Chapter 534: Ore Market
Chapter 534: Ore Market
Qiao Sang turned her head and recognized the woman as the manager who had let her use the back door to enter the arena earlier.
"Money?" Qiao Sang asked, puzzled.
The woman smiled. "Yes, money. Every contestant who wins a match gets a reward."
"How much?" Qiao Sang asked casually.
She was currently in the most financially comfortable phase of her life and didn't place too much importance on non-renewable wealth.
"500 Union Coins per match", the woman said with a smile. "But with the bonus from the betting pool, you can receive 130,000 Union Coins."
Qiao Sang was taken aback, momentarily suspecting she had misheard. "How much?"
She had just defeated an E-Rank Beastmaster and two Intermediate Beasts, and now she had earned the equivalent of the price of a Fangflare, with money left over?
"130,000 Union Coins", the woman explained, understanding the girl's surprise. "It's your first time fighting today, so people weren't familiar with your strength. Most bets were placed on Mr. Cash, which is why the bonus is higher this time."
Qiao Sang understood. It meant that as a newcomer, she could take advantage of the situation, but after a few more matches, the bonuses would decrease. She remained silent for a few seconds before saying, "I think I can go up and fight a few more times..."
The woman replied in an apologetic tone, "I'm afraid that won't be possible today. Each contestant can only fight once per day."
Qiao Sang's expression turned wistful, as if she could see a pile of money slipping away.
The woman then changed the subject. "If Miss Qiao Sang is interested in Arena Battles, you can come back tomorrow."
I want to, but I have classes and homework to do, and I need to prepare for the College Entrance Exam... Qiao Sang's expression grew even more wistful.
The woman, noticing the girl's expression, realized she was a student and that tomorrow was Monday. She paused and said, "If Miss Qiao Sang wants to come, I can arrange a private lounge for you. You can do your homework there, and I guarantee no one will disturb you."
Qiao Sang was tempted, not just by the money but also by the Points.
She had figured out the curriculum at Sai Nan High School; there weren't many practical classes. If Fangy and the others stayed at school, they wouldn't gain many Points this semester. Thinking about this, Qiao Sang asked, "When do the Arena Battles end in the evening?"
The woman smiled, knowing the girl was likely to return. She took out a business card from her pocket. "We are open 24 hours a day. You can contact me directly when you come. Here's my card."
After Qiao Sang finished the procedures and collected her money, a staff member approached the woman and asked, "Sister Feng, do you have high hopes for her?"
The woman smiled. "Without any Artifacts or Spirit Patterns, she used a Steel Sparrow to consecutively defeat two Intermediate Beasts, ranking above her level. How many people can do that? And she's a D-Rank Beastmaster, with her ace familiar not even in play yet. Trust me, she's a cash cow."
...
On the 11th floor, in the rest area.
Qiao Sang was applying Strengthening Oil to Steel Sparrow, who obediently remained still.
"Do you feel anything?" Qiao Sang asked as she applied the oil.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow concentrated for a moment, then called out, indicating that she didn't feel anything, but the oil smelled a bit off.
"Ya Ya!"
Fangy, standing three meters away, nodded vigorously in agreement.
It did have a bit of a smell... but that shouldn't be the case. Wasn't it supposed to have a noticeable effect each time it was applied? Could this be a trick...? Qiao Sang wiped her hands with a tissue she had prepared and was about to take out her mobile phone to contact the Familiar Trainer named Monier.
At that moment, Steel Sparrow's body stiffened.
Qiao Sang noticed Steel Sparrow's stiffness, stopped her actions, and asked, "Do you feel something now?"
"Ganggang..."
Steel Sparrow's face showed a look of endurance as she nodded.
"What do you feel?" Qiao Sang asked again.
"Ganggang..."
Steel Sparrow described it as a bit itchy.
At that moment, Treasure Seeker appeared, curiously picked up the bottle with the remaining Strengthening Oil, and poured it on herself.
Five seconds later.
"Xunxun!"
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker was rolling on the ground, calling out in distress, completely overwhelmed by the itch.
