obsidian

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Please be advised that Wang Cai has employed the SS-level skill [Sleight of Hand], successfully pilfering the item [Mount Capturing Stone] from your parcel, and you have noticed it!

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: You have utilized the skill [Sleight of Hand] (Secondary) and successfully purloined the ordinary item [Dog Food] from Wang Cai's package!

...

The silent and covert contest between the two parties continued.

Jiang Han was aware that the grade of the opponent's [Sleight of Hand] was higher, and the risk of losing the Fragment of the Moon was indeed present. However, the word 'crisis' inherently signifies that danger accompanies opportunity.

He had hundreds of pet capturing stones to diminish the probability of Wang Cai snatching the Fragment of the Moon. The contents of Wang Cai's package might all be treasures, presenting an opportunity for him to amass wealth.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Please take note that Wang Cai has employed the SS-level skill [Sleight of Hand], successfully pilfering the item [Healing Potion] from your parcel, and you have detected it!

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: You have used the skill [Sleight of Hand] (Secondary) and successfully purloined the divine-grade ore [Obsidian Crystal] from Wang Cai's package!

Divine... divine... divine... divine-grade?!

Jiang Han's heart pounded, breath stagnated for a moment, and once again, he couldn't help but gaze at Wang Cai, only to see that it remained undisturbed, continuing its zealous thievery.

Unaware that it was losing treasures, what an ignorant dog!

Mr. Jiang, the appraiser, silently evaluated.

"Seems... not quite right."

At this moment, Sheryl also realized, sensing the subtle atmosphere and discerning his disciple's abnormal behavior, immediately associating it with the notorious plundering hand that his disciple possessed, guessing the reason.

"Rebel!"

Sheryl promptly cooperated, displaying a furious appearance: "Wang Cai is by no means an ordinary creature. Don't harbor delusions of taming it!"

"I won't!"

Jiang Han resolutely shook his head: "I believe it will sense my goodwill."

"Impossible, give up."

"Master, please allow me to take the initiative!"

...

The two exchanged words, starting their dialogue.

No need for an extended period of immersion.

Jiang Han's secondary [Sleight of Hand] had a cooldown time of three seconds, while Wang Cai's SS-level was likely even shorter. The contest between the two sides could be settled in just a dozen seconds.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: Please be advised that Wang Cai has employed the SS-level skill [Sleight of Hand], successfully pilfering the item [Advanced Pet Stone] from your parcel, and you have detected it!

Advanced Pet Stone?

Just something dug out from an ordinary treasure map, three in total, not of great value. Jiang Han didn't mind.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: You have used the skill [Sleight of Hand] (Secondary) and successfully purloined the SS-grade item [Scroll of Apocalypse] from Wang Cai's package!

Wang Cai: "..."

In the next instant, the cute demeanor of the golden dog cub vanished, revealing an expression of furious ferocity.

Without a doubt, having lost such precious items, with an 80% discovery probability at maximum, it finally grasped the intentions of the person before it.

"!!!!!!!"

Jiang Han shivered all over, muscles tensed, and without a second word, he grabbed Wang Cai and threw it away: "Go, you thieving fish-stealing dog!"

His heart was bleeding.

The precious S-grade item, the benefits were numerous. His losses were truly devastating, not something that could be compensated with just an S-grade skill, an S-grade pet advancement stone, a divine-grade ore, and an SS-grade scroll.

Moreover, dozens of pet capturing stones were also a considerable expenditure.

"Swish!"

Sheryl swiftly rushed up, making a motion with his arm: "Undead Shield!"

"Whoosh!"

A black energy shield appeared, enveloping Jiang Han and Sheryl, providing them protection from external interference.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..."

Wang Cai transformed into a golden streak of light, crazily striking the shield, as if wanting to go all out against Jiang Han.

"Fortunately, this dog has an astonishing speed and formidable defense, but its attack intensity is not high, lacking balanced development," Sheryl sighed in relief, took out a scroll, and tore it without hesitation.

