Chapter 123
“God of Exchange? I seriously don’t recall anything about that.” Lu Chuan thought carefully, confirming he’d never heard the name.
But if he had to guess a connection, the name itself was suspicious — exchange? Isn’t that just daily stuff? Using money to trade for goods, or swapping items, that’s all common.
“System, do you know something?” Lu Chuan asked, curious.
[A little. Host, remember you got a VIP card from the Extreme Evil Loan Company? If I’m right, there’s a deity behind them.]
#888 explained: [Any company that wants to get a foothold in the Evil World Game has to have a high-level god behind it. I wasn’t sure before, but seeing this dungeon linked to you confirms it.]
That rang a bell for Lu Chuan.
“Back in Flesh Apartment, I did get that card from the Loan Bro’s company. So the god behind him, huh?” Lu Chuan rubbed his chin. “But honestly, the divine challenge is just for shoring up my place on the Master Ranking. I don’t need to take on a god I don’t even know.”
People who do business often say: always pick the soft persimmon to squeeze.
[God of Omniscience] and [God of Light] would’ve been easy to deal with—they’re old acquaintances, and Lu Chuan knew their style inside and out.
[Host, that’s exactly why you can’t choose dungeons related to them.] #888 liked when its host showed a bit of self-awareness. [Back when you were in Shen Li’s divine trial dungeon, those two gods weren’t the main act. They were just background props for that fake God of Desire. Both Omniscience and Light are high-level gods, and they’ve had their eyes on you for a while. If you really pick a dungeon tied to them, they’ll definitely send incarnations down.]
To put it bluntly, the only reason Lu Chuan had been able to run circles around them before was because that dungeon was centered on Shen Li. The other players weren’t heavily restricted, and the fake [God of Desire] had been distracted by Messiah. The other gods underestimated Lu Chuan, and he slipped through the cracks.
But anyone who’d dealt with Lu Chuan knew he was nothing but schemes from head to toe.
If he entered a dungeon tied to those two gods again, they’d definitely make him pay.
“It can’t be that bad, right? I didn’t really offend them. I just sold a few redemption coupons. They don’t even care about money, so what’s there to be angry about?” Lu Chuan muttered, genuinely puzzled.
Heh.
But all that money you raked in? You used it to feed knights who fought on your behalf.
And their believers? You conned them into being your muscle. Their headquarters was thrown into chaos.
The fact Lu Chuan wasn’t on a wanted list was already a miracle.
“…Alright, looks like I really can’t pick any dungeons tied to them,” Lu Chuan sighed. He’d wanted to squeeze a soft persimmon, but it seemed he might be the soft persimmon instead.
“This [God of Exchange] isn’t one of the main gods, right?”
[No, but even among conceptual gods, He’s a strong one. By the way, Host, if you fail to become the God of Wealth, the God of Exchange is the one most likely to claim that authority.] #888 said cautiously. [If I’m not mistaken, once you clear your divine trial dungeon, the main system will assign Him as your target for the god-hunt.]
“In that case, wouldn’t it be a waste not to choose Him?” Lu Chuan laughed. “Fine then. I’ll sniff around for information about Him. It’s been a while since I checked on my territory anyway. I’ll also set up a meeting with Loan Shark Bro to ask a few things.”
Plans for the near future quickly fell into place.
“But for now, I’ll wait. There are probably plenty of people from the guild looking for me.”
As the saying goes: fame invites trouble, like a fattened pig waiting for slaughter.
Of course, Lu Chuan wasn’t afraid of fame. In fact, he wished for more of it.
Fame could be turned into money, and with money came influence.
Naturally, he needed to brand himself carefully.
But enjoying fame meant suffering its downsides too.
When Lu Chuan arrived at the headquarters of the Starfall Guild, players no longer greeted him casually like before. Instead, they looked at him with a mix of respect and awe.
There was a chasm between players on the Gods Ranking and ordinary players.
Longstanding reverence for those on the ranking was carved into the bones of the masses, so naturally they dared not be as familiar as before.
Some even snuck glances at Lu Chuan’s face, worried he might be displeased.
But Lu Chuan didn’t care at all and walked straight to the vice guildmaster’s office.
After all, these players would eventually become his subordinates. Early respect was a good thing. If a leader had no authority, how could his orders be obeyed later?
