Chapter 4577
“I’m here to discuss fairy stones, nothing else!”
Kai declared firmly to the middle-aged man in the green robe.
“If you’re here to sell fairy stones, just go to the front desk for the transaction. There’s no need to seek me out!”
The green-robed man responded curtly and turned to leave, clearly intending to distance himself from Kai.
It was evident he wanted no further association with Kai. After all, their dealings carried the risk of losing their lives—not to mention implicating their entire families.
“I’m not selling; I’m buying!”
Kai interjected.
“Buying fairy stones?” The green-robed man was visibly taken aback before replying, “I purchase fairy stones here—I don’t sell them. If you want to buy fairy stones, you’ll have to head outside Beast City. Buying them privately within the city is illegal; you’ll be arrested and imprisoned.”
Kai said nothing but tossed a bag of purple-gold spirit coins onto the table in front of the man.
“Consider this a deposit. I need a large quantity of fairy stones,” Kai stated.
The green-robed man glanced at the spirit coins. Though the glitter of wealth briefly lit up his eyes, he still shook his head firmly.
“I told you, we’re not selling. No matter how much you offer, it’s not happening.”
“Uncle Qian sent me,” Kai mentioned, revealing his connection.
“Old Qian?” The green-robed man frowned in irritation. “That guy has no discretion—always spilling secrets…”
“I don’t have any fairy stones to sell right now. The last batch I acquired has already been handed over to the City Lord’s Mansion.”
Kai studied the man closely. It was clear he wasn’t interested in striking a deal.
“Fine. If you won’t sell, I’ll find someone else. But if I get caught, I’ll make sure to name you!” Kai picked up his bag of spirit coins and turned to leave.
The green-robed man’s expression changed immediately. He rushed to stop Kai, sighing helplessly.
“Daoyou, let’s not act rashly. We can work something out, can’t we?”
“If you name me, you’ll die too. What’s the point of dragging us all down?”
“I’m not afraid,” Kai retorted. “At worst, I’ll die alone—but your entire clan will pay the price.”
Kai’s threat clearly unnerved the green-robed middle-aged man.
“Stop it! I was just joking earlier,” the man stammered, trying to placate him. “You want fairy stones, right? Fine, I’ll get them for you. Just tell me how many you need!”
“I want as many as possible. Name your price, and I’ll pay the highest rate. You’ll definitely turn a profit,” Kai replied firmly.
With that, he tossed the bag of purple-gold spirit coins into the man’s hands.
“No problem. I’ll help you acquire them, but it may take some time. I’ll have to notify the City Lord’s Mansion first,” the green-robed man explained.
“That’s fine—I can wait,” Kai said, knowing he wasn’t planning to leave Beast City anytime soon.
“Since we’re working together, let’s be honest with each other,” the green-robed man continued. “My name is Liu Zhongnan. I’m the shopkeeper of this acquisition store. It’s a semi-official position.”
“My name is Kai,” he replied, shaking hands with Liu Zhongnan.
“Fellow Daoist Liu, how many fairy stone purchasing stores are there in Beast City? Aren’t you affiliated with the City Lord’s Mansion?” Kai inquired.
“There are over ten legitimate purchasing stores in the city,” Liu Zhongnan explained. “As for me, I’m only loosely connected to the City Lord’s Mansion. I help them collect fairy stones, but they don’t provide me with any resources.”
“Basically, I work for them for free. The one perk is that I can operate discreetly and intercept some fairy stones for myself. If anyone is caught purchasing fairy stones privately, they’re arrested and imprisoned.”
Liu Zhongnan’s explanation made Kai think of the towering ancient tree in the prison. Curious, he asked, “Fellow Daoist Liu, you’ve been in Beast City for a while. Do you know why there’s a massive ancient tree in the middle of the prison? And why its roots spread throughout the cells? Why not relocate the prison to avoid it?”