Free Web NovelChapter 254: Chapter 248: Going to the Market
The Odyssey descended through the clouds, and the silhouette of Forged Fire Fortress slowly revealed its full form below the low cloud layer.
Allen leaned against the porthole and glanced out.
’Damn.’
The landing pad was packed like a can of sardines. All sorts of vehicles, from single-person flyers to large Floating Ships, crammed into every available inch of space.
A few of the larger Flying Golems, forced to make way for landing craft, hovered high up on the periphery, awaiting guidance.
[Commander, current berth occupancy is at 98%. Compared to the data from your last visit to the fortress, the number of incoming Floating Ships has surged by approximately 307%.]
’This scene looks like it’s drawn out every pioneer Wizard in the entire Molten Iron Mountain Range. Last time, I didn’t have any money, so it seems I missed out on a huge event.’
’But this time, I’m a rich man, too.’
Allen double-checked his balance:
[Current Available Funds: 26,206,000 Low-Level Magic Stones.]
Twenty-five million. This was the sum he had painstakingly saved up, bit by bit, in the 14 months since the Fifth Legion was established.
He hadn’t touched a single coin beyond necessary expenses to save this much. freёwebnovel.com
This was the source of his confidence for attending this trade fair.
A guidance signal from the fortress arrived, assigning him an exclusive berth on the outer edge.
The Freedom Gundam and Storm Falcon formations had filed their declarations three days prior and were now waiting quietly in a separate area outside the fortress.
The trade fair was held next to Material Exchange Warehouse No. 3.
The metal partitions had all been removed, opening up the entire warehouse into one massive space.
A thick carpet covered the floor, and several large tables were arranged in an arc. A light screen bearing the owner’s name floated above each one.
’Quite sophisticated.’ Allen immediately discerned the tiered arrangement.
In the central area were ten seats, with wider spacing between the chairs and more open ground around them—clearly a VIP section for the big shots. Even with their Magic Power intentionally suppressed, the people sitting there emanated waves like an undercurrent beneath the water, easily perceptible.
’Second-level Wizards.’
In the outer circle, there were forty-some seats. The spacing was much more normal—obviously the "regular seats" for the First-level Wizards.
Alchemy Servants moved between the tables, carrying trays of various drinks. The atmosphere was strangely reminiscent of a high-end business reception.
A meticulously polite exchange floor.
"Allen Wesren, Zone 18," Allen announced his identity at the entrance.
A young Wizard Apprentice quickly checked a list, entered his list of goods into the system, and then looked up to lead the way.
"Your seat is this way. Please follow me."
It was a spot in the outer circle, near the edge. A faint blue light screen on the table displayed his name. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Allen sat down and observed his surroundings discreetly.
This was the inner circle of the Molten Iron Mountain Range’s pioneer warzone. As he looked around, most of the seats were already filled, all with unfamiliar faces.
’Victor didn’t come this time. He probably expanded too quickly and is out of cash.’
The Wizards present were gathered in small groups, conversing in low voices and occasionally sizing up the newly arrived "rookie" with scrutinizing gazes.
Only six people occupied the ten "thrones" of the Second-level Wizards in the inner circle, but just by sitting there, they exuded a "stay away" aura. The First-level Wizards on the outskirts didn’t even have the courage to approach.
More people trickled in, and before long, all the seats were full.
DONG—
A deep, resonant strike echoed throughout the hall.
The din vanished in an instant.
At the front of the hall, the space distorted, and a tall figure appeared, hovering in the air.
It was Adjutant Gordon, the first Wizard he had met upon arriving in this plane.
The half-mechanical adjutant’s blue prosthetic eye scanned the room. His icy aura formed a tangible pressure that instantly enveloped the entire venue.
A few First-level Wizards who had just recently arrived in this plane turned pale and instinctively straightened their backs.
"The trade fair will now begin," Gordon said without a single wasted word. His metallic voice echoed in the hall.
