143: Chapter 143 Deposit

"But! The returns are also massive!"

"As long as the certification is successful, the security deposit is fully refunded! Furthermore, the military merit points subsidy for every future mission will be directly increased by 100%! That is double the earnings!"

Double!

Chen Xi's pupils contracted slightly.

This temptation was too great. If he could truly get double military merit, the efficiency of obtaining ss-rank materials, which originally required grinding dozens of missions, would immediately double!

But...

Chen Xi looked at David's greedy face and sneered inwardly.

This was clearly a trap.

Six pieces of S-rank equipment?

Nowadays, for an ordinary freshman, being able to scrape together even one piece of S-rank equipment for their whole body would mean their family owned a gold mine.

This guy opened his mouth and asked for six pieces; clearly, he had been eyeing the equipment on them and had counted them long ago.

"Six pieces of S-rank equipment..."

Chen Xi put on a troubled expression, turned to look at his teammates behind him, and spread his hands:

"Isn't this threshold a bit too high? Adding up everything on my body, I don't even have S-rank underwear."

"Indeed."

David feigned regret and sighed:

"If you can't get them together, then let's forget about it. After all, rules are rules..."

Just as David was preparing to retreat in order to advance.

Li Murou, who had been standing behind Chen Xi, suddenly spoke up.

"Captain."

Li Murou's crisp voice rang out. She took off an emerald green bracelet from her wrist and pointed to her magic robe, headpiece, necklace, ring, and earrings.

"I happen to have six S-rank items on me."

She said with an air of indifference:

"If you need them, just take them and use them."

"I don't really need them anyway."

"..."

The entire place fell deathly silent.

The surrounding wandering Professionals who were watching the commotion all had their eyes turn red with envy.

Is this the power of money?!

Is this the legendary 'rich woman'?!

David was trembling with excitement, and his breathing became rapid.

Exactly six pieces!

Michelle's eyes were indeed sharp!

Every single piece of jewelry on this girl was actually a top-tier S-rank item!

If they could get their hands on these, their Holy Court Society branch would have half a year's worth of performance quotas met!

Looking at Li Murou's innocent appearance, Chen Xi felt both moved and amused.

This silly girl really doesn't treat money like money.

However...

"Exactly six pieces?"

Chen Xi narrowed his eyes and gave David a meaningful look. This number was so precise that if anyone said the other party hadn't scouted and calculated it beforehand, he wouldn't believe it for a second.

This was a carefully designed trap.

The other party would definitely tamper with the testing machine, making the difficulty far exceed the third rank, thereby swallowing these six pieces of equipment.

But...

Chen Xi glanced at Ye Fei, who had just completed her advancement and was eager to try, and then at the cold-faced Su Xiaoxiao.

If it were before Ye Fei's advancement, he might have hesitated.

But now, with the [Beast Tamer] trump card, plus Su Xiaoxiao's insane explosive power...

Even if a fourth-rank fierce beast came, they would have the strength to fight!

Machines are dead, but people are alive.

As long as one's strength is sufficient, any scheme or trick is just a paper tiger.

"Good!"

Chen Xi no longer hesitated. He took the six pieces of equipment handed over by Li Murou and slammed them directly onto the table in front of David.

"Since I have such supportive teammates, I'll take this bet!"

"Brother David, check the goods."

Looking at the six shimmering S-rank items on the table, David swallowed greedily, his face showing the wild joy of a successful scheme:

"Good, good, good! Little brother is indeed straightforward!"

"Since the equipment is in place, let's not dally!"

David waved his hand, pointing to the alloy wooden stake in the open space:

"Come! Let the certification begin!"

...

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Adventurer Camp.

Two figures were sprinting breathlessly toward the center of the camp.

It was none other than Lei Gang and Ji Qing, who had been saved by Chen Xi in the Black Swamp Forest earlier.

"Faster! Even faster!"

Lei Gang roared while running, checking the positioning on his wristband, his face covered in sweat:

"It's over, it's over! I forgot to warn Captain Chen!"

Ji Qing was also pale, following closely behind:

"Captain, you mean... those people from the Holy Court Society?"

"Exactly!"

Lei Gang said through gritted teeth:

"Their so-called 'Mercenary Certification' is nothing but a pig-butchering scam!"

"Who knows how many newcomer teams have been swindled out of all their equipment by them!"

Lei Gang thought of Chen Xi's young face, his heart filled with anxiety:

"Chen Xi is only a freshman. Although he's strong, his worldly experience is definitely lacking. Plus, those girls in his team are dressed so well, they'll definitely be targeted by that bald David!"

"He is our savior. If I watch him get swindled into bankruptcy with my own eyes, I, Lei Gang, won't be able to hold my head up for the rest of my life!"

Hearing this, Ji Qing's heart also tightened.

She knew all too well what those S-rank items meant to a Professional. They were the capital one relied on for survival!

"I hope we're in time..."

Ji Qing looked at the crowded crowd ahead, her pace quickening further.

However, when they breathlessly squeezed through the crowd and saw the scene in the center of the camp.

The hearts of the two instantly sank halfway.

In front of that tall testing wooden stake, Chen Xi had already pushed the pile of equipment radiating S-rank light to David.

"It's over..."

Lei Gang slapped his thigh in despair:

"We're a step too late!"

...

Adventurer Camp, Central Plaza.

The air was filled with a restless atmosphere. The originally noisy crowd had quieted down quite a bit, and everyone's gaze was focused on the open space enclosed by special alloy fences.

The bald burly man, David, looked at the six shimmering pieces of equipment on the table, his breathing as heavy as a bellows.

Those were six genuine S-rank items!

Any single piece taken out would cause a frenzy at an auction house.

And now, this pile of priceless treasures was just casually stacked in front of him.

*Gulp.*

David swallowed hard, his somewhat cloudy eyes emitting an undisguised green light of greed.

He tremblingly reached out his large, calloused hand and gathered the equipment into his arms one by one, as if stroking a lover.

"Good... excellent!"

David's voice was slightly distorted due to excessive excitement.

He turned his head and gave the yellow-haired woman beside him, Michelle, a meaningful look.

"We're rich! We've really hit the jackpot this time!"

Michelle understood perfectly. She walked forward with a swaying, snake-like waist and took the pile of equipment from David's hands.

Her fingers brushed over the fabric of the Flowing Cloud Magic Robe, a trace of envy and greed flashing in her eyes.

"These stupid students are truly wasting such treasures."

She snorted coldly in her heart, then turned and walked toward a large and complex precision instrument at the edge of the field.

"Alright!"

Having collected the certification fee, David straightened his back. The smile on his face became even more brilliant, even carrying a hint of playful mockery as if he were about to watch a good show.

He pointed to the open space and made a "please" gesture toward Chen Xi:

"Since the security deposit is in place, our certification procedure officially begins!"

"Go in, little brother."