Starting Cultivation in Wasteland-Chapter 480 - 352: The Troubles of Standards

What was Qu Jianlei interested in? It was an artifact resembling a fossil, with a half-gray, half-white appearance.

This item was uneven, with mottled patterns, but the most crucial aspect was the marks on it that looked naturally formed.

But he recognized at a glance that the marks should not be natural.

They were the very familiar Tai Chi Eight Trigrams Diagram of the Blue Star Divine Land!

The Eight Trigrams Diagram was severely corroded, the Yin Yang Fish was barely recognizable, and more than half of the trigrams were worn away.

But regardless, the trigrams’ orientation was correct, and he could vaguely see a small arc of the Yin Yang Fish.

This was already enough for him to decide to purchase all these items.

Since the fat man knew what he wanted to buy, there was no need to pretend anymore.

However, the terms had not been completely negotiated, and the agreement was not finalized, so he couldn’t demand the other party to hand over the Eight Trigrams Diagram.

Since he couldn’t buy by force, he simply lowered the price to one percent of the asking price.

Qu Jianlei believed that even without counting the Eight Trigrams Diagram, the items he wanted to take were worth far more than 240 silver coins.

In fact, just that pile of medals should far exceed that amount.

If the other party refused to agree, they would just have to negotiate with him again.

The middle-aged fat man was slightly stunned, then laughed, shaking the Tai Chi Eight Trigrams Diagram in hand.

"So, you think just this thing is worth over five thousand silver coins?"

Even if Qu Jianlei didn’t understand social interactions, he wouldn’t directly solve the puzzle for the other party.

He just snorted coldly, "How much this thing is worth is not important, I simply don’t like you being so presumptuous."

The fat man was taken aback but then smiled, "So shall we continue? Two hundred forty to buy these items? That’s not how you bargain..."

"However, if you want to buy, I can sell it to you, just with a small condition."

Qu Jianlei didn’t answer, just looked at the other party indifferently—selling at a loss must mean there’s something he wants.

The fat man shook the Eight Trigrams Diagram in his hand, "I just want you to explain, what exactly this is?"

You’re dreaming! Qu Jianlei snorted coldly, expressionless, and asked, "Ten thousand silver coins, for what’s in your hands!"

"Sorry, that’s not possible," the fat man replied seriously, "I’ll offer ten thousand silver coins for the information on this item?"

Qu Jianlei turned and left without saying a word, "I don’t need this money!"

The other party had already raised the information fee to ten thousand, obviously knowing the profound mysteries of the Tai Chi Eight Trigrams Diagram, so staying any longer was pointless.

If it were on the Garbage Star, even Zarif, he could attempt murder for treasure—he schemed against me first! 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

But here was Hope No.2 Star, a place of order, and in the background of the black market, there were also supreme existences.

So his best option was to turn and leave.

Of course, if the other party was still unrelenting, it wouldn’t be excessive for him to take action.

Qu Jianlei left, but his bargaining just now with the fat man also attracted a lot of attention.

When people heard that the palm-sized item was worth over ten thousand, they looked at the fat man differently.

After all, this was the black market, nominally prohibiting forced buying and selling, but who didn’t have some flexible means?

The fat man ignored these looks, just slowly packing his goods, clearly planning to pack up his stall.

Two minutes later, he had packed up most of his goods when a tall, thin man came over.

This person had a B-level cultivation, and he spoke very directly, "Friend, I heard you have good stuff here, let’s take a look?"

The middle-aged fat man’s face turned dark, and he spoke expressionlessly, "Rotten Finger, you’re not worthy of coveting; don’t cause trouble!"

Rotten Finger was the nickname of a B-level warrior, mainly saying this person liked to gamble but was not lucky.

This nickname was somewhat mocking, and those without some strength wouldn’t dare call him that.

Hearing this, Rotten Finger didn’t get angry but asked in surprise, "You actually know me?"

The middle-aged fat man snorted coldly, "I not only know you, but I also know your boss Purple Gold Saber... but you don’t have to believe me."

Rotten Finger shut his mouth immediately; not many knew about his connection with Purple Gold Saber.

After half a minute, he asked, "Which dock do you hang out at, my friend?"

"You’re not worthy of being my friend!" The middle-aged fat man smiled, packed up all the goods, and stuffed them into two large backpacks.

His words were very natural, didn’t care about the other person’s reaction, and was outright ignoring them.

Rotten Finger’s face changed several times but ultimately dared not argue.

Interestingly, the direction the middle-aged fat man left was the opposite of the way Qu Jianlei left.

After leaving, Qu Jianlei also continued to weakly perceive the fat man.

He wasn’t afraid of the other party ambushing him; he even had a subtle desire—being overly principled is disadvantageous.

Seeing the other party ultimately taking a different direction, he couldn’t help but sigh, "Am I that intimidating?"

