85 System Store

The second chapter for today!

While browsing the various blueprints in the shop, Zhan Xiaobai took a glance at the price tags: Small Village construction blueprints, 50 silver (highway robbery!); Medium Village upgrade blueprints, 200 silver (scary!); Large Village upgrade blueprints, 1,000 silver (at this price, I won't even look twice—just ignore it); Level 10 unidentified weapon design blueprints, 50 silver; Level 10 unidentified equipment design blueprints, 50 silver... Confronted with these terrifyingly high prices, Zhan Xiaobai completely abandoned the idea of purchasing upgrade blueprints from the shop. It seemed that if he wanted upgrade blueprints, he would have to find another way.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the NPC appraiser finally finished his work and handed the identified blueprints back to Zhan Xiaobai. "Alright, the appraisal is complete! Take a look."

Zhan Xiaobai took them and examined the results.

Level 10 Synthetic Weapon Design Blueprint: Light Spear. Over thirteen feet long; a light, two-handed infantry polearm weighing about ten pounds. Design theory: Iron light spearhead (two feet, flat, double-edged) + thirteen-foot wooden shaft (hardwood, no flexibility). Counter: Light cavalry. Bonus effect: +1 piercing damage.

Unsure of the value of this blueprint, Zhan Xiaobai asked, "If I were to sell this, how much could I get for it?"

The NPC appraiser replied, "A level 10 spear design blueprint is one of the most frequently used weapons for infantry, and there is a high market demand. If you wish to sell, I can offer you 1 silver."

The system shop sells level 10 blueprints for 50 silver, but the acquisition price is only 1 silver—what a scam.

Zhan Xiaobai decided not to sell and tucked the spear blueprint away.

To date, Xiaobai Village only produced three types of weapons made entirely of iron: iron swords, iron sabers, and iron spears. These required large amounts of iron ore and were difficult to craft. Furthermore, since only one crippled veteran knew how to forge, the production output was very low. A weapon like a spear, consisting of an iron tip and a hardwood shaft, consumed less iron ore and was simpler to produce, making it easy to establish a large-scale market.

"Thank you, master craftsman. I will come to visit again if I have more unidentified blueprints."

After leaving the antique appraisal shop, Zhan Xiaobai continued to stroll through the streets to observe the infrastructure of Wuwei City. The city was well-stocked with every type of shop; almost every item currently usable by players could be purchased here.

Weapon Shop: Regular weapons for soldiers, levels 10 to 50. Nine long weapons: saber, spear, halberd, lance, mace, axe-polearm, staff, spear, and fork. Nine short weapons: axe, dagger, shield, arrow, whip, sword, mace, hammer, and claw. Ranged: bow, crossbow, throwing javelin, boomerang, throwing dart, hidden weapons... The lowest-tier weapon, a level 10 light spear, sold for 500 copper. A level 10 broadsword sold for 1 silver. A level 10 short bow sold for 1 silver. A level 20 hardwood longbow sold for 10 silver.

Equipment Shop: Regular gear for soldiers, levels 10 to 50. Helmets, armor, leather armor, boots... A pair of level 10 cloth shoes with no attributes sold for 1 silver. Beast-hide boots sold for 10 to 20 silver.

Bookstore: Life skill books, combat skill books, and other professional skill books. The lowest-level life skill book cost 20 silver each. Zhan Xiaobai wanted to see if there were any skill books for the "Gentleman" profession, but found none. It seemed that skills for the Gentleman profession could only be learned from NPCs.

Accessory Shop: Headwear: hairpins, headbands, crowns, headscarves. Jewelry: bracelets, rings, belts, earrings, pendants, necklaces... Starting price 1 silver.

Pharmacy: +5 HP potion, 100 copper. +10 HP potion, 300 copper. +50 HP potion, 1 silver. +20 Stamina potion, 100 copper. +20 Inner Strength pill, 1 silver...

