Chapter 102: The Astronomical Tempering Master Contract

Chapter 102: The Astronomical Tempering Master Contract

In the future, as more and more Abyssal Demons appeared on Bluestar, humanity's living space would gradually shrink.

By the third year of the Abyssal Invasion, humans would begin constructing Base Cities, building high walls to defend against the demons.

Lu Heng now wanted to purchase a home in a safer area and move his parents there to avoid disturbances from unrelated individuals.

Knowing that a Base City would be built in Binhai in the future, he decided to buy a property directly within the planned city limits.

However, the price would be quite high.

Lu Heng took out all the crystal cores he had and began to tally them, intending to gather enough funds to cover the cost of the house.

Among them were several unused skill crystal cores.

The first was a D-Rank Corrosive Mucus dropped by an Abyssal Worm.

The second was a C-Rank Crab Chitin dropped by an Abyssal Worm Queen.

The third was a C-Rank Blood Shadow Arm Blade dropped by a Blood Shadow Demon.

The fourth was a C-Rank Exoskeleton Armor dropped by a Bonebird.

The fifth was a C-Rank Blood Healing dropped by a Bloodline Blade Demon.

Unfortunately, the Bloodline Blade Demon only yielded a C-Rank Blood Healing crystal core, not the B-Rank Gale Thrust, which would have been worth more than the combined value of the other four.

In total, there were five skill crystal cores, with all but the Corrosive Mucus being C-Rank.

These skill crystal cores, aside from a few unusual ones, had decent skill effects.

Moreover, they were all combat-oriented abilities that could be learned by combat-type mutants, ensuring a good price if sold.

The combined value of the five skill crystal cores should exceed 15 million, which would be sufficient for buying a house.

After taking inventory, Lu Heng gathered the crystal cores and prepared to sell them.

He could sell them on the Crystal Core Darknet, but that would be a slow process with its own set of complications.

So, Lu Heng decided to ask Lin Zeyu for help.

Large factions had their own trading channels, making it more convenient to sell crystal cores.

In the afternoon, Lin Zeyu received a call and headed to Jinxiu Yujing. As the landlord, he didn't have the key and had to knock on the door.

Upon entering, he immediately started ordering food, planning to indulge in a feast.

"You always order food from my place," Lu Heng joked.

"It's more comfortable here. At home, I have to sit and eat properly, but here I can relax," Lin Zeyu replied as he lay on the sofa, wriggling comfortably to find the most relaxed position.

Lu Heng took out the five skill crystal cores and placed them on the coffee table, saying, "Take these and help me sell them."

Lin Zeyu sat up, picked up the crystal cores, and examined them, commenting, "These are excellent crystal cores. Why are you selling them?"

Lu Heng replied, "Some people from the Springtop Group have been bothering my parents in Taoyuan, so I plan to buy a house and move them there."

"Who's been bothering your uncle and aunt? Tell me, and I'll send someone to teach them a lesson!" Lin Zeyu showed his willingness to stand up for his friend.

"The Springtop Group," Lu Heng answered.

"Spring..."

Lin Zeyu lay back down, spreading his hands and saying, "I can't handle this. They have an international conglomerate backing them. I'll just help you sell the crystal cores. How much do you want for them?"

"15 million should be a fair price," Lu Heng said, setting a price that wasn't too exaggerated, as it was the current market rate.

"That's not a high price. I estimate they could sell for 18 million," Lin Zeyu said, always keeping an eye on the crystal core market to find suitable ones for himself, so he was well-informed about prices.

"Consider the extra as your commission," Lu Heng said.

If sold individually based on the strength of each skill, they could indeed fetch 18 million or even more.

Of course, retail and wholesale prices were naturally different.

"Okay, I'll transfer the money to you directly," Lin Zeyu decided, thinking Lu Heng would want the money as soon as possible.

"That's fine," Lu Heng agreed.

"The amount is quite large, so I'll have the finance department handle it tomorrow," Lin Zeyu said, taking out his phone to call the group's financial director. After the call, he turned to Lu Heng and asked, "By the way, do you need help with buying the house? I can have someone look for properties through other channels."

"Sure, find me a house near Mingqiong District with good security," Lu Heng requested.

"Why not live in Blue Sea International? Then we'd be neighbors," Lin Zeyu suggested.

"Your place is too expensive," Lu Heng joked.

"I'll cover the cost if you move there," Lin Zeyu promised.

"Forget it. That area is low-lying, and if a sea demon appears and spits some water, it'll be flooded," Lu Heng said, knowing from his rebirth experience that the Blue Sea International area wouldn't be safe in the future.

Lin Zeyu's eyes widened, sensing the critical point in Lu Heng's words. He sprang up from the sofa and asked, "Are you saying Blue Sea International won't be safe in the future?"

Lu Heng quickly corrected, "I just feel it won't be safe, but I don't know anything for sure."

"No, no, no..."

Lin Zeyu's eyes lit up, "Your words always come true. I didn't realize it until you mentioned it, but Blue Sea International is indeed in a low-lying area. If a Godzilla-like monster appears, it could flood the place with a single spit of water."

"I need to buy a safer house too. If you're buying in Mingqiong District, I'll get one there as well."

"Forget it, let's buy several properties. They'll definitely appreciate in value."

After hearing Lin Zeyu's words, Lu Heng swallowed, thinking to himself, 'You deserve to get rich with your sharp senses.'

Lin Zeyu lay on the sofa for a while, then suddenly remembered something. He took out an invitation letter and handed it to Lu Heng, asking, "Are you going to attend this?"

Lu Heng took a look at the invitation letter and was taken aback. It was an invitation to the Ultimate Crystal Core Auction: "You have this too?"

