“Alright, since everyone is here.”

Wu Wang sat in the main seat, a cheerful expression on his face as he took out a stack of 【Transaction Contract】s.

“Let’s officially start paying off the debts.”

He was like a teacher who had just finished grading exams, sitting at his desk and calling students up one by one to collect their papers.

“【Yun Ze】.”

Hearing Wu Wang call his name, Yun Ze stood up and tapped the conference table a few times.

The next second, a virtual image materialized in front of Wu Wang. It was an object that looked like a pipe wrench.

The text on it was clearly written.

【A Certain Mario’s Pipe Wrench (Epic): Equipping this weapon grants the user +30 Strength.】

【Effect 1 (Mighty Miracle): When this weapon strikes a target’s vital point, damage is doubled, with a 25% chance of being tripled.】

【Effect 2 (Pipe Repair): Using this equipment enhances all effects related to 【Repair】.】

【Effect 3 (Mushroom Eater): After equipping this weapon, consuming any items related to 【Mushrooms】 will increase their effects by 20%.】

【Equipment Requirement: Possesses an anatomical hand structure.】

【Remark: A certain mushroom-loving plumber named Mario wants to prove to the world that he can do more than just stomp on monsters. He can also forge a new path with the pipe wrench in his hands!】

An 【Epic】 grade weapon.

As a combat tool, the 【Xiaochuan Broken Sword】 in Wu Wang’s hands was definitely a top-tier 【Epic】 weapon. But this pipe wrench came with many useful special effects.

Effect 2 was especially interesting, as it might synergize with another one of his skills, 【Sloppy Repair Technique】.

“Acceptable. I’ll take it.”

As Wu Wang accepted the weapon, the 【Transaction Contract】 in his hand glowed with a golden light, signifying that the transaction was complete.

However, a trace of confusion flashed through the eyes of Wan Shitong, who was sitting next to him. In her memory, a transaction with one of Gentleman Penguin’s contracts was supposed to disintegrate into a pile of golden dust upon completion.

Why hadn’t the contract paper in Wu Wang’s hand disappeared?

Could it be that some clauses on it were still in effect?

Just how many hidden clauses did this guy write on it?!

“Let’s welcome our next victim, the 【Poet of the Myriad Springs Division】!”

Hearing Wu Wang call him a “victim,” no one present said anything. They were already used to the great expert Yan, as he was known in the Hidden Map, making lame jokes from time to time.

Besides, none of them considered themselves victims. They were merely giving up some items and equipment. In exchange for information about a 【Venerable】, they felt it was completely worth it.

The Poet of the Myriad Springs Division also tapped on the conference table.

Two strange items appeared simultaneously.

【Six-Eyed Flying Fish (Epic, Cursed Single-Use Item): After using this item, a Six-Eyed Flying Fish will be summoned to entangle the target for 72 hours. During this period, the fish cannot be made to disappear unless a more powerful Purification item is used to dispel it.】

【Effect 1 (Rumor): The target will unconsciously speak the painful secrets hidden in the depths of their heart. They cannot stop themselves from speaking by any means below 【Epic】 grade.】

【Effect 2 (Slander): The target’s hearing and mind will be erratically filled with whispers that strike at their painful experiences. This effect is a form of Mental Contamination and cannot be resisted by willpower alone.】

【Remark: We all need courage to face the Six-Eyed Flying Fish~】

This was a single-use consumable item. The other item was a piece of equipment, just like the one Yun Ze had offered.

【Pure Nail of Hallownest (Epic): Equipping this weapon grants the user +20 Strength, +10 Agility, +10 Stamina.】

【Effect 1 (Downward Slash): When this weapon strikes a target with a downward slash, it grants the user an additional mid-air jump.】

【Effect 2 (Clash): When this weapon clashes with a physical attack from an opponent with far superior strength, the user is immune to the impact force and all other physical damage.】

【Effect 3 (Knockback): When this weapon strikes a target, it can forcibly push them back one step, interrupting any channeling effect the target is currently performing.】

【Effect 4 (Artistry): When performing a combo of sword techniques while wielding this weapon, gain an additional +10 Strength and +5 Agility.】

【Equipment Requirement: Level 25 or above, and possess a certain level of swordsmanship.】

【Remark: The Vessel will liberate Hallownest with the ancient and pure nail!】

Simple, unadorned, and powerful effects. Just like its name, this was a very pure weapon. All its effects were designed for close-quarters combat and skill-based battles, with nothing flashy about it.

