33: Escape easily

"And, it seems your 'Great One' has gone to Star City?" Qin Yue's voice carried a hint of playfulness.

Clearly, this was the news Monsoon had revealed to Qin Yue.

After all, the departure of a Control Realm existence wasn't something Qin Yue could have known about otherwise.

The woman's body froze in place; hearing what Qin Yue said, her hand jerked, spilling tea onto her cheongsam.

The news of the Great One's departure was top secret; how did this guy know?

"So, don't test my patience. It's only a billion; your Crucible's daily transaction volume is more than that, isn't it?"

Qin Yue retracted his dagger and pulled a token from his robe. "Or should I have Lord Yue come over in person?"

When the woman saw the character "Yue" on the token, her pupils constricted.

Meanwhile, the Supervisor who had been watching the transaction room from the shadows underwent a change in expression.

"Quick, get everything ready. I'll deliver it personally."

A few minutes later, this Supervisor personally arrived at the transaction room, a forced smile on his face. "Pardon the poor display, honored guest. Here are forty divinity fragments—our entire current stock. We'll make up the difference with energy crystals. I wonder if the honored guest..."

"Add an extra twenty Intermediate energy crystals on top of that," Qin Yue interrupted.

The Supervisor's smile instantly froze on his face.

The actual value of twenty Intermediate energy crystals was no less than a hundred million.

However, thinking of the token he just saw and with his boss away, the Supervisor could only grit his teeth and agree.

Just as a heavily laden Qin Yue left the Crucible and disappeared around a street corner, five dark shadows bolted out from the Crucible like lightning.

A low voice from the leader rang out: "Remember what the Supervisor said, the corpse must be intact..."

The group was about to move fast, but they all froze in the next second.

Because Qin Yue's figure had returned at some unknown point, and he was now playing with that forged "Yue" token in his hand.

"Your 'Crucible' style really hasn't changed; it's just a billion."

Qin Yue's voice drifted over, and then he crushed the token. "In that case, don't blame me."

Boom!

In an instant, the ground of the entire alley suddenly collapsed.

Terror filled the eyes of the five men as five stone spikes erupted from the ground, precisely impaling their chests.

"foundation condensation... Peak..." As the leader fell backward, he finally realized the Supervisor's naivety.

Since the other party dared to take it, he definitely had the confidence, and that confidence came from his formidable strength.

"Now it's up to Zhou Xing to see how he gets away. But since the real person in charge of the Crucible isn't here, with his strength, there's no need to worry."

With that thought, Qin Yue moved and sped toward the Watcher Stronghold.

Meanwhile, at the Crucible Arena, the door to Zhou Xing's lounge opened automatically.

The Crucible's Supervisor walked in with a forced smile.

Behind him followed two staff members holding holographic tablets.

"Mr. Night Crow, congratulations on your twenty-win streak."

The Supervisor looked at Zhou Xing, a flicker of anticipation deep in his eyes. "We at the Crucible... would like to discuss a big deal with you."

"Oh? And what might this big deal be?"

Beneath his mask, the corners of Zhou Xing's mouth curled up slightly as he leisurely wiped away the bloodstains from the previous match.

"This is our current show of sincerity; you can take a look."

As he spoke, he took a holographic tablet from one of the staff members behind him and handed it to Zhou Xing.

"Fight this 'Blood Butcher' and 'accidentally' lose at the right moment?"

Zhou Xing looked at the content on the tablet.

"Yes, our offer is three hundred million," the Supervisor added. "If you are willing to follow the requirements in the contract."

"I want twenty divinity fragments, and I want them now. If you can do it, fine; if not, find someone else."

After a brief moment of deliberation, Zhou Xing stated his demand.

"Also, I plan to head back to where I'm staying to grab my gear. Otherwise, I wouldn't stand a chance against a veteran Late Stage foundation condensation fighter."

"Of course," the Supervisor breathed a sigh of relief. "Are two hours enough? Naturally, to ensure you don't breach the contract, someone will be arranged to accompany you back."

"That's enough." With those words, Zhou Xing waited silently.

A moment later, the other party arrived at the lounge carrying a case.

Placing the case directly in front of Zhou Xing, the Supervisor said, "Here, the twenty divinity fragments you asked for. You can check them."

Zhou Xing opened it and had the System scan them. After confirming that the divinity content was mostly around 15%, he nodded inwardly.

One had to admit, the Crucible was quite efficient.

Adding the at least forty fragments Qin Yue had exchanged, the fragments he had accumulated reached sixty.

Unfortunately, the System had a limit on the number of fragments for each Fusion, and it couldn't perform another Fusion within a short period. This was to allow Zhou Xing's body to perfectly adapt to the sudden increase in power.

If he could plunder and fuse without restriction, Zhou Xing couldn't even imagine what level he could reach by now.

Just then, a tall figure wearing a skull mask stepped out from the metal wall of the lounge.

Xia Ran; this was likely another Awakened One who had fused with a divinity fragment of the god of steel.

His strength had even reached the Peak of the foundation condensation realm.

But seeing this person, the smile behind Zhou Xing's mask grew even wider!

"Allow me to introduce him." The Supervisor's smile vanished. "This is Mr. Mercury. He will accompany you back to get your things."

"I have no objection. In that case, I'll have to trouble Mr. Mercury to accompany me."

Zhou Xing shrugged, looking very relaxed, which made the Crucible Supervisor feel he might be overreacting.

Carrying the case and walking out of the Crucible with Mr. Mercury, Zhou Xing led him toward the direction of the Watcher Stronghold.

Just as they left the perimeter of the Black Market, Zhou Xing stopped in his tracks.

"Night Crow, why have you stopped?" Mercury's muffled voice came from behind.

"Heh, naturally because I'm tired of playing games with you lot..." Zhou Xing said, turning around to face Mercury.

"I suggest you don't try any tricks, or you'll only embarrass yourself..."

As he spoke, a Mercury Longblade condensed in Mr. Mercury's hand, pointing straight at Zhou Xing.

"System, activate Forced Plunder!" Zhou Xing didn't bother with nonsense.

[Ding! Detected that the target has fused with a "god of steel" divinity fragment.]

[Target's divinity fragment content is 28%, lower than the host's 35%. Plunder conditions met.]

[Activating Forced Plunder mode.]

[Plunder successful. Obtained "god of steel" divinity fragment (28%).]

[host's fifteen-day limit has not expired. Unable to fuse. Storing temporarily.]

Simultaneously, as the plunder succeeded,

Mr. Mercury instantly froze in place, discovering to his horror that his power had vanished entirely.

Pfft!

"You..." Before he could finish, an ice spike impaled his chest, and he fell straight back.

Afterward, a flame directly covered his body as Zhou Xing turned and left in the direction of the Watcher Stronghold...