Full-time Creation Master

Yak quickly took the tablet with both hands, handling it with utmost care, as if it were a priceless treasure, afraid of dropping it.

He was already familiar with this tablet; every time a collaboration ended, this was how he selected goods and settled accounts.

With his fingertips swiping rapidly across the screen, Ark expertly reviewed the supplies list, his eyes focused and attentive.

He muttered to himself, memorizing every single price change on the list of all the goods.

Having spent years fighting in the Western Frontier, he knew all too well the value of resources and how even the slightest price fluctuation could affect them.

It all concerns the livelihoods of our brothers, so we can't be careless in the slightest.

After going through the list, Yak had a clear understanding of the situation—the types of supplies on the list were basically the same as last time.

The prices of the supplies he originally planned to purchase didn't fluctuate much, so he didn't lose out.

Only after confirming that everything was correct did Ark dare to make a move. He precisely pointed his finger at the supplies he needed, muttering to himself as he did so:

"Fire-type Great Soul Seed - Ember, marked with 6 times the magic power, and also the Ember Domain."

The price is 12 billion... I still can't afford it!

At this point, Ark couldn't help but sigh heavily, a hint of undisguised regret and helplessness flashing across his eyes—

He had been eyeing this scorched soul seed for a full six months.

With it, one's own and one's team's combat effectiveness can be directly increased by a large margin.

However, the price of 12 billion was still an astronomical figure that was out of reach for him, so he had to give up for the time being.

Suppressing his regret, Yake steadied himself and continued selecting goods, his tone becoming more resolute:

"Fire-type spirit seeds, standard Flame 2, need 3, 3 x 1000 million, total 3000 million!"

"And there's also the Fire-type Great Spirit Seed—Blazing Fiery Burst. A guy wants to pre-order one for 6000 million!"

"Earth-type spirit seeds, four each of standard Sand Power and Rock Power are required."

One Sand Power costs 10 million, one Rock Power costs 10 million, four Sand Powers plus four Rock Powers total 80 million!

He checked the price of each item he read aloud, his fingertips trembling slightly with tension and caution, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

Just as Yake was preparing to confirm the list and complete the settlement,

Manager Zheng suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a deliberate hint of seduction:

"The Burning Soul Seed you just saw will be restocked soon, and I can open an installment payment option for you."

Yake's fingertips suddenly paused, his eyes instantly lit up, and the regret on his face was replaced by ecstasy. He quickly looked up at Manager Zheng:

"Manager Zheng, are you... are you serious? Is it really possible to pay in installments?"

His voice trembled slightly, and he bent over even lower, his eyes filled with unbelievable anticipation.

Manager Zheng nodded slightly, but his tone instantly turned serious as he added a condition: "Of course it's true, but you have to promise me one thing."

"Please speak! Please speak!"

"No matter what it is, I, Ark, will agree to it!"

Yak quickly agreed, afraid of missing this opportunity.

Just then, a mercenary soldier in a black uniform ran over quickly, leaned close to Manager Zheng's ear, and whispered a few words.

Manager Zheng's eyes darkened slightly, and then he looked up at the group of demi-human girls who were being held captive, his gaze precisely locking onto a little girl at the very end of the group.

The girl looked to be no more than ten years old, thin and frail, dressed in tattered clothes, but with a pair of exceptionally bright eyes.

While her subordinates were taking inventory, she quietly clenched her fists, a hint of barely perceptible resistance hidden in her eyes, unlike the other numb girls.

The soldier just reported that this girl has a faint spiritual vein hidden in her body. Although it hasn't been specifically tested, she is undoubtedly a rare "special constitution" or "spiritual body".

The treasure-hunting dog and the machine detection both gave the same prompt.

Manager Zheng gestured with his chin, indicating to the soldier to bring the girl over.

He said to Ark in an icy tone, "Installment payment is possible."

This girl is listed as an additional premium item (the kind with a beauty score of 99+ out of 100).

Next time we trade, in addition to the regular items, we need to order five more of these premium quality items.

