https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-340-Acquiring-the-Red-Ascension-Fire-Source-and-the-Sky-Supporting-Clan/12915893/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-342-Showing-Strength-A-Move-Across-the-Endless-Void/12915898/
Chapter 341: A Large Batch of High-Rank Floating Land Essence, Song Chi's Frustration
Chapter 341: A Large Batch of High-Rank Floating Land Essence, Song Chi's Frustration
"Intermediate Fully-Automatic Intelligent Chip?"
Upon hearing these words, the gnome Luke's interest was instantly piqued.
Fully-automatic intelligent chips were already expensive, let alone intermediate fully-automatic intelligent chips.
His eyes gleamed with a cunning light, and after a few quick glances, Luke deliberately fell silent for a few seconds. When he felt the timing was right, he feigned reluctance:
"I've heard of such chips, but they are quite rare. If you really want to buy them, the price might be... quite steep."
Jiangshan yi gai, benxing nan yi. This idiom means that it's easier to change the mountains and rivers than one's inherent nature. It suggests that while external circumstances can change, a person's fundamental character remains steadfast. In this context, Song Chi is observing that despite multiple transactions, this individual hasn't altered his essential traits, which implies that his nature is unchanging and perhaps predictable in certain ways.
"Alright, alright, I'll check at the Star Source Empire Shop then..."
With that, he turned around without any hesitation.
Seeing this, Luke couldn't remain calm. Over the years, he had conducted many transactions with Alon, and he was well aware of the main products traded at the Star Source Empire Shop. If Song Chi went there directly, he would definitely lose this order.
"Wait a moment!"
After calling out to Song Chi, Luke no longer continued his act. He immediately took out 20 intermediate intelligent chips from his portable space fold box.
"Here, the great Luke will give you a 50% discount. You only need 2 strands of fourth-rank floating land essence."
Ignoring the so-called "50% discount," Song Chi had already checked the prices at the Star Source Empire Shop. The price Luke offered was only slightly lower than Alon's.
After confirming that Luke was unwilling to lower the price any further, Song Chi took out 2 strands of fourth-rank floating land essence from his storage capsule and asked:
"Only 20? Do you have any higher-grade intelligent chips? If so, we can discuss a future transaction..."
Before he could finish, the gnome Luke quickly shook his head.
"I can get more intermediate intelligent chips for you, but I don't have any higher-grade fully-automatic intelligent chips..."
Seeing the expression in Luke's eyes, Song Chi seemed to understand something.
Given the renowned technological prowess of the gnomes, he didn't believe that the Silver Gnome Empire couldn't produce fully-automatic high-grade intelligent chips. That would be unrealistic.
The only explanation was that the Silver Gnome Empire was also wary of the threat of the rise of automata, perhaps even having experienced a mechanical rebellion in the past, making them extremely cautious.
Nodding, Song Chi didn't ask any more questions. He quickly turned and left, not giving any further thought to the intermediate fully-automatic intelligent chips.
He didn't know what grade of fully-automatic intelligent chip would be required to enhance the "Celestial Brain System" to the fourth rank.
Leaving the House of Silver, Song Chi headed towards the Star Source Empire Shop. He hadn't asked Alon about higher-grade fully-automatic intelligent chips yet.
While Song Chi was busy acquiring fully-automatic intelligent chips, the transaction at the Oddity Exchange Shop had reached a climax.
"Lord of the Market, if we buy all the orange and red oddities in the shop, can we get a discount?"
Hearing this, Song Chi, who was walking on the central street, paused for a moment.
Although he quickly resumed his normal pace, his inner shock didn't diminish.
He had thought he had overestimated the power behind the other party, but it turned out he was the one who looked foolish.
Honestly, he never expected the other party to have such a large budget.
How many orange and red oddities were there in the Oddity Exchange Shop now?
16 red oddities and over 150 orange oddities.
What did this mean?
If these oddities were exchanged for slightly lower-grade silver legendary oddities, they could probably get two or three pieces.
Three silver oddities, all at once?
Shaking off these chaotic thoughts, Song Chi quickly calmed down. After a moment of consideration, he used the Market Rule Force to reply:
"A 5% discount!"
The third-rank guard commander of the Sky-Supporting Clan was quite satisfied with this response.
A 5% discount meant a 95% discount. It might not seem much, but it was a 95% discount on the equivalent of two or three silver legendary oddities, which represented a significant amount of floating land essence.
