Respect

The scorching heat of the fireball jolted Fishman out of his dazed stupor, and he instinctively clutched his backside as he sprang up.

But everyone saw something strange: a faint pale beam shot straight out from his right eye, pierced through the air, and landed directly on the water grass three meters away.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!

The waist-high water grass froze instantly. Pale patterns emerged across its emerald surface, and from the center of those patterns, uneven curves spread outward. Grain-sized spots grew around the curves, continuously expanding until they completely occupied the upper half of the water grass.

Crack!

The upper half, now entirely turned to stone, finally could not bear its own weight and snapped at the waist. The slender stone shard plunged straight into the swamp mud like a dagger, sending ripples spreading outward.

At that moment, the lakeshore fell completely silent.

It was so quiet that they seemed able to hear their own heartbeats, especially the blond Mage, whose eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the stone shard already swallowed by the mud.

"I... this... I..."

Fishman's frightened, helpless voice shattered the stillness. At the same time, this frozen space seemed to come alive, and a babble of voices broke out.

"It really worked? I've seen Medusa before. Was that really the Petrifying Eye?"

"My gods, what did I just see? A Fishman has Medusa's eye—was this witchcraft?"

"That's incredible. Guobu is too lucky. If only it were me."

Countless cries of amazement and complaint echoed through the swamp, but they were soon replaced by startled shouts.

A Fishman at the edge of the swamp began to develop bluish patches across his face. The patches spread at a visible speed, and within a few breaths, they had formed a layer of stony skin.

All Guobu, the Fishman who had caused this, had done was sweep his gaze over the crowd.

"Guobu, close your eyes!" the fire mage Hogg roared. "Don't look at anyone! Damn it, you bastard—join my squad from now on. Your pay goes up to one silver coin!"

Those ear-splitting shouts left Li Ziran rather surprised. He had truly never expected this refined-looking fire mage to have such a booming voice. Yet that tone was clearly effective, especially the "one silver coin," which was undoubtedly the most motivating reward of all.

Reputation, status, worth—they had changed just like that.

The fishman laborers gazed enviously at Guobu, who still stood there dumbstruck. Even the dark elf carrying cold iron arrows cast Li Ziran a friendly look. At this moment, they all seemed to wish they had one of Medusa's eyes.

Li Ziran merely lowered his head and tidied up his tools. The result was not bad. He would give the performance an 8.0. It should be enough to let him stay in this Slave-Catching Group.

Then he could deal with the Goathead Chief, purchase a batch of corpses, and before this swamp was completely swallowed by the Wasteland, haul a full load of corpses to the Undead Nest to make his fortune.

Li Ziran knew this whole corpse-buying process like the back of his hand.

While Li Ziran waited, Karen extended an olive branch to him with a smile.

"Sir, your ability is outstanding. This is absolutely the greatest gain I've made since coming to the Wasteland. You created a Fishman with a Petrifying Eye for me. I truly don't know how to thank you."

"There's no need to thank me. This was the Goddess of Fortune's blessing. If not for you, I would have rotted away in that Snake Women's belly." Li Ziran casually exchanged pleasantries.

"Not at all. I imagine that even without my intervention, with your methods, you could have escaped easily. Oh, right, my name is Kevin. I temporarily manage this small Thornflower Slave-Trading Corps. And you are?"

"Oh, just call me Li Ziran. No need to be so polite. I said, it was the Goddess of Fortune's blessing!" Li Ziran laughed heartily.

Karen wanted to recruit Li Ziran, while Li Ziran wanted to use the Slave-Catching Group's conveniences. Their conversation was quite harmonious. The only thing that made Li Ziran grumble inwardly was that these people would never return the Fishman they had just snatched from him.

"Sir, you're truly humorous. A person like you would be respected anywhere. May I invite you to a simple meal? And if possible, could you explain some knowledge about organ transplantation? To be honest, I'm a complete layman in this field." Karen was very modest, and his words and bearing began to reveal aristocratic grace.

Of course, Li Ziran did not lack etiquette either, and he handled the exchange with calm composure.

This sort of work was all about smiling with one's mouth and leaning forward with one's body.

"Oh? Is the corps leader interested in organs?"

Karen nodded honestly. "Of course I'm interested. Since I was young, my father told me that if you encountered an Organ Witch, it was the same as encountering the Goddess of Fortune. And if he could help you even a little, it meant you had married the Goddess of Fortune and brought her home."

Li Ziran had truly never heard such flattery before. He had to admit that when it came to social maneuvering, Karen was absolutely a shrewd old hand.

During their idle conversation, Karen had silently prepared a dining table. At its center sat a plump roasted goose, with all kinds of fruit jams arranged beside it, along with a bottle of bright red wine.

