Chapter 271

Xue'er, these two kinds of armored vehicles loaded with weapon systems, and the non-ordinary heavy armored vehicle, what price do you plan to sell them at?

Zhu Ge Chang Qing stroked his whitening beard, feigning calm as he asked.

After all, the other side paid the price of a heavy armored vehicle for the demonstration; to Zhu Ge Chang Qing and the others, this was clearly an attempt to raise the price.

Ling Xue'er blinked slightly upon hearing his question, then countered: "I already told you the prices of the First Rank heavy armored vehicle, the mechanical transport airship, and the energy weapons, didn't I?"

"You mean… you still intend to sell the heavy armored vehicle at the original price?"

"Otherwise? We've always been straightforward in business."

Zhu Ge Chang Qing: ……

It's not about price gouging; this actually isn't price gouging!

You paid the price of a heavy armored vehicle just to demonstrate its defensive power and the firepower of its mounted energy rocket cannon and energy Gatling to us? Damn, that's incredibly generous! These days, finding a seller as conscientious as you is nearly impossible…

After a moment of silence, Zhu Ge Chang Qing and Ling Xue'er apologized, then led the others aside to seriously discuss the purchase.

After witnessing the heavy armored vehicle's strong defense and terrifying firepower output, the original plan was naturally scrapped; we need to increase our purchasing power! "What do you think?"

Zhu Ge Chang Qing glanced at the few people, then asked softly.

"My suggestion is to buy one mechanical transport airship, and use all remaining resources to purchase heavy armored vehicles loaded with weapon systems; as for the ordinary armored vehicles, we don't need them."

"I have a different opinion; the mechanical transport airship that brought us here is a Supernatural Second Rank vessel, whereas we are purchasing a First Rank one, so a single mechanical transport airship is definitely not enough."

"Correct, we also need to purchase a batch of energy weapons; I don't think we should spend all our resources on heavy armored vehicles."

"But the heavy armored vehicle combines offense and defense; you've all seen its terrifying defense and firepower—what reason do we have not to buy it?"

……

The crowd debated, each with their own reasoning; if possible, they'd naturally want a bit of everything, but the resources they brought are limited, fundamentally not allowing them to purchase too much.

As for obtaining resources from elsewhere, either they must wait until the mechanical transport airship is purchased, then spend considerable time transferring them,

or they'd have to consume a large amount of energy crystals to use the trade module for remote transfer.

Basically, the second proposal was rejected as soon as it was raised.

Rather than wasting energy crystals on remote transfer via the trade module, it would be better to use them to buy a few more heavy armored vehicles.

After a heated discussion, they finally came up with a completely new purchasing plan.

They decided to first purchase six heavy armored vehicles loaded with weapon systems, and then ask Ling Xue'er about the dedicated ammunition for the energy Gatling and energy rocket cannon, and how to trade it.

Although these two weapons can fire directly using energy crystals and possess considerable power,

even a single round of attack can seriously injure most First Rank supernatural beings, rendering them combat‑ineffective.

However, if these weapons use dedicated ammunition, their power increases further; at least Zhu Ge Chang Qing and his companions can be quite certain that a single shot from a dedicated‑ammo energy rocket cannon would send all of them flying.

They faintly felt that using dedicated ammunition for shooting could even threaten Supernatural Second Rank beings.

What they didn't know, however, is that the weapons mounted on the First Rank heavy armored vehicles are specially produced stripped‑down versions made to be affordable, and they simply cannot compare to the Second Rank energy Gatling and energy rocket cannon.

To compensate for the lack of damage, Ling'er specially designed the dedicated ammunition; otherwise this junk she wouldn't be able to present.

Moreover, this dedicated ammunition can also let Su Hao earn extra money.

The main purpose of Ling Xue'er conducting these experiments this time is actually to promote this ammunition.

Upon hearing Zhu Ge Chang Qing and the others proactively ask about the price of the dedicated ammunition, Ling Xue'er smiled and shook her head.

"Officer, no need to rush; we also have dedicated ammunition for our other energy weapons—take a look first, then we'll talk."