Qiao Sang looked at the empty bottle and realized that Treasure Seeker had used the Strengthening Oil.
This curiosity is something else... Qiao Sang looked at Treasure Seeker with a complex expression.
Five minutes later.
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker wiped the nonexistent sweat from its forehead, wearing an expression of having survived a great ordeal.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow looked at it and called out, indicating that it had already said it was ticklish.
"Xunxun!"
"Xunxun!"
Treasure Seeker instantly became excited.
Ticklish? That's more like extremely ticklish!
Steel Sparrow: "..."
It suddenly realized that Treasure Seeker was quite different from the impressive image it had in mind...
...
In the afternoon, Qiao Sang went to a jewelry store.
When she mentioned that she wanted to have a Diamond Gauntlet custom-made for Treasure Seeker, the store clerk's eyes widened as if she were looking at some kind of exotic human.
"Is custom-making not an option?" Qiao Sang asked, seeing that the store clerk was silent for a moment.
"Of course, we do custom-making!" The store clerk quickly composed herself and said.
She glanced back and forth between Fangy, Treasure Seeker, and Steel Sparrow, finally settling her gaze on Fangy.
Then, the store clerk took out a measuring tape and prepared to measure Fangy.
"Ya Ya?"
Fangy looked bewildered.
"What are you doing?" Qiao Sang stepped back, holding Fangy, and asked.
The store clerk was taken aback: "Measuring Treasure Seeker's size, of course."
"Xunxun..."
Treasure Seeker floated in front of the store clerk, indicating that it was the one called Treasure Seeker...
After Qiao Sang's explanation, the store clerk was stunned for a long time.
If she wasn't mistaken, this familiar was a Ghost-type familiar.
So, she was going to custom-make a Diamond Gauntlet for a Ghost-type familiar?
Qiao Sang didn't realize that her actions were causing confusion that would last a lifetime for others.
After confirming that the gauntlet would be ready in a week, Qiao Sang left her address at Sai Nan High School and her phone number, then walked out of the store to search for the location of the Ore Market.
...
As the sun set, a taxi pulled up to a crystal-shaped building.
The Ore Market was here.
Due to its remote location, Qiao Sang didn't let Fangy follow the navigation but called a taxi directly.
After paying, Qiao Sang got out of the car and walked inside.
"Feel free to tell me what kind of ore you like", Qiao Sang said confidently.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow nodded, understanding.
Qiao Sang entered the entrance and looked around. The ground floor was mostly stalls, neatly arranged, while the upper floors seemed to be shops.
There weren't many people browsing, just a few scattered around.
Qiao Sang strolled leisurely.
Suddenly, Steel Sparrow stopped in front of a stall.
"What caught your eye?" Qiao Sang smiled and looked down.
"All the diamonds here are natural", the stall owner said eagerly upon seeing a customer. "Large grains, few impurities, absolute top-quality. They'll look great when polished into diamonds."
The young girl was clearly a Beastmaster. Diamonds were exorbitantly priced for ordinary people, but for a Beastmaster, they might not even be as expensive as a bottle of potion.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow pointed to the diamonds on the stall with its wing.
These look pretty good.
Qiao Sang looked at the dazzling diamonds on the ground and paused for two seconds: "I remember you said you were buying ore to eat?"
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow nodded.
"Do you eat it every day?" Qiao Sang took a deep breath and continued.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow nodded again.
Qiao Sang: "..."
Eat diamonds? Every day? Only a ghost could afford that!
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow glanced at its Beastmaster's expression, then realized something. It pointed to the front with its wing, indicating they should keep looking before buying.
Qiao Sang didn't leave but hesitated for a moment and asked:
"Sir, can I pay with a credit card?"
The stall owner's eyes lit up: "Of course!"
Qiao Sang took out her Black Gold Card.
"Ganggang."
Steel Sparrow was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Qiao Sang to actually buy them.
Thinking about the future, Qiao Sang said earnestly: "Don't get addicted to eating diamonds. It's better to vary your diet with different types of ore."
"Ganggang."
Hearing this, Steel Sparrow chuckled secretly and nodded.
(End of Chapter)
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