Chapter 17: Negotiation!
Shen Qiu's eyes nearly popped out of his sockets.
He wore an expression of disbelief.
Just moments before, he had been secretly wondering if Ouyezi was faking it.
Five whole hours just to forge a pair of gauntlets?
But then he looked.
It wasn't just one item!
There were nine of them!
And the luster, the quality—they all looked quite extraordinary.
He rushed forward impatiently, picking up each item for a closer look.
𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂
The more he looked, the faster his heart pounded.
Almost every single one was of Excellent quality!
There wasn't even one of Common quality!
When he finished inspecting the last three items.
Shen Qiu gasped, and the hairs on his body stood on end.
Rare quality!
Three Rare quality pieces of equipment in a row!
Is this the power of an S-rank Forging Master?
Shen Qiu was so excited that his hands trembled slightly; he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
With trembling hands, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
From the other end of the line, an old, hoarse voice spoke.
"Hello? What is it?"
"Guild Master... a Prodigy has arrived at the Guild!"
Half an hour later.
A black sedan screeched to a halt at the entrance of the Forging Guild.
An old man, over sixty but with an exceptionally vigorous spirit, strode out.
His hands were covered in thick calluses, and his gaze was sharp.
He was Gu Yan, the Guild Master of Tianhai City's Forging Guild.
Gu Yan did not waste a moment, heading straight to the forging room on the third floor.
He walked to the forging table, picked up the gauntlets, and examined each one meticulously.
After a long while, he put down the last gauntlet and turned to Shen Qiu, who dared not even breathe beside him.
Gu Yan nodded knowingly, a relieved smile appearing on his face.
"Good, very good. Our Tianhai City is finally going to have a truly presentable Forging Master."
Afterward, led by Shen Qiu, Gu Yan arrived at Ouyezi's office.
The old Guild Master's sharp gaze swept over Ouyezi, then he slowly spoke.
"I am Gu Yan, the current Guild Master of Tianhai City's Forging Guild."
"I have seen the gauntlets you forged."
"They are very good." He paused, a glint flashing in his eyes, "It is said that you are also an S-rank Forging Master?"
"It seems our Great Xia Country will gain another legendary Forging Master in the future."
Zhou Huai, controlling Ouyezi, remained calm: "Guild Master, you flatter me."
Gu Yan waved his hand, getting straight to the point: "Let's skip the pleasantries."
"You are officially joining our Tianhai City Forging Guild."
"I appoint you as a Special Forging Master of the Guild."
"You will enjoy Vice Guild Master-level treatment."
"From now on, you can freely use the Guild's top-floor Special Forging Room."
"All current forging blueprints in the Guild, except for a very few that are not open to the public, will be freely available for you to review."
"Additionally, basic Forging Materials will be provided free of charge by the Guild. For Rare Materials, you will have priority supply and the right to purchase at cost."
"We will also provide you with a dedicated assistant team responsible for handling miscellaneous tasks, collecting Materials, and gathering intelligence, as well as the highest level of security."
With each condition Gu ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ Yan stated, Shen Qiu's eyelids twitched, and he secretly marveled in his heart.
These terms were incredibly generous, to the point of being outrageous!
Even those Prodigies and Geniuses at the main Guild might not have received such treatment when they first joined!
Ouyezi, after listening, remained calm; he picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
"Guild Master Qin's conditions are indeed full of sincerity and quite tempting."
"However, there's no such thing as a free lunch."
"I want to know what I need to give in return for this?"
Gu Yan looked at him with appreciation; this young man was indeed not simple, able to remain calm in the face of such temptation.
"Haha, it's not about giving, just a few small requests," Gu Yan chuckled.
"Firstly, once you join our Tianhai City Forging Guild, you must acknowledge yourself as a member of our Tianhai Forging Guild when outside."
"Secondly, our Guild will have priority acquisition rights for the equipment you forge. But rest assured, the acquisition price will definitely be the highest market price. If the equipment can participate in an auction, you will also receive an additional share of the profits."
"Thirdly, the Guild will not restrict your personal freedom on a daily basis. But when the Guild needs you, you must return."
Zhou Huai, controlling Ouyezi, frowned almost imperceptibly.
The conditions proposed by Gu Yan seemed generous, but in reality, they were a finely woven net.
This way, Ouyezi's Clone would be deeply tied to the Tianhai City Forging Guild.
This was not what Zhou Huai wanted.
His SS-rank Myriad Forms Divine Craftsman was destined to become the core pillar of his own power in the future; how could he be constrained by a small Tianhai City branch?
"Guild Master Qin, I appreciate your kindness, Junior," Ouyezi said, putting down his teacup, his tone carrying a hint of apology, "But as for the demands you've made, I'm afraid Junior cannot comply."
"Junior is by nature free-spirited and dislikes restrictions, so I'm afraid I'm only suited to be an ordinary Guild member."
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere in the office instantly solidified.
Shen Qiu, listening from the side, was terrified, fearing that the Guild Master would leave in a huff.
Gu Yan's smile also faded a little; he looked deeply at Ouyezi, his gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Oh? Are my conditions not generous enough, or does Little Friend have other plans?"
He pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "Little Friend Ouyezi, I sincerely appreciate your talent. How about this, if you have any thoughts or conditions, feel free to speak them. As long as they are not too excessive, I can consider them as appropriate."
Zhou Huai was waiting for exactly that.
"Actually, getting me to agree to your demands is also very simple."
"I just need to add one condition to the original ones."
A hint of curiosity flashed in Gu Yan's eyes: "Oh? What condition? Feel free to speak."
Ouyezi spoke clearly, word by word: "As long as I wish to leave the Guild, I can leave at any time! The Guild must not obstruct me for any reason!"
"This..." Gu Yan's brows instantly furrowed into a tight knot.
He looked deeply at Ouyezi, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
The Guild spends immense resources to cultivate you, and yet you can just pack up and leave anytime?
Wouldn't all the Guild's resources be wasted then?
Such a condition, any leader of any Guild would likely not easily agree to it.
Just as the atmosphere became slightly stagnant, Ouyezi added: "I am a humble person with little influence, and I may speak without knowing the gravity of my words. I hope the Guild Master will be magnanimous."
"However, there is one thing I need to clarify. It's not that I, Ouyezi, cannot manage without your Tianhai Forging Guild. With my talent, no matter which city's Forging Guild I go to, I can still thrive; I have that confidence."
"But, if your Tianhai Forging Guild has my addition, it can definitely rise by one or even several levels beyond its current foundation. In the future, becoming the top Forging Guild in the entire Great Xia Country is not impossible!"
Gu Yan was first stunned, then let out a low, cold chuckle.
"Haha, you little rascal, you're not old, but your tone isn't small either!"
He stared intently at Ouyezi, as if trying to see through him.
After a long while.
His laughter stopped, and he looked at Ouyezi with burning eyes, saying word by word:
"I like your arrogance!"
"I agree to your condition!"