Having said that, Ling Xue'er lightly waved her hand, and a few three‑hundred skeleton warriors emerged, wielding energy laser guns, energy heat‑melting blades, and energy mechanical shields, demonstrating the power of these three energy weapons to Zhu Ge Chang Qing and the others.

Although these three energy mechanical weapons have a considerable gap compared to the energy Gatling and energy rocket cannon,

but the energy Gatling and energy rocket cannon are vehicle‑mounted weapons; even a First Rank supernatural being cannot equip or use them.

The energy laser gun, energy heat‑melting blade, and energy mechanical shield are different; these three are all weapons that can be individually equipped.

Even ordinary people can use them normally, and they combine ranged, melee, and defensive capabilities, greatly enhancing individual combat ability.

If special ammunition is used, the energy laser gun can also fire bullets with greater penetration.

The energy mechanical shield can generate a shield with respectable defensive power.

The energy heat‑melting blade, meanwhile, can produce higher temperatures, giving it stronger lethality.

After demonstrating these three weapons, Ling Xue'er then brought them to a First Rank mechanical transport airship and gave them a brief introduction to its status.

Compared to the Second Rank airship, the First Rank airship's folded space is much smaller, accommodating only about a thousand people.

These First Rank supernatural products were specially designed so that the Divine Xia could afford them; all aspects of their performance are stripped‑down versions.

Even so, the mechanical transport airship's capacity of roughly a thousand people, coupled with the power of individual energy weapons, still left Zhu Ge Chang Qing and the others overjoyed.

They felt that the previously confirmed purchasing plan needed to be readjusted once again.

When they went to discuss the new plan, however, Ling Xue'er stopped them, handing over a sheet of paper she had prepared in advance.

"This is the price list that includes the dedicated ammunition; please take a look."

Zhu Ge Chang Qing took the price list and unfolded it.

【Divine Xia Official Dedicated Price List】

Heavy armored vehicle: 3,000 energy crystals.

Heavy armored vehicle (loaded with weapon system): 8,000 energy crystals.

……

Dedicated ammunition for the energy Gatling: 100 energy crystals for 1,000 rounds.

Dedicated ammunition for the energy rocket cannon: 500 energy crystals per rocket round.

…… To be frank, this price isn't cheap, after all a heavy armored vehicle loaded with energy weapons costs only 8,000 energy crystals, whereas a single dedicated round for the energy rocket cannon requires 500 energy crystals.

But upon reflection, a single dedicated round for the energy rocket cannon can instantly kill all First Rank supernatural beings within range and even inflict effective damage on Supernatural Second Rank beings.

Such tremendous power makes it entirely suitable as a trump card; a price of 500 energy crystals per round is wholly reasonable.

However, doing so would tighten their resources further; if they choose to purchase several rounds of dedicated ammunition, they would have to reduce their purchases of heavy armored vehicles and energy weapons, leaving them quite troubled.

If possible, they would really love to buy 180 heavy armored vehicles, plus a hundred sets of energy weapons, and several mechanical transport ships.

But with the resources they have, it's clearly impossible; even if they emptied all the resources in their disaster avoidance statement, they still couldn't achieve this.

Just as they were worrying about this, Ling Xue'er gave them another surprise.

"Besides these trading methods, if you have formulas for potions that restore stamina, mental strength, etc., whether First Rank or any other tier, we are willing to make an equal exchange."

"Moreover, Boss Su Hao said he can arrange installment payment services for you."

"You only need to pay twenty percent of the cost to take the needed items."

"For the remaining eighty percent, we will charge ten percent interest and have you repay the principal plus interest in four weeks."

"If you agree to installment payment, we can also lend you Supernatural Third Tier pale skeleton warriors."

"Supernatural Third Tier?!"

Upon hearing this, Chang Qing and the others all showed looks of shock.

Seeing the dozens of four-armed pale skeleton warriors around them, they were beyond disbelief, still in disbelief.

No one expected that the skeleton monsters commonly seen in Su Hao's forest were actually Supernatural Third Tier undead creatures; sending out just a few could likely destroy the territory they had built.

Originally they were still worrying about the ten percent interest, after all, that's not a small amount—ten thousand energy crystals would require an extra thousand to be repaid in four weeks.

