Chapter 153 Drink any more and you'll get internal heat.

"**Supreme?"

"Why is he here too!"

"Damn it, that makes our chances even slimmer!"

The moment **Supreme, whose entire body was encased in interlocking golden armor, appeared, it immediately sparked a flurry of discussions among the surrounding players. Some even began to complain bitterly, clearly categorizing him as a major competitor this time around.

Falcon and I exchanged glances: What is he here for? Could he also be interested in the Frost凝 Wand?
……

"Haha! If it isn't Brother Supreme, forgive me for not coming out to greet you!"

Rubik Cube was no pushover either. Seeing that Scavenger Qilin didn't immediately put away the 'Frost凝 Wand,' he quickly assessed the situation, put on a smiling face, and walked up to the newcomer:

"At first, I thought Brother Supreme had rushed over specifically to contest this piece of equipment with me, which gave me a fright... Since Brother Supreme specifically came to invite me for a drink, I certainly won't decline! ...Brother Supreme might as well go wait at Yixiang Pavilion first; I'll join you right after I swap out my gear!"

Before **Supreme, glowing with a pale golden light, had even finished walking over and standing still, he was met with this barrage of send-off remarks from Rubik Cube, almost causing him to choke on his breath. He broke out in a cold sweat internally:

I never expected this kid to be so adept at climbing up the pole. The way he put it made it sound as if he really had come all the way here specifically to invite him for a drink. If he denied it now, he might instantly fall under suspicion of intentionally coming over to snatch the equipment.

**Supreme offered a bitter smile, but he refused to be outdone:

"Heh heh, brother, I saw the commotion from way over there and had no idea Brother Rubik was here too. The drinking can wait; let me first take a look at what kind of equipment could cause a stir even for a younger brother like you."

With that, he squatted down halfway...

Putting on a show of inspecting it, he immediately exaggerated:

"Good stuff! Tsk tsk, no wonder even Brother Rubik was tempted, traveling all the way from 'Iron Sand City.' If I were a mage, I certainly wouldn't want to miss out on such a top-tier dual-attribute piece of equipment..."

At that moment, Falcon and I, who had been speculating why **Supreme had shown up here, shuddered simultaneously:

"A top-tier dual-attribute piece of equipment?"

Could he be referring to the '10% ice attribute enhancement' and the '+5 water magic attack'?

Is **Supreme trying to give me a hint?

No sooner had this thought flashed through my mind than Falcon's voice reached me: "Top-tier dual-attribute equipment? **Supreme's words sound like he's hinting to us that the price isn't high enough yet."

I paused inwardly for a moment: Would **Supreme help me? Why would he help me?? It seems I made them lose quite a bit of face just a few days ago... There's no reason for him to suddenly be so warm to me just because of Purple Thunder's words?

This feeling was very strange!

However, Rubik Cube's expression shifted. He turned his head and shot a quick sentence at me:

"I hope the previous agreement is still valid. The archer equipment will be delivered shortly, just wait."

Then he quickly pivoted toward **Supreme, striking up a conversation about the recent affairs between the Supreme Mercenary Group and the Dragon Wolf Knights, abruptly cutting off **Supreme before he could continue detailing the specifics of the 'top-tier dual-attribute equipment'—this was practically a blatant threat.

Yet, a subsequent remark of mine set **Supreme's mind at ease while drawing a wry smile from Rubik Cube...

"Of course the agreement is still valid, but I also hope the equipment you bring out is truly on par with the Frost凝 Wand. Naturally, I also believe your Death Cube Mercenary Group wouldn't bring out gear that devalues the trade compared to the Frost凝 Wand, especially with so many eyes watching here."

By now, I had figured out that **Supreme's purpose in coming here was likely Rubik Cube...

Regardless of whether he had intentions of competing with Rubik Cube for this 'Frost凝 Wand' beforehand, at this very moment, I could sense that he wanted to bleed Rubik Cube dry, and the more, the better.

Lately, it was quite ironic—are these the people who call each other brothers when they meet? It really is hypocritical enough...

Although I deeply despised **Supreme in my heart, I secretly had to thank him—if not for him, I might not have truly realized what a top-tier dual-attribute piece of equipment was worth.
……

Meanwhile, Rubik Cube had been pushed into a completely passive position by **Supreme's appearance and single remark.

To be honest, Death Cube did have tier-3 archer equipment with extra stats, but a weapon like the Frost凝 Wand, possessing two such alluring attributes simultaneously, was extremely rare! That was precisely why this hidden-class player who already owned golden equipment was genuinely tempted.

