nagpurpolice Chapter 18 Barter Shop
Chapter 18 Barter Shop
Lin Feng's reminder made Lu Ming and the other two dare not be negligent.
The next day, after completing their morning's required courses, they followed the directions on the academy map and set foot for the first time at the barter shop located in the valley between Chuming Garden and Wanfa Peak.
The barter market is an open area formed by following the natural terrain. All kinds of stalls are set up on both sides of the road, some of which are simply a cloth with a few items on it.
Some set up simple wooden frames, while others even piloted low-level flying magical artifacts, hovering in mid-air with information about the transaction scrolling on a light screen in front of them.
The place was bustling with noise and spiritual energy; the sounds of bargaining and product descriptions filled the air, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
"There are so many people here!" Hu Zhen looked around curiously, looking at the minerals shimmering with various colors, the spiritual herbs sealed in jade boxes, the talismans of different shapes, and some strange things she couldn't name.
Qin Feiyu's eyes lit up, as if he had discovered a new continent. He would linger at a stall selling all kinds of animal bones and claws, touching and examining them, and then he would linger at a stall filled with heavy metal ores.
Lu Ming remained relatively calm; his purpose for this trip was clear:
First, understand the market situation and see what they can exchange their accumulated contribution points for.
Secondly, look for items that may help improve combat skills, such as practical low-level talismans, healing pills, or detailed information about monsters.
The contribution points they have accumulated so far mainly come from the task of taking care of the Qingxin Bamboo Forest, and the number is not large, totaling only about two hundred points.
This was clearly not considered wealthy in the barter market.
"Come and see! Top-quality wound ointment, stops bleeding and promotes tissue regeneration, only five contribution points per bottle!"
"Newly produced fasting pills, ten pills per bottle, enough for ten days, and eight contribution points!"
"Detailed Explanation of Common Weaknesses of Low-Level Monsters," handwritten copy, only 15 contribution points!
The cries of vendors rose and fell. Lu Ming stopped in front of a stall and picked up a fireball talisman that looked the most ordinary.
The stall owner, a lean disciple, immediately introduced the item enthusiastically: "Junior brother has excellent taste! This fireball talisman has stable power, is easy to activate, and is most effective against low-level demonic beasts with thick hides. It only costs twenty contribution points!"
Twenty points! Lu Ming clicked his tongue in amazement. The three of them had worked hard for a month to take care of the bamboo forest, and they had only earned a total of sixty points. This talisman had taken away a third of them.
He then inquired about the Rejuvenation Powder used for healing, which cost thirty contribution points for a small bottle. As for the Qi-restoring pills that could instantly replenish spiritual energy, the price was even higher, exceeding fifty points.
"This is too expensive..." Hu Zhen muttered to herself. She had her eye on a jade slip that explained the basics of alchemy, but the price tag of one hundred contribution points made her hesitate.
Qin Feiyu looked around, somewhat dejected: "It seems we can't buy anything good with our contribution points."
Just as the three were feeling somewhat dejected, Lu Ming stopped in front of a relatively quiet stall.
The stall owner was a senior brother who looked somewhat lazy, dozing off against a rock. His stall only had a few stacks of talismans and a few bottles of pills scattered around, unlike the other stalls which had a wide variety of goods.
Lu Ming's gaze was drawn to a stack of light blue talismans.
The rune structure on this talisman was something he had never learned in "Basic Talisman Analysis," and it appeared quite simple.
"Senior brother, may I ask what this talisman is?" Lu Ming asked softly.
The lazy senior brother opened one eye, glanced at Lu Ming, and yawned: "The Gentle Breeze Talisman is not an offensive one."
"What's the use?"
"Injecting spiritual energy will make you as light as a feather and quicken your pace, lasting for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
"Escape... well, it's somewhat useful for quick movement." The senior brother seemed to think the talisman wasn't very high-end, and spoke rather casually.
Accelerate? A thought struck Lu Ming. Speed was crucial, whether in pursuit or retreat. Moreover, the rune structure was simple; perhaps he could try practicing it.
"Senior brother, how much are these talismans?"
"Ten contribution points per ticket. Buy five, get one free," the senior brother announced the price.
Ten contribution points! That's half the price of a Fireball Talisman! Lu Ming quickly calculated that the three of them could pool their money and buy five or six as spares, which was perfectly feasible.
"We want six." Lu Ming made a decisive decision and paid the contribution points in full.
The lazy senior brother seemed somewhat surprised by Lu Ming's straightforwardness. While handing over the talisman, he unusually added a few more words:
"Junior brother has good taste. Although this Gentle Breeze Talisman is not particularly powerful, it requires a high level of control over spiritual energy to make, so it's reasonably cost-effective. It might come in handy if you encounter a fast-moving demon beast."
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother." Lu Ming took the talisman and carefully put it away.
Leaving the barter shop, Qin Feiyu was still somewhat puzzled: "Lu Ming, why buy this talisman for escaping? Why not save up and buy a powerful attack talisman?"
Lu Ming explained, "Attack talismans are good, but they're gone after one strike. This Qingfeng talisman might be a lifesaver in a critical moment."
Moreover, don't you think this rune structure is easier to understand than the fireball rune? He had a vague feeling that this simplified version of the acceleration rune might help him better understand the principle of the rune's operation.
Hu Zhen nodded in agreement: "Indeed, the lines of these runes are clearer, so they shouldn't be difficult to refine."
Back at Chuming Garden, Lu Ming did not immediately attempt to draw the Qingfeng Talisman. Instead, he carefully studied the book "Detailed Explanation of Common Weaknesses of Low-Level Monsters" that he had obtained with fifteen contribution points.