Chapter 9: Turning Waste into Treasure

The jewelry store owner's eyes rotated around the tiny Liu Li bead, the more he looked, the better it appeared to him.

Currently, there was nothing similar on the market; scarcity is, after all, a form of value.

Ultimately, gemstones are just rare stones, but it is their rarity that gives them value and meaning.

The only thing to worry about was that this item was man-made.

If, after much effort, he raised the price of this little fellow only to have someone appear who could mass-produce these Liu Li beads, the rarity would disappear, and the price would collapse instantaneously, leaving him with nothing.

Seeing through the jewelry store owner's thoughts, Yang Yu straightened his body, politely asked for paper and a pen, and wrote down his current address and pushed it forward.

"I'll be in this town for a while, and I've already found a hotel. If you regret buying this Liu Li bead, you can find me within a month, and I guarantee I'll buy it back at the high price you paid."

He's actually offering to reduce my risk—could there really be such a good deal in this world?

The jewelry store owner was somewhat skeptical as Yang Yu continued to speak, dispelling his doubts.

"Conversely, if I change my mind, I'll buy it back at the principal sum plus an additional 500G. You'll have plenty of time to find a buyer, and can ensure you won't incur losses. For you, this is a no-loss deal."

Yang Yu's words held an irresistible magic for the jewelry store owner; after pondering for a while, the jewelry store owner stroked his chubby face.

"Name your price! If it seems suitable, I'll buy it."

"How about ten million?" Yang Yu said with a smile.

The jewelry store owner's eyeballs nearly dropped to the floor along with the Liu Li bead in his hand.

"Ten million?! You must be joking!"

Yang Yu lifted his teacup, enjoying the jewelry store owner's astonished expressions as he said, "Ten million is a perfectly reasonable price. Calling a sage capable of creating something like this would cost even more than ten million."

The jewelry store owner hesitated; it wasn't that he couldn't afford ten million, but spending that much on a stone whose market path was uncertain made him hesitate.

"Don't be nervous; I was just joking." Yang Yu smiled, "Besides, having such a large sum of money in my hands would just be pointless."

The expression on the jewelry store owner's face relaxed significantly, "Then what exactly do you want?"

Yang Yu didn't answer immediately, playfully saying, "Considering your capabilities, you might indeed be able to sell it for ten million.

To be honest, I really would like to sell it for a higher price myself. But as you see, I'm currently inconveniently placed and have lost the channels to sell to high society. So, I can only rely on your old hands."

The jewelry store owner didn't deny it; as a jewelry businessman, he had deep connections with nobility, and those who handled gems were mostly well-known figures, not just any passerby wild boar.

However, ten million was indeed too high a price; not just for the ordinary upper class, but even for tycoons, it would be painful, and selling it for such a price would require a lot of packaging.

Wait, he just said he'd like to sell it for a higher price himself but couldn't due to current inconveniences, and more money would usually be better, yet he said it was upside-down—could there be a possibility...

An idea formed in his mind, the jewelry store owner scrutinized Yang Yu; from the start, this young man's speech and insight did not resemble those of a civilian, nor did they match his current age.

With such intellect, such calmness, his identity was almost predictable, very likely a noble experiencing life in the countryside.

"I'll offer a new price, this time a bit cheaper, to make a friend. How about one hundred thousand?" Yang Yu smiled, "After all, there's no loss; you can take an inconspicuous stone to find a buyer, and if you can't find one, return to the address and get a refund at the original price."

One hundred thousand, though an astronomical figure for an ordinary family, was nothing more than a slightly expensive carriage for nobles, many of whom wore jewelry worth more than one or two villas and wouldn't mind an expensive carriage.

Besides, investing one hundred thousand in a potential future was more than worth it.

Now resolute, the jewelry store owner did not hesitate this time and agreed generously.

"Deal!"

...

Leaving the jewelry store, Yang Yu was immensely proud.

Initially, the jewelry store owner would not have agreed to the price of one hundred thousand, but Yang Yu had started with an unbelievable price, elevating the owner's expectations, enabling him to smoothly accept the price of one hundred thousand.

The approach was approximately the same as those shopkeepers who write an unacceptable price on the price tag, then strike it off and write 998 instead.

For just in case, this money couldn't be spent yet, but in one month, no, in a few days, it would be his own.

Garbage is relative; with some effort, one could absolutely coax... no, persuade others to understand its value so that they would willingly take the bait.

If everything went smoothly, when the jewelry shop owner blew the price of the glass bead sky-high, he could seize the opportunity, sell the other two glass beads, and make a fortune.

After that, he wouldn't have to worry about consumables and equipment and could focus on defeating monsters, leveling up, and honing skills.

After securing the money, Yang Yu didn't wander the streets for long before heading to the adventurer guild to register.

The adventurer guild was basically no different from a typical large tavern, with adventurers drinking in broad daylight, and the clamorous noise was audible from outside.

Mediators and knights frequented the place, with new tasks added to the billboards daily, while finely-dressed union managers maintained order.

"Sir, please place your hand on this crystal ball. The crystal ball will display your energy level. Based on the evaluation, we will determine whether you qualify as an adventurer and issue you a certificate."

Explained the situation, guided by the cute young lady, Yang Yu underwent a simple capability test.

"Strength D, Defense D, Intelligence D, Special Defense E, Agility D, Overall Evaluation D. Congratulations, sir, you have the potential to become a D-level adventurer. If you pay a 100G deposit and sign the agreement, you can become a member of our adventurer guild."

The test crystal ball could only display five values, and used a broad range of SABCDEF to mark the values; an overall Evaluation D was the minimum standard to become an adventurer.

Yang Yu's current specifics were:

[LV 10 Experience Value 23/500

Race: Human (Civilian) HP: 210/210 MP: 80/80 Physical Strength: 98/100

Main Profession: None

Secondary Profession: Herbalist Apprentice (LV 1)

Personal Attributes: Strength 45, Defense 38, Intelligence 21, Special Defense 19, Agility 28, Charm 8, Endurance 30, Luck 1 (not upgradable)

Free Attribute Points: 50

Resistance: None

Evaluation: Slightly stronger than an average person.]

Though he had leveled up five levels by battling slimes, his actual stats were still an eyesore.

As a civilian, his attributes couldn't see a significant increase. Each level up had probably added just one or two attribute points; if he wanted to steadily become stronger, he had to rely on the precious free attribute points.

Currently, he hadn't decided on his direction, so the free attribute points he had recently earned from leveling up were still reserved.

From the start, every attribute point had to be meticulously calculated and used precisely.

As for the strategy of assigning all free attribute points to one aspect to become the strongest in the world in that area, he would try that in the second playthrough.

Following the instructions of the front desk lady, he paid, completed the registration, and became an adventurer. The long-missed system voice rang by his ear:

[You have now become a formal adventurer, only by your diligent hands can you be well clothed and well fed.

In the lengthy journey ahead, danger is constant; having a partner to watch your back can provide an extra chance for survival during crises.

Also, they can alleviate the loneliness in your heart, becoming a pillar of your soul, warming your bed each night.

What's your plan for recruiting your first partner now?

1. Only my defeated foes can become my teammates; challenge an adventurer who is rated above me.

2. Time to show off your talent; treat the slimes as basketballs and perform a song, dance, and rap in the adventurer guild.

3. True heroes need no friends; be a lofty and solitary lone wolf.

Choice Time Limit: One minute.]