"So, where's the thing I want?"

Gao Lanlan stared directly at the shadow. Under the protection of the transaction agreement, she wasn't worried about her own safety at all.

Not to mention, the shadow before her was actually just an ordinary ghost, merely a vessel carrying the will of the Celestial Calamity Demon God.

In such a situation, it couldn't exert power far beyond the vessel's limits.

"I never said I wouldn't give it to you. It's just that the item is with Sikong Ming. Why don't you go get it from him?" The shadow snorted coldly, beginning to act shamelessly.

In human terms, Sikong Ming is simply missing. Who can determine his current state?

Such a shameless expression clearly indicated an intention to default on the debt.

"Haha, such words might deceive a little girl, but they won't work on me."

Gongsun, who had been watching the drama unfold, chuckled teasingly.

"Gongsun, I did not violate the agreement! You can't..." The shadow argued with a mix of anger and timidity.

"No use in quibbling, rules are rules." Gongsun snapped his fingers.

The shadow twisted rapidly, amidst curses and screams, transforming into a small black bead that fell into Gongsun's hand.

"I'm confiscating this part of the essence as your punishment." Gongsun squeezed the small black bead, a look of appreciation in his eyes.

"What about my compensation?" Gao Lanlan looked at Gongsun, stepping back slightly with some vigilance.

The Celestial Calamity Demon God might be powerful, but demons like Gongsun were the most unfathomable.

"This has nothing to do with me. I was merely here to witness your transaction and impose punishment on the defaulter. It's somewhat presumptuous of you to ask me for compensation." Gongsun's tone carried a hint of mockery.

Gao Lanlan gritted her teeth, speechless...

Indeed, she had no direct contract with Gongsun. The other party was just stating facts, not even being truly deceitful.

One could only say she underestimated the cunning of these guys.

In the end, the real beneficiary of this transaction was Gongsun, who acted as the judge!

But she was helpless...

When even the Celestial Calamity Demon God could be easily manipulated by Gongsun, what chance did she stand?

"Forget it, here's a little piece of information for you, as a reward for letting me watch a good show." Gongsun laughed brightly.

Gao Lanlan looked at Gongsun suspiciously. Was this guy really so kind?

After pondering, she nodded and said, "Go on!"

Having failed to gain any Inheritance Skills, she couldn't have no spoils at all.

Whether the information was useful or not, she would have to listen to it first.

Gongsun leisurely wrapped the bead in a handkerchief, cherished it, and pocketed it before saying, "Did you know, my new game is going online next month?"

Gao Lanlan was completely speechless...

Who would care about such information!

Seeing Gao Lanlan's utterly speechless expression, Gongsun's smile grew even brighter, "I don't mind giving you a few pointers on the game rules ahead of time."

Upon hearing this, Gao Lanlan looked at Gongsun in bewilderment once more.

Gongsun tossed a scroll of parchment over, saying, "The rules are on it. I hope you'll grace us with your presence when the time comes. I promise you'll gain something."

Gao Lanlan took the parchment scroll without opening it, took a step back, and vanished into a space rift, teleporting away in an instant.

Watching Gao Lanlan leave, Gongsun abruptly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, his spirit deflating considerably.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, yet his eyes still sparkled with excitement.

"Helping others cheat and getting punished myself, all for a bit of fun. Isn't it tough for me..."

He chuckled, and as the wind blew, his figure disappeared.

...

On the Ancient Battlefield, Lin Ye took out a box and carefully packed all of Sikong Ming's remains inside.

Bringing Sikong Ming back to the Human World for burial was the last thing he could do for him.

Not to mention the favors he received from the other, even when encountering the remains of other predecessors in the field, Lin Ye would consider bringing them back if able.

"It's time to go back. Teacher Chen and the others should be quite worried by now."

Lin Ye knew in his heart that many people were still worried about him outside, so without further delay, he chose to leave the Secret Realm.

The next moment, Lin Ye appeared in the gymnasium of the Shenzhen Professional Center.

As soon as Lin Ye appeared, he saw that the entire gymnasium was already crowded with people.

"Lin Ye!"

Chen Daosheng was the first to rush over, looking him up and down for a while before nervously asking, "Are you alright?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Lin Ye replied with a smile.

The others also gathered around.

"We've already learned about everything that happened before you came out from other participants. Luckily, you were there, otherwise the losses would have been truly severe," said Huang Li, the Director of the Shenzhen Center, stepping forward gratefully.

"That's true. I've already applied for a reward for you from the Alliance and should have news by tomorrow," said a chubby middle-aged man, squinting his eyes with a smile.

"This is Marshal Gu, the chief person in charge of our Shenzhen Center," Huang Li introduced.

"I've heard a lot about you from Ruiqi, we're good friends. Since you and he call each other brothers, if you don't mind, I'll take a liberty and call you Younger Brother Lin!" Marshal Gu wasn't shy about forging a bond with Lin Ye.

"Brother Gu, you're too kind. This matter started because of me, so I really shouldn't claim any rewards." Lin Ye immediately showed humility and skillfully went along with calling Marshal Gu "Brother."

The chief person in charge of the Shenzhen Center!

While this position might sound the same as Zhang Ruiqi's, assuming the two were equals would be a grave mistake!

Marshal Gu's position would eventually lead to a more significant role within the Alliance.

While Zhang Ruiqi might at best become a departmental head at the Southern Headquarters, that's likely where it would end.

"Don't say that. You're not just a victim. You also turned the tide, allowing other participants to escape. So, no matter how big or small, you accept this reward without any mental burden!" Marshal Gu attributed all the trouble's origins to the Celestial Calamity Demon God.

Lin Ye nodded deeply.

The Celestial Calamity Demon God orchestrated this to target Lin Ye, and the other participants merely got caught in the crossfire.

But no matter the outcome, there would always be someone who would try to lead Lin Ye down a negative path.

Marshal Gu's statement represented the Alliance's stance.

The narrative must be unified; this matter had nothing to do with Lin Ye!

"It's late, and you must be tired. Rest first, and we'll discuss other matters tomorrow!" Marshal Gu added.

Lin Ye nodded.

He should go back and carefully study the new talent, profession, and skills he had acquired!

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