Chapter 373 - 345: Mutual Exchange
She didn’t linger on the topic. Changing the subject, she said, "I’ve come today for two reasons. First, our Alliance of Realms has three open member slots. We’re assessing your Home’s potential to see if you qualify to join the All Realms Association."
"Second, to trade resources."
Shi Hu nodded and looked back at Zhang Meng. "Go back and inform our Lord."
"Alright. You be careful," Zhang Meng said in a low voice.
But his gruff voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet of the night.
It was as if he’d said it on purpose in front of the three of them.
The two black-robed figures tilted their heads up slightly.
The woman glanced at Zhang Meng but said nothing more. ’I’ve seen plenty of big lugs like him back in the stockades. Sometimes their brains just don’t work right. No point in arguing with someone like that.’
After returning to the Home, Zhang Meng relayed what had happened to his lord. Qin Ziwen listened, lost in thought. He turned his head to Jia Liangcai. "Liangcai, do you think we can trust them?"
Jia Liangcai countered, "My Lord, can one person join two guilds at the same time?"
"Of course not."
"Would you be willing to abandon our current guild to join another?"
Qin Ziwen understood. That settled the first matter.
As for the second matter—trading resources—that was a possibility.
’Sometimes, things we find scarce might be abundant for others. Based on the conversation, they’ve been through more maps than I have, so they probably aren’t short on Marvels, are they?’
...
"Short? Why wouldn’t we be? Even for us, Marvels are hard currency. I’ll give you a piece of intel for free: among Homes, Marvels and Extraordinary items are the kind of hard currency that never goes out of style. Activating certain buildings permanently consumes Marvels, Building Cards can be socketed with Marvels, and crafting certain items also requires Marvels. That’s not even mentioning how some Marvels have miraculous effects all on their own.
"For a Home in the early stages, things like food, wood, and iron ore are important. But once you’re past the beginner phase, Marvels are the main currency. Consider that tip a freebie," the woman said nonchalantly.
"If you want Marvels, that’s fine. But you’ll have to trade other Marvels or Extraordinary items for them. Forget about common things like food and ironware. The exchange isn’t worth it, and if I set a high price, it’ll hurt your wallet."
Zhang Meng returned to the Home and relayed the woman’s words.
Qin Ziwen thought for a moment, then instructed Zhang Meng, "When you go back out, first ask her if she has any Aquatic Marvels. If she does, take out the Heaven-Reaching Fruit and the Deep Sea Oxygen fruit and ask for her trade price. If she’s not willing to trade items, then ask her what the price is for Aquatic Marvels in exchange for Cards. I only want Aquatic Marvels."
The woman was growing impatient waiting outside. "So timid and hesitant," she muttered. "I came all the way here in person, and he’s still hiding in there. Is he even a man?"
Shi Hu heard her but remained silent. ’My Lord’s actions are perfectly reasonable,’ he thought.
’This woman looks fierce. It’s better to be cautious.’
Zhang Meng emerged from the Home and asked the woman if she had any Aquatic Marvels.
"Of course I do. But don’t be in such a hurry. Let me ask you: what map are you on now?"
Zhang Meng pretended not to hear anything that went beyond his lord’s instructions.
He just stared blankly ahead, his eyes going crossed with the effort.
The woman turned to look at Shi Hu, but he just lowered his head, his expression serious, as if fascinated by something hidden in the bonfire at his feet.
Further to the left, the Single Claw Dragon was squatting on the ground, digging in the dirt and pawing at ants.
"..."
The woman laughed in exasperation.
’How clever. They just go silent when faced with a difficult question.’
"It seems your lord has no intention of joining our Alliance of Realms. I won’t force the issue. Alliance members get a reward for recommending newcomers, which is the only reason I bothered. Since you’re not interested, just pretend I never asked.
"I have Aquatic Marvels. And even if I didn’t, I could trade with others in the Alliance to get them for you. But what do you have to offer that might tempt me?"
Zhang Meng took the Heaven-Reaching Fruit and the Deep Sea Oxygen fruit from his pocket.
"Deep Sea Oxygen? That’s the stuff that lets you breathe underwater for a short while, right? Someone in our Alliance sells it. If you want to trade these for a Marvel... six hundred of them! For six hundred fruits, I can give you one Level 1 Marvel. The price is very fair. After all, you’re the ones who need the Marvel, and I have to make a little profit," the woman stated frankly.
Zhang Meng neither agreed nor disagreed. It wasn’t his decision to make, anyway.
He would simply relay the offer back.
Then he held up the Heaven-Reaching Fruit in his left hand. "And this?"
The woman didn’t recognize it, of course. The world was full of countless rare treasures; how could she possibly know them all?
But that didn’t stop her from using Insight.
[Heaven-Reaching Fruit (Extraordinary): Consumption increases body size. The effect diminishes with repeated use. After consumption, the user’s mind is temporarily clouded and thoughts become sluggish.]
After reading the description, a sharp glint flashed in the woman’s eyes, but she said nonchalantly, "This one... one fruit for one Level 1 Marvel."
"Alright, I’ll go back and relay that." With that, Zhang Meng put the items away and prepared to return to the Home.
The woman called out to him. "Wait. Where did you get these Heaven-Reaching Fruits? Do you have the tree?"
Zhang Meng turned his head, a look of complete confusion on his face. "Huh? I don’t know. Our Lord gave them to me. It’s my first time seeing them, too."
The woman paused for a moment before adding, "This thing increases body size, so in a way, it can strengthen one’s foundation. But it has drawbacks. You can’t take it repeatedly, and there’s a side effect... you’ll basically be an idiot for a long time afterward. If you could take it without limits, its value would at least double, but as it is, it’s only worth my offer."
Zhang Meng just kept nodding, saying nothing more.
Watching his back as he entered the Home, the woman narrowed her eyes. ’An unexpected windfall,’ she thought.
’Among different species of beasts, size often equals combat strength.’
’This Heaven-Reaching Fruit can increase size, making it a treasure capable of compensating for a weak innate constitution.’
’Any treasure that can make up for one’s natural-born limitations is priceless.’
’Even with the side effects, tons of people would be scrambling to get their hands on it.’
’Besides, the side effect isn’t permanent. And even if it were, that wouldn’t be a huge problem. For certain powerful figures, a weapon just needs to be obedient. Being too smart can be a liability; a bit of stupidity is actually a good thing.’
After returning to the Home, Zhang Meng relayed the woman’s words.
After Qin Ziwen heard the report, he and Jia Liangcai exchanged a look, and both of them broke into a smile.
They spoke almost in unison.
"Looks like this Heaven-Reaching Fruit is something special."
"The Heaven-Reaching Fruit is quite valuable."
’Her price for the Deep Sea Oxygen proved she was an aggressive negotiator. She knew I needed it, so she made an exorbitant demand, acting like she had me right where she wanted me.’
’And even then, she still offered a one-for-one trade for the Heaven-Reaching Fruit.’
’That could only mean the Heaven-Reaching Fruit was extremely valuable.’
’And that wasn’t all.’
’Before Zhang Meng left, she even went out of her way to emphasize its drawbacks, clearly trying hard to push the trade through.’
’That meant its value to her was likely several times what she offered.’
’Who would have thought that the fruit tree I randomly dug up in a cave on the starting map would turn out to be a goose that lays golden eggs.’
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