Chapter 78: A Lucrative Deal

Back in the settlement, Zhang Lie quickly concluded the transaction with Chu Feng and Yun Bing. They each wanted 5,000 cores, for a total of a hundred million points between the two clans.

The members of Team Zenith were astounded by the magnitude of the transaction. A hundred million points was worth a billion dollars! A dollar wasn't worth all that much in this day and age, but Zhang Lie had gotten all that money just for ten thousand cores!

And they had seen just how large Zhang Lie's stockpile of these white-grub cores were. To have a few warehouses full of cores that cost a hundred thousand dollars each... just how much wealth did Zhang Lie have?!

They thought that Zhang Lie was being generous when he handed some points to their team leaders, Fang Yi and Sun Mengmeng, but after learning about the extent of his wealth, they finally understood how he could be so generous.

Zhang Lie dismissed them so that they could hunt down the ten basic gene fragments they needed to saturate their new capacity, then entered the Blacksteel Inn alone.

His goal was to purchase a sufficient number of genetic techniques for his team. He had spent quite some time pondering the techniques that would be most suited to everyone.

First was Fang Yi. His original framework was water-attuned, which meant that he could learn all the techniques that Zhang Lie was currently using: [Three-Wave Crescendo], [Rippling Walk], [Calm Waters], [Fists of the Silent Sea], [The Boundless Blade], and even Zhang Lie's prized [Ninecarp Transformation].

There would be no need for any further preparation with regards to his techniques.

Sun Mengmeng's situation wasn't very different from Fang Yi's. Her framework was fire-attuned, just like Zhang Lie's in his past life. In that case, he wouldn't have to prepare any of her techniques either. [The Burning Pyres], [Soulfire Blade], [Scorching Fist], [Flameburst Step], [Embersteel Cuirass], and [Baptism of Hellfire] were genetic techniques that Zhang Lie had used and studied all throughout his past life. Except for [Ninecarp Transformation], they weren't inferior to any of his current water-attuned genetic techniques at all.

However, Sun Mengmeng favored long-ranged archery techniques, so Zhang Lie decided to buy her something suitable for that purpose as well.

The other hunters' techniques would be trickier. Yang Ze's framework was earth-attuned, and Sun Xiaowu's was gold-attuned. Li Feng's framework was earth-attuned, like Yang Ze, whereas Zhou Ying's framework was wood-attuned. To further complicate matters, the four of them each preferred a different fighting style.

Given that Zhang Lie was preparing to build a dojo, he would certainly need a repertoire of genetic techniques, even beyond what his teammates needed.

In his suite, he immediately accessed the trading post and contacted the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion. His status as a million-class customer meant that he received preferential service for all his requests. Not two minutes after he sent a message, Daffodil, who had already handled two of Zhang Lie's requests, contacted him.

"Mr. Peppercorn, thank you for your patronage at the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion. What may I do for you today?"

"I need genetic frameworks and techniques, high-grade and above, in all nine primary elements: gold, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, light, and darkness. Send me a list of all such techniques you have for me to look over.

To be honest, I'm currently preparing to construct a dojo, and I'll be needing a large supply of techniques. However, you have to ensure that these techniques were obtained reputably, and I can't have any trouble associated with using them. Do you understand?"

Daffodil was momentarily stumped by the enormity of Zhang Lie's request, but she quickly replied, "Yes, Mr. Peppercorn, I understand! However, I don't have the required authority to process this on my own. Please give me a moment while I report this to headquarters and ask for assistance!"

"Go ahead. I'll be here waiting for your response."

Zhang Lie closed the connection and poured himself a glass of red wine, turning on the holographic television as he waited for a response. Fortunately, given his status, the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion didn't dare to keep him waiting. In just five minutes, he received another call.

Two figures appeared on the holographic screen, Daffodil and a middle-aged man.

"Thank you for your patience, Mr. Peppercorn. I'm Fang Yuze, the manager in charge of the branch of the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion in the first realm of the dimensional world, and I'm honored to be serving you today."

"I'm sure Miss Daffodil has already explained my circumstances to you, so there's no need for any pleasantries now, please," Zhang Lie cut directly to the heart of the matter. "How many framework and technique manuals do you have?"

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Fang Yuze bowed his head respectfully.

"As you wish, sir. We have 165 manuals that meet your requirements. Of these 165, 23 are gold-attuned, 14 wood, 24 water, 17 fire, 22 earth, 19 wind, 13 thunder, 21 light, and 12 darkness. The lowest is high-grade, and the highest is mythic-grade. Please, feel free to take your pick. As a million-class customer, you'll receive a 12% discount on any purchase you make at the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion," Fang Yuze explained patiently, going so far as to offer Zhang Lie a bulk discount.

After all, customers who made such large purchases were rare, and if he were able to secure a deal now, he would surely gain prestige and reputation within the Thousand-Treasure Pavilion, and be promoted into a managerial position after his advancement into a higher realm.

Zhang Lie smiled. "I intend on purchasing more than fifty manuals, a large purchase even among large purchases. Why don't you give me a 30% discount? If so, we can continue negotiations; if not, I'll find some other trading house to give my business to."

Despite his smile, it was apparent that he had no intention of giving in.

Fang Yuze hesitated, not expecting the 'generous customer' that Daffodil had mentioned to pull a trick like this. He glared at her before turning back to Zhang Lie, schooling his features into a pleasant mask. "Of course, sir. Given the magnitude of your purchase, I can offer you a 30% discount, but I must insist that you purchase at least fifty manuals for the discount to take effect."

"That's not a problem. Fifty manuals is a baseline, and I'm sure to exceed that."

Fang Yuze heaved a sigh of relief, then gave Zhang Lie a wide smile. "In that case, sir, let me thank you again for your patronage. I'll leave Daffodil here to work with you in selecting the manuals you'd like to purchase. If there's anything with her service that you're unhappy about, please contact me directly.

.

"Here is my contact information. I'm currently located in the Maple settlement, and someone will respond to any request from you at all hours. Please let me know if there's anything you need!"

As a manager, Fang Yuze couldn't afford to spend too much time on any single customer, and after leaving his contact information behind, he handed the rest to Daffodil.