Flame Crystal

Lu Yin watched the scene unfold. He casually ordered two dishes. For a restaurant to still be in business at a time like this, its backing must be considerable. At the very least, no one dared to cause trouble here. Punishment Camp soldiers patrolled the entrance every two minutes, clearly receiving special treatment.

"Your dishes, please enjoy," the waiter said, serving Lu Yin three plates without looking back.

Lu Yin took a bite and frowned. It wasn't good, but it was far better than rat meat or mutated dog meat. He took out a map and ate while studying it.

Not long after he started eating, a dozen figures entered the restaurant. The owner's eyes lit up upon seeing them. "Young Master Kang, please come in, Young Master Kang. With such heavy rain outside, what would you like us to deliver for you?"

The man called Young Master Kang grunted and sat down at a table not far from Lu Yin. He glanced at Lu Yin but paid him no mind. He tapped the tabletop. "Bring him here."

With a bang, a figure was thrown to the ground, breaking a stool. Trembling, the person looked at Young Master Kang. "I'm sorry, Young Master Kang. I didn't know it was yours. If I had known, I wouldn't have dared to steal it even if you gave me ten times the courage. I'm sorry, Young Master Kang, please spare me this once."

Young Master Kang sneered. "Spare you? Then how do I lead my brothers? Do you know that thing was a gift for my uncle? You've lost one now. You have two choices: either thirty Energy Crystals, or death. Choose one."

The figure despaired. "Young Master Kang, I truly didn't know it was yours. Please let me go. I'm willing to be your dog, just let me go."

Young Master Kang slammed the table and pulled out a gun, pressing it to the figure's head. "No crystals, then goodbye."

The figure's pupils contracted. In despair, they shouted, suddenly spotting Lu Yin nearby. They pointed a finger. "Him, him, I gave that thing to him."

Everyone turned to look at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin put down his cup, remaining silent. He had seen the thief with shifty eyes who sold him the map since he entered the restaurant. He had bought the map for three crystals, and the guy had even given him an aphrodisiac. He had found it strange at the time; aphrodisiacs were very expensive. Now it seemed he had stolen it, and it was this Young Master Kang's.

Young Master Kang stared at Lu Yin for a moment before kicking the shifty-eyed evolutionary. "Xu San, you dare to play me? You think you can fool me with just anyone?"

Xu San hurriedly cried out, "It's true! It's him! He bought a map from me before. Look, the map on the table is the one I sold him. There's a mark in the bottom right corner."

Young Master Kang and the others looked over.

Lu Yin himself glanced at the map. There was indeed a mark.

Young Master Kang and his group grabbed Xu San and surrounded Lu Yin. "Brother, you took something you shouldn't have. Should you perhaps return it?"

"Scram," Lu Yin replied indifferently.

Young Master Kang's expression changed. The dozen or so evolvers around him were furious. "What a temper! Do you know what Young Master Kang represents in Jinling Gathering Place? You've got some nerve, kid."

As they spoke, someone immediately moved to grab Lu Yin.

Lu Yin casually shot out a pair of chopsticks, piercing the arms of several evolvers before embedding them in the wall. The wall immediately cracked, and blood splattered onto the table as screams erupted.

Young Master Kang's face turned pale, and he quickly retreated. The surrounding evolvers also stepped back in unison.

The restaurant owner was terrified and immediately hid.

Young Master Kang pointed his gun at Lu Yin. "My uncle is a Punishment Camp Commander. Don't do anything rash. Hand over the item, and we can talk."

"Threw it away," Lu Yin said calmly.

Young Master Kang clearly didn't believe him. "Say it again. Hand over the item, or I'll let you know what despair is. An Earth-level Expert is not someone you can offend."

Lu Yin suddenly became curious, looking at Young Master Kang. "If your uncle is an Earth-level Expert, why would he need an aphrodisiac?"

Young Master Kang's face twitched with rage. "You dare slander my uncle? You're looking for death. Fifth Brother, contact my uncle immediately." He wasn't stupid; he knew firearms wouldn't work against Lu Yin.

Lu Yin's sharp gaze swept over Xu San, who was beaten half to death. He had been wrong. This Young Master Kang didn't want an aphrodisiac, but something else. This guy was trying to shift the blame onto him.

Xu San, lying on the ground, lowered his head when Lu Yin's gaze fell upon him, not daring to look.

Lu Yin smiled, unconcerned. Whether he was blamed or not didn't matter to him. What he was curious about now was what could make a Commander care so much. Earth had undergone evolution, giving rise to many valuable things. This was also one of the reasons why many students from cosmic academies came for trials. Perhaps this Commander had indeed obtained something.