Those without talent will be paid 300 million!

Those with talent, ten million each!

If you can find a victim of the disaster, I'll give you 10 billion!

The Great Soul Seed of Burning to the Ashes will be awarded in 5 phases, each phase costing at least 2.4 million.

A portion will be deducted from each transaction, settled in 5 installments, and the Soul Seed will be yours after 3 installments.

Following Manager Zheng's gaze, Yake immediately spotted the little girl with bright, rebellious eyes.

He was instantly faced with a dilemma.

Demi-humans with special physiques and talents are extremely rare.

The key issue is the extreme difficulty in collecting the data.

Those we can catch are all ordinary people, so how do we find them?

Getting five more top-tier items next time would be virtually impossible.

But when he thought that the Burning Soul Seed could double the team's combat power and make his life safer, he gritted his teeth again.

The girl with the spiritual vein, dragged closer by the soldiers, showed no fear whatsoever. Instead, she looked directly at Manager Zheng.

Her small body was taut and straight, and the defiance in her eyes grew even stronger.

She never uttered a sob—she knew that resistance was futile, and the only option was to endure.

Yak was silent for a moment, then nodded firmly, a resolute look on his face: "Okay! Manager Zheng, I agree!"

"For the next transaction, I'll definitely make up for it with 5 regular premium items. I just ask that you keep your word!"

Manager Zheng smiled with satisfaction, raised his hand to signal the soldiers to take the girl away and keep her in solitary confinement: "Don't worry, I always keep my word."

Subsequently, Yake confirmed the purchase list, and Manager Zheng instructed the accountant to quickly calculate the amount after deductions.

The total price of the spirit seed is 1.1 million.

You bought another 400 million worth of medicine, pills, elixirs, contraceptives, food, and various other supplies.

This will offset 9000 million in payments for goods and 2400 million in resource exchange credit.

This is what makes this type of transaction special; basically, you can't save money there, and you don't dare to.

It was agreed that the remaining balance would be settled in the next transaction.

Manager Zheng immediately had the spirit seeds selected by Yak delivered to his team's base.

Holding the box containing the spirit seed, Ark felt a mix of joy and worry. He was happy that he finally had a chance to obtain the Burning Soul Seed.

That thing is not only rare, but also has a price but no market, and there are also eligibility restrictions;

His concern was that collecting the next top-grade item would be extremely difficult, but seeing the expectant eyes of his men, he became more determined.

The spirit vein girl, held in solitary confinement, gazed through the alloy bars at the direction Ark had left, a complex light flickering in her eyes—

She could tell that Ark was different from the other tyrannical demi-humans.

A sliver of kindness and humanity still lingered in her heart; this might be her only chance to escape.

However, her lack of courage caused her to miss this opportunity.

Now that she has fallen into the hands of the "Great Xia" people, if she survives the "training period", she will be able to gain freedom as a "demi-human", although she will have to marry a man.

But she also knew that for now, she could only endure and wait for the most opportune moment.

Manager Zheng stood at the fortress gate, watching Yak's group gradually disappear into the distance, then turned to look at the girl who was being held in solitary confinement.

He indifferently instructed the soldiers beside him: "Keep a close eye on her. A spiritual vein vessel is rare; there can be no mistakes."

You are aware of the higher-ups' demand for and emphasis on premium products!

The soldier responded respectfully and turned to look at the girl.

The winds and sandstorms still howl along the border, and the two worlds inside and outside the fortress remain unchanged.

Ark obtained the much-needed spirit seed, set a payment agreement for the Burning Great Soul Seed, and completed the transaction.

Manager Zheng successfully received the goods and also found a rare, unexpectedly talented young girl, thus fulfilling the headquarters' potential requirements.

The Spirit Vein Girl is temporarily safe and has found a way to endure hardship, survive, and wait for freedom.

This border transaction has come to a successful conclusion.

Only the winds of the western frontier, still carrying sand and dust, bear witness to the cruelty and helplessness of this land.

Day after day, without ever stopping.