Qi Yuan had successfully proven his worth and won himself a new opportunity. Before Tan Qiu left, she had a long talk with Qi Yuan. Other than the two of them, no one knew what they talked about. Even Qu Shanhai and Su Li didn't know the content of the conversation.
After Tan Qiu left with Su Li, Qi Yuan felt more and more pressed for time. Although he had received Tan Qiu's promise, the world was always full of surprises. If he wanted to deal with a level 4 researcher, he couldn't be too careful.
The long talk with Tan Qiu allowed Qi Yuan to understand some of the inside stories of the shelter. At the same time, it also cleared up some misunderstandings, giving him a foundation of trust for future cooperation.
But for Qi Yuan, it was definitely not a smart choice to put all his hopes on someone else.
Although Tan Qiu's reputation was good and she was willing to help him, if he relied on her help completely, he would only get himself into a quagmire.
Tan Qiu had always believed in equivalent exchange. Every time she helped him, she had already secretly marked the price.
Therefore, no matter how much Tan Qiu promised, he had to have his own trump card. That way, he could truly gain a foothold in the shelter.
Qi Yuan quickly decided on a plan of action.
In the remaining time, apart from restoring the Blazing Angel to Rank 4, he also needed to complete his check-ins at the few checkpoints in the wilderness. If he could successfully step into Rank 3, he would definitely be able to give Feng Qian a huge surprise.
The next morning, Qi Yuan had just left Qu Shi's laboratory. While he was still hesitating on how to get more energy cores, an unexpected visitor took the initiative to come to him.
It was a thin old man with a black eye patch. The other eye that was exposed wasn't a complete eye, but a mechanical artificial eye.
Although it was the first time they had met, Qi Yuan was able to recognize the identity of the person who had come with such obvious characteristics.
The person in charge of the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce was nicknamed "Blind Man"!
"Mr. Qi Yuan, the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce would like to discuss a deal with you. I wonder if you have the time?" Blind Man said respectfully.
Qi Yuan glanced at him. The Black Gold Chamber of Commerce and the Stupa Chamber of Commerce had been operating in the Iron Chariots for a long time. They often worked with the Hunter's Guild to issue bounty missions, but sometimes, they would privately contact certain hunters to carry out missions that weren't suitable for public release.
Most of the people who were qualified to work with them were the stronger level 3 experts. Even Wolf's Teeth Hunt had experience of being hired by the chamber of commerce.
This wasn't rare in the Iron Chariots. However, the other party suddenly taking the initiative to come knocking at his door at this time made Qi Yuan somewhat suspicious. He suddenly recalled the reminder of Arc Light's reminder.
.. Qi Yuan's Qi Yuan's Heart's't.. After all, the other party had something that he wanted..
If the other party was really a remnant of the Xu family and wanted to scam him, they had to give him enough bait.
As for whether he would freeload off the other party's bait or if the other party successfully killed him, it would depend on who was more ruthless.
"I happen to have time," Qi Yuan said with a smile.
"Please follow me!" Blind Man gestured for him to follow.
Qi Yuan followed behind Blind Man and soon arrived at the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce's encampment. In the reception hall, he met the person in charge of the Iron Chariots — Night Owl.
As a chamber of commerce that had the ability to smuggle materials from the Black Steel Shelter, the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce wasn't weak. However, their encampment wasn't built in a grand manner.
However, Qi Yuan knew that this was only on the surface. The Black Gold Chamber of Commerce's real space was underground. Through the area detection, Qi Yuan discovered that there was a huge space below the reception hall. It was filled with all kinds of materials, but he didn't find the energy core he needed.
After a simple exchange of greetings, Night Owl directly spoke of his intentions.
"We found a silicon-rich vein in Red Copper Valley. However, the bug beasts entrenched in it are a bit difficult to deal with. Apart from a group of highly poisonous Crimsonback Venomkiss Ants, there are also two Six-Legged Spirit-Devouring Beasts.
"Due to the special terrain of the underground mine, and the Crimsonback Venomkiss Ants' habit of spitting out poisonous fog, it caused the poisonous fog to accumulate in the depths of the mine. Even a third rank ability user would find it difficult to survive in there, so I hope you can help us clear out the Crimsonback Venomkiss Ants inside."
Qi Yuan smiled. His battle with Venom had already made many people aware of his ability to resist poison. If Night Owl wasn't lying, then this mission he spoke of was indeed something only he could complete.
If it wasn't for Arc Light's warning, perhaps he wouldn't have noticed anything strange.
But now, the appearance of this mission made Qi Yuan feel a hint of a conspiracy.
