Chapter 869: Chapter 434: Coral Association

After reaching an agreement, the transaction between the two proceeded very smoothly.

With the help of the association receptionist, Maere, they quickly handled many final tasks, including submitting fees and canceling item registrations.

In just over ten minutes, when the two reached the association’s entrance, Xia Nan’s account had an addition of over two hundred Gold Coins, and the Practice Staff was hanging on Hai Yin’s waist.

"Pleasure working with you."

Even though it was just for transition, after a long search, finally regaining a handy casting tool made Hai Yin especially happy, and the emotion he emitted was much more relaxed.

Showing a natural smile on his face, he proactively greeted Xia Nan beside him.

"Hope to see you again some day."

"Of course, there will be a chance."

After shaking hands with Hai Yin one last time, Xia Nan responded politely with some formal words.

The two appeared very proper, maintaining respect and restraint for each other.

But on the other hand, they both knew.

These so-called manners and friendliness were purely because they had just completed a transaction with mutual satisfaction.

It didn’t mean they had become friends, not even acquaintances nodding to each other.

Restricted by the constraints of time and place.

Both were senior adventurers who had reached Professional Levels, their professional ethics needless to say.

Don’t be fooled by the friendly appearance at present.

If someday they were to meet in the vast sea beyond Suo Yu Bay, should a conflict arise, the Magic Radiance released from the Practice Staff would not weaken in the slightest due to today’s interaction, just as the Ash Fall Straight Sword, maintained with the Gold Coins paid, would not dull in cutting off its head.

Neither seemed interested in further entanglement, merely exchanging a few more pleasantries, they made a neat farewell.

To Xia Nan, this was just another routine equipment transaction.

At most, the identity of the other as a druid spellcaster would leave some impression in his mind, but he didn’t pay much more attention.

The Southern Islands are vast, and after the Moon Tide Banquet he would return to River Valley Town, under normal circumstances, it’s unlikely they’d see each other again in this lifetime—merely a passerby NPC.

This was how he originally thought.

However...

After leaving the adventurer association, having walked past two streets and turned three corners, Xia Nan suddenly stopped.

Turning his head, his dark eyes gazed at not far behind him.

There, Hai Yin, whom he had just parted ways with, was standing awkwardly beside the street, just like a discovered stalker.

Perception Ability played its role invisibly.

Xia Nan knew clearly that Hai Yin had made no effort to conceal his presence from start to finish, even at the beginning directly walking alongside him, later realizing their routes overlapped more and more, gradually falling back.

Combining Hai Yin’s adventurer identity and the slightly awkward expression now, the reason for the "tailing" seemed obvious.

"You’re heading to the Three-legged Sea Dog tavern too?"

...

...

Xia Nan and Hai Yin walked side by side on the street, with a slightly subtle atmosphere between them.

After all, not long ago, they had just bid farewell at the association’s entrance, assuming they were mere strangers, thinking they’d never have the chance to meet again in this lifetime, yet here they were again.

Luckily, neither had an awkward personality, a slight communication, and learning they had the same destination, the two returned together.

"So you’re only in Suo Yu Bay for about a month?"

Hai Yin glanced at the black-haired adventurer beside him with a knowing look.

"No wonder I have no impression of you."

Suo Yu Bay, as Sevia Kingdom’s southern adventure hub, has long attracted a large number of adventurers, with no shortage of professionals among them, plus the inherently high mobility of those in this industry, unless specialized in intelligence, otherwise it’s tough to recognize everyone.

Even though Hai Yin had been involved here for years, having made some reputation with his team, he wouldn’t claim to name every outstanding professional in town.

But Xia Nan in front of him was different.

Although not knowing his exact Level, the Perception bonus granted by the druid profession allowed Hai Yin to almost feel the faint threat exuded from this young man the moment he entered the conference room.

His Professional Level had to be higher than his own Level 3.

This was one of the reasons for Hai Yin’s politeness throughout the transaction.

But he had no impression of the other.

This was very odd.

After all, in a way, even from the outward aspect, the adventurer named Xia Nan possessed very noticeable recognition.

His sharp and defined facial features need not be elaborated, not to mention his youthful appearance under twenty and the two long swords carried on his back.

Hardly "unremarkable."

With such prowess, such traits, it’s unlikely he’d be completely unheard of in town.

The only explanation was that he was a newcomer to Suo Yu Bay.

Which Xia Nan’s answer confirmed.

Though unclear if the other noticed, Hai Yin had already conducted slight probing back in the conference room.

Utilizing the origin of the Practice Staff, probing out that Xia Nan was indeed the instigator of the widely-rumored "Flying Fish Oil Barrel" adventurer team’s annihilation in the tavern these days.