Listening intently to Sam's words and taking in the unfolding scene at the Hundred Treasure Hall, the storekeeper's complexion shifted through a palette of emotions.
His initial disbelief was soon replaced by a flush of anger, his cheeks reddening as he grappled with the audacity of this seemingly naive country bumpkin.
Did this young man believe that the Hundred Treasure Hall was a mere playground for his whims and fancies? The extensive list of items Sam desired to purchase, with the accompanying cost, left the storekeeper flabbergasted.
He couldn't help but think that this young lad viewed their prestigious establishment as no different from a vegetable market.
The magnitude of the order, costing several thousand gold at the very least, seemed as casual to Sam as buying bok choy at a local market. Such a sum was beyond extravagant; even the scions of aristocratic families would balk at such expenditure.
Frustration boiling within, the storekeeper impatiently waved the list, placing it firmly on the counter as he issued a stern warning,
"I must caution you both. Intentionally causing disruption within the Hundred Treasure Hall will result in severe consequences!"
Alex, fueled by a sense of camaraderie and perhaps a sprinkle of mischief, wasn't about to let this display of arrogance slide.
With a swift slap of his hand against the storekeeper's, he heard the pitiful yelp of pain that followed.
The storekeeper, clearly not a practitioner of martial arts, writhed in discomfort.
"You!"
The storekeeper's incredulity was apparent, but he was interrupted by Alex's retort,
"Look here, you pompous little upstart. Us young masters have money!"
With a sweeping motion, Alex reached into Sam's robes, retrieving a handful of golden banknotes secured near his chest.
He slammed them onto the counter with a forceful thud, causing a minor tremor.
The confidence in Alex's demeanor soared as he held the precious banknotes.
The storekeeper, already a thorn in his side, had provided the perfect opportunity to put him in his place.
The storekeeper, now flabbergasted, stared at the golden banknotes in disbelief.
These were banknotes worth a staggering 1000 gold each! The total amount on the counter had to be several thousand, a revelation that left the storekeeper reeling.
He suddenly realized the authenticity of these golden banknotes; they could be exchanged for gold at any bank affiliated with the chamber of commerce.
In a state of shock, the storekeeper reconsidered his stance.
He assessed both Sam and Alex, realizing that these two individuals were not connected to any aristocratic family.
Just a few days ago, Sam had been a humble door-to-door seller of symbol papers.
Where did this sudden wealth come from? Could it be that he had actually managed to sell those symbol papers at such a price?
It seemed implausible; the inscriptions created by an apprentice inscriptionist were unlikely to fetch such exorbitant sums.
The storekeeper was perplexed.
It appeared that these were two nouveau riche young men, and he had inadvertently provoked them with his arrogance.
Inwardly, he felt a pang of regret, realizing that he had been unnecessarily confrontational.
But money held sway in this establishment, and the potential profit from this transaction was too significant to pass up.
Rubbing his throbbing hand, the storekeeper forced a smile and took the list, scanning its contents quickly.
The materials listed were far from inexpensive, and when he calculated the total, it amounted to nearly 6000 gold.
This transaction would bring in not only substantial revenue for the Hundred Treasure Hall but also a healthy commission for himself—120 gold.
Swallowing his pride, the storekeeper bowed and said, "I deeply apologize for my earlier oversight. I failed to recognize such esteemed guests in our midst. Please wait momentarily, and I shall gather everything you require."
The storekeeper, his swollen hand resembling a grapefruit, hastily collected the requested items from various sections of the store.
He had been quick on his feet and efficient in his movements.
The storekeeper couldn't help but reflect on the lucrative nature of this transaction.
Although he harbored some lingering resentment, he understood that the potential earnings far outweighed any personal grievances.
With a stack of goods before them, Alex turned to Sam with a grin. "Is this everything, Brother?"
Sam nodded, his gaze fixed on the storekeeper's now-eager demeanor.
However, Alex, seizing the opportunity to have a little fun, slyly remarked, "I apologize for this inconvenience, but I would prefer to settle the payment with a different storekeeper."
The storekeeper's expression abruptly froze, his earlier joy now replaced with dread.
"In this Hundred Treasure Hall," Alex continued, "I believe there should be other storekeepers available for such transactions."
The storekeeper, affronted by Alex's deliberate provocation, retorted coldly, "I am the sole storekeeper in this establishment. Who else would you propose to find?"
Unfazed by the storekeeper's defiance, Alex pressed on, "Don't play tricks with us, you snobbish little rascal. We young masters have the means to resolve this matter. Hurry up, or I might just have to report your conduct to your superior."
"Feel free to do so!"
The storekeeper sneered, but as he examined the golden banknotes, his eyes widened.
Among them, he spotted a distinctive purple-gold colored card—a VIP card.
This card, Sam's Warlord Havens and Imperial Family VIP card, entitled its holder to a ten percent discount at all establishments under the government's jurisdiction.
It was a symbol of high status, and only a handful had been issued.
The storekeeper's heart skipped a beat.
