CHAPTER 24: CHAPTER 23: FLYING DEVICE

The week-long final exams are over, and the students have welcomed the long-awaited holiday. Contrary to everyone’s happiness, Li Xing was downcast like a gloomy mushroom—because the cafeteria would be closed during the holiday, and she wouldn’t have free meals.

The only comfort for her was the 100,000 Star Coins scholarship that had just been credited. Together with her saved-up compensation, it was nearly enough to buy a second-hand flying device.

With a flying device, she could take a trip to the Star Beast Forest. The crystal stone she had longed for was finally within reach, and Li Xing was thrilled inside.

As for alchemy, it could finally be on the agenda. The ruins she had fallen into when she arrived were remote and close to the Star Beast Forest, making it convenient for collecting Spirit Plants. It was an ideal location for alchemy. After waiting for so long, her heart was already stirring at the thought of starting her furnace.

The next day, Li Yi needed to attend an interview, so Li Xing hitched a ride and went alone to the commercial street, heading straight to the area that sold flying devices.

Li Xing initially thought that with more than 100,000 Star Coins in hand, buying a second-hand flying device would be more than enough. However, after browsing from street to alley, she found she couldn’t even afford the cheapest one.

No wonder Li Yi treated his flying device like a treasure; it was definitely a major asset.

Just as Li Xing was about to give up, a familiar voice filled with anger came from a nearby shop. Li Xing raised her eyebrows and stepped inside.

"This is maliciously driving down the price, I want to file a complaint!"

Oh my! Isn’t this Young Master Tang Douer?

Li Xing strolled lazily behind Tang Dou, silently activating her spectator mode.

"Please calm down, sir. Your item has been on the market for over three years, the depreciation rate is naturally high, plus the talisman of the power system is damaged. I can only buy it at material price; 80,000 Star Coins is already fair."

Tang Dou’s face was flushed red, persistently yelling, "This was a limited edition back then; I bought it for 600,000 Star Coins!"

Tang Dou’s chubby little hand trembled slightly. Following the direction of his finger, Li Xing couldn’t help but click her tongue. A children’s version flying device for 600,000? Poverty really does limit one’s worldview.

This shop was certified by the Merchant Guild, fair trades for all, so facing Tang Dou’s accusations, the owner was neither flustered nor arrogant as he explained:

"Exactly because it’s a limited edition, its market retention is low, which makes it more prone to devaluation. If it were a military edition limited release, collectors might be interested. But yours is a civilian model..."

The implication was that this flying device could only fool the inexperienced rich into making a purchase, and dreaming of pawning it off second-hand was just that—a dream.

Tang Dou was full of resentment, but in his heart, he knew the owner was right. He had asked many stores, and this one offered the highest price.

Moreover, it’s a broken device, leaving it would only decrease its value further. Just as he was about to nod in agreement, someone suddenly tapped him on the shoulder.

"Dou Er, fancy meeting you here!"

Tang Dou was shocked: "Li Xing? What are you doing here?"

His embarrassing scene earlier wouldn’t have been unseen by this damned person, right? How unlucky!

"Dou Er, let’s talk over there."

Li Xing signaled to the owner that she’d call if needed. The owner walked away, as there were other customers to attend to in the store.

Li Xing put her arm around Tang Dou’s shoulders, slyly saying, "Are you also selling off unused items, did your family go bankrupt?"

"None of your business!"

Tang Dou tried to shake Li Xing off, but her strength was too great. After a few struggles, he couldn’t escape Li Xing’s control and secretly cursed: this gal must be like a crab, looking thin but having strength all packed in those bones, freakishly strong.

"Don’t be mad, just a little joke. I’ll offer 85,000, sell it to me."

"Not selling!"

"90,000."

"Not selling!!"

"95,000, can’t go higher, you know I only have a 100,000 scholarship and need to save some for living expenses."

"Not selling, doesn’t ’no’ mean ’no’ to you!"

Li Xing sighed and earnestly persuaded, "Dou Er, I know you don’t like me, but you can’t dislike money, right? The owner offers 80,000, I give you an extra 15,000, isn’t that a better deal? Think about it again."

Tang Dou calmed down and thought about it, realizing she was right, more money is a good thing, why resist money?

"100,000!"

Li Xing shook her head.

