"How much for this?"
"What? Six level six demon crystal? Are you insane?"
"Fine, I'll take it. Here's your money. You're all a bunch of bloodsuckers."
"Hey, beautiful, how much for this one?"
"One level eight demon crystal?! Is this your overnight fee? Why so expensive?"
"Alright, alright, stop yelling. Here you go. Got a gift box?"
"This oneâs nice. How about a six-star evolution potion for it?"
"Deal!"
On an ordinary morning, Puxing Town welcomed a peculiar visitor. Curious about everything, he wore an exaggerated expression of shock at prices, yet never actually haggled. In just two hours, heâd already been swindled out of hundreds of level six demon crystals worth of goods by the townâs "ruthless" shops.
But he seemed filthy rich, utterly unbothered, strolling around asking about anything that caught his eye and buying on impulse.
This behavior was rare in Puxing Town.
In the apocalypse, every demon crystal an evolved earned was soaked in blood, hard-won through life-or-death struggles. Spending them frivolously was unthinkable.
Puxing Town was already one of the fairest markets, with relatively honest pricingâyet a sucker like this was unheard of. Soon, the guards took notice.
People like him werenât impossible, just vanishingly rare. Almost no one in the apocalypse had demon crystal to burnâexcept maybe second-generation rich kids like Adam, certainly not this middle-aged man.
As the man shopped, the news spread rapidly up the chain of command.
"Boss Ye himself personally crafted this battle statue! Thatâs why Iâm selling it for just two level eight demon crystalsâa steal!" The shopkeeperâs eyes gleamed like theyâd unlocked a skill. The manâs reputation had spread fast.
"Look, this statue has three abilities: Thousand Strands Blade at the head, Guardian Light at the waist, and Cage-Piercing Spear in the hands. The first fires razor-sharp hair strands over two meters longâshreds anything below green-grade gear..."
The shopkeeperâs pitch was dazzling, but the statue was just a discarded green-grade relic from Cloud Peak, cracked and nearing the end of its durability.
It had entered the market during Cloud Peakâs equipment surplus era. Now, after their "rectification," such leaks were impossible, making these leftovers coveted treasures in Puxing Town.
The man examined it, his face cycling through exaggerated expressions. The shopkeeper relaxedâthis was his tell for starting negotiations. A little acting poor or stern, and the man would cave, dutifully handing over two level eight demon crystals for an item worth one at most.
But the expression vanished as quickly as it appeared. The man looked toward the street corner and smiled oddly.
Then, he was gone.
The shopkeeper nearly collapsed.
Based on his limited combat experience, sudden disappearance meant either teleportation gear/skills⊠or being a nine-star evolved.
At the street corner, Xia Lei watched calmly as the man materialized before her, studying him with mild interest.
"The Blackhearted Queen of Cloud Peak. Not bad." The man crossed his arms, towering over her. His gaze held ferocity, mockery, scorn, surprise⊠and a hint of wariness.
"Should I scream, âIâm so scared of you, nine-star evolved!â or say, âHad I known Mu Hanyi, leader of Glory Army, was visiting, Iâd have rolled out the red carpetâ?"
Xia Leiâs appearance had already drawn attention. While celebrity culture was dead in the apocalypse, she was Cloud Peakâs de facto rulerâbefriending her often mattered more than currying favor with Ye Zhongming himself.
Those who deemed themselves worthy edged closer, eager for even a glance of recognition.
Until they heard "Mu Hanyi." Then they bolted.
Mu Hanyi? Leader of the Glory Army! A mythic powerhouse whose numbered war divisionsâ full extent remained unknown!
His relationship with Cloud Peak? Bitter enemies! Cloud Peak had annihilated several of his divisions and allegedly killed one of Gloryâs founders!
And now, Mu Hanyi was also a nine-star!
This was vengeance in the flesh!
Staying meant risking annihilation with the town.
Word spread like a virus. Within minutes, thanks to evolved reflexes, the bustling streets emptied. Only the two figures remained facing off on the main road.
"Arenât you afraid Iâll snap your neck right now?"
Mu Hanyiâs gaze lingered on Xia Leiâs throat. At full nine-star pressure, she shouldâve been gasping.
Yet she stood unfazed, meeting his eyes without flinching.
"I am. But you wouldnât dare."
He scoffedâthen froze.
She was right. Why hadnât he crushed her windpipe already? Was he⊠afraid? Him, a nine-star evolved? Since when did he hesitate to kill?
The realization humiliated him. He shut his eyes, then snapped them open.
Heâd come today to settle scores with Cloud Peak and Ye Zhongming. Fear had no place here!
Mu Hanyi decided to act. This woman would be his opening moveâa perfect bargaining chip.
But before he could strike, her words stopped him cold.
"Know why weâre talking peacefully, Mu Hanyi? Because youâve behaved⊠so far."
The Glory Army leader laughed incredulously. "Or what?"
Xia Lei smirked. "Think becoming nine-star makes you invincible? News flashâyouâre not. Had you made one wrong move today, youâd already be a corpse."
"Donât overestimate how hard it is to kill a nine-star evolved."