Chapter 22: Transaction
"What type of magical potions?"
The thin man opened a box containing various magical potions, presented in multi-colored bottles.
Sauron examined the potions inside the box.
"Cat Claw Elixir, Arhat Fruit Elixir, Water Fish Elixir..."
Sauron's eyes flickered. During his days at the Holy Splendor Academy, he had learned to distinguish the overwhelming majority of magical potions.
For a Knight, magical potions were essential resources for cultivation.
Different potions had different effects, and they could maximize the effectiveness of different Breathing Techniques.
Take, for example, the Swain family's Night Raven Potion.
It was a magical potion specifically prepared for the Night Raven Breathing Technique. To push the cultivation of the Night Raven Breathing Technique to the extreme realm, one had to use the Night Raven Potion.
Otherwise, even the Golden Blood Elixir would only be effective at the early to middle stages.
"Mountain Stone Elixir!"
After a thorough inspection, Sauron's gaze finally settled on a golden potion. This magical potion, named Mountain Stone Elixir, was specially used to complement strength-oriented Breathing Techniques.
"How much for this potion?" Sauron inquired.
"Thirty gold coins per bottle!"
The thin man extended three fingers, stating an exaggerated number. Although Sauron wasn't currently short of money, he wasn't one to be taken advantage of.
A single bottle of White Spirit Potion cost only six gold coins.
This Mountain Stone Elixir, however, was priced at thirty, as if the thin man considered Sauron a fool.
"Too expensive, at most ten gold coins per bottle."
Sauron shook his head and said, "I need a lot of magical potions. If you want long-term cooperation, it's best not to take me for a fool."
"Thirty gold coins per bottle, not a coin less."
The thin man remained indifferent, showing no signs of concession. A faint hint of mockery flashed in his eyes, as if he couldn't be bothered to say more.
Seeing the other's attitude, Sauron raised an eyebrow.
Earlier, when he had come to the underground black market, he had gathered information about it, even though he hadn't made any purchases. The thin man was one such person.
Although he seemed ordinary, he was deeply hidden. When he first arrived in the black market, a few local tyrants had given him trouble. However, the next day, those local tyrants had all disappeared, and the thin man remained as stable as Mount Tai.
Due to his gloomy personality, few people approached him for transactions. However, Sauron noticed that the thin man's stall had a wide variety of magical potions and seemed to be of high quality.
"Thirty it is!"
After a moment of contemplation, Sauron suddenly became interested. He tossed thirty gold coins to the man, picked up a bottle of Mountain Stone Elixir, and uncorked it.
A peculiar aroma wafted out.
Sauron's heart stirred as he downed the contents of the bottle, instantly feeling a surge of medicinal efficacy spreading throughout his body.
"No wonder it's so expensive!"
Sauron's eyes lit up. The effect of this potion was unexpectedly impressive. Without hesitation, he cleared out all the Mountain Stone Elixirs from the man's stall.
Subsequently, Sauron returned to the Holy Splendor Academy.
"Next, let's focus on cultivation!"
In the dormitory, Sauron's eyes flickered. With the magical potions prepared, all he needed to do now was to devote himself to cultivation. Utilizing the proficiency panel, it wouldn't take long for him to advance to the intermediate level Knight realm.
At the same time, in another location.
Night fell quietly. In a small grove on the outskirts of the capital, Ron and his guards stood, torches illuminating the area.
"Father, is your body okay?" Ron asked in a low voice.
"No need to worry about me."
Arnold shook his head. Although he had narrowly escaped death in the Southern Border, upon returning to the capital, he didn't choose to rest. Instead, he immediately contacted the seller and personally came to a small grove outside the city.
Compared to his own body, Arnold valued the success of this transaction more.
The journey to the Southern Border had been perilous, but Arnold was resolute because he understood the importance of this transaction.
If all went well, Arnold's family would have the opportunity for a breakthrough.
"Noble!"
Arnold's eyes gleamed with a hint of excitement. Born as a commoner, he had always yearned to ascend to the ranks of the nobility.
And now, the opportunity was right in front of him!
Arnold wouldn't give up, especially since he had staked his entire fortune and life on this matter. Success or failure, everything rested on this one move.
Clatter!
The sound of wheels turning came from a distance. Arnold's eyes brightened as he looked up to see a black carriage slowly approaching.
Following that, a middle-aged man descended from the carriage.
"Mr. Mars."
Arnold stood on the side, wearing a respectful expression.
Beside him, Ron couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Although Arnold had informed him about the details of this transaction not long ago, Ron still felt a subtle anxiety.
"Count Ryan!"
Ron took a deep breath.
Throughout the entire Taal Duchy, Count Ryan held astonishing power. Arnold, a commoner, managed to establish a connection with him, but it wasn't clear how much effort he had put into it.
The middle-aged person getting off the carriage was Count Ryan's steward, Mars.
He had found Arnold not long ago, instructing him to go to the Southern Border to bring back a batch of goods. Success in this endeavor would mean that Arnold would receive noble status.
For Arnold, this was an incredibly rare opportunity.
Despite the extreme dangers in the Southern Border, Arnold chose to forge ahead, knowing that success would not only grant him noble status but also allow him to join Count Ryan's ranks. This was his leap over the dragon gate.
Now that Arnold had successfully brought back the goods, Ron's inner unease persisted.
With Count Ryan's influence, even in the chaotic Southern Border, it shouldn't be difficult to bring back a batch of goods. Ron wondered why Count Ryan had assigned this task to Arnold, who had no apparent connection.
Just as Ron contemplated, Mr. Mars had already descended from the carriage. Facing the respectful Arnold, he wore a cold expression.
"Where are the goods?" Mars said indifferently.
"Please follow me."
Arnold hastily responded and led Mars to an open space. There, a carriage was loaded with goods from the Southern Border.
Mars personally opened the wooden crates and inspected the contents.
Lifting the surface padding, inside the wooden crates were red test tubes. Mars picked one up, carefully examined it, and a satisfied expression appeared on his face.
"Not bad!"
Mars nodded. However, a strange glint flickered in his eyes as he faintly said, "Arnold, you have indeed lived up to Count Ryan's expectations."
Excitement flashed across Arnold's face.
However, the next moment, an arrow pierced through the air, piercing through Arnold's chest. His expression froze, and he lowered his head in disbelief.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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