283: slave market

"Slave market?"

Lin Tianwei was a little surprised. He never expected that the first place Tore planned to take him to visit was a Slave market.

He wasn't curious about why a Slave market existed here.

After all, the more brutal a place, the more it adheres to the law of the jungle.

It was perfectly normal for the defeated to become the property of the strong.

Directly devouring captives as food, like Lin Tianwei did, was actually the most wasteful method.

Since he had no other ideas, Lin Tianwei simply followed Tore's steps towards the Lotus Slave Market.

The Lotus Slave Market was indeed very close to the Transfer Station, just as Tore had said.

Before long, the two beasts arrived in front of a very luxurious building.

Just by looking at the patterns carved everywhere on the building, one could tell that it was not simple.

Energy faintly flowed within them, indicating that they definitely had some special purpose.

Of course, the most striking feature was the huge sign, bearing the words "Lotus," which identified this luxurious building.

It was the two beasts' destination, the Slave market called Lotus.

Seeing Lin Tianwei's interest in the patterns carved on the building, Tore enthusiastically explained:

"Zeta, your eyesight is truly excellent; you immediately saw that these patterns are not simple."

"These patterns are actually a type of energy inscription. After a complex combination, they can achieve some special effects."

"Although the Transfer Station is incredibly safe, the universe is vast, and there are still some mad beasts."

"So, these energy inscriptions actually form a malevolence perception array."

"By simulating the effects of malevolence-sensing Talents, it can detect and deal with anyone harboring ill intentions towards the Lotus Slave Market at the first instance."

"I only heard about the purpose of these patterns from a big shot after visiting here a few times."

"But I never expected, Zeta, that you would see the extraordinary nature of these patterns with just one glance."

"Of course, Zeta, don't be alarmed. These energy inscriptions are just a precautionary measure."

"At least in my memory, no madman has dared to cause trouble in the Lotus Slave Market in the last ten thousand years."

Although Tore had explained, Lin Tianwei clearly didn't believe that the so-called energy inscriptions were so simple.

Lin Tianwei's powerful perception told him that these energy inscriptions definitely had terrifying effects.

However, Lin Tianwei didn't understand these energy inscriptions, so he naturally couldn't investigate them thoroughly.

Therefore, Lin Tianwei merely nodded slightly to Tore to indicate that he understood.

Seeing Lin Tianwei's understanding, Tore paused, then continued:

"Zeta, let me tell you, the Slave market is an excellent place through and through."

"Don't be afraid of having high demands, only be afraid of having no demands."

"Anyone can find a suitable Slave here."

"Of course, whether you can take them away depends on whether you have enough yuan coins."

"If you have relevant needs, you can buy some Slaves here."

"Although most Slaves sent here for sale don't have much potential,"

"They are docile and obedient, and will prioritize their master's life above all else."

"Not to mention as bodyguards, at the very least, they can serve as human shields to protect oneself at critical moments."

"Even the goal of countless beasts' lifelong struggle is to be able to buy a powerful and useful Slave here."

At this point, Tore's expression gradually became fantastical, and he said:

"They can not only serve as bodyguards; if you have some strange needs, these Slaves can fully satisfy them."

"I came here this time precisely for that reason."

"A long time ago, I set my eyes on two rather excellent Slaves."

"It's just that I was a bit short on funds."

"But it doesn't matter; where there's a will, there's a way."

"After a thousand years of effort, I finally accumulated two thousand yuan coins."

"This time, I can finally get the Slaves I've been dreaming of."

"When I go back, I'm definitely going to have a good Mental Contract with them."

Although Tore didn't explicitly say it,

But seeing his suddenly lewd expression, Lin Tianwei could tell what kind of strange needs he was referring to.

With this thought, Lin Tianwei secretly thought that Tore was truly an oddball.

Was "where there's a will, there's a way" used like that?

Even if it could barely be used, it was definitely not used for a righteous purpose.

However, this was Tore's private matter; as long as he was happy, Lin Tianwei wouldn't have any objections.

His only wonder was why Tore would display his financial strength in front of a stranger like him.

Lin Tianwei naturally had no need for such strange demands.

