Angelia, understanding Zhong Shenxiu’s nature, did not delay further and followed quickly.

“Stop right there. Who were you just talking about?” Carib suddenly shouted.

However, Zhong Shenxiu paid them no mind; he couldn't be bothered with such absolute fools!

But Robin did stop, her eyes locking onto Austin and Carib like a hawk spotting its prey. It seemed she must have received a signal from Zhong Shenxiu?

At this moment, Robin wore a look of petty defiance, as if saying, don't ask for trouble. She exuded the mighty aura of a single woman blocking the way against ten thousand dogs.

Carib, having always had his way, had never suffered such an insult. Wasn't this blatant discrimination against him!

I am furious!

Carib’s nose was nearly smoking, especially under Robin’s provocative gaze. He thought to himself, What’s a little girl like you so high and mighty for?

“Forget it, Carib,” Austin pulled back Carib, who was about to charge forward.

Carib might ignore others, but he always obeyed Austin without question!

Robin waited a moment, seeing that the two showed no intention of causing more trouble, and decided to leave to catch up with Zhong Shenxiu. However, as she walked away, she threw one final remark over her shoulder:

“Dying is actually very easy.”

Then she left without looking back!

It took Austin and Carib a good while to process the meaning of those words.

Damn, she has too much personality. Is she really just a child?

“Big Brother Austin, listen to that. That little brat is so infuriating!” Carib was practically boiling over!

Austin offered an awkward smile. He also felt Robin was indeed quite provoking, especially at that moment. He had almost lost control of his own temper!

Meanwhile, as for Zhong Shenxiu, where exactly was he going? The route he took actually led back to the place where he had previously bought the magic ring.

This time, however, Zhong Shenxiu wasn't going there to shop, but to fence stolen goods!

The magic staff, the magic robe, the magic crystals, and other items he had previously looted from Gandalf—keeping them served no purpose other than taking up space. It was better to exchange them for some cash!

To Zhong Shenxiu’s surprise, when he reached his destination, the magic shop was unusually lively. There were firecrackers going off and confetti being thrown, and the area was crowded with people. It looked like a grand opening!

What was going on? Could they be having a massive clearance sale, or maybe a buy-one-get-two-free event?

Driven by curiosity, Zhong Shenxiu squeezed into the crowd.

Upon entering, he discovered that it was indeed a new opening. Listening closely, he learned that the previous owner had been bought out. The shop’s name had now changed to the “Wumei Magic Store”!

Most of the staff remained the same; only the corporate representative and senior management had changed.

It was worth noting that the “Wumei Magic Store” was a nationally renowned chain of magic emporiums, with branches in every major city across the Winter Moon Empire! Conservative estimates placed their share of the magic equipment market above sixty-five percent—a truly staggering figure.

With over a hundred large and small cities in the Winter Moon Empire, such a massive market fed the “Wumei Magic Store.” It would be difficult for them not to thrive!

The current “Wumei Magic Store” had begun implementing a strategy of expanding from cities into townships, and today’s opening was a direct product of that decision!

Zhong Shenxiu didn't show much surprise; he walked straight in with Robin and Angelia.

“Welcome!”

Upon entry, they still received a warm welcome. The only difference was that the welcoming attendants this time wore emerald green qipaos, standing gracefully tall, swaying enchantingly like willows along a riverbank, instantly becoming an eye-catching spectacle!

However, Zhong Shenxiu had no interest in them; he didn't even glance their way, walking directly to the service counter.

“Hello, how may I assist you?” the customer service lady asked Angelia politely.

It couldn't be helped; Angelia was the tallest, and she looked every bit like an older sister taking her younger siblings shopping!

Angelia pursed her lips awkwardly. She had no standing to speak here; she was merely an attendant!

“Hey, do you guys buy used magic items here?” Zhong Shenxiu asked, tilting his head up;

Because the counter was rather high, even looking up, Zhong Shenxiu could only barely make out the features of the customer service attendant.

That attendant clearly paused, first not quite grasping the meaning of the question, and second, not expecting the speaker to be a little boy who wasn’t even as tall as the counter!

Zhong Shenxiu didn't waste time. He casually took out the magic staff that belonged to Gandalf;

“Do you want this?” Zhong Shenxiu placed the staff on the counter. Only then did the attendant react.

“Please wait a moment.” The attendant then actually walked away;

In a short time, the attendant returned, leading a middle-aged man.

“Are you the one looking to sell magic equipment?” The middle-aged man made the same mistake as the attendant, addressing Angelia as well.

