Chapter 697: Chapter 698: The Miser “Impoverished
 

Having left the second level, Li Xiaobai continued to ascend.

The moment he stepped onto the third level’s staircase, the System Attribute Points panel changed again.

[Attribute Points +20000…]

[Attribute Points +20000…]

[Attribute Points +20000…]

The Attribute Points doubled once more, surpassing the second level by ten thousand, which was already equivalent to the damage dealt by an ordinary Great Crossing Realm cultivator when they struck earnestly.

No wonder Yang Tian said that each level was vastly different, indeed, if inmates from the lower levels were to come up here, they probably wouldn’t last a few years without sustaining serious injuries and developing chronic conditions.

The third level appeared somewhat desolate, with not a single living creature in sight, and no sign of ‘Poor’ either.

However, the entire space was as bright as day, with the number of Luminous Pearls more than double that of the first level, adorning the entire stretch of the stonewall corridor.

Li Xiaobai explored within, with no anomalies appearing on the System panel, and the Blood Sacrifice Fragment wasn’t on this level either. But the dazzling array of treasures made it hard for him to move on.

It was only after truly entering this level that he discovered, besides the Luminous Pearls scattered on the ground, various glimmers of treasured items emanating from the numerous cave dwellings. All of them were valuable, filling up every single cave dwelling.

If he could carry all these valuable items out to sell, that would amount to a significant income!

Thinking this, Li Xiaobai’s throat bobbed, his eyes growing somewhat fervent. With so many treasures laying idle in the Celestial Prison, it seemed like a waste. Since ‘Poor’ couldn’t leave anyway, instead of letting these treasures remain buried here, squandering their potential, it would be better for him to take and spend them.

It would be akin to injecting new life into the market of the Immortal Spirit Continent.

Looking around and still spotting no one, Li Xiaobai slightly nervous, stealthily crouched down and bent over to pick up a Luminous Pearl by his foot, just about to put it into his Space Ring when a loud scolding suddenly came over.

“Damn it, where did this little thief come from? So bold and audacious, you actually dare to steal the great treasure of your ‘Poor’ grandpa!”

“Quick, put down the Luminous Pearl in your hand, clasp your head with both hands and squat on the spot, hand over your Space Ring and I’ll spare your life!”

At the same time, the ground at Li Xiaobai’s feet suddenly twisted and wriggled, and the head of a half-bald middle-aged man emerged directly from the ground, his eyes emitting a green light, glaring at Li Xiaobai, greedily sizing him up like a hungry wolf.

From the moment Li Xiaobai crossed the barrier and stepped onto the third level, he had noticed the other party. The reason he hadn’t spoken up was firstly to observe and assess the other’s strength and weakness; a cultivator capable of forcefully passing through the barrier was definitely an expert, and he needed to understand his opponent’s capabilities.

Secondly, he had remained silent precisely to wait for the moment when the other party couldn’t resist wanting to steal the treasures, so he could catch him red-handed. That way, he would have a perfect reason to plunder all the wealth from him.

It has to be said, the plan was perfect. A powerful person capable of moving from the second level to the third would definitely possess extraordinary treasures. Now he could fill up his own coffers substantially.

“Hmm, you’re ‘Poor’?”

Seeing the eerie scene unfolding by his foot, Li Xiaobai was startled for a moment, but he quickly calmed down. It looked like this half-bald man emerging from the ground was ‘Poor’.

He looked somewhat sleazy!

And even more sleazy were his methods, setting a trap by deliberately waiting until he picked up the Luminous Pearl to appear, which was not only to take him by surprise but also to occupy the moral high ground.

Such a filthy heart!

“That’s right, you’re quite interesting, new guy. Since you are aware of this grand one’s name, why don’t you quickly kneel and beg for mercy? There’s a saying that Heaven preserves those who are kind, and I, this grand one, always have my principles. As long as you’re willing to hand over all the treasures on you without a fuss, I can spare your life!”

The half-balded man spoke with a smug satisfaction, obviously feeling quite honored to be recognized.

“You say all these treasures are yours, do you have any proof?”

Li Xiaobai, clutching the Luminous Pearl, had no intention of putting it down. Instead, he asked with great interest—it was clear he didn’t understand the concept of modesty when it came to wealth.

This half-balded man was a bit too arrogant and needed to be taught a lesson.

“Dammit, all the treasures here are my collection, my wealth. I’m the one who put them here, so naturally, they’re mine. What proof do I need!”

“I’ve been living on this third level for more than ten years. Not to mention these treasures, even this entire third level belongs to me, including you, the newcomer. From now on, you’re also part of my wealth!”

A fierce look flashed in the half-balded man’s eyes as he spoke coldly, the very nature of a miser revealed.

“Then why don’t you call it, and let’s see if it answers you?”

Li Xiaobai brought the Luminous Pearl close to the half-balded man’s head and shook it teasingly as he asked with a grin.

The issue with this half-balded man wasn’t just miserliness; he was also as greedy as a skinflint—not only did he not touch his own treasures, but he also aimed to fill his pockets with the treasures of others.

Of course, Li Xiaobai was similar in one respect; he was open to discussing anything but money—that was non-negotiable.

“You insolent fool, are you making fun of me?”

“Since you’re bent on seeking death, I shall grant your wish!”

The half-balded man flew into a rage as the round head on the ground suddenly lifted, and from his eyes, two golden beams of light shot out, aiming straight for Li Xiaobai’s eyes.

[Attribute Points +30000…]

Li Xiaobai felt a dazzle of bright light before his eyes, and then the System Attribute Points panel started to fluctuate.

This ‘Poor’ man’s attack was indeed peculiar, catching him off guard with golden rays emitting from his eyes. A regular cultivator might have been caught unprepared and had their eyes ruined by it.

But to the System, such an attack was nothing more than a trifle.

“That move just now wasn’t bad, it dazzled my eyes.”

Li Xiaobai said with a light smile, his eyes still sharp and spirited, happily observing the head at his feet.

“How is that possible, that’s the Qilin Secret Technique, the divine light in the eyes. Even Great Crossing Realm cultivators at the sixth level would be in a sorry state under this move. How could you be unharmed, just like nothing happened!”

“No, that’s not right, you must be pretending to be calm—actually, you must be blind by now!”

‘Poor’ had a storm rising in his heart. That divine light from his eyes was his signature move, having conned and killed countless cultivators with it. Not just any Great Crossing Realm Expert but even those at the same level as him would be injured by such a sneak attack.

Yet here was this youngster, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened, truly shocking!

“In my eyes lies the Universe, how can such a mere divine light stir any waves among the endless stars?”

Li Xiaobai stood with hands behind his back, his expression calm as he returned the words ‘Poor’ had previously said back to him.

“Hand over all the treasures here, and I’ll spare your life!”