The rumors of Sang Qila’s sound-recording turntables were undoubtedly effective, but one had to consider the perilous and inconvenient nature of traveling in the grim realm.
The first to arrive at the Blazing Fire Marketplace was an official merchant team from the Blazing Flame Oasis, with Cang Yan among them, in the guise of a phantom doll.
“We’re here!”
“This is indeed the oasis we sold off.”
In the distance, amidst the gray mist, a lighthouse flickered with a golden glow, like a beacon guiding the way forward—this was a special structure inspired by the Dawn Lighthouse, with only one function: guidance. The flickering golden light could be seen from afar, even through the thick gray mist.
Such a capability was rather useless.
Oases tried their best to remain hidden. Who would hang a large lamp to be visible from kilometers away?
But it had to be said, with the flickering golden light as a guide, the merchant team from the Blazing Flame Oasis saved a great deal of effort in finding their way. As they continued forward along the beacon, the dense fog and gray mist that enveloped the surroundings quickly receded, sunlight spilled onto the land, and an oasis of no great size appeared before the team.
The ground was neat, with a wide road leading straight ahead, lined with ornamental flowers on both sides.
Further in the distance, wrapped within city walls, was a small town shimmering with neon lights.
—The Blazing Fire Marketplace.
Although not a trace of the oasis’s original appearance remained, Cang Yan was certain, based on the coordinates.
“It’s already built in just over two months?”
“No, discounting travel time, the oasis was developed for at most a little over a month.”
This didn’t look like a newly built place. Could it be that this was truly a super merchant guild spanning across great territories?
Cang Yan hadn’t really believed Qian Mian’s words back then.
Merchant guilds spanning great territories weren’t unheard of, but they typically expanded into prosperous territories. Their Falling Star Cavern great territory was relatively new; not only were external forces not establishing businesses here, but merchant teams from outside were rarely seen even once in a century.
He had never heard of the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild either.
“Let’s go in and take a look.”
The interior of the marketplace was somewhat deserted. Apart from the occasional patrol members dressed in fiery red Blazing Fire uniforms, hardly anyone from outside could be seen.
There weren’t many patrol personnel either, and they were sparsely distributed throughout the oasis. From a glance, only a few figures were visible.
If not for the exquisite and new buildings surrounding them, this would have been a derelict oasis.
The shops on both sides of the road were all tightly shut, with signs indicating they were available for rent. As they continued along the main road, they saw a magnificent building shrouded in colorful light.
The Blazing Fire Grand Bazaar!
The grand entrance was open, and through the crystal glass, one could see items displayed on shelves, all emitting a faint aura of treasures, clearly extraordinary.
“This is an Epic Grade Grim Artifact! A battle blade imbued with powerful cutting abilities!”
An elder with a goatee, appearing aged, took a few steps forward, his expression somewhat excited.
He was the president of the Blazing Flame Oasis Official Merchant Guild, ‘Mo Yan.’ He was over a hundred years old, his own strength was not great, merely a Four Awakening Non-Human level, and due to his age, the elder had no hope of further advancement.
However, to hold the position of Blazing Flame Merchant Guild President, he naturally possessed exceptional qualities.
The elder was extremely knowledgeable and possessed a unique awakened ability. He could identify most Grim Artifacts, potions, items, and materials at a glance. Even if he couldn’t identify them, he could determine their general effects.
At this moment, he recognized this Epic Grade battle blade, and not just one…
The dazzling array of treasures within the display cabinets blinded the eyes of the Blazing Flame Oasis entourage. They weren’t unaccustomed to seeing Epic Grade treasures, but the visual impact of so many treasures displayed together was still overwhelming.
They couldn’t help but admire the audacity of the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild.
“With so many treasures displayed openly, aren’t they afraid of encountering robbers?” a strong member of the merchant guild muttered.
In his opinion, the oasis was small in scale and sparsely guarded. If one could smash the display cabinets, stuff the treasures into a storage Grim Artifact, and then escape the oasis at the fastest speed…
By the time the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild reacted, the robbers would have already slipped into the gray mist. Relying on the grim realm’s environment, even a powerful merchant guild would find it difficult to catch them.
“Perhaps, the Blazing Fire Marketplace has enough confidence?”
“Didn’t Lord Yan say that this is likely an external force? A force capable of doing business across great territories must not be weak.”
“Hmm, I heard this Blazing Fire Marketplace also sells Legendary Grade treasures?”
“Yes, honored guest.”
Bai Yansi walked over.
She was currently wearing a garment resembling a qipao, embroidered with a phoenix-like pattern, elegant and noble.
She was the main person in charge of this grand bazaar. Although she still served as the vice president of the Witch Sisters’ Association, there were no major issues on Blue Star, and talented individuals like Bai Yansi naturally couldn’t be kept idly by in the association.
(Iloxi: Grinning ψ(｀?′)ψ!)
So she was transferred here.
Iloxi was also here; she was the main person in charge of the oasis’s security department.
