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Chapter 265 - 265: Greedy Ernesto, Tyrant Azure Dragon (2)
Chapter 265 - 265: Greedy Ernesto, Tyrant Azure Dragon (2)
Chapter 265: Greedy Ernesto, Tyrant Azure Dragon (2)
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
Given the expansive and bustling domain, along with a considerable force of troops and heroes, one would expect this lord to be quite prosperous. Why then is he unable to produce a mere fifteen thousand gold coins?
After all, the previous customer spent a full one hundred and sixty thousand gold coins, crying and begging before getting anything from him.
Hmm, even though that transaction was completed under the aim of a cannon.
Alright, it admits that its initial offer was slightly high, but did he really need to reject it so firmly?
Looking at this island, spanning at least hundreds of square kilometers, covered in lush forests and abundant resources, combined with Ji Chen’s resolute attitude, Ernesto started believing his words.
His tone inevitably softened a bit.
Well, when dealing with a promising new customer, a small loss can be tolerated.
With this thought in mind, Ernesto’s eyes shifted for a moment, and he theatrically held onto his body, wearing an expression of lament.
“Dear friend, saying such things hurts our hearts. Honest and fair gnomes sell things at a value highly compatible with their worth, not a coin more!
Well, even though I’d incur losses, the gnomes are willing to make concessions for a dear friend. Perhaps we can discuss the price a bit further.”
Value highly compatible with their worth, willing to make concessions for a dear friend?
What bullshit!
If gnomes were deemed honest and fair, wouldn’t that make humans seem like complete saints!?
Ji Chen secretly mocked in his heart, though his expression had softened somewhat. He extended three fingers.
“Oh? One hundred and thirty thousand gold coins, this price might…”
“It’s thirty thousand gold coins!”
Upon hearing this, Ernesto leaped up with his hair standing on end, resembling an alarmed dog. “Impossible, no gnomish merchant could accept this price! This is a 3-star top-tier natural treasure, not some street stall junk!! If it were sold at such a pitiful price, even the God of Trade would weep!”
Going from fifteen thousand to thirty thousand, even the simplest-minded ogre would realize it’s unfeasible! How much profit would it lose?
Watching the hopping gnome consul, Ji Chen said calmly, “Since you think it’s not feasible, then what price do you consider suitable?”
“It must be at least a hundred and twenty-nine thousand eight hundred! This is the best price gnomes can offer!”
Once more, he found a new understanding of Gnomes.
Indeed, they were greedy and miserly!
Not even Gavroche could compare to one percent of them.
Unconsciously, Ji Chen’s interest in this transaction waned.
After much contemplation, he suddenly remembered something.
Why am I seriously doing business with this group of gnomes?
After all, my true secondary profession is being a pirate!
“No, it has to be cheaper, or we might as well part ways!”
Ji Chen gritted his teeth, a look of refusal apparent.
Observing this scene, Ernesto’s heart was slightly delighted. His face portrayed a mixture of difficulty and distress. He sighed heavily, as if giving up on something.
“Well then, since you put it that way, in order to maintain our relationship, we’ll lower the price by another seven thousand gold coins! One hundred and twenty-two thousand eight hundred!”
“Deal!”
One party handed over the money, the other handed over the goods.
Ji Chen obtained the 3-star natural treasure, the Natural Spring, but his possession of over six hundred thousand gold coins diminished by one-fifth in an instant.
Yet, he didn’t feel the least bit heartbroken. After all, he’d get it all back sooner or later. He might as well put this money away for safekeeping.
Once he had it all figured out, Ji Chen continued to purchase goods from Ernesto, further reducing his wariness. Gold coins flowed out like water.
After completing another transaction with Ernesto, Ji Chen remarked casually, “Since your crates are numbered, doesn’t that mean the higher the number, the rarer and more precious the contents?”
Already captivated by countless transactions and gold coins, Ernesto now seemed to have become close friends with Ji Chen. He hesitated only briefly upon hearing this before responding.
