With a fortune in hand, Xu Jiang began picking out gifts in the Black Market.
The reward for this mission was 120 Exotic Crystals, and they were worth a small fortune.
Yong'an City's circulating currency was Credit Points. They were officially recognized, but the Black Market did not accept them.
After all, few people who operated in the Black Market would give the mayor any face. Compared to Credit Points, which were little more than numbers, Exotic Crystals, which could serve as an energy source, were far more widely accepted.
That was why Ying Xiaoxiao had specifically requested payment in Exotic Crystals for this mission. Each one was worth nearly 20,000 Credit Points, making this gift extravagantly expensive.
Of course, Xu Jiang politely declined at first and suggested that the five of them split the money. After all, everyone had risked their lives for it, and it would not have been right for one person to keep it all.
But they would not have it! They insisted on giving it to him.
With no other choice, Xu Jiang tearfully accepted the money and happily went shopping.
There were simply too many goods in the Black Market. After browsing for half an hour, he had only visited a few shops. If he wanted to see everything, dawn would come before he could choose anything, so he could only listen to everyone's suggestions.
Sha Tu's suggestion was fairly sensible. "Why not buy that Sniper Rifle? It's level 10 and purple-grade. You'll reach that level soon."
"No. My talent is special. I choose weapons based on fate alone."
Ying Xiaoxiao's suggestion was more forward-looking. "Why not buy an apartment in the city center? Property prices there hold their value, so it would count as an investment."
"Captain, you really know how to live. I still want to spend the money on improving my combat strength."
Baozi's suggestion was more direct. "Look, those ladies over there are waving at you. Why don't we..."
"Captain, Baozi is encouraging me to visit the red-light district."
"No, Captain, listen to my explanation! Those ladies made the first move. I... Ah! Don't draw your gun!"
As for Xiao Zhen, she was happily eating ice cream with her ghost, so she probably could not offer any useful advice.
Having money with nowhere to spend it was truly frustrating.
Just as he was struggling with the decision, Qianji spoke up.
"General, I have found a Powered Mech ahead that is highly suitable for me. May I acquire it?"
Qianji's request did not surprise Xu Jiang.
After all, only Powered Mechs and Mana Alloy remained unaccounted for on the upgrade materials list.
Mana Alloy was easy enough—money could buy it. But a mech was not so easy to choose.
Either its attributes were too poor to meet purple-grade standards, or its price was outrageously high.
This time, Qianji had chosen it. Xu Jiang had no idea what it cost, but he would take a look first.
Following Qianji's guidance, Xu Jiang arrived at a stall.
Though the stall was set up in a filthy corner, quite a few people had gathered around it.
After squeezing his way inside, Xu Jiang saw an old man wrapped in a black cloak, his body gaunt and shriveled.
He had only one item for sale: a level 20 orange-grade Powered Mech set laid out before him.
Aside from green sets, individual pieces of equipment were divided into white, blue, purple, pink, and orange grades.
Orange-grade equipment was undoubtedly the strongest among level 20 mechs. It was usually collected by major factions as strategic resources for training their core members.
Xu Jiang had not expected to see one here, much less have Qianji take an interest in it.
An orange-grade mech had to be absurdly expensive. The money he had on hand should...
"What?! Only 100 Exotic Crystals!" Xu Jiang was stunned. Had he stumbled across an unbelievable bargain?
Although it was a level 20 Powered Mech and counted as beginner equipment, it should not have cost only 100 Exotic Crystals.
At that price, he could not even buy pink-grade equipment, let alone orange-grade.
Just as Xu Jiang marveled at it, Sha Tu patted his shoulder and whispered a warning into his ear. "Don't buy it. This mech can't be used."
Xu Jiang froze, then asked, "Can't be used? Why?"
"Look at its durability. It's gone. This mech is completely scrapped."
Hearing that, Xu Jiang hurriedly checked the mech's specifications.
Its shield, enhancement, and power core were all at exceptionally high levels. Yet one thing had turned the entire mech into scrap metal: its durability.
Durability: 1/1
"How is that possible?! How long was this mech used for?!" Xu Jiang was starting to lose it.
No wonder these people were gathered around it, clicking their tongues in amazement, yet no one was buying it.
Every piece of equipment had its own durability, but people rarely paid attention to lower-grade equipment.
The reason was simple: lower-grade equipment was replaced too quickly for its durability to ever run out.
Even if it broke, it could still be repaired, though its maximum durability would decrease somewhat.
But this set's maximum durability had fallen straight to 1. How many generations had this family heirloom been passed down through? Had someone polished the mech's surface smooth with their hands?
A buyer beside him tried to haggle. "Ten Exotic Crystals. I'll buy it as a decoration. Deal?"
With only one point of durability left, it would fall apart within ten minutes on a battlefield. Someone offering money for it was already pretty good.
Yet the old man remained crouched there, staring down at the armor without saying a word. Clearly, he had no interest in bargaining.
The passerby snorted, tossed out a mocking remark, then flicked his sleeve and left.
Xu Jiang also fell into thought and began speaking privately with Qianji.
Are you sure you can use this Powered Mech? It has no durability left.
"I can. All I need is the circuit template of the Powered Armor. My final form will still be a Liquid Mech. Its durability will not affect my reconstruction of my body."
That sounds professional. You can handle it yourself. As long as you're sure buying this will benefit you, that's enough.
"Yes, General. This mech is extremely suitable for me. It contains a special skill that will greatly benefit my advancement."
Having received final confirmation, Xu Jiang no longer hesitated.
Mechs were the foundation of his strength. Anything that could allow his mech to evolve perfectly was more precious than any fortune.
"I'll buy this mech." Xu Jiang suddenly spoke, catching everyone by surprise.
Sha Tu hurriedly tried to stop him. "Don't be impulsive. This mech's maximum durability can no longer be restored. If you buy it, it'll still be scrap."
"Don't worry. I have my reasons. I have a way to use it."
Perhaps hearing Xu Jiang's quiet words, the old man raised his head for the first time. A strange glint flashed through his cloudy eyes.
But the old man still did not say a word. He accepted Xu Jiang's bag of crystals, patted the mech one last time as though saying farewell, then rose to his feet and shuffled out of the Black Market.
With the deal complete, cold laughter occasionally came from the surrounding crowd. They thought Xu Jiang was an idiot for spending 100 Exotic Crystals on trash.
Fortunately, Ying Xiaoxiao and the others trusted Xu Jiang.
As Xiao Zhen put it, "You're a living person, not an idiot, so you wouldn't do something stupid."
Though her logic was somewhat unconventional, even a child understood it. There was no need for everyone to dwell on it; they only needed to wait for Xu Jiang's good news.
Satisfied, Xu Jiang handed the remaining twenty Exotic Crystals to Ying Xiaoxiao.
"Keep these as operating funds for Team 17."
"Okay, but have you gathered all the materials you need?"
"No, I'm still missing one, but it's rather expensive. Even this isn't enough. Besides, there's an uncouth old man who keeps trying to take me as his disciple. If I don't make him spend a little, it would be hard to justify."
Before you continue