The vice guildmaster had been waiting a long time.
“You brat, you finally decided to show up,” he said with a smile, personally opening the door.
“Not bad, not bad. You made it onto the Gods Ranking so quickly. I thought you’d take longer—who knew you’d break the record? From a rookie to the Gods Ranking in just a single year… probably no one before or after you will pull that off.”
The vice guildmaster had been in high spirits these past few days, feeling decades younger.
With such a promising junior, even if the guildmaster himself stood before him now, he could proudly say, See what a brilliant heir I picked for the guild!
At this point, unless Lu Chuan literally squatted on his head and took a dump, the vice guildmaster could look at him through 800 layers of filters and still think he was perfect.
“Just lucky,” Lu Chuan waved modestly. “I didn’t expect it to be so fast. It’s thanks to your guidance.”
“Nonsense. This is your own effort.”
“Vice Guildmaster, don’t be so humble. Without your keen eye, your willingness to give me power, and assigning Brother Shen to help me, how could I have achieved all this? At least half of today’s success belongs to you…”
Lu Chuan laid on the flattery thick. The two of them, one old and one young, praised each other back and forth, both quite pleased.
[Host, you’re being awfully polite today.]
“System, I’m one step away from becoming guildmaster. At this stage, putting on a show is essential. The closer you are to the finish line, the less room there is for mistakes. Besides, I still have to face [Greedy Wolf Star]. Right now is the time to win people’s hearts.” Lu Chuan thought #888 still didn’t understand the subtleties of human scheming.
#888 wisely shut up.
After more chatting and advice from the vice guildmaster about what to expect as a Gods Ranking player, Lu Chuan made his request for leave.
The vice guildmaster approved it immediately.
It was only fair—Lu Chuan had worked hard. Taking some time to rest before tackling his divine trial dungeon was perfectly reasonable.
Paid leave, no less. That perk put a grin on Lu Chuan’s face.
Sure, the money was nothing, but who didn’t love a freebie?
He sent a quick message to Shen Li and the others, saying he’d be resting in his personal territory for a while and asking them to keep an eye on his real estate and pearl business. Then he slipped away without a trace.
What boss spends every day breathing down his subordinates’ necks?
That’s what subordinates are for—to hold the fort when you’re gone.
Meanwhile, [Greedy Wolf Star] Starry Ming had dispatched people to find Lu Chuan. As another Gods Ranking player, he naturally wanted to meet this rising star.
If he could recruit Lu Chuan, he’d gladly make him a vice guildmaster. Besides, Lu Chuan was young, while he himself was getting on in years.
If he served as guildmaster for a few more years, grew Starfall Guild into a powerhouse, then handed the reins to Lu Chuan—that would be perfect.
Starry Ming didn’t see himself as selfish. If someone was truly loyal, he’d never hog all the benefits.
But if the kid insisted on being a rival, well, then that was a different story.
“Boss, we looked for Lu Chuan but couldn’t find him.”
“Seems he took leave from the vice guildmaster and went to rest.”
“…And it looks like he went to his personal domain within a dungeon world. Boss, should we keep searching?”
If it were any other part of a dungeon, they might’ve tracked him down.
But a personal domain? Practically untouchable. Unless you declared a domain war, there was nothing you could do.
Damn it—did someone tip him off, so he bolted early?
“Resting in his domain now, of all times?” Starry Ming chuckled. “More likely, he’s trying to gather intel about his upcoming divine trial dungeon.”
No matter which dungeon Lu Chuan entered, Starry Ming planned to be there too.
“Forget it, stop looking. Meeting in the real world won’t make him submit. But in a dungeon world, we’ll naturally cross paths.”
Their respective performances would decide how Lu Chuan chose.
—
Personal Domain: Golden Tower.
Once again, Lu Chuan stood before his territory, marveling at the fact that he had truly become rich.
The Golden Tower no longer resembled the pitiful little building it once was. It had expanded several times over, nearly taking up an entire street.
Shops and housing sprang up around it, and even high-level NPCs had started moving in.
What used to be a low-level dungeon site could now serve as the stage for an A-rank dungeon storyline. That meant, in the Main God System’s eyes, the Golden Tower already rivaled the strength of an A-rank dungeon world.
All thanks to Lu Chuan.
Wherever he went, he advertised his territory. Whenever he found good resources or talent, he funneled them home.
