The White River City night market was organized to allow players to trade freely.
Thanks to Dark Star's relentless promotion in White River City, today's market was exceptionally lively. Many guilds had stockpiled large quantities of Sturdy Stones and money, ready to purchase high-grade whetstones.
The sprawling plaza was packed with player stalls everywhere.
Since the Auction House charged steep fees, many players had waited until today to sell off the materials they had been accumulating.
Among all the stall locations, Dark Star's setup was by far the most eye-catching. Hundreds of people were lined up, and the sight filled Wei Wo Du Kuang with glee. Once tonight was over, Dark Star would become the wealthiest guild in White River City. It wouldn't take long before they surpassed Star Trace Trading Company and seized control of the city's economic lifeline.
When that time came, even Snake of the Body would be no match for Dark Star within White River City.
Half an hour after the market opened, something strange happened.
It left many guilds stunned.
It even left Wei Wo Du Kuang gaping in disbelief.
"Can someone tell me what the hell just happened?" Wei Wo Du Kuang pointed at the now-empty market and bellowed.
"Boss, I already did some digging. Word is Star Trace Trading Company dropped their prices too. Not only did they match our prices, but they also launched a new product — apparently Magic Energy Armor Plates crafted by Black Flame. You just bind the armor plate to a piece of equipment and it boosts your stats and defense significantly. Bind three of them and it's like having an extra high-grade Iron Rank chest piece equipped."
"But Star Trace Trading Company is only selling fifty per day, so everyone rushed over there to queue up and grab them."
"Black Flame — isn't that guy the chief blacksmith of the Star Moon Kingdom? How did he get involved with Star Trace Trading Company?" Wei Wo Du Kuang's thick eyebrows knitted together. He had heard of Black Flame, but the man was utterly mysterious. No one knew which faction he belonged to. All anyone knew was that the forces behind Black Flame were another deeply hidden, powerful organization."
"Is the chief blacksmith really that impressive?" Wei Wo Du Kuang sneered. "If Black Flame can produce something as good as Magic Energy Armor Plates, then we just need to make them too. Go investigate the details on Magic Energy Armor Plates right now — find out where the design drops. I really ought to thank Black Flame for handing us yet another money-making opportunity."
"You're the best, Boss. I'll get right on it."
Meanwhile, Star Trace Trading Company was already swamped with a sea of people, the queue stretching all the way outside the building.
"Selling a stack of Sturdy Stones cheap — come trade if you're interested."
"Level 10 Bronze Battle Axe. Thirty silver coins, going fast."
"Buying silver coins for premium Credit Points. I'll take as many as you've got."
Almost without anyone noticing, the street outside Star Trace Trading Company had turned into a market of its own. Players couldn't set up stalls, but they could trade face-to-face. It was far more cumbersome than a proper stall, but nobody cared about such trivial inconveniences. All they wanted was to get their hands on as many silver coins as possible before the Magic Energy Armor Plates went on sale, so they could buy as many as they could.
As the crowd waited in line, conversations began to flow. Players boasted about the effects of the Magic Energy Armor Plates.
The exploits of the Three-Headed Wolf squad, in particular, were the envy of many free-player teams.