The Programmer Cultivator-Chapter 109 - 101: Master of Assumptions

He took the box Zhang Deming handed over. The moment he opened it, a warm current washed over his face.

As an experienced man, he only needed a brief look before saying, "This is a Fire Attribute main material for promotion. The set price is eighty Contribution Points.

Junior Brother Zhang, you’ll need to pay twenty Contribution Points, or forty Spirit Stones.

Of course, this kind of payment with Spirit Stones is only allowed in special situations, such as making up the price difference for a main material. And even then, the cost in Spirit Stones is doubled.

If Junior Brother Zhang feels that paying the extra Spirit Stones is too much of a loss, you could try buying it privately.

However, while that might work for other main materials, there are only three of these Soul Jades in stock in the entire Celestial Spirit Sect’s Outer Sect.

I’m sure Junior Brother Zhang knows how difficult these are to get.

It’s only because it’s you. If it were anyone else, the Contribution Point price would likely be adjusted upwards."

’Heh, is he testing my background?’

’Sorry, but I don’t even know what background I have, or if I have one at all!’

Zhang Deming said, "Just a moment!"

With that, he went straight into his house. A moment later, under their watchful eyes, he came out with a small money pouch and said:

"Here are forty Spirit Stones. Senior Brother Shao, please count them."

Shao Jiefeng took the Spirit Stones, stunned. "Junior Brother Zhang, why the rush? Once you enter the Inner Sect and see their resource price list, you might think I’m ripping you off."

Zhang Deming smiled. "It’s no matter. Seeing that there are only two or three left, I need to have one in hand to feel at ease.

As for losing a few Spirit Stones, it’s better than being caught empty-handed when it’s out of stock."

"Well... alright, then. I’ll arrange the transfer for you. It should arrive in a moment." Seeing Zhang Deming’s insistence, Shao Jiefeng didn’t try to persuade him further.

Watching Shao Jiefeng finish the transaction, Zhang Deming asked, "Senior Brother Shao, do these items have to be exchanged for Contribution Points?"

’Here it comes!’

Shao Jiefeng paused for a moment. "Here at the Resources Department, they can only be exchanged for Contribution Points."

’Heh, that wording... so there are other ways.’

"Then, does Senior Brother Shao happen to know where else I could buy these materials?" Zhang Deming asked.

Shao Jiefeng smiled. "Main materials are hard to find on the market. They’re usually snatched up the moment they appear.

Soul Storage Stones are also something you can only hope to stumble upon, not actively seek out. Even if someone finds one, it’s usually sold off through acquaintances.

Finding one is purely a matter of luck.

As for common materials, it depends on what you’re looking for."

Zhang Deming smiled. "What about Soul-Nourishing Fruit, Refined Crystal Stone, and Primordial Spirit Liquid?"

Hearing this, Shao Jiefeng’s expression twitched. "Junior Brother Zhang, you really are impatient. Are you planning to gather a full set right away?"

Zhang Deming laughed. "Better safe than sorry."

Shao Jiefeng sized up Zhang Deming seriously again, confirming he only had the cultivation of an Intermediate Apprentice.

According to his file, there’s no indication he’s practicing any Concealing Technique.

He said, "Those are common materials for Summoning. I have some connections for Refined Crystal Stone and Primordial Spirit Liquid, but Soul-Nourishing Fruit is only available at the Resources Department.

However, for any material related to promotion, even common Auxiliary Materials, the market price is significantly higher than the Contribution Point cost."

Zhang Deming nodded. "That’s fine, as long as the price is reasonable."

Hearing this, Shao Jiefeng’s smile grew even wider. "One pound of Refined Crystal Stone costs thirty Contribution Points, but the market price is over fifty Spirit Stones.

A standard bottle of Primordial Spirit Liquid is sixty Contribution Points, with a market price of ninety Spirit Stones or more.

Since it’s you, Junior Brother, I can get them for you for a total of one hundred thirty-five Spirit Stones.

Of course, if you’re worried, Junior Brother, you can go check the market rates first. See if what I’m offering isn’t an inside price."

Zhang Deming smiled. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Senior Brother. I’m a bit tight on Spirit Stones at the moment. How about I pick them up in half a month?"

It wasn’t that Zhang Deming was so generous as to agree without investigating first.

Rather, this man was clearly from the Resources Department and must have an excellent understanding of the market.

And from the start, his intention to build a friendly relationship was already very clear.

Therefore, Zhang Deming knew the price would be fair even without checking.

Shao Jiefeng smiled. "There’s no rush. You’re only an Intermediate Apprentice, Junior Brother. Delaying for half a year or even a year is no problem.

These materials are precious, but as common materials, they aren’t exceedingly rare. You can always find them if you put in the effort."

The group chatted for a little while longer until someone from the transport department delivered the Soul Jade.

With no other business, Shao Jiefeng and Zuo Jiagu got up to leave.

...

Outside Qingyou Pool, after leaving the area, Shao Jiefeng looked at Zuo Jiagu and asked, "Didn’t you say he was short on Spirit Stones recently?"

Zuo Jiagu nodded. "Yes. He even used Spirit Rice as collateral for a payment before. My guess is he either scoffs at the pittance he gets in Spirit Rice as monthly interest, or he just had a temporary cash-flow problem."

Shao Jiefeng frowned and shook his head. "Splurging hundreds of Spirit Stones just to prepare promotion resources in advance... does that sound like someone who can’t even scrape together two or three Spirit Stones?"

Hearing this, Zuo Jiagu spread his hands. "I don’t know either. All I know is that he definitely used Spirit Rice as collateral that one time."

Shao Jiefeng looked back at Qingyou Pool behind them. "It seems this fellow’s background isn’t just impressive, he’s also full of secrets."

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Fatty Shao, instead of staying put at headquarters, you’re out here on my Little Hui Peak extorting people again. You really think I have no temper, huh!"

Shao Jiefeng, who had been murmuring to himself, was snapped back to reality by the sudden voice. He looked up, and a headache instantly came on as he said:

"Luh’s Facial Paralysis, don’t go too far! I’m an innocent man. How am I extorting anyone?"

"You’re not extorting people and skimming off the top? Come on, come on, let’s find a scale and weigh ourselves. When we both joined the sect, I remember we were the same weight, right?