CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 51: CRYSTAL MOSS AND QI BLOOD POTION

The goblin rubbed its hands:

"Five pieces of Fire Crystal Orchid roots, three pieces of Red Iron Grass, eight pieces of Dragon Blood Leaves. All three together for sixteen Magic Stone Fragments. Considering you’re new customers, I’ll give you a discount, how about fifteen?"

"Ten," Ron said directly, his tone firm:

"The standard price for these three herbs together wouldn’t exceed twelve pieces, and your Dragon Blood Leaves must have been stored for over two weeks; their potency is starting to decline."

The goblin’s expression stiffened slightly, but immediately switched to a smile:

"Oh my, young man, you have a sharp eye! Alright, twelve pieces, that’s the lowest I can go, any lower and I’ll be taking a loss!"

After some bargaining, Ron finally secured the materials for eleven Magic Stone Fragments.

"You plan to use these to refine Qi Blood Potion?" Andre asked after leaving the goblin’s stall, his eyes alight with curiosity.

"That’s right," Ron carefully put away the materials:

"Lady Allen taught me some formulas, Qi Blood Potion is beneficial for Knight Cultivation, especially when used with Breathing Technique, the effect is even better."

Andre suddenly brought up another topic: "I’ve heard that magic potions involving the Spirit are difficult to refine and have higher requirements for the refiner."

"That’s true," Ron nodded:

"But breathing and physical enhancement potions are relatively simpler. If successfully concocted, both of us can benefit."

The two continued to walk through Lizard Alley, occasionally stopping to inspect potentially useful materials.

"There won’t be anything particularly valuable at these ordinary stalls."

Andre whispered after looking over a few stalls: "The real treasures are hidden in those inconspicuous corners."

Ron had noticed this as well.

Most of the items displayed prominently were entry-level herbs, while truly valuable materials were hidden in special containers.

Only when customers showed enough willingness to buy and ability to pay would merchants bring them out for display.

"Look over there," Andre suddenly said softly, indicating a corner deep within the alley with his eyes: "That stall seems a bit different."

Following his gaze, Ron saw a small stall almost entirely shrouded in shadow at the end of the street alley.

There were no signs hanging there, yet the stall had several small bottles emitting a faint glow, appearing especially striking in the dim environment.

"Let’s go check it out," Ron said softly, and the two carefully maneuvered around a few customers who were loudly bargaining, heading towards the hidden stall.

As they got closer, Ron noticed the vendor was a peculiar alien creature.

The upper body was human-like but covered with fine black scales, and the eyes were bizarre vertical slits.

When he turned his head, those eyes reflected cold light; the lower body, meanwhile, was entirely serpentine, coiled to support the upper torso.

A serpent merchant, and he seemed fairly old, with the edges of his scales starting to fade, showing an ancient gray-white color.

"Do you two seem interested in my wares?"

The serpent merchant noticed their approach, hissing as he spoke, his voice carrying a chilling maturity: "It’s rare to see such perceptive young customers."

"We are looking for some special materials."

Ron said calmly, deliberately concealing his eagerness, though his eyes kept scanning the stall for potential targets:

"Such as Crystal Moss or Nightcap Pollen."

"Oh?" The serpent’s vertical pupils contracted slightly, showing evident interest along with a trace of scrutinizing:

"Young man, you have a keen eye, these aren’t common materials."

He assessed Ron and Andre up and down, seemingly evaluating their purchasing power and background.

A moment later, the serpent’s expression relaxed somewhat, extending a scale-covered hand to retrieve a tin box from beneath the stall:

"You’re in luck, I happen to have some Crystal Moss here. Rare stuff, naturally the price is steep."

Ron took the tin box, using his Herb Recognition skills to closely examine the green substance inside.

This moss was noticeably different from the fake one Otto had shown — it was a deep dark green.

Moreover, when Ron slightly rotated the tin box, he could clearly feel the unique "calling" of Spiritual Power, as if the moss was actively drawing his attention.

This sensation was both strange and enchanting, like hearing a song only he could understand.

[Precision Recognition! Herb Recognition experience points + 2]

"This is indeed Crystal Moss," Ron nodded, but his expression remained calm, without showing excessive surprise or eagerness:

"However, the quality is average. Judging by the color, it must have been harvested over a month ago, and its potency has diminished."

The serpent vendor was visibly stunned, a hint of astonishment flickering in his vertical pupils, clearly not expecting this young man to so precisely assess the material’s state.

A tinge of embarrassment flashed across his scale-covered face but quickly returned to the practiced demeanor of a seasoned merchant.

"Sharp eyes, young man, not many of my customers can do that."

The serpent said, his tone now bearing a genuine note of praise:

"Nevertheless, it’s still quite a rare material. Twenty Magic Stone Fragments, this price is quite fair considering the current market scarcity of Crystal Moss."

Ron shook his head, placing the tin box back on the stall:

"Ten at most, considering its freshness is much reduced. I trust with your experience, you know better than anyone what such a drop in potency implies."

"Ten?" The serpent let out a hissing laugh:

"You’re undervaluing it, young man. This is genuine Crystal Moss. Even with some loss in potency, it’s worth fifteen Magic Stone Fragments. Not a cent less, do you think you’re at a wholesale market?"

Ron and the serpent merchant engaged in a round of intense bargaining. Finally, they agreed on a price of twelve Magic Stone Fragments.

After paying, he carefully tucked the tin box into his arms to ensure it wouldn’t jostle or be squeezed while walking.

"What other materials are you searching for?"

The serpent merchant now clearly had a better understanding of the buying power of these two young men, his tone friendly, his forked tongue restlessly darting in and out from the corners of his mouth:

"Perhaps I can help, I’ve been doing business here for thirty years and know quite a few suppliers."

With the transaction complete, the serpent was particularly enthusiastic, even taking out some rarely displayed stock, hoping to make more deals.

However, it was unfortunate that the serpent’s inventory did not include other items on Lady Allen’s list.

"I have to say, you’ve really impressed me." Andre said lowly, looking admiringly at this now highly skilled trader:

"Where did you learn these transaction skills? In the Royal Capital, you didn’t seem interested in these matters at all."

"I owe a lot to Lady Allen’s guidance."

Ron deflected, unable to reveal the secret of merging with an otherworldly soul:

"And I discovered I do have a bit of a knack for it, this feeling... it’s rather magical, like establishing some kind of resonance with it."

Andre nodded in agreement: "Everyone undergoes some unexpected changes, especially in such life-and-death environments — under pressure, potential often gets unlocked."