“Annual Exchange?”
“Annual exchange is when all outposts in the purgatory layer gather in one place to exchange with each other,” Fijin explained.
In the purgatory layer or any other layer of the abyss.
This annual exchange is like a mandatory event.
It’s akin to a holiday you get after fighting with the abyss monsters all year long.
Besides the exchange, after the end of the event, you can change which outpost in the same layer you want to return to.
“I see,” Maximus nodded in understanding.
“By the way, do you sell abyss source here?” Maximus suddenly remembered.
He did not necessarily need to fight to get Abyss Source; he could buy them.
He only remembered it now because he couldn’t find any abyss source for sale in the Myriad World Mall.
Maximus didn’t know if it was because the Myriad World Mall was not updated, had dimensional incompatibility, or what.
But as far as he knows, abyss source is not a scarce resource like the ultimate treasure, so why isn’t it for sale?
“Of course, we sell anything in the abyss,” Fijin suddenly became energetic, seeing that there was business.
“How much is one?”
“Our branch has a tier 5 and a tier 6 abyss source.”
“The tier 5 abyss source costs 10 million crystal merits.”
“For the tier 6 abyss source, it’s 10 billion crystal merits.”
“So expensive?!” Maximus was a little shocked.
It was more expensive than an ordinary ultimate treasure!
However, as far as he knows, the abyss source can only be used to temper will.
“Abyss source is an in-demand material.”
“Although it is difficult to get rid of the abyss pollution, once you get rid of it, it’s a heaven-defying material.”
While Fijin is explaining about the abyss source.
Maximus quickly bought books of information about the abyss source from the Myriad World Mall.
Previously, he only thought of the abyss source as a system point bank, so he didn’t bother to study it.
However, knowing its price, he knew that something was up.
Soon, a flood of knowledge was sent to his mind under the addition of system points.
Abyss source is the world-origin crystal fragment after it is purified, like what’s scanned by his system.
Abyss source itself has no use besides tempering will.
However, after it is purified, it automatically changes into an ultimate treasure.
Besides strengthening the world, like his previous conclusion.
It can also enhance potential, affinity, physique, strength, soul, anything.
From the simplest item to even the world’s origin, it is an ultimate panacea for enhancement.
This is also the opportunity left for those who seek the abyss.
As for how it was purified?
It was done by the people naturally born in the Abyss realm.
Like Kade, they have the natural ability to absorb abyss energy without leaving any residue.
The reason for his previous misconception is the lack of information.
The information database in the abyss is blocked from the people of the Ethereum realm.
Even at this moment, Tintin is only in the process of receiving the information data.
That’s why, after he came to the abyss, Tintin went into hibernation mode.
The only information that Tintin previously had is from the scattered forum and clues people of the Ethereum realm guessed on their own.
Besides the level of abyss monsters, rough terrain, and common details, all the other information is blank.
After Fijin finished explaining, he looked at Maximus, who appeared to be dazed.
“Ahem, Lord Maximus, what do you think?”
“Would you like to buy these two abyss sources?” Business is still business, so Fijin went straight to the point.
“Hmm, pack the two for me.”
“Do you accept rare resources as payment for them?”
“Gladly, as long as it’s from Lord Maximus, we are willing to accept it,” Fijin flattered.
“Oh,”
Maximus then bought rare resources one after another.
Fijin was also like an emotionless machine, estimating and quoting the price.
Soon, after Maximus took out resources worth about 10 billion crystal merits, he stopped.
Fijin had returned to his senses and looked at Maximus sadly, hoping he would continue taking out resources.
“Do you have any other things you wish to buy, Lord Maximus?” Fijin asked eagerly.
“What about residence? Do you sell or rent that here?”
“This—I’m sorry, Lord Maximus, we don’t manage any property within the abyss.”
“All outpost property, taxes, exchange, transportation, and such are jointly managed by the Etherium Abyss Council,” Fijin explained.
The Etherium Abyss Council is jointly managed by the apex sovereigns of the three continents against the abyss realm.
Although it has no actual power in the Etherium realm.
In the abyss, even top-tier guilds need to bow in submission.
Fijin could only express his apologies for not providing Maximus with convenience.
“Then where do I rent any residence here?”
“It’s easy; each outpost has a headquarters.”
“From missions, tasks, announcements, property management, etc., it’s all there.”
“Is that so,” Maximus nodded.
“Is there anything else you need, Lord Maximus?”
