, "Boss Alger, I'm here to exchange abilities too."
He hesitated briefly before adding:
"Uh, Boss Alger, considering I'm one of your first two students, can't you give me a small discount?"
"No."
Alger replied coldly.
As a genuine NPC, Alger couldn't see the panel and merely followed orders to oversee the "ability exchange" for players.
After each exchange, Alger felt a strange energy surge through him, enhancing his body. However, he couldn't control it and could only passively accept it.
Therefore, discounts were out of the question.
"Alright."
Mantou scratched his head awkwardly and opened the [Experience Shop] interface.
[Alger Yeoman's Experience Shop]
Proficiencies: Riding +18, Military +14, Reconnaissance +12, Hunting +11, Athletics +10, Survival +10
Special Abilities: Commander's Raid, Dive Attack, Aerial Brake, Rapid Turn, Flowing Motion, Recovery
"Wow, so many options?"
Mantou couldn't help but feel delighted.
But his excitement waned upon seeing the experience costs for these abilities.
Upgrading [Riding] proficiency to Level 18 required a whopping 9,000 XP—nearly a third of all the experience he'd ever earned.
And acquiring a useful ability like [Commander's Raid] would cost over 10,000 XP.
"Can't afford it. Totally can't afford it."
In the end, Mantou spent 3,000 XP to raise his [Riding] proficiency to Level 14.
After pressing the [Confirm Exchange] button—
Mantou's experience bar dropped sharply.
At the same time, a resonance formed between him and Alger through the shared bloodline of the red dragon, creating a unique bond.
Alger's memories and techniques related to riding flowed into Mantou's body.
His proficiency surged rapidly.
At that moment, Mantou felt as though he'd been training in riding since childhood, spending decades with his mount and mastering the art on an eagle's back.
Even his muscles seemed to gain some form of memory.
When Mantou came back to his senses, his stats panel had transformed.
[Riding +14]
"Amazing."
Mantou marveled at the experience, finding it utterly fascinating.
Alger, too, closed his eyes briefly, sensing the strange energy flowing into his body, making him stronger.
"Starfallers."
"What peculiar beings."
Even though he was used to the odd behavior of Starfallers, Alger was still amazed by this unique power transfer.
What they didn't know was that half of the experience Mantou had spent was "taxed" and sent to the faction leader—the Ember Empire's Emperor, the red dragon Cassius.
[You gained 150 XP.]
[You gained 300 XP.]
[You gained 200 XP.]
[You gained 400 XP.]
[You gained 1,900 XP.]
Cassius reviewed the continuous stream of updates on his panel, observing the flood of experience data. He found this "harvest" system deeply satisfying.
"So, experience transfers through the [Imperial Grace] link."
"As expected of the players."
"In such a short time, they've contributed tens of thousands of XP. At this rate, I'll soon break through to Level 18."
"Leveling up passively like this is far more enjoyable than grinding through enemies."
The red dragon grinned, baring a menacing smile—an expression filled with the joy of harvest.
From this moment onward, these players would become the fuel for his power growth.
Cassius lightly flapped his wings, circling above Antonio City.
"Long live the Empire!"
"Long live Emperor Cassius!"
The people in the city erupted into cheers, celebrating the Emperor's presence and dreaming of a brighter future.