C21 Buying Defensive Equipment!

The young woman's voice was clear and she spoke swiftly. After briskly finishing her report, she looked up at Lin Chen.

"You have a total of 102 Trading Points. Please review the item list and confirm the transaction once everything checks out. If you find any discrepancies or disagree with the pricing of any item, feel free to mention it. However, our policy is firm on prices."

So, it's a take-it-or-leave-it deal, huh?

Lin Chen mused that there was a certain assertiveness to it. It was, after all, a marketplace for warriors, with a distinct character.

"Could you explain what a Trading Point is?" Lin Chen inquired.

The girl blinked, responding promptly, "Trading Points are like money or Spirit Stones. You can use them to exchange for whatever you need here at our establishment."

Lin Chen's brow furrowed upon hearing this. "So, you're saying that once I sell my items here, the money I earn can only be spent within this marketplace?"

That sounded less like assertiveness and more like high-handedness.

The girl rolled her eyes at the comment and clarified, "Trading Points can be exchanged for items, but you can also convert them into gold, silver, or Spirit Stones right here. It's a one-to-one exchange; we won't shortchange you."

She continued, "Moreover, there are some unique items that you can hardly find elsewhere, and our marketplace exclusively accepts Trading Points."

After considering this, Lin Chen asked, "So, how much is a Spirit Stone worth in Trading Points?"

"Ten points!"

The Purple Brilliance Bamboo was exchanged for thirty Trading Points, equivalent to three Spirit Stones, which fairly reflected its value. It seemed the marketplace was indeed equitable.

"Alright, I'm satisfied. Let's proceed with the trade," Lin Chen agreed.

The young woman deftly opened a nearby cabinet and quickly stowed all the items. She then handed Lin Chen a bundle of slender, chopstick-like objects, about a dozen in total, some white and some green.

"These are the Tally Marks, specially crafted by our marketplace. The white ones represent one Trading Point each, and the green ones are worth ten points each. Oh, and just so you know, the sales area is at the back of the hall. You can head straight there to exchange your items."

Aware that Lin Chen would likely be puzzled, the young woman preempted his question with an answer of her own.

Without a word, Lin Chen pocketed the Tally Marks she mentioned and turned away from the counter, heading toward the sales area.

Once Lin Chen had departed, the girl breathed a sigh of relief and her curiosity about his identity piqued. Transactions exceeding a hundred Trading Points were a rarity on the first floor, a clear indication of the young man's exceptional abilities.

The sales area was less crowded than the main hall, as not everyone was in a rush to make purchases after exchanging their Trading Points.

Lin Chen perused the assortment of items on display: herbal medicines, weapons, Pills, armor, and Combat Skills, to name a few—a veritable feast for the eyes.

His attention was immediately drawn to the Combat Skills, and he approached them with fervor. Lin Chen had longed for this moment. Before meeting his master, Chen Wuji, he hadn't even grasped Primordial Energy, let alone had the opportunity to learn Combat Skills. He had watched enviously as his peers surpassed him, mastering various Combat Skills while he nursed his bitterness for years, dreaming of the day he could harness Primordial Energy and claim a Combat Skill as his own.

Before him stood a wooden rack, towering over a person in height, with four or five levels. Each shelf was lined with pristine books, each Combat Skill meticulously labeled with a small wooden plaque detailing its information.

Lin Chen scanned the selection from left to right.

"Tiger's Roar Fist, a Yellow Rank lower-tier Combat Skill, consists of three levels with a total of seven stances and forty-two moves. When perfected, one can shatter rocks with bare hands. Its execution is accompanied by a booming sound reminiscent of a tiger's roar, not only delivering immense power but also causing mental shock to the opponent. Exchange Value: 15 Trading Points."

"Thunderstorm Sword Technique, a mid-tier Yellow Rank Combat Skill, features four levels with nine Sword Styles and seventy-two variations. At its peak, the swordplay is so swift and impenetrable that it resembles a torrential downpour, leaving adversaries struggling to defend against the relentless assault. Often, they find themselves pierced by a thousand swords the moment they parry a single blow. Exchange Value: 45 Trading Points."

"Shadowless Dual Blades, a Low Yellow Rank Combat Skill..."

"Heavenly Eagle Sky Shattering Claw..."

The more Lin Chen read, the more captivated he became, his mouth watering so much he nearly drooled on the floor. His eyes were glued to the pages, yearning to take every Combat Skill with him. Alas, after glancing at his Tally Marks, he could only sigh in resignation.

If not for the guards nearby, each one stronger than him, he might have been tempted to rob them.

"No, this isn't right!"

Suddenly, Lin Chen's eyes narrowed as he spoke to himself.

He snapped out of his reverie, his mind settling back into a state of calm, the fervor in his heart subsiding.

"I've already mastered the Eight Linked Forces, and I've only trained it halfway. I should concentrate on that. Biting off more than I can chew won't do any good. If the Clan Competition were far off, I could afford to learn a few more Combat Skills. Having many skills isn't a burden, but with only a month to go, taking on a low-level Combat Skill would be like tying my own hands." He murmured, chiding himself, "I was nearly blinded by desire. That was close."

With this realization, Lin Chen's gaze hardened, and he turned on his heel, leaving without a second glance.

"I need a set of sturdy and reliable armor. If I'd had armor before, my injuries from the skirmish with the Ironback Wolves would have been reduced by at least seventy to eighty percent. I also need a Pill to restore my Primordial Energy; I certainly don't want to be cornered into using a Supreme Spirit Pill in battle again."

He reflected inwardly.

Upon reaching the area dedicated to armor sales, he was greeted by an array of defensive gear. Each piece was displayed on the walls and metal racks, many shining with a metallic sheen.

"Young man, are you in need of armor? Quality armor can be a lifesaver when it matters most."

A robust voice rang out, and Lin Chen turned to see a middle-aged man clad in a trade union uniform, towering with a broad face, wide mouth, and bushy brows, his face framed by a full beard.

"Are you responsible for selling the protective gear?"

The bearded man nodded with a smile, "Absolutely. Young man, feel free to request any type of protective gear you need. I'll make sure you're satisfied."

Lin Chen inhaled deeply before inquiring, "All the protective gear here seems to be individual pieces. Do you carry complete sets?"

The bearded man's eyes widened in surprise, "Are you looking for a suit of armor?"

Protective gear is typically sold in pieces, allowing warriors to mix and match gear for different body parts. Armor, on the other hand, is a whole different story. Though still protective gear, it offers a more comprehensive defense than the standard pieces. A full suit of armor covers almost every inch of skin, leaving no more than a palm's worth exposed, and that includes a face shield.

Each armor set has uniquely designed and shaped joints, making it challenging to interchange parts from different sets. With ordinary protective gear, such specificity isn't necessary; the main goal is to shield the body's vital areas.