Fire Crystal

Lu Yin watched the scene before him, ordering a couple of dishes. In times like these, for a restaurant to still be operating, it must have significant backing. At the very least, no one dared cause trouble here, with soldiers from the Punishment Camp patrolling the entrance every two minutes, clearly giving it special attention.

"Your dishes, please enjoy," the waiter said, placing three plates in front of Lu Yin before leaving without another word.

Lu Yin took a bite and frowned. It wasn't good, but it was much better than rat meat or mutant dog meat. He pulled out a map and began to study it while eating.

Before long, a group of ten or so people entered the restaurant. The owner's eyes lit up upon seeing them. "Young Master Kang, please come in! It's pouring outside. What would you like to eat? We can bring it right to you."

The young man addressed as Kang Shao nodded and sat at a table not far from Lu Yin, glancing at him briefly before knocking on the table. "Bring him over."

With a crash, a man was thrown to the ground, breaking a stool, and he trembled as he looked at Kang Shao. "I'm sorry, Young Master Kang. I didn't know that was yours. If I had known, I wouldn't have dared to take it. Please, forgive me."

Kang Shao sneered, "Forgive you? How can I face my men if I let you go? Do you know that the item you lost was a gift for my uncle? I'll give you two choices: either thirty energy crystals or your life. Pick one."

The man looked desperate. "Young Master Kang, I really didn't know it was yours. Please forgive me. I'll do anything, just spare me."

Kang Shao slammed the table and pulled out a gun, pressing it to the man's head. "No crystals, no life."

The man's eyes widened in desperation. Suddenly, he pointed at Lu Yin. "Him! He has it. I gave it to him!"

Everyone turned to look at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin set down his cup, saying nothing. From the moment they entered, he had recognized the beaten man as the sneaky Evolver who had sold him the map. He had even given him a pill, claiming it was a rare aphrodisiac. It turned out it had been stolen from Kang Shao.

Kang Shao stared at Lu Yin for a moment before kicking the beaten man. "Xu San, you think you can fool me by pointing to some random guy?"

Xu San quickly yelled, "It's true! He bought a map from me. Look, the map on his table has my mark on the bottom right corner."

Kang Shao and his men glanced over.

Lu Yin also looked at the map and saw the mark.

Kang Shao and his men dragged Xu San over to Lu Yin's table. "Buddy, you took something you shouldn't have. Don't you think you should give it back?"

"Get lost," Lu Yin said coldly.

Kang Shao's face darkened, and the Evolvers around him grew angry. "You have a big mouth. Do you know what Kang Shao represents in Jinling? You're courting death."

As he spoke, one of the men reached out to grab Lu Yin.

Lu Yin casually flicked his chopsticks, piercing the hands of several Evolvers and pinning them to the wall, which cracked from the impact. Blood splattered onto the table, and cries of pain filled the room.

Kang Shao paled and quickly backed away, as did the other Evolvers.

The restaurant owner was horrified and quickly hid.

Kang Shao aimed his gun at Lu Yin. "My uncle is a Captain in the Punishment Camp. Don't mess around. Hand over the item, and we can talk."

"I threw it away," Lu Yin replied nonchalantly.

Kang Shao clearly didn't believe him. "I'll say it one more time. Hand it over, or I'll show you what despair means. You can't afford to offend a Ranker."

Lu Yin was suddenly curious. "If your uncle is a Ranker, why does he need an aphrodisiac?"

Kang Shao's face twitched in anger. "You dare slander my uncle? You're dead. Lao Wu, contact my uncle right now," he ordered, knowing that guns were useless against Lu Yin.

Lu Yin's sharp gaze fell on the beaten Xu San. He had misunderstood. The item Kang Shao wanted wasn't an aphrodisiac, but something else entirely. Xu San had thrown the blame on him.

Xu San, lying on the ground, lowered his head, avoiding Lu Yin's gaze.

Lu Yin smiled, unconcerned. He didn't mind being blamed. Now, he was curious about the item that had piqued the interest of a Captain. Earth's evolution had produced many valuable items, which was why many students from various academies across the universe came here for trials. Perhaps this Captain had indeed found something valuable.

Not long after, a middle-aged man entered the restaurant, waving away the Punishment Camp soldiers and looking inside.

"Uncle, you're here!" Kang Shao was delighted and raised his gun higher.

Lu Yin glanced over. He recognized the man; he was one of the Captains defeated by Zhao Yu. His name was Kang Dafeng.

Kang Dafeng saw Lu Yin and his expression changed. They had just met. He still remembered how Zhao Yu, who was formidable, had been effortlessly defeated by Lu Yin. Kang Dafeng had been thinking of learning a few moves from Lu Yin, and now they met again.

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

Lu Yin smiled back. "What a coincidence. Are you here for a meal, Brother Kang?"

Kang Dafeng nodded. "This restaurant is owned by Brother Li. We often come here. I must apologize for today's incident and hope Brother Lu won't take offense at my nephew. He's young and ignorant."

Everyone was stunned. What was going on? Had they hit a tough guy?

Lu Yin smiled. "No problem. It was just a joke."

Kang Dafeng immediately glared at Kang Shao. "Apologize to Brother Lu."

Kang Shao wasn't stupid. He quickly bowed with a respectful smile. "I didn't recognize you, Commander Lu. Please don't hold it against me."

Lu Yin waved it off. "It's fine."

Kang Dafeng dismissed everyone and exchanged a few words with Lu Yin before leaving. It wasn't the right time for a longer conversation. However, before he left, Lu Yin kept Xu San behind.

After Kang Dafeng and the others left, the restaurant owner personally refilled Lu Yin's cup and brought out several delicate dishes, saying they were complimentary.

Outside the restaurant, Kang Shao was puzzled. "Uncle, why were you so polite to that man? Is he also a Captain?"

Kang Dafeng lowered his voice. "Remember to be respectful if you see him again. He's very powerful."

"But you're also a Captain. How strong can he be?" Kang Shao grumbled.

Kang Dafeng glared at him. "Shut up! That man is several times stronger than me. In Jinling, aside from the Punishment Saint, no one can beat him. Even the strongest Captain, Li Hongliang, might not be his match."

Kang Shao's jaw dropped. He glanced back at the restaurant, then quickly ran off, realizing he had just brushed with death.

In the restaurant, Lu Yin coldly stared at Xu San. "You've got some nerve, trying to frame me."

Xu San felt incredibly unlucky. Not only had he stolen from Kang Shao, but he had also tried to frame an even more formidable person, one whom a Captain treated with great respect. He felt utterly doomed, abandoned by fate.

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

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

Lu Yin's eyes flashed. "A red crystal? Is it slightly warm?"

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

Lu Yin understood now. It was a flame crystal, a crystal containing sealed flame energy. Touching it could produce flames, often used for fire-based combat techniques. It was similar to the external items Zhao Yu used for her ice palm technique. Such items were valuable even in the universe and naturally more so on Earth. No wonder Kang Dafeng was so anxious.

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

Xu San shook his head. "No."

Lu Yin chuckled. "So, you falsely accused me, made me an enemy, and I get nothing in return? Is that it?"

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

Lu Yin played with his chopstick. "Do you think this chopstick could pierce your throat? Shall we find out?"

Xu San was terrified, recalling how the Evolvers' hands had been pierced. He quickly begged for mercy, his forehead bruised from knocking on the floor.

Lu Yin shook his head. He was only scaring him. Sometimes, in the apocalypse, nerves were too tense. He took a sip of water. It was time to leave.