"Did you receive an invitation?" Lin Zeyu asked curiously.

"Not exactly. It was given to me by the Springtop Group, and they said they would cover all expenses at the auction."

"Damn! There's such a good thing, why didn't they offer to pay for me? I could buy until they go bankrupt."

Lin Zeyu made a sarcastic remark, then his eyes widened as he started to ponder. He chuckled and said, "You accepted their invitation?"

Even a fool could tell that the Springtop Group was trying to win Lu Heng over.

If Lu Heng accepted this favor, it would be easier to deal with him in the future.

Lin Zeyu's current tempering business relied entirely on Lu Heng.

If Lu Heng were to be poached by the Springtop Group, Lin Zeyu would be devastated.

"No," Lu Heng replied.

Lin Zeyu slapped the tea table and decided, "Good brother, you're a real stand-up guy. Let's go to this auction together, and I'll cover all the purchases."

"Forget it, I won't go. You go ahead. I have other things to do," Lu Heng shook his head, refusing to attend the auction.

He needed to save up for a house, so he didn't have extra funds to participate in the auction.

If he went, he would have to let Lin Zeyu pay for everything, which didn't feel right.

Moreover, Lu Heng did have other matters to attend to.

After killing the Bloodline Blade Demon, he had obtained the B-Rank Crimson Blood Sword.

This sword could be used as a weapon forging material, so Lu Heng planned to reforge the Aurora Blade.

However, Lu Heng didn't have any forging experience, so he needed to visit the Tempering Fortress and discuss it with Gulu.

...

The next evening, as Lu Heng was about to leave, someone came to visit. When he opened the door, it was Paul Li from the Springtop Group.

Upon seeing Lu Heng, Paul Li bowed respectfully at a ninety-degree angle: "Hello, Mr. Lu. I apologize for the intrusion, please forgive me."

Although Lu Heng didn't have a good impression of the Springtop Group, Paul Li's attitude was extremely respectful, bowing at a ninety-degree angle. It would be inappropriate to be too harsh towards him.

"What's the matter?"

Paul Li took out a document from his briefcase and handed it to Lu Heng, saying, "This is a Tempering Service Support Contract. The Springtop Group hopes to act as an agent for your tempering business.

"The Springtop Group guarantees that they won't take a single cent, and this clause is already written in the contract.

"Also, the Springtop Group will guarantee a one-billion contract for Mr. Lu, and it's one billion per year. If this amount is not reached, the Springtop Group will pay the full one billion from their own pockets.

"Furthermore, they can prepay the annual guaranteed contract amount. As long as Mr. Lu agrees, this money will be transferred to your account tomorrow.

"If Mr. Lu has any other concerns, you can also meet with the Asia-Pacific Regional President of the Springtop Group for further discussions."

After hearing the conditions offered by the Springtop Group, Lu Heng was a little surprised.

Although they were competitors, it was undeniable that the Springtop Group was willing to invest a substantial amount of money.

A guaranteed one-billion contract per year, with the option of prepayment.

If it weren't for their past issues, Lu Heng would have been tempted to accept.

However, there was one question that Lu Heng couldn't quite understand.

How did the Springtop Group know that he was a Tempering Master?

...

The answer became clear when they arrived at the ninth bridge arch of the Century Bridge.

Under the bridge arch, someone was waiting, clearly intending to enter the Tempering Fortress.

As Lu Heng approached, he recognized the person.

It was Hu Biao, the mutant who had helped the Tempering Fortress escape the Abyss during the battle.

Strictly speaking, Hu Biao had also participated in the mission to help the Tempering Fortress escape the Abyss, and his task was to mine the Ignition Ore.

Compared to Lu Heng, his task was relatively simpler, so his contribution to the Tempering Fortress wasn't as significant.

Additionally, he hadn't participated in the final battle against the Horned Demon Commander.

Therefore, his reputation in the Tempering Fortress wasn't particularly high.

Of course, while it wasn't exceptionally high, he did know Gulu, and he had helped the Tempering Fortress.

If Gulu knew he was seeking an audience outside, he might open the door for him.

Seeing Hu Biao there, Lu Heng had already figured out some things.

Lu Heng walked over and said, "The Springtop Group sent you here?"

Hu Biao turned around, saw Lu Heng, and his expression stiffened. He stammered, "I..."

"There's no point in lying about this," Lu Heng said.

Hu Biao nodded in acknowledgment, "The Springtop Group offered me a deal I couldn't refuse."

Lu Heng asked, "So, you told the Springtop Group about what happened in the Abyssal battlefield?"

Hu Biao scratched his head and replied, "Not everything."

Lu Heng guessed, "At least the Springtop Group already knows about the existence of the Tempering Fortress, and they sent you to scout the way, hoping to enter the Tempering Fortress, right?"

Hu Biao nodded in admission, "I'm not as capable as you, but I also want to obtain resources. I helped Master Gulu, and although my contribution isn't as great as yours, I'm using this connection to get a reward. Isn't that fair?"

In reality, the existence of the Tempering Fortress would eventually be discovered by other mutants; it couldn't remain hidden for long.

Moreover, more and more mutants would be able to enter the Tempering Fortress in the future.

This was inevitable.

If Hu Biao didn't take this offer, some other mutant would.

Lu Heng thought for a moment and said, "Did you get all the benefits offered by the Springtop Group?"

Hu Biao nodded, "I got half of it."

Lu Heng said, "Then go back and ask them for the other half. And tell them not to waste their efforts, because no one can come between my relationship with the Tempering Fortress."

After saying this, Lu Heng walked towards the bridge arch and disappeared into the wall in the blink of an eye.

Hu Biao was stunned, and when he walked up to touch the wall, all he felt was a cold, hard cement wall.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end