Strongest Lord by Opening Blind Boxes

Chapter 78: Chapter 78: Void Trading Platform

As Li Huaizheng rode the Wooden Ox Puppet to start his work, Hai Pei and Hai Shen arrived at the First Dining Hall.

”I’m here to cook!”

Hai Shen stated blankly to Yang Qinggu and Liu Cuihua.

Liu Cuihua was sixteen, around the same age as Yang Qingxiu. She was currently helping Yang Qinggu at the First Dining Hall. Despite its name, the First Dining Hall rarely served meals, so Liu Cuihua mostly handled odd jobs.

Liu Cuihua was happy to have a newcomer at the Dining Hall. She eyed Hai Shen curiously and asked, ”Do you know how to cook?”

Hai Shen shook his head. ”Not really, but I don’t think it’ll be hard. I can learn!”

”Alright then! How about this: first, you grab the buckets and carrying pole, and we’ll go fetch water together. On the way, we can stop by the wild vegetable patch to gather some. Sister Qingxiu said they’re ready to be harvested.”

”Okay!”

The ever-honest Hai Shen grabbed the wooden buckets and carrying pole and went off to work with Liu Cuihua.

Yang Qinggu, however, frowned at the white-haired Hai Pei. She asked, ”And you, old sir? What are you here to do?”

”The Immortal Master told me to come brew wine!”

”And do you know how?”

”Pfft, I know jack shit. Forget brewing, I don’t even know what wine tastes like.”

”Since the Lord sent you here, he must have his reasons. We don’t need your help with anything right now, so you can just tinker around on your own. I need to start preparing a meal. The Soldiers will be coming to eat soon. Oh, right, the Eldest Miss is in charge around here. If you need anything, you can go to her. She comes for roll call in the morning, then goes to the General’s Tomb. She’s usually back in the village in the afternoon.”

”Alright.”

Hai Pei nodded. He felt completely out of his depth and a little panicked.

Meanwhile, Jelena and the five members of the Civilian Militia were heading to the General’s Tomb. As for the Octagonal Cage Soldiers Nangong Jin had recruited, they were still training on their own initiative back at the Octagonal Cage.

Their training ground was the Octagonal Cage itself. Nangong Jin hadn’t left to rest yet; he stood outside watching like a coach. The thirty-six men sparred with one another, creating a lively scene that drew many passing villagers to stop and watch.

”Whoa, so this is what a real army looks like?”

”They definitely look a lot tougher than those few members of the militia!”

”Are they all triplets or something? Why do they all look the same?”

”Look at that big, dark-skinned one! So buff!”

”Get back to work! Stop slacking off over here!”

The villagers’ chatter didn’t disturb the fighters one bit. As units recruited from a barracks, their entire creed revolved around combat. All their Talents were focused on fighting, and for them, training and battle were the very definition of happiness.

Of course, they also had their own personalities and the capacity for independent thought.

A short while later, their morning training concluded. Nangong Jin drove the Crossbow Machine Carriage, leading the thirty-six Soldiers to the First Dining Hall for their meal.

After they finished breakfast, Li Huaizheng led them to an area behind Eggshell Castle. There stood newly constructed Eggshell Houses, which Jelena had designated as the temporary quarters for the Octagonal Cage Soldiers.

Wang Yi, meanwhile, was just wondering if he should take Li Hua’Er out to explore the map when he suddenly received a system notification: ”Ding! Player Chen Youzhi has invited you to a Void Trade. Do you accept?”

’Chen Youzhi? The Island Lord from the Free Market? The one who sold me the Chaos Egg from his love-crazed wife?’

Wang Yi selected ”Accept,” and an information panel immediately popped up before him.

=====

Void Trade Platform

Trader: Chen Youzhi

This platform was temporarily created by the Trader for this special invitation. The trade window will remain open for 10 minutes. You may be invited again in seven days.

Item 1: [Deep Sea Pearl], White Item, Price: 10 Silver Coins each, Stock: 652.

Item 2: [Giant Clamshell Shield], Green Item, Price: 1 Gold Coin each, Stock: 60.

Item 3: [Oceanic Leather Shorts], Green Item, Price: 1 Gold Coin each, Stock: 999.

Item 4: [Ice Crystal Coconut], White Item, Price: 5 Copper Coins each, Stock: 9,999.

