Yun Qianqian's smile remained unchanged, as if she had long anticipated Vice Leader Wen would ask this question.
She smiled and said, "Since Vice Leader Wen has brought this up, let's first discuss the pricing of that item."
Yun Qianqian paused slightly after saying this, then gently raised a finger:
"One 13-line loss crystal, what do you think, Vice Leader Wen?"
In reality, 13-line loss crystals have not yet appeared in this world; they exist only in theory. However, their value can be calculated: one 13-line loss crystal is equivalent to ten 12-line loss crystals, one hundred 11-line loss crystals, one thousand 10-line loss crystals, and so on. Theoretically, one 13-line loss crystal is worth one million seven-line zombie crystals, which is an astonishingly high number.
After all, no faction currently can produce even ten thousand seven-line zombie crystals.
The price Yun Qianqian proposed was an astronomical figure, unattainable for any faction.
However, as soon as Yun Qianqian finished speaking, Zuo Feng's expression became strange. Although one million seven-line zombie crystals sounded terrifying,
Zuo Feng knew in his heart that perhaps that item was truly worth more than one million seven-line zombie crystals. His Da Bai Tu was truly ruthless.
Wen Wudao's eyes slightly darkened, and he snorted coldly:
"Miss Yun, you truly know how to joke. The value of that item cannot be measured by one 13-line loss crystal; even 10,000 13-line loss crystals would be difficult to estimate."
Yun Qianqian smiled softly, seemingly unconcerned by Wen Wudao's cold scoff:
"Vice Leader Wen indeed has a brilliant insight. The value of that item is naturally more than that.
But you must understand, currently, you cannot obtain even one 1-line loss crystal's worth of benefit from that item.
Instead of waiting for an illusory high return in the future, it's better to secure immediate profits.
Moreover, I'm not boasting, but currently, apart from my Firefly, no other faction can offer resources matching my quote. Don't you agree, Vice Leader Wen?"
Wen Wudao frowned slightly. Although Yun Qianqian's words were subtle, each word was like a needle, hitting a sore spot. He indeed could not gain any practical benefit from that item now.
Furthermore, the news had already reached Firefly, and he simply couldn't keep that item safe.
Even if Firefly didn't try to take it and helped him keep it secret, Mo Tianya already knew he possessed a treasure, and the news wouldn't stay hidden for long. Once Wen Wudao discovered it, let alone keeping the item, he wouldn't even be able to save his own life.
An innocent man is guilty for possessing a treasure, but for only one 13-line loss crystal, Wen Wudao still found it hard to accept.
He said in a deep voice, "Miss Yun, the price you've offered is truly hard to accept..."
A glimmer of light flashed in Yun Qianqian's eyes. She gently lowered her finger and said softly, "Vice Leader Wen, then you give me a quote."
To try to buy that item with just one 13-line loss crystal was undoubtedly a fool's dream.
Yun Qianqian didn't expect Wen Wudao to agree immediately. What she truly wanted was his bottom line, and to slowly make Wen Wudao waver on the item's value, thereby taking the lead in subsequent discussions.
Wen Wudao pondered for a moment, his eyes flickering slightly, and slowly said:
"If we truly want to evaluate the value of that item, it would require at least ten thousand 13-line loss crystals. But Miss Yun is right; currently, no practical benefit can be obtained from that item, and the risk is extremely high.
I can compromise to one thousand 13-line loss crystals. This is my bottom line."
Wen Wudao's tone was firm, but his eyes held a hint of testing.
Yun Qianqian's lips curved slightly, and her fingertips gently tapped the table again:
"Vice Leader Wen, you are also joking with me. First, let's not discuss whether it's worth this price currently. Even if it truly is worth this price, Firefly couldn't afford 1,000 13-line loss crystals, even if spread over ten years!
It is, after all, just an inanimate object, and no one knows what can be obtained after dissecting it.
The key is, no one can dissect it yet. Even if there is the ability to dissect it in the future, that will be a long time from now. Who can guarantee that it won't depreciate by then, or even result in a complete loss?
I understand all that you've said, but one thousand 13-line loss crystals is truly an astronomical figure, far beyond Firefly's current capacity.
Vice Leader Wen, you are a wise person. Please give a more realistic price.
Only a price acceptable to both sides can facilitate this cooperation; otherwise, it can only end in regret.
After all, no matter how good the item is, if I can't afford it, there's nothing I can do."
As Yun Qianqian's words fell, Wen Wudao's expression tightened. He naturally understood that Yun Qianqian's implication was not to give up entirely, but to probe his room for concession.
He slowly exhaled and said in a deep voice, "Miss Yun, how much do you think is appropriate?"
His gaze was like a sharp blade, fixed on Yun Qianqian's expression, and his tone softened slightly, "If Miss Yun is sincere, please speak directly, to avoid beating around the bush and wasting time."
He also wanted to know Yun Qianqian's bottom line. He had to sell that item today, but he wanted to get a good price, at least by finding out Yun Qianqian's bottom line.
In fact, he also understood that apart from Firefly, other factions couldn't even offer the price of one 13-line loss crystal, let alone one 11-line loss crystal.
Yun Qianqian smiled softly. Bargaining, after all, was about mutual probing and psychological warfare. She slowly raised her eyes, met Wen Wudao's gaze directly, and her tone was calm but with a hint of probing:
"Since Vice Leader Wen has said so, I won't beat around the bush either. Ten 13-line loss crystals. This is the absolute limit Firefly can offer, and it must be paid over ten years."
Wen Wudao narrowed his eyes, his face unreadable, seemingly weighing something. After a long moment, he spoke faintly:
"Miss Yun, are you trying to send a beggar away?"
His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of coldness,
"Ten 13-line loss crystals? If that item yields even a little something, it would be worth far more than that. Even if it cannot be dissected currently, its future potential is there.
Moreover, it's an installment plan. As you said, who knows if loss crystals will depreciate in ten years? And with a ten-year installment plan, the risks and uncertainties I have to bear are too great. Miss Yun, your proposal is simply too childish."
Wen Wudao slowly leaned back in his chair, his gaze deep, but his tone remained steady,
"I'll give you one chance to reconsider your offer. Otherwise, this discussion might have to end here."
Yun Qianqian's expression remained unchanged, as if she had already anticipated Wen Wudao's reaction. Bargaining, after all, if you don't play hardball, how do you force the other party to concede?
She smiled gently, tapping her finger lightly on the table, as if thinking, or perhaps setting a certain rhythm,
"Vice Leader Wen, you are right. A ten-year installment plan is indeed too risky for you, but without installments, my Firefly simply cannot afford it, and you know that. How about this: you give another quote. If it works out, great; if not, we can still be friends."
Wen Wudao's eyes flickered slightly. He slowly sat up straight and said faintly:
"Since Miss Yun is so straightforward, I won't beat around the bush either. One fixed price: 500 13-line loss crystals, with a ten-year installment payment option. This is my bottom line!"