Chapter 312: Monetary Power

When they heard Lei En's price, the members of the Soul Hunt team were all stunned.

5,000 Gold Shields—this price far exceeds the market price of the Long Spear Horned Beetle.

Under normal circumstances, a typical Mid-stage demon soul is worth 800 to 1,000 Gold Shields, with more than four Elements attached; it can then rise another few hundred Gold Shields, the more Elements the higher the value.

If it carries rare Elements, especially various affinities, a price doubling is commonplace.

The Long Spear Horned Beetle has six Elements, two of which are rare, and it also bears a Lightning Affinity; among Mid-stage demon souls this is extremely precious and can easily fetch 3,000 Gold Shields.

4,000 Gold Shields is also possible; as for 5,000 Gold Shields, that's definitely a premium.

Because Lightning Affinity is so rare, many transcendent beings take this into account and do not pursue it; practitioners of the Thunder Element or Thunder Sword Sages are few in the Empire, which means potential buyers are scarce and it cannot command a sky‑high price.

"Apologies, Count."

Shi Weifute's tone was firm: "I already said that no loot may be traded before the hunt ends; that's the Soul Hunt team's rule."

"Rules are meant to be broken," Lei En said lightly.

Having finally come across a Lightning Affinity, he doesn't want to wait until the other party returns to the Empire to buy it; who knows how long that would take.

This Soul Hunt team clearly has an important plan, and it's also very risky.

If something goes wrong and they fail to emerge from the Death Forest Sea, wouldn't it all be for nothing in the end?

Anyway, with ample funds at hand, I've been inventing, laboriously governing my domain, investing in the real‑estate dragon business—aren't all those efforts just to easily exchange money for power?

Today I'll taste the flavor of monetary power.

Lei En immediately raised the price: "7,000 Gold Shields."

He added 2,000 Gold Shields in one breath, with a nonchalant air, leaving the hunters silent.

They are at least high‑tier transcendent, far more discerning than ordinary people; their wealth is also measured in Gold Shields, yet each Gold Shield is earned with a life. They would rather split one in two, and buying an enchanted gear worth thousands of Gold Shields takes a long grind, repeated weighing before they can bite the bullet to purchase it.

Unlike Lei En, who can casually toss out 2,000 Gold Shields as if it were just a number.

Even Hamlin, the Wizard who had been most opposed, fell silent.

The witch Sang Ya stared at Lei En's handsome face, her gaze wavering, thoughts unreadable; Laorui Na lightly bit her lip, absent‑minded, not even noticing the food in her hand burning.

Everyone waited for Captain Shi Weifute's decision.

His expression grew solemn; after serious consideration he still refused, shaking his head: "No…"

"8,000 Gold Shields," Lei En added again.

The team members turned to Shi Weifute one after another.

He felt a wave of pressure—not physical force but the magic of Gold Shields—and even as a legendary Iron Guard he struggled to bear it, pressed to the point of breathlessness.

"Lord, are you trying to use money to break our Soul Hunt team's rule?"

Shi Weifute wore a wry smile.

He is a man of strong principles, upright and fair, with top‑tier strength; years of adventuring have earned him a reputation, and among the hunters of Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng he commands great prestige and influence.

This expedition into the Death Forest Sea serves an important objective, prepared for two years.

Among the accompanying teammates, most were recruited on the spot, carefully selected, forming this powerful Soul Hunt team.

They hadn't expected to encounter Lei En halfway, challenging the team's cohesion.

Lei En shrugged, effectively giving his tacit approval.

He said pointedly: "If your team has no issues, even selling a demon soul early won't matter. If a few thousand Gold Shield transaction sparks internal strife, the problem lies not with me but within your own ranks."

Shi Weifute's expression shifted slightly.

He glanced at each teammate, scanning their faces, and saw they were all stirred, evidently moved by the Gold Shields.

The Long Spear Horned Beetle is the biggest haul since entering the Death Forest Sea.

If they can sell for 8,000 Gold Shields, each person would gain an extra 600 to 700 Gold Shields, not only recouping the expedition's cost but also yielding a sizable surplus.

Even if the plan fails, returning straight to Thus: Thus: Shengangcheng wouldn't be a loss.

This already erodes the team's fighting spirit… Shi Weifute sighed inwardly, yet felt helpless; if he opposed the trade, teammates' resentment would still destabilize the team.

"How about it?" Lei En asked with a smile.

"I need to consult my teammates, Count, please wait," Shi Weifute regained composure, summoned his teammates, and walked toward the camp's edge.

Lei En's soul eye saw that the Iron Qi Iron Guard's stance had softened, yet he was still hesitating.

He thought it over and decided to push further.

"10,000 Gold Shields; I'll give you five minutes to discuss,"

The pig‑soul hunters turned back toward Lei En by the campfire; some were delighted, some surprised, but most were already numb to his lavish move.

Even Pa Er Mo Si, a priest from the Earth Church, couldn't help but be moved, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Everyone, come over."

Shi Weifute led his teammates farther, to the woods behind a section of the camp.

A surge of magical energy; someone cast a Soundproof Force Field, clearly to keep outsiders from hearing the discussion. Before the field took effect, a few whispers reached them:

"Captain, just sell it!"

"I support it."

"How can you be so easily bought with money?"

"I also want to refuse, but he offers too much…"

The rest fell silent, but from those few lines Lei En could already confirm the deal was solid.

Nearby, Bu Lai Mi Te was still sipping sour wine, pondering the Lambo spear, showing no interest in the Soul Hunt team's matters and no intention to converse.

After a long silence, he glanced at Lei En and said, "10,000 Gold Shields for a Mid-stage demon soul isn't worth it."

