Chapter Eleven: The Market
Magic cores, on the Continent of Dou Qi, are also known as magic crystals, and the embryonic form of spirit pills, etc. As the name suggests, this is an energy crystal core found within magical beasts, filled with extremely violent energy. Even a Dou Wang wouldn't dare to forcibly absorb it, risking their body to explode. Where's the fastest novel update? Please identify.
However, while magic cores can't be directly absorbed by people, they are an essential primary material for alchemists when refining pills. After being processed with secret methods by an alchemist, the violent properties of the magic core can be neutralized by some miraculous herbs, transforming it into various coveted spirit medicines that enhance strength, instantly skyrocketing in value!
Moreover, magic cores can also be embedded in weapons, and weapons imbued with magic cores not only have greater destructive power but also possess enticing effects that enhance fighting spirit, making them highly sought after by the warrior class on the Fighting Spirit Continent.
Of course, aside from weapons, magic cores can also be embedded in armor and other items, providing the wearer with formidable defense, giving them a better chance of survival when facing danger.
With so many effects, it」s no surprise that magic cores have rightfully become the most popular mainstream material on the Fighting Spirit Continent; not only warriors, but even those esteemed alchemists often lower themselves to scour the world for high-grade magic cores to craft higher-level pills.
Driven by this trend, magic cores on the continent are almost always in short supply; as soon as high-grade magic cores appear at auctions or elsewhere, they are immediately snatched up at high prices.
The high price of magic cores has naturally led to the emergence of many mercenary groups solely dedicated to hunting magical beasts, but obtaining a magic core is not an easy task.
First of all, magical beasts are not only powerful but also exceptionally cunning. Due to their fierce nature and unique attack methods, magical beasts often possess greater strength than human experts of the same level. Therefore, if you want to hunt a magical beast of the same level alone, without extraordinary strength, it's easy to end up losing more than you gain.
Secondly, not all magical beasts contain magic cores as energy crystals; this seems to be a random probability. Sometimes, when a mercenary group suffers half of its personnel in the process of killing a magical beast, they might end up with nothing to show for it. Such incidents are common in the Douqi Continent and are not considered rare...
As a result, the price of magic cores on the Douqi Continent has always been high and in great demand.
With Kuer in tow, they turned a few corners on the spacious street, finally darting into a medium-sized market located in the southern part of the city. There are several such medium-sized markets in Wutan City, each controlled by one of the three major families in the city. The market that Xiao Yan arrived at is under the control of the Xiao family…
To say it」s under control is more about maintaining order and safety in the market. In return, mercenaries or merchants setting up stalls and trading in the market have to pay a commission to the family. This has always been the rule in the Dou Qi Continent, and it」s rare to see anyone causing trouble here.
Entering through the market」s main gate, there were two Xiao family guards at the entrance. They clearly recognized Xiao Yan and Kuer, and upon seeing them arrive, they were momentarily stunned, then slightly bowed their heads.
Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan walked straight in, standing by the door, looking at the endless flow of people inside, unable to help but smacking his lips; no wonder the family managed the market so strictly, with the profits brought in by this kind of popularity, it probably wouldn't be small...
"Third Young Master, Miss Xun'er, are you here in the market to buy something?" Just as the two were a bit dazzled by the crowd, a respectful voice came from behind them.
Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan turned his head, and seven or eight sturdy men dressed in the uniform of the Xiao family were standing behind him, while the speaker was a robust man in his thirties, who had a badge on his chest, with six golden stars depicted on it; clearly, he was a six-star fighter.
Looking at Xiao Yan's puzzled gaze, the man chuckled innocently and said, "Third Young Master, my name is Payne. I am the captain of the guard, personally appointed by the clan leader to ensure the safety of the market. Hehe, I even came to see you last year on your birthday..."
"Oh, so it's Uncle Payne!"
Xiao Yan blinked. Although he didn't have much impression of this big guy, the introduction just now made a smile appear on his small face. Since he was personally appointed by his father, he was naturally a direct subordinate, and his loyalty shouldn't be an issue.
Although the Xiao family isn't a super powerful force, the family is still divided into several factions. If this big guy in front of him belonged to the faction of a few other elders, he wouldn't bother to pay attention and would just deal with it casually.
"I was bored hanging around the clan, so I came out to take a stroll. Uncle Payne, you go on with your business. If there's anything, I'll call you." Xiao Yan's youthful voice lacked the arrogance of a young master; instead, it was polite and gentle, making one feel at ease upon hearing it.
