Chapter 261: Shopping Spree
Chapter 261: Shopping Spree
Ji Xinghuo didn't immediately sell the exotic species he had collected. Instead, he found a nearby inn and checked in.
The inn was more luxurious than most hotels on Earth. Towering several dozen stories high, its exterior resembled a sleek spire. The floors were immaculate, and the walls and ceiling were made of large, seamless crystals. The interior decor exuded the aesthetic style of the Crystal English tribe.
It was grand and opulent, bright and luxurious.
This building was also an official asset of the Eternal Day City, leased to outsiders.
Most of the businesses in the city operated in this manner.
The inn's staff consisted of a group of skilled people who provided service that was not much different from Earth's hotels. Each staff member was professionally trained.
As soon as Ji Xinghuo entered the lobby, a Western-dressed waiter enthusiastically approached him.
When they noticed the Eternal Day badge on his chest, they immediately called for a senior manager, who arrived with a team of three people dedicated to attending to Ji Xinghuo's needs.
Ji Xinghuo maintained a cold and distant demeanor.
However, he was generous with his spending, renting a suite and tipping the staff handsomely.
Once alone in his suite, Ji Xinghuo ensured the servants had left before taking a bath and verifying that the room was secure from prying eyes. Only then did he retrieve the large collection of exotic species from his dimensional pouch for classification and organization into several beast hide bags.
He spent the night at the inn.
True to its name, the Eternal Day City had no distinction between night and day. There was no nightfall in this city.
During the day, the view beyond the city to the highland plateau and distant mountains could be seen, reducing the air of mystery that hung over the city at night. Nonetheless, the entire city remained ablaze with dazzling lights, and the crystal buildings sparkled in the sunlight, resembling a celestial paradise.
Ji Xinghuo, with his beast hide bags slung over his shoulder, strode out of the inn and made his way to the exotic species store he had visited the day before.
Not long after.
When he emerged, most of the exotic species in his bags had been exchanged for True Dragon Coins, totaling over 8 million coins, equivalent to more than 300 million yuan on Earth.
However, most of what he sold were exotic species below the super limit level.
He had only sold three super limit-level basaltic bodies, and he still had three remaining. He kept the two Great Earth Pulses, the Myriad Spirit Bodies, the Ice-sealed Absolute Prison, the Limb Regeneration, the Wings of the Winged People, the Rubber Body, and some other rare and exceptional exotic species.
When one had ample money, exotic species were always a better store of value than cash.
Back in his room at the inn, Ji Xinghuo took stock of his possessions.
He had 1.24 million True Dragon Coins, 67 Aether Crystals, 10 Red Emperor Blood Crystals, and ten super limit exotic species. In terms of weapons, he had three three-star super-ability weapons: the Spirit Sword Bracelet, Demon Sound, and the Heaven's Wrath Scarlet Blood Spear. He also possessed three two-star super-ability weapons: Thunder Stride, Invisible Sting, and the Ice Vein Axe. Additionally, he had the Stealth Ring and the Acceleration Ring.
There were also a few one-star super-ability weapons among his collection, all of which were spoils of war that he had not yet sold.
"So much!"
It was only after taking inventory that Ji Xinghuo realized how substantial his wealth had unknowingly become.
The over one million True Dragon Coins alone could be exchanged for more than 500 million yuan, enough to repay Meng Ying. If he were to convert all his possessions into yuan, his total net worth would easily exceed 6 billion! Of course, many of these items were priceless treasures that money couldn't buy, and only a fool would sell them.
Ji Xinghuo suddenly understood the meaning behind Ren Jie's words.
"When you have a certain amount of money, you'll find that there are many things you desire that money can't buy. As your strength increases, money becomes less useful."
"For me, money has lost much of its significance."
"Bartering is the way to go."
"Even Aether Crystals, a universal hard currency in the galaxy and the starry world, may be of little use in critical situations."
Ji Xinghuo ventured out once more.
Eternal Day City was one of the two largest cities in the Bloody Highlands, located in the central region of the plateau. Backed by the formidable power of the Crystal English tribe, it boasted a high level of security. Every day, countless outsiders entered and exited the city, carrying a plethora of treasures and resources, making it a true trading hub on the plateau.
He wanted to explore the city and see if he could find any exotic species that caught his interest.
The Magnetic Maniac profession template was still missing two abilities: "Overload" and "Superconducting Permanent Magnet." Once fused, not only would his template be complete, but he would also be able to advance to the Electromagnetic Overlord!
Moreover, he had to consider his future evolutionary path.
After completing the template, he would undoubtedly continue to fuse with exotic species, and the choices he made would depend on his own exploration and the discovery of species that suited him.
Generally, there were two directions to consider.
The first was "Super Model," which involved attempting to fuse with matching exotic species to enhance one's primary abilities after completing the basic template.
The second was "Part-time," where one would choose another profession template to compensate for shortcomings or complement one's abilities, leading to another advancement.
The part-time approach was more common and favored by most ordinary people.
In this regard, Ji Xinghuo had not yet made up his mind.
However, he leaned towards the super model path because he was fundamentally a jobless eccentric.