He had the impulse to turn around and catch up but quickly suppressed it—after all, Sofia was still with him, how could he shake her off?

Moreover, he talked with the plump middle-aged man for quite a while, but didn’t conclude any deal, yet many people noticed them.

If something happens to the other party, he won’t be able to avoid suspicion.

Most crucially, the damaged Eight Trigrams Map doesn’t emit any energy fluctuation.

So he wanted to buy it earlier mostly out of sentiment, not expecting to find any answers.

If he appears too interested, it would be easy for others to deduce something.

Since he came here, the various encounters suggest he indeed seems to have a magnet for trouble, and he doesn’t want to try anymore.

Now he decisively lets it go, making others think he’s simply curious, which is perfectly fine.

If there really is a need later, he can inquire about the fat man’s identity in the black market, which might not be impossible.

After all, there is a management layer in this market.

Qu Jianlei didn’t rush to leave, wandered around for a while, and instead went to the second floor — which is above the bridge pillar.

Although it’s called the second floor, it’s actually on the arch beneath the bridge, but the quality of goods here is much higher than those on the ground.

The child also wanted to follow up to the second floor but was stopped — the upper area is for VIPs, no idle persons allowed.

Qu Jianlei and his companion entered smoothly.

Though they didn’t buy anything in the black market, they beat up two people and broke off a transaction.

The business on the second floor is sparse, and to prevent random intrusions, they naturally need to be aware of what’s happening below.

Although Qu Jianlei and his companion didn’t spend money, they have already proven their strength, so the second floor welcomes them.

The second floor is genuinely a hub for forbidden goods; Qi Recovery Pills, Crystals, and so forth are all for sale.

There are two stalls selling crystals, the B-level here is priced between ten to twelve thousand, roughly a two hundred percent profit.

Honestly, this profit is already terrifying; check out "Capital" if you don’t believe it.

You must understand the birth of "Capital" was in a time when information was highly monopolized.

Back then, a two hundred percent profit was remarkable; without an information barrier, this profit is unquestionably extortionate.

There’s also A-level crystals on the second floor, but their prices are even more outrageous, reaching twenty thousand apiece.

Based on Qu Jianlei’s estimate, the fair price for A-level crystals is about seventy thousand each.

He feels this price isn’t excessively high, mainly because A-level crystals are incredibly scarce, fundamentally priced beyond the market.

Calculating by black market prices, all of Qu Jianlei’s assets may not be able to buy twenty A-level crystals.

Therefore, although he seems to have considerable money, he is still far from financial independence... cultivation freedom, there’s a long way to go.

This also shows that his raid on the backup depot in the gorge was indeed quite merciless, much harsher than raiding Zheng Ziyang.

However, the crystal stalls only display C-level ones; B-level and A-level aren’t showcased, only a sign indicating they have stock.

Qu Jianlei didn’t pay attention to the C-level and directly asked for B-level and A-level prices after approaching.

He increasingly feels lazy about concealing his cultivation level and doesn’t know if gradually letting himself loose will result in any adverse outcomes.

The reactions of the two stall owners were the same; they had B-level and A-level in stock, but were sorry, purchase required pre-validation of funds.

It shows that this black market isn’t particularly safe either.

Qu Jianlei does not object to fund validation; rather, he finds the request quite reasonable, as large transactions should be handled cautiously.

Since there’s an opportunity to purchase, he wouldn’t miss the chance.

The stall owners acted sensibly, seeing stacks of Silver Notes and brought out the goods for transaction.

The whole process didn’t encounter any accidents; what a joke, messing with someone buying B-level and A-level crystals would mean tired of living?

In the end, Qu Jianlei bought ten B-level and two A-level crystals, spending over fifty hundred thousand.

He didn’t want to buy more; the key issue was out of stock... at least no more A-level.

There were still B-level crystals, but for Qu Jianlei, this level is only marginally useful, having a few is sufficient.

Besides that, he bought some Qi Recovery Pills, not a lot, mainly because this elixir is too mild.

The need for quick Qi replenishment generally occurs on the battlefield, but at that time... Crystal Rejuvenation is faster.

Although using crystals can pose significant hazards, the battlefield prioritizes immediate combat power most.

As for crystals not being as gentle as Qi Recovery Pills, post-battle recovery is about survival.

Without life, what further hidden dangers can you talk about?

Qu Jianlei intended to leave after buying some items.

However, before leaving, he couldn’t resist asking the second-floor receptionist, "No Superpower Rice for sale?"

The receptionist was taken aback, knowing this gentleman had just bought goods worth several hundred thousand, thus politely replied.

"Superpower Rice transactions are strictly forbidden here; we never engage in banned dealings."

This was excessive, Qu Jianlei felt somewhat intolerable, "Selling Exotic Beast Crystals isn’t forbidden?"

The receptionist courteously explained, "You misunderstood; there are unofficial channels for crystal circulation."