Wizard: My career panel has no upper limit

Chapter 50: Foreign Merchants in the Trading Area
Ron nodded silently. In this world where supernatural powers prevail, even the most inconspicuous creatures may possess unexpected abilities.

"Lizard Alley, as the name suggests, was originally named because many lizardmen merchants gathered there."

Andre led the way and explained:

"Lizardmen have a talent for trade. Their original home was in the southwestern swamps, but as humans expanded their territory, some of the neighboring alien tribes were forced to migrate. A group of lizardmen traders discovered that the environment near the Black Mist Jungle was suitable for their survival, and that the management was sufficiently lax, so they settled here and began small-scale trade."

He used his hands to push aside a particularly dense cluster of mushrooms, revealing a clearer path:
"But now it has become a mixed trading area where almost everything can be found."

"One more thing." He suddenly stopped and turned to face Ron, his expression becoming extremely serious:

"The vendors in Lizard Alley are known for their cunning ways, and they're especially fond of playing tricks on outsiders. Testing customers with fake goods like Otto does is just the beginning, but there are many more tricks waiting for you."

"I understand." Ron nodded, a confident smile unconsciously appearing on the corner of his mouth:

"You've just witnessed my ability to identify genuine medicinal herbs, so there's no need to worry too much about being scammed. Coupled with the enhanced perception I gained after becoming a novice apprentice, it should be enough to handle most fraudulent tactics."

"hope so."

Andre sighed, his expression becoming complicated. He had always been very envious of his companions' advancement and talent in potions.
"Although it's hard to tell the quality and authenticity of the things here, the price is much more negotiable than at the school's market. Since you have such a good ability to distinguish, we can buy some more common materials to take back with us later."

Walking through a lifeless forest of dead trees, the dead branches made fragile snapping sounds under my feet, and a smell of decay floated in the air.

A narrow cobblestone road suddenly appeared in front of us. It was completely different from the messy path before. This road was flat and regular.

There are some strangely shaped stone pillars on both sides of the road, each of which is carved with a totem in the shape of a multi-headed dragon. Some of them have been eroded by wind and rain and become blurred, but the ferocious dragon heads can still be recognized.

"We're here." Andre lowered his voice, "This is the entrance to Lizard Alley."

Ron could feel that this place was completely different from the Sunset Tavern - there was a more chaotic magical fluctuation in the air.

Various energy traces are intertwined in a chaotic manner, creating an unsettling atmosphere.

It was a mixture of many different supernatural systems and alien bloodlines. There was no pattern to follow, but it miraculously maintained a fragile balance.

The moment he stepped onto the cobblestone road, Ron felt a slight tingling from the soles of his feet, as if something was scanning his body.

He instinctively became alert, but Andre's expression was calm, it seemed that this was just some routine check.

"Don't be nervous. It's just the defense mechanism at the entrance confirming whether we are carrying any extraordinary items of mass destruction."

Andre explained quietly, "They don't have any restrictions on personal weapons, but they don't allow the introduction of powerful alchemical explosives that could endanger the entire market."

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and continued walking forward.

Passing through the simple archway surrounded by stone pillars, the sight before you is amazing.

This is not an "alley" at all. It is clearly a narrow but extremely long block, with all kinds of makeshift stalls and simple shops densely packed on both sides.

Unlike the secluded Sunset Tavern, transactions here were conducted openly, with the sounds of hawking, bargaining, arguing, and laughing and cursing blending together to form a unique symphony. Strange creatures of all shapes and sizes scurried through the streets, including lizardmen with scaly skin, all dressed in brightly colored fabrics and jingling metal ornaments.
There are short goblins with pointed ears, whose eyes keep rolling around, as if they are trying to identify suitable targets for theft;
There were even a few trolls that were three meters tall, hunched over and carefully avoiding the low ceiling, their rough skin covered with tribal tattoos.

There were quite a few humans as well, but most of them looked like exiles or adventurers, with ragged clothes and alert expressions, in stark contrast to the pampered apprentices in the school.

"Pay attention to those signs." Andre pointed to the special symbols hanging on some stalls:
"Red triangles represent extraordinary materials, blue circles represent weapons and equipment, and yellow squares represent various rare and exotic items. We'll mainly look at the stalls with red triangles."

The two walked slowly along Lizard Alley, stopping from time to time to check out the stalls with red triangle signs.

Most of the stalls sell common medicinal herbs - snake tooth grass, evening primrose, silver mushroom, etc.

Occasionally, you'll see a slightly rarer item, like dragon's beard grass or fire crystal orchid, but the rare materials on Mrs. Allen's list are difficult to find.

Walking through a narrow alley, Ron carefully avoided the garbage and unknown liquids scattered on the ground.

The air was filled with a strange smell that was a mixture of herbs, rotting meat and alien body odor.

"Look, there."

Andre pointed to a crude tent made of animal skins. In front of the tent, a short green-skinned goblin was fiddling with various bottles and jars.

"This goblin is an alchemist. Although his skills are average, he has collected a wide range of materials, especially some of the materials needed for knight training."

As they approached the tent, the goblin immediately raised his head, his tawny eyes flashing with shrewdness.

"Hey, rare visitor, what treasure do you want, little brother?" The goblin spoke the common language with a heavy accent, revealing a mouthful of sharp yellow teeth.

"We need some materials to make Qi and Blood Potion."

Ron said calmly, his eyes scanning the various goods in the tent sharply:

"The rhizomes of Fire Orchid, Red Iron Grass, and Dragon's Blood Leaves, if available."

The goblin's eyes lit up. "Oh? A young bloodline practitioner? That's rare here."

He went deeper into the tent, rummaged around for a while, and then pulled out a few small cloth bags and glass bottles. "They're all here. High quality, reasonable price."

Ron used his [Medicinal Herb Identification] ability to carefully examine the materials.

The rhizome of the Fire Crystal Orchid is a slightly glowing red, a sign of superior quality;

The edges of the leaves of the red iron grass have a fine serrated structure, giving people a strong sharp feeling when touched;
The dragon blood tree leaves in the small glass bottles were a deep dark red in color and seemed to still retain a hint of life.

"Yes, these ingredients are very fresh and of very good quality." Ron nodded with satisfaction and then asked, "How much is it?"

(End of this chapter)