But considering the benefits these heavy armored vehicles, as supernatural weapons, would bring, although they weren't confident they could recoup the principal in four weeks.

However, earning back the interest, they felt posed no problem.

Now, hearing that simply arranging installment payment would allow them to rent Supernatural Third Tier pale skeleton warriors gave them even more reason not to hesitate.

Of course, they were also fully aware of Su Hao's purpose in proactively offering to rent Third Tier pale skeleton warriors.

Besides wanting to help Shenzhou, there was also a surveillance purpose.

If they dared to take the goods and flee, the pale skeleton warriors would act against them without hesitation.

After exchanging a glance, Zhu Ge Chang Qing nodded heavily.

"Installment payment is no problem; I just don't know how the price for renting Supernatural Third Tier pale skeleton warriors is calculated."

Even knowing Su Hao's purpose in renting the pale skeleton warriors, it was mostly for surveilling them.

But the benefits brought by the Supernatural Third Tier undead creatures still made them unable to refuse; if the price was right, they would even rent three or five.

Seeing the expectant yet worried gazes of Zhu Ge Chang Qing and the others, Ling Xue'er smiled slightly and said, "We don't charge a rental fee, but if you encounter a crisis and have the pale skeleton warriors resolve it, you must pay a one-time fee of one thousand energy crystals as compensation."

"If you take the pale skeleton warriors to explore a certain place and encounter an accident along the way, requiring their assistance, we will charge ten percent of the resources gained from this exploration as a fee."

"We will equip every rented pale skeleton warrior with a small intelligent robot, so I hope we can be more sincere with each other and avoid unnecessary outcomes over minor gains."

"Rest assured, Su Hao is our remaining friend; we will definitely not do something that harms others and brings no benefit to ourselves."

Zhu Ge Chang Qing nodded, without any hesitation, and immediately agreed.

Although whether it's one thousand energy crystals per use or ten percent of the exploration gains, both are huge expenses.

But the benefit of paying these costs is being able to retain one or even multiple Supernatural Third Tier pale skeleton warriors as bodyguards long-term; once danger arises, they can lend a hand to resolve a crisis for oneself.

And when they don't need to act in ordinary times, no cost is required.

How could Zhu Ge Chang Qing fail to see such benefits, and how could he possibly refuse?

Afterward, Zhu Ge Chang Qing and his group stepped aside again to discuss the purchase details of this transaction.

Now that installment payment service is available, their original procurement plan is clearly not applicable.

Now they only need to pay twenty percent of the cost to take the needed items first.

This is equivalent to being able to take up to an additional eighty percent of the goods in this transaction, and they can also bring along a few pale skeleton warriors.

After a discussion, they decided to purchase five mechanical transport ships and fifteen heavy armored vehicles equipped with weapon systems.

One hundred individual energy weapons, twenty specialized shells for energy rocket launchers, ten thousand specialized rounds for energy Gatlings, and some corresponding energy ammunition.

The main purpose of purchasing the heavy armored vehicles and other weapons is naturally for future exploration.

They plan to keep two of the five mechanical transport ships for their own use, and leave the remaining three for use by other people in Shenzhou.

The sole purpose of this is to transport resources and personnel.

Earlier, they had a plan: choose a relatively safe place, gather all remaining survivors there, and jointly build a new homeland for Shenzhou.

But at the time, safety concerns and the time-consuming transport delayed it.

But now with the mechanical transport ship, it's different; the ship itself has decent defense, as long as they are careful and avoid dangerous areas, there won't be much danger.

Plus, the internal space-folding technology of the mechanical transport ship allows it to carry a thousand people per trip.

Although relying solely on three mechanical transport ships cannot yet gather all Shenzhou survivors.

But first gathering the supernaturals and establishing this base will be no problem.

Finally, Zhu Ge Chang Qing and his group left behind the three potion formulas and the ten Storage Bags they carried.

They loaded the energy weapons, special ammunition, ten pale skeleton warriors into the mechanical transport ships, piloted these ships and the fifteen heavy armored vehicles, left Su Hao's territory, and completed the transaction.

This transaction will not end just because they left.

This is merely a beginning; in the future, more Shenzhou personnel will come to trade, and soon other forces and other races will actively seek trade.

(End of Chapter)