Chapter 20: Tricking NPCs into Working for Me

“This… I wonder what the Great Immortal needs.” Cai Hai gritted his teeth and asked directly.

Chen Xiyi didn’t know what was inside the crates carried by the servants and attendants, but he was sure one thing: they contained valuable items.

Antiques and paintings had limited use for Chen Xiyi.

Gold and silver were somewhat useful; they could be used for Enchantment. But the problem was he hadn’t built his Laboratory yet, and it wasn’t something he could mine himself—there was a step-by-step process to legitimize them.

“I’m afraid items like the Xuan Yuan Painting for remembering the past are no longer available, and you wouldn’t be able to find them either.”

When Chen Xiyi said this, the hearts of the three Noble Family members sank halfway—it clearly meant there was no chance. But Cai Hai detected something in his words.

“However, I came to this world to find a quiet place to refine the Divine Soil Xirang. Right now, I have a great shortage and need Iron Ore, Coal, sand, sulfur, and other earth, stone, gold, and silver materials. If you can provide them, I can give you a Magic Sword.” Chen Xiyi continued.

“How much is needed?” Cai Hai asked the crucial question.

Chen Xiyi had only mentioned the types, not the quantity, and that was the biggest issue.

“Xirang means the soil grows and multiplies endlessly.”

“What do you think the required amount would be?”

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions changed. A Divine Soil that grew infinitely—was that something they could afford to supply?

“But don’t worry, I’m not a greedy person. If you agree to provide the earth and stone materials I need, I can give you the Magic Sword right now. Moreover, for every thousand units, I will give you a portion of Nourishing Spiritual Food to help you in Nurturing Spirit to Enter the Dao as Nourishment Resources.”

“The food energy and Spiritual Energy in the Nourishing Spiritual Food might only add a few useless years to our lifespan, but for you, it’s a treasure to Nurturing Spirit to Enter the Dao.”

Chen Xiyi had just dropped a bombshell with his trickery, especially the part about extending lifespan, which struck right at the hearts of the four people present.

Trading some mineral resources for longevity?

Was there really such a good thing in the world?

“Great Immortal, rest assured, our three families of Lingqu agree to this.” The head of the Li Family could no longer hold back and quickly gave his consent, followed by the other two Noble Family heads.

Chen Xiyi smiled and said, “Then I’ll trouble the three of you. Take these Wooden Swords, and this portion of Spiritual Ice Sand is also a gift.”

Not only did he take out three Wooden Swords, but he also brought out three boxes of ice cream that could increase Satiety Level and provide Slow Health Regeneration.

“Thank you, Great Immortal, thank you, Great Immortal.” The three hurriedly accepted the Wooden Swords and the ice cream, especially the ice cream emitting cold air—it clearly wasn’t ordinary.

Only Cai Hai remained who hadn’t expressed his stance. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but he lacked the capital. If he dared to misappropriate Lingqu’s resources, he would definitely lose his official position. Without his official status, he would completely lose his means of livelihood.

As the Prefect, he had money, sure, but he didn’t have the same channels as the three families of Lingqu to purchase these materials. He couldn’t compete with them.

The Noble Families were suppressed by him, but that didn’t mean he could replace them.

Faced with the temptation of longevity and lifespan, if he dared to do something like seizing by force, these three families would truly fight him to the death.

“Great Immortal, I cannot provide so many resources, but I have reported to the Imperial Court. An imperial envoy will visit soon.” Cai Hai subtly hinted at his backing, implying that no matter how much the three families could provide, could it compare to what the Imperial Court could offer?

“Mm, we’ll talk about it then.” Chen Xiyi wasn’t shortsighted, but he understood one thing: what Cai Hai said was correct. If an imperial envoy visited and he cooperated with the Imperial Court, what did that have to do with Cai Hai, the Prefect of Lingqu?

Since the other party had no use in this matter, why should he talk so much with him?

He couldn’t give away too many things; rarity increases value. If he casually handed out Wooden Swords, wouldn’t that contradict his own interests, even if the Wooden Swords were just outdated items to him?

But he couldn’t give nothing either; he still had to offer some benefits, just not too much or too good.

“You’ve worked hard making this trip, so I can’t give nothing in thanks. After all, you helped mediate. This spiritual fruit is for you.”

Chen Xiyi also understood social etiquette. If he really gave nothing, it would surely cause resentment.

So he took out a frozen pear. Eating it could also replenish Satiety Level and provide Slow Health Regeneration.

The pear used for the frozen pear was one that dropped when Chen Xiyi was chopping trees. Not only could it drop pears, but also apples, mangoes, and other fruits. Even though the tree had nothing to do with fruit trees, it could still drop fruits, which could then be made into fruit products in the large kitchen—frozen pear was one of them.

Looking at the dark, blackish pear, although Cai Hai felt somewhat unwilling, he could only accept it. “Thank you, Great Immortal, for the fruit.”

He naturally understood the stakes. In his eyes, this spiritual fruit could only add to his lifespan, but the Magic Sword could help in Nurturing Spirit to Enter the Dao and achieve Immortality. The difference between them was huge.

But there was no helping it; he couldn’t provide what the other wanted, and he couldn’t afford to offend him either.

If he really dared to offend the other, he might be killed on the spot right here.

“Mm, but since you will be sending me these earth, stone, gold, and silver materials, I need to explain the procedure. I want all gold, silver, copper, iron, sulfur, earth, and sand. For precious ones, less is fine, but there’s one requirement: they must be sealed in Wooden Crates by category and then transported to me. Understand?”

Chen Xiyi immediately started giving instructions. Otherwise, if they really brought them by cartload, he couldn’t just try breaking the cart to see if it would yield resources—that would be quite difficult.

Although the three Noble Family heads found it a bit strange, they agreed. Wooden Crates weren’t anything valuable; cutting down a tree would yield plenty.

After discussing the process, the four prepared to leave.

But then the Song Family head suddenly said, “Great Immortal, among the resources we brought, there’s some gold and silver. Why not leave them here?”

“Sealed in Wooden Crates, please rest assured, Great Immortal.” The Wu Family head added.

Seeing this, Chen Xiyi didn’t refuse. “Alright, leave them then.”

The three were overjoyed. They quickly called the servants and attendants outside to carry them in, flattered Chen Xiyi a few more times, and then these people left.

After the white dots on the map completely disappeared, Chen Xiyi took out his Stone Sword and struck the Wooden Crate.

[You used the Stone Sword to deal 1 point of Durability damage to the Wooden Crate]

[You obtained: 1 Wooden Plank, 1 unit of Gold]

Chen Xiyi couldn’t help but gasp. Wow, a whole crate of gold resulted in just 1 unit.

But then again, the crate wasn’t that big.

Getting 1 unit was better than nothing.

“Little as it is, it confirms that obtaining resources using containers works.”

“It’s just that the container turned directly into a Wooden Plank when I struck it, not a Wooden Crate.”