Chapter 8
Power, Family, and College Entrance Examination
Hundreds of years ago, after the game fused with reality, the world fell into chaos.
In order to protect the survival of the human race, countless advanced professionals among the humans defeated endless monsters.
On the expanded land, they established base cities resembling fortresses, protecting children who had not yet changed professions and some professionals in the lifestyle category.
Although the world had been completely gamified, the base cities still retained their original commercial districts.
However, the current commercial district was now an area exclusively for professionals.
Almost all professionals would come here to buy and sell things.
Although Mo Xiao had never been to this place before, according to the directions on the map, it wasn’t difficult to find.
“Come and have a look! Freshly baked buns!”
“We buy all kinds of forging materials! Our prices will satisfy you!”
…
As soon as Mo Xiao entered the commercial district, it felt as if he had stepped into a market from a past life.
It was filled with the cries of lifestyle professionals everywhere.
“Young man, judging by your age, you must be a new recruit of this year’s profession specialization! I have many beginner weapons here. How about picking a couple?”
Just as Mo Xiao was standing in place, looking around, a passionate voice suddenly called out to him.
“These are all crafted by me! I am the best blacksmith in this area!”
The person introduced himself with excitement.
Mo Xiao turned towards the voice and saw a middle-aged man wearing goggles, looking at him with a smile on his face.
“And who might you be?”
“I’m the blacksmith here. You can call me Uncle Tang!”
Hearing this, Mo Xiao confirmed that he did not know this person.
“I don’t need weapons…”
Before Mo Xiao could finish his sentence, Uncle Tang continued, “Hey! Don’t reject so quickly! You may not need weapons, but you still need equipment! Look, you don’t even have a breastplate! Tell me your profession, and I’ll get you a set!”
“A breastplate?”
Mo Xiao glanced at himself upon hearing this and indeed realized that he didn’t have any equipment except for weapons and accessories.
However, even so, Mo Xiao still didn’t need it.
After all, now that he had the rings of plunder, he wasn’t afraid of not getting equipment drops at all.
“No need, I actually have some materials. I don’t know if you’re interested in buying them.”
“Materials? Aren’t the rabbits in the leveling area not dropping materials? You didn’t go to the Wild Boar Forest, did you…”
Before Uncle Tang could finish his sentence, Mo Xiao directly placed a giant ape bone in front of him.
Uncle Tang was about to speak again but was instantly stunned. “Holy cow!!! A giant ape bone?! This is the material for crafting blue-grade equipment!! Where did you get this?!”
“Just a material for crafting blue-tier equipment, it’s not that rare, right?” Mo Xiao said calmly.
Embarrassed, Uncle Tang scratched his head and said, “It seems you really are a newly specialized person. You don’t know about this, huh?”
“?”
Seeing Mo Xiao’s puzzled expression, Uncle Tang explained directly, “Actually, the people who set up stalls in this place are ordinary folks without the support of families or power. They can only earn some money from newcomers like you.
“So, it’s not common to find blue-tier materials and equipment here. Those who have the support of families and power will have their advanced blacksmiths craft blue-grade or higher materials for them. It’s a safer approach.”
Mo Xiao nodded thoughtfully. “So that’s how it is…”
“You may just be starting out as professionals, but once your potential is demonstrated, there will naturally be forces trying to recruit you,” Uncle Tang continued, “Or if you feel confident in your abilities, you can participate in the college entrance examination. If you truly stand out, then all the forces in the world will be fighting to get you!”
“Understood, thank you.”
“Ah, these are all common knowledge. If you want to thank me, just buy something from me,” Uncle Tang said nonchalantly, “As for the blue-tier materials you have, it’s better to save them for crafting better equipment in the future. I don’t have the ability for that. If you have things like wild boar tusks, you can give them to me. I can still make use of those.”
Seeing this, Mo Xiao put away the giant ape bone and then took out a pair of wild boar tusks and a pair of Lord’s tusks.
“Can these work?”
“Damn it! Lord’s tusks?! Are you really a newcomer?!” Uncle Tang widened his eyes again as he looked at the huge Lord’s tusks on the table. These were items that only dropped when defeating the Wild Boar Lord!
Mo Xiao tilted his head. “Is there something wrong with me specializing just an hour ago?”
“Boss! Please give me an autograph!” Upon hearing this, Uncle Tang rushed out from behind his stall, his face filled with anticipation.
“Huh?”
“You specialized just an hour ago and can already kill boss-level monsters! I’m sure of it! You will definitely become a hero in our Dragon Country!” Uncle Tang said with utmost certainty, “Just leave me an autograph, and I’ll craft equipment for you using these Lord’s tusks for free, how about that?
“I’m not bragging! The tusk dagger and tusk sword are the best weapons I can craft. If I use Lord-level tusks, I can even create blue-tier equipment!”
Mo Xiao scratched his head, and a faint blush appeared on his face. “Isn’t that too much?”
“There’s nothing wrong with it! Consider it as me investing in you!” Uncle Tang chuckled and somehow produced a piece of paper, which he handed to Mo Xiao.
Under Uncle Tang’s burning gaze, Mo Xiao blushed but still signed his name. “Then give me the sword.”
“Hehehe! Thanks a lot! I’ll start crafting it for you! It’ll be ready in half an hour!” Uncle Tang quickly took the autograph, handling it with great care, and excitedly returned to his stall.
Mo Xiao looked at the excited Uncle Tang and couldn’t help but smile helplessly. He glanced around and asked, “By the way, Uncle Tang, do you know where I can buy spirit fruits?”
“Spirit fruits?” Uncle Tang lifted his head and glanced at Mo Xiao. “Spirit fruits only provide a slight increase in attributes and last for 10 minutes. They’re not very significant.
“But if you need them, go check the stall at the very back. I remember they have quite a few spirit fruits, selling them as fruits.” Uncle Tang said directly.
“Are there many?” Mo Xiao asked curiously.
Uncle Tang shrugged noncommittally. “Plenty, I’m sure there are hundreds. I heard he discovered a secret realm full of spirit fruits. Rumor has it that besides the spirit fruit trees, there are also treasures inside that permanently increase attributes!
“Whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.”
“Thank you, Uncle Tang. I got it, I’ll go take a look.”
“Go ahead. Oh, if you have any unwanted carrots or something, you can sell them to him. He’ll buy them.”
With that, Uncle Tang didn’t pay any more attention to Mo Xiao and focused on crafting the tusk longsword.
Soon, Mo Xiao walked briskly to the stall selling spirit fruits.
“Spirit fruits, two for 10 dollars, no bargaining.”
“”Boss, can you tell me where the secret realm full of spirit fruits is?”
As soon as Mo Xiao asked this, the stall owner, who had been lying on a recliner, slowly opened his eyes.
“A solo player? Orange-tier weapon?!”