Chapter 276: Shall We Be Friends?

This monster merchant really does give the information the player needs most!

Whenever the upgrade of the Abyssal Ring is mentioned, Cheng Shuili feels an urgent longing.

Now, that feeling finally has a place to be realized.

Her gaze fixes on the monster merchant's exposed teeth, waiting to see what will come out of that mouth.

"Shadow Essence comes from Abyssal Stone."

He said those brief eleven characters, seven of which were nouns for items.

Cheng Shuili waited patiently a while, realized the guy really had no intention to continue, and finally couldn't help asking, "That's it?"

The monster merchant grinned, "That's it."

It's a perfectly normal expression, but on this guy's face, Cheng Shuili couldn't help feeling he deserved a beating.

As if provoked.

She fell silent for a moment, carefully savoring the meaning of those words.

The description of Abyssal Stone is very clear: after breaking it open, one can obtain a seed.

If the Shadow Essence is said to come from Abyssal Stone... the Shadow Essence wouldn't just be that seed, would it? Or perhaps it needs to be cultivated, a product of the seed?

In that case, the source of Shadow Essence becomes clear.

Only that Abyssal Stone was originally missing two, and now it's missing three.

She couldn't help asking again, "Then how do you obtain Abyssal Stone?"

The monster merchant smiled even brighter, "One question costs 100,000 Game Coin~ pay first, then ask."

100,000 Game Coin?! I'd just go snatch it!

Cheng Shuili stood up to leave, thought for a moment and asked, "If I know how to get it, does that guarantee I can get it?"

The monster merchant smiled without replying, clearly unwilling to waste any extra words.

Cheng Shuili was speechless; she could never possibly spend those 100,000 Game Coins!

The Creative Heart for workstation evolution costs only 70,000 Game Coins! This guy, in the time it takes a few sentences—or even a single sentence—dares to demand 100,000 Game Coins!

He makes money a bit too easily, doesn't he...

Cheng Shuili would never admit she's a little jealous.

Besides, doesn't this guy give a free sample once?

Next time at Jia You Zhan she'll find out.

No rush...

Cheng Shuili whispered it three times before finally suppressing the urgency in her heart.

Her choice isn't solely because she can't part with Game Coins; another reason is that the last Abyssal Stone came from a Golden Treasure Chest.

If she spends 100,000 Game Coins and the answer is that it can only be obtained from a Golden Treasure Chest...

Cheng Shuili instantly knows how furious she'll become.

She now has money, but even with money she can't spend it like that!

The two locked eyes, and Su Rui could tell from Cheng Shuili's look that the deal had fallen through.

She also didn't want the monster merchant to earn more Game Coins, so while Cheng Shuili was talking to him, Su Rui's gaze was scanning the Jia You Zhan.

Just as when Cheng Shuili came earlier, three treasure chests were neatly arranged here.

But unlike before, these three chests are now Silver Treasure Chests, all of higher quality.

Cheng Shuili finally gave the monster hunter a glance; if he could guarantee the information and a way to obtain it, she would be very willing to trade.

Unfortunately...

She sighed, walked to the three Silver Treasure Chests, raised her hand and opened one.

【Obtained: Eight Treasure Porridge x6, Big Pack x2, Iced Red Tea 500ml x3!】

This...

A snack gift pack?

Cheng Shuili isn't really into these, and Su Rui, lacking taste, is even less interested.

Cheng Shuili promptly handed the items to Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai.

He was driving when several snacks suddenly appeared before his eyes; before his brain could process what happened, his mouth was already smiling.

Seeing the log that Lao Da had sent it, she immediately opened a private chat with Cheng Shuili.

【Liang Shan Bo Yu Zhu Ying Lai】: Thanks Lao Da, really like it!

As long as you like it.

Here, Cheng Shuili directly reached for the second chest.

As soon as her hand lifted the chest lid, a black silhouette shot out from the box!

Su Rui reacted instantly, grabbing Cheng Shuili's collar and pulling her back.

A wholly black, leopard‑like monster leapt out of the chest; its body was formed of flowing shadows, and its crimson eyes stood out sharply in the darkness.

The monster let out a low, guttural roar, its sharp claws carving deep marks into the ground. Cheng Shuili staggered a few steps to steady herself, quickly drew Night Hunt from the Abyssal Ring, her gaze locked on the enemy before her.

She was about to use Insight when the monster merchant beside her suddenly spoke.

"Crimson Shadow Beast~" the monster merchant leaned against the counter, leisurely adding, "A very ferocious monster; I offer monster‑hunting service here, a bit cheaper than buying information, just Game Coins!"

It really was a bit cheaper, and seeing his eager‑for‑trouble expression, Cheng Shuili couldn't help muttering a low‑key insult: "crooked merchant."

But she would never use that service.

Cheng Shuili's palm lightly brushed the blade; since purchasing Night Hunt, it seemed to have grown a slight recognition of Cheng Shuili.

Now the added attribute points are 5!

All three attributes increased by 5.

It's already much better than that previous longsword.

Now... let's try this new weapon.

The shadow beast lunged forward, its speed so great it almost left an afterimage.

Cheng Shuili's eyes narrowed; she sidestepped as the shadow beast lunged, and the night hunting knife's blade traced a chilling arc.

The blade precisely cut into the monster's throat; its shadow-formed body dissipated like smoke, and its scarlet eyes blinked out before they could even flicker.

Dead?

Cheng Shuili didn't expect this monster to be so weak.

She didn't even use her Insight.

The monster merchant's grin, which had stretched up to his ears, suddenly froze; his fang-filled mouth even opened a little wider.

The figure behind the counter unconsciously leaned forward, his white-boned fingers clicked into the wooden counter.

"Oh?" His voice rarely hiccuped, the tail end rising strangely, "One strike?"

Cheng Shuili shook off the nonexistent blood on her night hunting knife, turned to look at him, and deliberately raised an eyebrow: "How so?"

The monster merchant's head slowly turned, his gaze drifting from the dissipating shadow beast carcass on the ground to the knife in Cheng Shuili's hand, then to her half-smiling face.

He suddenly let out a "hee-hee" laugh, the sound seeming to be squeezed out of his leaky chest cavity.

"You're quite strong, human." He tilted his head, his neck emitting a crisp "click," "Looks like I won't be earning any Game Coins from you this time."

He slowly retreated into the shadows behind the counter, but his hollow eyes remained fixed on Cheng Shuili, as if seeing her truly for the first time.

The monster left nothing behind, and Cheng Shuili was somewhat speechless; as she placed her hand on the third treasure chest, she suddenly heard the monster merchant say, "I've always liked strong friends—will you become my friend?"