Word of mouth spread, and fame followed.
With additional funding from the notorious Extreme Evil Loan Company, even more NPCs flocked here.
Rumor had it that a powerful NPC—the Blood King—had signed a supply contract with the Golden Tower, bringing in a flood of revenue. Many of his followers even found new employment there, serving as the Tower’s security.
“Boss Lu!”
“Boss Lu, it’s been a while since you last came to inspect the Tower.”
“Boss Lu, would you honor us by joining us for lunch today?”
…
Hubbard and the others greeted Lu Chuan with perfect flattery, arranging top-tier banquets and making sure he’d leave satisfied.
They’d heard that in different dungeon worlds, other Golden Towers had appeared. Surely there was competition between the branches — even if they couldn’t take first place, they couldn’t afford to come in last.
“No need, I’ve got an appointment today. Just clean up my office — I have guests to welcome.”
Lu Chuan struck a reserved pose, playing out the arrogance and rudeness of a rich man to perfection.
Hubbard and the others felt a jolt of fear, thinking perhaps Lu Chuan was displeased with their work. They had no choice but to agree nervously.
“Bring me the latest investment-recruitment report.”
“The accounts — let me see your bookkeeping.”
“By the way, have you thought about expanding business channels?”
“And the fruit you give the employees doesn’t look very fresh. Even if that fruit shop got in through… my friend’s connections, you still need to follow proper procedures, understand?”
…
Lu Chuan practically inspected every corner of the Golden Tower.
Li Family Village’s fruit shop was still as expensive as ever.
Those villagers — always picking up the bad habits, never the good. The fruit was outrageously overpriced; even the “discounted” fruit wasn’t much cheaper. But the packaging was certainly fancy.
Hmph, profiteers!
[But, Host, didn’t they learn all of that from you?] #888 asked cautiously.
After all, the villagers didn’t know that “Mr. Jin” and “Young Master Lu” were the same person; naturally, they were using all the fruit-selling tricks Lu Chuan had once used.
Beaten by his own boomerang, Lu Chuan had only himself to blame.
“No problem. The higher the road, the higher the devil — nobody’s getting extra money out of me!” Lu Chuan thought aloud. “I’ll take a look at the annual report later and raise the rent to make it back.”
#888 was speechless.
Its Host was as black-hearted as ever — it was almost embarrassing.
Loan Bro arrived at Lu Chuan’s office on time.
“…I have a name — Chen Ji. Could you not call me Loan Bro? It sounds awful.” Loan Bro once again protested strongly.
“I can’t be bothered to remember,” Lu Chuan spread his hands. “Don’t take names so seriously — in different dungeons you can change them whenever you like, right?”
“Fine.” Loan Bro sighed. “So, why did you suddenly invite me for lunch?”
Seeing that Lu Chuan had no intention of changing his address, Loan Bro thought of how the man was now a Master Ranking player, perhaps a future VIP client, and decided to endure it.
Clients calling you nicknames — perfectly normal.
“Nothing major.” Lu Chuan flashed a toothy grin and got straight to the point. “I parachuted onto the Master Ranking and need to clear a divine challenge dungeon. Out of nowhere, I saw ‘God of Exchange’ pop up in my dungeon list, so I thought I’d ask you about it.”
“You really are direct.” Loan Bro raised an eyebrow, surprised. “I thought you’d at least try to be subtle.”
“If it weren’t for the VIP card you gave me, I wouldn’t be tied up with that deity.” Lu Chuan shrugged. “If you prefer subtlety, I can wine and dine you first, act troubled, and beg for help. Do you want me to put on that act?”
“Why not?” Loan Bro countered. “I’d love to see how you’d host me.”
“Running it through official expenses might be tricky,” Lu Chuan sighed. “Can’t you cut me a little slack?”
“Not a chance.” Loan Bro didn’t hesitate. “In my business, I can read a man the moment he sits down. Unless you need me, I couldn’t squeeze even a sliver of advantage from you. So, I make sure to ask more while I can.”
“As a follower of the God of Exchange, that’s how it works: whatever you want from me, you have to pay something.” Loan Bro spread his hands. “And this is just interest — the real price is higher.”
[Host, he really gets you,] #888 muttered.
Lu Chuan’s face darkened.