"Dou Er, I’m offering 95,000 out of consideration for our fellow students’ bond, you wouldn’t really think I’m dumb, right? That old man just said the power system has issues, buying it I don’t even know if I can fix it. With 100,000 I might as well buy one that can fly. Since you don’t want to sell, let’s forget it."

After saying this, Li Xing turned and walked away. Tang Dou panicked, didn’t want to bicker with her, and hurriedly grabbed her arm,

"Hey, don’t go, I’ll sell it, isn’t that okay?"

"Alright! Let’s check the goods first."

Li Xing walked over to examine the flying device carefully. For children’s driving safety, to ensure maximum stability, the device’s nozzles are in a stable triangular distribution, one front, two rear. When it switches to land mode, the hubs lower, and it becomes a tricycle.

Li Xing sat down to feel it out. The seat was spacious enough, given her build, to use until graduation without a problem. The paint on the panels and other details were impeccable. Considering its original price as a luxury item, the visibile areas were definitely not shabbily made.

"I haven’t ridden it much; it’s mostly been in storage. I, I don’t even know why it just won’t fly."

Tang Dou lied; the device’s fault was somewhat related to his improper operation.

Once, Tang Dou was playing excitedly and didn’t notice the Energy Stone running out. When the flying device issued a forced landing alert, he was flying over the outskirts of the city, and a landing there would certainly lead to a Star Beast attack. In desperation, Tang Dou used a high-grade crystal stone instead of an Energy Stone, barely flying back home.

Since crystals also contain Elemental Power, in emergencies, they can replace Energy Stones. However, the energy in crystals is impure. The lower the Energy Stone’s grade, the greater the damage to the machinery.

Generally speaking, the talismans on flying devices have a margin of error, allowing the temporary use of high-grade crystals as energy. As long as it’s not used for a long time or frequently, and not using low-grade crystals high in Chaotic Power, it shouldn’t cause severe damage to the flying device, but these would never be in any manual.

Tang Dou’s flying device broke down after using a crystal once, still not a testament to great quality. But ultimately, it was Tang Dou’s improper operation at fault from the start. The post-sale support wouldn’t compensate, he knew he was in the wrong, and without better remedies, had to sell it.

Tang Dou was afraid that once Li Xing knew the truth, she’d change her mind, but Li Xing had long used her Divine Sense to discover the key point.

The flying device was covered in talismans, many with blurred lines, leading to poor overall image integrity and prone to energy transfer interruptions. Even if Tang Dou used Energy Stones as required, it might still fail to start.

Either the device had quality inspection oversight at the factory or this version had design flaws; Li Xing thought the latter was more likely.

This thing was indeed a trap for the wealthy, slapping a limited edition tag, even garbage could sell at exorbitant prices.

"Alright, deal."

Happily transferring the money to Tang Dou, Li Xing stored the tricycle into her numero uno Spiritual Pendant. The space technology here was very advanced; space buttons and space rings were common household items, so Li Xing didn’t need to hide her space treasure at all.

Li Xing was eager to repair the tricycle at home, but she noticed Tang Dou looking troubled, seemingly wanting to say something but unable to decide, his features twisted in contemplation.

"Dou Er, anything else?"

"... Li Xing, you’re a girl, right?"

Li Xing’s eyes widened, were her features that indistinct?

"I, I mean, you should know what gifts girls like, right?"

Li Xing laughed, "Couldn’t tell, Dou Er, you’re quite mature, already have a girlfriend at such a young age."

"Nonsense! Who said anything about a girlfriend, I’m buying a gift for Sixth Aunt!"

Tang Li huh, jeez, even older than Li Yi, what kind of girl is she.

"Oh, what’s the occasion for the gift, a birthday? A congratulation? A remembrance?"

"Call it a remembrance." Tang Dou felt a bit sad, "The family arranged for Sixth Aunt to work in Oli City, so we won’t see each other daily anymore, I hope she’s always happy, blessed, doesn’t forget me."

Tsk tsk tsk, didn’t expect this little fatty to be quite sentimental.

"What’s the budget?"

"Including the car sale money, 540,000 to 550,000, it’s a bit on the low side, not sure if I can buy something she likes."

"...Let’s go."

She begrudged splitting a Star Coin into halves; to some, over fifty grand was considered pocket change. Truly, in drought or flood, there’s always excess or lack.