https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-50-Trade-District-Exotic-Race-Merchants/13535475/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-52-The-High-Speed-Identification-Trait-Half-Beast/13535479/
Chapter 51: Crystalline Moss Blood Potion
Chapter 51: Crystalline Moss Blood Potion
Goblin rubbed his hands together.
"Five Fire Crystal Orchid rhizomes, three Hematite Grass sprigs, and eight Dragon Blood Tree leaves. That’s sixteen Mana Shard Fragments total. Since you’re new customers, I’ll give you a discount—how about fifteen?"
"Ten", Luo En replied flatly, his tone unwavering. "The standard market value for these three ingredients combined shouldn’t exceed twelve Mana Shard Fragments. Plus, those Dragon Blood Tree leaves have clearly been sitting for over two weeks—you can see the fading vitality."
Goblin’s smile twitched slightly before he forced it back into place.
"My goodness, young man, your eyes are sharper than a hawk’s! Fine, twelve Mana Shard Fragments—this is my rock-bottom price. Any lower and I’d be paying out of my own pocket!"
After some back-and-forth haggling, Luo En finally secured the ingredients for eleven Mana Shard Fragments.
"You planning to brew a Blood Potion with these?" Andie asked as they walked away from Goblin’s stall, curiosity glinting in their eyes.
"Exactly", Luo En replied, carefully tucking the materials into his satchel. "Madame Ellen taught me some recipes. Blood Potions are incredibly beneficial for knights’ cultivation, especially when used alongside breathing techniques—the effects are amplified."
Andie suddenly broached another topic. "I’ve heard potions involving spiritual energy are notoriously difficult to brew. They demand much higher skill from the alchemist."
"That’s true", Luo En nodded. "But respiratory and physical enhancement potions are relatively simple. If we succeed, both of us will benefit."
They continued weaving through Lizard Alley, occasionally pausing to inspect materials that might prove useful.
"These common stalls won’t have anything special", Andie murmured after examining several booths. "The real treasures are always hidden in unassuming corners."
Luo En had already noticed this. The prominent displays featured only beginner-grade herbs. The truly valuable materials were stored in specialized containers, revealed only when a customer demonstrated serious intent and purchasing power.
"Look over there", Andie suddenly whispered, nodding toward a shadowed alcove deeper in the alley. "That stall seems different."
Following his gaze, Luo En spotted a nearly invisible stall at the alley’s end, shrouded in darkness. No signs marked its presence, but faintly glowing vials on its surface stood out sharply against the dim surroundings.
"Let’s check it out", Luo En said softly. They carefully maneuvered around several shouting customers locked in fierce negotiations and approached the hidden stall.
As they drew nearer, Luo En took in the merchant—a bizarre, exotic-race being. Its upper body resembled a human, but its face was covered in fine black scales, and its eyes possessed eerie vertical pupils. When it turned its head, those eyes reflected cold light like polished steel. Its lower body was entirely serpentine, coiled tightly to support its upper torso. The scales near its face had begun fading to a ghostly gray-white, hinting at advanced age.
"Young guests with sharp eyes, I see", the serpent merchant hissed, its forked tongue flickering. "Rare to find youths with such discernment."
"We’re looking for special ingredients", Luo En replied evenly, deliberately masking his eagerness while scanning the stall. "Crystalline Moss, perhaps? Or Night Talk Pollen?"
The serpent’s pupils contracted sharply. A flicker of interest—and scrutiny—crossed its face.
"My, my", it hissed, inspecting the two with a calculating gaze. "You’ve named rare treasures indeed."
After a pause, it extended a scaled hand beneath the stall, withdrawing a small tin box. "Fortune favors you. I happen to have some Crystalline Moss. A rare find—pricey, of course."
Luo En accepted the box, using his 【herb identification】 ability to examine the deep emerald moss inside. This was unmistakably the real thing—unlike the counterfeit Ao Tuo had shown him. When he tilted the box, he felt a distinct pull of spiritual energy, as though the moss were whispering directly to his soul. The sensation was both eerie and mesmerizing, like hearing a secret melody only he could understand.
【Precise Identification! Herb Identification Experience +2】
"It’s genuine", Luo En confirmed, though his expression remained impassive. "Quality is mediocre, though. This shade suggests it was harvested over a month ago—its potency has declined."
The serpent merchant stiffened, surprise flashing in its slit pupils. Few youths could judge herb quality so accurately. A flicker of discomfort crossed its scaled face before it resumed its practiced merchant demeanor.
"Sharp eyes indeed", it hissed, voice tinged with genuine admiration. "But even so, this moss remains rare. Twenty Mana Shard Fragments—fair pricing, considering its scarcity in today’s market."
Luo En placed the box back on the stall. "Ten. Given its freshness level, that’s generous. I’m sure a merchant of your experience understands the implications of potency loss."
A sharp hiss escaped the serpent. "You insult me, pup. This is true Crystalline Moss—fifteen Mana Shard Fragments, no less. Do you think this a common market stall?"
A fierce verbal duel ensued. Eventually, they settled on twelve Mana Shard Fragments. Luo En carefully stored the tin box, ensuring it wouldn’t shift or compress during travel.
"Seeking anything else?" the serpent asked, clearly reassessing their purchasing power. Its forked tongue danced nervously. "Thirty years in this alley—many suppliers owe me favors."
The merchant even displayed some hidden stock, eager to secure further business. But unfortunately, none matched Madame Ellen’s list.
"You’ve impressed me", Andie whispered, admiration in their voice. "Where’d you learn such haggling skills? You weren’t this sharp back in the capital."
"Madame Ellen’s tutelage", Luo En deflected, avoiding mention of his otherworldly soul. "Turns out I have a knack for it. It feels... almost like syncing with another frequency."
Andie nodded. "Pressure reveals hidden facets. In life-or-death struggles, latent potential surfaces."
(End of Chapter)
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