A few minutes later, someone from Death Cube pushed through the crowd and reached Rubik Cube's side.

Subsequently...

"Rubik Cube has initiated a trade request with you, do you accept?"

Following the system prompt, I didn't immediately retract the Frost凝 Wand and chose to accept the trade...

The next instant, the virtual trading window displayed a silver-glowing bow and a pair of boots emanating a faint aura of wind magic throughout.

Prometheus Bow (Silver Equipment): Attack 38–46; Strength +6, Agility +6, Stamina +6; Additional Attack +10; Strength requirement 40, Agility requirement 40, Level requirement 30, usable by archer-type classes.

Wind Leopard Boots (Silver Equipment): Defense 24–33; Magic Defense +5, Agility +6, Stamina +6, Movement Speed increased by 10%; Triggers wind element resonance in dashing state, additional movement speed increase of 3%. Strength requirement 25; Agility requirement 45; Level requirement 30, usable by archer-types.

Indeed, these were two top-tier pieces of equipment.

In terms of value, they certainly matched the Frost凝 Wand and even far exceeded my original demands.

"You plan to trade these two pieces of equipment for the Frost凝 Wand?" I looked at Rubik Cube, who had regained his composure, and asked.

"That's right."

"No."

"Why?" Rubik Cube seemed to have anticipated this response.

Without answering, I directly placed the Ink-Tempered Bow from my inventory into the window...

Rubik Cube frowned slightly and quickly caught on: "You want this slow-status attribute?"

I nodded: "You're definitely satisfied with the attributes of the Frost凝 Wand, so naturally, I can't just accept whatever you hand over. I won't trade unless the attributes satisfy me."

"...... Hold on, let me ask."

Whether due to **Supreme's presence or the fact that the Frost凝 Wand's dual attributes had been exposed by **Supreme, Rubik Cube agreed with unusual promptness. In less than three minutes, he initiated a trade request with me once again.

This time, aside from the Wind Leopard Boots, a dull, earthy-yellow magic bow replaced the Prometheus Bow.

Black Swamp Magic Bow (Silver Equipment): Attack 39–45; Agility +6, Strength +6, 10% chance to trigger slow effect, additional attack +10; Strength requirement 40; Agility requirement 40; Level requirement 30; usable by archer-type classes.

"Should this weapon be to your liking?"

"Not bad."

I canceled the trade, retrieved the Frost凝 Bow from the stall, and initiated a trade request toward Rubik Cube.

After accepting, the opponent didn't immediately confirm the trade. Instead, a cunning look crossed his face as he said:

"It seems like it's your turn to come up short on the value now..."

The players still lingering around in a circle were momentarily stunned. Unaware of what Rubik Cube was offering in exchange, they all curiously gazed at Scavenger Qilin.

I smiled, making no secret of my fondness for the Black Swamp Magic Bow and the Wind Leopard Boots, and replied:

"Two top-tier equipment items traded for one Frost凝 Wand—my end does seem a bit light, but... as long as you feel it's worth it, isn't that what matters?"

Displaying zero concealment of the blatant freeloading mindset in my words, I instantly left Rubik Cube dumbfounded and deeply amused **Supreme, who had been watching from the sidelines with a smile.

Rubik Cube rolled his eyes:

"Aren't you just being a rogue... No! Aside from the Frost凝 Wand, you must add another ten thousand gold coins... Ten thousand gold coins, I'm sure you can afford that much, right?"

"I can afford it, but that doesn't mean I'm willing to fork it over." My words once again left Rubik Cube and the cluster of Death Cube mercenaries behind him speechless...

"Do you think my asking price is unreasonable?"

"Very reasonable!"

"Then why won't you agree?" Rubik Cube asked with a bewildered expression.

"You're going to trade with me even if I don't cough up these ten thousand gold coins, so why should I give you ten thousand gold coins for free?"

Thud!

A whole batch of surrounding players collapsed to the ground...

It was the first time they had ever heard someone lay things out so transparently while acting so shamelessly.

Ultimately, gazing at the gradually darkening sky, a stunned and speechless Rubik Cube finally chose to compromise with the rogue...

Once the trade concluded, casting not the slightest veil over the disdain and resentment in their eyes, the group under Rubik Cube's leadership slunk away like defeated roosters.

"Don't go just yet, Brother Rubik! We agreed on having a drink together!" Although **Supreme offered a smiling retention, he made no move to actually step forward.

Rubik Cube, already swallowed by the crowd, was even more amusing. Without turning his head, he retorted: "Drink my ass! One more drink and I'll blow a gasket!"