"The value of an item varies from person to person," Lei En replied dismissively, adding, "To me, the Long Spear Horned Beetle is worth more than a supreme Element; it saves me a lot of time and effort, which alone justifies 10,000 Gold Shields."

He did not utter the rest.

With the demon soul of the Long Spear Horned Beetle, he could quickly ascend to a ninth‑level Wizard; if he successfully advances to a Lightning form, he'll obtain the Thunder God's Hammer!

As for this Legend Grade war hammer, ten thousand Gold Shields are just a drop in the bucket.

Bulaimit drew on his pipe and sighed, "All this talk, isn't it just that you have money?"

"Indeed, rather than fighting myself, I'd rather spend money for power, haha…" Lei En said with a hint of smugness, smiling, "If money can solve it, then it's not a problem."

The hunters who had just finished their discussion emerged from the Soundproof Force Field and heard Lei En's words.

Instantly, they all looked at each other in bewilderment.

Nei Wei Er, the swiftwind demon swordsman, hid behind and whispered, "Captain, should we raise the price? Ten thousand Gold Shields seem too cheap."

Shi Weifute shook his head.

He walked back to the camp, sat down, and without waiting for Lei En's question, said proactively, "Count, this demon soul is yours."

"A wise choice."

Lei En was not surprised at all; he flipped his hand and produced a stack of gold tickets, ten in total, each worth one thousand Gold Shields, glittering brilliantly in the firelight.

Shi Weifute took the gold tickets, counted and verified them on the spot, then carefully slipped them into his chest.

Seeing the transaction succeed, the hunters were all very pleased.

They continued cooking food and dined happily.

Lei En's mood was also excellent; he dropped the Count's formalities, occasionally cracking jokes that made everyone burst into laughter. The hunters also shared amusing adventure stories, the atmosphere was lively, laughter continuous, and both sides blended together.

However, Lei En noticed that Shi Weifute's enthusiasm was low.

Even though he concealed it well, it was still faintly visible in the Soul Eye.

It wasn't until late night that everyone fully enjoyed themselves.

The hunters set up a camp not far away in the valley, arranged a night‑watch schedule, and the others slipped into their own tents to rest.

In the latter half of the night, Lei En suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.

The tent's curtain was gently pulled back, a graceful silhouette slipped in, saw Lei En sitting on the bed, and was startled, emerging from the shadows.

"Lao Rui Na, what brings you here so late?" Lei En asked with a light laugh.

"Lord…"

Lao Rui Na realized Lei En was appraising her; despite the tent's darkness, his gaze lingered on her, seeming to generate a warmth.

She was confident in her figure, especially her long legs, honed for years to be strong and graceful; she wondered how many men coveted them, yet few ever got to touch them.

Lao Rui Na stepped forward, deliberately showcasing her long legs.

She sat on the bedside, a hint of shyness on her face, whispering, "Lord, I can't sleep and want to share something with you."

"Is that so? Then tell me, I'm a good listener." Lei En's expression was playful, thinking that women who roam outside for years are bold and unrestrained.

In fact, he had already sensed Lao Rui Na's intentions.

Earlier in the camp, while talking with them, this female shadow warrior had approached him deliberately or not, and another witch, Sang Ya, even brushed sensitive areas, almost throwing herself into his arms on the spot.

He wondered whether it was the Gold Shield's allure or his own charm.

Lei En had designs on her, but not for a reckless fling, so he secretly ordered an Extreme Warrior on night watch to let her into the tent.

Lao Rui Na thought Lei En hadn't refused and shifted forward.

Lei En seized her waist, his hand reaching for the metal buckle of her belt, then froze.

Lao Rui Na felt his breath and her heart fluttered slightly: "Lord, we were summoned by the captain to the Dead Forest Sea, and there's a very dangerous plan. Sigh… I don't even know if we'll return alive to see you again."

"What plan? Can you tell me?" Lei En's arms tightened around her.

"We intend to slay a dragon." Lao Rui Na hesitated a few seconds, then whispered, "It's a juvenile female green dragon named Monaghas. Its lair is not far from the Ismu River Valley, situated on the fringe of the Dead Forest Sea."

Lei En paused; a juvenile dragon possesses at least Legendary Primary level power.

However, dragons have extraordinary innate talent; even at Legendary Primary, their strength far exceeds that of ordinary legendary transcendents or other sentient beings.

Normally, a single legendary transcendent can hardly match a juvenile dragon; failing to slay it would mean being slain.

Even with a few high‑rank transcendent teammates, slaying the dragon is not easy.

Moreover, green dragons never live alone; they command a legion of slaves to fight for them, and a dragon in its lair enjoys home‑field advantage, making it even more terrifying.

"Captain Shi Weifute is daring! He actually wants to be a dragon‑slaying hero." Lei En said with a laugh.

"The captain is strong, and with meticulous plans and preparations, success is very likely; otherwise we wouldn't have followed him into the Dead Forest Sea."

Lao Rui Na leaned against Lei En's chest, feeling her whole body heat up, cheeks flushed, heart pounding, "We discussed privately and invited you to join the dragon hunt. The captain didn't object, but Hamlin disagreed; he thinks your power is too great and that after a successful hunt, you'd take most of the loot."

Lei En looked thoughtful, "What was the outcome of your discussion?"

"The captain said we'll decide tomorrow. Oh, lord…" Lao Rui Na saw Lei En linger, gritted her teeth, rolled over, and skillfully slipped her hand into the blanket.

Lei En obtained the information he wanted, but had no intention of taking it seriously.

He grabbed Lao Rui Na's hand to prevent an accidental discharge.

At the crucial moment, a lilting, seductive female voice sounded from outside the tent, "Lord, are you asleep?"

(End of chapter)