Item 5: [Kelp Skirt], White Item, Price: 1 Silver Coin each, Stock: 99.

[Click Here] to contact the Trader.

====

Wang Yi had just finished reading the text in the information window when another one appeared. This time it was a chat window with an incoming message.

”Chen Youzhi: Bro, I opened an online shop!”

”Wang Yi: Congrats!”

”Chen Youzhi: But I can only invite people to trade, and you can only buy from me. I only accept currency, no bartering!”

”Wang Yi: Sounds good!”

”Chen Youzhi: Bro, I can build big ships now, but I’m short on cash. Check out my local specialties! I highly recommend the Oceanic Leather Shorts. They’re made of sharkskin, so the quality is top-notch—they’ll last a lifetime. And they’re cheap! Just one Gold Coin a pair. You should buy a few!”

”Wang Yi: Hey bro, you got any more of those fishery blueprints?”

”Chen Youzhi: All gone!”

”Wang Yi: What about Chaos Blind Boxes? I’ll pay top dollar for them!”

”Chen Youzhi: I do have one Green Blind Box. If you want it, I’ll part with it for 300 Gold Coins.”

”Wang Yi: That’s a bit steep!”

”Chen Youzhi: Alright, give me 500 Gold Coins, and I’ll throw in 10 pearls, 10 Giant Clamshell Shields, 200 pairs of Oceanic Leather Shorts, and 2,000 Ice Crystal Coconuts!”

”Wang Yi: You’ve got a... ’wise’ way of doing business!”

”Chen Youzhi: Come on, bro, let’s make a deal. Time is limited. I’ll change the price for you right now!”

”Wang Yi: Fine.”

The chat window closed, and the trade panel updated instantly. The prices and stock quantities for the Oceanic Leather Shorts and other items changed, and a Green Chaos Blind Box was added to the list.

Wang Yi had a little over 830 Gold Coins, so he didn’t hesitate. After a few quick clicks, he spent 500 Gold Coins to purchase the Green Chaos Blind Box, 10 pearls, 10 Giant Clamshell Shields, 200 pairs of Oceanic Leather Shorts, and 2,000 Ice Crystal Coconuts.

The items were all packed into a single Treasure Chest, which materialized out of thin air in front of Wang Yi.

’This online shopping is pretty convenient!’

Wang Yi was curious how Chen Youzhi had managed to open an ”online shop” when the chat panel popped up again.

”Chen Youzhi: Pleasure doing business with you, thanks! Man, these lonely days on the island are tough to get through. Once I save up enough money and build a big ship, I’ll set sail and come find you.”

”Wang Yi: By the way, how’s that love-crazed wife of yours?”

”Chen Youzhi: Ugh, don’t even ask. She ran off with a monkey!”

’She ran off with a monkey! Incredible!’

’I really underestimated that ”wife,”’ Wang Yi thought. ’Good thing I never hatched that egg.’

The chat with Chen Youzhi soon ended as the trade window timed out. Wang Yi then opened the Treasure Chest before him and inspected the goods he had received.

Ten Deep Sea Pearls. Nothing much to say about these. Wang Yi stored them in the Chaos Warehouse for now.

The Chaos Warehouse already held a large quantity of gold, silver, jade, antiques, and other valuables taken from the Black Mountain Stronghold Treasure Vault. The ten Deep Sea Pearls were hardly noticeable among them and could be dealt with later.

Ten Giant Clamshell Shields... These were Green-rarity equipment with the [Solid] trait. They were clearly crafted from giant clamshells—lightweight, yet with the strength of steel. They were definitely decent pieces of gear.

Two thousand Ice Crystal Coconuts... Each one was the size of a soccer ball. Wang Yi figured he could send them to the Gourmet Processing Plant. They could probably be processed into coconut juice or something similar.

Two hundred pairs of Oceanic Leather Shorts... These were also Green-rarity items. They were smooth, dark gray, and looked like swim trunks. Their elasticity was astonishing, and they came with the [Durable] trait. You really could wear them for a lifetime. Wang Yi decided to put them in the Chaos Warehouse for now. ’Maybe someone will like them,’ he thought.

The last item, the Green Blind Box, was what Wang Yi truly cared about. Having learned his lesson from last time, he took the box to his bedroom in Eggshell Castle. Only after solemnly kowtowing nine times did he open it.