When Mu Ge and others arrived at Ziqiong Market with a shipment of goods, Lin Ziming and his group had been waiting there for quite some time.

"Colonel Lin, mission accomplished without fail!"

Mu Ge walked up to Lin Ziming. As someone from the functional departments, he wasn't concerned about appropriateness, saluted Lin Ziming, showing the excitement in his heart.

Being in a different world with fewer restrictions, Lin Ziming smiled and returned the salute, then firmly patted Mu Ge's shoulder:

"Director Mu, you've made a great contribution this time."

Mu Ge's lips curled into a slight arc, yet his words remained humble:

"It's good to be of help to the organization. Colonel Lin, to be honest, I was really on edge throughout the journey... No wonder, these tens of thousands of Spirit Stones are truly exceptional."

As Director of the second division of the International Economic and Trade Department of the Commerce Ministry, Mu Ge usually deals with major projects that start in the eleven-digit figures at home.

Such as quotations for large-scale external projects or transactions involving tens of thousands of tons of resources, etc.

Other projects, even if they have nine or ten digits, hardly catch his attention.

Yet, the conversion of over sixty thousand Spirit Stones into Huaxia currency amounts to merely three billion, which logically shouldn't provoke significant changes in Mu Ge's mindset.

Nevertheless, as he said, the nature of these Spirit Stones is indeed crucial.

Every percentage point lowered in the bottom-fishing task could lead to huge numbers post-premium, possibly magnifying by thousands or tens of thousands of times later.

Unexpectedly, you might find yourself short of a thousand Spirit Stones when buying things because you didn't suppress one or two extra points.

Ultimately, potentially leading to a costly failed campaign or research, it's entirely possible.

So Mu Ge's current performance is hardly surprising.

Lin Ziming then nodded to other members of the trade delegation, made the rounds saying hello, and the group returned to the shop with their cargo.

Once they were inside the shop, Mu Ge could truly breathe a sigh of relief.

He took out a stack of receipts from his clothes, handed it to Lin Ziming, explaining:

"Colonel Lin, these are the settlement proofs issued by several commerce associations.

The premium rate for buying beast materials this time is 17%, which equals 2.34 Spirit Stones per kilogram.

Approximately sixty thousand Spirit Stones purchased nearly twenty-five tons of materials, mostly consisting of beast bones and scales per the base camp's directive.

The strengthened Yi Qi vehicles used for cargo transport in Ziqiong City have a load capacity of about three to five tons each, making twenty-five tons of supplies roughly equivalent to six vehicles.

Since we bought in separate trips, our targets weren't too conspicuous — we even encountered a grain merchant team on the road with nearly twenty vehicles in their convoy."

Lin Ziming nodded, taking the receipt from Mu Ge.

Thirty tons of goods is quite common in Ziqiong City, given that it's a huge trade center itself.

Until you're being watched, assuming the guise of an ordinary convoy, it really isn't all that difficult.

After understanding the cargo information, Lin Ziming waved over a servant sent by Wei Mansion to the trade delegation, asking him to take Mu Ge and others to the rest stop arranged at the market.

After the group had left.

Lin Ziming reconnected with the command center on the current situation before getting busy sorting out cargo arrangements.

Approximately three to four hours passed, and Wei Qiangsheng appeared at the shop's entrance:

"Colonel Lin, I've just received notice; the Chief Shopkeeper of Purple Treasure Pavilion is here to examine the shop's situation; the market is expected to open within half an hour."

Lin Ziming was visibly excited:

Finally, it's happening!

The potential premium on these beast materials will surely be determined within one to two hours after the market opens!

Then Lin Ziming thought of something and asked Wei Qiangsheng:

"Patriarch Wei, I forgot to ask earlier. Did you notice if any caravan's goods were taken during this time?"

At these words, Wei Qiangsheng glanced around cautiously, moved closer to Lin Ziming, and whispered:

"Colonel Lin, I've carefully distinguished once, those people you encountered posing as talisman suppliers were actually Purple Treasure Pavilion... which is Yang Family's underlings.

They started purchasing beast materials from the unloading stage and continued until the caravans reached Ziqiong Market.

I estimate they bought the materials from at least a third of the caravans, given their ostensibly reasonable excuse.

