Chapter 58: Selling Ores

Outside, the crowd fixated their gaze on the palace suspended in the sky, eager to see who had received the inheritance. The man in the golden mask wore a sullen expression and left without a word. His subordinates quickly followed him, departing the scene. At that moment, the palace in the sky began to blur and fade away.

Slowly, it vanished entirely, causing an uproar among the onlookers. “Who exactly received the inheritance? Why hasn’t anyone come out? Or was the inheritance merely a hoax?” Voices of speculation filled the air, but with no answers forthcoming, the crowd reluctantly shook their heads and dispersed. Ling Yun, watching the palace disappear and still seeing no sign of You Chen or the others, snorted coldly and headed toward the Yunxiao Sect.

Meanwhile, Yao Ye, Yuan Chen, and the others pressed forward in silence, occasionally casting glances at Yao Ye. He sighed resignedly. “Brothers, don’t worry about me. I’m fine—just contemplating some matters. By the way, Third Brother, why don’t you tell me how you helped me exchange the Vitality Stones?”

Peng Xiang cleared his throat and coughed lightly. “As you all know, the Western War Zone is a paradise for artificers. By chance, I befriended an elder from the Artificer Sect who gave me this token. With it, you get significant discounts at the sect’s shops.”

With that, Peng Xiang pulled out the token and tossed it to Yao Ye. Yao Ye examined it carefully; a large character meaning ‘Artifact’ was embedded prominently on the token. He couldn’t help but praise, “The Artificer Sect truly is the pinnacle of craftsmanship—even their tokens are weapons!”

He flipped the token lightly and tossed it back to Peng Xiang. After a long day’s journey, Yao Ye and his companions finally caught sight of the outline of Penghui City.

Walking through the bustling streets, they entered a lavish shop. No sooner had they stepped inside than a beautiful maid approached them with a bright smile. “Gentlemen, are you here to buy weapons or to repair them?”

Peng Xiang produced the token quietly. “I want to see your manager. I have a major transaction to discuss.”

The maid took the token and said hurriedly, “Honored guests, please wait here briefly. I’ll fetch the manager!”

“Very well.”

The maid ran briskly into the backroom. Shortly after, a middle-aged man appeared, holding the token, with the maid close behind him.

“Apologies for any neglect, honored guests. I am Duan Fu, steward of the Artificer Sect. Please, let us discuss matters in the backroom.”

He handed back the token and led Yao Ye and the others inside. Once seated, Duan Fu inquired, “I heard you wish to discuss a major transaction. May I ask what it involves?”

Peng Xiang sipped the tea the maid had brought and said, “Steward Duan, I recall your sect purchases ores, correct?”

Duan Fu nodded. “Indeed. Do you have ores to sell? With your sect’s token, rest assured the prices will be fair!”

Peng Xiang nodded. “Little brother Ye Yao is in your hands.”

Yao Ye nodded and said, “Manager, please take a look. How many Vitality Stones can I exchange for these items?”

He proceeded to pull out the ores, though none were particularly precious. He wanted to test whether the manager was trustworthy.

Duan Fu examined the pile, which formed a small mound, and picked up a piece. “This is common Purple Gold Stone, but in such quantity, I can offer you three million Vitality Stones. How about that?”

Hearing the offer, Yao Ye nodded with satisfaction. “Deal. But I have other ores as well. Would you care to see them?”

The manager’s eyes lit up with interest. “Please do, honored guest!”

Yao Ye nodded and pulled out a Star Rock, tossing it to Duan Fu. The steward caught it carefully and scrutinized it intently. Suddenly, he stood up abruptly, pointing at the Star Rock and looking at Yao Ye. “Where did you acquire this Star Rock?”

Upon hearing this, Peng Xiang and the others hurried forward to examine it, exchanging glances of astonishment.

“Manager, shouldn’t there be some rules about this? Just tell me whether you accept it or not.”

Duan Fu quickly set the Star Rock down. “Apologies, I was momentarily overwhelmed upon seeing such a rare treasure! I offer two hundred Vitality Stones for this piece. Are you satisfied?”

“Two hundred? Manager, just this single item is worth two hundred Vitality Stones?”

Yuan Chen looked at the stones in disbelief. The manager laughed heartily. “You don’t know how precious this is to us artificers!”

Duan Fu looked up at Yao Ye earnestly. “Young brother, do you have more of these?”

Yao Ye nodded and produced several dozen Star Rocks. Duan Fu caressed them excitedly, carefully examining each one.

Lowering his head, Duan Fu said, “In total, forty-three Star Rocks. Given your large quantity, along with the Purple Gold Stones, I can offer you eight thousand six hundred and ten Vitality Stones altogether. How does that sound?”

“Agreed.”

Seeing Yao Ye’s calm acceptance, Peng Xiang and the others were stunned. “Over eight thousand Vitality Stones? You’re about to become wealthy!”

Yao Ye chuckled softly. The manager hurriedly stood up. “Our shop doesn’t have such a vast stock of Vitality Stones on hand. May I ask for half an hour? I’ll be right back!”

Yao Ye nodded, and Duan Fu quickly left the backroom. Seeing the manager depart, Yao Ye smiled and handed several Star Rocks to Yuan Chen and the others.

“Brothers, though we haven’t known each other long, you’ve earned my utmost respect. Please accept these Star Rocks as a token of my gratitude.”

Yuan Chen solemnly pushed Yao Ye’s hand away. “Little brother, these are too valuable. We can’t accept them. Besides, we helped you simply because we like you. Accepting such gifts would change the nature of our friendship.”

Yao Ye laughed heartily. “Brother Yuan, that’s not how it is. As our strength grows, weapons become part of our very bodies. If we don’t improve them, how will we stand against others in battle? Besides, I kept some Star Rocks for myself.”

Hearing Yao Ye’s words, Yuan Chen, Hu Lie, and Peng Xiang all glanced longingly at the Star Rocks. Seeing this, Yao Ye quickly pressed the stones into their hands.

“Brothers, take them quickly. When the manager returns, won’t he pester us to sell them anyway?”

Yuan Chen and the others pocketed the Star Rocks. “Little brother, then we won’t be formal. I’ve heard Star Rocks are the finest ore for artificers. We’ll treasure this generous gift.”

Yao Ye waved his hand. “No need for formalities among us. After all, you all didn’t hesitate to help me in this matter.”

Before Yuan Chen could reply, Duan Fu came rushing back, tossing over a small cauldron. “Here are eight thousand six hundred and ten Vitality Stones—please check them. Also, take this token. Whenever you present it at any shop under our Artificer Sect, you are our most honored guest!”

Yao Ye examined the cauldron carefully, nodded in approval, and accepted the token. Duan Fu then eagerly gathered the ores, his heart brimming with joy.