Rise from a Low-class Family to Martial Artist

”Can’t return to Canglan Island?”

Lin Chen deeply looked at Yin Yue, without asking why she couldn’t return to Canglan Island: ”Where do you think is safe?”

”We can go to the Thousand Mechanism Domain.”

Yin Yue provided a destination and explained: ”The Thousand Mechanism Domain is one of the few domains within the Flame Dynasty that has existed for a long time. The domain thrives on artifact refining and is the commercial center of the entire Flame Dynasty. To maintain the flow of commerce, many cities in the Thousand Mechanism Domain have array formations. Fighting is allowed within the cities, and even divine thought is not permitted to pry arbitrarily.”

”The Thousand Mechanism Tower?”

Lin Chen recalled the Thousand Mechanism Tower he stayed in the Fulong Domain. Although expensive, it could completely shield against the divine thought prying of innate powerhouses.

Indeed, if it’s about going into secluded cultivation, the Thousand Mechanism Domain is a good place.

”Then let’s go to the Thousand Mechanism Domain.”

Lin Chen, being decisive, decided to go to the Thousand Mechanism Domain and stopped talking further. He took Yin Yue and, after flying across several islands, finally hired a ship heading to the Eastern Sea Region.

He was quite wealthy now. Not to mention the value of the Quenching Crystal Sand, he had found over two hundred thousand Flame Coins on Hu Tingchun’s residence and his disciples.

As the Island Master of Lotus Island, Hu Tingchun and his disciples had probably amassed half the wealth of Lotus Island, and now all those riches were in his hands.

He had several Hundred Objects Boxes on him, and this trip to the Thousand Mechanism Domain could allow him to buy a Thousand Objects Box.

The Hundred Objects Box can store items but cannot store other Hundred Objects Boxes. Even a Thousand Objects Box is the same. Selling these Hundred Objects Boxes and adding some Flame Coins could get him a Thousand Objects Box.

...

...

Thousand Mechanism Domain.

Hundred Refinements City.

One of the three major cities besides Thousand Mechanism City, and the largest city for forging weapons outside Thousand Mechanism City in the Thousand Mechanism Domain.

Lin Chen entered the city with Yin Yue, but instead of rushing to find a place to stay, he visited a shop on the street.

Upon entering the shop, a waiter immediately greeted him. Although the waiter was only a middle-grade martial artist, he did not show much fear towards the innate powerhouse, Lin Chen.

Seventh-Grade Official at the Chancellor’s gate.

A waiter’s composure in front of him could only come from the confidence instilled by the backing of his employer.

Li’s Trading Company!

The name suggests that the Li Clan must have considerable power in Hundred Refinements City.

”Do you have a Thousand Objects Box?”

”Yes, we do.”

Hearing that Lin Chen wanted to buy a Thousand Objects Box, the waiter’s eyes lit up. The Thousand Objects Box isn’t cheap; even most innate powerhouses typically use the Hundred Objects Box.

”You’re in the right place if you want a Thousand Objects Box. Our company employs a master artisan dedicated to crafting storage boxes, verified as a true master by the Thousand Mechanism Competition. Our Thousand Objects Box not only has a small exterior but also boasts extremely stable internal space...”

The waiter guided Lin Chen and Yin Yue further inside, while explaining the special features of their Thousand Objects Box.

Listening to the waiter’s introduction, Lin Chen realized that even among Thousand Objects Boxes, there are quality differences. Some claim to hold a thousand things but get full with a little over nine hundred.

Some Thousand Objects Boxes are unstable, causing delays in storing or retrieving items, with differences in internal space size.

”Sir, these are our store’s Thousand Objects Boxes, made from three different materials... The one on the left is only thirty thousand Flame Coins, the right one costs thirty-five thousand, and the one in the middle costs fifty thousand.”

”What’s the difference between the three?”

”The one on the left can store a thousand types, but storing or retrieving takes ten breaths’ time, longer for larger items. The right one takes five breaths, while the middle one allows instant access within a breath.”

