18: Swamp Crocodile

“This card is something I managed to get for you; it’s a race card that’s currently quite suitable for you.”

“Your divine realm is filled with negative energy, making it impossible for ordinary creatures to survive.”

“However, these Nether Mire Croc-Demons have strong resistance to negative energy. If they can adapt to your divine realm, they can become a great asset to you.”

“I see that your divine realm has quite a few lakes and swamps, which are extremely suitable for this group of Nether Mire Croc-Demons to live in.”

“If you let them adapt and build a defense line in the lakes and swamps, no matter how rampant those burrowing Worms become, they won’t be able to invade their aquatic territory.”

“You can take this opportunity to properly develop the Croc-Demons and then gradually eliminate the Worms when the time is right.”

Ye Chen looked at Director Wu with a face full of gratitude upon hearing this.

It had to be said that this race card was indeed suitable for the environment within Ye Chen’s abyss.

Not only do they live in lakes where Worms are unsuited, but they can also resist the erosion of some negative energy.

Moreover, the name of this race card was quite interesting—Croc-Demon.

His own demons hadn't been cultivated yet, but a Croc-Demon had unexpectedly appeared.

It seemed Director Wu had put in a lot of thought, which brought a hint of warmth to the usually indifferent Ye Chen’s heart.

Director Wu secretly smiled after seeing this; this kid still had some conscience.

He didn't expose the truth that Ye Chen could control Worms; instead, he went along with his disguise and gave him a great gift.

He also hoped that he could enrich his troop types and quickly grow stronger.

“Cultivate them well, don’t let my intentions be in vain. I hope to see you shine brightly on your own stage.”

After Director Wu finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling Ye Chen to leave.

Clutching the Croc-Demon card tightly, Ye Chen walked out of the director’s office.

Race cards are expensive; even the worst Ordinary-level race cards cost upwards of 300 divine power value.

And the price of Extraordinary-level cards is more than ten times that of Ordinary cards!

This light, flimsy card was worth at least several million Federation coins!

He wondered what Director Wu was thinking, giving him such an expensive card.

Of course, for Director Wu, a Middle God, this card was nothing.

Without delay, he immediately put it into his abyss.

As for whether to use it, Ye Chen was a bit indecisive.

If he used it directly, after being strengthened by the abyss, it would become an Extraordinary-levelFamily.

If he sold this card and exchanged it for negative energy cards, it would be enough to strengthen most of his Worms once over.

After much thought, Ye Chen still decided to sell this card.

There was no rush for powerful races; he could completely recover souls by killing enemies.

Strengthening the Worm Army was still the most cost-effective.

If Director Wu asked, he would just say that they couldn't withstand the erosion of negative energy and all died.

After making up his mind, Ye Chen returned to the commercial street.

He didn't rush to sell it, first checking the prices of other Extraordinary-level cards of the same caliber.

The price range for Extraordinary-level race cards fluctuated greatly.

Since he didn't know the strength of the Nether Mire Croc-Demons, Ye Chen felt uncertain.

He entered the “Extraordinary Card Pavilion” he had visited yesterday and found the appraiser who handled card buybacks.

The white-haired appraiser, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, gently rubbed the card with his withered fingers.

The moment his divine sense entered the card’s surface, the light in his eyes behind the lenses suddenly brightened:

This card, worth several million, was decent for ordinary people, but for the well-informed appraiser, it was just common.

“A good card, young man. How do you want to sell it?”

The old man gently placed the card on the mahogany counter and asked Ye Chen kindly.

Ye Chen didn't easily name a price; he still wanted to hear the appraiser's opinion.

“You, old sir, are well-informed and must already have a price in mind. Just tell me, if it’s suitable, we’ll make the deal.”

The old man smiled faintly.

“The Croc-Beasts sealed inside are amphibious creatures, of medium-to-above strength, and highly adaptable to environments, able to survive in most divine realms.”

“It will also be relatively easy for us to sell after we buy it back, so we can offer you a price of 8000 divine power value.”

Ye Chen felt a good impression of the old man after hearing his words.

Other appraisers, when buying back, would try to devalue the card into absolute rubbish, but this appraiser was extremely fair.

Not only did he elaborate on the card’s features, but he also didn’t excessivelyPrice reduction.

Based on similar types of cards, the buyback price should account for about 70% to 80% of the selling price.

It was a reasonable range, after all, the shop also needed to make a profit.

After pondering with downcast eyes, Ye Chen looked up and met the old man’s gaze.

“9000 divine power value, all exchanged for cards in the store.”

The old man was slightly startled upon hearing this, then burst into laughter:

“You, young man, are quite shrewd.”

“Alright, consider it making a friend. Go pick out your cards.”

With that, the old man beckoned a waiter, gave him some instructions, and then had him lead Ye Chen to select cards.

Following the waiter to the front hall, he no longer looked at the dazzling array of cards.

“Prepare 9000 divine power value worth of negative energy cards for me. I want the most powerful and purest ones.”

The waiter was somewhat surprised to hear this and asked:

“Negative energy? Any type is fine?”

“That’s right, go prepare them.”

Although the waiter was a bit confused, he still respected the customer’s choice.

Not long after, the waiter came towards Ye Chen, who was drinking tea in the room, holding a tray.

On the tray was a book with a black cover.

“Sir, here are your cards and the list. Please verify them.”

The waiter respectfully handed over the book and the list.

Picking up the book from the tray, Ye Chen curiously flipped through it.

This black-covered book was actually a card album, and also a spatial artifact.

Inside the book were images and descriptions of individual cards, and similar types of cards were stacked together, saving a lot of space.

By reaching into the pages, one could retrieve the corresponding cards.

He carefully checked the quantity according to the list.

Because the amount of negative energy sealed within the cards varied, the prices of the cards also differed.

After a rough mental calculation, the total price of the cards not only reached 9000 divine power value but even slightly exceeded it.

This raised Ye Chen’s appraisal of the shop by several points.

After checking, he signed his name on the shopping list, and the transaction was officially completed.

Seeing that Ye Chen had no other instructions, the waiter bowed slightly and exited the room.

The card album also became a “complimentary gift” for Ye Chen.

Draining the tea in his cup, Ye Chen walked out of the shop.

He didn't wander around aimlessly, instead, he ate a “shawarma” wrap on the way to fill his stomach.

With this negative energy, his Worm Army would have the opportunity for Evolution into demons, and some of his ideas could gradually be realized.

In the Soul Mill, Ye Chen pulled out the card album, ready to get to work.

And then… it was awkward…

Not enough soul fragments!

Even if he slaughtered all the little black ones, he could only synthesize a thousand Worm souls.

If he were to decompose and reforge the existing Worm souls…

He chose a Worm soul and put it into the grinding disc. A moment later, three soul fragments flowed into the slot.

Ye Chen watched all this in silence…