If the 【Xiaochuan Broken Sword】 was a demonic sword that targeted spirits, then this nail was a divine artifact for physical combat.

Effect 2, Clash, was particularly potent. According to its skill description, even if an opponent’s punch could shatter a mountain, as long as you successfully clashed with it, you wouldn’t take any damage even if you were sent flying.

Wu Wang couldn’t even imagine how powerful this would be in the hands of a true sword master.

Unfortunately, the Transaction Contract clearly stated that he was to obtain one item.

So, he spoke.

“I’ll take the fish.”

To everyone’s astonishment, the 【Six-Eyed Flying Fish】 was taken into Wu Wang’s inventory, while the nail was returned to the Poet of the Myriad Springs Division.

At that moment, the players exchanged glances. They all saw the “just as I thought” look in each other’s eyes.

This was a method the Poet of the Myriad Springs Division had used to verify a theory they had all been speculating on privately. The nail was indeed a powerful weapon, but it had one crucial point, a level requirement.

Based on their initial contact with 【Pending Death】, both the Poet and Yun Ze had determined that although this player acted eccentrically, his own strength was not very great. In other words, his actual level wasn’t very high.

If 【Yan Shuangying】 didn’t choose the nail, it would prove their guess was correct. These items and equipment were a starter pack given to 【Pending Death】 by the 【Spirit Venerable of the Sea of Desire】!

Of course, they had considered that 【Yan Shuangying】 could just keep the item for himself. In that case, they would have had to probe a few more times.

Only now did they realize. There was absolutely no trace of longing in his eyes.

“Damn, just how strong is this guy?”

“He’s not even interested in such a top-tier piece of equipment?”

“Come to think of it, a person designated by the 【Spirit Venerable of the Sea of Desire】 to be the Saint Son’s private tutor is probably one of the most elite players, even in the level 30 bracket, right?”

Was Wu Wang really not attached to it?

Bullshit. He was practically drooling.

But the nail did have a level requirement, so even if he took it, he couldn’t use it right away. He knew that the items and equipment he was scamming were all meant to deal with Zhuge Yue. If they couldn’t be used immediately, they were less useful than a cursed item like the 【Six-Eyed Flying Fish】.

Besides, Zhuge Yue’s speed and movement were uncanny. Even if the nail could close the power gap between them, he still wouldn’t be able to keep up with her. It wasn’t as useful as the 【Xiaochuan Broken Sword】, which dealt soul damage on contact. You had to experience it to understand its power.

In short, powerful didn’t necessarily mean useful. What suited him was what was best.

His choice, in the eyes of the other players, became a symbol of his disdain for the nail.

The 【Fear Monger】 was still at work.

In everyone’s eyes, 【Yan Shuangying】’s powerful image grew even taller.

Wu Wang then picked up the next 【Transaction Contract】.

“Wan Shitong, Naga, Poet Mei Yige, New West…”

One by one, the players sent their prepared items and equipment to him through the conference table. He, in turn, was constantly screening their effects.

He had less than three hours left before the time limit set by the 【Spirit Venerable of the Sea of Desire】 expired. This meant that in three hours, he would have to face Zhuge Yue in battle.

Besides items and equipment, there was one more thing that could possibly increase his odds of winning.

Thinking of this, Wu Wang’s gaze turned to Wan Shitong. As Zhuge Yue’s ex-girlfriend, she was also the most well-informed Information Broker in the Spirit Calamity Game.

If he could get her to reveal some information about Zhuge Yue’s abilities during the trade for the 【Void Yellow Sand】, he would be much more confident.

So what if his level was low? As long as he played the information gap well, he could bury her under a mountain of items.

For some reason, Wu Wang had a strange feeling. He felt like a character in a Souls-like game, standing at the entrance to a boss room. He was constantly stacking BUFFs, chugging potions, and activating all sorts of magic circles, all for the sake of victory.

The only difference was that those types of characters were usually squishy, like a certain Demon Hunter who dies from falling down some stairs.

But Wu Wang was not. He was 【Undying】.

Although it felt a lot like raising a death flag, Wu Wang still asked himself a single question.

Can I win?

A faint smile touched his lips.

This is a guaranteed win.