Chapter 330: Transaction Request
“Ghost King, if you do not mind, why not enter the manor first before we continue discussing?”
Faced with the Ghost King of the Dark Card Organization, Zhou Ming did not directly reject the other party’s request merely because his subordinates had previously provoked him without reason.
The Transcendent world was very simple. When both sides possessed equal strength, unless an irreconcilable life-and-death hatred existed between them, negotiation was always the best choice.
The losses Zhou Ming caused Dark Card were insignificant, while Dark Card had likewise failed to cause Zhou Ming any real harm and had instead brought him considerable benefits.
Therefore, the two Transcendent Experts did not allow emotions to affect their rationality.
“Of course I do not mind. To be invited by the Alliance’s youngest Transcendent is truly an honor.”
This was reality. As long as one possessed sufficient strength, even a powerful expert would be willing to calmly converse.
Under Zhou Ming’s lead, the Ghost King of the Dark Card Organization followed him into the manor’s living room.
The perceptive Hong Luan immediately arranged for servants to bring over two fresh cups of hot tea before withdrawing from the room alongside the servants.
“Ghost King, what makes you so certain that the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials are in my possession?”
Zhou Ming took a sip of tea before breaking the silence between them.
“It seems my guess was correct. The Half-Orc Class Advancement materials truly are in Lord Ten Thousand Snakes’ hands.”
After hearing Zhou Ming indirectly admit it, the Ghost King showed no anger over Zhou Ming taking away the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials from the ruins.
Whether one obtained the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials left behind within the Northern Wasteland ruins depended entirely on one’s own ability. The Ghost King would not react so childishly.
“Although Lord Ten Thousand Snakes is the Alliance’s youngest Transcendent Master, possessing talent, comprehension, and willpower that few can rival…”
“…creating an entirely new Class Advancement System from nothing is absolutely not such an easy matter.”
“If establishing a new Class Advancement System were truly so simple, it would be equivalent to mocking those predecessors and sages, while also proving Blue Star’s Beast Tamers are all fools.”
The Ghost King resembled an elegant noble youth as he gently swirled the tea within his cup while calmly expressing his thoughts.
After listening, Zhou Ming smiled slightly, seemingly acknowledging the other party’s analysis.
At the same time, it also made him realize that very few people capable of advancing to Transcendent Master Rank were fools.
“What sort of transaction does Ghost King wish to make?”
Since matters had already reached this point, there was naturally no need to continue beating around the bush.
Zhou Ming did not immediately confirm whether he would agree to the trade. Instead, he wished to hear what price the other party intended to offer in exchange for the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials.
“One hundred kilograms of High-grade Source Crystals.”
“I do not have many High-grade Source Crystals in my possession, but for now, they are sufficient for my needs.”
The Ghost King looked toward Zhou Ming. He had not expected that not long after advancing, the other party already possessed High-grade Source Crystals.
Soon afterward, the Ghost King immediately realized something.
If one hundred kilograms of High-grade Source Crystals failed to move the other party, there could only be two explanations.
First, Ten Thousand Snakes intended to demand an outrageous price.
Second, the other party possessed another objective.
“May I ask what Lord Ten Thousand Snakes desires?”
Seeing Zhou Ming refuse, the Ghost King directly tossed the matter back to him instead of hurriedly raising the offer again.
“The Scarlet Apostle advancement path, including the Blood Lord advancement to Transcendent Master Rank.”
Hearing Zhou Ming’s request, the Ghost King’s hand swirling the teacup abruptly stopped, while wrinkles instantly appeared upon his forehead.
“Lord Ten Thousand Snakes, do you not think this request is somewhat excessive?”
“The Half-Orc profession is merely an incomplete and crippled system. It cannot even be properly used.”
Although dissatisfied with Zhou Ming’s demand, the Ghost King did not immediately turn hostile. Instead, he began arguing his reasoning with Zhou Ming.
“The true value of an item lies not merely in its inherent worth, but also in whether someone needs it.”
“If I am not mistaken, the goal of you and the other Ghost King is to borrow the Human-Beast Fusion technology contained within the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials to perfect the Blood Lord advancement path.”
Based on what Zhou Ming understood, the highest level ever reached by Beast Tamers choosing the Scarlet Apostle profession was Mid-level Transcendent Rank.
Not a single one had ever broken through into High-level Transcendent Rank.
Zhou Ming confidently concluded that the Transcendent profession evolved from Scarlet Apostle — Blood Lord — possessed defects and had never truly been perfected.
The blood addiction appearing after advancing to Blood Lord was the greatest proof.
“It is merely for reference, not because we absolutely must obtain the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials. On the contrary, Lord Ten Thousand Snakes may instead miss an opportunity for additional benefits.”
Although Zhou Ming pointed out the true reason he desired the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials, the Ghost King did not appear overly anxious.
Once he revealed a desperate determination to obtain them, it would instead give Zhou Ming the opportunity to demand an outrageous price.
Although the Ghost King outwardly appeared calm and unconcerned, Zhou Ming knew the other party would absolutely not easily let this opportunity go.
However, if the transaction failed, the other party would very likely take desperate risks for the sake of profit. After all, the Dark Card Organization publicly possessed two Transcendent Experts.
“What about adding this?”
Zhou Ming placed a glass box upon the tea table. One could clearly see a beating heart contained within.
“Heart of the Blood Clan.”
Without even opening the glass box, the Ghost King immediately recognized the source of the heart due to Dark Card’s understanding of the Blood Clan.
“Previously, I accidentally encountered a Pureblood Blood Clan member, leading me to discover something rather interesting — the origin of blood addiction comes from a special curse contained within bloodline will.”
“As for the source of the curse, I do not know. However, I believe Ghost King should be very interested in how to eliminate blood addiction.”
After Zhou Ming revealed this new bargaining chip, the Ghost King finally began truly valuing Zhou Ming.
Not because of his strength, but because of his abilities in bloodline research.
“The Scarlet Apostle advancement materials in exchange for the Half-Orc Class Advancement materials, along with your research regarding blood addiction.”
“If Ghost King is willing, we can complete the transaction immediately.”
After receiving Zhou Ming’s confirmation, the Ghost King immediately fell silent instead of making a decision at once.
“I require careful consideration regarding this matter. After the auction concludes, I shall give Lord Ten Thousand Snakes an exact answer.”
“Of course. I hope our cooperation will proceed pleasantly.”
The Ghost King silently examined Zhou Ming for several moments. He chose not to continue speaking further.
As several blood-colored bat shadows flashed past, the Ghost King directly departed from Zhou Ming’s manor.
As for the result of the other party’s consideration, Zhou Ming believed he would make a rational judgment.
When one could obtain the needed items more simply and safely, very few Transcendent Experts would risk danger to seize them by force.
The next day, with nothing to do, Zhou Ming asked Hong Luan to guide him around White Bone City.
Since he had already come to White Bone City, he naturally wished to properly experience it.
The Beast Arena — a place where Apprentice Beast Tamers fought to the death in exchange for resources.
It was also the largest gambling establishment in White Bone City.
The Slave Market — a place where Wildfolk and Foreign Race slaves were traded, where intelligent lifeforms themselves became commodities.
Pleasure Street — a place where beauties of every imaginable style could be found, and one of White Bone City’s most famous money-draining districts.
……