Chapter 118: Xi Yan’s Bold Demand

Yet Xi Yan responded with an awkward smile, “Even if I use the core crystals, it doesn’t necessarily mean my level will increase; it might even drop…”

After uttering those words, Xi Yan felt as if the very air around him had frozen.

Kra blinked, wondering if he had misheard something. Tentatively, he asked again, “You mean that after using the core crystals, there’s a chance your level could actually decrease?”

Xi Yan gave a bitter smile and nodded.

But he had no intention of explaining why. This was his ability, a secret he would never reveal to Kra—just as no one willingly shares their weaknesses.

“How is that possible?” Kra was genuinely puzzled; he had never encountered such a thing.

Xi Yan had surprised him too many times already. At this moment, Kra’s gaze upon Xi Yan carried a hint of madness.

Feeling like prey under Kra’s stare made Xi Yan distinctly uncomfortable.

“Mr. Kra… ahem…” Xi Yan cleared his throat awkwardly.

This made Kra realize his gaze might have been excessive, so he smiled sheepishly and changed the subject. “Let’s not dwell on that. Xi Yan, what do you think of the Eighth Survival Zone?”

If he hadn’t brought it up, Xi Yan might have been spared the irritation. But now, the mere mention of it made his liver ache with anger.

Since arriving at the Eighth Survival Zone, Xi Yan had consistently lost teammates and narrowly escaped death multiple times. And now Kra was asking for his opinion of the place?

Well… it was just wonderful!

“Um… it’s… quite alright,” Xi Yan said, forcing down his fury. Yet he knew better than to blame Kra. After all, as one of the Nine Survival Zones, danger was inherent.

If anyone was to blame, it was his own weak abilities.

“As long as you like it. Honestly, at first, I thought you wouldn’t even survive coming here,” Kra said matter-of-factly.

Hearing that, Xi Yan frowned in confusion. Kra’s mockery was blatant and unrestrained.

They were supposed to be partners, yet Kra openly looked down on him.

But Xi Yan was not one to be bullied. Lowering his head, he smiled faintly, sipped his tea, and then looked up at Kra, saying, “I don’t think we can blame you either, Mr. Kra. After all, your vision is just as shortsighted as this.”

Kra burst into laughter. “Ha ha ha, well said. No wonder you’re the partner I chose.”

Though Xi Yan smiled, inside he was retorting: Do you really think your judgment is so great? If I had the ability, I wouldn’t be partnering with you.

“By the way, sir, I want to ask you about someone,” Xi Yan said, cutting straight to the point.

“Go ahead.”

“This person’s ID on the ‘Notice Board’ is ‘Hatless Man.’ Do you know who he is?”

Kra’s expression suddenly stiffened. He looked up at Xi Yan. “Why are you asking about him? And how do you even know he’s connected to me?”

“I suppose everyone has some friends, right? And though my abilities are weak, I’m not without means,” Xi Yan replied.

Nearby, Lin Shuang listened silently, not daring to move. She could only quietly sip her tea.

Kra was not to be trifled with. If he discovered that Lin Shuang had sent that message to Xi Yan, who knew what consequences might unfold.

Kra smiled and, after a pause, said, “Sorry, Xi Yan, I really don’t know this person.”

Kra’s answer left Xi Yan dissatisfied, but he knew there was no way to press further if Kra refused to say more.

So this matter would have to be investigated covertly by himself.

Since that couldn’t be resolved, Xi Yan shifted the conversation. Kra had just mentioned he would provide core crystals for Xi Yan’s upgrade.

Xi Yan tapped a finger rhythmically on the table, collected his thoughts, and said, “You just said you could provide core crystals for me to upgrade. That’s not a joke, right?”

“Of course not. We’re partners now. Whatever you want, I’ll provide if I can,” Kra said earnestly, though his sincerity made Xi Yan suspicious.

“Three hundred purple core crystals.”

“…”

“…”

There was a moment of silence. Lin Shuang twitched the corner of her mouth, staring at Xi Yan in disbelief. She never expected him to be so bold as to ask for such a huge amount!

Three hundred purple core crystals—that’s 1,800,000 points! Did Xi Yan just casually say that?

Kra was also taken aback. He hadn’t expected Xi Yan to be so direct. Yet these crystals were nothing to him, so if Xi Yan asked, he would honor the promise.

“Alright, three hundred purple core crystals. Anything else?” Kra pressed.

Kra’s follow-up question stunned Xi Yan. He had said 300 purple crystals hoping to deter Kra, thinking he wouldn’t provide such a large quantity. But now Kra was asking if he needed more.

Well, free is free. Besides, their cooperation indeed required boosting Xi Yan’s level and abilities. Since Kra was willing to pay, Xi Yan was happy to accept.

After careful thought, Xi Yan said, “How about thirty thousand red core crystals and green core crystals?”

This time Kra couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his mouth. Xi Yan really was pushing his luck. He was merely being polite, yet Xi Yan pressed on, demanding so many.

Though red core crystals weren’t particularly rare, the quantity was staggering.

“Thirty thousand…” Kra hesitated.

Seeing Kra’s reaction, Xi Yan ‘considerately’ amended his request, “If that’s too much, then how about twenty-five thousand of each? As the master of the Eighth Survival Zone, I imagine you can at least manage that much core crystal.”

Kra smiled but cursed Xi Yan inwardly. “I can, of course I can. Even if I can’t, I’ll find a way to gather it for the Nine Masters.”

Xi Yan nodded, beaming broadly.

Lin Shuang looked at Xi Yan now and thought he seemed rather shameless.

Before coming here, he had been calm, composed, and steady. But around Kra, he turned into some sort of rogue.

Lin Shuang recalled everything that had happened and realized Xi Yan only behaved this way in Kra’s presence.