Chapter 147: Secrets, Negotiation

In response to Liu Yun’s question, the System explained, [Player, only Level 1 or higher zombies and mutants can produce elemental crystal cores because only zombies and mutants at Level 1 or above can awaken abilities, just like ability users.]

The moment she heard this, Liu Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

She looked at the red crystal core in her hand before asking, ’System, how strong are these zombies and mutants compared to ability users of the same level?’

[To kill a zombie or mutant that possesses an ability, you need a team of at least ten ability users of the same level. As for zombies or mutants that possess multiple abilities, you need at least five times the combat power to kill one.]

Upon hearing the System’s answer, chills ran down Liu Yun’s spine.

Clutching the red crystal core tightly, her face paled as she thought, ’This world really doesn’t give humans any chance of survival.’

While she was still reeling from shock and fear, the stall owner finally spoke.

"If you are not going to buy anything, please don’t block my stall."

Coming out of her thoughts, Liu Yun raised her eyes. Looking at the stall owner, whose lower face was partially covered by a black scarf, she asked, "How much do these crystals cost?"

At her question, the stall owner paused for a moment before answering, "One kilogram of grain for each crystal."

After giving his answer, he carefully observed Liu Yun’s expression. Seeing her nod calmly, the stall owner thought, ’Damn it! The price is too low!’

Pointing at the crystals scattered across the dirty cloth, Liu Yun casually said, "I want all of them. Please calculate the total price for me."

Hearing this, the stall owner’s eyes lit up.

"You want to buy all of them?" he asked, unable to hide his disbelief.

Liu Yun nodded. "Yes. But can I pay with something other than grain?"

The stall owner calmed down slightly before asking, "What do you have?"

Liu Yun glanced to the left and right before leaning forward and whispering, "I have vegetables. Can we discuss this in private?"

The moment she finished speaking, the stall owner’s expression turned serious. Without saying a word, he wrapped up the dirty cloth containing the crystals, stood up, and said, "Follow me."

Liu Yun stood up and followed him.

Seeing this, Ru Jianxiao had no choice but to follow them as well.

After the three of them disappeared into a dark alley, the two men who had been following Liu Yun and Ru Jianxiao exchanged glances before quietly following them into the alley.

Liu Yun and Ru Jianxiao followed the stall owner for more than ten minutes before he finally stopped in front of an old building. Pushing open the wooden door, he said, "Come in."

Liu Yun briefly scanned the dirty surroundings, the dark alley, and the people hurrying past them before stepping inside.

Behind her, Ru Jianxiao glanced toward the corner of the alley for a couple of seconds before following her in.

After the door closed behind them, the two men who had been following them exchanged glances before blending into the dark alley.

Meanwhile, inside the building, the stall owner led Liu Yun and Ru Jianxiao to the third floor. Along the way, they didn’t encounter anyone.

When they arrived at an old door, the stall owner took out a key and unlocked it. "This is my home. Let’s talk inside."

Without waiting for Liu Yun or Ru Jianxiao to respond, he stepped inside.

Liu Yun exchanged a brief glance with Ru Jianxiao before the two of them followed him in.

Gesturing for them to sit down, the stall owner took a seat on an old couch. "Please, have a seat."

He waited until Liu Yun and Ru Jianxiao had sat down across from him before asking, "Young Lady, what kind of vegetables do you want to use as payment?"

When Liu Yun cooked carrot soup for the team’s dinner on their way to Lie Huo Military Base before, she had used only half of the carrot. Smiling slightly, she took the remaining half of the Basic Carrot out of her inventory.

Thud!

The moment the carrot appeared on the low table, both the stall owner and Ru Jianxiao were taken aback.

While Liu Yun was observing his expression, the stall owner stared at the half carrot with wide eyes. Swallowing nervously, he stammered, "Th-this... this is really a carrot?"

Liu Yun nodded and calmly explained, "It is indeed a carrot. However, it’s not an ordinary one. It’s a mutant carrot. My team and I have eaten it before. Not only does it taste better than ordinary carrots, but it can also replenish stamina and strengthen the body."

When Ru Jianxiao heard this, he couldn’t help but turn to look at Liu Yun.

Frowning slightly, he thought, ’I don’t remember any mutant carrots being discovered in either of my previous two lives. Where did she get this mutant carrot?’

His hands clenched as his gaze sharpened.

’The more I learn about her, the more secrets I uncover. It seems staying close to her was the right choice.’

While Ru Jianxiao was occupied with his own thoughts, Liu Yun looked at the stall owner and asked, "Well? Do you think my carrot is worth enough to trade for your colorful crystals?"

Coming back to his senses, the stall owner thoughtfully stared at Liu Yun. After a long moment of silence, he finally spoke.

"Before we discuss the trade, could you please tell me why you want to buy these crystals?"

Liu Yun shrugged and replied casually, "They are beautiful. I like them, so I decided to buy them."

The stall owner lowered his eyes at her answer.

’She’s lying. There’s no way she’d willingly trade vegetables for useless crystals. There must be something special about them.’

Raising his eyes again, the stall owner studied Liu Yun’s faint smile and made up his mind.

’No. I must find out the real reason she’s interested in these crystals.’

Having made his decision, the stall owner said firmly, "You’re lying. If you don’t tell me the real reason, I won’t sell them to you."

The second his words fell, Liu Yun’s smile vanished, and her expression darkened.