Chapter Eighteen: Light at the End of the Tunnel

Dozens of various items were laid out in front of the table: a platinum necklace previously sold by Zhang Cheng, a Chanel handbag, Gucci leather accessories, and two mobile phones.

Qin Jing first picked up the platinum necklace and placed it before the mirror.

Tiffany Platinum Necklace
Year of Manufacture: February 2018
Used: Approximately 9 months
Material: Platinum, small diamonds
Original Price: 38,000 yuan
Appraised Value: 36,000 yuan
Searching for Buyer (3g)

“Searching for buyer.”

With Qin Jing’s words, the image of the platinum necklace faded, revealing three information windows.

The first window’s evaluation was poor—pass. The second was fair—pass again. Then he looked at the third, which was also marked as fair.

The third option contained a message: a man named Chen John was willing to pay fifty thousand for the necklace. His motive—he was Zhang Cheng’s love rival and intended to use the necklace to deal a blow to Zhang Cheng, thereby severing all ties between Zhang Cheng and his ex-girlfriend.

“What a mess.”

Qin Jing frowned and decisively picked up the next item.

This time, two options appeared—one poor, one fair. Qin Jing then took out the third item.

One after another, Qin Jing kept placing the recycled goods before the mirror, which would continually refresh with various information. Sometimes there were two buyers, sometimes three.

Generally, when two buyers appeared, their evaluations were poor and fair; only when three buyers showed up did a premium client appear.

These premium clients, for all sorts of reasons, were willing to pay more than the original price for these items. If Qin Jing sold all the recycled goods, he would make a killing.

However, the scenario Qin Jing had hoped for never appeared. The only surprise was that out of the ten items, five attracted premium clients—but the premium client was always the same person.

Zheng Qiuying!

According to the information, her purchasing desire was “moderate,” and she could be “brought to the door” for just 1g.

“Could it be that because she’s a familiar client, the GDP system has determined Zheng Qiuying is highly likely to show up? And with her temperament, if she sees luxury goods she likes, she’ll naturally buy them. In that case, spending 1g to push her decision along could be a way out.”

Qin Jing analyzed silently. If that was the case, he could spend 1g to get Zheng Qiuying to the door. Given her need for the beauty elixir, she would pay cash, allowing Qin Jing to accumulate G-points.

But as he watched a short video about Zheng Qiuying, he found it difficult to take this path:

Time: Around 3 p.m. today
Location: A certain villa
Scene:

Zheng Qiuyin sternly warned Zheng Qiuying, “Qiuying, I feel something’s off with you. Have you developed feelings for Qin Jing?”

“No! How could I have any feelings for him?” Zheng Qiuying denied.

“Good. The paper you need for your cultivation, I’ve already sent my secretary to handle it. The first batch will arrive tonight. For now, forget about that beauty elixir. When things calm down, I’ll buy it for you. From now on, don’t contact Qin Jing anymore.”

“Why?” Zheng Qiuying protested.

“No reason. I’m just worried that you’re too inexperienced and might develop feelings for Qin Jing. Since he doesn’t have the formula for the beauty elixir, he’s just an ordinary person and not worth our attention. Remember, you’ve already surpassed the ordinary. Once you complete the substitute paper doll, you’ll become a first-rank witch. Among extraordinary professions, it’s the most mysterious and has the greatest potential. Don’t let yourself be distracted by outside matters.”

A long silence passed before Zheng Qiuying replied reluctantly, “Fine, I know.”

The video ended there. After watching, Qin Jing decisively set aside the Zheng Qiuying route: the two sisters were both wealthy and extraordinary. Their disregard for him was only natural. By contrast, with GDP in hand, he felt he had his own potential and didn’t wish to throw himself at those who looked down on him.

Still...

Half an hour later, the results for all the items were in. There was still no “exceptional” option.

“Was summoning Jessica the first time really just luck?” Qin Jing frowned. He’d hoped to summon a customer from the mythic world—after all, Jessica had brought him enormous rewards.

Sitting alone in the room, chin in hand, Qin Jing mused, “I have one last trump card. If this doesn’t work, then even if I have to humble myself, so be it. At least Zheng Qiuying’s backside is round and perky—getting rejected by her wouldn’t be the worst fate...”

This was his way of finding humor in hardship. Over the past year, society had smoothed Qin Jing’s edges—he’d become thick-skinned and worldly. Compared to the massive profits on offer, a little pride meant nothing.

He then entered his room and, from a pile of torn clothes, fished out the Tio Gem! He hadn’t forgotten that this gem not only had ten cubic units of storage space but also the miraculous function of communicating across dimensions with Jessica Tio.

Qin Jing had always worried that Jessica might see through him, and the pressure from such a favored daughter of the heavens was too great. So he had never dared touch the gem.

Yet this time, as soon as he took out the gem, he noticed pinpricks of phosphorescence on its surface. As his fingers brushed against it, a soft glow spread, and an image suddenly appeared within the gem.

Jessica Tio’s stunning figure appeared before him. She said, “Mighty summoner, the brand-name handbag from Earth has made my sisters envious. I love this feeling. Tell me your needs, and I will gather whatever you require from the mythic world. Looking forward to our next transaction.”

Clearly, this was a transdimensional message.

Yet the awkward part was, Qin Jing had no idea how to reply. First, he didn’t know how to send a message via the Tio Gem; second, he couldn’t simply say he needed basic supernatural powers or the quickest way to begin cultivation.

“Damn, is my last trump card useless too?”

Even someone as resilient as Qin Jing was close to losing his mind from repeated disappointment.

Taking a deep breath, he murmured, “No, there’s still a chance—I haven’t tried everything yet!”

Since Zheng Qiuying could become a regular and frequently appear on the sales page, perhaps after receiving Jessica’s message a second time, he could refresh the page to summon her again.

Once more, he took out the platinum necklace and placed it before the mirror. The magic mirror rippled like water, and in the next moment, three sales options appeared. The third was especially eye-catching:

Jenny Tio: Purchasing desire: Intense. Psychological price: Unknown. Customer rating: Exceptional. Summon Jenny: 50g

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This book is written with care and will be meticulously crafted, so it might progress a bit slowly at first. Readers familiar with my style know that things will get exciting. Please be patient—there will be many spectacular scenes to come. I hope for your continued support and recommendations.