Is the person you sculpt as cute as me?

That's too exaggerated... But Yu Man couldn't pour cold water on her smile.

Coincidentally, the Ice Prison Dragon was also approaching the island, and they could see someone welcoming them on the shore.

She is the assistant of the "Rust Remover", a little girl with burns all over her body.

She was dressed casually, with a look of fatigue on her face, but she still stood there diligently, ready to greet familiar guests.

There was no need to speak too much. The Ice Prison Dragon's domain quickly converged to its limit. Otherwise, the little assistant would be killed by the cold just by landing.

Just like that, we landed smoothly.

"Welcome! May I ask why you made this sudden visit?" the assistant asked.

"There's a big deal to discuss with the Rust Remover."

After saying that, they both landed one after another along the dragon's wings that were hanging down to the ground like a slide.

Yu Man stood firm and asked again, "How is it, Rust Remover, is it convenient for you now?"

"It should be... convenient, but we just completed a last-minute order... the reception might be poor, please forgive me."

"It doesn't matter. I came here uninvited and without prior notice, so there's no need for any hospitality etiquette."

After saying this, the little girl's expression relaxed a bit. If the guest insisted on high-standard treatment, she would still be the one with the headache. As she relaxed, she carefully looked at the Ice Prison Dragon behind Yu Man, her expression a mixture of admiration and shock.

but--

The Ice Prison Dragon disappeared.

Only the icy dust drifting towards the sky is like the lingering stars in the early morning.

In their embrace, a little dragon girl covered in stardust appeared.

"Huh... he can actually turn into a dragon man... and he's so young - ah, so rude!" The assistant realized that she was commenting on the guest, which was extremely rude, and her face immediately turned red.

"You're not that old... Anyway, this is Xiaobing. In order to avoid taking up space, use this form—let's go."

The group quickly left the shore and walked into the depths.

Before I knew it, the salty smell of the tide was replaced by the richness of vegetation.

From the sword-taming pit to the simple house, they arrived at the Rust Remover's workshop.

And the "Rust Remover" is waiting at the door.

She sat on a wicker chair, drinking iced wine, feeling tired and numb.

The wheat-skinned blacksmith was wearing even less than in previous occasions.

The gray afro was poorly maintained and had many burn marks.

Only its long furry tail showed a bit of spirit.

It would move across the rattan chair from time to time, playing with the pebbles on the ground.

"...Hello... stranger... I'm exhausted and can't get up to welcome... you." After saying this, the "Rust Remover" nodded, which was considered a greeting.

She picked up the wine glass with trembling hands, drank most of it, and spilled a little.

But the wine that fell on the skin soon mixed with sweat and was then drunk up by the sunny day.

"What's wrong? Why are you so tired?"

"Alas... I've completed the ninth-tier order. I've been working hard for three days and three nights. To be honest, I feel lost now. I have no idea who I am or what I'm doing..."

The young assistant was still relatively sober, so she introduced them.

"It's the precious ice branch you sent me earlier. It's related to an extremely important business deal. But the master spent too much time studying the magic you obtained, so he could only work to meet the deadline of the order..."

"Has the ninth-level weapons order been delivered?" Yu Man asked.

Needless to say, the little deer with shining eyes nearby was also very interested.

In response, the Rust Remover didn't hide the fact: "Not yet. I'm waiting for them to come pick it up. They should be here tomorrow... If you want to see it, go ahead. I'm going to have another drink and see if I can find some sleep."

The little deer had an expression that said "I understand you".

"In the past, I worked hard for three days and three nights to get the world's fastest progress. I was very tired at first, but from the second day on, I wasn't tired anymore. My body was functioning instinctively and numbly. Then I became more and more excited and couldn't stop. No matter how much I wanted to sleep, I couldn't."

"...Didn't your man beat you to death?" Yu Man was very worried.

"Haha, I'm still the master after all. Anyway, I finally lay down and prepared to have a deep sleep. I fell asleep at ten o'clock, and when I woke up, I found it was eleven o'clock... Guess what?"

"You only slept for an hour, but you look energetic." Yu Man exposed her joke.

"Huh, did the eel have a similar experience?"

She didn't say anything, but she did. After being kicked out of the house by Lao Deng last week, Yu Man had to endure it for a long time.

These trivial memories turned into soft echoes, reverberating in the narrow space leading to the basement.

But soon, they all fell silent.

A power that I had never felt before was resounding from the door in front of me.

And—very solemn.

It was like a funeral—a funeral for them.

The door was pushed open.

The vast workshop with the underground furnace is filled with light, like a sunny day.

It's a sword.

It hangs in the air, without even the slightest support. It seems to be independent of the world, expressing a denial of everything. This includes gravity, logic, and all the constraints of the human world and the old world.

It drifts like a lonely boat sleeping in the sea of ​​stars.

Even the knowledgeable Yu Man had the same reaction as the deer, instinctively gasping in admiring its beauty.

A pure white one-handed sword, straight, flawless, lonely and desolate.

The icy branches of the World Tree shape its roots, and gentle ice patterns spread from the tip to the tail, as if it were a living plant.

"...Is this sword waiting to be tamed?" asked the deer.

"No, sir. This sword is a ceremonial object, a ritual vessel. It possesses no murderous aura, but is inherently solemn and dignified. It needs no taming... nor do we have the right to tame it."

The little assistants introduced their creations with a hint of pride.

Yu Man moved closer, wanting to see more clearly... Well, mainly to take a screenshot to please Senior Cat.

