But he wanted more.
Ye Zhongming raised a hand. “That’s just the thanks. The Crow’s materials? We’ll negotiate separately.”
The trio brightened instantly.
Money wasn’t the issue—level-nine materials were priceless. They’d bankrupt themselves if necessary.
Although they didn’t have a gene lifeform lab like Cloud Peak, they had smiths like alchemists and blacksmiths. Although the level nine materials won’t be as effective as in Ye Zhongming’s hands, they would still be elite items.
“Can we choose specific parts?” Mu Xinfei cut straight to the chase.
Ye Zhongming studied her with amusement. The former nine-star powerhouse was committing to her role.
Deacon Water took a subtler approach. “Zhongming, I heard you eliminated many monsters beyond the mountain. Would you sell us some evolution potions?”
She knew about Ye Zhongming’s probability-boosting skill. Directly requesting demon crystals would’ve been futile, but potions were a different matter.
Deacon Water was expanding her faction and needed a large amount of potions.
Evolution potion trade was a hugely profitable business in Cloud Peak, so Deacon Water’s suggestion was what he wanted.
Ye Zhongming considered. “High-tier potions are limited. No eight-stars, few seven-stars, more six-stars. The rest are plentiful.”
The trio froze. They hadn’t expected seven-star potions to be on the table. They thought that six stars would be the limited ones. Even most of Cloud Peak’s core members were only seven-star!
Ye Zhongming understood why they were so surprised. He smiled, “Evolution potions above five stars must be paid in demon crystals.”
“Understood!” Deacon Water agreed instantly.
Deacon Water stretched her hand and made a sign. Ye Zhongming shook his head, “As for the ratio, let’s discuss further. Each level’s potions are different. The higher the level, the higher the ratio.
“We have similar needs. Why not we set the terms now so we can gather enough crystals?”
Commander Mu wouldn’t give up such a chance. Not many factions were selling high-level potions, and Cloud Peak was probably the only one selling a limited seven-star potions. Even Five Ring Money and Cannibal Chains couldn’t.
Li Daqian nodded, and he wanted to join in, too.
Ye Zhongming understood why Commander Mu wanted to decide things now. He was afraid the price he gave Deacon Water and Li Daqian was different from his. After all, Cloud Peak was closest to Deacon Water. Li Daqian was next, and Commander Mu was last.
Ye Zhongming laid out his terms.
“All of you won’t need low-level potions. How about this? 20% off five-star potions, 15% for six-stars, and 10% off the seven-star potions. The most five-star potions you can buy are three thousand, 600 six-star potions, and 30 seven-star potions. The three of you will split them, or you can decide how to distribute them yourselves.”
They wanted to speak, but Ye Zhongming interrupted them, “No bargaining.”
The three of them lowered their heads to think.
The discounts weren’t astronomical—wheel spins could yield similar results with luck. The question was whether the certainty justified the cost.
It depended on whether or not each faction had evolved that could raise the luck on the wheel. If they did, was their probability above that of Ye Zhongming’s?
Mu Xinfei bowed out of seven-star purchases—her faction had an evolved who boosted spin success by 10%, making the discount redundant.
Deacon Water and Li Daqian, lacking such talents, accepted eagerly. Deacon Water’s financial might shone. Commander Mu and Li Daqian took up a third of the potions while Deacon Water finished the rest.
Had Ye Zhongming accepted barter, they’d have paid premiums—even 200 seven-star crystal equivalents per vial of seven-star potion—to avoid hunting high-tier mutants, which would have saved many lives.
After the evolution potions, a few of them turned to the Nine-Winged Crow. They thought that with a good start, Ye Zhongming would talk about selling the materials. They were anxious about the price.
But when they made the suggestion and even thought about which parts, Ye Zhongming rejected them.
“Zhongming, didn’t you say…” Li Daqian pointed at the crow and asked him why he went back on his word.
“I’m changing the trade method.”
He met their confused stares squarely.
“Let’s be honest—no matter how skilled your craftsmen are, they can’t utilize level-nine materials as effectively as Cloud Peak.”
The unspoken “Obviously!” hung in the air. The few of them rolled their eyes.
Your Cloud Peak had the gene lab and Ye Zhongming, an advanced Smith. Of course, others couldn’t compete.
Ye Zhongming ignored them, “So instead of selling raw materials, I’ll trade you finished products crafted from them.”