The Shining Star Above The Heaven-Chapter 1019: Selling the Crimson Flame Mushrooms

Aldrian then picked up a robe from his storage ring that covered his features and wore it. He knew that he would attract attention with his face here, even though no one would recognize him.

The village head walked ahead as a guide toward the town’s gate. In front of the gate, there were already several lines of people waiting to enter the town.

Aldrian and the village head also joined one of the lines and waited for their turn. While waiting, Aldrian observed his surroundings. The guards protecting the gate were not too strong. The strongest among them was only at the baron stage, while the rest were at the disciple stage.

Those who wished to enter were varied, including travelers, merchants, and others. Among them, Aldrian noticed a group of people with tattered appearances and tired expressions. Many of them were old people, women, and children.

As Aldrian observed them, a voice transmission suddenly reached him.

"They are war refugees," the village head said.

Aldrian nodded in understanding.

"The influx of refugees keeps coming almost every day. I don’t know the situation on the front lines, but I think it is not good," the village head added.

Aldrian looked at the refugees for a moment before turning his gaze forward again. After waiting for a short while, it was finally their turn.

"If you do not have a pass permit, pay three low-level energy stones for one. The permit will be valid for four days," the guard said to Aldrian and the village head.

The village head already had a permit, as he had obtained it just yesterday, while Aldrian did not have one yet.

"Let me—"

"No need."

The village head wanted to take out his own energy stones so Aldrian could enter, but Aldrian was faster as he took out three low-level energy stones.

Aldrian handed the energy stones to the guards, and he was then given a piece of paper with the guard’s stamp on it. The guard also asked Aldrian to stand on top of a formation, which the guard then activated.

After it was activated, Aldrian felt something embed itself into his body. It was a kind of distinctive aura, which made him immediately understand its purpose.

He had seen this kind of thing before when he was in the Blue Pearl World. These formations were used to distinguish the town’s denizens from visitors.

Because of the influx of refugees coming in, the authorities of many cities had to use this method to control the population and keep order.

With so many refugees entering, there were bound to be problems. It could be issues related to places to stay, or social problems, or even cultural conflicts.

They had to place limitations on refugees so order could be maintained more easily. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

However, this kind of measure was not always applied because of war and the continuous flow of refugees. Sometimes, it was used simply to separate true denizens of the city from visitors.

The reasons were different, but the concept remained the same.

"Keep bringing the permit paper with you and do not lose it. There are many patrols that will sometimes check the pass permits of those visiting the town, so be prepared," the guard said.

Aldrian nodded, and the village head showed his permit paper before they continued into the town.

Once they entered, they were greeted by packed streets and blocks of buildings.

"This way, young master. We need to sell the herbs first," the village head said. He guided Aldrian as they walked through the crowded streets. The atmosphere itself was not much different from other towns or cities Aldrian had visited.

Despite the war that would determine the fate of this world, the town did not seem too affected. The front line was still quite far from this place. That was also why this place had become one of the destinations for refugees.

After walking for forty minutes, they arrived at a tall building packed with people on its ground floor. Above the gate hung a wooden plank that read, "Treasures Pavilion."

"This is the place where we can sell or buy many things. The pavilion itself is the property of the noble family that rules over this region, the Beruin family," the village head explained as they stepped inside.

After entering the pavilion, they walked toward one of the vacant receptionists.

"Ah, Mister Rokan, you have already arrived? Let me bring you to Sir Almir. We will take care of the herbs. They are on your horse outside?" the receptionist asked when she saw the village head.

"Ah, no. I brought them with me. I received help from me friend here using his storage ring," the village head replied.

The receptionist then looked at Aldrian and froze for a moment when she finally saw the face beneath the robe. It was a handsome young face that made her heart skip a beat. She unconsciously blushed and lowered her head.

However, she quickly regained her composure and smiled at the village head.

"Ah, alright then. I will bring you to Sir Almir."

"Thank you," the village head replied as they were guided deeper into the building. They then stepped onto the third floor and arrived in front of one of the rooms.

The receptionist knocked on the door. "Excuse me, sir. Mister Rokan is here."

There was a moment of silence before a male voice replied, "Come in."

The receptionist nodded and opened the door. The moment it opened, Aldrian saw a tall man with neatly kept blond hair and a mustache. The man had low pseudo immortal foundation stage cultivation. When he saw the village head, he showed a smile.

"Ah, Mister Rokan. It is truly a pleasure every time I see you. Please, have a seat while we wait for the herbs to be brought in from your horse," he said.

"Sir Renfil, thank you for the greeting, but I already brought the herbs with me. I received help from me friend here, as I stored the herbs inside his storage ring," the village head said.

The man called Renfil looked at Aldrian and was stunned, just like the receptionist earlier. He saw a handsome young face.

He could not sense any cultivation from Aldrian, as Aldrian hid his aura so thoroughly that others would think he was an ordinary mortal.

Renfil had never seen the village head bring anyone with him before, so he wondered who this person was.

Although he could not sense any cultivation from Aldrian, Aldrian’s presence itself gave off a strange feeling, as if Renfil were standing before someone of much higher status, someone he needed to treat with great respect.

Still, Renfil set aside that feeling and continued to smile.

"I see. Then please put the herbs here. Let me check them," he said. Aldrian then took out ten boxes from his storage ring.

Renfil opened one of the boxes and began to inspect it with his eyes. He did not check in detail, only touching some of the mushrooms and observing them for a few moments before opening another box. He repeated this action until all the boxes had been checked.

"All is good, as expected from you, Mister Rokan," Renfil said as he took out a small pouch from his storage ring.

"This is one hundred low level energy stones,"

Hearing that, both Aldrian and the village head were stunned.

For Aldrian, he was stunned because he could not understand how Crimson Flame Mushrooms could be this cheap?

This was one of the herbs sought after by many cultivators who could process it. Depending on the place or demand, they could be sold for at least one peak level energy stone per kilogram.

From his estimation, each box here contained one kilogram, which meant the village head should have received ten peak level energy stones.

"One hundred low-level energy stones? Ten low-level energy stones per box? This is five energy stones less than yesterday, Sir Renfil. Could you keep it at yesterday’s price, Sir Renfil? I already have difficulty buying daily necessities for my family even at yesterday’s price. How am I supposed to manage with the current price?" the village head said in an imploring tone.

Renfil put on a regretful expression. "I’m sorry, Mister Rokan, but that is the most I can give you today. The situation of the world is truly not good, as our logistics lines have started to be cut off due to devil infiltration. We have to save as much as possible so we have enough funds to support our troops on the front lines."

"The war has really taken a toll on our financial situation, so I hope you understand, Mister Rokan. I truly do not want it to be like this, but I do not have a choice, do I?"

The village head sighed heavily and looked at the pouch in his grasp.

Aldrian frowned deeply. He found that what Renfil had just said was merely an excuse to buy the herbs at a cheap price.

Even if what Renfil said was true, the value of Crimson Flame Mushrooms was still extremely high, to the point that even pricing them at only mid-level energy stones was practically giving them for free.

And yet, they were being bought for low level energy stones?

If these people were truly tight on finances, then at the very least, they should have bought them at high level energy stones.

Aldrian closed his eyes and created his domain before spreading his domain sense. As his domain sense covered the entire building, he sensed many peak level energy stones stored inside a special underground vault.

He could even sense many peak level energy stones within this very room, stored inside a small vault.

Although he did not want to involve himself in the village head’s business, this situation did not sit right with him. He knew that the village head could gain more.

Much more.

"Alright—"

"Wait."

Aldrian cut off the village head’s words as he opened his eyes and looked at Renfil.