Published: February 8, 2025
“I'm not feeling well today, so there will only be one update. Let's have a little burst over the weekend to make up for it.”
“A Grade 2 Magic Crystal and five Grade 1 Magic Crystals.”
An old, thin man squatted under a dilapidated building, leaning against the wall with a half-smoked, unlit cigarette in his hand.
“Are you taking advantage of my ignorance?”
Opposite him, a young man with an indifferent expression quickly closed a dirty piece of clothing that wrapped around more than ten materials, anger flashing briefly in his eyes.
The thin old man smiled, revealing yellowed teeth that had not been brushed for a long time, making one feel very uncomfortable.
“Xiao Peng, we've known each other for quite some time now. Since you became an evolver, we've traded at least eighty times. When have I ever cheated you?”
Xiao Peng, the person being addressed, still wore a blank expression, but his gaze softened a bit.
“Alas.” The old man sighed, regardless of whether Xiao Peng was willing or not, he began to take out the materials wrapped in his clothing one by one.
“Scales of a Grade 2 Black Thorn Fish, the tail of a Grade 2 Joyful Scorpion, pincers of a Grade 2 Furious Crab, oh, a blood crown from a naga? Oh, just a juvenile.”
The thin old man counted, “And add two Grade 1 Magic Crystals, no more than that.”
After finishing, he looked at Xiao Peng and said, “You know, these past two months, things have been quite chaotic in Cloud Port. Monsters from the sea keep attacking, and we've almost failed to hold our ground several times.”
“Of course, that’s the business of those big shots in the alliance, it has nothing to do with us little folks. If we can’t hold our ground, we just run. However, with more sea beasts appearing, we’ve been killing more of them, but the prices of materials from them are dropping. A few days ago, our craftsman Old Song was recruited by a certain force, and now there’s no one left to make equipment for us rogues. If it weren’t for you bringing these things, I wouldn’t even take them, because it’s useless!”
The thin old man sighed as he spoke, and Xiao Peng couldn’t tell if this cunning man was speaking the truth or not. He had indeed heard about Old Song, but this person had connections other than just Old Song, right?
“Give me one more Grade 1 Magic Crystal, and these will be yours. Otherwise, I’ll go to the old street and try my luck.”
“Really, just for a Magic Crystal, you’re bargaining with me... Fine, fine, one Grade 2, eight Grade 1s, here, take it.”
The thin old man shoved the magic crystals into Xiao Peng’s hands. The young man took a glance and then turned to leave.
As he weaved between several buildings, he decisively attacked any targets he could overcome, while avoiding small zombie hordes or mutated life forms. After half an hour, Xiao Peng arrived at the base of a tall building, cautiously surveyed his surroundings, and then lifted a manhole cover to drill inside.
After navigating through the narrow, foul-smelling passage for a while, he emerged on the first floor of the high-rise.
All other entrances to this building were blocked, including all windows and elevator shafts.
“Old Liu, you’re back!”
A young man of similar age called out, pulling his brother up and putting down the stone slab that covered the hole.
This was a modification made by their team, Team 414, connecting to the outside sewage system.
“How many did you trade?”
This young man followed Xiao Peng closely, his gaze shifting back and forth before quickly concentrating on the small bundle Xiao Peng carried.
“Let me see.”
Without waiting for Xiao Peng's consent, he reached toward the small bundle. Xiao Peng paused, as if deliberately making it easier for him, but as he watched his companion bend down, the coldness in his eyes deepened.
The bundle was opened, and the person who had been eagerly anticipating suddenly gasped, leaning backward and kicking out a glowing foot.
This was his strongest skill—Penetrating Kick!