Chapter Sixty: The Exchange

Sade rose and left the training room, leaving Mu Chen standing there in confusion.

“Exchange?”

Suddenly, he recalled the origin of “Number 18.”

Could it be...

Mu Chen’s thoughts flashed through his mind as he hurried toward the exchange.

...

“Sister Ivy, what do you think of this dress? It only costs two Sources of Turbidity.”

He hadn’t even entered yet when Mu Jiu’er’s clear, cheerful voice rang out from inside.

Mu Chen: “???”

“Ahem...”

His cough interrupted the conversation between the two inside.

“It’s only been a day, and you’re already having this much fun?”

Mu Chen half expected Mu Jiu’er to greet him with a playful, “Sir, times have changed…”

“Brother, you’re awake?!”

Her voice carried excitement, along with a hint of pride.

Beside Mu Jiu’er, Ivy wore a long white gown. Her wavy, dark brown hair framed her curves perfectly. As Mu Chen entered, she rose and gave a courteous salute, prompting him to give her another appreciative glance.

Looking at the two, it wasn’t hard to guess the true function of the exchange. It was similar to a private exchange, except private exchanges required completion of certain tasks, while the building’s exchange did not; transactions could be made directly within.

All the Sources of Turbidity were in his possession, yet here they were trading—this could only mean one thing.

“Equivalent exchange...”

Before Mu Chen could ask, Mu Jiu’er had already recounted everything that had happened that day.

Twenty pounds of grain could be exchanged for a Source of Turbidity, while a Slave Recruitment Scroll cost five Sources. In other words, a hundred pounds of grain could be traded for a slave!

For Mu Chen, whose assets were worth hundreds of thousands, recruiting ten or eight slaves was barely a matter of waving his hand.

Moreover—

After some time away, he found that various everyday goods had begun to appear in the exchange. As people advanced, the range of goods would only become more comprehensive.

...

...

After roughly browsing the items for sale, Mu Chen sighed.

Compared to the strange and unsettling items of the private exchange not long ago, the goods here now felt as if they had returned to the world of the living.

From rare materials to underwear and stockings—all could be found.

After a quick scan, he even spotted [Tumor Meat Mountain’s Flesh] in the rare materials section.

There was a surprising amount, which unsettled him.

“Did someone raid the cabbage patch near my territory?”

Though puzzled, he continued searching until, an hour later, he had finished surveying all the goods within.

He concluded that of those who survived, at least half had entered the construction phase.

Once in the construction phase, strength and survival chances would both increase dramatically.

In other words—

He needed to raise the comprehensive strength of himself and his territory once more, or, with time, he would blend into the masses.

Sitting on the wooden bench, his fingers tapped the table absentmindedly as he pondered.

His first thoughts were of the [Soul-Pacifying Nail] and the [Carrion Beast Recruitment Scroll].

Next was the [Random Recruitment Scroll].

Now that his household and assets were secure, with no worries about Sources of Turbidity, failing to increase his strength would be unforgivable.

Mental points could be replenished, but sanity points could only be recovered naturally.

After much consideration, he decided to craft the recruitment scrolls first.

No sooner said than done!

Handing the [Eerie Manual] to Mu Jiu’er and reminding her of the precautions, Mu Chen returned to the base.

Countdown: 04:11:53...

His backpack was already organized.

Dark Matter Soul*25.

Twisted Bones*25.

Tumor Meat Mountain’s Flesh*15.

Hand Bones of Ten-Death Beast*10.

Since Tumor Meat Mountain’s Flesh was scarce, it was only enough to create five [Carrion Beast Recruitment Scrolls].

Mu Chen didn’t buy more from the exchange; making five at once was already considerable. Carrion Beasts had huge appetites, and each scroll crafted consumed a point of mental value.

Fusing the Soul-Pacifying Nail required vast amounts of mental and sanity points; losing five points beforehand was just within acceptable limits.

...