Jiang Shaoliu was in deep thought.
The video showed the Taoist open the pores on the surface of the Lung Channel and release true qi through the arms, and this affected not only his fists but his duster as well.
Even more powerful were the corresponding pores of the Spleen Channel, which exuded true qi in the form of a strong shield.
"The Taoist has two more life rings than the Monkey King and he just defeated a spider with four life rings…" Jiang Shaoliu pondered.
The four-ringed spider had twelve golden limbs covered by golden true qi and could easily shatter the earth beneath it, but this was still nothing compared to the Monkey King. The Monkey King was superior in both speed and power.
Even with the young Taoist five golden life rings, his true qi shield might still not be able to overcome the Monkey King's fist.
Though the Taoist didn't exert himself to his limits in the video, he still seemed inferior to the Monkey King in speed and strength.
The Monkey King has only three rings while the Taoist has five, but the Monkey King was still stronger.
It was a question of quality versus quantity.
It was just like the battle between the golden tiger and the Monkey King in the unknown gorge, where the golden tiger was defeated thoroughly even though they had the same three golden life rings.
The spider with four golden life rings - it could be defeated even by that golden tiger, not to mention the Monkey King.
"There are weaker and stronger life rings, since there are different breathing techniques." Jiang Shaoliu was now quite sure: "The Monkey King is just like me, as we've practiced the Great Sage's Formula inherited from the ape ancestors. I could also have defeated the golden tiger if I had the same number of life rings."
The breathing technique was only one part of the martial art. Its corresponding combat techniques would be better or worse depending on the quality of the breathing technique.
Just like the Ape which was superior to the golden tiger's bites and tail-whips, it was also superior to the Taoist's golden duster.
"The Taoist wouldn't stand a chance against the Monkey King," Jiang Shaoliu concluded. "That said, there're no human masters who are stronger than him, so it's a little hard to compare."
Take Chi Xiao's brother for example. His power had to be terrific since he had helped Chi Xiao and Gui Gui with a silver heavenly weapon during the Great Changes.
"I shouldn't relax yet; I need to practice more to become stronger." Jiang Shaoliu made up his mind. "I also need to develop the Yungang League, so that we'll both be strong in this world."
He looked at his contribution points account on his smart watch - it was almost 100 million.
He had spent almost all his money in order to develop the Yungang League, but he had never used those contribution points. But there were things which could only be bought with contribution points, and now was the time to use them.
"I'll equip the special troops first, and maybe we can buy some heavy equipment like tanks if the funds suffice."
Compared to Bai Long's elite unit, the special service teams of the Gangxing Group and the military's Special Forces, the Yungang League's elite troops lacked some of the high-end equipment.
Jiang Shaoliu opened the Gangxing Group's online marketplace and began shopping for equipment. 422 sets of the most expensive combat suits, super alloy weapons, fast-acting therapeutic capsules… Jiang Shaoliu considered it for a while and purchased one stimulant capsule for each man.
The stimulant was rather expensive and had some negative side effects, but sometimes it was more effective than a therapeutic capsule and could save a trooper's life when used as a last resort.
With a 20% discount, he had spent more than 60 million contribution points.
Gritting his teeth as he watched what was left of his funds, he switched to the heavy equipment marketplace.
He was surprised to see the price tags on the tanks.
10 million each, without any discounts.
This really annoyed Jiang Shaoliu.
Ordinary masters could never afford to buy such expensive war resources, so the exchange only displayed some old and obsolete models.
The other three factions were using the most expensive and newest models, but Chi Xiao could not afford them, and buying the cheap stuff would be pointless anyway. Those tanks that were available were very old, and no one from the League could drive them, so Jiang Shaoliu turned to the armored car section.
Armored cars were a better deal; they were equipped with heavy machine guns with 10,000 complementary rounds of ammunition, and the price was reasonable - 5 million per unit.
With only 40 million contribution points left, he could only buy 8 armored cars, but it would be pointless to do so as well.
Jiang Shaoliu closed the exchange site and thought out loud, "I should consult Lin Yuetao before I decide whether to buy any or not, and have him help design some more defenses to protect the main entrance to the shelter."
Such things were better left to a professional soldier like Lin Yuetao. Jiang Shaoliu would only end up wasting money.
At that point, the door opened and in came Ruo Feng, who showed Jiang Shaoliu his smart watch and said: "Do you know this person? He's sent me a private chat request, saying that he's your friend. He's also sent a message to you but you didn't reply. He wants to join us and asks if you agree."
The name on the screen was Zhao Yang. He must have gotten the contact information from the web. Since his previous telephone number was no longer in service and Jiang Shaoliu never appeared in the livestreams, he ended up contacteding Ruo Feng.
"Of course! He's a smart guy, he'll be very helpful to us," Jiang Shaoliu nodded. "Where is he now? I'll go pick him up."
Ruo Feng gave him a queer look: "You don't need to do that yourself. You are now the leader of the Yungang League, so act like it."
"There's no need for that, he's an old friend." Jiang Shaoliu smiled and said: "Anyway, I have something more important to deal with, you see."
Then he showed the shopping list to Ruo Feng: "I've purchased new equipment for our special operations teams. They'll need training when it arrives."
Ruo Feng grimaced. "If you already had that much, why did you borrow from me? I want my money back!"
Jiang Shaoliu laughed and refused him.
Then, Ruo Feng said: "Besides Zhao Yang, there are several other people claiming to be old co-workers and acquaintances of yours. Have a look and I can pick them up if you want to let them join. Then we might as well call ourselves the Veterinary League..."
After a brief glance-over, Jiang Shaoliu exclaimed, "I want them all!"
They were Doctor Wang and Doctor Liu, and the beauty worker Wang Xiaoqian. He never knew they had all survived the Cataclysm.
"The vets are in the Hongfa Group now and Zhao Yang is in the Gangxin Group's district," Ruo Feng said. "I'll go pick them up for you so you can have your little reunion."
"You're really a good man, Ruo Feng."
"Really?" he smiled coldly: "I want my money back now."
Beep beep beep…
Jiang Shaoliu's smartwatch rang.
"Xiaoyun?" he said, "I've got good news! We're reopening the Wan Yao Restaurant soon, and we'll both be rich! From now on you can eat the fanciest food you could ever want. I'll make sure all the staff know you can always have whatever you want for free."
Jiang Xiaoyun replied, "That's cool. Let me tell you something else - Li Qianqian is here. She hasn't been doing so good, so I want her to stay with me for now, but Lin Yuetao won't allow it for 'safety reasons'. Can we move to the Yungang League with you?"
Jiang Shaoliu mulled it over for a moment. "I will bring you and our parents up here when everything is stable and in order, but not now. It's much safer for you in the city center."
"But…"
"Listen to me, Xiaoyun," Jiang Shaoliu interrupted her, "You can send Li Qianqian here and I can arrange for her to be taken care of, but you should stay in the villa. Just play games or something if you're bored, and don't contact other people in the future."
"Fine..." Jiang Xiaoyun acquiesced reluctantly.
Ruo Feng humphed, "Am I supposed to pay a visit to all three other major factions now to pick all those people up…?"
Jiang Shaoliu scratched his head sheepishly. "Li Qianqian is Xiaoyun's good friend, I've met her before. Come on, we have to take care of her. Take a van and bring them all in together."
A little reluctant, Ruo Feng started from the Yungang League.