Bai Yansi said,
“The Legendary Grade treasures we have here include the Water of Origin that can enhance potential, Pure Divine Radiance that can increase the probability of advancing to Mythical, various Legendary Grade materials, and Legendary Grim Artifacts. These Legendary treasures can also be viewed, but require advance reservations. As for the price…”
The prices were naturally exorbitant, not purchasable with Grim Crystals alone.
There were also many restrictions, such as needing to reach a certain membership level at the Blazing Fire Marketplace, and so on!
As the bazaar manager, Bai Yansi was well aware of the reasons.
Firstly, Legendary treasures were rare and expensive. Secondly, the supply was limited. Especially for treasures like the Water of Origin, there were purchase limits.
However, being good at observing people’s expressions, she quickly noticed that despite swallowing, the people before her didn’t show much desire to purchase.
Were they skeptical?
No.
Her mind raced, and she quickly understood the reason: this group came from the Blazing Flame Oasis!
And treasures like the Water of Origin and Pure Divine Radiance were mainly aimed at super-forces. Only from super-forces could they earn enough money.
Facing a great oasis…
She paused and continued,
“It’s not just high-end treasures. Our Blazing Fire Grand Bazaar sells all sorts of goods, including Grim Artifacts, potions, items, materials, and so on, covering everything from high-end to low-end.”
“The first floor you see is the exhibition area, designed to display various goods; the second floor is the lifestyle goods area, where you can find almost anything you can think of; the third floor is the food area, offering ingredients, cooked food, snacks, and so on. Among the ingredients, from ordinary grains to Epic Grade ingredients, we have them all, and there are discounts for bulk purchases, dear customer~”
“The fourth floor is the equipment and potion sales area, the fifth floor is the item, material, and other category sales area, and the sixth floor is the top-tier sales area requiring reservations.”
After browsing the exhibition area on the first floor, Cang Yan and his entourage headed to the second floor.
This was the lifestyle goods area, including toiletries, household items, cooking utensils, decorative items, cosmetics, bedding, and so on, similar to the categories on Blue Star. However, the goods sold and transported here were all custom-made.
The packaging was exquisite, the materials were of high quality, and there were no markings for product batches, production dates, or material composition.
Only simple names and usage effects were provided.
This was to ensure the simplicity of the packaging.
The emphasis was on luxury… aristocratic goods.
“Rose-scented facial tissue. This tissue is printed with rose patterns, and you can smell a faint rose fragrance when you wipe. What an elegant tissue!”
Cang Yan and his entourage were somewhat tempted.
Although their oasis could also produce facial tissue, due to limitations in raw materials, technology, equipment, and so on, the tissues they made were very coarse. They were usable, but not comfortable. As nobles, they were unwilling to use the same low-grade products as the commoners.
They could only purchase them from Falling Star City.
But Falling Star City didn’t have this rose-scented tissue either!
“Not just rose scent, but also tulip, hundred-flower scent, and other varieties. And look at the softness of this tissue, and the exquisite patterns on it. This, this is simply a work of art!”
Mo Yan’s eyes widened.
He had traveled far and wide for many years and had never seen such exquisite facial tissue. How many processes did this require?!
Wasn’t this too wasteful!
Compared to this, the facial tissue from Falling Star City was far inferior. Of course, Mo Yan believed that Falling Star City had the capability to produce such tissue, but the cost would be too high, rendering it meaningless.
The Blazing Fire Marketplace produced such exquisite items, but with that came a hefty price, right?
Before the thought had even settled, a hushed exclamation sounded nearby.
“So cheap?!”
Mo Yan froze for a moment, his gaze gradually shifting downwards.
[Rose-Scented Facial Tissue: 1 Grim Crystal/pack, 10 packs in a bundle for only 8.8 Grim Crystals.]
Not 888, not 88, just 8.8.
8.8 Grim Crystals. One could earn that by going out and hunting a few grim creatures or digging for materials, yet it could buy enough tissue for half a year to a year.
This, this was much cheaper than Falling Star City! And it was more exquisite and softer than those from Falling Star!
Cang Yan was also surprised.
He pondered for a moment, “Just bring 1,000 bundles.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mo Yan grabbed him and whispered, “Lord Cang Yan, we are traveling light this time, and the capacity of our carriage is limited. We still need to buy other items later, we can’t take back only tissues, can we?”
“Cough, you’re right. Let’s keep looking.”
Since the tissues were such good value for money, what if other household items were the same?
Wouldn’t that save a considerable amount of funds? Moreover, the Blazing Fire Marketplace was closer to their Blazing Flame Oasis, making the round trip easier than going to Xinghui Fortress!
He became serious and said to Mo Yan,
“Immediately investigate the prices of goods here and compare how many are cheaper than buying from Falling Star City.”
“Yes, sir!”
Calling out to other members of the merchant guild, Mo Yan immediately dispersed into the various sales areas.
Testing, comparing, summarizing.
After a little more than half a day, Mo Yan wiped his sweat, a look of excitement on his face.
“Lord Cang Yan, the lifestyle goods here are more comprehensive than those in Falling Star City! And they are all very cheap!”
Cang Yan also showed joy.
