Chapter 690 - 690: A Marriage Proposal?

"What do you mean by 'forum-moderated'?" Zhao Yuan asked curiously.

The Chief Moderator explained, "It means the forum guarantees the transaction. The specific method is that both parties hand over their money and items to the forum. The forum then has professionals appraise them for authenticity. If anything is fake, not only will the other party's money or items be returned in full, but the defrauder will also be severely punished! The transaction is only completed after confirming that all goods are genuine."

Zhao Yuan understood immediately.

This transaction model was a bit like a variation of eBay. While it was a little troublesome, it ensured the transaction would go smoothly. After all, the Cultivator Forum had a very high reputation in the Cultivation Realm; they wouldn't do something so self-destructively shortsighted.

Of course, the forum would definitely take a commission for this type of transaction. But as long as they could ensure that the interests of both parties were protected, they would attract more Cultivators to trade in the Rakshasa Ghost Market. This way, the forum's profits would also soar.

'The person who created the Cultivator Forum and came up with the Rakshasa Ghost Market is an absolute genius!'

Although he agreed with this transaction method, Zhao Yuan didn't rush to accept. Instead, he asked, "What's your commission?"

The Chief Moderator replied, "Normally, it's a ten percent commission. But Senior, you are the possessor of our forum's most esteemed Daluo Golden Immortal title, so we will only charge you a five percent commission. If the traded items are difficult to split, or if you'd rather not split them, you can also pay the equivalent in cash."

"A rip-off! A total rip-off!" Zhao Yuan sucked in a sharp breath.

'Just for acting as a middleman, they charge a ten percent commission. Even someone with a Daluo Golden Immortal title has to pay five percent! It seems the Cultivator Forum is making a fortune from this business alone.'

Even though it was a rip-off, many people would still choose the forum-moderated model to ensure the items they received were genuine.

After a moment of consideration, Zhao Yuan agreed as well.

'Even if it means paying a five percent commission, it's much safer, after all.'

'He had his Tracking Technique, so he could hunt down anyone who tried to trade him a fake. But that would be a hassle. He could just consider it paying for convenience.'

Having finished their business, Zhao Yuan saw the avatars of several sellers blinking. He said, "Let's leave it at that for now. I have something to attend to. We'll talk later."

The Chief Moderator had prepared a few cultivation-related questions to ask Zhao Yuan, but before he could even start typing, he saw that message. His heart instantly shattered.

'But what could he do? Keep pestering him? If he annoyed the man, the losses would be anything but small.'

He could only tearfully delete the questions he had already typed out and write a new message: "Of course, Senior. Please, go ahead with your business. When you have time, I'll come back to ask you for some guidance."

Zhao Yuan replied with a simple "Mm" and said no more, leaving the Chief Moderator to agonize by himself: 'Should I reply with another goodbye, or not? If I reply, what if Senior finds me annoying? But if I don't, will he think I'm impolite?'

The Chief Moderator's behavior right then was exactly like that of a guy desperately trying to win favor with the girl of his dreams...

Meanwhile, Zhao Yuan started talking with the sellers.

He clicked on one of the messages. The sender, whose username was Wuqing Immortal, had written: "Excuse me, are you Senior Little Ghost?"

"I am, but I don't dare call myself 'Senior'," Zhao Yuan replied.

"You're too humble, Senior!" Wuqing Immortal was very excited.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhao Yuan got down to business. "Are you selling the Thundercloud Crystal Stone or the Black Iron Golden Sand? Tell me how much you want for it."

Wuqing Immortal quickly replied, "The Thundercloud Crystal Stone. I don't want money for it."

Zhao Yuan was taken aback. He thought to himself, 'He doesn't want money? Is he planning to give it to me for free? Am I really that influential?'

An involuntary surge of pride welled up in his heart, and he immediately started typing, "How could I possibly accept?"

Before he could send the message, another one from Wuqing Immortal arrived: "I was wondering if you, Senior, have any Elixirs that can purify Essence Qi? I would like to trade my Thundercloud Crystal Stone for such an Elixir."

Seeing this message, Zhao Yuan quickly deleted the words he had just typed. 'Damn, he split one sentence into two parts, making me get ahead of myself. Good thing I didn't send that message, or I would've been so embarrassed.'

He typed out a new line and replied, "I have Purifying Qi Pills, which can purify Essence Qi..." He gave a simple description of the Purifying Qi Pills' effects, concluding with, "My Elixir's Qi-purifying effect is as high as ninety-five percent."

Wuqing Immortal was so shocked he almost pissed himself. "Ninety-five percent?! For real?! Are you pulling my leg?"

"If you don't believe me, we can use the forum's moderated transaction. Let them find someone to test it," Zhao Yuan replied.

Wuqing Immortal was beside himself with excitement. "Great! That's wonderful! I'll trade for these Purifying Qi Pills!"

What followed was a round of haggling to determine the exchange ratio.

After that, Zhao Yuan also negotiated terms with several other sellers.

All of these sellers opted for bartering. Some wanted Talismans, some wanted Elixirs, and some even traded materials for the chance to have their questions answered by Zhao Yuan. None of them asked for money.

For Cultivators, making money was never difficult. Of course, the way they spent money was equally frightening! But sometimes, certain things simply couldn't be bought with money. That was why in the Rakshasa Ghost Market, more than half of all transactions were done through bartering.

Zhao Yuan had no objections to this.

He could draw Talismans and concoct Elixirs, and as for answering questions, nothing could be easier.

Of course, the Talismans and Elixirs he used for trade were ones he could draw and create himself, but they were still of a high enough grade to satisfy the other parties.

These sellers were also very much in favor of the forum-moderated transaction method.

In fact, most people in the Rakshasa Ghost Market had already grown accustomed to this way of trading. Although they would curse the forum for being greedy, when it came time to make a deal, they would still choose this model.

"All set."

Zhao Yuan shut down his computer, took the Talismans and Elixirs out of his Storage Ring Space, put them in a plastic bag, and prepared to head out to find a courier company to ship them to the Cultivator Forum.

He walked out of his bedroom and saw Lin Xue sitting in the living room, watching Zhao Ling get tutored.

Zhao Yuan smiled and asked, "When did you get here?"

Lin Xue replied, "I got here a little under half an hour ago. Ling'Er said you were busy in your room, so I didn't want to disturb you."

Zhao Yuan nodded. He suddenly remembered the Storage Rings he had made the night before last, which he hadn't given to Lin Xue and Zhao Ling yet. He said, "Perfect timing. I have something for you."

"What is it?" Lin Xue asked curiously.

Zhao Ling, who was in the middle of her tutoring session, also had her attention drawn.

Zhao Yuan extended his hand, revealing the Storage Rings.

Everyone in the living room, including the tutor, was stunned.

'Rings? What's going on? Don't tell me... it's a proposal?'