Chapter Twenty: Please Do Not Question My Professionalism

A teacher who was a perfect excuse dropped from the sky, and Xuan Xuan, in high spirits, went straight into the StarNet. Eight hours should have passed by now—she wondered if her item had been sold.

“Kitty, check for me—has it been auctioned off?” Xuan Xuan called out.

“It has been successfully auctioned. The final price was six million starcoins. After a three hundred thousand starcoin fee, you have five million seven hundred thousand starcoins remaining.”

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Are they treating money like it’s nothing? Or did a few fools bid each other up to such a high price?”

Of course, one of those “fools” was her own grandfather, currently busy preparing to move people into the Black Zone, while the other two were staring at each other in disbelief.

Kuang Shao truly felt he’d been swindled. Such an uncertain item—who knew if it was genuine?—yet someone had pushed the price so high. Still, as long as he’d bought it, what did it matter? Money was no object to him. But worse, someone else had actually outbid him, making him look inferior in front of Zhan Yu. Agitated, he scratched his head. “It’s not like I wanted anyone else to buy it! Come on, can you stop cooling the air around me?”

Zhan Yu shot him a glance but said nothing. Last night, he’d been tied up and couldn’t be present at the eight-hour mark. Worried he’d miss the auction, he’d asked Kuang Shao for help. And now this—counting on him to reveal the method for lifting the freeze effect? That was wishful thinking.

“I’ve already got someone checking who won the bid. Once I know, I’ll buy it back for you—double, no, ten times the price if needed!” Kuang Shao was desperate; he’d pay tens of millions for that method.

If someone wanted money, why would they sell for six million? Zhan Yu couldn’t be bothered to look at him.

“What exactly do you want?” Kuang Shao pressed.

“Send me a few pots of Fire Dragon Flower to the Imperial Capital,” Zhan Yu replied, recalling those blue eyes—she seemed to need them.

“You used Fire Dragon Flower to break the freeze? Impossible! How did you deal with the heat?” Kuang Shao’s eyes lit up. “Wait, you’re going back?”

“No, I didn’t use that. I just need it.” Zhan Yu had been in the chaotic Black Zone for three years now. After graduation, he’d followed his family’s wishes—and his own interests—joined the military, and become a federal soldier. No one expected he’d go to the dark, lawless Black Zone, let alone establish himself there, unshakable. But lately, the waters in the Imperial Capital were growing muddier. “Within a month.”

“So soon?” Kuang Shao raised his eyebrows in surprise. He knew the capital was in turmoil and had been planning to leave to avoid trouble. The waters there ran deep; he didn’t want to get dragged down. “I was just thinking of staying in the Black Zone for a while. The Manqi family is about to stir things up in the capital.”

“Really?” It was serious if even Kuang Shao was planning to leave.

“Hmph. The Emperor of the Night, your old comrade, is back.” Kuang Shao snorted. “They’re pushing too hard. The man’s been in hiding for six years, and now this. And on top of that, something’s happened on his end—both the eldest and second son of the Manqi family have gone to meet him. They’ll be back in less than ten days. My family doesn’t have as good a relationship with the Manqis as yours does. If I stay in the capital, I’ll end up taking the blame, or worse, get caught in the crossfire.”

Was it really that serious? Zhan Yu wondered if they were truly being pushed to the brink. “Comrade” was a stretch—the man was more than ten years his senior; six years ago, he hadn’t the qualifications to stand at his side. He wondered what he was like now, after six years.

Kuang Shao secretly disdained those who fought for what wasn’t theirs. If it’s yours, it’s yours; if not, why fight for it? “If you’re back in the capital within a month, I won’t bother with that wretched Black Zone.”

Zhan Yu nodded slightly. He wasn’t sure if he’d need Kuang Shao’s help. His family and the Manqis had always been allied. If they were in a hurry, they’d take the route closest to the Black Zone. They were probably less than two days away now. “If I hurry, I’ll be back in half a month.”

Kuang Shao nodded. “Good. I’ll throw you a welcome party, then. Hey, what are you looking at?”

That white figure—he was sure it was her. Zhan Yu left Kuang Shao behind and walked forward. “I haven’t thanked you yet.”

“Huh?” Xuan Xuan had just been thinking about what to buy with her newfound wealth in the Green World, when she ran into him again. She hugged her recent purchases closer, thought about it, put them away in her pouch, and finally looked up at him. It seemed he believed her and had bought the herb. She waved her hand. “It was nothing.”

Zhan Yu’s lips twitched. Did he really look like he was going to snatch her things? But he spoke earnestly, “Zhan Yu. That’s my name. You’ve been a great help to me. I won’t share that method with anyone.”

“Oh?” Xuan Xuan raised her eyebrows. It was just a method to relieve mild freezing—nothing major. “That’s fine.”

“If you ever need anything from me, just ask.” Zhan Yu saw it as precious; Kuang Shao was desperate for that method, so it couldn’t be trivial.

Xuan Xuan waved him off, not needing anything, and lowered her head to peruse the various flowers and plants. She picked out what she needed, putting each item into her pouch. Zhan Yu watched curiously; the Green World was famous for its exquisite and expensive ornamental plants. Why was she buying so many?

“These are ornamental plants,” Zhan Yu remarked.

“Hmm?” Xuan Xuan put away her purchase, glanced at him, and said, “I use them for something else.”

Zhan Yu suddenly thought of the Volcanic Elixir. “For making potions?”

Xuan Xuan nodded.

“If you have any more Volcanic Elixir, I’ll pay six million starcoins each for two,” Zhan Yu offered after a moment’s thought.

Xuan Xuan had no idea he was just probing her. She promptly pulled out four bottles. This pouch was too small for her liking—and that potion was useless to her—might as well free up some space. “No need for so much. Just give me ten thousand, that’s enough.”

Zhan Yu examined the potion in front of him—a crystal vial filled with ruby-red liquid. Ten thousand, just like that? He took the four bottles, wondering if the girl was too naïve or a con artist. He uncorked one and asked, “Will this really double D-rank spiritual power?”

Xuan Xuan’s face hardened, her gaze turning sharp. “Don’t question my professional competence!”

“Sorry,” Zhan Yu said awkwardly, recapping the bottle. “I’m sorry, I haven’t asked your name yet.”

“Xuan Xuan.” As soon as she spoke, her AI Kitty notified her of the twenty-four million starcoins received. Did he not understand human speech, or was he just a fool with money?

Seeing Xuan Xuan’s look, Zhan Yu knew exactly what she meant. “It’s worth that much.”

So money really meant nothing in this world.

“What’s this?” Kuang Shao finally found his moment to speak. “Is this the Volcanic Elixir?”

No one answered him. Xuan Xuan, having freed up a slot in her pouch, continued selecting what she needed, while Zhan Yu kept his eyes on her.

“Hey, Miss, nice to meet you, I’m Kuang Shao. Does this Volcanic Elixir really double D-rank spiritual power?” Kuang Shao waved a vial.

Xuan Xuan looked at him. “First, don’t call me ‘Miss.’ Second, please don’t question my professional competence.”

Kuang Shao was taken aback. Why so serious?

Xuan Xuan didn’t care about him. Once she’d finished shopping, she logged off immediately. Now that she had money, there was no rush to make potions. She nodded to Zhan Yu and left.

P.S. Recommending two books: “B00kid” and “Beauty’s Scheme: Femme Fatale.”