Chapter 860: Chapter 860: Long-Term Cooperation
Fu Liuyou had pondered for a long time before hesitantly saying, "Our shop has clear pricing and operates with integrity, Miss. You can see the price of thousand-year black iron inside the display case, one pound for three high-quality spirit stones. Logically, the price should increase tenfold after being forged into weapons, but... cough cough, for the first sword, I can only offer four high-quality spirit stones. For the second sword, I can offer five high-quality spirit stones."
Qin Sisi didn’t say a word, just looked at Fu Liuyou and blinked her eyes.
Fu Liuyou’s heart sank, and he quickly added, "How about this, ten high-quality spirit stones for the two swords together? I really can’t go any higher."
Qin Sisi still didn’t utter a word, but her excitement gradually calmed down.
Actually, she was not dissatisfied with the price, but too satisfied. She had been so taken aback that she didn’t react at first, leading Fu Liuyou to believe she found the price too low and voluntarily increased it by one more high-quality spirit stone.
One high-quality spirit stone was not a small amount; it could pay for a hundred trips to the trial tower!
Moreover, judging by Fu Liuyou’s expression, Qin Sisi felt there was still room for the price to rise, so she held her breath and continued to not give any indication.
Xiao Meng and Yun Cheng behind her were also taken aback by this price. They had indeed seen the price of the thousand-year black iron, but they had not realized that the two swords were forged from it.
Seeing that Qin Sisi seemed still unsatisfied, Fu Liuyou coughed twice and proposed, "Why don’t you, Miss, suggest a price for me to hear?"
Qin Sisi, who had no knowledge of the pricing in the forging industry, didn’t know what number to say and helplessly turned to Yun Cheng and Xiao Meng for advice.
Yun Cheng didn’t really understand either, but as the only male among the three, he bravely stepped forward and said to Fu Liuyou, "Boss, we all know that thousand-year black iron is precious. Even if the finished product doesn’t increase tenfold, doubling or tripling should be no problem. Twofold would be eighteen high-quality spirit stones, and you’re only offering ten. Doesn’t seem quite right!"
Fu Liuyou looked troubled and said, "I’d offer tenfold if the forging was good, but this..." He glanced at Qin Sisi, hesitating.
Xiao Meng stepped forward, patted his round belly, and chirped, "Boss, just hearing your name, we know you’re a wealthy man. Why haggle over a few spirit stones with us?"
Fu Liuyou, with a wry smile, responded, "It’s not that I’m nitpicking, it’s just... it’s just not worth that much!" He lowered his voice on the second half, stealing a glance at Qin Sisi.
Xiao Meng continued, "How could it not be worth it? If not this time, there will be a next time! My sister surely won’t always be at this level. She will definitely become a great Forging Master in the future, and just by giving your shop a little attention then, you’ll make a fortune."
Qin Sisi blushed as she listened; she indeed aspired to become a Forging Master, but she dare not guarantee she would achieve a high level. Teacher Wuduo was so skilled yet only a Fifth-level Forgemaster, showing how difficult it was to advance in forging skills.
Fu Liuyou, meanwhile, chuckled and sighed, "Little Miss, it’s not easy to become a Forgemaster. If advancing were so simple, the streets would be full of tycoons."
Qin Sisi’s lips curved slightly as she said, "Fu Manager, let’s not talk about the future, just the present. If not eighteen, then fifteen should be doable, right?"
Fu Liuyou still shook his head and said, "Miss, the most I can offer is twelve."
Qin Sisi pondered briefly before asking Yun Cheng, "Yun Cheng, do you know of any other materials stores?"
Yun Cheng nodded and replied, "I know two others."
"Good, let’s go take a look elsewhere then," Qin Sisi said, and started walking towards the exit.
It wasn’t just about playing games with Fu Liuyou; she was completely unfamiliar with the materials market, and it was good to walk around and take a look.
Yun Cheng and Xiao Meng exchanged glances, then followed Qin Sisi out.
Fu Liuyou was momentarily stunned, then, with gritted teeth, called out, "Miss, wait. Fifteen it is, but I have a condition."
Qin Sisi stopped in her tracks and turned back to ask, "What’s the condition?"
Fu Liuyou’s expression turned more serious as he said, "Miss, you just bought fifteen pounds of raw iron here, presumably to practice forging. My condition is that you bring the raw iron swords you forge to sell here too. What do you say?"
Qin Sisi contemplated briefly before replying, "Okay, I agree."
A smile broke across Fu Liuyou’s face as he exclaimed, "Deal."
After that, Fu Liuyou’s chubby hand rested on the counter, and Qin Sisi noticed he was wearing a storage ring on his finger.
After he lifted his palm, about fifteen high-quality spirit stones appeared on the counter.
Fu Liuyou gestured for Qin Sisi to count the money.
Qin Sisi walked over and counted the number of spirit stones. It was exactly fifteen, not one more, not one less.
She nodded at Fu Liuyou and said, "It’s exact."
Fu Liuyou’s face regained that business-smile, sickly sweet as he said, "I hope that in the future, Miss, you will collaborate more with our store, and we can prosper together."
Fu Liuyou was already a Third-level Forgemaster, a rank at which he no longer deigned to use raw iron to forge the most common swords. He preferred to use higher-quality materials to take on more challenging forgeable items.
However, low-grade goods were also needed in the shop, and he was in need of an average-level Forgemaster to supply some of the most ordinary weapons. Qin Sisi had come at just the right time, making it quite a stroke of luck for him.
With money in hand, Qin Sisi was in high spirits and loudly said, "Thank you, Manager Fu. I wish Manager Fu wealth in abundance. Farewell."
"Take care," Manager Fu courteously bowed.
Qin Sisi smiled, nodded, and, accompanied by Yun Cheng and Xiao Meng, left the Testing Gold Pavilion.
After walking a distance, Xiao Meng quietly asked, "Why does he want you to sell those raw iron swords to him? Those swords can’t sell for much!"
One pound of raw iron for ten low-grade spirit stones; even if forged perfectly and the price increased tenfold, it would only amount to one middle-grade spirit stone.
Qin Sisi replied softly, "He’s not interested in those raw iron swords. Didn’t I say if we do business again, I would tell him my name? He probably wants to build a relationship with me, to have long-term cooperation. It seems Forging Masters are indeed in high demand!"
Yun Cheng added from the side, "Yes, Forging Masters and Alchemists are both very popular, but if one focuses too much on auxiliary skills, the practice of attribute skills can fall behind. If the magic level doesn’t go up, the levels of forging skills and alchemy will also be suppressed. That’s why high-level Forging Masters and Alchemists are so scarce."
Qin Sisi silently nodded in agreement. Yun Cheng was right; it was important to balance time and effort to ensure the harmonious development of both attribute and auxiliary skills.
