Upon entering the Seven Treasures Mall, Tang San and Xiao Wu were immediately stunned by the scene before them.
There were just too many people here!
The last time they visited the Seven Treasures Mall, the crowd was already significant, but it was only about forty percent of what it was today.
"Third Brother, look quickly—these people are all lining up at the Dugu Family Pharmacy," Xiao Wu said, pointing to the shop on the second floor.
Tang San felt a sense of urgency in his heart.
If immortal herbs were mixed among the medicinal plants and someone else bought them, what would he do then?
"Xiaowu, you go line up first while I take a look," Tang San instructed.
He went upstairs and found an excellent vantage point. Activating his Purple Extreme Devil Eye, he peered into the shop.
The shop was divided into two sections. One section resembled an ordinary pharmacy, with modest decor that wasn't particularly luxurious. The other section, however, was lavishly decorated, complete with a gilded plaque bearing the words "Dugu Family Pharmacy."
In the corner of the plaque, Dugu Bo's name was inscribed.
Not long after, Tang San spotted a face he detested—Prince Xue Xing.
As soon as he appeared, his guards immediately dispersed the surrounding crowd, leaving him alone to enter the shop.
Dugu Bo wasn't present at the pharmacy, but Dugu Yan was there. She snorted coldly, "Your Highness, are you trying to ruin the opening?"
"Miss Dugu has misunderstood," Prince Xue Xing quickly placated her with a smile. "I've come to wish your pharmacy a grand opening."
With that, his guards carried several boxes into the shop.
Inside the boxes were some medicinal herbs and gold spirit coins.
"This is a small token of appreciation. I hope Miss Dugu will accept it. Another day, I will personally visit Master Dugu."
Tang San didn't pay attention to what they said afterward.
Due to Prince Xue Xing's appearance, the previous queue had been disrupted.
Tang San pulled Xiao Wu and squeezed to the front of the crowd. When the line reformed, they would be able to enter the pharmacy earlier.
Everyone's attention was drawn to Prince Xue Xing, so no one noticed their cutting in line.
---
About the length of time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Tang San and Xiao Wu successfully entered the shop.
On the side with modest decor, the shop sold low- and mid-grade medicinal herbs, affordable for ordinary families.
On the other side, high-grade medicinal herbs were displayed, each priced at over three hundred gold spirit coins.
"The quality of these herbs is incredible!" Tang San exclaimed in astonishment.
Even someone as familiar with herbs as Tang San couldn't help but be awed by the quality of these medicinal plants.
Dugu Yan noticed him, but since customers were guests, she had no reason to turn him away. She assigned a salesperson to assist him.
"Sir, may I ask what kind of medicinal herb you're looking for? Besides what's on display, we almost certainly have anything you can name. However, some herbs have already reached their monthly quota. If you want to purchase them, you'll need to place a deposit and wait until next month to collect them," the salesperson politely explained.
Tang San didn't speak immediately, instead scanning the shelves.
If possible, he would have liked to buy everything in one go.
Unfortunately, his personal finances weren't sufficient, and he couldn't recklessly spend the borrowed gold spirit coins.
Underneath the shop's plaque, a medicinal herb encased in a glass box caught Tang San's eye. He pointed to it and asked, "How much does the herb in that glass box cost in gold spirit coins?"
The salesperson replied apologetically, "I'm sorry, sir, but this is Master Dugu's personally designated treasure of the shop—it's not for sale."
Inside the glass box was a perfectly preserved near-immortal herb.
The quality of this herb was close to the realm of immortal herbs, far surpassing the near-immortal herbs Tang San had obtained in the Thunderclap Canyon.
No matter how Tang San pleaded or pressured, the salesperson refused to budge.
Out of options, Tang San checked the list of pre-sold herbs. The only herb he was interested in had already been sold out—and it was only available for pre-sale every six months. Even if Tang San placed a deposit now, he wouldn't receive the herb for another two years.
"Do you really not have any other stock? I'm willing to pay extra!" Tang San said with a dark expression.
The salesperson looked at his reaction and couldn't help but admire Dugu Bo internally. "Master Dugu's sales strategy is truly brilliant—making people yearn for something unattainable. In two years, the price won't be the same anymore."
Placing a deposit only granted priority purchasing rights when the item became available, but the herb's value would still fluctuate according to market conditions.
After much negotiation, Tang San ultimately failed to purchase the item he desired. On the other hand, Xiao Wu set her sights on a high-grade herb that concealed one's presence.
Coincidentally—or perhaps not—the herb she purchased had originally grown near the Yearning Heartbroken Red.
Nurtured by the aura of the king of immortal herbs, this herb's ability to conceal presence had been significantly enhanced.
This herb was unlimited in supply and could be purchased for five hundred gold spirit coins.
---
After leaving the Seven Treasures Mall, Xiao Wu angrily waved her fists. "It's so infuriating! They won't sell even if you offer money!"
Tang San also experienced for the first time the frustration of being unable to buy something despite having money.
Of course, he seemed to understand that only items that couldn't be easily obtained made people cherish them more. It also allowed the shop to raise prices conveniently.
"Never mind, Xiao Wu. We've already absorbed near-immortal herbs—it's not like we're missing out on just one more," Tang San consoled himself.
"I think this Dugu Bo is nothing but a cunning merchant. He's even craftier than the principal! It's obvious he just wants to swindle our money," Xiao Wu cursed under her breath.
Tang San's perspective wasn't as one-sided.
High-grade herbs were sold in limited quantities, but ordinary people couldn't afford them anyway—only nobles competed for them.
Low- and mid-grade herbs were supplied without limit, and their prices were set reasonably low.
He had figured it out—Dugu Bo didn't exploit commoners but instead focused on squeezing profits from the nobility.
Unconsciously, the two arrived at the building of the Tiandou Auction House.
After a moment of thought, Tang San decided to sell four types of mechanical hidden weapons.
These hidden weapons all had internal safety mechanisms. Once opened by outsiders, they would break. Additionally, the arrows they fired were single-use and couldn't be replenished once spent.
This way, it would largely prevent the hidden weapons from leaking out.
Just like in the original timeline, Tang San and Xiao Wu successfully entered the auction house by selling their items.
At the white seats, they encountered Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin.
In the end, all four of Tang San's hidden weapons were purchased by Ning Fengzhi.
"That girl… there's something strange about her," Chen Xin frowned.
A ninety-seven-level Title Douluo's perception was incredibly sharp. He sensed an unusual aura emanating from Xiao Wu.
"Sword Uncle, could you be mistaken?" Ning Fengzhi instinctively asked.
During the auction, Xiao Wu had already revealed that these hidden weapons were consigned by them for sale.
Ning Fengzhi admired Tang San's talent. Though he didn't know his identity, he already harbored intentions of recruiting him.
Chen Xin struggled to articulate his feelings. "Her aura doesn't feel human. She must have something concealing her presence—I can't sense her exact details."
Chen Xin had never encountered a true transformed soul beast before, and with the presence-concealing artifact, he couldn't specifically describe what was odd about Xiao Wu.
"If you can't figure it out, forget it. These items are exquisitely crafted. Send them to Rongrong later. Also, send someone to investigate their identities."
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