The main business of the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce before, apart from rare metals, was rarely related to mines. The appearance of this mine was clearly a bit abrupt.
Moreover, this mission was too suitable for him, as if it was tailor-made for him.
Qi Yuan didn't expose it. Instead, he said with great interest,
"The poisonous fog in the mine can't threaten me. I can also help you clear out the Crimsonback Venomkiss Ants inside, but what kind of reward can you offer?"
Since it was a trap, how could there be no bait!
Night Owl laughed heartily and said, "As long as you can solve the problem in the mine, you can name your reward. Whether it's Mechanical Armament or Ability Potions, we can think of a way!"
The Black Gold Chamber of Commerce only dared to make such an offer because of their relationship with the shelter. If it were anyone else, they might have been moved by Night Owl's offer long ago. Unfortunately, he met Qi Yuan.
"I want energy cores. Two thousand grade one energy cores!" Qi Yuan directly demanded an exorbitant price.
Night Owl's expression froze. According to the Hunter's Guild's difficulty, this clearing mission's reward rating should be C +. Although the reward was higher than an ordinary C +, it wouldn't exceed three hundred thousand.
When he invited Qi Yuan, he had already planned to pay a high price, but he never expected Qi Yuan to confidently demand two thousand grade one energy cores.
Even according to the lowest price in the wilderness, this was a good worth forty million. Qi Yuan had raised the price by 130 times!
"Mr. Qi Yuan, you must be joking. This number is too big. It's already beyond what we can afford," Night Owl said with a forced smile.
The smile on Qi Yuan's face became brighter. You've already dug a hole to bury me, so why don't I ask for an exorbitant price?!
"The value of a silicon-rich mine isn't just two thousand grade one energy cores. Moreover, your Black Gold Chamber of Commerce has a lot of business. You don't lack this bit of money!"
Energy cores worth forty million are just this bit of money in front of you?
That's a huge sum of money that a wilderness refugee like you won't be able to earn in your lifetime!
Ye Xiao took a deep breath and resisted the urge to throw a punch at Qi Yuan's face as he said:
"This price is indeed too high. If you need energy cores, I can take out a hundred grade one energy cores as the remuneration for this employment!"
One hundred Tier 1 Energy Cores were worth a whopping 2,000,000 Gold Coins, far surpassing the price of a C + Rank Quest. Even Tier 3 Team Quests rarely yielded a reward of 2,000,000 Gold Coins.
According to the market price, Night Owl's offer was very sincere, but Qi Yuan shrugged.
"Since you're so sincere, I can give you a discount. A thousand grade one energy cores is my bottom line. If you can't take it out, you'll have to find someone else!"
After Qi Yuan finished speaking, Night Owl had a difficult expression. From two thousand grade one energy cores to a thousand grade one energy cores. Although it was a 50% discount, it was still a sky-high price.
"I wonder why Mr. Qi Yuan wants so many grade one energy cores?
If you encounter any problems, perhaps we can come up with a solution together! "Night Owl said.
"Recently, Qu Shi and I have been designing mechanical equipment, so we've consumed a lot of energy cores!" Qi Yuan said with a smile.
Designing mechanical equipment?
Just you and Qu Shanhai?
You two are wild researchers. It's already the best you can do to design a cyborg equipment. How are you going to design a complete mechanical equipment?
Can't you be more careful with your excuses?
Night Owl complained in his heart, but he did not dare to show it on his face.
He could only smile and say, "Mr. Qi Yuan, I'm looking for you with 100% sincerity this time. You're the most suitable for this mission, and it shouldn't be too dangerous for you."
"If you're not satisfied with our conditions, we can talk again. However, a thousand energy cores is indeed too much. We don't have that many energy cores in our warehouse!"
Qi Yuan pretended to frown and said.
"How many grade one energy cores can you take out?"
When Ye Xiao heard that there was hope, he was about to continue bidding when Qi Yuan impatiently interrupted him.
"I'm preparing for the assessment to enter the shelter. I don't have much time to waste with you. You still have one chance to bid. If you can meet my requirements, I'll help you once. If you can't, don't waste my time!"
You're just a grade two. Why the hell are you preparing for the assessment?
Night Owl, who was interrupted, roared angrily in his heart.
However, seeing the obvious impatience on Qi Yuan's face, Night Owl did not dare to show his anger.
With Qi Yuan's current strength and status, he indeed had the capital to be willful and the right to bargain with him. This was because Qi Yuan did not lack money at all. If the conditions did not meet his requirements, he would decisively refuse.
Night Owl's mind was racing.