"Whoosh!"

Brilliant white light emerged from beneath their feet, quickly forming a teleportation array. The radiant brilliance shrouded the two, causing their figures to disappear from their original location.

"Woof woof woof..."

Wang Cai, having lost its target, remained in place, jumping and barking frantically, consumed by rage and helplessness, its entire body bristling with fur.

This time, it lost far too many precious items!

...

"Whoosh!"

Jiang Han and Sheryl appeared in another part of the Romantic District, a vast and tranquil forest.

"Ding! ~"

System prompt: You have entered the map [Breezy Grove]!

"Phew..."

Freed from Wang Cai's pursuit, Jiang Han sighed in relief. A smile unconcealed on his lips.

He had no sense of guilt whatsoever. After all, anyone with discerning eyes could see that the other party made the first move. He acted out of 'self-defense,' forced by necessity.

"It seems you've gained quite a bit this time," Sheryl chuckled lightly. "To make Wang Cai go mad to that extent, you must have taken away something extremely precious."

"Yeah."

Jiang Han nodded, pondered for a moment, and took out a pitch-black ore emitting a faint glow from his package. The surface of the ore was irregular, resembling shattered stones, but it was extremely heavy, indicating extremely high density—

[Obsidian Crystal] (Divine-grade)

Introduction: An extremely rare ore, a treasure sufficient to make divine-level experts tear their faces apart. If melted into a weapon, even if it was originally a divine weapon, it would significantly enhance its sharpness and toughness. The only downside is that it makes the weapon incredibly heavy, and ordinary individuals would probably find it a luxury to wield.

...

Evidently, the Obsidian Crystal was exceptionally precious, with a grade reaching divine, as the introduction stated. It would drive divine-level experts insane.

"Hiss..."

Sheryl inhaled sharply, shocked and voiceless: "Obsidian Crystal, and Wang Cai had such a treasure on its body?!"

"Luckily, taking away this piece of ore from Wang Cai made it realize something was amiss," Jiang Han smiled, "Mentor, if you need this Obsidian Crystal, I can give it to you."

Sometimes, one should not be too greedy, as it might attract calamity.

Certainly, Sheryl was his mentor, and despite joining the Dark Camp, he was a person of great integrity and generosity. However, everything had its limits, and he didn't want to incur Sheryl's hostility.

"...

No need!"

Sheryl suppressed his emotions, looked at his disciple, and shook his head with a smile: "Believe it or not, the Dwarf Clan is a race extremely fanatic about forging and smelting. If you find them and can provide this divine-grade Obsidian Crystal, they might consider your favor as if you've given them new parents!"

Jiang Han: "..."

Favor akin to giving them new parents?

Isn't that a bit exaggerated?

"Perhaps, taking away this piece of Obsidian Crystal from Wang Cai was luck, but unknowingly, it might be a kind of fate," Sheryl chuckled, "Originally, I was planning to assign you a challenging mission, with a reward being a piece of Immortal-grade ore. This was to persuade the Dwarf Clan to come out. Now, with the Obsidian ore out, the entire Dwarf Clan will go mad for it."

"Thank you, Mentor!" Jiang Han felt warmth in his heart, grateful.

Sheryl had nothing more to say to him. In the future, if there was an opportunity, he would definitely repay this mentor.

"Keep a low profile, don't let others know you have the Obsidian Crystal..."

Sheryl summoned a Pegasus, mounted it, reached out a hand to Jiang Han, and then reminded: "This place is not far from the national border. Wang Cai might find us, so it's better to stay as far away as possible."

"Okay!"

Jiang Han took the extended hand and sat on the Pegasus behind Sheryl. The Pegasus flapped its wings, running forward, and soon soared into the sky.

Sitting behind Sheryl, Jiang Han quietly opened the package. A golden, radiant scroll caught his eye, capturing all his attention.

An SS-grade scroll!

This was undoubtedly on par with the two scrolls shown by the mysterious merchant, its grade promising powerful effects!