Although the actions of the portly man and his companions were somewhat despicable.
After all, this is the Damo Realm, where the rabbits’ laws have not yet extended to this region.
Moreover, the four of them did not cause any substantial harm to the lives of the refugees.
So, after mentally scorning them, Yao Rong eventually calmed down.
He cleared his throat and asked the portly man:
"How much do you intend to sell these refugees, the little girl, along with the two magical items?"
The portly man had clearly prepared his response in advance and answered fluently:
"Sir, these two magical items, when placed near this little girl for a period, buried in the soil for six hours, can produce over four hundred pounds of food.
The total food output for one Damo Day is just over three thousand pounds. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel⁂fire.net
In the nearby towns, the price of these two types of food is about one copper for two pounds.
So the daily value of food produced on a Damo Day is about fifteen hundred copper coins, which is equivalent to 0.5 low-grade Spirit Stones.
There are over fifty Damo Days in a year, bringing the total value to 25 Spirit Stones.
We’re not asking for much; for these two magical items, your esteemed household can settle for seven hundred and fifty Spirit Stones based on a thirty-year value."
The portly man sneakily glanced at Yao Rong.
Seeing no reaction from Yao Rong, he gestured towards the refugees with his chin and said:
"As for these four hundred people...
Two hundred ten copper coins per person should be an easy profit of five to six times with wise use.
Four hundred multiplied by two hundred equals eighty thousand, which is about one hundred thirty Spirit Stones. Adding the magical items, it totals to eight hundred eighty Spirit Stones."
Yao Rong quietly listened, calculating in his mind.
Eight hundred eighty... that’s easy to say nine hundred Spirit Stones.
One Spirit Stone converts to 6100 Huaxia Yuan, totaling over five million.
The price isn’t too bad—after all, the main cost is in the two magical items, and it seems there’s room for negotiation.
So he told the portly man he needed to report to the main family, and then he moved to a nearby secluded spot.
He reported the entire situation through the communicator to the command center.
Ten minutes later, the command center replied:
The purchase intention can be expressed, and then wait for further instructions on the spot.
The command center will quickly dispatch a specialist to make contact.
Less than an hour later.
Two helicopters flew in from afar.
One was the WZ-10 responsible for escorting.
The other was the modified AC311A that Master Wang and others had previously used, capable of accommodating nine people excluding the flight crew.
A moment later, the aircraft landed.
This time, the camp was led by Ma Ning, accompanied by Wei Niandong and Wei Fan, while the remaining six were a special team including Lin Ziming, tasked with preparing for special situations.
After the aircraft landed.
Yao Rong stepped forward and exchanged a few simple words with Ma Ning and the others.
"Professor Ma, we just interviewed some refugees and confirmed that the two items do indeed have miraculous effects.
Besides, we’ve seen several food pits that haven’t been dug out, so we can almost confirm they weren’t lying.
They quoted eight hundred eighty Spirit Stones, but I estimate we can negotiate down a bit."
Ma Ning thanked him and turned to Wei Fan, saying:
"Patriarch Wei, I’ll leave it to you."
Wei Fan nodded at him and went straight to the portly middle-aged man.
He took out a token from his waist and infused it with a bit of Spiritual Energy.
The token glowed slightly.
"This is the Patriarch’s Order of the Wei Family. You folks from the Lin Family of Wenqin City should be somewhat familiar with it. I am Wei Fan, the current Patriarch of the Wei Family."
Wei Fan showed the token to several people, bluntly revealing his identity.
Chixian City might be small for the rabbits, a district in Modu could be several times its size.
But in the Damo Realm, especially within a few hundred miles around.
Chixian City is considered a relatively well-known force.
After all, there were originally three Foundation Establishment Stage warriors in the city, one of whom was Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer.
Plus, the reputation of the Wei Family has been excellent since Wei Siming, and many towns nearby have heard of Chixian City’s Wei Family.
So within a radius of three to four hundred miles, the Wei Family’s name is quite influential.
Thus, when Wei Fan revealed his identity.
The portly man and the three others immediately became a bit uneasy.
After all, their actual cultivation was only Qi Cultivation Third and Fourth Layers, as branch-line Four Spirit Root Cultivators, they held little status in the original Lin Family.
If it weren’t for the demise of all high-level cultivators including the Patriarch of the Lin Family back then, they wouldn’t even dare take the little girl.
After a considerable pause, the portly man stammered:
"Greet... greetings, Patriarch Wei."
"No need for formalities."
Wei Fan gestured with a hand, his expression neither stern nor friendly, speaking with indifference:
"I’m familiar with the goods you have, and I’m quite interested, but the price of eight hundred eighty Spirit Stones... seems a bit high."
Upon hearing this, a bead of sweat rolled down the portly man’s face.
The price of eight hundred eighty Spirit Stones was indeed a fictitious price he deliberately proposed.
After all, the seven hundred fifty-plus Spirit Stones for the food were calculated at selling price rather than cost price.
If calculated at planting cost, having three hundred plus stones would be considered good. (Yesterday I specifically checked the planting community, and the cost of radishes and potatoes is about 30% of the selling price, radishes around 0.36).
In their initial plan.
The Wei Mansion officials might negotiate the price down to five hundred, then the four would slip some kickbacks, and finally, both sides complete the transaction smoothly.
Isn’t that how business is done, pretending until it’s real?
But who would have thought...
Wei Fan, the Patriarch himself, would come?
Facing the imposing presence of the Wei Family Patriarch, the portly man dared not be greedy anymore.
Head bowed, he formally gestured with cupped hands:
"In front of Patriarch Wei, we really dare not be greedy. If Patriarch Wei finds us agreeable...
Three hundred five... three hundred thirty Spirit Stones will be fine."
Wei Fan glanced at him, calmly stating a number:
"Two hundred fifty then."
As a descendant of Wei Siming, Wei Fan held little regard for men like the portly man.
Moreover, this wealth was obtained unexpectedly by the four—they expended no real cost apart from accompanying the refugees.
Thus, Wei Fan made no attempt to be cordial with them and straightforwardly reduced the price to two hundred fifty Spirit Stones.
The portly man and his companions were unaware of the significance of two hundred fifty, but as mentioned above, they incurred no costs for these endeavors.
So after some exchanges, the portly man responded:
"Alright, then as Patriarch Wei says, a total of two hundred fifty Spirit Stones!"
Wei Fan did not reply, instead took out a bag of Spirit Stones, counted them, and poured out a small pile.
Then handed the bag to the portly man:
The portly man respectfully received it and, together with his companions, counted: "No problem, the amount given by Patriarch Wei is very generous."
Wei Fan slightly nodded:
"Explain to the refugees that someone will come to fetch them in about an hour.
By the way, give me the cage key."
After the portly man and others departed, Wei Fan turned back and joined Ma Ning and Lin Ziming:
"Professor Ma, Colonel Lin, everything has been resolved.
These people are not highly cultivated, probably a branch of the Lin Family, they didn’t dare say more under pressure.
The final price was two hundred fifty Spirit Stones, about a third less than we initially expected.
The cage key is in hand, let’s go and take a look together?"
Ma Ning and Lin Ziming exchanged a glance: "Sure, let’s go have a look first."
After saying that, the group collectively moved towards the cage.
Just as Yao Rong was about to follow, he suddenly saw Yu Guanghui heading towards the helicopter, prompting him to ask curiously:
"Old Yu, what are you up to?"
"Going to the maintenance box to find a lever, then record a video to post on social media!"