Free Web NovelChapter 37: Chapter 37: Risking One’s Life for a Few Pieces of Silver
"What? Fifty thousand for a Lower-Grade Storage Spiritual Artifact?"
Old Sheng had taken Lin Yi to a Spiritual Artifact Shop.
Lin Yi was stunned when he asked about the price of a Storage Spiritual Artifact.
’A Lower-Grade Storage Spiritual Artifact with only one cubic meter of space costs fifty thousand?’
’And it isn’t even new. Who knows how many times it’s been passed down.’
The owner of the Spiritual Artifact Shop was a fat man.
He wore a pumpkin mask and nodded. "Storage Spiritual Artifacts have always been a hot commodity—rare and highly sought after. I’m already giving you the rock-bottom price. Otherwise, this would go for at least eighty thousand..."
After the Spiritual Artifact Shop owner stated the price, Lin Yi gave an awkward smile.
He truly hadn’t expected a Lower-Grade Storage Spiritual Artifact to be so expensive.
And it wasn’t even new.
A brand-new one would probably cost around a hundred thousand.
In his current situation, Lin Yi simply couldn’t afford that kind of money.
Old Sheng seemed to read Lin Yi’s mind. He smiled and said, "Old Chu, he’s just a student. Where would he get that kind of money? Why don’t you make it a bit cheaper, give him a discount!"
Obviously, Old Sheng and the Spiritual Artifact Shop owner were well-acquainted. freewebnovel.cσ๓
The moment he spoke, the boss sighed. "Only for you. Anyone else, and they wouldn’t get this price... Kid, if you really want it, take it for thirty-eight thousand. How’s that?"
Hearing this, Lin Yi shook his head.
"It’s too expensive, I don’t have that much money on me. But, Boss Chu, if you could hold it for me until I’ve earned enough, I might consider coming back for it!"
"Hold it for you?"
The Spiritual Artifact Shop owner glanced at Lin Yi in surprise.
It was as if he had just heard the most ridiculous thing.
It was no exaggeration to say that Storage Spiritual Artifacts were always in high demand.
Real Martial Artists were different from students like Lin Yi.
Before today, aside from his systematic daily studies and increasing his Qi and Blood, Lin Yi had known nothing about the true world of Martial Arts.
He’d had no idea that a black market catering to Martial Arts practitioners even existed in Xinghai City.
But coming to the black market had been a real eye-opener for him.
It made him realize that his previous understanding of Martial Arts hadn’t even scratched the surface.
’And this is just the Old District,’ he thought.
’If I go to a Martial Arts University in the future and live in the New District...’
’...will their understanding of Martial Arts be even more profound?’
’Or will the things I see and hear there be even more different?’
"Fine, fine. Kid, for Old Sheng’s sake, I’ll hold it for you for one week!"
"Come back within a week, and it’s yours for thirty-eight thousand. Any longer than that, and I’ll have to sell it to someone else!" the Spiritual Artifact Shop owner said, making his final concession.
Hearing this, Lin Yi nodded hurriedly. "Okay, within a week it is!"
After settling on the time and price, Lin Yi followed Old Sheng out of the Spiritual Artifact Shop.
They browsed the first floor a little longer before leaving the black market.
「The night had grown late.」
Not a soul was visible on the streets.
Even the Scavengers and the homeless were nowhere to be seen.
Old Sheng glanced back at Lin Yi. "Still planning on more Demon Hunting?"
Lin Yi shook his head. "It’s too late. I should head home."
"Brother Sheng, thank you for everything today. You’ve opened my eyes to a whole new world!"
At this, Old Sheng just smiled and shook his head.
"No need for thanks. Everyone goes through this stage. We’re all just trying to make a living. Otherwise, who would be willing to risk their life out here Demon Hunting for money?"
"Alright, you should head back now..."
Lin Yi nodded lightly.
After thanking him again, he headed straight for his apartment complex.
Not until Lin Yi’s figure had gradually disappeared into the night...
...did Old Sheng reach up and take off his mask.
It was a face covered in scars.
Hideous, terrifying scars completely obscured his original features.
It was a frightening sight.
After a long moment, he put the mask back on and turned, walking off in another direction.
Soon, he too disappeared into the night.
...
[Name: Lin Yi]
[Occupation: Student]
[Martial Arts Realm: 1-Star, 1st Stage]
[Qi and Blood: 39.55%]
[Martial Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Perfected), Basic Leg Technique (Perfected)]
[Talent Entries: Absolute Focus (Purple), Heaven-defying Comprehension (Purple), Destiny (Gold), Fist Technique Mastery (Blue), Godspeed (Blue), Wall-walking (Purple), Iron Fist (Blue 2/3), Tenacity (Blue), Bronze Muscles Iron Bones (Blue), Snake-shaped Stepping Technique (Blue)]
[Plundered Entries: Wall-walking, Iron Fist, Tenacity, Bronze Muscles Iron Bones, Snake-shaped Stepping Technique]
[Cultivation Technique: Star River Qi Transformation Technique]
Early the next morning, Lin Yi opened his eyes.
When he had returned last night, he found the mess in the living room had already been cleaned up.
The dining table had been moved, and the shattered plates and bowls on the floor had all been swept away.
He quickly washed up and returned to his room.
He first sent a greeting to the group chat, then changed his group nickname to ’Demon Hunter’.
He also posted his mission target in the group.
Although there were only a dozen or so people in the group, they were all incredibly enthusiastic.
After Lin Yi posted his mission target, at least five or six people all offered to help him find the Cat Demon.
Afterward, Lin Yi sat cross-legged on his bed, cultivated the [Star River Qi Transformation Technique], and once again entered the Star River.
After a full night of cultivation, his Qi and Blood had increased significantly, and his realm had even jumped from 1-Star, 0th Stage to the 1st Stage.
’I’ve only scratched the surface of this "Star River Qi Transformation Technique" and haven’t fully comprehended it, but it’s already this effective!’
’I can advance a whole stage in a single night? If I keep cultivating like this, breaking through to 2-Star will be right around the corner!’
A joyful expression appeared on Lin Yi’s face.
If he could take the martial arts exam as a 2-Star Martial Artist, he probably wouldn’t even need to take the test to get a special admission offer from a Martial Arts University, right?
But then again, while Lin Yi was now full of confidence about the martial arts exam, the main issue was still the registration fee.
He had already earned 15,000 from his previous Demon Hunting mission.
He hadn’t spent a single cent, saving it all.
Lin Dazhi normally never gave him any spending money. On the rare occasion he got fifty or a hundred yuan, it was mostly for bus fare, so there was never much to save.
Last night, he had sold the Demon Core and the Snake Demon’s corpse at the black market, earning a total of 7,500.
Added to the previous 15,000, Lin Yi now had a total of 22,500.
’I’ve almost saved up enough!’
’If I go to the Martial Arts Hall today to be a sparring partner, and if it’s really like Teacher Liu said, I can earn five thousand for a full ten-hour day. Two days of that would be ten thousand... Enough for the registration fee!’