The waiter, observing Lin Chen’s lack of reaction to the prices, realized this gentleman likely wasn’t short on money.

”In addition, the middle Thousand Objects Box has a significantly larger interior space, enough for three extra spaces. Don’t underestimate these three spaces; if storing Flame Coins, they hold a million Flame Coins.”

”I’ll take the middle one then.”

Lin Chen, without any fuss, chose the best option. From a cost-effectiveness standpoint, the first two may be better, but since he wasn’t lacking Flame Coins, he opted for the best. Encountering special situations where a little extra space could prevent some treasures from being left behind, would result in greater losses.

Lin Chen brought out a Hundred Objects Box from his pocket, and soon a pile of Flame Coins filled the counter.

The waiter, seeing all these coins, couldn’t help but twitch his lips. This gentleman was quite unique, carrying so many Flame Coins instead of converting them to Flame Tickets at a money shop.

”Sir, please wait a moment while I count these coins and then get your item.”

Although counting Flame Coins took time, the waiter maintained a smile, selling a Thousand Objects Box worth fifty thousand meant a fifty Flame Coin commission for him.

For a middle-grade martial artist, fifty Flame Coins were a substantial amount.

The only downside is that the cost of living in the Thousand Mechanism Domain far exceeds other domains. Being a major city, Hundred Refinements City’s prices are even higher, reducing their value by half compared to other domains.

After purchasing the Thousand Objects Box, Lin Chen stayed and asked: ”Does your store buy Hundred Objects Boxes?”

”Are you selling Hundred Objects Boxes? Our store does buy them. Since you purchased a Thousand Objects Box from us, according to our boss’s rule, we’ll buy each Hundred Objects Box for three thousand Flame Coins.”

The waiter smiled, unsurprised. Many who buy a Thousand Objects Box would pass their old Hundred Objects Boxes to juniors, though some choose to sell them directly to stores.

The market price for a Hundred Objects Box is three thousand; typically, stores would offer two thousand five, only offering full price to those purchasing a Thousand Objects Box from them.

”Alright, I have a few Hundred Objects Boxes to sell to you.”

Lin Chen nodded and placed ten Hundred Objects Boxes on the counter. The waiter was momentarily stunned by such a large quantity.

This was the first time he’d seen someone carrying so many Hundred Objects Boxes.

Instantly, the waiter’s eyes held fear. No innate powerhouse carries so many Hundred Objects Boxes; there could be only one explanation. The gentleman before him was likely a tribulation cultivator, and these boxes were trophies from robbery.

”S...Sir, please wait. I don’t have the authority to handle so many Hundred Objects Boxes; I’ll fetch the shopkeeper.”

The waiter hurried to the back courtyard. Shortly, an elder from behind the screen walked into the corridor, glanced at Lin Chen, and then smiled amiably: ”How should I address you?”

”Xiao Yan.”

”Ah, so it’s Junior Brother Xiao. According to the rules, Junior Brother Xiao can have one Hundred Objects Box bought back at original price, but I’m taking the liberty to offer all at full price.”

”Thank you very much.”

Enjoying a deal, Lin Chen didn’t refuse. This meant he would gain several hundred more Flame Coins.

”Haha, I see we have an affinity, Junior Brother Xiao. If you have items to sell in the future, feel free to visit our store first. We at Li’s Trading Company offer reasonable prices and confidentiality to the sellers.”

The elder’s words carried hidden meaning, and Lin Chen smiled knowingly. He understood why the elder would grant him a few hundred extra Flame Coins.

They likely believed him to be a tribulation cultivator dealing in stolen goods, intending to buy them from him. Being stolen goods, the price would naturally be well below market value.

It seems the Li Clan indeed has strength, daring to handle stolen goods, not fearing repercussions from victims’ relatives, requiring substantial power to run such a business.

”Okay, if I need to sell anything, I will consider your company first.”

Leaving this promise, Lin Chen took Yin Yue and departed. The elder didn’t try to stop them; he understood that such tribulation cultivators are wary. His aim was the treasures they obtained, with no interest in their backgrounds.