The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

With the final transaction completed, the gathering drew to a close. In the final round of brief free exchange, several more people completed small exchanges or trades of information.

Just as everyone had quieted down and the party was coming to an end, the man who had been wearing the wooden mask suddenly spoke again.

"I still have some things to ship."

"I have a few manuscripts on extraordinary knowledge, which contain some basic information about mysticism and are suitable for newcomers who are just embarking on the path of the extraordinary." He introduced them casually, as if he didn't care whether they could be sold.

"They're nothing valuable, so they're being sold together for twenty gold pounds."

After the man finished speaking, silence remained. Clearly, this kind of basic knowledge was of little use to most of the senior ascendants present.

However, for a "beginner" like Morian, it was exactly what he needed to fill the gaps in his knowledge and understand this extraordinary world!

I happened to have a few recovery potions on hand... The idea of ​​trying to exchange the potions for the manuscript quickly formed in my mind.

Seeing that no one was interested in buying, the seller seemed to have anticipated this and was about to give up when Morian gently placed two glass bottles filled with emerald green liquid on the table.

"Sir, I happen to be very interested in these basic manuscripts." He showed great interest on the surface.

"Would you be willing to exchange these two 'restoration potions' for them? Their quality and effects are exactly the same as the ones I just used in the transaction."

Sure enough, the man nodded almost without hesitation: "Okay!"

The man had indeed heard about the effects of the medicine, but to him, the copies were no longer of any value. Being able to exchange them for two doses of medicine that could potentially save his life in a critical moment was an unexpected delight.

The final deal was quickly completed, and "Mr. Y" in the seat of honor slowly stood up and clapped his hands. The crisp applause echoed in the hall, drawing everyone's attention back to him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this gathering is now concluded," the host announced calmly. "Later, guests who have completed their transactions, please follow the waiters' instructions to proceed to the different private rooms in the side hall in batches to collect the items you have traded."

Meeting adjourned.

The participants stood up and, guided by several waiters, headed towards different side doors to protect each other's privacy and whereabouts as much as possible.

As a "big client" who had completed two transactions, Morian was followed by a respectful waiter through a short, narrow corridor into a private room that was only a few square meters in size.

The room was very simple, with no unnecessary decorations. Apart from a dark round table in the center, there was only a candle on the table for lighting.

After waiting patiently for a while, the wooden door was gently knocked on and then silently pushed open.

The first person to enter was the waiter who had led the way, carrying a black wooden box in his hands. Following closely behind the waiter into the room was another figure.

It was that mysterious and powerful "Mr. Y" who always sat in the head seat.

The waiter gently closed the door behind him. He was still wearing that well-fitting black suit, and just standing there he exuded an invisible pressure.

Mr. Y's gaze fell on Morian, and a kind smile appeared on his lips beneath the mask as he said with a faint smile:

"How should I address you, sir?"

How should I address them? Morian paused briefly, realizing that everyone here was addressed based on the features of their masks.

Thinking of the mocking smile on his pure white mask, and recalling the fierce battle with Quilt in the rainy night, a code name naturally came to mind for the self wearing a similar smiling mask.

"The Joker," he said slowly, "you can call me 'Mr. Joker'."

"Alright, Mr. Clown." Mr. Y's smile remained unchanged as he went straight to the point, "If I may ask, do you have any remaining recovery potions from the transaction? I'm willing to buy them at a price higher than the standard price, no matter the quantity."

Even this mysterious party host values ​​the potion's effects? Morian felt a chill run down his spine, but he wasn't entirely unprepared for this.

From the moment Mr. Y followed him into the secret room, he already had a general idea in his mind. As expected, the other party directly asked to buy it, which was enough to show the attractiveness of the potion.

"Thank you for your appreciation, Mr. Y." Morian carefully chose his words, "However, those few potions were obtained by chance, and I really don't have any more to offer you at the moment."

"Of course, if I am fortunate enough to obtain a similar potion in the future, I will seriously consider making a deal with you, and I will come to the gathering again then."

He deliberately spoke ambiguously, not making any definitive statements from the outset. He neither revealed his ability to refine the materials nor denied any possibility of future cooperation.

Mr. Y remained silent for two seconds, his eyes behind the mask showing no disappointment, nor did he stoop to questioning the source of the potion.

After all, these kinds of things usually involve privacy, and it's very taboo to ask unless the other party is willing to bring it up.

"Understood."

He nodded slightly, took out a card with dark gold patterns from the inside pocket of his tuxedo, and handed it over with his white-gloved hands.

"I look forward to your next visit. If you are interested in making a deal then, you can show this business card to the waiter and request to see me. I host gatherings at more than one location in Bet City."

After receiving the business card with both hands, Morian noticed that it contained only a simple club address and a prominent capital "Y" as its sole identifier.

"No problem, I will consider it carefully," Morian said sincerely, carefully putting away the business card.

For him, the gathering not only yielded two important items but also left room for future collaborations with the host, making it far more rewarding than he had anticipated.

It seems that if there is an opportunity in the future, I can participate more in these gatherings among those who have ascended to higher levels, as it would be a huge boost to my knowledge.

Mr. Y said no more, nodded politely to Morian, and then turned and left the room, leaving the space for the waiter and Morian to complete the final handover of the items.

After carefully checking and confirming that everything was in order, Morian carefully put away the crystal and the copy, and then followed the servant out of the building through another, more secluded exit.

When I came out, it was already completely dark outside. The streets were deserted, with only the faint moonlight and kerosene streetlights barely dispelling the darkness.

Morian found a taxi waiting for customers at the end of the street, gave the driver the address of Slan Street, and quietly climbed into the carriage.

Few people go out for a stroll at night, so he managed to book a "private room" all by himself this time.