The National Chat Room erupts:
"All ore's gone! Who's hoarding?"
"Same guy, bet—job-changer!"
"Refiner job? Dumb move over combat."
"He's cashing in—gear's scarce."
"Spending millions? He's loaded!"
"Shenlong Kingdom's pride!"
"International hall's bleeding ore now!"
Globally, lords gawk as International Trading Hall ore dwindles. No single lord holds much, but thousands combined yield heaps. Sellers flood the hall, most at fair prices. Some gouge; Zhou Yan skips those.
"I'm no fool—profit only," he mutters. Pricey sellers drop to market rates, desperate for spirit coins. Zhou Yan claims 90% of trial ore, grinning. "Good folks."
Buyers resell at markup, unaware they're feeding his forge. International chats beg for his identity—some offer trades, others plot. Zhou Yan ignores them.
His Shenlong Kingdom tie slips. Foreign lords curse, venomous. "Disrespect my nation?" Zhou Yan smirks. "I'll sting back."
He lists Black Iron gear in the International Trading Hall at 1,500 spirit coins—bronze gear's price.
[Territory Prompt: "Sold Black Iron Steel Knife, +1,350 spirit coins."]
"Too eager," Zhou Yan notes. He hikes to 2,000—still bronze tier. No takers.
He posts 10 Black Iron pieces at 2,000 each, then 10 bronze at 18,888—four times market. For spite, he lists three low-tier silver pieces at one million each. "Robbery," he chuckles, "but I've got silver."
He flags his Shenlong Kingdom origin, hiding else. Chats explode:
"Dragon Kingdom's got this much gear?"
"Silver equipment? Damn him!"
"Regret selling him ore."
"Million for silver? Insane!"
"Reveal your territory, coward—I'll crush you post-trial!"
Foreign lords seethe, cursing their lack. Shenlong Kingdom lords cheer:
"Making us proud—foreigners' eyes are green!"
"Relief—love their jealousy."
"Boss, friend me! Need 10 silver pieces."
"Girl here, single, likes you—chat?"
"Got ore—trade privately?"
"Sell in our hall, brother—name your price."
Zhou Yan sifts chats, messaging buyers:
"How much gear? What quality?"
"Anything—name your price," one replies.
"Black Iron: 1,000 spirit coins. Bronze: 15,000. Quantity?" Zhou Yan offers.
"No issue—friend me? I'll take all stock, first dibs on future goods," they urge, revealing their territory: Lone Sea Blade. A friend request pings.
Zhou Yan pauses, weighing the deal.