Is there?
There really is!
If the other party wanted a stronger Immortal Technique, a stronger Cultivation Dharma Method, then Chen Xuan would naturally have no means.
But what she lacked was not a specific Cultivation Technique.
The second rule of the Manager's Code: "Treat every ability with care," was like telling him that some inconspicuous abilities might become the key solution to a problem.
The methods of transaction are all illustrated in the latter half of the booklet. The operation is not complicated, so he memorized it after one read. Honestly, he was also curious if the so-called ability trading could really be realized, but by this step, any doubts had lost their meaning, just like there's no turning back once the arrow is shot.
Chen Xuan picked up the scanning gun with one hand and operated the mouse with the other, clicking on the inventory bar.
"Special Eating" and "Extraordinary Sleeping Ability" were directly skipped, as they probably didn't meet the needs of the other party. After thinking about it, he finally selected "Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern" Level 2, then pressed the scan button on Liu Shuyue.
The software reacted instantly.
A box also popped up on the left side of the screen, corresponding exactly with the inventory box!
Ability Trader: 1
Name: Liu Shuyue.
However, her box was empty, and there were green arrows connecting the two boxes, each with four columns.
It was clear that what the trader had to pay was not money, but their own abilities.
"Is this... what you mean by ability trading?" Liu Shuyue's face changed dramatically, as if she had seen something, she reached out her hand and murmured, "But how do I know it's what I need?"
"This store is not a one-time deal, emphasizing customer experience above all — if you think it's not as advertised or of no help to you, you can return or exchange it for free within a month." Chen Xuan said skillfully, "As for the price... I need to first see the ability you're willing to exchange."
As soon as he finished speaking, something new appeared in the blank box!
"Purifying Heart Technique" Level 6. White rarity.
There was also a note below: An introductory cultivation Heart Method, with the advantage of being adaptable to most people's talents, and the disadvantage as well.
"How about this?" she asked.
Chen Xuan remained silent.
Liu Shuyue thought for a moment, her eyebrows raising. Another item appeared in the box.
"Feng Shui Secrets" Level 1. Also white rarity.
He still did not respond.
The girl's brows furrowed.
Soon, the third item in the box also lit up.
"Pill Medicine Study" Level 2, also white rarity.
"This should work, right?"
Chen Xuan thought for a bit, but eventually shook his head slightly. Because he saw the performance points at the bottom of the box had increased to "4."
"You're not satisfied with trading one ability for three abilities?" Liu Shuyue's expression wasn't good, "These are all abilities of the same rarity, what is your basis for pricing?"
"How much rice can a sword be exchanged for?" he retorted.
The girl hesitated before answering, "...I don't know."
"..." He coughed twice, "I'll just assume ten bushels for example. Then when a farmer needs to protect their grain, or when a swordsman is on the verge of starvation, will this trade remain unchanged?"
"The former might use twenty or thirty bushels of rice to buy a precious sword because he has another hundred bushels in his house; while the latter would be willing to trade even for one bushel of rice, as he would starve to death if he didn't eat."
"When you desperately need something, it naturally becomes more expensive."
Liu Shuyue's gaze turned slightly cold, "The example you gave is called taking advantage of others' misfortune."
"I didn't force you to trade," Chen Xuan sighed, "It even has a trial period — I've said, you can return it at the original price within a month, could someone taking advantage of others' misfortune let you use it for free for 29 days without charging you anything? Moreover, those abilities you're willing to trade... are they really that rare? Especially for Sect disciples."
Her momentum was halted.
Chen Xuan immediately knew he hadn't guessed wrong, even someone ordinary like him had four abilities available for trade, the other party likely had more.
Not to mention, trading ability for ability seems fair on the surface, but actually, a little thought shows that it's a loss for the manager because the inventory doesn't increase!
The number of abilities in inventory determines his future success rate in transactions. The more reserves he has, the more bargaining chips he can offer.
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Shuyue finally made up her mind, "I'll add one last one, if it's still not enough, then let's forget it!"
With that, the fourth column in the box also lit up.
"Spirit Sword Technique" Level 5, white rarity.
Chen Xuan moved his mouse over it: Sword Qi can attach to external objects, and even flowers and leaves can harm people. It seems strong, but in essence, it's still a common-tier ability.
All the four columns of the other party were filled, and the performance points turned "5."
This indicated that the manager's performance values transaction volume more, with sold items also counted. If both parties' boxes were filled, a single transaction could get 8 performance points.
But now with so little inventory, he obviously couldn't do that yet.
With no more room in the trading box, even if he wanted the other party to raise the offer again, there was no place to put it.
"This truly is a favorable price." Chen Xuan finally nodded, "If you have no objections, then the deal is done."
"...Such a pity."
"Pity what?"
"I thought the place was decorated so elegantly and agreeably, and the items traded were so incredible, sir must be someone from the Immortal Sect, not haggling over every penny like an ordinary merchant." Liu Shuyue said wistfully, "I accepted a four-for-one trade, but that doesn't mean others will. Next time, if you meet a Loose Cultivator or Evil Cultivator, be careful of pushing too hard and gaining the opposite of what you want."
If it were another Cultivator, hearing her compare them to merchants, they might have exploded in anger on the spot?
But he was not a Cultivator.
He just wanted to expand inventory and improve performance, what's wrong with that?
"Thank you for the reminder." Chen Xuan smiled and nodded, "Are you done talking?"
"You—" The girl was at a loss for words, she glared fiercely, "Fine, deal!"
When Chen Xuan pressed the consent button, he instantly felt something being drawn out of his body, and the inventory immediately gained four items.
Is this what it feels like to lose the "Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern"...
He tried to recall those historical stories, but only emptiness remained in his mind.
Conversely, Liu Shuyue's eyes slightly rolled back, eyelids trembling, as if having a seizure. Fortunately, the process only lasted for a second or two, and she quickly returned to normal.
"How is it, how does it feel?" Chen Xuan was also very curious about the customer's experience.
"I... I feel like a lot of things suddenly flooded my mind..." She murmured while holding her forehead, "So this is what it is..."
"What is it?"
"No, it's nothing, since the deal is done, I shall take my leave." Liu Shuyue seemed eager to leave, stumbling as she spun around and walked out of the store, not even leaving Chen Xuan a chance to ask further questions.
A few seconds after the girl left, the familiar view of the neighborhood returned.
Chen Xuan went to the entrance, leaned out to glance around, confirming the other party was nowhere in sight, and only then took a deep breath.
Did the first business just conclude like this?
Everything that happened was real, the Manager's Code was no fictitious invention, but a genuine guide to the profession!
The spots of blood on the floor still reminded him, indeed an otherworldly visitor had come earlier and bought one of his abilities.
What he urgently needed to do now was not to confirm the results of the previous transaction, but to clean up those bloodstains first. Otherwise, if the police officer uncle came knocking, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't clear his name.