As for the remaining 30 points, they were completely useless. The cheapest item in the store required 100 points. It was a bit of a shame, but fortunately, these points could be saved for later use and wouldn't go to waste.
Qi Xu looked back at the other three, who were standing there bewildered and indignant, and suddenly felt her own mood settle quite nicely. Satisfaction really did come from comparison.
Thankfully, the Treasure Map Secret Realm wasn't completely unreasonable. The moment the mysterious shop vanished, a gift box appeared in front of each person.
Qi Xu received five Vehicle Cores. Cheese Milk Cap Eight Points Sugar got three, Ember Kiss Starlight Moon got two, and Xie Shaoning got one.
Xie Shaoning's face was dark with displeasure, though it was unclear whether he was angry about getting such a small reward or still fuming over the Mountain Crusher Tiger's attitude earlier.
"Not bad, not bad. I can upgrade when I get back," said Ember Kiss Starlight Moon, who had thought they'd be returning empty-handed. Getting one Vehicle Core was at least some gain.
With that, the Treasure Map Secret Realm was completely over, and everyone received the button to teleport back to their vehicles.
Cheese Milk Cap Eight Points Sugar spoke up proactively, "Whirlwind Boss, we had no idea the rewards would be distributed this way. That 'priority pick of the harvest' clause you wanted ended up being useless. What do you say we compensate you with some supplies instead?"
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon nodded, "Yeah, I have no objections."
Xie Shaoning's expression stiffened. He'd actually forgotten all about that agreement. This trip really was a total loss.
Qi Xu thought for a moment. "You didn't get much this time either. Just give me 100 Energy Stones each as a token gesture."
She figured she'd be dealing with them again in the future and didn't want to squeeze them too hard. After all, they'd ended on a relatively okay note. If she ever got a Treasure Map herself, she'd also need top-ranked players from other zones to activate it. These were connections, even if these three particular connections were a bit unruly and hard to handle.
But they weren't her teammates, so she couldn't hold them to teammate standards.
All three agreed, and the transaction was quickly completed.
Just as Qi Xu was about to leave, she heard a thoroughly broken Xie Shaoning erupt in furious curses, "Why?! Why are you docking me another 3000 Survival Coins? Why not just rob me? And thanks for the notification, so polite! Damn it, I quit!"
Back then, he'd nearly died just to secure this Treasure Map.
He came all this way, paid a hefty entry fee, got scammed by that damn gate, ended up with only one Vehicle Core, and now with a negative 30 points, he had to cough up another 3000 Survival Coins! Xie Shaoning completely lost it!
Cheese Milk Cap Eight Points Sugar glanced back with a hint of disdain, smiled, bid farewell to Qi Xu, and left. What use was throwing a tantrum when things went south? He just hoped there wouldn't be a next time for cooperation.
Ember Kiss Starlight Moon watched the spectacle for a bit. He originally wanted to throw in a sarcastic remark but figured Xie Shaoning might actually try to fight him, so he wisely kept his mouth shut.
"Bye, beautiful darling, I'm off. I'll miss you."
"Bye~"
Qi Xu had her eye on Xie Shaoning's Vehicle Core, which hadn't even had time to warm up in his pocket, so she deliberately waited a little longer.
If she guessed correctly, he probably didn't have any Survival Coins left, right? Even if he did, it wouldn't be enough for 3000. He was completely cleaned out.
"Go ahead and kill me then! I don't want to live anymore! Kill me, I still don't have 3000 Survival Coins!"
[Understood. You will be directly erased. Have a pleasant death!]
Xie Shaoning's face instantly turned pale. He was flustered, even feeling the suffocating sensation of impending death. Infinite regret washed over him. He shouldn't have spoken like that just now... When would he ever truly fix this impulsive flaw of his?
At this critical moment, Qi Xu spoke up, "Wait a second. No need to jump straight to erasure. Everything can be negotiated."
[He has no money, and his mouth is so foul. Serves him right.]
"He might not have money, but he has supplies. And besides, I'm right here. It's not like I'm short on coins, would I shortchange you?" Hearing Qiuqiu talk like this, Qi Xu realized this seemed to be her own little ball. She immediately started playing along.
Well, well, well. Followed me into the secret realm? Your permissions have grown again, haven't they? That makes the next steps much easier to discuss and maneuver.
Qi Xu tapped Xie Shaoning's back with the flat of her blade. "Don't just stand there sweating. Answer. If you don't pull yourself together, I'm walking away."
"Right, I... that's not what I meant just now, I wanted to..."
"Enough, just shut up," Qi Xu said, exasperated.
Some people were truly impossible to communicate with properly. Forever self-centered, never grasping the key point, every word out of their mouth was infuriating, always "I think," "I feel," "I didn't mean to"...
Their world contained only a single mirror, reflecting forever their own shadow.
Although Xie Shaoning hadn't made much progress in character these past few days, the one thing he had learned was to shut up when necessary.
"Give me your Vehicle Core. I'll pay your fine and give you 2000 Survival Coins on top. That's my bottom line. There's no need for further discussion. Agree, and we trade directly. Disagree, and I'm leaving. I've wasted several days here and haven't made much progress on this month's mileage."
Qi Xu spoke extremely fast, sounding both like she wanted to help and was afraid of getting tangled in trouble. Without another word, Xie Shaoning immediately handed over the Vehicle Core he had tucked in his pocket not long ago—still not warmed by his body heat.
He looked at Qi Xu pitifully, on the verge of tears, terrified of being abandoned. The way he hurriedly fumbled to pull out the item looked strangely stubborn.
Qi Xu actually felt a bit sorry for him too. Not only had he lost so many resources and gained almost nothing, but he'd also lost such a powerful combat pet.
Qi Xu glanced at the Mountain Crusher Tiger, who was still trailing behind Little Seven, feeling somewhat... confused. You can't possibly be thinking of tagging along with my Little Seven, can you?
"Here. Tha— cough —thank you."
Xie Shaoning seemed somewhat awkward. After all, before inviting Invincible Black Whirlwind to this Treasure Map Secret Realm, he had specifically allied with Ember Kiss Starlight Moon and Cheese Milk Cap Eight Points Sugar to target her.
He didn't know when that alliance had dissolved on its own, and how the person everyone ended up trusting most had, by unspoken agreement, become Invincible Black Whirlwind.
But, he did feel a bit embarrassed.
Even the proud Xie Shaoning understood that at a time like this, for Invincible Black Whirlwind to be willing to pay a high price of 5000 Survival Coins (the fine plus the 2000) for the Vehicle Core in his hand was absolutely decent of her.
Otherwise... he'd have had to sell it for 3000 anyway. If he didn't sell, he'd die.
Thinking this, he cleared his throat again and offered a proper thank you.
"I owe you one. If you need help with anything, just say the word. If... if you all stop hunting me, I plan to return to Zone 66, District 888 after getting out."
"Are there any War Wolves in District 888?"
"Huh? What?"
"Never mind."
..........
