"Phoenix Mountain, how about exchanging your Light Saber Blueprint with the Silver Level item [Flame Flower]?"
Li Zheng sent this message with a mischievous smile, just like when he smashed the equipment before.
About two minutes later, Phoenix Mountain replied, "The item is good, but the Light Saber Blueprint has already been traded away. Currently, I don't have any Silver Level items available for trade."
Traded away the blueprint?
Li Zheng's smile froze for a moment, then he typed even more brightly, "No worries, just felt a connection with you when I first saw you in the chat hall. Tell me what you can offer now, even if it's Bronze Level, I'll trade with you if I fancy it."
"Just think of it as making a friend."
In a room in the Matrix, Phoenix Mountain stared at these six words in the private chat window and suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.
Wasn't that what I just said to fool Zhan Zhouzhou?
Damn, the tables have turned, and now someone's using it to fool me?
But seeing the Flame Flower, Phoenix Mountain hesitated.
Maybe others don't know its value.
Because during exploration before, he obtained a similarly functioning [Ice Heart Fruit], also with a 2% chance of developing special genes, except that was Ice Element.
Soon after, in the next room, he encountered a high-temperature room. Unable to avoid it, he consumed the Ice Heart Fruit, triggering the 2% chance. Using the acquired Ice Ability, he safely passed through that room.
Otherwise, he would have died in the high-temperature room.
Unfortunately, he was lucky, but also unlucky.
While triggering the 2% probability, he also activated a 30% chance, granting himself a Debuff [Erase All Alien Genes in Thirty Minutes].
But relying on thirty minutes of Ice Ability, Phoenix Mountain could successfully clear ten explorable rooms today.
Just before Li Zheng contacted him, the Debuff expired, the alien genes were erased, and he was back to being an ordinary player.
The only difference now is that he possesses many advanced materials that other players lack.
He clenched his palm, then spread it open, revealing a USB drive in his hand, precisely the Light Saber Blueprint Li Zheng wanted to trade for.
Wasn't it traded out?
How is that possible?
Seeing the Light Saber Blueprint again, Phoenix Mountain hesitated.
At that time, due to the crowd, he broadcasted the blueprint information in the chat hall, hoping to use this high-profile blueprint to attract an item that would develop alien genes.
But immediately after sending the information, he regretted it.
Considering he had only gained two Silver Level items after fully exploring ten rooms today.
One was the consumed Ice Heart Fruit, and the other was the Light Saber Blueprint in hand.
If he truly traded the blueprint away, what if the Debuff of erasing alien genes occurred again?
Last time he was lucky, obtaining a thirty-minute usage right of alien genes.
Next time he could be unlucky and fail to trigger the 2% chance?
Or, if it synchronously triggered dual effects, resulting in one second of alien gene erasure?
"This blueprint only needs a Type III Power Core to forge, by tonight, other players who haven't perished in exploration should have completed ten rooms, perhaps able to trade for a core."
"After all, this is a Silver Level weapon, the power is surely extraordinary, so this blueprint must be kept."
"But... without Silver Level items, would this guy named Li Zheng be willing to trade?"
Phoenix Mountain fell into a dilemma, recalling the power of alien genes, his temptation surged again.
After waiting five minutes without a reply from Phoenix Mountain, Li Zheng felt anxious.
Seeing that thirty minutes had passed nearly half, if he waited longer, both flowers might rot in hand.
"How's it going? Have you decided? If you can't bring anything to trade, I'll find someone else."
Li Zheng sent a message urging him.
Phoenix Mountain, knowing the Flame Flower's description, understood this flower differed from the Ice Heart Fruit he obtained before; it's perishable, and further hesitation would result in getting nothing.
"No matter what, this blueprint must not be traded away!"
Gritting his teeth, Phoenix Mountain took several items from his capsule dwelling and sent their information to Li Zheng one by one.
"[Desert Eagle·Black Technology Edition Creation Diagram][Tungsten Steel 230g][Power Core Type I*3] together for one flower."
A Bronze Level weapon creation diagram, two hundred and thirty grams of Black Iron Level material, and three Black Iron Level Power Core Type I.
Honestly, these items' combined value is far from being as precious as a Silver Level item.
Phoenix Mountain also knew this in his heart, so he was prepared to be rejected.
"Deal, I name you in the trade hall."
Li Zheng promptly sent information, leaving Phoenix Mountain bewildered.
However, before the daze lasted thirty seconds, a system prompt came that a player named him for a transaction.
Opening the trade hall, confirming the goods and his payment were correct with no trap, Phoenix Mountain decisively agreed to the trade.
Not until the fiery flower fell into his hands did Phoenix Mountain snap back to reality.
How come it feels... like he exchanged Silver Level items for some Black Iron and Bronze Level things, yet ended up feeling he lost big?
However, he did not ponder further, tilting his head and consuming the Flame Flower.
In the next second, flames erupted from within him, engulfing him completely.
Meanwhile, Li Zheng happily played with the USB drive he received, his eyes almost closed with laughter.
"Although Silver Level items are precious, if you can't keep them long-term, what's the difference from not obtaining them? Better to trade them away for tangible benefits; that's the right path."
In reality, this trade doesn't profit either side.
Yet both parties involved feel exuberantly profitable.
"Desert Eagle, anyone who has played FPS games knows its name, famous for its immense power; the Black Technology Edition is intriguing in terms of effects."
Li Zheng grips the USB drive firmly, opens the system page, and confirms forging.
[Player materials sufficient, crafting in progress...]
[Current crafting consumption: Iron Ingot*5, Components*10, Power Core Type I*1, Tungsten Steel 100g.]
A silver-gray firearm appeared in his hand, its heavy feel suddenly pressed into his hand, nearly slipping from Li Zheng's grasp.
[Desert Eagle·Black Technology Edition, Bronze Level.
Description: Modified through advanced dimensional technology, it fundamentally resolves ammo capacity issues, utilizing new energy as kinetic power, while retaining the magazine for specialized ammunition installation.
Features: High power, strong recoil, two firing modes switchable.
Note: Novices should use with caution initially, to avoid self-harm.]
"Two firing modes? Magazine only for special ammunition? Does this mean the gun doesn't need ammo for regular shooting? Let's fire a shot."
Following the simple operation provided by the system, Li Zheng unlocks the gun safety, aiming at the Cultivation Liquid storage tank, eager to try.
His finger pulls the trigger.
With an ear-splitting gunshot, the Desert Eagle's muzzle spews fire, a faint white small sphere launches rapidly beyond visible speed.
The Cultivation Liquid storage tank emits a slight sound, and a thumb-sized penetration hole appears in the remaining tank body.
"Damn it, did I... wait? Did I go deaf?"