After parting their ways, he and Karma strode through the city for a while. Before finding a merchant to sell the materials.
It was a big pavilion, a bit west of the statue. It was a shop named Blackthorn Exchange. After inquiring around a bit. He ended up at this shop, despite its shady-sounding name; it was indeed the best shop to exchange Mana Crystals directly from raw materials.
And most important of all it was known for its reliability and discretion. Its dark walls and polished wooden doors gave it a quiet dignity. Not too luxurious or too shabby, which was perfect for Rahu.
He slowly entered the pavilion, a freckled-faced woman stood at the counter, welcoming him. She was a bit surprised to see such a handsome customer, and was a bit pleased, after all, it's not every day you see such an eye candy.
"Welcome, sir, what can I do for you?" she spoke with a smile on her face.
"I wanted to sell some materials, mainly demonic cores I had hunted," Rahu spoke after looking around a bit.
"Certainly, feel free to look around a bit. If something interests you, I'll fetch the expert to evaluate your cores," she said with a smile and strode off.
"Alright"
Saying that, he started walking through the hallway, checking if anything was worth buying. After all, the Sect Examination is next week, and if he finds something useful here, it'll be better.
After a few minutes, the same freckled-face woman returned," Sir, you can follow me; the appraiser has arrived to evaluate the items," she said with a curt bow.
Rahu nodded and followed her. Soon, they entered a large room with minimal decorations, two pairs of sofas, and a table.
On one of the sofas sat a middle-aged man. Rahu could sense he was a peak Body Structuring Realm cultivator, despite that, he strode in confidently.
The middle-aged man got up when he saw the guest, "Good evening, sir, I am Wolfthorn, one of the managers and appraisers of this branch of Blackthorn Exchange." Introducing himself, he extended his hand.
"I am Rahu. It's good to meet you, Wolfthorn."
After a brief exchange of pleasantries,"I'll get straight to the point , I have a bit of demonic cores I need to sell." Saying that he took out a ring and tossed it to Wolfthorn.
Wolfthorn raised his hands to catch the ring, with a though he released his Mana sense, peering inside the ring curiously. Instantly, his eyes widened in disbelief, he snapped his head towards Rahu, a bit fearful.
Obviously, inside, he saw hundreds of demonic cores.
"Did you hunt all of them?"
"Yes"
Although there were only Body Structuring Realm and a few Vital Core Realm demonic cores. He was surprised at the sheer amount of cores bought by a single man, that too, a fifth-stage Body Structuring Realm cultivator nonetheless!
"So, how much?" Rahu asked, ignoring the expression on the man's face.
"There are seven hundred cores below fifth grade, two hundred of them ranging from sixth to eighth, about ninety of them were ninth grade, and finally, eight first-stage Vital Core Realm beasts."
The man closed his eyes and formed a hand sign for calculating. Within seconds, he opened his eyes and said,
"Sir, the total of Body Structuring Realm demonic core is about 270 mid-grade Mana crystals, and the eight Vital Core Realm beast core is worth 50 mid-grade Mana crystals, so the total amount is 320 mid-grade Mana crystals, and with the blackthorn's standard 5% of appraisal and transaction fee, it is about 304 Mid-grade Mana crystals."
Though Wolfthorn appeared calm outwardly, he was a bit shaken inside. 304 mid-grade mana crystals? This was a fortune! An average family's income in the outskirts of the city is about 1 or 2 mid-grade Mana crystals!
"Satisfactory"
Though his tone carried a bit of indifference, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl. After all, nothing beats being absolutely filthy rich.
Wolfthorn's eyelid twitched, but he didn't show it. He tossed the ring towards the freckled-faced woman, who bowed and walked out of the room.
The two men sat in silence. Each with their own thoughts, while Rahu struggled to contain his drool.
"Sir, are you planning to participate in the disciple selection examination?" Wolfthorn tried to make small talk.
"Indeed, you can share if there's anything I should look out for…if that's free, heh"
"Haha, sir, you surely know how to jest, and the selection will take place in the mountains that separate the city and the sect. Since the trials change every selection, cheating or early preparations are useless. Though usually the ones with a firm heart and skilled in the sword are selected."
Wolfthorn laughed, yet his tone sounded a bit serious.
Why was he explaining this to some random guest, you ask? Well, obviously potential! His strength, demeanour, and well, his overwhelming confidence screamed a future core disciple.
He had to make some connections, or the merchant blood in his body would flow backwards!
"I see, thanks for the bit of information, I'll definitely consider doing business further with the exchange, and I also have something else to sell."
"Wonderful! And what might that be?" he asked in a gleeful tone. His commission will definitely be sweet.
Rahu waved his hand, and a piece of blue-skinned ore appeared in his hand. It was, of course, the Gravium ore. He had thought of selling that in Merchant's Crescent, but he should at least know the market price of the material before selling it.
"Oh! Gravium ore, it's quite a rare ore, if I may ask, where did Sir get this material? Although it is not exceptionally rare, the current market indeed lacks in supply of these ores."
Wolfthorn concluded, mentioning the worth of the ore.
"Hmm, so how much for this? And I have a friend who supplied it."
Wolthorn nodded, not asking further, " The standard market price of this ore is 6 mid-grade crystals."
"Too low"
Rahu shook his head. This was a big loss; he might as well go to Merchant's Crescent to sell it.
"Hm, I can, at max, give 7 mid-grade crystals, any further and it's a loss for us as well." Seeing Rahu shake his head, he sighed in resignation.
Although considering the potential of this guy, he could have swallowed a bit of profit; but such a large sum was a bit out of his jurisdiction for now.
"But sir, you can have our card, there is an auction after a few weeks, maybe the price could be raised there," saying that he said, handing out a black card, which had the words 'Blackthorn' on it in a stylish font.
"Alright, I appreciate it."
For now, he wasn't low on Mana Crystals, so he decided to hold onto them.
Creek
The door opened, revealing the figure of the freckled-face girl, returning with the same ring in her hand.