Angelia glanced at Zhong Shenxiu. Seeing his dark expression, she forced out a smile with great difficulty, “No! It’s—”

“It’s me!” Zhong Shenxiu interjected quickly.

The middle-aged man showed a look of astonishment, though he quickly recovered.

This man was the temporary manager here, named Nokey, who had to keep busy running around because the store had only recently been acquired and today was a soft opening.

“Hello, are you selling this magic staff?” Nokey’s eyes were fixed on the staff resting on the counter.

Although the staff was of no low grade, it wasn't enough to shock Nokey. Having worked at the “Wumei Magic Store” for several years, he had seen merchandise several times superior to this staff.

Zhong Shenxiu merely nodded, remaining silent!

Nokey pondered for a moment, then said, “If you are not in a hurry, could you wait a moment? Our appraisers haven’t all arrived yet, and the few we have are currently organizing the warehouse.”

An Appraiser—this was a specific profession. People who took on this role usually specialized in assessing the attributes, levels, and other specifications of magic equipment.

“Don’t make me wait too long. I hate wasting time!” Zhong Shenxiu stated flatly.

“Certainly.” Nokey replied, then left; he still had a pile of duties awaiting his attention!

Not long after he departed, two more people entered the store from outside, causing both Angelia and Zhong Shenxiu to pause slightly.

It was none other than Lowry, the Vice Principal of the “Buzadi Magic and Martial Arts Academy,” and Gandalf, who had recently regained his freedom!

Of course, Gandalf’s shock far surpassed that of the other two. He never imagined such a coincidence could exist—the person he least wanted to see appeared right before him.

Since that day he was freed from Zhong Shenxiu’s clutches, Gandalf had gone straight to the “Buzadi Magic and Martial Arts Academy.” For the past few days, he had stayed cooped up in the reception lounge, only venturing out within the academy grounds. Today, he heard from Lowry that a new branch of the “Wumei Magic Store” had opened here, possibly offering discounts or free gifts. Since all his magic equipment was gone, he decided to check it out with Lowry.

Who would have thought they would run into that damned Zhong Shenxiu here? Fate truly played strange tricks!

“Angelia? What are you doing here?” Lowry asked, somewhat surprised.

He knew Angelia was a swordsman, and this place only sold magic equipment. Furthermore, he was surprised that Angelia, after taking so many days off, had time to dawdle here. Wasn't she a dedicated student?

“Principal!” Angelia called out, sounding a bit flustered.

Lowry nodded, then surprisingly turned to introduce Gandalf to her: “Mr. Gandalf, this young lady is Angelia, whom I’ve mentioned to you several times before!”

“Angelia, this is Grand Magister Gandalf, whom our academy has invited to teach!” As Lowry spoke, he gave Angelia a meaningful look, signaling: This is an honored guest of our academy. Show him respect.

But Lowry had no way of knowing that Gandalf and Angelia already knew each other. This reunion carried the flavor of sharing the same fallen fate and meeting as old acquaintances!

Angelia seemed unaffected by Lowry’s hint, merely stealing glances at Zhong Shenxiu sideways.

“Old man, I didn’t think we’d meet again so soon. Did you miss us?” Zhong Shenxiu asked Gandalf with a smile.

Gandalf suddenly felt goosebumps rise all over his body. He pursed his lips but couldn't manage a smile.

Lowry seemed to sense the strange atmosphere, looking around, yet unable to figure out what was going on!

Seeing that no one was speaking much, Lowry finally couldn't help but ask curiously, “Angelia, who are these two children beside you? Are they relatives?”

Angelia’s lips twitched slightly; she wanted to smile but couldn't. Faced with Lowry’s question, she genuinely didn't know how to answer!

Fortunately, just then, Nokey returned, leading another person—presumably the appraiser.

“Sorry to have kept you waiting!” Nokey first nodded courteously to Lowry and Gandalf, then addressed Zhong Shenxiu.

“Don’t waste my time anymore. Let’s start quickly.”

Nokey gestured to the appraiser beside him. The appraiser then picked up the magic staff from the counter and began to examine it seriously.

It was only then that Gandalf realized the item on the counter was the magic staff he had used for several years. He had been too focused on watching Zhong Shenxiu’s expression change earlier. But what did it matter now? It would only add to his frustration!

“Hey, take a look at these too, and see what they’re worth?” Zhong Shenxiu said, pulling out the magic robe, magic crystals, and other miscellaneous items.

However, just as he did this, something completely unexpected happened: Gandalf, who had been silent, suddenly roared:

“This cannot be sold!”

And with that, he lunged toward the counter!

What was it about that item that made him so agitated?