Chapter 4

Qifeng looked at Wei Xiaobao's appearance and realized he had overplayed his hand, severely belittling the treasures Wei Xiaobao was selling. He quickly comforted him, saying, "Brother Xiaobao, the secret manuals you've brought out are all rare and precious martial arts treasures. Any of these martial arts, once truly mastered, could establish a new school and dominate the martial world. I merely pointed out some of their shortcomings."

As he spoke, he took the *Dragon Elephant Vajra Power* from Wei Xiaobao's hand. "For example, this *Dragon Elephant Vajra Power* is a supreme treasure of the Esoteric School. Although its power is average when first learned and is quite easy to start with, even the most foolish person could master the first level after two years of practice. But the deeper you go, the more profound it becomes. Each level mastered grants the strength of one dragon and one elephant, with a total of thirteen levels. Just reaching the tenth level would make one a legendary figure, invincible in the world."

Hearing Qifeng's words, Wei Xiaobao's face brightened again. He extended his thumb in genuine admiration, saying, "Brother Feng, you are well-versed and knowledgeable, truly a man of many talents in the martial world!"

Qifeng flipped through a few pages of the *Dragon Elephant Vajra Power*, seeing the tiny characters and human figures beautifully illustrated. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he closed the book and asked, "Brother Xiaobao, what price are you asking for this *Dragon Elephant Vajra Power*?"

Seeing Qifeng's interest in buying, Wei Xiaobao's face lit up with joy. He patted his chest and said, "Brother Feng, you are a discerning person. I'll give you a fair price: seven hundred taels!"

Qifeng was startled, not because the price was too high, but because it was too low! Seven hundred taels for a top-tier martial arts manual—what did that mean? Just take the *Evil-Dispelling Sword Manual* that Yu Canghai once fought over with the Fuwei Escort Agency. The Fuwei Escort Agency was a large and well-known agency spanning several provinces. A few hundred taels were nothing to them, but the Qingcheng Sect wiped them out just for that sword manual. This was a rule set in the game; otherwise, such items would be priceless in the martial world.

Hmm, seven hundred taels, Qifeng calculated in his mind. A tael of silver was roughly equivalent to 150 yuan in the modern world, so seven hundred taels would be 100,000 yuan!

Was that a lot? Not really. 100,000 yuan could only buy a bathroom in a coastal second-tier city in Qifeng's hometown, and in the capital, it might barely cover a shower room.

Was it a little? Not really. At least for Qifeng, it was a lot. Although his family's financial situation was decent, they weren't rich. His semester living expenses were about 10,000 yuan, and it would be difficult to come up with 100,000 yuan.

Since he couldn't afford it, Qifeng asked about other prices.

Wei Xiaobao quoted quickly, "The *Seven Injuries Fist Manual* for 250 taels, the *Two Instruments Sword Technique* for 300 taels, the *Thunderbolt Saber Technique* with the *Thunderbolt Mad Saber* for 1,100 taels, the *Five Poisons Secret Manual* for 300 taels..."

Qifeng rolled his eyes; he couldn't afford any of them! The cheapest *Seven Injuries Fist Manual* cost nearly 40,000 yuan!

But Qifeng suddenly felt relieved. He couldn't afford it, but only temporarily! He was a穿越者 (穿越者 means "time traveler" or "穿越众" means "time traveler group")! A high-level one who could travel back and forth at will! What couldn't he earn by trading things between the two worlds? Qifeng almost instantly came up with N business plans to become rich. First, he could trade modern sugar and liquor to make his first fortune, then take advantage of the different gold-to-silver ratios in the two worlds to become rich quickly. It was simple and easy. By then, he could be a tycoon in both worlds, rich enough to rival a nation! That's it! He would do it!

"Brother Xiaobao, I didn't bring much silver with me this time. I'll go get the silver and come back. Please hold these items for me."

Wei Xiaobao didn't mind, "This isn't a small deal, like buying vegetables. It's fine. Since Brother Feng has reserved them, I'll keep them for you. I'm often here, so just come back with enough silver."

With that, Qifeng bid farewell to Wei Xiaobao and left the Yuelai Inn, planning to go to a nearby town to investigate the market before starting his inter-world business empire. He had only taken a few steps on the main road when suddenly the world spun, and he was teleported back!

What was going on? Qifeng hurriedly returned to the Yuelai Inn, took a few more steps, and was forcibly teleported back to the modern world again.

Qifeng tried several times and finally realized that he could indeed travel back and forth, but there was a significant restriction: he could only travel to the Yuelai Inn. Once he left the inn, he would be sent back immediately!

