Chapter 104: The Wind of the Fey

River Valley Town, the Adventurer Association.

Xia Nan carried twin swords on his back, his right hand guarding the bulging coin pouch at his waist.

He squeezed through the crowd and walked out the association's main doors.

The frost condensed by the Barbarian Fugang most likely had some Transcendence power mixed in.

Even though it was midsummer and the weather was hot, and many days had passed since it was separated from its main body, the ice encasing the goblin ears still showed no sign of melting.

So when Xia Nan handed over his spoils to exchange for the bounty, what he passed over was essentially two blocks of solid ice.

Fortunately, the receptionist at the association's front desk, the short-haired girl named "Moli," had probably been on the job long enough to have seen plenty.

She didn't make things difficult either—just glanced at them twice, took the ice blocks, carefully checked their completeness, and with trembling hands tossed the pouch of bounty coins onto the counter in front of herself.

He guessed in his heart that the reason it had gone so smoothly was partly because she really was dutiful in this regard, and partly because of the hefty one-silver-coin tip he'd given her last time as thanks for helping him find a buyer for his glow-garlic vine.

All in all.

Two Bugbears—20 gold.

Thinking it over, to be safe, Xia Nan took the pouch from his waist and stuffed it deep into the backpack on his back.

His fingertips inadvertently brushed against the Wolf Tooth left behind by the Barbarian as a keepsake.

In his mind, he couldn't help but recall yesterday's conversation with Fugang at the White Tit Tavern.

At the time, the other had made it clear he owed him a favor.

And at the time, he was still immersed in the joy of having already gotten into Beginner 【Fang Hunting】, just one final step away from obtaining his Professional Level.

Without much thought, he had asked the other whether, in exchange for this favor, he could get another battle technique.

To this, the Barbarian didn't explicitly refuse, but neither did he directly accept.

He only asked Xia Nan three words:

"Are you sure?"

Then he looked away again, silently watching the wolf cub on the tavern table that was wrestling with a chunk of meat.

That alone was enough to show his attitude.

Fugang, who had paid with his soul after death, signing a contract with the "God of Hunting," "Ma La," in exchange for power.

Before completing the "Hunting," unless he discovered the trail of his prey, he couldn't stay in one place for too long.

His return to River Valley Town was also during a gap when the Hunting Ritual was nearly successful, forcing the swamp Druid to give up most of his power and reincarnate.

The purpose was to fulfill the Ban Jingling's commission and help Xia Nan fully master 【Fang Hunting】.

And now that the other had, through an accidental yet fortunate battle, mastered this technique ahead of time.

Fugang naturally had no reason to stay any longer.

Of course, if Xia Nan used the favor as payment and insisted.

He wouldn't refuse either.

Only then, the other probably wouldn't be able to keep staying in River Valley Town grinding with those Goblins, but would have to follow him, braving wind and weather, setting out on the journey to track the Druid.

Setting aside whether Xia Nan's current physical condition could handle the intensity of his daily travel, just the harsh, complex terrain along the way, and the monster gathering places far more dangerous than the outer edges of Wuwu Forest, would be enough to give the other a hard time.

Having grown up fighting blizzards, don't expect Fugang to look after him much.

On the other hand, for Xia Nan.

Once those words had slipped out, he also felt he'd been rash and was a little regretful.

Fugang could, of course, just casually leave behind a battle technique's training method and leave directly, letting him figure it out on his own.

Just like the 【Frilan Spear Thrust】 and 【Broken Blade Parry】 he'd mentioned before, both clearly "Warrior"-oriented Professional battle techniques.

But the Barbarian had also told him that these techniques didn't match his combat style.

Combined with 【Whirling Slash】 and 【Fang Hunting】, they might even produce a negative effect of "1+1" less than "2."

If his goal in this life was simply to become a Professional, asking for nothing more, and he was completely satisfied after obtaining his Professional Level.

Then these considerations were naturally unnecessary.

But if he still wanted to climb higher, touching Transcendence or even the "Legendary" above it, especially at this age where this body wasn't yet twenty.

Such a hasty, short-sighted act would be irresponsible toward Xia Nan's own future.

From information the Barbarian had inadvertently let slip, battle techniques weren't only about job advancement—they were also very important after obtaining a Professional Level, and might even be connected to Professional advancement.

He had to think it over carefully.