But as Yu Man's thoughts took shape, the sword immediately flew away like a frightened bird. But it was obvious that it was still greedy for the temptation on the ground, so it just hid behind the rock wall and quietly observed Yu Man.

"Why do I feel like I was scared away by you..." The deer looked regretful.

"Looks like it doesn't want us to watch... Never mind, let's get back to the Rust Remover."

After all, it was someone else's order. It was obvious that someone who ordered a ninth-order sword as a ceremonial weapon was not someone to be trifled with.

Yu Man had no greed for it. It was not cost-effective and not in their interests.

And - what she wanted to do next was even sweeter.

……

Back at the door, Rust Remover's eyes were hazy, the alcohol was taking effect - but he still couldn't fall asleep.

"So fast..." She responded instinctively.

Yu Man took out the magic book and gently chilled the area around her.

She felt an immediate relief from the heat, but the chill that followed immediately invigorated her.

Even sneezed.

"Rust Remover, let me get straight to the point. I'd like to borrow your connections. I need two sets of around tier eight mage gear, whether it's sourcing or custom-made...anything is fine."

"...Stranger, this request is too ambitious. It's not something you can easily get." The Rust Remover casually picked up a leaf to wipe his nose, then glared at Yu Man, "I don't mind helping you, but I don't have that much face."

"Just say I'm willing to buy it for three times the market price. How about this? No need for a main hand."

After a moment's thought, the Rust Remover nodded: "...Then I could go ask."

She was convinced of Man's financial strength. After all, this guy had personally plundered goods worth 10,000 gold coins.

But these equipments have no so-called market price, only whether they are suitable or not, so the success rate is very low.

Furthermore, the Rust Remover reminded—

"However, the Netherworld Chamber of Commerce's branch in this area has suffered significant damage, making it very difficult to operate various products. My artisan connections are constantly complaining, so to be honest, success is becoming increasingly difficult."

Yu Man listened to it, then lowered his voice, stared into the eyes of the "Rust Remover", and spoke quietly.

"So, do you—and your fellow craftsmen—need a new, reliable Chamber of Commerce, perhaps even one managed by yourselves?"

177·Connections

The "Rust Remover" was stunned and didn't understand what Yu Man was saying for a moment.

But rather than thinking, she heard a kind of temptation in Yu Man's words.

Enough temptation to make her think.

"Hold on."

She immediately stood up and rummaged through the drawers in the house, found some snacks and fruits that had been left over from who knows when, and began to replenish her nutrition... This just showed how much she valued it.

"Eel—and Fawn, I know you're not normal strangers, and this isn't our first time dealing with you, but this matter... I still don't quite understand. Are you saying... you want to give us a new Chamber of Commerce?"

"Yes." Yu Man didn't build an ice chair, but looked down at her from above. "The branch of the 'Youshi Chamber of Commerce' in this sea area should be destroyed soon."

"...You want to go?" The Rust Remover made a gesture of wiping his neck.

Yu Man shook her head. "Although I want to go, I'm not sure I can. However, I'm absolutely certain that its time will soon come to an end, because the endless stream of immortal strangers will easily overwhelm it. Maybe soon, maybe not long from now, but it won't be far away."

She wasn't confident enough to destroy it on her own, but as she had said before.

Players will always win, it's just a matter of when.

"I know full well that merchants, big and small, and the black market, are all trying to carve up the market left by the Netherworld Chamber of Commerce branch, but why can't you take it all? You great craftsmen."

"……us?"

Yu Man complimented him from the bottom of his heart: "In fact, it is the skills and tools of you craftsmen that give the world power. You are the high-end monopolists, the creators of legends. Those businessmen who only talk don't deserve to make a profit, but you are different-"

"Wait, wait, wait, don't praise us like that..." Rust Remover's expression showed that she was quite impressed. "Be more specific, and don't give us these empty compliments."

Yu Man didn't speak immediately, but just hooked his finger at her, as if he wanted to discuss a little secret.

That's indeed a little secret.

When the craftsman with a dazed look came closer, Yu Man said to her:

"My goods and cash will be worth over a million gold coins. My power and connections will solve the security issues in this sea area. With these two, I will create a new Chamber of Commerce for you."

"...You..." The Rust Remover swallowed, but his shocked expression turned into confusion. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. From now on, all you need to do is use your connections to get those hidden master craftsmen to sponsor me with one or two pieces of eighth-tier equipment... so I can sink the sunset of the Netherworld Chamber of Commerce branch. From then on, everything will go smoothly."

That's what she thinks.

Previously, Yu Man declined Senior Cat’s favor, after all, she also had a connection with the “Rust Remover”.

Although she could use dungeons to create equipment for various bosses...but that would take time, effort, and be a bit troublesome, so it should only be used as a last resort.

I was looking forward to the sunken treasures around my island, but in fact, they were all eaten up by the man in the mirror.

After much thought, I can only come to seek sponsorship.

"According to that logic..." the Rust Remover asked, "You could have made the New Chamber of Commerce your own, but it sounds like you're planning to hand it over to us craftsmen."

"I have so much to do, and I'm willing to share the operation and management rights with you. All I need is for you to pay me a share of the profits and meet my two requirements."

"What is the request?"

"The Chamber of Commerce will inevitably handle a large amount of goods and receive a lot of information. I will ask you to pay attention to certain things or look for them when the time comes. This is the first priority. In addition, when I need equipment, I will ask you to customize it. I hope you will be given priority."

The Rust Remover was a little surprised: "Is that all?"

"that is it."