270: Chapter 270 Purchasing Materials

As the train came to a stop, Nie Ning arrived at the west side of the city.

Looking around, the air was thick with a rich elemental aura everywhere.

Compared to other districts, there were far fewer people in the west side.

This area belonged to the Transcendents, primarily focused on businesses dealing in Transcendent items.

Ordinary people could occasionally be seen, but a clear divide had formed between the two groups.

The ordinary folk who came here either had powerful connections or worked in the area; almost no one came just to wander around.

This distinction was evident from their attire. Those with connections invariably carried some wizardly tools on their persons, and their clothing and accessories were all items of considerable value.

...

After walking for several dozen minutes, Nie Ning finally reached the largest market in the west side.

Surrounded by towering buildings, the vicinity was almost entirely shops. Nie Ning could find nearly everything he knew of here.

For instance, there were shops specializing in puppet dolls, their creations ten thousand times more exquisite than the ones Nie Ning had tinkered with himself.

Touching his ring, Nie Ning suppressed the urge to go in, deciding to check it out later if he had any money left.

"Sir, do you need a guide? I know quite a few shops around here that sell good quality items at reasonable prices. You're sure to find something to your liking."

As Nie Ning was walking, a boy of about fifteen or sixteen suddenly approached him.

Glancing at the kid before him, Nie Ning fished out a low-grade magic crystal and tossed it over. "Don't block the way. Go play somewhere else."

With that, Nie Ning walked straight into the market, leaving the Little Boy standing there dumbfounded.

The reason Nie Ning couldn't be bothered with him was mainly because these people's tricks were too cliché.

They were basically just methods used by obscure little shops to drum up business.

As for the so-called 'good quality at reasonable prices,' that was mostly a scam. Who knew if you'd end up buying defective goods?

The trope of stumbling upon a divine artifact by sheer luck was long outdated. Only those new to the world would fall for their nonsense.

Besides, this area was full of major shops. If their goods were poor, they wouldn't have stayed in business this long. There was no need to go hunting for bargains in some out-of-the-way place.

Perhaps you really could run into some hidden master in those small shops.

But being masters, they naturally had eccentric temperaments. Buying something might depend entirely on their mood.

Nie Ning wasn't a fool. Only a lunatic would go to such troublesome and unrewarding places.

Moreover, small places were rife with trouble. You might easily run into cliché scenarios like someone showing off only to get humiliated. Getting caught in the crossfire would be a disaster.

Of course, the most, most, most important reason was that he wasn't short on money!

...

Nie Ning walked along the street, stopping now and then, and finally halted in front of a shop selling various materials.

The shop was brightly decorated, but the number of people inside wasn't as many as one might imagine.

Upon entering the shop, a rather attractive woman came forward to greet him.

"Hello, please come in. How may I assist you?"

The female shop assistant inquired with a professional smile.

Nie Ning looked at the woman and realized she was actually a First-Ring Wizard.

The shop assistant ushered Nie Ning inside to sit down, promptly poured him a cup of tea, and then brought out a catalog of the shop's merchandise to introduce the items to him.

Nie Ning waved his hand, interrupting her introduction, and stated the items he needed.

This time, his goal was clear: materials for refining the god-forbidden ring and for making potions.

As for alchemical tools, Nie Ning's demand wasn't very high.

Besides, Heloise was no longer around. He simply didn't have the time to craft those little things himself. It was more cost-effective to just buy them.

After listening to Nie Ning's description, the shop assistant brought out the required items for Nie Ning to inspect one by one.

This was precisely why Nie Ning preferred not to go to small, obscure places.

Because this area was predominantly populated by Transcendents, most shops, fearing they might inadvertently offend someone, were truly impeccable in their service attitude.

Small shops, on the other hand, were often run by a bunch of old men and women putting on airs of profundity. If you got cheated, you'd be too embarrassed to make a fuss, and you might even run into someone trying to scam you.

Nie Ning carefully examined the materials; their quality was top-notch.

However, while they were indeed good, they were also genuinely expensive.

Just buying a few random items had already cost over a thousand mid-grade magic crystals.

Unfortunately, there were only a few materials suitable for upgrading the god-forbidden ring, and they didn't even have the tian zhe holy feather needed for brewing a third-tier potion.

After packing up, just as Nie Ning was about to leave the shop, the female shop assistant stopped him.

Nie Ning gave the shop assistant a somewhat puzzled look.

Was there after-sales service?

"Sir, are you planning to refine something? We have a partnership with the nearby Danqi Workshop. Whether it's commissioning the refinement or renting a crafting space, we can offer you a discount."

The shop assistant said with a smile.

Compared to before, her smile was more natural.

Of course, if it weren't natural, she'd be a vegetable.

After all, she had just made a hefty profit from Nie Ning, and he had even given her a mid-grade magic crystal as a tip. It had been a long time since she'd encountered someone so generous.

"Do they have a place where one can use earthfire?"

Hearing the shop assistant's words, Nie Ning asked.

Refining the god-forbidden ring required drawing upon the power of earthfire.

Without a volcano nearby, given his current abilities, he couldn't set up an array to draw earthfire.

"Yes, yes, they do."

Upon hearing this, the shop assistant hurriedly replied.

"The Danqi Workshop is an enterprise of the Yishi Mansion. The array and runic masters of the Yishi Mansion have set up an Earth Vein Condensing Fire Array there. Would you like me to take you there?"

In her eyes at that moment, Nie Ning was practically a great benefactor.

Using earthfire consumed a massive amount of energy, so the corresponding fee naturally wouldn't be low.

If she could close this deal, the commission alone would be enough to keep her hands full, sufficient for several years without working.

Nie Ning thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you know where I can find a place that sells fourth-tier promotion potions?"

Hearing Nie Ning's question, the shop assistant couldn't help but be taken aback.

She knew Nie Ning's strength far surpassed her own, but she hadn't expected him to be on the verge of advancing to the fourth tier.

'Could it be not for his own use?'

Because Nie Ning looked far too young; the aura of life about him suggested he wasn't old.

The thought of someone so young advancing to the fourth tier was simply terrifying.

"What? They don't have any?"

Seeing the shop assistant remain silent, Nie Ning frowned and asked.

If there weren't any, things would become a bit troublesome.

The Brand Witchcraft for advancing to the fourth tier was something he and Heloise had researched together, far more intricate and complex than the Runic Formula he had hastily imprinted before.

Relying solely on a third-tier potion, Nie Ning felt the chances of successfully advancing to the fourth tier weren't great.

"Fourth-tier potions are almost never sold on the open market."

The shop assistant shook her head slightly.

Just as Nie Ning thought there was no hope, a smile appeared on the shop assistant's face, and she continued.

"However, your luck is very good, sir. The Yishi Mansion is quite friendly towards wizards seeking advancement. Every five years, they auction off some potions. This year happens to be the fifth year."