The term 'Uncle' made Payne's smile widen, and he became even more enthusiastic. He tilted his head and nodded with a grin, saying, "Then the Third Young Master can stroll as he pleases. We have people everywhere in the market; just call out if you need anything."
Politely nodding, Xiao Yan took Xun'er by the hand and dove into the crowd, then disappeared...
"Pali, send two people to follow the Third Young Master. Warn those gold fingers in the market—anyone who dares to lay a hand on the Third Young Master or Miss Xun'er won't be able to hang around here anymore." Watching the boy and girl vanish, Payne turned back and said sharply, his previously simple expression instantly transforming into one of competence.
"Yes, Captain!" A big man nodded solemnly, waved his hand, and mixed into the crowd with two other guys.
"Hehe, the Third Young Master is still so gentle with people, it really makes one feel comfortable..." Looking at the three merging into the crowd, Payne smiled, then sighed regretfully, "Such a good young man, what a pity, sigh..."
Shaking his head in regret, Payne also took his subordinates and went on patrol...
Lazily following behind the casually wandering Xiao Yan, Xun'er subtly glanced at the crowd behind them and said with a faint smile, "Brother Xiao Yan, that Payne isn't bad."
Xiao Yan let out a light 'hm', his gaze sweeping over a vendor beside him. His soul perception was much stronger than that of an ordinary person, so he was fully aware of the three stealthy bodyguards following behind. Retracting his gaze, Xiao Yan slowed down, walking side by side with the girl next to him. He sniffed at her elegant scent, reminiscent of a blue lotus, and teasingly said, "With your Nine-Stage Fighting Qi, you can sense three bodyguards skilled in concealment. Xun'er, you're something else..."
Xun'er mimicked Xiao Yan's expression, cutely shrugging her shoulders, and once again pulled out her trump card: a smile, and silence!
Gazing at the girl who remained silent, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a warm smile as he gently patted the girl's little head, whispering in a voice only they could hear, "Even though I don't really know who you are or what your background is, all I know is that you are my sister, Xiao Yan's sister. No matter what happens in the future, remember, stand behind your brother, and when the storms come, I'll shield you!" With a light smile, Xiao Yan patted her again, quickening his steps as he moved forward.
His steps came to a halt as Xun'er fluttered her beautiful, expressive eyes, staring at the boy who had just spoken and then confidently walked away. After standing there in a daze for a while, Xun'er finally snapped back to reality, her gentle smile gradually widening, ultimately making her delicate little face incredibly alluring.
In the bustling market, the girl stood with a light laugh, her elegant figure resembling a lotus blooming in the mundane world, graceful and serene...
"A little sister, huh? Kaori is such a greedy girl..." Tilting her little head, Kaori softly murmured, then pursed her lips into a faint smile, taking a few delicate steps to catch up with the leisurely young man in front of her.
Following Xiao Yan as he wandered around, they slowly ventured deeper into the market. The items sold deeper in the market are much more precious compared to those outside, so the customers who can come here to shop can be considered to have some strength in Wutan City.
While Xiao Yan was engrossed in searching for magic crystals, Kaori, feeling bored, approached a clean stall, gracefully stopping to extend her fair and delicate wrist, picking up a light green bracelet. The bracelet was made of ordinary material, just added with some ice silver, giving it a cool touch, perfect for wearing in summer. Although the material was ordinary, it still looked unique and elegant...
After casually playing around for a bit, Kaori was just about to buy something when she remembered she had lent all her money to Xiao Yan. She slightly turned her head to look at the boy who was focused on his own business and could only shake her head helplessly. She gave an apologetic smile to the old man behind the stall, put down the bracelet, and lazily moved on... With her elegant personality, it was hard for her to actively ask someone to buy her something, even if it was Xiao Yan…
After walking a short distance, feeling a bit bored, Kaori was just about to head back to keep Xiao Yan company when a clear, bright laugh suddenly came from ahead.
「Oh, isn't this Miss Kaori? Hehe, I didn't expect to run into you here, what a coincidence!」
With her delicate brows slightly furrowed, Kaori looked in the direction of the voice and saw a crowd of people rushing over, with a young man dressed in luxurious clothes being surrounded like the moon among the stars.
The young man was around twenty, quite handsome, but his complexion was a bit pale. His pair of eyes, at this moment, were burning with passion as they fixed firmly on the slender young girl not far away, with an unmistakable admiration mixed in his gaze.