With his sufficiently strong willpower, his control over his body was also perfect.

He could naturally suppress the most primitive desires within his body.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei shook his head slightly and said, "Now is not the time for enjoyment. Striving to become stronger is what we should be doing."

"Otherwise, the next time we appear here, it might not be as guests."

Facing Lin Tianwei's caution, Tore said with a laugh, "Zeta, you're still a bit too worried."

"Although Slave trading exists here, not all beasts are at risk of becoming Slaves."

"Only some ignorant races who have offended big shots, or some weak indigenous people on ownerless Planetary-level life planets, will be captured whole and become Slaves who have lost their freedom and souls."

"If anyone could just capture others as Slaves, the universe would have fallen into chaos long ago."

"Not to mention, we, with our low strength, don't even qualify to be captured."

"Recently, I only heard that a few trash races in the District 23 offended Marta and are facing the risk of being captured whole."

At this point, Tore cautiously looked at Lin Tianwei's expression.

If Lin Tianwei had enough strength, he would instinctively react to these words.

It was impossible for him to approach Lin Tianwei without any purpose.

Judging Lin Tianwei's strength was naturally the primary choice to achieve his goal.

However, in Tore's eyes, Lin Tianwei calmly accepted the term "low strength," and said:

"That's true. Although the universe is incredibly chaotic, it also has a most basic order."

"Since I'm already here, I naturally want to go in and see."

"If there's a suitable Slave, I'll naturally buy one."

Lin Tianwei wasn't actually interested in so-called Slaves.

Possessing Talent: Bloodline (Extraordinary), Talent: Avatar (Mythical), and Talent: Mental Contract (Extraordinary), he simply didn't need unreliable things like Slaves.

Slaves he hadn't personally subdued were even more unreliable to the extreme.

He was here merely to broaden his horizons and also to witness the cruelty of the universe.

Seeing Lin Tianwei speak first, Tore didn't refuse, saying, "Since Zeta is interested, then let's go in and take a look."

"The diverse Slaves inside will definitely open your eyes."

Then Tore became a little disheartened.

Judging by Lin Tianwei's performance, he was definitely a naive newcomer.

His strength couldn't be too strong, and his financial resources were naturally ridiculously weak.

Especially the horrified expression on Lin Tianwei's face when he heard that he had earned two thousand yuan coins in just a thousand years, completely discouraged Tore.

He secretly thought that he wouldn't be able to earn any yuan coins from this transaction.

Although he had personally watched Lin Tianwei descend from that dilapidated spaceship.

But he still couldn't give up and wanted to confirm.

After all, Tore's strength was only average, and even in the Transfer Station, he didn't dare to target true big shots.

Fawning over big shots?

He didn't even consider if he was qualified.

Tore only dared to target those who clearly looked like newcomers.

Unfortunately, after knowing everything, Tore was filled with nothing but disappointment.

He secretly thought that this Cosmic Beast named Zeta was definitely a weakling.

Not only that, but he was also a poor weakling.

However, Tore probably never imagined that Lin Tianwei wasn't horrified by how strong his earning ability was, but rather by how weak his earning ability truly was.

Lin Tianwei found it very difficult to understand why Tore could only earn this much yuan coin in a whole thousand years.

Wasn't making money a very simple thing?

Wasn't easily earning tens of billions of yuan coins an everyday occurrence?

Even though he already considered Lin Tianwei a pauper, Tore didn't immediately change his demeanor,

Instead, he maintained his usual expression and continued to lead Lin Tianwei towards the Lotus Slave Market.

Although there were many Cosmic Beasts heading to the Slave market, due to the large size of the Cosmic Beasts, there was no chaotic situation.

However, after entering the Slave market, Lin Tianwei did not see the chaotic scene he had imagined, like a livestock trading market.

Instead, it resembled an internet cafe displaying countless high-tech devices, appearing orderly.

Tore pointed to a machine beside him and said, "Zeta, this is just the first floor of the Slave market, and it only has the most basic Slaves."

"This is a machine specifically used to view the Slave list. You can connect with your Mental Power to see if there are any Slaves you like."