The guards exchanged glances and then nodded in unison.
Soon, the third-rank guard commander waved and took out three clumps of floating land essence.
The Market Rule Force in the Oddity Exchange Shop quietly surged, and Song Chi quickly learned the specific details of the three clumps of floating land essence.
3000 strands of Fourth-Rank Floating Land Essence
200 strands of Fifth-Rank Floating Land Essence
10 strands of Sixth-Rank Floating Land Essence
Hearing about the Sixth-Rank Floating Land Essence, Song Chi's breathing quickened, but his thoughts did not stop for a moment.
"The value is about the same, we can make the trade..."
He quickly calculated in his mind, estimating that the values were roughly equal, and promptly gave his response.
[Agreed!]
Instantly, over a hundred counters in the Oddity Exchange Shop opened, and the numerous oddities shimmering with brilliant orange and red lights gathered in front of the few Sky-Supporting Clan members. At the same time, the three bundles of Floating Land Essence were directly swept away by the Market Law Force, quietly returning to Song Chi's possession.
In the Oddity Exchange Shop, Song Chi carefully collected the oddities and paid 70 strands of Fifth-Rank Floating Land Essence as the Market Transaction Tax. The faces of the few Sky-Supporting Clan members were filled with excitement and joy.
Even if the Young Master behind them was a Heir Appointed Sage of the Ancient Royal Clan, it would be impossible for them to have so many high-rank oddities. Acquiring so many this time would undoubtedly greatly enhance their Young Master's potential, and might even help them advance closer to the position of Sage.
Like them, Song Chi was also greatly invigorated by the numerous high-rank Floating Land Essence he had acquired. This trade was absolutely profitable for him.
Although, based on the market exchange rate, he had only made a profit equivalent to the principal amount, with a half discount in the middle, the reality was far from that simple.
After all, if he had Song Yufeng acquire these oddities, they would all be low-rank Floating Land Essence like Zero-Rank, First-Rank, and Second-Rank. In exchange, he received Fourth-Rank, Fifth-Rank, and Sixth-Rank Floating Land Essence. The true exchange rate was far beyond imagination.
By the time it reached Second-Rank and Third-Rank Floating Land Essence, there were almost no genuine traders in the market.
Strictly speaking, Song Chi had made several times more profit, and it was a profit that had a market value.
Moreover, the Sky-Supporting Clan had saved him a significant amount of time to convert these oddities into resources. Although it cost him a half discount, it was absolutely worth it for Song Chi.
Otherwise, it would take years, decades, or even several decades to sell all these oddities.
With this in mind, Song Chi quickly turned and headed toward the back of the Oddity Exchange Shop.
Amidst his excitement, he had another question: the Sky-Supporting Clan members never mentioned exchanging a [Market Guest Token] or [Market Travel Token] throughout the entire process.
"Did they not notice the rule light curtain at the entrance that introduced the two tokens?"
These were genuine big spenders, and he couldn't let them just do business with him once.
With this thought, he quickly caught up with the Sky-Supporting Clan members who had just left the Oddity Exchange Shop.
Facing the intense warning in their eyes, Song Chi, as a Four-Armed Blueblood, quickly took out a few orange-quality oddities from his storage capsule and said:
"I see that you are very interested in high-quality oddities. I have a few orange-quality Star Sea oddities here. Would you be interested in acquiring them?"
Seeing the orange oddities, the intense warning and caution in the Sky-Supporting Clan members' eyes lessened significantly. At this point, the lead Guard Commander took out 200 strands of Fourth-Rank Floating Land Essence and began the transaction.
While trading, Song Chi probed:
"Friends, I have some channels in our starfield. I will have a steady supply of high-rank oddities like orange and red. I think we can continue this trade in the future. By the way, which token did you exchange for, the [Guest Token] or the [Travel Token]?"
As he spoke, Song Chi carefully observed their expressions with his peripheral vision. However, to his surprise, the Sky-Supporting Clan members showed no interest at all.
They quickly shook their heads:
"No need. We did not exchange for any Market Tokens. If you have other high-rank oddities, we can conduct the transaction now!"
Song Chi feigned a look of surprise.
"Why not? These monthly Market transactions can provide us with tremendous benefits. I've been in the Market for over twenty years, and the benefits I've gained are far beyond what I had before. Many alien races are desperate for these Market Tokens. What about you?"