The refreshing fragrance of wine spread freely through the chaotic swamp, even luring out the fish fry hidden in the cracks between the grass.

This could be considered a feast. That bottle of red wine was certainly worth no small amount.

Li Ziran rather liked drinking. Whether before or after coming to this Wasteland, he had never deliberately changed that habit. Especially when it came to good wine, he could sit alone and drink before the setting sun for two hours.

Yet the people here seemed utterly uninterested in this fragrant wine. Could it be that they did not touch alcohol at all?

"A small token. I hope Master will be satisfied." Karen poured Li Ziran a glass of red wine first.

"All right, stop calling me Master. I can't bear such a title with my little bit of skill. Look, you've made my face turn red." Li Ziran touched his cheek, glanced at Medusa's remains in the distance, and sighed. "To tell the truth, if not for today's life-saving favor, I would not casually do this kind of business. After all, organ transplantation goes greatly against nature."

"Yes, I oppose this kind of witchcraft as well." Karen tore off a greasy roasted goose leg for Li Ziran and sighed. "In this world, many things are not ours to decide. Ability comes second. Whether something is good or bad depends on the person who controls it. Take today, for instance—when placed in Master's hands, it created a miracle."

Li Ziran smiled. This nonsense conversation was nauseating, yet necessary.

If everything were truly as people said aloud, that would be wonderful. Unfortunately, the more refined one sounded, the more cruelly one acted behind the scenes.

The laws of nature's elimination forced every living being to rack its brains to survive, and to want to live even better.

There was no need for him to slap the other man's face. A conversation full of lies could at least buy them a harmonious atmosphere.

"Master, when did you come to the Wasteland?" Hogg interjected from the side. After Li Ziran's earlier display, he had become far more respectful, especially because of Karen's attitude. Even his words had become somewhat ingratiating. "Judging by your appearance, you seem like someone from Chailuo Island."

Chailuo Island lay in the far east of the Red Soil Continent and covered a vast area. It was home to humans with yellow skin and black eyes, and was also called Yellow-Skinned Island. They resembled the Asian peoples in his memories.

However, he had transmigrated here and knew absolutely nothing about Chailuo Island.

"I'm not sure either. I grew up in Storm City, then was sent into the Wasteland by a slave-trading corps." This was the background Li Ziran had fabricated long ago, so he would not have to worry about them digging into his past.

The two men clearly were not interested in Li Ziran's origins. "Oh, what a pity. Li, were you sold into slavery too?"

Li Ziran nodded. "Yes, but fortunately it was only for two months. Although I suffered a little, I met my teacher. Without him, I could never have survived alone in the Wasteland."

"Your teacher must have been an extraordinary person." Hogg seemed extremely interested.

"Yes, he was great. He came from the Amphibian Frog Clan. Though he was not human, he never discriminated against me for being human. On the contrary, he patiently taught me witchcraft. The years I spent by his side were my happiest days." Li Ziran reminisced about the past.

"Oh, me too." The blond Mage seemed to feel the same. "My master was very patient when teaching me fire magic, though he was a little strict. Whenever my incantation was even slightly off, he would whip me without mercy. Even after leaving my master, hearing the sound of a whip these days still makes me tremble."

As he spoke, he kept watching Karen's expression.

Hahaha!

The three of them burst into laughter together.

"Ah, having masters is wonderful for you two. I was raised by my father, and I had two older brothers and three older sisters. They were all excellent, while I was terribly neglected." Karen complained to himself. This banter brought the three of them considerably closer. "Oh, right, Li, why didn't you continue cultivating with your teacher? I heard wizards have a great many things to learn."

As he spoke, he poured Li Ziran another glass of wine.

Li Ziran took two sips and felt somewhat lightheaded, but he still possessed the most basic vigilance. His tongue could tell that the wine contained no ordinary poison.

This man had not tampered with much, so Li Ziran spoke with fewer reservations than usual.

"I wanted to, but my teacher drove me out himself."

"Why?" Karen asked. "He was your teacher!"

Hogg laughed. "Corps leader, you don't understand this, do you? You're not a cultivator, so you don't know these things. In the mountain snowfields, powerful snow leopards often carefully raise their young for two years. Once they come of age, they drive them from home. They may never see each other again for the rest of their lives. Only this can forge their strength. The flying king, the Thunder Roc, is the same. They..."

Hogg's voice abruptly stopped. He noticed that Karen's expression had changed; he even seemed somewhat disgusted by this damned story.

"Oh, that sounds heartbreaking." Karen covered his chest and said with deep anguish, "We humans are social creatures. Being all alone in the Wasteland is far too pitiful. Li, how about joining my Slave-Catching Group? I can guarantee that you will receive the very best treatment!"

After saying that, he picked up the wine bottle himself and filled Li Ziran's glass again.