The corner of Monkey Tao’s mouth twitched.
He’d already received a notification from the distributor, hinting he might be in line for a share ofGlorying Radiance.
He hadn’t expected that simply observing an arriving visitor would actually land him in such a situation. Still, securing another portion of Glorying Radiance at this time—well, that would be fantastic indeed.
He turned his head and looked at the people in the room, dressed in various gowns and vests. Those who could attend the material trade fair here included not only the increasingly scarce Fogfolk, but also many researchers studying knowledge of mystical forces gathered from various sources, as well as merchants specializing in providing special materials for these people.
Seeing that Yang Zicang had already probed the five elemental compositions of all the ores in the basket with just one hand, the people around him immediately shouted and crowded in.
“Sir, could you help me pick out a few ore materials? “
“Brother, that’s quite a skill you’ve got. Can you identify herbal medicines too? “
In an instant, this man with skin burned all wrinkly no longer seemed terrifying in their eyes; instead, he exuded a certain kind of imposing presence.
“Ah, sir, it turns out you have such a talent. If I may ask, is there a particular reason why you seek out Ember Ore crystals exclusively? “
Hadell, with his gaunt face, hurried over from behind Yang Zicang and said with a bent waist and a smile. Inwardly, he felt a little anxious, thinking that Mr. No.2, who usually paid little attention to matters here, had specifically summoned these three people tonight. Hadell’s eyes flickered toward the two neatly-dressed women behind him, wondering what exactly they were planning to do.
As for this guide who had so eagerly hinted earlier that he was connected to Mr. No.2, aside from the two young women clearly showing disdain on their faces, Yang Zicang, who had just emerged from the crowd, didn’t show any particular hostile expression.
“It was I who invited Mr. Er to join. I need these crystals to craft a few things. Don’t worry, I only need a small portion. “
Monkey Tao immediately chimed in: “As far as I know, there are only a few magic pattern devices that can use Ember Ore crystals. What’s your line of work, brother? “
Yang Zicang turned his head and scoffed dismissively: “Before asking others, why not talk about yourself first? Besides making rules for the gate here, what exactly do you do? “
“You! ” Monkey Tao gritted his teeth in frustration, with no choice but to admit he had stirred up trouble and pried too aggressively.
When it came to that area over there, he usually dared not bother those folks unless absolutely necessary. Just as Monkey Tao was racking his brains over how to keep the “glorious prelude ” that had just started brewing going, Yang Zicang spoke up on his own.
“Since you’re familiar with this place, brother, how about giving me a tour around? “
Monkey Tao’s eyes lit up with undisguised delight.
Well played, you cunning bastard. He actually took the initiative to give me a reason to keep poking my nose into this matter.
“What do you need? ” Monkey Tao asked with a faintly irritated look on his face. Everyone here had just witnessed him deliberately picking a fight, which still stung his pride.
“Some easily portable Five Elements essence crystals. Oh, right! “
Yang Zicang suddenly remembered that he also needed to collect the sheets of paper for the Ether Name Card mark.
“Do you know anyone who sells special paper or related materials? I mean… hmm, how should I describe it. ” Not knowing how those sheets appeared, Yang Zicang felt a bit troubled.
Monkey Tao’s face, half pretending to be angry, was instantly replaced by surprise. “Are you talking about that kind of paper? ” He glanced at the crowd still noise-making behind him and almost impatiently said:
“Well said, brother. You definitely look like a man of real skill, and I, Monkey Tao, like making friends like you! I know this trading ground like the back of my hand. Come with me, and I guarantee you’ll find the most удовлетворительные материалы for your needs! “
Xue Qi and Hua Mi exchanged a look of relief. At least this guy, clearly trying to glimmer some radiance, wasn’t continuing the conflict to extend this foreplay.
Monkey Tao immediately sidled up to Yang Zicang, pushing aside Hardell who was trying to ingratiate himself. “Let me lead the way to that area. “
Xue Qi and Hua Mi glared at him furiously. This guy was clearly trying to take over as guide, only to go off to whistle for help.
Yang Zicang, who had been feeling somewhat pleased with how smoothly things were going, suddenly felt a knot in his stomach.
“Let’s go. There are plenty of five-element mineral stones here, but as for portable crystals, Old Jock’s are the only ones with decent quality. “
Monkey Tao quickly pointed to a small area further into the hall, separated by a thick velvet curtain. “Old Jock has quite the temper, but his goods… they’re so fine, that even normal instruments can’t measure their exact values. “
He said this, his eyes glimming intentionally toward Yang Zicang’s hand.
The group crossed through the noisy crowd of nearly half the venue and arrived at the small booth.
“Hey, let us through, brother. We’ve got a customer in a hurry. “
Seeing it was Monkey Tao, the few people chatting in front of the stall laughed and made way with greetings.
The small booth was filled with all sorts of exotic ores. An old man in a greasy leather apron was polishing a dark red crystal with a set of complex hand tools, and a strange, mixed scent lingered in the air.
“Old Jock! A big spender’s here! ” Monkey Tao called out familiarly. “You haven’t seen this gentleman’s elemental sensing just now, it was something else. “
Old Jock looked up, carefully studying Yang Zicang’s appearance. He frowned subtly and said, “Are you a Fog Folk with related abilities? “
Subtly spreading theMusing Night, Yang Zicang, who was attentively sensing Hader’s movements, nodded. “I need a few small crystals, one of each element. “
“Need the ‘Doom-touched’ ones? “
Having done some groundwork, Yang Zicang already realized why the earlier, sparse wood element had smelled that way. It carried a “Yin ” type of “baleful aura. “
“Just a little bit. “
“Just a little? ” The boss instantly laughed and shook his head at the extremely unprofessional term, casually picking from a box at his side. The crystals in it were clearly of poor quality.