Having finished speaking, Tore impatiently sat in front of a machine, extending his Mental Power to perceive the information stored within it.

Without refusing, Lin Tianwei also sat in front of a machine.

He cautiously extended his Mental Power, making sure not to let it escape even a bit, before beginning to perceive the information in the machine.

Although he had successfully put on a disguise,

Mental Power, however, was a more distinctive mark than flesh and blood.

Unless necessary, Lin Tianwei would absolutely not expose his own Mental Power.

As his Mental Power probed, Lin Tianwei found that a huge book suddenly appeared in his mind.

As Lin Tianwei pushed open this book with his Mental Power, he also saw the countless pieces of information recorded within it.

All sorts of information, with each page recording a large amount of Slave information:

"Thunderfire Race, possessing the Thunderfire Talent, a race capable of skillfully controlling Thunderfire abilities, recommended for use as laborers or bodyguards."

"Planetary-level 1 Thunderfire Race sells for 10 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of one hundred, 56,652 in stock."

..."Planetary-level Peak Thunderfire Race sells for 100 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of ten, 3,569 in stock."

"Stellar Level 1st Grade Thunderfire Race sells for 2,000 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of one, 26 in stock."

The Thunderfire Race was a Cosmic Beast whose entire body burned with blue thunderfire.

These thunderfires, capable of incinerating everything, were their primary weapons.

They were even more potent than their sharp claws.

Yet, such a seemingly formidable race was captured entirely, with all its members becoming commodities in the Slave market.

Each cold number carried the weight of individual lives.

Even purchasing the entire Thunderfire Race wouldn't cost ten yuan crystals.

In other words, if Lin Tianwei was willing to pay one unit of origin, he could even purchase ten thousand Thunderfire Races.

Approaching a billion lives.

This situation made Lin Tianwei secretly think that in the universe, the most valuable thing was life, and the cheapest thing was also life.

Thinking of this, Lin Tianwei once again looked through the Slave list in front of him.

Soon, a Cosmic Beast called the 'Enlightenment Beast' caught Lin Tianwei's attention.

"Enlightenment Beast, a race with extremely strong comprehension, generally possessing three to five Talents, suitable for use as consumables for comprehending Talents."

"Enlightenment Beast mastering a low-grade Talent sells for 100 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of ten, 68,752 in stock."

"Enlightenment Beast mastering a common Talent sells for 500 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of five, 5,746 in stock."

"Enlightenment Beast mastering a basic Talent sells for 2,000 yuan coins each, with a minimum purchase of one, 3,568 in stock."

"Note: The Talents of the above Enlightenment Beasts are random. Specific Talents require double the price for purchase."

From the image, Lin Tianwei discovered that the Enlightenment Beast was a Cosmic Beast similar to a monkey.

Its body was incredibly flexible, yet it was unexpectedly captured whole to become a consumable for comprehending Talents.

Moreover, based on the level of Talent mastered, they had prices that were not low.

Looking at the Enlightenment Beasts in front of him, Lin Tianwei didn't know why he thought of the creatures from Blue Star hidden within his inner world.

If he hadn't saved Blue Star in time, their fate might not have been much better than the Enlightenment Beasts.

Consumables for comprehending Talents?

What an utterly tragic attribute.

It must be said that this Slave market indeed had a vast array of goods.

Many of the Slaves from various races truly opened Lin Tianwei's eyes, and he secretly thought that this universe was indeed marvelous, capable of giving birth to such diverse Cosmic Beasts.

Slaves were mainly divided into three categories.

One category was enforcers.

One category was consumables.

The last category consisted of Slaves with special Talents.

Comparatively, among these three types of Slaves, the powerful enforcers were actually the cheapest.

They were as cheap as street-side cabbages.

After much thought, Lin Tianwei ultimately decided not to make a purchase.

What interested him, naturally, were only the third category of Slaves with special Talents.

If he could purchase one or two Slaves with Space Talent for research, perhaps Lin Tianwei would be able to possess his own Space Talent.

At that time, it would also solve the issue of settling Blue Star, liberating his Talent: Star Devourer (Mythical). (End of this chapter)