Evan Lin didn’t hesitate. He took out a mid-grade God Stone from his storage ring and said, “I only have this one God Stone. How many Violet Cloud Crystals can I exchange it for?”
The old man’s eyes lit up in disbelief as he stared at the God Stone in Evan’s hand. After a while, he said, “Young man, that’s a mid-grade God Stone! I don’t have nearly enough Violet Cloud Crystals to exchange with you. You’d better find someone else—I’m powerless to help!”
From the old man’s words, Evan could tell he was an upright person. It was obvious the God Stone was extremely valuable to him. If he’d been greedy, he would’ve tried to get it by any means, but he didn’t. At this moment, his eyes were gentle, without a trace of covetousness—someone you could trust.
“Old sir, how many Violet Cloud Crystals do you have on you right now?” Evan asked.
“I have one hundred thirty low-grade Violet Cloud Crystals, but your mid-grade God Stone is worth ten thousand low-grade Violet Cloud Crystals! The difference is far too great. You’d better find someone else!” the old man repeated.
“That’s fine. Just give me a hundred low-grade Violet Cloud Crystals, and keep the extra thirty for your own spending. Treat it as if I’m exchanging a low-grade God Stone.” Evan said.
“No, no, I can’t do that! How could I take such advantage of you? Young man, you don’t know how precious God Stones are. With that mid-grade God Stone, you could live extravagantly in All-Stars City for over half a year. Do you understand?” the old man said.
“I understand, but since you’re helping me, consider it your payment. However, I hope you won’t let anyone else know about this to avoid unnecessary trouble,” Evan said.
The old man looked troubled. After glancing at Evan, he said, “Young man, this really isn’t right. I think we should forget it. Just treat the Violet Cloud Crystals as a gift from me, and take your God Stone back!”
Evan hadn’t expected the old man to be so kindhearted—such people were rare. So he said, “Old sir, please don’t refuse anymore. There are plenty of people on this road. If someone with ill intentions finds out, it’ll cause trouble. Let’s settle it this way—it’s a reward for your great help!”
After hesitating for a moment, the old man made his decision. “Since that’s the case, I won’t refuse anymore. Good deeds are rewarded. Young man, be careful—All-Stars City is in an uproar right now, investigating the killer of Protector Liu from the City Lord’s Mansion. They’re especially strict with strangers. If you don’t have anything urgent, it’s best not to enter the city. Safety first.”
Evan handed the God Stone to the old man and received the Violet Cloud Crystals. “Thank you, old sir. I’ll be careful. Besides, I haven’t committed any crime, so I’m not afraid. I trust the City Lord’s Mansion needs evidence to arrest people, right? I’ve only just stepped into the God-Man Realm—how could a nobody like me be a match for some Protector?”
“You make sense. If fate allows, let’s meet again!” the old man said, then turned and left. Evan also turned toward All-Stars City.
Not long after Evan and the old man parted ways, a divine sense locked tightly onto the old man. Soon, a voice sounded behind him: “Old geezer, where did you get that God Stone? It’s mid-grade, isn’t it? You’d better confess, or you won’t leave here alive today.”
It turned out that after receiving Evan’s God Stone, the old man hadn’t immediately put it into his storage ring. Because it was so valuable, he’d been lost in thought, carrying it in his hand for quite a while. That’s how he attracted the attention of someone with ulterior motives, leading to this situation.
Startled, the old man hurriedly stowed the God Stone in his storage ring, deeply regretting his carelessness. Seeing Evan earlier had reminded him of his son—sadly, his son was gone forever. The sudden wave of emotion had left him distracted and absent-minded.
“Who are you? I have no grudges with you. What God Stone? I don’t know what you’re talking about!” the old man said.
“Don’t know? You old fool, trying to play dumb with me? Are you tired of living? You’re old enough—it’s about time you died. If you don’t want to die, hand over the God Stone, or you won’t see tomorrow’s sun.” the man threatened.
The old man took a careful look at the newcomer—a middle-aged man with a scar on his face, clearly a thug. His cultivation was late God-Man Realm, higher than the old man’s, so he was no match. But to hand over the God Stone for nothing—he couldn’t accept that.
It wasn’t because the God Stone was so precious, but because Evan’s kindness had moved him. Seeing the stone made him feel as if his son were still present.
“I said I don’t have it, and that’s the truth! Are you bullying me just because I’m old? Isn’t there any law left in All-Stars City?” the old man shouted angrily.
“Hahaha, law? Let me tell you, Protector Lin from the City Lord’s Mansion is my cousin. With his backing, what law is there? Besides, the City Lord’s Mansion is investigating Protector Liu’s murder, and Protector Liu had a mid-grade God Stone. So I suspect you killed him and stole his stone,” the scar-faced man sneered.
“If you want to frame me, you’ll always find an excuse! If you want the God Stone, I don’t have it—but if you want my life, I’ve only got one. If you’re so capable, come and take it!” the old man shouted.
His words immediately drew a crowd of passersby, all wondering why the scar-faced man was bullying an old man. They watched from a distance, not daring to get too close.
“What are you staring at? I’m apprehending the killer of Protector Liu. This old man is highly suspicious, so of course I have to interrogate him. But he’s refusing to cooperate and dares to disrespect me, so I’ll have to take him back to the City Lord’s Mansion.” the scar-faced man said.
“A clear conscience fears no shadow. I’d like everyone here to bear witness: I’m already at the end of my years—how could I possibly have the strength to kill a God-Lord? This is pure slander! Today, I’m putting my life on the line. This beast in human skin just covets the mid-grade God Stone I happened to obtain!”
I got this mid-grade God Stone by chance. Tell me, isn’t it excessive for him to drag me to the City Lord’s Mansion?” the old man said angrily.
Many in the crowd recognized the scar-faced man. Seeing his murderous glare, they dared not speak up. “You’d all better get lost! If you piss me off, I’ll drag you back to the City Lord’s Mansion for questioning. Maybe you’re all accomplices of this old geezer!”
At those words, the crowd quickly dispersed—no one wanted trouble. The scar-faced man couldn’t openly rob the God Stone now, but taking the old man to the City Lord’s Mansion would earn him credit, maybe even a reward. So he said, “Be obedient and come with me. If you try anything funny, I’ll cripple you today!”
The old man felt utterly wronged. He’d never imagined that a single good deed would bring him such undeserved disaster. Unable to resist, he could only swallow his anger and follow the scar-faced man toward the City Lord’s Mansion…