Possibly feeling it wasn't quite right to end the topic there.

After Xia Nan withdrew his request, Fugang added a few more words.

Although given the talent he was now showing, there was basically no chance of this.

But if, before winter came next year, Xia Nan still hadn't completed his job advancement.

He should go to Niumu—at that time he would most likely be staying in the city.

And it wouldn't cost any favor.

He would help Xia Nan take that final step.

"Why didn't you say so earlier!"

With the Barbarian saying that, Xia Nan didn't hesitate any longer.

Any fool would know how to choose.

Although for ordinary people like them with no background, battle techniques were relatively hard to obtain.

It wasn't completely without methods, though.

Especially for widely distributed Professional classes like "Warrior."

After working in the Adventurer trade long enough, one would always have some connections.

By comparison, a favor from a being of Transcendence rank, even one approaching Legendary, was clearly far more precious.

Moreover, given the Barbarian's nature, such a debt left with a token…

He'd likely destroy the remaining half of Kalanfur without blinking an eye.

"Keep it. It's a card to play later."

Xia Nan casually pressed the Wolf Tooth deeper into his backpack, burying it at the very bottom.

After confirming he had truly mastered 【Tooth Hunt】 and no longer needed the chill to guide him, the Barbarian left River Valley Town, taking the fierce-looking Winter Wolf pup with him.

Just as when he arrived, he moved wrapped in cold wind, silent as ice rock.

Only the frost covering the wound on his left pinky faintly revealed the flame burning silently beneath the ice.

"Hmm, now that I've claimed the bounty, next…"

Xia Nan's gaze swept across the bustling, wide street before him.

After a moment of thought, he walked toward the direction he remembered.

…

Fairy Wind.

As one of River Valley Town's most famous general stores, its owner, "Fali Lue," was said to have once spent several years as an apprentice at a major pawnshop in Niumu Cheng.

His eye for appraisal was quite sharp.

Even the rarest, most obscure loot rarely received a wrong valuation from him.

Thus, despite Fairy Wind's offers being far from generous, and sometimes even harsh,

it still earned a place on the Adventurer's Handbook's recommended list, endorsed by countless Adventurers.

Xia Nan had visited once after his first adventure.

He exchanged three Malachite stones taken from the Bugbear Cave for thirty gold.

A sum that, whether then or now, counted as substantial income.

Now, carrying over twenty small, glittering stones—varied in color and size—collected from the Goblin Cave,

Xia Nan returned here once again.

Unlike its rival, "Kukunuer's General Store," Fairy Wind's interior was noticeably simpler.

Shelves were only lined against the walls; everywhere, subtle yet cleverly placed decorations could be seen.

Though the shop was not large, it gave a sense of spaciousness and bright, clear light.

Step inside, and one glance immediately revealed its stark contrast to other general stores in town.

"Coming from the city, they really are different."

Xia Nan mused to himself.

Shouldering his pack, he scanned the shop—but saw no one.

With some confusion, he raised his voice and called twice:

"Boss? Are you here?"

"Coming, coming!"

No sooner had the words left his lips than hurried footsteps sounded from the back room.

Creak—

A black-brown door, made of oak from Wuwu Forest, was forcefully pushed open.

Standing before him was a middle-aged man, well-dressed, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles.

Having been here once before, Xia Nan knew instantly: this man was the shop's owner—the sharp-eyed "Fali Lue."

Something was odd.

Compared to the stern, rigid personality described by Adventurers, and the calm, meticulous impression he'd left during their last transaction,

Fali Lue now looked disheveled: his previously neat, tightly combed hair was messy, and several buttons on his vest were crooked.

He gave off an air of exhaustion from being overwhelmed by chores.

"Sorry, I was dealing with something in the back," Fali Lue hurried to the counter and asked Xia Nan, "What can I help you with?"

Though he found it strange, this wasn't one of those past-life games where saying a few words triggered a side quest.

He didn't press further. Seeing Fali Lue settle back behind the counter, he seemed to have regained the composed demeanor from their first meeting.

Xia Nan quietly relaxed and pulled out a small cloth bag from his backpack.

He didn't dump the stones out in a showy fashion.

Instead, with careful fingers, he picked up each glittering stone one by one and placed them on the counter.

Though Fali Lue didn't look well, once in his professional domain, he displayed the same meticulous dedication that earned him a spot on the Adventurer's Handbook.