These lifestyle goods were merely ordinary items of no grade. The price of individual items was extremely low. Whether it was a few times or a dozen times more expensive or cheaper made no difference to him.
It was like one cent, one dollar, ten dollars; it was all the same.
However, when it came to bulk transactions, the difference became significant.
It could save a considerable amount of funds!
Of course, not buying would save the most, but that wasn’t an option. In this case, cost-effectiveness became very important. Moreover, the Blazing Fire Marketplace was both cheap and high-end.
“Leave these to you to handle. Also, don’t forget to negotiate prices with the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild.”
“Lord Cang Yan, please rest assured. Cheapness is one thing, negotiation is another. They are two separate matters, I understand.”
“Hmm, once more merchant teams arrive here, the Blazing Fire Marketplace’s inventory might become insufficient. Take advantage of this time to order several more batches. Don’t worry about transportation issues; I will arrange for a few more teams to come.”
With that, he waved his hand, and the guild president Mo Yan went to make arrangements.
Cang Yan continued to browse. As he walked through the women’s clothing section, it was even more dazzling, with countless styles he could hardly imagine catching his eye.
He stopped in front of an ornate long dress in a cyan blue with wave patterns.
[Pearl of the Azure Sea]
[Description: Made primarily from Tier 2 material, Luminous Silk, meticulously crafted by our guild’s weaving master, ‘Canghai.’ When worn, it flows with wave-like light, making the wearer the brightest pearl at any gathering.]
[Price: 888 Grim Crystals]
This was still a fashion item of no grade, not a green-grade equipment.
For the sake of aesthetics and special effects, a lot of defensive power had been sacrificed. At most, it was more resilient than ordinary clothing.
But Cang Yan was satisfied.
Was it expensive? No, it was too cheap!
“I’ll give this one to my second wife. It’s just too cheap, it doesn’t reflect my affection… Perhaps the Blazing Fire Marketplace is just beginning its operations and is still conservative. In the future, there will be fashion items with more high-end materials, right?”
He looked at Bai Yansi.
Bai Yansi was stunned for a moment. An item of clothing, a useless fashion item, costing several times, even a dozen times the price of green-grade equipment, was considered cheap?
She inwardly exclaimed, “What a fat sheep!”
With a charming smile, she replied, “Sir, please rest assured, I will convey your suggestion to my superiors.”
After speaking, she guided this distinguished and wealthy fat sheep… the lord of the Blazing Flame Oasis, to continue browsing the high-end area within the fashion sales section.
Watching Cang Yan embark on a shopping spree.
“This one is suitable for my third wife.”
“This one is suitable for my sixth wife.”
“Pack all these three up; they are suitable for my eleventh wife.”
Cang Yan, having shopped all day, was in a very pleasant mood.
This was an experience they hadn’t had at Xinghui Fortress.
The Blazing Fire Marketplace, a good place.
…
…
“The service at the Blazing Fire Marketplace is excellent, and the prices are affordable, especially their lifestyle goods and food sections.”
“Indeed. The prices for daily necessities purchased here are a full 40% cheaper than those in Falling Star City, and the quality is higher. We can even buy many items that Falling Star City doesn’t have!”
“It’s too cheap, to the point where I feel the Blazing Fire Marketplace is selling at a loss. Perhaps they are new to the Falling Star Cavern and are trying to open up sales channels.”
“Maybe, but even if they’re losing money, it’s the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild losing money. Regardless, we are all making a killing!”
“Will this cause dissatisfaction in Falling Star City?”
“If there is dissatisfaction, it will be directed at the Blazing Fire Merchant Guild, what does it have to do with us?”
“Exactly. We just need to keep a low profile, make money quietly, and profit quietly.”
A little over a month later, several leaders from merchant guilds from various oases were chatting and had agreed on their respective trade areas.
The goods they purchased from the Blazing Fire Marketplace were not only transported back to their own great oases but also planned to be sold to various small oases to earn more.
At this moment, they were pre-agreeing, discussing trade scope, unifying prices, and making money together.
This was a win-win situation!
Meaning they won twice!
The only concern was if the Blazing Fire Marketplace would raise prices or run out of stock one day.
…
“Raise prices? Run out of stock?”
“Do these guys have such considerate ‘fat sheep’ qualities?”
He was unsure how much profit Falling Star City made from selling these ordinary supplies and food, but from his perspective, the profit was at least 60%. The main costs were transportation and the salaries of the marketplace staff.
The manufacturing cost only involved material prices, electricity, and labor costs from Blue Star.
Insignificant.
As for running out of stock, that was even more impossible.
How many people were in a great oasis? Moreover, he positioned lifestyle goods as luxury items, targeting only the nobles and quasi-nobles of the great oases, narrowing the scope further.
If Blue Star with billions of people could be supplied, how could a mere few nobles not be?
This was the advantage of possessing a world.
“I didn’t expect that the best-selling items would be these luxury lifestyle goods. These have the highest profit margins, a killing!”
Everyone was making a killing, so the question arose: who was losing money?
—Author’s Notes— Da Feng Xiao Shuo Wang
Seeking votes at the end of the month, sniffle~!