Zhou Yan accepts Lone Sea Blade's friend request. "Why hide your info? Trust a little," they urge.
"Business only," Zhou Yan replies.
"Fair—deals build friends," Lone Sea Blade quips, unfazed.
Zhou Yan lists 99 Black Iron and 99 bronze pieces. Lone Sea Blade gasps. "So much gear!"
"Are you the job-changer? Refiner? You forged this?" they bombard.
"Want it or not? I'll find another buyer," Zhou Yan snaps, pausing the trade.
"Boss! Grandpa! My bad—no more questions!" Lone Sea Blade spams, frantic.
Zhou Yan smirks—talkative, neurotic sophomore vibes. Lone Sea Blade offers two million spirit coins.
"Too much," Zhou Yan says. "1,584,000."
"Apology cash—don't sweat it," they insist.
"No extras, or I cancel," Zhou Yan holds firm. Millionaires don't nickle-and-dime.
"Whatever you say!" Lone Sea Blade adjusts.
[Territory Prompt: "+1,568,160 spirit coins."]
A 15,840-coin fee stings, but Zhou Yan's millions cushion it. He splits sales across buyers, adding friends: Frozen Three Feet, a no-nonsense woman, seals a clean deal. Others trade earnestly, respecting his terms—no reselling, or he cuts ties.
"They're for my territory," each vows. Smart lords know Zhou Yan's gear signals strength, eyeing long-term ties. Post-trial, their clans may outgrow him, but for now, he's gold.
Zhou Yan messages an ore lord: "How much ore? Star level? Trade for what?"
"One to three stars—gear only," they reply.
"Black Iron for one-star, bronze for two-star, silver for three-star," Zhou Yan offers.
"You're the silver gear seller!" they exclaim.
[Territory Prompt: "Overlord of the World requests friendship. Accept?"]
He accepts, hiding info.
"No need to cloak, brother—we're blind here," Overlord says.
"Trade terms," Zhou Yan deflects.
They haggle sincerely. Overlord reveals a vast iron mine, proposing long-term barter. Zhou Yan agrees—win-win. Three-star ore, though scarce, delights him.
At the Smelting Workshop, Zhou Yan dumps ore piles. Dwarves leap, ecstatic—forging is their joy. Loyalty maxed at 100, their zeal borders on madness. "With a lord like me—sharp, strong—they forge fearless," Zhou Yan muses. His worry? Ore longevity.
Sunset paints the sky. Zhen Mi's return looms; Zhou Yan anticipates her haul. Diao Chan and two vine demons prep dinner—spirit field crops, energy-rich, outshine mundane fare.
Zhou Yan opens the Floor Tiles menu, unique for covering the entire territory, priced by area:
Bluestone: 10 spirit coins/m², no effects.White Marble: 100 spirit coins/m², movement speed +1%.Auspicious Cloud: 150 spirit coins/m², aura gathering +1%.
…Dragon Gold: 10,000 spirit coins/m², movement speed +50%, building defense +20, aura condensation +30%, resident attributes +1.
Pricier tiles tempt, but millions per meter burn too hot.