Even when faced with common crystals—ones he could assess in a single glance, in a breath—he still took out a magnifying glass and examined each stone carefully, leaving no possibility of oversight.

"Two Malachite. Market price is ten gold per stone."

"Red Striped Stone has dropped a lot these past two years. Eight of them? Forty-eight gold."

"Turquoise? No one buys it anymore. Jewelers in the city barely take it. Seven pieces? Forty-nine gold."

"Blue Quartz is good. Right now, Niumu Cheng is trending quartz jewelry. Though this is the lowest grade, many down-on-their-luck Nobles still buy it to show off—price has risen. Three pieces? Forty-five gold."

"Oh… and one Yue Chang Shi. Too small, only good for earrings or a ring face. Ordinary quality? Thirty-five gold."

"Total is one hundred ninety-seven gold. Here you go."

Xia Nan had no skill in haggling, nor was he the type to spend an entire day in a shop over a few coins.

Moreover, the reason Fali Lue earned his reputation and made the Adventurer's Handbook was precisely because he was trusted by River Valley Town's vast base of Adventurers—his word was solid.

Even if his offers weren't generous, they were mostly market rate, with few errors.

Xia Nan didn't haggle. He nodded in agreement.

Xia Nan did not bargain, but nodded in agreement.

He handed Fali Lue three more Gold Coins and received two Crystal Cards from the other's hand, each storing 100 Gold Coins redeemable at the bank.

He stuffed them into his chest, keeping them close to his body.

Out of basic politeness, he exchanged a greeting with the other and walked out of the shop with a calm expression.

Standing by the side of the street, he took a deep breath.

Calming the slightly agitated emotions within his heart.

"Two hundred Gold! Two hundred Gold! Two hundred Gold!"

Even though, due to the previous selling price of 10 Gold per Malachite, he had already mentally prepared himself for the value of these bright, glistening stones before coming.

But when he truly exchanged twenty-one small stones, which didn't even fill the smallest pocket, for a full 200 Gold.

His heart still trembled twice uncontrollably.

And it must be known, this was not even the entirety of the harvest he brought back from this outing.

197 Gold, plus the Rewards for the two Bugbears, and the thirty-plus Gold he had already deposited in the bank from the same Hobgoblin's savings.

Just this single outing, less than a week's time.

Xia Nan had earned over two hundred and fifty Gold Coins.

Bringing his current assets to an unprecedented—

405 Gold, 6 Silver, and 3 Copper!

Equivalent to 6,750 bowls of fragrant, steaming Cream Mushroom Soup; the bounties of 1,094 Goblins, enough to dull a blade; 8 Healing Potions; and...

One-third of a set of heavy full plate armor.

Er, let's not dwell on that for now.

It must be known that Xia Nan's main purpose for this outing was to learn combat techniques from Fugang.

Collecting loot and such was merely done on the side.

Although the Barbarian occasionally helped him preserve high-value monster bounty parts with ice crystals, aside from that, the massive tide of Goblins, and the large quantity of heavy, crude weapons and equipment in the lair that could not be carried along.

Even though the unit price was not high, added together they were enough to accumulate small amounts into a large sum, achieving a qualitative change, counting as a substantial income.

Thinking deeper, the Spined Devil Xia Nan encountered on the way back to the city.

With a Challenge Rating as high as "2", it would most likely yield a good Reward, or have some materials on its body that could sell for a high price.

However, at that time he was eager to escape, and the other was severely eroded by spores all over its body; carrying the flesh and blood might infect him with the spores, so he did not collect them.

Otherwise, he could have gained another few dozen Gold.

At this point, only one thought remained in his mind:

"Having a big shot to back you up makes money so easy!"

He hadn't even thought about earning a few Copper coins; just sweeping through several Goblin Lairs with the Barbarian yielded more income than him risking his life, fully armed, staying in the forest for ten days or half a month.

He couldn't help but reach out and touch the Crystal Card inside his chest clothing.

As if suddenly remembering something, Xia Nan's expression stiffened.

This outing earned a lot of money, and the harvest was even greater.

So, what was the price?

Recalling the lingering sweet taste of the last sip of Healing Potion on his tongue, the breeze seeped through the gaps in the armor surface directly into the inner lining.

Sweat dripped from Xia Nan's forehead.

(End of this chapter)