I Don't Agree to the Terms

Chapter 858 455: If It Really Doesn't Work, Scam Someone Else—I'm Completely Out of Money

Currently, the effect is pretty poor and far from the capabilities of the Treasure-seeking Rat.

As for what kind of demon the Treasure-seeking Rat is, Gu Shanhai isn't too sure. There's no information in the rat's memory, not even the fact that it contains the bloodline of the Treasure-seeking Rat — it was mentioned by some unidentified member of the Demon Race.

"Another special gene fragment, somewhat similar to what's found in humans, but it looks like a lower-tier version. Moreover, the special gene fragment on this rat has already been activated and started self-replicating."

"Just seems like there's a limit, this thing should be its potential then."

"The completeness of the gene fragment determines the extent of self-replication, which means how far the rat's treasure-smelling divine skills can develop."

"If this special gene fragment were complete, then it wouldn't just be treasure-smelling but rather the Treasure-seeking Rat's own treasure-seeking divine skills."

Gu Shanhai stood up and picked up the terrified rat. It came to him voluntarily, only realizing its mistake when Gu Shanhai caught it, and struggled incessantly.

However, due to Gu Shanhai's strength, the rat didn't dare move recklessly.

"I wonder if it's possible to complete this gene fragment." Gu Shanhai mused, curious.

"If completed and extracted, Lao Liu might have to give his trousers to Lan Qiushui in exchange for resources."

Gu Shanhai narrowed his eyes. For Lan Qiushui or Shura and other players, treasure-seeking might not be very useful, but for Base Station Old Liu, it's like a gift from heaven.

As a T-800 Transformer Artifact Repairer, to become stronger, he needs to craft his own natal artifact; besides the corresponding artifact refining techniques, the most important factor is the materials.

Such materials rarely appear on the market and often can only be obtained through quests or rewards. With treasure-seeking divine skills, it's like having a radar for rare materials installed on him.

Gu Shanhai estimated that the other party must also have similar talents or skills, albeit less effective than treasure-seeking divine skills.

"It's just a bit challenging." After examining, Gu Shanhai found that with merely treasure-smelling skills, completing the gene fragment to enhance the limits didn't pose a huge problem but achieving treasure-seeking would be difficult.

"Currently it appears that the treasure-seeking divine skill of the Demon Race can be split into various lower-level divine skills, with treasure-smelling being one component."

"It's too severely incomplete, and I wonder if it can be fully restored."

Gu Shanhai felt troubled. He could infer treasure-seeking from treasure-smelling, but what he deduced wouldn't be the original demon divine skill, just another entirely new demon divine skill with similar benefits.

As for Base Station Old Liu possibly not being able to install it, there's no need to worry. If classified by bloodline, he's not human but refined metal, so compatibility issues shouldn't arise.

If not, why would Gu Shanhai even think about tricking... selling it to him?

"There's only a sixty percent chance — hope you can cut it." Gu Shanhai addressed the rat lying on the operation table, ready to get started.

The sixty percent success rate obviously didn't rest on Gu Shanhai but the rat itself.

Regarding ancestral recovery, Gu Shanhai couldn't just force it; it still depended on the experimental subject's own bloodline conditions.

"Squeak~" The rat kept squealing, but unfortunately, it had no effect, unable to stop Gu Shanhai's actions.

"Be good, don't move, or else you're dead — no, you'll find dying hard." Gu Shanhai remarked, noting sometimes death is relief compared to the suffering of living.

However, the rat had just become a demon and didn't understand what Gu Shanhai meant.

Gu Shanhai frowned: "Damn me for chatting about this nonsense with a beast."

He casually gave the rat a shot of anesthetic, ensuring it would never wake up again.

Afterward, he focused intensely on research.

"Can't you make some noise while walking?" Gu Shanhai suddenly spoke up, deep in work.

It was Lan Qiushui and Base Station Old Liu returning.

"Are you... hey, where did the rat come from?" Lan Qiushui had intended to ask Gu Shanhai what he was doing but noticed the cat-sized rat under Gu Shanhai's operation.

"Demon Race; it snuck in, so I went ahead and dissected it to see what it could yield, and then maybe trick... sell it to Old Liu." Gu Shanhai replied.

"You just said trick, right?" Veins bulged on Base Station Old Liu's forehead.

"Treasure-seeking divine skills, it possesses..." Gu Shanhai didn't bother explaining but directly outlined what he intended to use to trick him.

"Not enough money!" Base Station Old Liu was tempted, sneaking a glance at his inventory. He surely had some items left but was unwilling to part with them, and they might not be enough.

From the side, Lan Qiushui gloated, seeing the other party was tempted but not yet aware of the seriousness of the matter.

With Base Station Old Liu short on funds, he'd definitely need to borrow from someone — borrowing from Gu Shanhai was impossible, leaving only one option.

"You can borrow from someone – if you both pool your hidden treasures, that should suffice." Gu Shanhai suggested, head down, without hesitation.

This brought an awkward smile to Lan Qiushui's face.

"Don't look at me like that, I don't have anything even if you do." Lan Qiushui immediately refused when Base Station Old Liu glanced at him, knowing giving them up would leave him broke.

"Pay it back ninefold with interest upon completion!" Base Station Old Liu gritted his teeth, declaring.

At this point, he'd sell off his Mechanical Realm faction if needed to make the purchase.

If the treasure-seeking divine skill was really as promising as Gu Shanhai described, he'd never miss out on various treasures in the future.

Some treasures might not be removable from their world, but would still carry corresponding side quests, hidden missions, etc., certainly of great value, at least surpassing his current relevant talents.

The potential was extremely high, even higher than the set of talents and skills Gu Shanhai sold him yesterday.

"Sign the contract." Not that Lan Qiushui deliberately demanded anything but this was truly valuable and very tempting.

"Alright." Base Station Old Liu agreed without hesitation.

"Don't rush, I haven't extracted the talent yet. If it fails, won't you be embarrassed?" Gu Shanhai quipped, noting their premature confidence despite being busy himself.

The pair were momentarily silent, acknowledging some sense.

"Oh, you both can prepare because soon a big demon from the Demon Race will attack, bringing half-demons and beasts with them. The half-demons will be elite minions, beasts are regular minions, and the big demon will be the BOSS." Gu Shanhai reminded.

"When approximately?" Lan Qiushui followed the change in topic, not probing how Gu Shanhai knew all this, the trust as teammates reassuring him but avoiding deep inquiries into others' skill systems.

"The earliest might be tomorrow, though I think it's more likely to be the day after. Generally, such short-term missions have thresholds at three and five days."

"Like the third day being when the Demon Race scouts us, serving as a warning, with the attack on the fifth day."

Gu Shanhai straightforwardly described the setup, highlighting player responsibility if no discovery by the third day — the courtesy of being warned.

"So, at least one more day of time, better set up some defensive structures." Base Station Old Liu pondered briefly, knowing a solid defense was vital for the town's survival against a beast tide.

"You better hurry; the rat obviously won't return, likely raising the enemy's suspicion." Gu Shanhai stated frankly, knowing the rat's intention to scout, and its failure to report back would clearly indicate something amiss.

Alright, after entering the Air Wall, the rat wouldn't return even if it wanted to.