"200,000?"

Looking at the wet numbers of the Damo Realm on the table, Yang Zhengchu blinked, and then thought of something:

"Shopkeeper Ma, do you mean... an increase of 200,000 in the supply of Joy Sticks?"

"That's right."

Ma Ning gently nodded and said:

"To be candid with you, Yang Clan Elder, the clan's stock of Joy Sticks isn't very high.

For instance, last time, when Shopkeeper Yang wanted to increase the inventory, the clan couldn't supply that many Joy Sticks.

However, as your journey to the Demon Summit is of great importance and involves face matters,

As a strategic partner of Ziqiong City, we must express our cooperation under any circumstance.

Yang Clan Elder, rest assured, since I have promised this matter, I will strive to fulfill it.

With so many Joy Sticks at the scene, it might help solve some of your troubles."

Indeed.

The 200,000 Ma Ning mentioned refers to the increased supply of Joy Sticks.

As for the number of Spirit Stones some might have thought...

Slashing 500,000 Spirit Stones down to 200,000 directly, even if one had a mine at home, they wouldn't dare be so extravagant, right?

About three or four months ago.

At that time, due to trade needs, Yang Bolin had proposed increasing the trade volume of Joy Sticks.

However, that period coincided with the final preparations for the Ju Mang Base, and the transportation capacity of the Light Door was used for the transfer of L17 Spiritual Energy.

Moreover, considering the reasoning of not flaunting wealth too much, the command post eventually rejected that request—albeit with a very polite tone.

Yang Zhengchu clearly was aware of this matter, so upon hearing the number Ma Ning provided, he felt a shock of excitement:

"Really? That's great.

The Joy Sticks your side provides are much more effective than ordinary Tier One Talismans and are not expensive; they are almost tailor-made for such terrain as the Demon Summit.

However, Shopkeeper Ma, the origin of these Joy Sticks..."

"Of course, it still comes from Ziqiong City!"

Ma Ning grandly waved his hand, exhibiting a look of having no ulterior motives:

"Yang Clan Elder, Taoshu Commerce Association will not be involved in any trade between Ziqiong City and the Demon Summit.

We only serve as upstream suppliers; as for whether it has been transferred once or twice or thrice, we won't manage it.

Whether your side earns one Spirit Stone or ten Spirit Stones,

It has nothing to do with us."

Ma Ning's words were not just to curry favor, but also to express a stance.

This was the first time the issue of transferring Joy Sticks was discussed openly since the rabbits began trading with Ziqiong City in the past half-year.

Considering the current relationship between the rabbits and Ziqiong City, that kind of half-hidden fake façade really held no meaning anymore.

Then Ma Ning coughed lightly and continued:

"By the way, Yang Clan Elder.

Taoshu Commerce Association will not disclose the origin of Joy Sticks, so regarding Taoshu Commerce Association..."

Ma Ning left this sentence half unsaid, but Yang Zhengchu understood the implication, nodding:

"Shopkeeper Ma, rest easy about your concerns.

I shall keep my lips sealed never mentioning any matters regarding the Tribulation Array!"

Upon hearing Yang Zhengchu's assurance, Ma Ning nodded satisfactorily.

Dealing with intelligent people is indeed relaxing.

Indeed.

One reason for Ma Ning—or rather, the command post's multitude of friendly gestures—is to let Yang Zhengchu bear the attention from the outside alone.

As the saying goes, silence leads to great fortune.

Although the benefit from a single tribulation was considerable to the rabbits, such matters were simply too flashy in the end.

Currently, the rabbits are not ready for a grand appearance; there's no need to shout too loudly.

Pretend but lacking the strength to uphold it—sometimes the result can be quite miserable.

Real-life examples of this abound.

For instance, some people boast about a forthcoming undefeated streak only to suffer a humiliating four-game losing streak exit.

In the aftermath, even many previously harmless comments get dug up and become subjects of ridicule.

Truth be told.

If not for Ziqiong City being the current only channel to approach the Demon Summit, the rabbits would rather not intervene in this tribulation.

On the other hand.

This method of confidentiality aligns closely with the interests of Yang Zhengchu and Ziqiong City.

Firstly, shared secrets bring parties closer together.

Secondly, if too many Nascent Soul Realm cultivators emerge, it would cause more harm than benefit to Ziqiong City.

Unless the Demon Summit cries alarm.

Yang Zhengchu definitely does not wish to see too many Nascent Soul emergence.

Hence, preparations were made long ago by Yang Zhengchu.

For instance, the entire tribulation process was handled by Taoshu Commerce Association without any involvement from the Yang Family's workers.

Five Chubby Girl were explained away using Flying Magical Artifacts.

Additionally, the celebration banquet this time was entirely private, with all dishes prepared in advance.

Other traces of the Yang Family members were simply invisible.

Even though anyone with half a brain could guess Yang Zhengchu's successful tribulation must involve some unknown methods, this conclusion is only based on realistic judgment.

As long as Yang Zhengchu doesn't talk, it won't bring Taoshu Commerce Association into it.

This is a strategic and tacit understanding.

Even if the final tribulation outcome is uncertain, the backup plans are always in place.

Meanwhile, as Yang Family members and Ma Ning enjoy the banquet.

The Homeland separated by a Light Door from the Damo Realm.

Modu.

In the same secret office, Qin Zhendong and Lin Li sat face to face.

"Here, Old Lin, have a cup of tea first."

Qin Zhendong picked up his purple clay teapot and poured a cup for Lin Li sitting across:

"It's almost Qingming, this is authentic pre-Qingming tea, different from the rain tea picked by your granddaughter."

Upon hearing Qin Zhendong mention his granddaughter, a trace of smile and reminiscence appeared on Lin Li's face.

He lightly picked up the teacup, blew on it, and took a gentle sip:

"Hmm, it's certainly good tea!"

"How about it, nice, isn't it?"

Qin Zhendong smiled confidently, then hinted:

"However, since it's good tea, it should pair with good news for flavor.

Tea time isn't complete without pastries, don't you think, Old Lin?"

Lin Li, upon hearing this, straightened his expression.

Then he took out a report about two centimeters thick from his briefcase and handed it to Qin Zhendong:

"Boss Qin, this is the statistical report sent back from the front by Academician Zeng and they, please have a look."

Then he paused, waiting for Qin Zhendong to open the report, and continued:

"The first column of the report is expenditure statistics; our major expenditures this time have two main aspects:

Vehicles and equipment wear.

The vehicles mainly comprise five Chubby Girl, over eighty land convoy vehicles, and other transportation losses.

This expenditure is approximately over 1.4 million Huaxia currency, including fuel.

Meanwhile, equipment wear and tear is larger.

For instance, Taihu Lake's Light.

This supercomputer worked continuously for fourteen days, during which the average CPU power alone reached 18.482 megawatts.

And the power generation cost for this electricity is much higher than normal power.

Plus, it utilized 12 TECS-W2014L-HE/S models and 3 TECS-W1513L-HE/S models of water-cooled magnetic levitation centrifugal chillers for inner and outer heat exchange.

After an entire tribulation.

Our equipment's electricity expenditure totals around 47.3 million."

Upon hearing this number, Qin Zhendong raised an eyebrow:

"Over 47 million? It's actually so high?"

......

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