In the dim basement, following the words of the host, Mr. Gray Hill, the gathering officially began. Everyone started speaking in order, proceeding clockwise from Mr. Gray Hill's right-hand side.
The first to speak was a woman covered in a dark purple cloak. She extended a withered hand and took out a box from within her cloak. When she placed it on the table and opened it, it contained a pair of dry, yellow fragments.
"First, the usual, everyone. This is the Night-Glow Grass I've prepared for this gathering. It has been processed into dried medicine powder. I've prepared a total of 100 grams this time. It's quite effective whether used to make Soul-Condensing Incense to enhance meditation or brewed into a calming tea to resist Spirit Sight." The woman spoke in an aged voice, then looked around before extending three fingers.
"As usual, 1 pound per 5 grams, with a minimum purchase of 10 grams. If anyone wishes to trade items, you may present them, and Mr. Gray Hill will determine their value on the spot. If the value is sufficient, I will accept..."
Hearing the old woman's words, Dorothy, who was seated, was startled.
'1 pound per 5 grams? Is it really that expensive!?'
Dorothy was shocked by the price of the grass fragments. One must know that in this world, a farmer's annual income is only about eight or nine pounds, and a worker's is around thirteen or fourteen pounds a year. She started with 1 pound for 5 grams, minimum purchase 10 grams? Isn't this outright robbery!?
Hearing this price, Dorothy secretly shook her head, thinking that nobody would want something so expensive. However, she didn't expect someone in the room to raise their hand quickly.
"I'll take 80 grams, Madam 'Willow Branch'..." The one who made the offer was a gentleman wearing a mask, a top hat, and a suit. Hearing his words, the old woman laughed.
"Hehe, of course... Mr.'Shepherd Dog', this large portion is definitely reserved for you..." After speaking, the old woman took out a small portable copper scale, carefully weighed out more than half of the medicine powder from the box, packaged it with yellow paper and grass string, and then slid the paper package across the table to the masked gentleman.
"There are 20 grams left, does anyone else need some?" The old woman then called out to the surroundings, and immediately there were responses.
"I, I want 5 grams!"
"Please give me 10 grams, Madam 'Willow Branch'..."
"And me!"
Completely beyond Dorothy's expectation, the sky-high-priced medicine powder in the old woman's hand sold out in no time, and many people couldn't even get any. This gave Dorothy a rough idea of the price of items related to the occult.
The gathering continued afterwards. Following the old woman, the members spoke one by one in order. Some were selling things, some were seeking items, and some were looking for information.
Among these, buying and selling transactions were the most important part. There were exchanges of money for items, and also exchanges of items for items. When bartering occurred, both parties would ask Gray Hill, the host of the meeting, to determine the value, showing how extensive Gray Hill's knowledge was.
The prices of the items traded were all very expensive. Items ranging from a few pounds to dozens of pounds were everywhere. Among them, a gold ornament containing a small amount of Light's Spirituality even sold for a high price of 100 pounds. In comparison, the initial asking price of the old woman selling medicine was nothing, leaving Dorothy stunned.
'Good heavens... just a little bit of Spirituality item can sell for so much... just two more items like that and I could buy a house in the city...'
Watching the people at the table bid generously, Dorothy couldn't help but complain inwardly. She realized that engaging in occult research in this world was burning money; you couldn't play without capital.
It seems now that most of the people at this round table are likely prominent figures in society...
Watching the transactions being concluded at the gathering, Dorothy couldn't help but feel a little excited. To be honest, there were many things she wanted, such as potions that could grant temporary night vision, or incense that would keep one awake at night, but unfortunately, the prices were all very expensive, instantly turning Dorothy, who had always felt like a rich person since transmigrating, back into poverty.
Dorothy's money was basically found on Edrick's person and in his home. She found 5 pounds on him and later another 30 pounds in his house, totaling 35 pounds. The transportation fee and long-term storage fee for the Corpse Puppet added up to 15 pounds. The remaining 20 pounds were enough for Dorothy to live comfortably in ordinary society for a long time, but in this secret gathering, it was completely insufficient.
'One only regrets not having enough money when it's time to use it...'
At the gathering, the always silent Dorothy thought helplessly. However, she wasn't actually unable to buy those valuable items; it was just that she hadn't yet encountered the item she truly needed.
What Dorothy urgently needed were secret transmission books containing occult knowledge... and so far, no one had offered any...
Gradually, the gathering approached its end. After the last person finished speaking and completed their transaction, Dorothy still hadn't said anything.
Just as Dorothy thought she might gain nothing from this gathering, the scene suddenly quieted down, and everyone's gaze turned towards one direction.
That was the main seat at the round table, the host of this gathering, Gray Hill.
'What... are we waiting for the leader to announce the end of the meeting?'
Just as Dorothy was feeling puzzled, Gray Hill coughed twice, and then a masked servant walked out from the side, holding a box in his hands.
"Since you are all finished, it's time for me to conclude. This time, I am selling a secret transmission..."
Gray Hill said calmly. Hearing this, Dorothy's spirit was jolted, and she immediately sat up straight from her leaning posture.
'Gray Hill also participates in transactions at the end? And this time he's selling a secret transmission?'
For a moment, Dorothy's gaze also focused on Gray Hill. Gray Hill's servant placed the box in front of him, and then Gray Hill personally opened it and took out a thin, old book.
"This secret transmission is titled "dream records". It is a book that records how to control one's own dreams. This book can teach people how to enter dreams while in a conscious state..."
Gray Hill spoke slowly, holding the old book, but his words didn't cause a stir in the room. Dorothy also didn't feel anything special; she had heard of lucid dreaming before.
Gray Hill glanced around the room, and then continued speaking.
"Besides allowing you to manage your own dreams, this book also records the method of entering the Dream World from one's own dreams. Hehe... For those with limited occult knowledge, let me briefly explain: the Dream World is the shared dream of all intelligent beings, one of the inner realms. It contains countless wonders unimaginable in the real world, holding many hidden secrets, and countless Extraordinary beings' spirits wander within it. Even gods have left their footprints here... It is both full of hidden dangers... and opportunities..."
After Gray Hill finished speaking, he placed the old book back into the box. Then he leaned back in his chair, playing with the eager gazes in front of him, and slowly continued speaking.
"Even for true Extraordinaries, exploring the Dream World is important content, let alone for you. Therefore, my asking price for this book is... 500 pounds."