“No, There doesn’t seem to be many resources here.”
“I’ll just exchange at the annual exchange in three months,” Maximus said.
It’s too bothersome to exchange one at a time.
After hearing about the so-called Annual Exchange event.
Maximus decided that it was a better time to exchange for resources.
“No problem, it’s my honor to serve Lord Maximus this time,” Fijin bowed.
Although Maximus jeered at his branch for being poor, Fijin didn’t get angry.
The customer is a god, especially if they have a lot of wealth.
Besides, how can he get angry when their patron wiped out their shop?
How he wishes there would be more of such precedents.
Furthermore, even if Maximus traded at the annual exchange.
It could only be the Etherium Gold Chamber of Commerce.
So whether he traded with him or another branch, it didn’t matter.
As for other guilds or organizations, they certainly didn’t have enough money for this excellency.
“Then see you next time…” Maximus stood up and left.
Before that, he scanned and copied Fijin’s domain and special physique.
[Fijin: Tier 8
Law of Equivalent Exchange: 10%
Domain: Equivalent Exchange
Physique: Avarice Arbitrator (Unawakened)]
Looking at Fijin’s status, Maximus could only say that people from the Etherium Gold Chamber of Commerce are really different.
First, the law and the domain allowed the user to forcibly extract anything from whomever they liked as long as they paid an equivalent price.
Whether it was physique, talents, cultivation, skills, etc.
Then there is the physique; after it is awakened, it can be arbitrary and judge the equivalent exchange of the two.
This means the user can change the value of the forcibly extracted item close to zero, so he can almost pay nothing.
Such a unique domain and physique, Maximus copied it immediately.
…
End Town Outpost Headquarters:
After leaving the shop, Maximus and Skye went to the outpost headquarters to find a place to stay.
Upon entering, it seemed like a typical guild mission building.
Inside, various missions and tasks were posted, with corresponding merits as rewards.
Although you can simply get crystal merits by killing abyss monsters.
Mission and task will yield more, as they are the precise nodes to slow the abyss.
Furthermore, there is also an additional reward once you submit it.
Thus, Maximus and Skye studied the mission board for a while to see if there was a suitable mission.
[Clear Tier 7 Lord Level Abyss Monster
Position:…
Reward: 350 million crystal Merit]
[Clear Tier 7 Elite-Level Horde Abyss Monster
Position:…
Reward: 750 million crystal Merit]
[Clear Tier 7 Horde
[Clear J8 Abyss Swamp
Reward: 30 million crystal merit]
(Cannon Fodder, Normal, Elite, Lord, Monarch)
…
After browsing the mission board and gaining a brief understanding of the surrounding place.
Maximus and Skye proceeded to the counter.
“Hello, how may I help you?”
“We want to rent a place to stay.”
“Any requirements or preferences that I could base on?”
“As long as it’s big, safe, and has complete facilities, it should be enough,” Maximus said without emotion.
Meanwhile, the steward receiving him couldn’t help but feel numb.
‘What do you mean by big, safe, and have complete facilities is enough?’
‘It’s already perfect, okay?’
‘What more do you need?’
‘A floating palace that can travel to the abyss?’
The steward couldn’t help but complain internally.
Of course, out of professionalism, his face didn’t change as he seriously looked at various properties that met Maximus’s requirements.
“There are only three places that meet your requirements.”
“Would you like to come inside and take a look?”
“Hmm.”
“Then please follow me.” The steward took Maximus to a private booth.
Although Maximus was a bit arrogant, such a distinguished customer couldn’t be disgraced.
Inside, the steward projected the three residences that he found.
“Please, tell me if you’re unsatisfied or have chosen a residence.”
“Hmmm,”
Looking at the residences projected in front of him, he was a little disappointed.
“Just this Netherlux Mansion,” Maximus picked reluctantly.
It’s only about 200,000 square meters, barely the size of his bathhouse in the City of Arcana.
Meanwhile, seeing Maximus’s reluctance, the steward and Skye on the side couldn’t help but sigh.
‘Is there really such an arrogant person in the world?’
“How much is it?”
“About 1.5 billion credits per year.”
“Oh, then let’s finish the transaction immediately. I want some rest.”
Although it is a bit expensive, Maximus thinks it is just right.
Anyway, his daily training costs more money than the residence.
The steward can only numbly process Maximus’s transaction.
‘Sigh… maybe this is an illusion by abyss monsters,’ the steward thought.