Survival Game: Call Me an Honest Businessman

This was the first time Li Zhi truly experienced the feeling of being "at the mercy of others".

If before she had only "seen" the so-called class distinctions, today, when Celia truly began to suppress her according to class, she realized that this was an instinct ingrained in her genes that she could not escape:

My whole body felt weak, and I broke out in a cold sweat. It was as if all my strength had been drained by my violent heartbeat, and I couldn't move at all.

This is the predator's absolute power of life and death over its prey.

Just as Celia once told her, "It's as easy for a higher race to crush you as it is for them to crush a worm on the ground."

Not a single word of it is false.

Li Zhi stopped resisting.

Celia noticed her submission, put away the cannon and her intimidating aura, and said in a hoarse voice with a hint of soothing: "After you finish this, I will make you a merchant affiliated with the Smelting Clan and exempt you from the transaction quota you need to pay."

Li Zhi adjusted her breathing, and her violent heartbeat gradually slowed down. The blood that had been rushing into her brain and muscles returned to all parts of her body. She curled her nails into her palms, feeling the tension and soreness in her muscles. Only when her breathing was completely stable did her brain begin to work at high speed.

"I can help you acquire the microcrystalline energy converter, but I will not become a merchant affiliated with the Forging Clan."

Celia's eyes turned slightly cold: "Whatever you say."

"I have a parts list. You will provide me with all the items on the list as payment."

Celia stared intently at Li Zhi. This time, she did not use her level to suppress him, so Li Zhi did not dodge or avoid her gaze.

Celia suddenly spoke up: "If I made you a formal merchant of the Forging Clan and personally trained you, would you be willing?"

Li Zhi paused for a moment, then said, "If it weren't for what just happened, I might have been willing."

Celia's laughter was dry and hoarse: "You're so openly showing your hatred for me, aren't you worried I'll just kill you?"

Li Zhi countered, "If I don't show it, you'll believe I have no grudges against you?"

Celia: "If it weren't for what just happened, I wouldn't be able to determine whether you were worth training, and I wouldn't have offered you this kind of treatment."

Li Zhi pulled out a list: "Everything is ready, I'll be right there."

Celia sighed, took the list from her prosthetic arm, and handed it to a forging merchant behind her.

The forging merchants quickly compiled all the parts on the list.

With a wave of his hand, Li Zhi converted all the cards into cards as he put them into his backpack, and only then did his frustration dissipate somewhat.

Celia: "You can go now."

Li Zhi extended his hand.

Celia was puzzled.

Li Zhi said incredulously, "You're not expecting me to pay for your microcrystalline energy converter myself, are you? Are you sure I have that much money?"

Celia paused for a moment, then realized that she had indeed been careless.

But seeing Li Zhi's matter-of-fact and reproachful tone, the prosthetic leg couldn't help but waver between taking out money and turning into a cannon.

How could there be someone who makes her want to punch her all the time?

Finally, the prosthetic arm pulled out a wallet: "Here's 1000 gold coins. The microcrystalline energy converter is worth around 600 gold coins. You can decide what to bid on... but if I find out you've tampered with it, you know the consequences."

Celia's words contained a threat.

Li Zhi: "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person."

After leaving the raw material area and walking into the territory of the Rock Nest Clan, entering the bustling market, Li Zhi finally let out a long breath.

The back of my clothes was completely soaked with cold sweat.

Fortunately, the warm sea breeze dispelled some of the chill in her extremities.

As Li Zhi passed by the vendors, he saw many strange and unusual parts and ores, as well as Rock Nesters making equipment and weapons on the spot.

The Forged and Rock Nest tribes do indeed look very similar.

—They all look quite like Yordles.

The difference lies in the fact that the former has multicolored skin and hair, and many of them have mechanically modified prosthetics and eyes, making them look like a modification fanatic; while the latter mostly have red skin and brown hair, with almost no trace of mechanical modification on their bodies, but rather strong muscles, making them look... more simple and honest.

Li Zhi immediately took a liking to the Rock Nest Clan.

Who doesn't like dealing with honest people?

She bought a few trinkets and was about to head to the auction when she saw a mushroom-shaped light that could provide early warning, and couldn't resist buying it.

After walking a few more steps, I saw a small folding turret that I could carry around. Who could resist that?

Li Zhi continued shopping as he walked until he heard Celia's annoyed voice: "The microcrystalline energy converter auction is about to begin!"

"How can you talk to me? And how can you see me?"

Li Zhi seemed startled, his face full of surprise, looking around.

"Don't look around!" Celia whispered, "Hurry up and get there, don't waste any more time!"

Under the cloak, Li Zhi's gaze swept around before finally settling on the seemingly normal spider in the corner: "Understood, I'll be right there."

"Lot 17: Microcrystalline Energy Converter!"

"Starting bid: 300 gold coins, minimum bid increment: 50 gold coins. Bidding now!"

Li Zhi squeezed into the auction crowd, apologizing as he pushed his way forward, completely unaware that he had accidentally stepped on an insect on the ground.

"350!"

"..."

"550!"

Li Zhi finally squeezed to the front: "600!"

"650".

Li Zhi: "700!"

After Li Zhi quoted 700, the customers who had previously quoted stopped talking, and only a merchant in the opposite corner, who was also wearing a cloak, competed with her.

Merchant: "750."

Li Zhi: "800."

Merchant: "850."

Li Zhi: "900."

The merchant hesitated, and a communication card appeared between Li Zhi's fingers.

The Rock Nest Tribe member on the stage: "900 per time, 900 taels..."

The businessman glanced at Li Zhi and spoke again: "950!"

Li Zhi answered without hesitation: "1000!"

Merchant: "1050!"

Li Zhi remained silent.

"1050 per time..."

"1050..."

"Keep reporting!" Celia's voice came from the money pouch, filled with gritted teeth: "We must secure the microcrystalline energy converter!"

Li Zhi: "1100!"

"1150".

"1200".

The merchant seemed to be locked in a battle with Li Zhi, and Li Zhi would always keep up with his price until the price reached 1600 gold coins before he finally gave up.

"1600 gold coins! Sold!"

The Rock Nest Clan merchant on the stage grinned from ear to ear.

Under the cloak, Li Zhi quietly asked, "What should I do if I don't have that much money?"

"Just wait!"

The auction items were handed over in a tent behind the auction stage. As Li Zhi walked through the crowd, a money bag was stuffed into her hand.

She glanced at him briefly; he was a customer of an unfamiliar race.

Humanoid, with a body covered in black mane and long, powerful limbs, it seems to be invisible in the dark and among crowds.

Li Zhi withdrew his gaze and brushed past several people in black cloaks. 500 black iron coins accidentally fell into the hands of one of them, unnoticed by anyone.