While the Magnetic Maniac profession still had several advancement directions, such as becoming a "Storm Lord" by taking on the side job of a Wicked Wind Guest, or combining with a martial artist to become a "Magnetic Storm Sage," there was also the "Thunder Battle General" formed with the Iron Guard, and the mechanical engineer path leading to the "Electro-mechanical Master," none of these advancement professions could compare to the Electromagnetic Overlord.
There was, however, an extremely rare advancement direction where a Magnetic Maniac who took on the side job of a Crystal Light Attendant would evolve into an "Electric Light Apostle."
"Let's take it one step at a time," he thought. "I'll decide later based on the exotic species I acquire."
Ji Xinghuo visited several exotic species stores in the city, including official industries of Eternal Day City and those run by other alien races. True to his expectations, each store offered super-limit exotic species. Although he didn't find Overload or Superconducting Permanent Magnet, he discovered two impressive exotic species and purchased them.
The first was "True Spirit Fugue," a super-limit ability that could give an illusion a physical form, complete with offensive and defensive capabilities, and allow for easy remote manipulation.
This ability would be incredibly powerful for illusionists and phantom assassins who possessed illusory abilities, as it could significantly enhance their strength.
Ji Xinghuo intended to give this ability to Jing Ji, fulfilling his promise.
The second exotic species he bought was "Night Demon," one of the most sought-after by Demon Refiners. It allowed one to transform into a "Night Demon," an incredibly powerful entity within the dark matter demons. The Night Demon possessed well-balanced strength, defense, and speed, along with the abilities of flight and control over dark flames. Once transformed, one's strength would surge exponentially.
This was intended for Jiang Nancaiyi.
Ji Xinghuo also purchased several extraordinary exotic species, each rare and difficult to obtain on Earth.
Although he had no use for them himself, he thought they might be useful for his family and friends in the future.
He spent over 4 million True Dragon Coins on these six or seven exotic species, but he felt it was worth it. Moreover, the thrill of this shopping spree improved his mood.
"Another one," he said, spotting a large exotic species store ahead.
To his surprise, the operator of this store was a True Dragon person, and dragon patterns adorned the interior decor, signifying an extraordinary background. The staff's attire also followed the style of the True Dragon Dynasty, which made the customers somewhat restrained and polite in their speech.
Noticing that Ji Xinghuo was a highlander, the store attendants didn't pay him much attention.
Ji Xinghuo was pleased with their indifference and casually browsed the store.
He had little interest in exotic species below the extraordinary level and usually only looked at extraordinary and super-limit species. As he perused the store, he noticed a group of customers gathered around a counter, whispering about an exotic species displayed in a transparent showcase.
Two True Dragon guards stood beside the showcase.
Ji Xinghuo walked over to take a look.
Just one glance was enough to spark his interest.
The exotic species was a white crystal the size of a fingertip, irregularly shaped like an ellipsoid, and emitting a faint light.
"Ether Sensitive!" Ji Xinghuo immediately recognized it and had a deep impression of this upgradable ether-sensitive exotic species.
"It's not Ether Sensitive, it's Ether Affinity!" he exclaimed as he read the display case's introduction. It was labeled as a super-limit exotic species called "Ether Affinity," priced at 350,000 True Dragon Coins or eight Ether Crystals.
"It should be genuine Ether Affinity," he thought.
This was the first time Ji Xinghuo had seen an Ether Affinity exotic species, and he was certain it could be upgraded. The form of this exotic species was very similar to the Ether Sensitive one he had fused with before, only much larger in volume, suggesting that it was an advanced form.
"A bit pricey," he mused, evaluating the cost. However, he could understand the high price.
The Ether Sensitive series of abilities was almost universally compatible with all professions, regardless of race or evolutionary direction. It could enhance cultivation speed, accelerate the recovery of stellar power, and increase the upper limit of stellar power—the benefits were countless.
350,000 True Dragon Coins amounted to nearly 160 million yuan, and the price for a single super-limit exotic species was definitely inflated. Hence, the surrounding customers were still contemplating the purchase.
But this Ether Affinity was different.
It could be upgraded!
To others, any Ether Affinity would be the same, but to Ji Xinghuo, even if the price were doubled, he would still accept it.
Without hesitation, he declared, "I'll take this exotic species."
The surrounding customers immediately turned their gazes towards him.
Seeing that he was a highlander and a follower of the Red Emperor, with the Eternal Day badge on his chest, most of them subconsciously took a half-step back, not wanting to provoke this powerful Blood Maniac.
The attendant, who had previously ignored Ji Xinghuo, immediately donned a smile and invited him into the VIP trading room, addressing him as a "honored guest."
Inside, Ji Xinghuo met the True Dragon store manager.
He had no intention of engaging in small talk and directly paid 350,000 True Dragon Coins for the Ether Affinity exotic species.
Holding the exotic species in his hand, Ji Xinghuo's vision was overlaid with interface information.
[Exotic Species: Ether Affinity]
[Grade: Super-Limit]
[Fusion Success Rate: 100%]
[Upgradable: Yes]
Ji Xinghuo's heart leaped at the sight of the "Yes."
Indeed, it wasn't an ordinary Ether Affinity but one that could be upgraded. Previously, he had used the Tear of the Stars, and he still had one chance left to fuse with an exotic species. However, he had no plans to cultivate in seclusion anytime soon, so he decided to hold off on fusing with the Ether Affinity for the time being.
(End of Chapter)
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