Liang Du's eyes lit up—whether dazzled by the glittering sheen of the gold coin or ignited by the uncontrollable greed in his heart, it was impossible to tell.
He hadn't forgotten the rumors claiming Fang Yuan possessed more than one 【Blessing】. He had always been skeptical of this, and even now, he didn't immediately believe that this gold coin had come from her 【Blessing】.
Could she be trying to imply that she was not only a Candidate for the God of War and the God of Illusory Dreams, but also a Candidate for the God of Wealth?
Or had she obtained this 【Blessing】 through some method inside the Crucible?
If she really possessed this 【Blessing】, Liang Du leaned more toward the second guess.
After all, during the 【God Selection】, one could obtain all sorts of 【Divine Relic】s and 【Blessing】s.
Along the surrounding streets, a few divine creations carrying turtle shells shuffled past. They walked at a leisurely pace, chatting happily among themselves, much like Fang Yuan and Liang Du.
Fang Yuan waved the gold coin in front of Liang Du. With a subtle flick of her fingers, she drew a second gold coin out from right behind the first.
Without stopping, she gave her fingertips another twist, causing yet another gold coin to slip out from between her fingers.
A simple magic trick, but it was just enough to fool Liang Du.
He was overly calculating and deeply suspicious, making him the easiest target for self-deception.
Smiling cheerfully, Fang Yuan turned one gold coin into six right before his eyes, her hands never once straying near the fluffball at her waist during the entire process.
Liang Du stared fixedly at her fingers. Midway through, Fang Yuan even deliberately flipped her wrist, showing him her completely empty palm.
Yet with a simple twist, she produced a brand-new gold coin out of that very empty palm!
Was it a cheap trick? Or some kind of swindling sleight of hand?
A new trick she learned during her days wandering the streets? Why didn't he know about it? Had she learned it secretly behind his back? Or did she pick it up after being adopted by that old woman?
What if it wasn't a trick? What if it really was a 【Blessing】?
Liang Du was well aware of the importance of gold coins. Relying on his naturally friendly face, he had already questioned other turtle-shell-wearing divine creations. Gold coins could buy 【Divine Relic】s, enlist the help of divine creations, and even purchase lodging.
And most 【Divine Relic】s could be bought at the "Has-It-All" General Store.
He suddenly came up with a seamless theory.
Fang Yuan's 【Blessing】 to generate gold coins was real. She had taken those coins to the general store and bought some kind of 【Divine Relic】 to cleanse the bad luck status he had inflicted on her.
And the reason she was willing to lead him there was that she knew he had no gold coins. Even if he did, how many could he possibly have earned in just one short hour? He certainly wouldn't be able to afford the price of that 【Divine Relic】, which was why she acted so brazenly.
Everything made sense now.
No wonder, no wonder!
So where had she gotten this 【Blessing】 from?
Was it from that little Dandelion Spirit?
While Liang Du's mind raged like a stormy sea, his face remained warm and affable. He even began clapping for Fang Yuan. "As expected of you, Sister Fang Yuan. To obtain a new 【Blessing】 so quickly! Sigh, your Big Brother Liang just can't compare. My luck isn't nearly as good as yours."
Wait.
Luck.
That was it.
Fang Yuan had to have been under the bad luck status before she obtained this 【Blessing】. So how could she have gotten such a powerful 【Blessing】 while plagued by bad luck?
If she could obtain such a vital 【Blessing】 even under a bad luck status, wouldn't his getting only a turtle shell make him a complete joke?
There was only one possibility.
Fang Yuan had genuinely possessed this 【Blessing】 before the 【God Selection】 even began.
Which meant the rumors were true.
She possessed a 【Blessing】 that allowed her to resurrect after death, a 【Blessing】 that could dispel illusory dreams, and even a 【Blessing】 that could create gold coins!
Favor from three different deities all at once?
Why her?
Just why her?!
Liang Du clenched his fists tightly, biting his teeth so hard that a thick metallic taste of blood instantly filled his mouth.
"Sister Fang Yuan, give your Big Brother Liang the honest truth... what is your Divine Expectation Value?"
To gain the favor of three gods before the 【God Selection】 even started, her Divine Expectation Value couldn't possibly be 0%!
Fang Yuan had already put the gold coins back into her fluffball. Hearing his question, she feigned thought for a moment, appearing as if she were summoning her system panel.
"3%. Don't tell me yours is 0%?"
Fang Yuan flicked her wrist casually.
"Well, that makes sense. After all, with my outstanding talent, it's hardly surprising that multiple gods favor me. Sigh, I suppose this is the trouble with being so adored."
Her deliberately boastful tone sounded to Liang Du, who was already consumed by jealousy, like sharp mockery and utter contempt.
Three percent!
During this past hour, he hadn't just talked to divine creations. Relying on his luck, he had encountered quite a few divine Candidates.
Through subtle probing combined with his apparent sincerity, he had reached a conclusion.
In all likelihood, every divine Candidate's initial Divine Expectation Value was 0%!
Yet now, Fang Yuan claimed she had 3%?!
Liang Du didn't think Fang Yuan was lying about this.
Because her arrogance and complacency would never allow her to lie just to turn a 0% into a 3%!
He didn't even bother keeping up his facade anymore; his entire face fell flat.
Seeing his expression—looking as if he had just swallowed a pile of garbage—Fang Yuan let out a whistle. "Yo, it really is a big fat zero! My bad, my bad. Didn't mean to step on your sore spot."
Sarcastic snide remarks.
Deliberate showing off.
Disgusting beyond belief.
Liang Du no longer had any desire to speak with her. Suppressing his emotions, he dug his fingernails hard into his palms—yet exerting just enough control so as not to injure himself.
A thought suddenly struck him, calming his turmoil slightly.
Did there exist a 【Divine Relic】 in this place that could strip someone of their 【Blessing】?
Liang Du stared at Fang Yuan's retreating back, his emotions completely settling down.
Since Fang Yuan was taking him to that general store, he could use the opportunity to ask the owner inside.
Fang Yuan, who was leading the way, happened to stop just then. She raised her hand and pointed at a modest building ahead. "It's right there. Are you coming?"
Liang Du looked in the direction she was pointing. Sure enough, it was a quaint, rustic general store.
Liang Du was now completely convinced of his earlier assumptions.
Outside the shop door hung a tall, pointed, reddish-brown hat, with a cord dangling from its brim that held a small bronze bell.
Ignoring Liang Du, Fang Yuan stepped forward and gave the cord a tug.
The hat bounced sharply, squawking out a welcome: "Welcome! Please come in, wise guest!"
The door swung open a crack. Fang Yuan pushed her way inside and closed the door behind her.
Huo Duoduo was using her nose to hold a broom and sweep around the shelves. Seeing Fang Yuan enter, she asked without turning her head, "Did you bring my hired hand?"
Fang Yuan squatted down, blocking the crack in the window perfectly. From that angle, no matter how one looked, only her straight back and smooth long hair could be seen.
Liang Du tiptoed over and pressed himself against the window frame to eavesdrop.
However, he soon realized that the soundproofing here was also ridiculously good. He could barely hear a single word of whatever the hell they were talking about inside!
Rate on N.U.
