My Crazy Upgrade System

Ren Liangchen’s words made Liu Long’s face darken. He had assumed a few apologies and some self-deprecation would be enough for them to forgive him. He never imagined they would refuse and even tell him to slap his own face. ’How can I possibly endure such humiliation?’

"Don’t push it too far! I just casually tossed the Netherwater Shark’s corpse aside. When did I ever deliberately throw it over to you?"

Even now, Liu Long was still trying to deny it every which way, which was truly repulsive. Normally, after killing a Demon Beast, one would simply toss it aside. How could he have thrown it so forcefully in their direction? His "casually" was anything but.

"Do you think we’re idiots, or are you just treating us like we are?" Yi Tianyun watched him, his expression placid. "Sometimes, a man has to take responsibility for his actions. For what you did just now, I’ll give you one chance. Jump down from here, swim a lap, and come back up. If you do, I’ll consider this matter dropped."

The moment he said that, the color drained from Liu Long’s face. What was the difference between that and suicide? The Netherwater here was far more terrifying than the water outside. If he went down for a swim, even if he survived, he’d be half-crippled at best.

And in such a dangerous place, how long would it take to recover? This area was constantly being eroded by a black miasma. Without a Guardian to protect him while he recuperated, his death was certain. The companions who came with him couldn’t be counted on to stand guard forever.

Ren Liangchen and the others exchanged glances. They hadn’t expected Yi Tianyun to be so ruthless, but they liked it.

"That’s right. Go down for a swim and come back up, and we’ll drop the matter. Otherwise..." Ren Liangchen’s gaze turned cold, and killing intent filled his and his companions’ eyes. His earlier actions had been tantamount to attempted murder. By all rights, killing him wouldn’t be going too far.

Just making him go for a swim at least gave him a chance to live. This was already an act of extreme mercy.

"So, it looks like you’re determined to fight me. Do you really think I’m such an easy target?" Liu Long’s gaze was frigid as he turned to the group on the side. "Do you want to know how to get out of this fog of death? Let me tell you, it’s incredibly dangerous. A single moment of carelessness means certain death! But I know the way. As long as you help me deal with them, I’ll hand over my map with pleasure!"

To save his own skin, Liu Long immediately appealed to the other group for help. There were only three of them left, and they were in a pathetic state. They had been poisoned during the Netherwater Shark’s attack and had only just recovered slightly, only to now face an assault from four people.

There was no way they could handle it on their own; their only choice was to seek help from the other group. That team had three Core Condensation Stage experts and seemed quite capable. However, no one knew what they were really like.

Yi Tianyun and his group looked over, curious to see how they would respond.

"A map... If it’s just a map, the payment is a little low." The middle-aged man in the lead shook his head, feeling the compensation was insufficient. "You’ll have to add some weapons, at the very least. Otherwise, the price to make us, the three Tiger Hunters, take action is far too cheap."

"You’re the Tiger Hunting Brothers!?" Ren Liangchen’s expression darkened.

Yi Tianyun had no idea who the Tiger Hunting Brothers were, but from the expressions on Ren Liangchen’s and his companions’ faces, he knew these men were trouble. Judging by their cultivation bases, they weren’t weak—all were at the Sixth or Seventh Layer of the Core Condensation Stage, which was quite a formidable level.

He had briefly noticed them in action earlier. They had slain the Netherwater Sharks with considerable ease. The people who had followed them were all dead, but the three brothers themselves were unharmed. This alone spoke volumes about their strength.

"They’re a trio who stops at nothing, often abducting and violating young women. Recently, I heard they stormed a sect, burning, killing, and plundering—committing every atrocity imaginable. They even defiled the sect master’s daughter, which led to a bounty on their heads... They were originally hiding out in the Netherworld Empire, but now that the Netherworld Empire has been dismantled, they have nowhere left to hide and are trying to flee to the Netherworld. I can’t believe we’d run into these three degenerates here!" Ren Liangchen sent a mental message to Yi Tianyun and the other two, revealing the men’s true identities.

Yi Tianyun’s gaze turned cold. ’So they’re just a bunch of lowlifes.’

"It seems our reputation precedes us. You even know what we’re called." Lie Cheng smiled faintly, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

"Your names are legendary, sirs. How could we not know of you?" A flicker of terror crossed Liu Long’s eyes. "As long as you help, I’ll give you not just the map, but a top-grade Soul Artifact as well! I swear it!"

"And you two?" The Tiger Hunting Brothers turned their gaze on Liu Long’s two companions, waiting to see what they would offer.

"We have to pay up, too?" The other two were stunned. ’Wasn’t Liu Long the one who asked for help? What does this have to do with us?’

"If you don’t want to pay, you can choose to jump in and swim two laps instead. I won’t charge you a thing," Lie Cheng said, his eyes filled with a murderous light that left no doubt he was serious.

"I... We’ll hand over one high-grade Soul Artifact..."

"Hm?"

"T-two high-grade Soul Artifacts! That’s all we have..."

Although they were Core Condensation Stage experts, their finances were tight as Loose Cultivators. They looked like they had only recently broken through, so they couldn’t have much of a fortune to their names.

"Hm, not bad." Lie Cheng turned to Yi Tianyun’s group and asked with a smile, "That’s not a low bid. I wonder, what price will you offer?"

As he spoke, the three brothers fully unleashed their auras. The pressure from their Seventh and Eighth-Layer Core Condensation Stage cultivation bore down on them. They had clearly expended little energy in the previous fight; their strength was truly nothing to scoff at.

It was Liu Long and his companions whose expressions changed. He had thought the brothers would attack immediately and was surprised they were now soliciting a bid from Yi Tianyun. ’Doesn’t this mean that if Yi Tianyun’s group makes a better offer, we’re dead?’

"Offer a price?" Yi Tianyun said coolly. "And why should we?"

Ren Liangchen and his companions stared back just as coldly, showing no intention of backing down. Even though their cultivation was weaker, they had no plans to compromise—especially not with such disgusting Cultivators. To do so would be the greatest insult.

"’Why?’ On the strength of our power. Is that not enough?" They each drew their top-grade Soul Artifacts. Every weapon was different, but a thick, metallic stench of blood wafted from them all. One could only imagine how many people they had to have killed to create such an effect.

"If that’s the case, then I’ll make an offer. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied," Yi Tianyun said with a faint smile.

"What’s the price?" Lie Cheng’s eyes lit up. They were on their way to the Netherworld and needed to gather as many resources as they could. Otherwise, how would they establish a foothold there?

"I’ll spare the three of you. How’s that for a price?" Yi Tianyun said coolly.

His tone was placid, but it was laced with killing intent.