A moment later, a middle-aged man entered the restaurant, waved away all the Punishment Camp soldiers, and looked inside.

"Uncle, you're here!" Young Master Kang exclaimed joyfully, raising his gun higher.

Lu Yin looked over. It was an acquaintance, one of the Commanders defeated by Snow Maiden Zhao Yu. His name seemed to be Kang Dafeng.

Kang Dafeng nodded at Young Master Kang. "Did you find the item?"

Young Master Kang said fiercely, "Found it! That kid took it." He then pointed at Lu Yin.

Kang Dafeng followed Young Master Kang's gaze. The moment he saw Lu Yin, his expression changed drastically. They had just met. He still remembered Snow Maiden Zhao Yu's power, yet Zhao Yu, who was so formidable, was utterly defenseless against Lu Yin. Kang Dafeng envied him greatly and was contemplating how to learn a few moves from Lu Yin. He never expected to run into him now.

"So it's Brother Lu," Kang Dafeng said obsequiously, walking up to Lu Yin with a smile.

Lu Yin smiled faintly, looking at Kang Dafeng. "What a coincidence, Brother Kang, are you here for a meal?"

Kang Dafeng replied, "This restaurant is owned by Brother Li. We often come here to gather. I apologize for what happened today. I hope Brother Lu won't hold it against my nephew. He's young and doesn't know any better."

Everyone stared blankly at this scene. What was this? Had they run into someone tough?

Lu Yin chuckled. "It's nothing, just kidding around."

Kang Dafeng immediately glared sternly at Young Master Kang. "Aren't you going to apologize to Brother Lu?"

Young Master Kang wasn't foolish. He quickly put on a smile, bowed, and said with extreme deference, "It was I who failed to recognize your might. I beg Commander Lu not to hold it against me."

Lu Yin waved his hand. "It's fine."

Kang Dafeng waved for Young Master Kang and the others to leave. He then spoke a few more words with Lu Yin before departing. It wasn't a suitable time for lengthy conversation. However, before leaving, Xu San was kept behind by Lu Yin.

After Kang Dafeng and his group left, the restaurant owner personally refilled Lu Yin's water and served several exquisite small dishes, calling them complimentary gifts.

Outside the restaurant, Young Master Kang asked in confusion, "Uncle, why were you so polite to that person? Is he also a Commander?"

Kang Dafeng whispered, "Remember, be polite to him in the future. That person is very strong."

"Uncle, aren't you also a Commander? How much stronger can he be?" Young Master Kang mumbled.

Kang Dafeng glared at him, "Shut up. Let me tell you, this person is several times stronger than your uncle. In Jinling, no one can defeat him with certainty except the Saint of Punishment. Perhaps even the strongest Myriad Commander Li Hongliang isn't his match."

Young Master Kang's mouth fell open. He stared blankly back at the restaurant, then quickly ran away. He knew he had brushed shoulders with death today.

Inside the restaurant, Lu Yin stared coldly at Xu San, "You have quite the nerve, accusing me."

Xu San felt incredibly unlucky. Not only did he steal from Young Master Kang, but he also wrongly accused someone even more formidable. Even a Myriad Commander showed him such respect. He felt completely finished, abandoned by heaven itself.

"What was Kang Dafeng looking for?" Lu Yin asked casually.

"A type of red crystal. I sold it," Xu San said bitterly, slumping to the ground.

Lu Yin's eyes flickered. "A red crystal? Was it a bit hot?"

Xu San was surprised. "How did you know?"

Lu Yin knew what it was: a Flame Crystal. It was a crystal that sealed flame energy, producing fire upon touch. Many flame combat techniques required it. Its effect was similar to Zhao Yu's Ice Palm, an external item used to cast combat techniques. Such items were hard currency in the universe, and naturally even more precious on Earth. No wonder Kang Dafeng was so anxious.

"Do you know where it's from?" Lu Yin asked.

Xu San shook his head. "No."

Lu Yin chuckled. "So, you wrongly accused me, created an enemy for me for no reason, and in the end, I get nothing out of it? Is that what you're saying?"

Xu San's face turned ashen. He could only apologize fearfully, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

Lu Yin played with his chopsticks. "Do you think this chopstick can pierce your throat? Shall we try?"

Xu San's eyes widened in fear. He hadn't forgotten the scene of the several evolved individuals having their arms pierced just now. He quickly begged for mercy, his head hitting the ground until it was swollen.

Lu Yin shook his head. He was just scaring him. Sometimes, in the apocalypse, being too tense wasn't good. He took a sip of water; he was about to leave.