Chapter 267: Trade
Chapter 267: Trade
“I’ll leave you here. Remember to get a mask at the entrance.”
The Old Man stopped at the doorway. After muttering a blessing, he retreated down the passage with his oil lamp. His duty was merely to guide visitors, and having delivered Zuo Meng, his task ended.
“A mask?”
Zuo Meng noticed a shelf holding rows of peculiar masks nearby. Each bore distinct patterns – some grinning, others scowling, all strangely captivating.
“Curious trinkets.”
He selected a smiling mask and fastened it over his face. Ignoring the chattering cursed creatures carved on the doorframe, he pushed through into the chamber.
The Conference Room stretched before him, dominated by an elongated table. Twelve chairs stood behind it, their high backs etched with celestial symbols and magic circles. Ten masked figures already occupied seats, three of them loudly debating:
“Three years between chances! This contract grants Clock Tower access!”
“Your price reeks of greed.”
“Privilege has always favored deep pockets.”
None glanced at the newcomer. Such shadow markets thrived on anonymity – prying into others’ affairs risked deadly offense.
A sharp-chinned mask abruptly interrupted the hagglers: “How’d you acquire that contract? Clock Tower registers every issued document.”
“My methods are clean,” snapped the crying-masked vendor, turning away.
Zuo Meng observed briefly before claiming the last empty seat.
“Seeking Transcendent knowledge?”
The question came from an Angry Face Masked Person leaning close – feminine in build and gesture.
“How…?”
“Newcomer?” Her masked head tilted. “The mask channels mental energy. Your purchase intent glows there.”
Understanding dawned. Zuo Meng focused his mental energy, spotting faint characters hovering near his temple: [Seeking Transcendent knowledge]. With deliberate thought, he dissolved the text.
“I require such lore. What’s available?”
“Fresh to the Transcendent Realm?” she countered instead of answering.
Zuo Meng remained stone-faced. This world’s extraordinary system baffled him still. As Dream Realm’s architect, he’d dictated cosmic rules himself. Adjusting to others’ frameworks chafed like ill-fitting armor.
“In the Transcendent Realm, knowledge is priceless.”
The Angry Face Masked Person stopped testing him and started explaining basic Transcendent Realm knowledge.
“Unless there’s special circumstances, nobody wants to sell their Transcendent knowledge. Regular Transcendents must join major organizations like the Clock Tower and complete missions to earn knowledge for ascending levels.” After speaking, she pulled a yellowed parchment from her sleeve showing strange symbols glowing with Transcendent energy.
“This is the level nine Hollow Dweller formula. Brew the potion with these ingredients for a 70% chance to gain their abilities.”
A formula?
Obtaining power through objects.
Zuo Meng’s eyes flickered with interest – this world’s rules kept getting more fascinating.
“Though it’s only level nine, the level eight Gnome and level seven elemental dwarf formulas can be bought openly.” She added this explanation like she thought he didn’t understand the formula’s worth.
“How many extraordinary systems exist?”
“I’ll answer that for free.”
Her specific mention showed she followed strict equivalent exchange principles.
“There are three main extraordinary systems: Bloodline System, Special System, and Arcane. Each divides into twelve professions, making thirty-six Transcendent paths total.”
That many?
Zuo Meng felt surprised.
By this count, his Dream Realm only had two systems – the Way of the Immortals and Martial Arts. All variations fell under these. The messy professions existed because he’d never bothered defining them as creator.
“Well? Trade for the formula?”
“Deal.”
Zuo Meng placed an Iron Sword on the table.
She examined the sword, nodded, and handed over the formula without ceremony.
“Interested in ‘Gnome’ or ‘elemental dwarf’ formulas? I’ll sell those too with materials. Same price as this sword.” Turning to leave, she unexpectedly added this. The sword clearly mattered to her, and Zuo Meng agreed instantly.
“Sure.”
These swords were just Zuo Meng’s failed practice pieces – worthless junk he could mass-produce.
“Until next time.”
She left contact details before moving elsewhere.
Zuo Meng circulated the gathering like others, but found only low-tier items – metal scraps, flower buds, undead fragments. Valuable to wild Transcendents, but useless for understanding this world’s rules. Knowledge proved scarcer – nobody would sell any.
Losing interest, Zuo Meng sat yawning alone.
The event lasted until 10 PM.
Masked attendees departed after ten. The Angry Face Masked Person confirmed future contact before leaving.
Zuo Meng exited last. Strangely, though everyone left through the same stone door moments apart, he found no one outside – as if each exit led elsewhere.