NOVEL NEXT Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Picking a Big Bargain
As the auction came to an end, Zhang Hao knew that the auction was just a part of the trade fair; the real opportunity for him to shine was during the free trading time that followed. The cultivators in the venue began to gather in small groups, showing off their treasures to each other or searching for items that caught their interest. Zhang Hao also joined the trading frenzy, his eyes darting through the crowd in search of possible opportunities.
"Zhang Hao, what are your plans?" Zhao Ming approached Zhang Hao and asked in a low voice.
Zhang Hao smiled faintly, a glint of determination in his eyes: "I plan to exchange the resources in my hands for something that will aid my cultivation. I know I don't have many spiritual stones, but I believe there will be a trade that suits me."
Zhao Ming nodded, feeling relieved by Zhang Hao's optimistic attitude. He took out a few pieces of medium-grade spiritual stones from his storage pouch and handed them to Zhang Hao: "Take these for now, they might help you."
Zhang Hao was taken aback, then looked at Zhao Ming with gratitude: "Senior, this…"
Zhao Ming waved his hand, cutting him off: "No need to be polite, we are fellow disciples, and it's only right that we help each other."
A warm feeling welled up in Zhang Hao's heart, knowing that he must remember Zhao Ming's kindness. He accepted the spiritual stones, filled with confidence for the upcoming trade.
He took a deep breath, the air filled with various spiritual energies and the unique aura of the cultivators, which excited him immensely. He rubbed the medium-grade spiritual stones in his hands, contemplating how to make the best use of them.
"Hey, Zhang Hao, you seem quite confident!" A familiar voice interrupted Zhang Hao's thoughts. He turned to see his good friend Li Bao grinning widely.
"Li Bao, what brings you here?" Zhang Hao didn't expect to run into him here.
"I heard about this trade fair from you the other day, so I asked my master. Of course, I had to come when there's such a great opportunity."
"But I didn't buy anything good at the auction just now. What I wanted was too expensive, and what was cheap, I didn't want."
"What about you, Zhang Hao? What did you buy?"
"I only managed to buy a cultivation technique. I'm pinning my hopes on the upcoming trade fair. Look at the spiritual stones in my hand, maybe I can exchange them for some nice treasures!" Zhang Hao said triumphantly, shaking the spiritual stones in his hand.
Li Bao laughed heartily: "You, with your spiritual stones, which I borrowed for you from Lin Yue. But you have to be careful, there are plenty of ill-intentioned people at this trade fair. Don't get cheated, or you'll be crying when it's too late!"
Zhang Hao winked, looking nonchalant: "Don't worry, Li Bao, I'm not that easy to deceive. I'm looking for something that will truly help my cultivation, and I won't fall for any tricks!"
"That's good, that's good!" Li Bao patted Zhang Hao's shoulder and leaned closer, "But if you do come across any good stuff, don't forget about us fellow disciples! Leave some benefits for me!"
"I'm off to find some good stuff too, see you later."
Zhang Hao smiled, thinking that Li Bao was really busy: "Good luck finding something good, see you later."
Zhang Hao continued to weave through the crowd. He noticed a petite, fair-skinned girl with a pretty face, displaying a pill that emitted a faint blue glow. Her long hair was casually tied up, revealing a fair neck, and she wore a light purple gauze dress that outlined her delicate figure.
Zhang Hao's heart skipped a beat; the pill seemed familiar, wasn't this the Orifice Opening Pill he saw at the auction just now?
"Excuse me, girl, what is this pill?" Zhang Hao asked casually.
The girl looked up, her bright eyes staring straight at Zhang Hao, a playful smile on her face: "I don't even know what this is, I just brought it out to play, I have plenty more at home."
Zhang Hao was surprised by her frankness but remained calm on the surface: "I wonder, what's the price?"
The girl bit her red lips lightly, a hint of innocence in her eyes: "The price? It's up to you, I don't even know the price!"
Zhang Hao looked at the innocent girl in front of him, amused. This was the first time he had encountered such a naive girl, and he decided to negotiate with her carefully.
"Oh? You're quite a generous young lady. This pill doesn't look ordinary; I'll give you two medium-grade spiritual stones, how about that?" Zhang Hao feigned surprise, his gaze inadvertently falling on the girl's fair neck, the faintly visible collarbone making him a bit distracted.
The girl seemed to see through his thoughts, a blush spreading across her face, but she quickly regained her composure, playing with her long hair with her fingers, looking carefree: "Two medium-grade spiritual stones? Alright, I'll give it to you. I was about to go home anyway."
"Great, I'll take it." Zhang Hao took out the spiritual stones from his storage pouch with one hand and snatched the Orifice Opening Pill with the other, not looking back as he left the scene.
"Damn, I need to get out of here quickly, before she realizes," Zhang Hao reminded himself, turning and walking into the crowd.
"This time I really hit the jackpot, getting such a great deal for just two medium-grade spiritual stones," Zhang Hao looked at the pill in his hand, admiring his luck in silence.