As a merchant association backed by the Shelter, although a thousand energy cores was a lot, it was not impossible for them to take it out. The merchant association's warehouse could take out the amount that Qi Yuan wanted, but they could not do so.
It was not because he could not bear to part with the money, but because doing so would make Qi Yuan suspicious.
In order to persuade Qi Yuan, the chamber of commerce had sent people to collect information about Qi Yuan. Qi Yuan was obviously not the kind of fool who would get carried away easily. His perception of danger was definitely more vigilant than others. Otherwise, it would be impossible for him to walk out of the old city.
Once he agreed to the reward of a thousand grade one energy cores, with Qi Yuan's vigilance, he would definitely suspect his motives.
A normal person would not agree to such an obviously unreasonable price, unless it was a conspiracy!
After a short consideration, Night Owl quickly came up with a response.
"Mr. Qi Yuan, we still have five hundred grade one energy cores in our warehouse. I can take them all out as the reward for this employment, but I also have a request. I want the two Six-legged Spirit-Engulfing Beasts alive."
Not only did the Six-legged Spirit-Engulfing Beasts have the strength of a peak grade three insect, but because of the characteristics of both sexes moving together, they were far more difficult to deal with than ordinary grade three insects.
However, it was also because of this that the living bodies of the Six-legged Spirit-Engulfing Beasts were also very valuable. The price of each living body was about a million, which was a little higher than an ordinary peak grade three insect.
Night Owl was already prepared to continue bargaining with Qi Yuan, such as not necessarily capturing them alive, or reducing the number of energy cores, and so on.
"Deal!" Qi Yuan said.
Deal?
Night Owl was obviously stunned. Qi Yuan's sudden answer made him instantly lose his composure.
You just said that a thousand energy cores was the bottom line, and now you want five hundred?
If I can get five hundred grade one energy cores for free, why wouldn't I make a deal?
Qi Yuan said silently in his heart.
Through Night Owl's reaction, Qi Yuan could already confirm that the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce was digging a hole for him. However, to avoid Night Owl's suspicion, Qi Yuan continued.
"The Six-legged Spirit-Engulfing Beasts are too strong. I can't guarantee that I can capture them alive!
And I want to get the energy cores first! "
Since Qi Yuan was already prepared to get the energy cores for free, he naturally wouldn't give Night Owl a chance to back out. As long as he got the energy cores, he would have already won half of this game.
Night Owl, who was just about to agree, suddenly fell silent when he heard Qi Yuan's last request.
Of course, he didn't care about the life of the Six-legged Spirit-Engulfing Beasts. The real problem was the latter condition.
Compared to Qi Yuan's initial condition, although this number had already been reduced by half, five hundred grade one energy cores was still not a small amount. If he could let Qi Yuan do the work first and pay later, as long as Qi Yuan was dead, this expense would naturally be saved.
However, if he paid first, these energy cores would most likely not be recovered. Otherwise, everyone would associate Qi Yuan's death with the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce.
After pondering for a moment, Night Owl said tentatively.
"Mr. Qi Yuan, according to the employment rules, we always do the work first and pay later. Can we pay a deposit first …"
"Don't talk to me about those messy rules. My rule has always been to get paid first and do the work later!"
Qi Yuan's face was cold as he interrupted Night Owl unceremoniously.
"If it weren't for these energy cores, I wouldn't have worked with you at all. If you want to continue working with me, then follow my rules!"
Night Owl's expression stiffened for a moment, but he quickly adjusted himself. He only cursed in his heart: When you die in Red Copper Valley, who knows who will get these energy cores!
After weighing the pros and cons, Night Owl had already accepted Qi Yuan's conditions in his heart, but he still maintained a bitter smile on his face.
"Mr. Qi Yuan, your conditions are too harsh."
Seeing Qi Yuan snort coldly and was about to leave, Night Owl hurriedly called out to Qi Yuan.
"I agree to this condition!"
Only then did Qi Yuan stop, his expression slightly better.
"Don't worry, I, Qi Yuan, always keep my word. When I get the energy cores, I'll set off."
"If we can work together happily this time, we can continue working together next time!"
Next time?
You won't have a next time!
Night Owl cursed in his heart, but he still had a smile on his face.
"I can prepare the energy core now. If it's possible, I hope to see the mine cleared out by tomorrow."
"No problem!" Qi Yuan said with a smile.
Although the number of energy cores obtained from the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce could not be compared to the energy cores obtained from Arc Light, the sense of accomplishment it brought was far greater than the latter.
This was because the energy cores from Arc Light were loans, while the energy cores from the Black Gold Chamber of Commerce were free!