The remaining caravans, who didn't sell their materials, included those who found the price too low and wanted to sell at a higher price, some had no suitable opportunity with the Yang Family, and some caravan leaders had already sensed something.

Thus, of the five thousand Spirit Stones initially reserved, we ended up spending only a little over two to three thousand Spirit Stones on beast materials.

Bones, skins, scales, and hairs were all there, and I've already handed them over to Chief Advisor Gu Junming."

Lin Ziming listened calmly to this and thanked Wei Qiangsheng, not feeling disappointed or regretful.

With such a large number of caravans, some people inevitably perceive something from the minutiae.

Maybe those indigenous leaders who haven't systematically studied full economic concepts won't be as keenly adept as the bunnies in commercial intuition.

Yet, as the saying goes, not all locals are backward. In two hundred caravans, having a few smart ones is quite normal.

Just like in ancient Huaxia before the systematic formation of the economic discipline, there were still numerous famous merchants who emerged.

Fan Li, Lv Buwei, Bai Gui, Widow Qing, etc... Just their number and intensity weren't as high as today.

Thus, some people realizing the price hike is actually quite normal.

The true difference between bunnies and natives comes out when predicting the price hike and subsequently establishing an accurate model, devising a detailed and effective bottom-fishing plan, among other operations.

These aren't things you can settle by simply laying out some turtle shells; it reflects the era's gap.

All in all.

Now, Wei Qiangsheng has collected over two thousand Spirit Stones worth of materials, which is commendable, knowing it's prime, no-premium resources.

And perhaps those caravans which thought themselves catching the convenience ride, as a few hours elapse, their expressions will be worth seeing?

Considering these caravans have other specialties to sell too, they won't leave Ziqiong City immediately, and will inevitably witness firsthand their foolish decision.

Among them, those not mentally strong might collapse on the ground and shout for a few more bottles...

Conversely, those caravans hoping for higher prices, their greed might provide them a substantial bonus this time.

Such is the cruelty of the market.

A quarter of an hour later.

An old man in a purple robe, with a group of followers, leisurely arrived at the shop's entrance.

"This is Yang Bolin, the Chief Shopkeeper of Purple Treasure Pavilion, a direct descendant of the Yang Family, uncle to the current Family Patriarch, his cultivation... Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer."

Upon hearing Wei Qiangsheng's introduction, Lin Ziming's breath slightly halted.

A Chief Shopkeeper of a Commerce Association whose cultivation rivals Wei Changge, once the strongest force in Chixian City, demonstrates the depth of Yang Family's foundation.

Not to mention compared to Wei Changge, Yang Bolin, as the Chief Shopkeeper of Purple Treasure Pavilion, surely has countless trump cards at his disposal.

Maybe even his underwear is a Magical Artifact?

A true pay-to-win cultivator.

If both parties were to engage in a life-and-death battle, probably even five Wei Changges couldn't conquer him.

When Yang Bolin halted at the shop entrance, Wei Qiangsheng quickly stepped forward to greet him.

Though Wei Qiangsheng's cultivation was merely at Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer.

But it was mentioned earlier, due to Wei Qiangsheng's extraordinary business talent, he secured a long-term supply agreement with Purple Treasure Pavilion leveraging the unique Seven-Color vine of Chixian City.

Moreover, he obtained a favored acquisition price that only families in the Core Formation Realm can enjoy.

Thus, in Yang Bolin's eyes, Wei Qiangsheng held some presence, unlike a nameless passerby — like the still-unnamed patrol team members.

After briefly conversing with Wei Qiangsheng, Yang Bolin curiously glanced at Lin Ziming.

With his cultivation level, naturally, he could see that Lin Ziming was a novice below even the First-Layer Qi Cultivation.

Yet, such a low-level cultivator seemed respected as a leader by Wei Qiangsheng, which was somewhat intriguing.

But this curiosity was fleeting within him, for the Wei Family was merely a supplier of some potential and not worth his serious consideration.

He casually glanced at the shop exterior at the 'Taoshu Commerce Association' sign, then focused on the peculiar 'family crest' — a round face with two long ears atop the head — next to the sign, flicked his sleeves, and proceeded toward the next shop.

Two quarters of an hour later, a loud sound of drums and gongs echoed.

The market officially started operating!

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