Chapter 518: Stockpiling

Bing Meishi is usually smart, but when handling this matter he felt puzzled.

It wasn't because he encountered resistance when selling items in the regional channel, but because things went too smoothly.

All medical supplies, regardless of type or price, were instantly traded once listed on the trading channel.

Bing Meishi initially thought it was due to high demand for medical supplies, with alcohol and similar items being essential, causing this situation.

As a merchant, upon discovering his goods could fetch higher prices, he naturally raised the price.

After listing, the items stayed only a moment before being snapped up like hotcakes.

Bing Meishi kept raising the price to an outrageous level; after listing on the trading channel, they were still instantly bought.

Items in the trading channel changed price daily; initially, due to the Black Feather Security Zone's entry fee, most players sold supplies for game coins, causing prices to naturally drop.

Although the water has receded, accumulated mud on the roads plus vehicle damage means almost all players still can't move, thus can't obtain new supplies.

With scarcity driving value, prices on the trading channel began to rise again.

Medical supplies saw the steepest surge and became the most sought-after hard currency.

Moreover, this item has a low drop rate and cannot be bought directly; in the trading channel it has always been considered a rare item, on par with cards and vehicle upgrade material fragments.

Even when short on funds, players try to stock some as a precaution.

Yet no matter how popular, it shouldn't be the situation where "no matter how sky‑high the price, it's bought instantly."

At this moment Bing Meishi finally confirmed that there is definitely a group hoarding medical supplies inside the trading channel—and a formidable force.

The other side doesn't care about price; they simply want to buy up all medical goods on the market, either to supply their own members or to disrupt the market and sell later after another price spike.

This is certainly not something an ordinary player, or even a small group, could pull off.

They have absolutely massive capital backing them.

After realizing the issue, Xinxue immediately went to Cheng Shuili and reported it upward.

Cheng Shuili's expression was originally stern, but after hearing what happened, the corner of his mouth twitched and he laughed.

Xinxue was a little dazed by Cheng Shuili's sudden smile and nervously asked, "What, Boss? Is something wrong with this?"

This is hoarding strategic supplies—no matter how you look at it, it's a major issue worth vigilance!

Moreover, without strong power, how could one pull this off? In Xinxue's view, it's very likely the people from the West District are behind it.

The East District has mostly pledged allegiance to Black Feather; the South and North Districts now prioritize harmony, with little conflict—only the West District, hoarding these supplies, might be preparing to declare war on Black Feather.

Given how serious this is, why is the Boss still laughing?

Cheng Shuili shook his head, patted Xinxue's shoulder to comfort her, then said, "You forgot where our medical supplies come from?"

Xinxue actually isn't clear on that; she only knows the Boss produced a batch of supplies, but doesn't know exactly how.

She has been staying up late, but her health is still decent.

Besides, most players get injured from monsters bursting out of roadside treasure chests, while she completes mileage relying on the autopilot card—she doesn't even open chests, let alone fight monsters.

Therefore, although Xinxue knows Black Feather's medical station is well run, she has never visited it.

Oh… it's not that she's never gone; medical supplies still come out of the medical station, but she never went in to look closely.

Xinxue scratched her head, her face full of bewilderment.

Cheng Shuili: "..."

He truly hadn't expected Xinxue to not even know this.

After patiently explaining, Xinxue widened her eyes and asked, "So, as long as we have basic materials and low‑level energy cores, we can continuously produce medical supplies?!"

"Exactly." Cheng Shuili nodded. "They might think controlling a scarce resource lets them strangle others or reap huge profits. But they don't know we have a sustainable source."

Upon hearing this, Xinxue's anxiety vanished completely.

With anxiety gone, the merchant's nature surfaced again.

Her eyes grew brighter, her face lit with a sudden realization: "Boss, you mean… they're helping us raise market prices, effectively giving us money?"

That's exactly the meaning.

Moreover…

Cheng Shuili gave a faint smile: "When the flood submerged vehicles a couple days ago, you didn't buy up basic supplies and energy stones at low prices? Now these can be exchanged for medical supplies."

"Besides," Cheng Shuili continued without waiting for Xinxue to speak, "since they want to swallow all medical goods on the market, we'll raise the price and hit them hard!"

Xinxue nodded, "Should I put out another batch of supplies?"

"Yes," Cheng Shuili agreed, "the higher the price, the better. If it doesn't sell, just leave it up—no loss for us. If it does sell… that's even better."

"Yes! Boss!"

Xinxue was so excited she stood up and gave Cheng Shuili a salute.

Hmm… not quite standard; perhaps once Xinxue isn't so busy, we can have her follow Ailin for practice.

Cheng Shuili watched Xinxue leave, propped his chin, spaced out a while—being idle is being idle, so he simply prepared the materials for this afternoon's meeting.

This meeting is the first gathering of the East District Alliance, and it's quite important.

After all, the "East District Alliance" currently exists only in Cheng Shuili's conception; whether it can be realized truly depends on this afternoon's meeting.

The warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds above the security zone, falling on the cobblestone main road.

The chatter of passersby and companions beside him, the conversations of shop owners and customers on both sides, reached Piao Minjun's ears.

Moreover, the aroma of dishes from the restaurant and the distinctive fragrance of the bakery stimulated his nerves, reminding him that all this is real.

In this world, someone really built a distant yet crystal‑clear past.

And this person…

is the Black Feather Leader he is to meet this afternoon.

Before coming, the Boss told him that he and Black Feather will absolutely have no cooperation.

This time he's merely giving Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji face; he has no choice but to attend.