Survival Game: Call Me an Honest Businessman

Feather Spirit Avenue is filled with posts from the Feather Spirit Exchange.

Roadside flags, aerial projections, and even clouds sculpted to resemble the stock exchange.

Along the way, Li Zhi heard a lot of discussions about the Feather Spirit Exchange, from the strong support of the Feather Spirit Emperor to the strength of the shareholders, and even the gossip about her and Yi opening an exchange to compete.

Merchants from various ethnic groups chatted with great interest.

Perth looked at Li Zhi curiously: "Aren't you angry?"

Li Zhi was also very curious: "Why would I be angry?"

Perth: "The exchange was your idea, but Yi kidnapped you, plagiarized your idea, and even built the exchange before you."

Li Zhi: "So what? Any business model that makes money will inevitably be imitated. But the operation of an exchange cannot be accomplished by simply following the book. On the contrary, I should thank her for opening the exchange earlier. Her failure only highlights my success."

Perth: "How can you be so sure you'll succeed?"

Li Zhi: "Why do you think Celia knew I was going to open a trading platform when I was only a D-rank and had nothing at all, but didn't steal my idea like Yi did and open a trading platform in the name of the Forging Clan?"

Perth: "Because she's your teacher."

Li Zhiyi didn't know what to say for a moment.

She remained silent for several seconds before saying, "You should continue as the captain of the caravan, specifically responsible for the caravan's safety."

Perth replied matter-of-factly, "That's what Celia and His Majesty arranged as well."

Li Zhi: "...because the Forging Clan can't open an exchange."

Perth was surprised and questioned, "Why do you say that?"

After Li Zhi explained the exchange's neutrality principle, Perth's expression went from confusion to understanding, then to surprise and relief, and finally to schadenfreude.

"So that's why Celia took you on as a student. Does that mean Yi's exchange is doomed to fail?"

Li Zhi: "She may succeed in the short term, but the closer she gets to the centennial rating, the more frequent the friction between different ethnic groups will be, and the more losses her exchange will incur until it can no longer operate."

Perth: "No wonder you're not angry... I wouldn't be angry either."

As soon as she finished speaking, the exchange projected in the sky transformed into the likeness of Yi.

She sat in her study, smiling as she said, "Ladies and gentlemen, to celebrate the grand opening of the Trade Fair and the Exchange, Emperor Yu Ling and all the shareholders of the Exchange have decided to add another bonus to this celebration. All merchants participating in the Trade Fair will receive 100 milliliters of Didi Beast Blood. With the Beast Tide approaching, this is a benefit that Emperor Yu Ling and all the shareholders are giving to everyone."

A cheer erupted from Feather Spirit Avenue.

Li Zhi learned about the effects of Didi Beast Blood from other people's discussions.

—Drive away the berserk beasts.

Although the quantity is too small to be used for territory or large vehicles, it would be very useful for people who need to go out.

It can be said that 100 milliliters of Didi beast blood can be sold for at least 5 gold coins during the beast tide.

The number of merchants and travelers along the entire Feather Spirit Avenue must be in the tens of thousands; Yi was far too generous.

Unfortunately, in the end, it's unclear who will benefit.

While asking Ying for the characteristics of Didi Beast blood, Li Zhi pondered how to get more Didi Beast blood when dividing the spoils, and also to distract himself by recalling the scene of negotiating at the Hundred Beasts Market.

No wonder the wolf king agreed so readily.

With the beast tide approaching, such vital strategic resources are being offered as tribute to the well-protected Feathered Spirit Clan.

If she were the wolf queen, she would take the gamble if given the chance to get these things back.

In order to make his exchange even more impressive, Yi threw out one gimmick after another, but none of them were his own; instead, they were tributes from the Beast Alliance.

I wonder what her expression will be when she finds out the offerings have been stolen?

What will the exchange look like once it opens?

After having dinner with Ling, Li Zhi was teleported back to the spaceship.

Although she had fully recovered, she had to go to the Beast Market in the evening to catch up on some sleep so that she could better stake out the location at night.

I set the alarm, and when I woke up, it wasn't dark yet.

Huayan has already sent a message saying that they have arrived at the Hundred Beasts Market.

Li Zhi checked his equipment, cast a blessing and luck spell on himself, and then teleported to the Beast Market.

We entered through the North District teleportation array again, arrived at the seventh floor of the Broken Rail, and met up with the merchants.

The short, level 4 merchant said, "We'll just disguise ourselves as a caravan and leave. Recently, wild beasts have been stirring, and the further we go, the more likely we are to encounter them. I've hired mercenaries from the Shadowmane Clan to protect you, so don't worry."

Just as Li Zhi began to have doubts, he saw that the person who came was Hua Yan.

Having found an outlet for her doubts, she sent Huayan a message: [How did you become mercenaries for a caravan?]

Hua Yan: [This caravan had contacted us before, but I didn't come because I didn't think there was much profit to be made at the Beast Market. Now that we see you're coming too, boss, we might as well go along, and we can protect you anyway.]

Li Zhi: [What did the people who hired you say?]

Hua Yan: [That person said all he needed to do was get you to your destination.]

Li Zhi had a better understanding of the situation and became even more wary and suspicious of these two level 4 merchants. However, since they had the same destination and she was well-prepared, she decided to hold off on investigating further for the time being.

The caravan boldly moved westward from the market in the north.

Hua Yan and her mercenaries surrounded the merchants in the inner circle. Along the way, they encountered many orcs and occasionally groups of small wild beasts, but they dealt with them all with ease.

As the surroundings gradually became desolate, the tall, level 4 merchant lowered his voice and said, "The Beast Alliance needs to transport goods to the Feathered Spirit Clan at dawn. They should be sending people to scout the area by now. Everyone, stick close to me and hide yourselves."

Li Zhi discovered that this level 4 merchant was more like a scout than a Beast Alliance scout, dodging the Beast Alliance warriors' patrols at every step, until he actually ambushed them in the forest, all without any trouble.

"Now we can rest for a bit. Everyone, put on the environmental gear I gave you. Remember, we'll only target orcs wearing blue soft armor carrying cargo. You'll recognize them immediately. Take as much as you can, understand?"

The businessmen responded in hushed tones.

Li Zhi also responded, while simultaneously expending 1 point of mental energy to secretly apply a one-time talent mark to the tall and short individuals.

As darkness fell, the forest remained remarkably quiet.

Even the chirping of birds and insects was completely silenced, making the already tense atmosphere in the team even more tense.

But no one dared to speak, for fear of alerting the patrolling Beast Alliance warriors.

So, when the sky was just before dawn and the sound of well-trained footsteps came from afar, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

—It's finally here.