“Hey, now this is a true expert! ” Monkey Tao hurriedly said. “He was recommended by Second Master, just demonstrated his skills outside, and even hand-picked the essence out of that pile of materials from the Western stall! I’ve specifically brought him here. “
Old Qiaoke paused for a moment. “Prospecting with bare hands? ” He lifted his eyelids and scanned Yang Zicang and the two girls behind him again, his gaze settling on Yang Zicang’s hand, which was wearing a leather glove. “If you really can, help me appraise whether something is worth cutting open, and I’ll give you a bit of a discount. “
People who can do without those broken instruments are extremely rare. Old Qiaoke, still a bit unsure, casually picked up a crystal fragment beside him and placed it on the table in front of Yang Zicang. “Tell me, what do you think of this piece? “
The surface of this crystal fragment was dull and lusterless, with some parts even blackened, making it look exceptionally poor in quality. Several onlookers who were also assessing the wares quietly shook their heads, feeling that Old Qiaoke was deliberately trying to make things difficult.
Monkey Tao also looked nervously at Yang Zicang. After all, an extracted elemental crystal cannot possibly compare to the dense and complex nature of raw ore.
｛I begin to resonate with the Source of the Holy Spirit, the Five Elements Field.｝
Yang Zicang removed his glove, and the air around his fingertips subtly warped. A faint gray-white ethereal flame fluctuated and approached the crystal.
Underneath that familiar sensation of chaos, spreading flickers of flame surged, its surface overflowing with a cold, dilapidated aura.
After a moment, Yang Zicang withdrew his hand.
“The shell is contaminated, and the internal fire element is choked by deathly energy. It’s probably scrap. “
An almost imperceptible sneer flickered across Old Joker’s face.
“But, ” Yang Zicang shifted his tone, “with such a strong concentration of ‘tribulation’ gathered in this small crystal, it should have special uses under specific circumstances. “
Old Joker shot to his feet, nearly knocking over the tool basket at his hand, his voice trembling with disbelief: “You… can you actually see it? Just by extending your finger? “
He hurriedly pulled out a canister sealed in a special metal box from under the counter. Opening it revealed three pebble-like stones inside.
“Great. Quick, take a look at this for me. ” Old Joker’s voice had taken on a much graver tone.
“What’s this? ” Yang Zicang asked, slightly puzzled.
“This is a specially processed biological egg… well, you don’t need to know the details. Just tell me if there’s any active five-element essence left in it. “
Hou Tao watched from the side, wide-eyed, his heart surging with joy. This old geezer had actually whipped THAT out.
｛Distributor April·Odyssey, with their wealth of experience, indicates that my brilliant overture is being fervently gestated!｝
Yang Zicang listened to Odysseus’ impassioned declaration with some surprise.
As for the thing in front of him… his mind immediately flashed to the Blood Beasts. No way, could this stuff be circulating among the common folk?
“You must be extremely careful, ” Old Joker warned repeatedly and earnestly.
｛I am beginning to commune with the Source of the Holy Spirit, the field of the Five Elements.｝
Yang Zicang’s fingers swept across the three items one by one, selecting an egg with faint active elemental energy.
“The remaining two are already filled with faint, chaotic ominous energy. “
“Ah, but even having one is good. I can’t use this thing myself, so I’ll sell it. If the buyer fails to hatch it, I’ll be in big trouble. You mustn’t cheat me! “
As he spoke, Old Joke took out a box adorned with all kinds of transparent, sparkling crystals.
Yang Zicang nodded at the high-quality crystals and said, “Two pieces are enough. “
The deal went smoothly, and Old Joke even threw in a small pouch of stabilizing companion ore powder as a bonus.
After leaving Old Joke’s stall, Monkey Tao became even more enthusiastic, almost sharing everything he knew, taking the initiative to introduce other valuable items at the trade fair and the various factions present. Taking this opportunity, Yang Zicang casually inquired about recent local news, and Monkey Tao readily spilled all the information he had, hoping to get further ‘involved.’
Just as they were about to reach the end of the trade fair, Yang Zicang suddenly stopped, his eyes fixed sharply on a dim corner behind him.
There, a man entirely shrouded in a hooded robe was handing something over to another man who looked like a merchant.
Their movements were discreet, their auras extremely well-concealed, but in that instant, Yang Zicang sensed an incredibly faint, abnormal fluctuation.
That fluctuation felt like it stemmed from the same source as the Darkmares he had encountered before, yet it also seemed slightly different.
“Who is that person? ” Yang Zicang asked Monkey Tao in a low voice.
Monkey Tao followed his gaze, and his expression shifted subtly: “Him? No one knows his real name. They all call him ‘Shegui.’ He shows up occasionally, only to trade in rare materials, especially… things peeled from Darkmares. Word is, his connections run deep and shady; most people prefer to steer clear of him. “
Materials related to Darkmares?
Yang Zicang’s heart tightened slightly.
-｛Distributor Loki Tatingqi notes with rich experience: perhaps this is a new node.｝
A faint, sharp smile curled at the corner of Yang Zicang’s mouth as he glanced once more at the hooded figure called “Shegui. “
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