This was definitely a mortal enemy — he couldn’t be allowed to linger!
One day, the people of the Extreme Evil Loan Company would learn that he was not someone they could easily take advantage of.
After the meal.
Loan Bro finally named his price.
“One S-class item, or 20 points of Sanity Value, in exchange for all the intel I have on the God of Exchange. Deal?” He clearly thought it was a fair offer.
“…Clearing a divine challenge dungeon doesn’t always even yield that much. Do you think that’s reasonable?” Lu Chuan refused to indulge him.
“Alright, I’ve got a discount version — just one A-class item. Interested?” Loan Bro sighed. “Sure you don’t want the full version? I’d tell you not only who the God’s priest is, but also His authority and abilities.”
“Heh, no thanks — just the basics.” Lu Chuan wasn’t falling for it. “I’ll figure out the rest inside the dungeon. Why would I need so much detail? At most, I’ll defeat a projection of the deity. It’s not like I could kill the real thing.”
Besides, who could guarantee Loan Bro’s information was even correct?
Lu Chuan handed over an A-class item.
Loan Bro, seeing Lu Chuan refused to bleed any more, could only sigh helplessly. “This is about your own safety — and you’re still this calm? Most people would spend anything. They’re desperate to buy from me.”
That was the usual tactic of Extreme Evil Loan Company agents.
They handed VIP cards to potential Master Ranking candidates, inviting them to join the company. Then their divine challenge dungeons would include the God of Exchange, so players naturally had to buy intel from the agents.
A long-line, big-fish strategy.
Using it, the Extreme Evil Loan Company had a steady stream of clients.
But Lu Chuan wouldn’t take the bait.
“The priest of the God of Exchange is our company’s chairman. He rarely interferes in operations; we’ve got a lot of freedom — that’s why the company grew so fast. Our deity isn’t like others. He doesn’t demand loyalty. As long as you exchange, you can get whatever you want.”
“Give something, get something — that’s the core ability of the God of Exchange.”
Loan Bro gave a brief explanation, then smiled. “And don’t worry — even if you do something drastic in the dungeon, you won’t offend Him. As long as you make a proper exchange, even if you kill every trader inside, He won’t care.”
As long as the trade wasn’t disrupted, the deity wouldn’t target you.
That made the God of Exchange’s challenge dungeon one of the easiest in existence.
Many well-connected Master Ranking experts actually wanted the company’s VIP card — it let them access the God of Exchange’s dungeon and clear it safely.
“Once you enter our dungeon, you can completely relax. It’s really simple. Our god never harms people. Even the Main God System is just another trading partner to Him.” Loan Bro grinned. “You should thank me for giving you that VIP card — your challenge will be a breeze.”
Hearing that, Lu Chuan felt uneasy.
With his luck, an “easy” dungeon probably had nothing to do with him.
Meanwhile.
Lilus had waited for his sister Cynthia to wake up, then immediately offered her warm water.
“Congrats, Sis, on clearing your divine challenge! You’re now the youngest Master Ranking player among the Five Major Guilds.” Lilus couldn’t help blurting out.
“I may be the youngest, but I’ve been a player longer than Lu Chuan.” Cynthia sipped the water, indifferent to the fame. “Lu Chuan basically clears dungeons nonstop, without retreating for sanity recovery. His speed will probably never be beaten.”
“Sis, those people gossiping on the forums probably aren’t even close to A-rank. Don’t pay them any mind.” In Lilus’s heart, his sister was the best.
If she wasn’t as fast as Lu Chuan, it was only because she had morals and worked methodically — unlike him, who had no limits when chasing money!
“I’m not concerned about what they say; I’m concerned about Lu Chuan.” Cynthia rubbed her eyes. “Lil, hurry up and become a Master player yourself — I need your help.”
Lilus froze, feeling an endless surge of courage.
“Got it, Sis! I’ll dive into a dungeon right now and aim for the Master Ranking!” She’d never been so explicit about needing his help.
Cynthia smiled and nodded.
She had already seen her Master Ranking mission — and the name of the deity she was to hunt.
Strangely, the system showed she needed to hunt the God of Money? Gold? Trade??? (Deity not yet revived; name will be announced upon revival.)
Author’s note:
Loan Bro: Your divine challenge will be easy — thank us!
Lu Chuan: …Absolutely impossible!