The Sky-Supporting Clan members were not surprised by Song Chi's feigned surprise, but their expressions remained unchanged, and they showed no intention of explaining. To them, the Young Master's orders were paramount.
Nearly half an hour later, Song Chi felt he had done everything he could, but he still couldn't make the Sky-Supporting Clan members consider exchanging for Market Tokens, not even a hint of interest. He had no choice but to give up, knowing that further persuasion would be futile.
Song Chi turned away from the Sky-Supporting Clan members and walked back toward the Star Source Empire Shop. The market transactions were nearing their end, and he needed to confirm a few things with Alon.
As he walked, Song Chi couldn't help but feel a sense of regret. These Sky-Supporting Clan members were the most influential and generous customers since the Celestial Ruins Market opened. The thought of not being able to retain such valuable customers left him feeling somewhat disheartened.
It wasn't until he entered the Star Source Empire Shop and saw Alon again that his thoughts returned to the present. Seeing his fellow clan member, who now exuded the aura of a high-ranker, brought a mix of emotions to Song Chi.
He had a deep impression of Alon. The Neutron Star Core Armor that had saved his life multiple times was obtained from Alon. He remembered how Alon initially entered the market in a very bedraggled state, being pursued by strong enemies and himself nothing more than a weak, low-ranking human.
Now, nearly two decades later, Alon had transformed from a small figure into a high-ranker, steadily rising in status within the Star Source Empire thanks to the convenience of the Celestial Ruins Market. Reflecting on this, Song Chi realized that the Celestial Ruins Market had indeed been the greatest opportunity in the lives of many. Through this market, they had amassed considerable wealth and steadily increased their status in the floating lands and star regions behind them.
Lost in thought, Song Chi was brought back to reality as Alon turned to him. Alon was no stranger to Song Chi, a regular customer.
"Still need those Intermediate Fully-Automatic Intelligent Chips?"
Song Chi nodded. The 20 chips he had bought from the gnome Luke were clearly not enough to enhance the Celestial Brain System to the fourth rank, and he didn't want to wait until next month. He decided to ask Alon for more.
In addition to the intermediate intelligent chips, he added:
"Bro, can you get some Advanced Fully-Automatic Intelligent Chips?"
Alon's eyebrows raised. Given his current status, it would be challenging, but if he was willing to pay a price, he could indeed obtain a small number of advanced chips. However, these were strictly controlled by the empire, and getting a large quantity was unrealistic.
Seeing Alon's expression, Song Chi felt there was a chance and quickly added:
"Aren't you always looking to get more Soul Stones to enhance your mental power? If you can get those advanced intelligent chips, I'll provide you with a good number of high-quality Soul Stones. How about it?"
At the mention of Soul Stones, Alon's eyes lit up. Although the Star Source Empire didn't have a formal supernatural path, controlling high-rank imperial warships required exceptional mental strength.
After a moment's thought, Alon replied:
"I'll try, but even if I manage to get them, the quantity will be limited. These are strictly controlled by the empire and are not allowed to flood the market."
Song Chi nodded, understanding that the Star Source Empire was aware of the potential threat posed by advanced artificial intelligence but had not yet faced a crisis of mechanical rebellion. He continued:
"A few dozen should be enough..."
As they reached an agreement, the market transactions were drawing to a close. The Sky-Supporting Clan members stopped purchasing high-rank artifacts in the free stall area, packed up their items, and headed toward the market entrance.
Watching them leave, Song Chi sighed inwardly.
Ancient Continent, Wasteland Region.
In a secluded, towering forest, several Sky-Supporting Clan members emerged from a spatial gateway. A thousand meters away, a figure in a black robe stood.
Upon seeing this figure, the three-rank Sky-Supporting Clan members were startled and immediately bowed in respect.
"Lord Tahai!"
The black-robed figure nodded slightly and asked:
"How did it go?"
"Report to Lord, we have successfully exchanged for all the high-rank artifacts, totaling 16 red-quality artifacts and 162 orange-quality artifacts."
Even with the black-robed figure's status and experience, this response left him momentarily speechless.
After a moment, he said:
"Very well, you may return."
"Yes, Lord!"
As the three-rank Sky-Supporting Clan members left, the black-robed figure stared intently at the spatial gateway, a conflicted expression on his face.
After a long hesitation, a powerful aura surged from within him, and a strand of dark black energy shot toward the market entrance spatial gateway.
---
PS: It's July, please give me your support with a monthly vote, thank you!
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