These VIP cards were typically reserved for members of the Imperial Family and top-ranking figures within the Warlord Havens.
Anyone possessing such a card held immense influence and power.
The storekeeper's demeanor shifted abruptly as he realized the gravity of the situation.
His previous arrogance crumbled, and he assessed Sam and Alex with newfound respect.
These two individuals were clearly not ordinary.
Just days ago, Sam had been a humble symbol paper seller, and now he possessed such wealth. Could he have actually sold those symbol papers for such a fortune?
It seemed implausible, as an apprentice inscriptionist's work would hardly command such prices.
The storekeeper's thoughts whirled as he realized he had underestimated these two newcomers, who were now displaying an air of superiority.
Inwardly, he sighed at his misjudgment.
These were not upstart nouveau riche individuals; they had genuine backgrounds and qualifications that made them high-class patrons.
He had erred gravely in his initial assessment. Despite his lingering resentment, he couldn't afford to antagonize customers who wielded such influence.
Rubbing his swollen hand, the storekeeper forced a smile and said, "My humble apologies for my earlier behavior. I was indeed mistaken and acted foolishly. Please allow me to rectify my transgressions. I shall find another storekeeper for your esteemed selves."
The storekeeper, now seemingly bloated like a pig, moved with surprising speed as he gathered the items once more.
He apologized profusely and even arranged for a carriage to transport Sam and Alex back to their lodgings.
As they returned to their accommodations, Alex remained oblivious to the real reason behind the storekeeper's sudden change of heart.
He was simply reveling in the satisfaction of putting the arrogant man in his place.
"Haha, that was quite enjoyable," he chuckled.
"I can't help but laugh when I think of that storekeeper's terrified expression. Brother Sam, if not for your injury, I would have reported him to the boss of the Hundred Treasure Hall and had that snob packing his bags."
Sam, however, had been closely observing the storekeeper's reactions and had discerned the significance of the purple-gold VIP card.
He offered a wry smile in response. "Let's not be too harsh on people like him. They've learned to navigate their lives through flattery and arrogance. There's no need for us to be ruthless. Alex, I've prepared this flexible armor and these three Golden Deer Pills for you."
The Golden Deer Pills were known for purifying the body, with the first one being the most effective, and each subsequent pill's efficacy halving.
Consuming more than three was generally considered wasteful.
As for the Soul Gathering Pellet, it had no limit on consumption, but it was best suited for those diligent in their martial practice—something Alex did not require.
With a combined value of nearly a thousand gold, these gifts were incredibly generous.
Alex, momentarily taken aback, hesitated before accepting them with gratitude.
"I'll gladly accept these gifts, Brother Sam. In the future, you'll be my protector," he added with a playful smile.
Sam reciprocated the smile, emphasizing the bond of brotherhood between them.
"We are brothers; there's no need for formalities. Besides..."
Sam retrieved the remaining three thousand gold.
"When the family messengers return to Starlight Haven City, please help me deliver this to my parents. I want them to buy the restaurant."
The restaurant had been a significant part of Sam's parents' lives, and he wished to help them secure it.
"Of course, I'll take care of this matter. "
As Alex left to attend to the task, Sam found himself alone in his room.
He glanced at the calendar and noted that the Seven Profound Martial House entrance exam was a mere fifty days away.
With determination burning in his eyes, he knew he had to make the most of this time.
The Golden Deer Pills and Soul Gathering Pellet, while not directly increasing his cultivation, would enhance his practice efficiency.
They would serve as valuable aids in his journey to become stronger.
However, Sam was aware that these pills were not a panacea; they could only augment his progress. The true path to strength required diligence and perseverance.
In a secluded spot among the treetops, Sam began his preparations for the upcoming trials.
He carefully ingested the first Golden Deer Pill, savoring its significance.
This pill was not rare, but its ability to purify the body was crucial for any martial artist.
From the moment he consumed it, Sam felt a subtle tingling sensation within, a sign that the purification process had begun.
To maximize the effects of the pill, Sam had filled a large wooden barrel with water and immersed himself.
The medicine began to dissolve, infusing the water around him. He could sense a gentle warmth coursing through his chest as the purification commenced.
Sam settled into meditation, circulating the 'True Primal Chaos Formula.'
His soul force responded, intertwining with the Golden Deer Pill's effects.
As the night unfolded, the tingling sensation intensified, and his body underwent a profound cleansing.
The human body, exposed from birth to the impurities of the world, inevitably accumulated contaminants.
These impurities infiltrated every aspect of life—through the air, food, and water.
The Golden Deer Pill, containing traces of xiantian air from the deer embryo, held the unique ability to cleanse these impurities.
Hours passed, and at dawn, Sam finally opened his eyes.
The Golden Deer Pill had been fully absorbed, and his body had undergone a thorough purification.
Renewed, he once again circulated the 'True Chaos Primal Formula.' The flow of soul force within him was noticeably smoother and more pervasive.
This marked the inception of the Second Stage of Body Transformation.
Sam had successfully achieved the Second Stage of Body Transformation!