BTTH : Treasure Exchange System

Storing the demon sword within his body, Xiao Se left the Xiao family residence. After winding through the wide streets, he finally arrived at a medium-sized market in the western part of Wutan City, owned by the Xiao family.

"Brother, there are so many people here!" Long Kui's excited voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Looking at the bustling crowd, Xiao Se smiled lightly and said, "This is a market owned by the Xiao family, meant for mercenaries near the Magic Beast Mountain Range to trade."

"Is there something you want to buy, brother?" Long Kui's heavenly voice sounded in Xiao Se's mind.

"Yes, I'm planning to refine a second-tier pill called the Spirit-Nurturing Liquid, which will help with my cultivation. I already have the herbs, but I'm missing a first-tier wood-type magic core," Xiao Se gently touched the magical sword mark on his right forearm as he responded in his heart.

Feeling Xiao Se's gentle touch, Long Kui smiled and said, "Then let me help you find it. Although I can't fight, my senses are quite sharp."

"Thanks," Xiao Se smiled. He knew that while Long Kui in her blue form couldn't fight, her red form had immense combat power, though he wasn't sure just how much strength she could unleash.

After wandering through the market, Xiao Se gradually reached its deeper parts, where the items were rarer, and the chances of finding a first-tier wood-type magic core were higher.

After visiting seven or eight stalls, Xiao Se saw many different types of magic cores but couldn't find the one he needed.

"Brother, 300 meters southwest, there's a crystal emitting wood attribute energy. It should be the wood-type magic core you're looking for."

Just as Xiao Se was feeling a bit tired, Long Kui's voice suddenly rang in his mind.

His eyes lit up as he smiled and said, "Thanks, Long Kui!"

Quickly walking to the stall indicated by Long Kui, Xiao Se bent down and picked up a blood-stained green crystal from the ground. He tossed it lightly and smiled at the slightly simple-looking middle-aged mercenary behind the stall, "Sir, what magic beast did this magic core come from?"

Seeing Xiao Se in Xiao family disciple robes, the middle-aged mercenary hurriedly explained with enthusiasm, "Hehe, young master, you have a good eye! This is a magic core from a first-tier Ghostwood Fox. Among first-tier magic cores, it's considered high quality. We lost three brothers just to kill this beast."

Hearing this, Xiao Se was momentarily moved, but the price that followed made him twitch.

A normal first-tier magic core usually cost between 400 and 450 gold coins, and even a good one would not exceed 500. The price of 700 gold coins for a Ghostwood Fox core was outrageous.

Wiping the blood from the Ghostwood Fox core, Xiao Se placed it back and calmly said, "That's too expensive. There's no way a first-tier magic core is worth 700 gold coins. The Ghostwood Fox may be tough for a first-tier beast, but saying you lost three brothers, I don't believe it. Were they all below Dou Zhe level? I'll take it for 450 gold coins, or I'll find another place."

Had the magic core not been in good condition, Xiao Se would have walked away already.

The middle-aged mercenary was surprised that this young boy had such sharp eyes. Dropping his fake grin, he awkwardly laughed, "That's a bit low, young master. We worked hard for this. The Ghostwood Fox is one of the trickiest first-tier beasts to deal with."

Xiao Se shook his head and said, "I know how difficult the Ghostwood Fox is, which is why I'm offering this price. A normal first-tier magic core sells for 400 to 450 coins. This is my highest offer."

"How about 500?" The middle-aged man was clearly unhappy with the price.

"450. Not a coin more," Xiao Se said firmly.

"490?"

Without saying another word, Xiao Se turned and walked away.

"Wait! 480!"

"470!"

"Fine! 450, you win!"

Xiao Se turned back with a smile, completing the deal as he said, "I'm just running errands for someone, after all."

The middle-aged man rolled his eyes, no longer pretending to be friendly. "Yeah, right. I know you were determined to buy it. If I didn't need the money to heal my brothers, I wouldn't have sold it."

After securing the Ghostwood Fox core, Xiao Se wandered around a bit more, spending his remaining coins on a standard first-tier wood-type magic core before leisurely heading towards the market exit.

With most of his coins spent and nothing else to buy, there was no point in staying longer.

As he neared the market exit, a commotion in the crowd caught Xiao Se's attention.

Through the crowd, Xiao Se saw Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er being blocked by a sleazy-looking young man. Behind him stood a group of rough-looking middle-aged men.

After a quick scan, Xiao Se sensed that most of the men were Dou Zhe, with the weakest at the eighth stage of Dou Disciple.

"Who would've thought it would be Jia Lie Ao? With Xiao Yan's Dou Qi seemingly dropped to the fourth stage, it looks like he's in for some trouble." Muttering to himself, Xiao Se quickly stepped into the crowd.

At the center of the crowd, Jia Lie Ao's gaze was filled with lust as he stared at the graceful figure of Xiao Xun'er not far away. He couldn't help but lick his lips.

Just as Xiao Xun'er was about to reprimand him, Xiao Yan stepped forward, blocking her and angrily shouted at Jia Lie Ao, "Jia Lie Ao, what do you think you're doing? Get out of the way!"

Xiao Xun'er's expression turned icy as she looked at Jia Lie Ao. In her eyes, he was already a dead man. She never showed mercy to those who dared to harass her.

"Xiao Yan, it's always you, getting in the way of my business!"

Seeing Xiao Yan standing in front of Xiao Xun'er, Jia Lie Ao's pale face darkened with rage, his eyes filled with malice.

A scrawny middle-aged man behind Jia Lie Ao whispered in his ear, "Young master, the lord instructed us not to clash with the Xiao family, especially Xiao Yan."

"Shut up!" Without turning around, Jia Lie Ao slapped the man across the face.

Though wary of Xiao Yan, the most talented individual in Wutan City's history, Jia Lie Ao couldn't back down. His father had warned him not to start conflicts with the Xiao family publicly, but with so many people watching, he couldn't afford to lose face, especially in front of Xiao Xun'er.