The three of them were still absolute rookies by Luo Jie's standards. A true veteran would never casually team up with players they'd just met.
Chatting as they walked, the four followed the steep stone steps up to the entrance of Qipan Mountain.
"Nightshade, first time here?" asked the Dancer, who had been walking beside Luo Jie.
Luo Jie instantly realized his calm demeanor was completely unlike a first-time visitor. Thinking fast, he explained, "Actually, I've been to Qipan Mountain before. I just didn't know there was a hidden market here back then."
"Right, you're from Liaoning too," the Dancer filled in the blanks for him, accepting the excuse without suspicion. She helpfully took on the role of tour guide. "This player market's actually pretty new, only built about six months ago. Its good location has made it the main trading hub for players in the entire Northeast region. Players from neighboring countries even come here to buy and sell stuff."
Luo Jie deliberately feigned surprise. He knew perfectly well about the foreign players in the Fengtian market. It wasn't strange. The population bases of those neighboring countries meant even their national official markets might be smaller than this little provincial hub in China. Players were ruthlessly practical. When it came to gear and items, where a slight difference could mean life or death, they didn't care about nationality. Over time, China's five major player markets monopolized all high-end equipment trade in Asia, with the Chinese military behind them raking in staggering profits.
Entering the scenic area management office building near the ticket booth, they passed through the front hall to the rear courtyard. Several plainclothes soldiers blocked their path.
"Warehouse area. No tourists allowed."
The Chief clearly had experience with this. He raised his hands to show they were unarmed and stated their identity. "We're players. Registered."
A faint mechanical whir sounded. Luo Jie instinctively glanced towards the shadowed tree canopy above; he knew a hidden camera was there, likely running facial recognition to verify their identities. Moments later, a verification clearance came through on the soldiers' radios, and they stepped aside.
A wave of cool air carrying a faint earthy scent greeted them as they entered the warehouse door.
"Back when the country was founded, facing the threat from the Bear up north, they built a lot of civil defense facilities nationwide. These mountain-side tunnels were dug then," the Dancer explained as they walked deeper inside. "Later, when the military needed a spot for the player market, they remembered these long-sealed tunnels."
The interior of the tunnel complex opened up before them. A vast public hall greeted them first – hundreds of feet across, tiled floors gleaming, soft white light spilling from the ceiling panels. Massive LCD screens on the walls cycled through market introductions and rules. The flow of people was constant, the atmosphere more like an upscale mall than a claustrophobic underground bunker.
The Dancer grabbed a thin pamphlet from a nearby counter and handed it to Luo Jie. "Newcomer's guide. Has all the maps and rules inside… Don't stress too much. Just treat it like a big wholesale market."
"Thanks." Luo Jie's gratitude was genuine. Players as genuinely helpful as this fitness trio were rare, even in the early days of the apocalypse.
Buying and selling gear involved personal privacy, making it awkward to stick together. They parted ways there. Perhaps feeling they'd hit it off, the Dancer and the Chief both sent Luo Jie friend requests through the system before leaving, suggesting they might team up if the opportunity arose. Luo Jie naturally accepted. Solo players were used to operating alone, but that didn't mean isolation. Without a solid network, even the strongest lone wolf wouldn't get far.
Alone at last, Luo Jie relaxed, relieved to drop the rookie act. He tossed the pamphlet back onto the counter, mentally recalled the Fengtian market's layout, and headed straight for the men's changing room on the left.
Inside a small, shower-stall-like cubicle, he changed into the standard-issue white robe used for anonymity. Taking a deep breath, he fell in step with the crowd, navigating the market's interior with practiced ease.
Likely due to structural concerns, the market beyond the entrance hall lacked such large open spaces. Instead, a winding, two-lane passageway connected dozens of smaller, roughly cubicle-sized rooms carved from the rock.
Players wanting to sell here generally had two options.
The first was consignment. Sellers registered items at designated counters. Buyers could then browse listings and purchase via a dedicated app. Upon sale, the market deposited the credits (minus a 10% commission) directly into the seller's account. The hefty fee meant this method was less popular, usually reserved for top-tier gear.
The second option was the old-fashioned stall. While sellers often grumbled about it, buyers loved it. Here, they could physically handle items, haggle directly with sellers, or arrange trades. The tactile experience far surpassed browsing pictures and descriptions online. Plus, with a bit of luck, you could snag decent niche gear cheaply, maybe even score a rare find.
Relying on hazy memories of this era's market trends, Luo Jie started methodically working his way down the aisles, scanning the stalls lining both sides of the passage. He also scanned a QR code to download the market app, deciding to do some market research first.
Reflecting the generally low player levels of the time, the consignment listings were sparse and wildly overpriced – sellers clearly hoping to fleece the unsuspecting. Ironically, it was a physical stall where Luo Jie spotted two genuinely useful skills.
Campfire Magic Type: Arcane Quality: E (White) Level: LV1 Effect: Conjures an arcane campfire. Within its light, allies experience greatly accelerated stamina and spirit recovery. Low-level creatures suffer a spirit-based intimidation effect, scaling with the caster's Spirit stat. Description: For the weary traveler, nothing lifts the spirit like a crackling campfire.
Water Gathering Type: Arcane Quality: E (White) Level: LV1 Effect: Condenses a ball of clean, non-combat water in the caster's hand. Size influenced by caster's Spirit stat and ambient humidity. Description: For the parched traveler, nothing revives like a draught of pure water.