Well, his business empire was probably doomed. He could only sell salt and sugar to the innkeeper, and the gold-to-silver exchange would depend on whether Brother Xiaobao was willing to do business with him.

When he went back to discuss the seasoning supply with the innkeeper, the innkeeper refused. The Yuelai Inn only made money from guests, not by doing business with them!

Brother Xiaobao was even more extreme. He didn't accept gold! "Gold? What's the use? We only accept silver!" He, like the innkeeper, only sold goods and didn't accept any of Qifeng's items, except for silver! It seemed that the game store was just that, and the items that could be bought and sold were strictly defined, with no room for flexibility!

Well, Qifeng could only look for something he could buy and sell in the modern world. He carefully examined Wei Xiaobao's stall again. There were still many good items: Black Jade Continuity Ointment, Nine Flower Jade Dew Pills... and even the Life-Reviving Creation Pill! Wow, a pill that could bring the dead back to life was for sale! But the price was too high! 250 taels per pill, equivalent to 40,000 yuan in the modern world.

40,000 yuan could almost buy a life, which was a great deal. But unfortunately, he didn't have the money to buy it, and even if he did, there was no one around who needed it! Finding a rich and powerful person on the verge of death was one thing, but even if he found one, would they trust him to take an unknown miraculous drug? Qifeng knew he didn't have the skills to persuade them like Master Wang. If he bought it and couldn't sell it, he would be in trouble! What a frustrating situation, having such excellent resources but unable to monetize them. Master Wang could perform a few tricks and get high officials and celebrities to open their wallets. Well, that's the reality of society.

Qifeng thought about it and wondered if he should ask his parents for 20,000 yuan (more would definitely be refused) and add his savings (New Year's money, etc.) to buy the *Seven Injuries Fist* and practice it. Once he had some mastery, he could show off his skills and earn a master's title, making it easier to sell the inter-world items.

But he quickly dismissed this idea. The reason was simple: Chinese people believe that "a young man with no facial hair is unreliable." He had never heard of any young master. In short, "I am still too young..."

Feeling extremely frustrated, Qifeng returned to his dormitory, slumped on his desk, and held his head in his hands. He had a powerful ability, but he could only return empty-handed from a treasure trove, which made him feel like he was bleeding and going crazy. It was indeed difficult to start, and the first fortune was hard to earn! Where could he get some money? Not much, just 200,000 yuan would be enough for now. If it were a second-generation rich kid, it wouldn't be a big deal! This was the reality: money isn't everything, but without money, nothing is possible. He finally understood this deeply!

After several trips back and forth, his dorm mates gradually returned, including Old He, who had missed the dinner because of "preferring women over friends."

Qifeng heard Old He enter and didn't move from his desk, only pointing to the "table" with his right hand, saying weakly, "Old He, I saved you some beef. There's not much left, but try it."

Old He picked up the plastic bag, grabbed two slices of beef, and put them in his mouth. "Oh! It's really good! Hey, why are you so exhausted, lying here like a dead dog? You're usually more energetic at night, right?"

Dorm leader Lao Feng quickly came over and felt Qifeng's forehead. "You're not feverish. What's wrong? Are you sick or overate?"

Qifeng pushed Lao Feng's hand away, sat up, and turned around, wanting to brainstorm. "What do you guys think? What can we do to earn some money as second-year students?"

Qifeng's words immediately caught everyone's attention.

Old He, being more gossipy, said in a know-it-all manner, "No need to say, a young man suddenly increasing his expenses must be chasing a girl. Feng, which girl from which department are you interested in? I can help you vet her. If you're uncomfortable, I can ask Lily to help build a relationship for you."

Old Wu, who had a part-time tutoring job, said, "Part-time jobs, like tutoring, are easy to find. Or you could work part-time at KFC, but the pay isn't much, about a thousand yuan a month. After all, you still have to go to school."

Haozi, who always had to shock people, said calmly, "Of course, the fastest way to make money is to sell yourself."

Qifeng was annoyed, "Get lost!"

"What's up, Feng? Why did you suddenly think about making money?" Lao Ji was a bit puzzled. Qifeng's living expenses were relatively comfortable in the dorm, and he wasn't a big spender, usually saving some each month. "Is there something you need? How much?"

Qifeng couldn't say he needed 100,000 yuan to buy the *Dragon Elephant Vajra Power* from Wei Xiaobao, so he had to find another excuse. "I think that after graduation, working for a salary won't be enough. I want to try starting a business while I'm young. But waiting until graduation to save up the startup capital would be a waste of time. It's better to plan early."

Unexpectedly, Qifeng's realistic topic immediately changed the playful atmosphere in the dorm.

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