Undead Mage: I Have a Skeleton Clone-Chapter 554 - 391: Corpse Explosion Skill, the Undead Mage’s Romance!

Li Buyun said, "This trading fair lasts for seven days, with an auction held for elite students every evening. As long as you’re at the Sea City Military Academy, you can participate in person or remotely via online projection. Of course, the universal currency for these auctions is still contribution points."

Fang Zhou, intrigued, asked, "The auction sounds great. How exactly does it work?"

Li Buyun explained, "It’s quite simple. You just need to log into the trading fair’s system through your personal terminal, select the item you want to auction, and fill in the relevant information, including the starting price and the reserve price. The system automatically reviews your submission, and once approved, your item will be listed in the auction. Each evening has a different theme to attract students with various needs."

Fang Zhou nodded.

Li Buyun continued, "If you’re looking for more than just contribution points, there’s also a special bartering and appraisal session held on the final evening of the trading fair, in addition to the auctions. As long as you entrust your resources to the military academy for appraisal beforehand, and they are confirmed to have a certain value, you can take the Treasure Appraisal Platform and propose a barter to everyone."

Fang Zhou became even more interested and asked, "Is the threshold for the appraisal session very high?"

Li Buyun nodded. "Indeed. The threshold is extremely high, and it’s divided into Apprentice, Black Iron, and Bronze tiers. To participate, you must pass the Sea City Military Academy’s verification of your personal assets. Alternatively, you must possess resources that are exceptionally rare, universally applicable, highly sought-after, and practical. Being a Seed Student from any grade level also qualifies you."

Fang Zhou quickly calculated in his head. Although I don’t have a ton of resources, I do have some rare items. Maybe I have a shot at joining the appraisal session.

He asked curiously, "Senior Brother Li, I had heard about the auctions and the final appraisal session before, but my information channels are rather limited, so I haven’t learned the details. If it’s convenient, could you tell me more about them?"

Li Buyun smiled and nodded. "No problem. My shop is usually deserted, so I’m incredibly bored. If you have time, why not sit for a while? I can let you sample anything you’d like for free."

Fang Zhou glanced at the time. He had already spent a long time wandering the trading market today and had bought many desirable items. Seeing the offer, he readily accepted, sinking into the sofa with a smile. "Since you’ve invited me so graciously, Senior Brother Li, it would be rude of me to refuse."

Li Buyun motioned for the server to pour Fang Zhou a fresh glass of fruit wine, then sat on the sofa opposite him. He said with a smile, "The fine liquors I have here are excellent, but they’re very expensive. Usually, only students at the Bronze Tier have the strength and financial standing to buy my drinks. However, these ordinary-quality drinks I make are of little use to Bronze Tier Professionals. So, generally speaking, my beverage shop gets almost no customers. I was on some adventures a while back that left me mentally exhausted, so I wanted to take the chance to properly rest during my final semester before graduation."

At this, Li Buyun looked around with a touch of sentimentality, sighed, and added, "After graduation, when we’re on the Human-Demon Battlefield, there won’t be any more peaceful and easy days like this to enjoy."

Li Buyun was speaking from the heart as a graduating senior, but Fang Zhou, a new military academy recruit who had only had his Awakening six months ago, couldn’t relate much. However, he was very interested in the adventuring experiences Li Buyun had mentioned.

"Senior Brother Li, could you elaborate on those adventuring experiences you mentioned?" Fang Zhou asked curiously.

Li Buyun was a talkative person, and the two of them chatted for a long time over their drinks. Their conversation covered a vast range of topics, from Alchemy and Mana Recovery resources to adventuring tales and life at the military academy.

It wasn’t until another customer walked into the pub that Li Buyun had a sudden realization. He slapped his thigh, opened his personal terminal, and sent Fang Zhou a set of access credentials. "Junior Brother Fang Zhou, I almost forgot the important business. As a Bronze-level graduating student, I happen to be one of the invited appraisers for this auction and appraisal session. Therefore, I have the authority to grant qualifying certificates to students who have the capital and net worth to participate. With your strength, Talent, and accumulated wealth, you naturally don’t need to go through any asset verification process. I’ve just sent you a set of access credentials. You can use them to participate in the nightly auctions and the final day’s appraisal session."

Fang Zhou nodded and smiled. "Then I’m in the perfect position to benefit first. Thanks, Senior Brother Li. Let’s chat more when we get another chance."

During their conversation, Fang Zhou had also learned a great deal from Li Buyun about the Gourmet Sub-profession. Although Fang Zhou had no particular interest in the Gourmet Profession itself, he found himself quite tempted by the various drinks and delectable dishes a Gourmet could create. These creations were not only delicious but also came with all sorts of beneficial effects. If I have any extra Soul Power, taking up the Gourmet Sub-profession on the side might be worth considering.

...

After bidding farewell to Li Buyun, Fang Zhou wandered around the nearby Bronze Trading Area for a bit longer.

He was inwardly astonished. Everything here has only one characteristic: it’s expensive. Although Fang Zhou’s wealth was considered substantial among all Black Iron-level students, it paled in comparison to these Bronze Tier graduates, who had spent four years battling and honing their skills.