Wuwei City Specialty Shop: Specialties: wool, 1 silver and 732 copper per unit; yak hide, 3 silver and 621 copper per piece... (This shop is only for merchant players running routes between cities.)

After exiting these shops, Zhan Xiaobai felt completely numb to the absurdly high prices. He couldn't even remember what was being sold; all he could think about was "1 silver, 1 silver, 1 silver..." All the copper coins in his pocket were only enough to buy three health potions.

Zhan Xiaobai had already guessed the system's intent. The items in the system shops were merely for display—to let players know they existed, but to prevent them from actually buying them, forcing players to develop their own production.

"Damn it, the system shop sets the prices so high that no one dares to buy anything!" A player walked out of a shop in anger, nearly bumping into Zhan Xiaobai.

Zhan Xiaobai nimbly stepped aside. Seeing that the player only carried a single pack, he realized it was a merchant player and chuckled, "You must be a merchant player. No need to be so angry. If you can't afford the shop's goods, neither can anyone else. It's fair."

The player looked at Zhan Xiaobai suspiciously and asked, "Who are you?"

Zhan Xiaobai laughed, "My name is Xiaobai."

"Xiaobai?" The player paused, feeling the name sounded familiar, then suddenly realized and exclaimed in surprise, "Could you be the Xiaobai from Xiaobai Village?"

Zhan Xiaobai smiled, "Indeed."

The player quickly cupped his hands and laughed, "Ah! Long time no see! I've heard of the reputation of Xiaobai Village in Xiliang for a long time. It’s said you produce health potions there, is that true? That stuff makes money! A while back, the price here was nearly 10 copper per pill. Even though it's cheaper now, it still costs 6 to 7 copper."

Zhan Xiaobai nodded, "That's right, we do produce them. Xiaobai Village currently has many other items for sale, and merchant players can definitely make money there. If you have time, brother, you should come run some trade routes to Xiaobai Village."

The player shook his head, "I'd love to go, but the station fees are too expensive. I'm afraid the money I'd make wouldn't even cover the rental fee for the post horse. I'll have to wait until I have more money."

"Oh, I almost forgot about the post horses. By the way, what kind of trade do merchant players usually conduct here in Wuwei?"

As the two walked and chatted along the street, the player replied, "Trade between players involves so much haggling that you barely make any money. The most profitable business here in Wuwei is selling raw materials to NPCs at a low price. If you run into a generous NPC, you might get lucky and make a small fortune—dozens of copper coins at once. Heh, it's all down to luck."

"It seems there are very few merchant players in the city. You're the first one I've seen."

The player shrugged helplessly, "The entry fee is too high. Without a travel permit, it costs 15 copper just to enter the city once. Traders like me usually pool our money together so that one person can enter to fetch goods while the rest wait outside to receive them."

Zhan Xiaobai asked, "Do you know where one can obtain a travel permit?"

"You get one just by becoming a citizen of Wuwei City. As far as I know, a few lucky players have already managed to get their hands on one. They can enter and exit the city gates without spending a single copper. It's incredibly arrogant. Also," the player continued, looking envious, "black-market NPC merchants sell forged travel permits for 5 silver each, valid for all cities in Xiliang. But I've heard there's a chance they'll be discovered by high-level gate guards, so there is a risk."

Zhan Xiaobai nodded, astonished. "So some players have actually become citizens of Wuwei City? That’s impressive!"

The player said, "There are plenty of formidable players here in Wuwei. Stay for a day or two, and you might run into one... But then again, the most impressive player I've ever seen is you, Xiaobai! The most powerful player village chief in the world—with plenty of people, money, and power, who would dare say they are stronger than you? Oh, the city gates are about to close, I have to leave immediately. I'll visit Xiaobai Village another time. Farewell, Boss Xiaobai!" The player hurried toward the closing gates, waving goodbye to Zhan Xiaobai.

Zhan Xiaobai cupped his hands and smiled, "Thank you for the information, brother. Farewell."