“That’s correct. The higher the crate number, the more precious the items inside, and the higher the level of protection!”
“Oh? Level of protection?”
“Yes, each crate requires my personal authentication to open, otherwise, it can only be forcibly broken open. But do you think it’s easy to use violence to break them open?”
“Could there be something special about these crates?”
After reaching several transactions with Ji Chen, Ernesto was in a great mood. He spoke as if showing off, “Each crate combines the alchemical and mechanical technology of the gnome race. They’re not only made from special metals, they’re incredibly sturdy and resistant to physical and magical attacks. Ordinary methods won’t affect them at all.
Even if you forcibly break them open from the outside, once the internal mechanism detects a breach in the shell, it’ll trigger a powerful explosion, destroying everything inside!
BOOM- and it’ll turn enemies into smithereens as well! How about it? Don’t you think it’s a genius idea?” Ernesto made an explosion gesture, his expression excited and flamboyant.
Glancing at the crates, Ji Chen pondered.
Though he didn’t know what “powerful explosion” meant, he knew it wasn’t something to take lightly.
“Alright- let’s continue our great and gold-scented transactions!
Do you require anything else, esteemed customer? On this occasion, we’ve traversed the ocean from the Eastern Continent to our gnome homeland on the Western Continent, Gigantooth City. If you happen to overlook this chance, the next trading opportunity won’t arise for several months!”
Bringing his attention back from the crates, Ji Chen contemplated for a moment. “I need powerful units, preferably of the ocean type, and the higher their tier, the better.”
Upon hearing this, a glint of excitement flashed in Ernesto’s eyes, and he rubbed his hands together.
“Lord Ji Chen, 1 happen to have a unit that perfectly suits your needs.”
“Minions, bring out crate number seven for me!”
After more than ten minutes, a two-meter tall, wide, and long metal cube was placed on the ground by a crane.
Unlike before, this crate had three layers of protection, each requiring scanning and a key to open.
This piqued Ji Chen’s curiosity. A crate with such tight security, what kind of unit core could be inside?
Ernesto unlocked the outermost layer of defense, unveiling a tidy arrangement of compartments in a 2×2 grid. He then proceeded to open the leftmost compartment in the second row.
A unit recruitment core about the size of a human head appeared, containing a miniature giant creature.
“Hey there, the goods have arrived. Please check if they meet your satisfaction,” Ernesto said as he carefully took out the core and placed it on a soft cushioned shelf.
Ji Chen stepped closer to take a closer look.
[Tyrant Azure Dragon]
[Race]: Azure Dragon
[Tier]: Fifth Tier, 5-star
[Initial Level]: 20
[Skills]: Frost Breath (Red skill, capable of spewing a breath of frost that inflicts tremendous damage on enemies’ bodies and souls)
[Savage Fangs] (Red skill, the specialized mouth enhances terrifying biting force, significantly boosting armor-piercing ability)
[Death Pursuit] (Red skill, swimming speed increased by 100%, additional 100% speed increase when chasing enemies)
[Azure Dragon Bloodline] (Red skill, attack and defense increased by 150%, resistance to various negative effects increased by 50%)
[Serpent’s Slumber] (Red skill, capable of entering a state of slumber, greatly enhancing recovery ability while this state constricts breath by 99%)
[Unit Characteristics]: Ferocity (when entering a combat state, all attributes increase by 100%)
[An anomaly among the Azure Dragon clan, particularly adept at slaughter and combat, possessing immense power akin to towering waves and terrifying bursts of strength]
Upon seeing this creature, Ji Chen’s immediate thought wasn’t about obtaining it, but rather how much money he could get for it.
Fifth Tier, 5-star, starting at level 20, and with five red skills, this unit was no less impressive than a hero unit’s special effects.
The Furious Azure Dragon unit practically had “invincible” written all over it.
It was a presence far more formidable than the double-winged skeletal wyvern under the command of Lich King Solin, surpassing it by several magnitudes in power..