He raised his mechanical left arm, fingers spread. An immense wave of Spiritual Power swept out.
Allen felt a pressure in his glabella. A request for a mental link arrived.
He offered no resistance, dropping his outer defenses.
The next second, a list of goods was transmitted to him.
Every Wizard in the hall closed their eyes simultaneously and began to rapidly browse the information. The Magic Power fluctuations in the venue instantly became extremely active, a turbulent undercurrent.
Allen quickly filtered the list and found that it only contained trade information for First-level Wizards. The supply and demand of the Second-level Wizards were blocked off separately, inaccessible to their lower-level counterparts.
’Heh. The class divide is clear. And here I was hoping to see something amazing.’
A total of four hundred thirty-one items were registered on the list. Each item was annotated with the seller’s name and their terms of trade.
They were roughly divided into six main categories: Ores, Materials, Golem Technology, Knowledge, Equipment, and Cultivation Resources.
Allen had Dseek filter out the first five categories, choosing to look only at Cultivation Resources first.
The long waterfall of data vanished instantly, leaving only five lonely lines of text.
[1. Soul Crystal Ore (Medium). Can be used to craft Cultivation Tools that enhance Spiritual Power. Seller: Baro. Starting price: Five thousand Mid-Level Magic Stones.]
[2. Mind-Condensing Flower Extract (Three portions). Can be used directly by those below the rank of Second-level Wizard to assist in constructing a Will Rune. Seller: Orlando. Requirement: Barter (high-grade casting materials of equal value).]
[3. Abyssal Worm Medulla. Strengthens soul resilience. Seller: Anonymous. Requirement: Barter (new Golem technology).]
[4. Tidal Siren Incantation. Provides a boost for certain Witchcraft School Meditation Methods. Seller: Anonymous. Requirement: Barter (unspecified).]
[5. Spring of the Astral World. Comprehensively increases total Spiritual Power and Meditation speed. Seller: Mercer. Requirement: Barter (a wondrous item of equal value).]
Allen opened his eyes, mulling over the contents of the list.
’Five items.’
’Out of four hundred thirty-one items, only five were Cultivation Resources that could directly increase one’s power. And four of them didn’t even accept Magic Stones. So much for the confidence my wealth gave me.’
He glanced at a First-level Wizard sitting nearby. That was Orlando, the one who had listed the "Mind-Condensing Flower Extract." Several other First-level Wizards were already negotiating with him; the item was clearly a hot commodity.
Allen’s gaze shifted down to the fifth item on the list.
’Spring of the Astral World.’
’Even though my mentor hasn’t shown himself, the item he put up is definitely the most valuable Cultivation Resource here.’
’A comprehensive increase in total Spiritual Power... that’s exactly what I need most right now. A shame it requires a wondrous item. I don’t even know what a wondrous item looks like.’
Just then, Gordon’s voice rang out again.
"Free trade is now open. If you see an item you desire, contact the seller yourself."
The moment he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the hall ignited. A dense web of telepathic messages crisscrossed the air, and the more impatient attendees had already left their seats to negotiate in person.
Allen prepared to go talk to Baro. Only his Soul Crystal Ore had no special conditions attached.
Before he could move, two other Wizards had already surrounded the First-level Wizard named Baro and were haggling with him.
Allen watched for a moment and noticed that Baro was clearly uninterested in their offers to buy with Magic Stones. His gaze wandered, and he was just politely humouring them.
Allen guessed that Baro had probably listed the starting price of five thousand Mid-Level Magic Stones as bait. He would only consider a trade for Magic Stones if he couldn’t get a good item in exchange.
Just as Allen was about to get up, a middle-aged Wizard in a grey robe turned first, his gaze landing directly on him. He walked straight over.
"Mr. Weisren, my name is Autus."
Autus’s voice had the characteristic directness of a researcher, skipping any pleasantries. "Your trade list includes seven pieces of Geocentric Flame Marrow. I’m very interested."
