Xu Tianguo’s eyes shone brightly. "We can launch the virtual storefront project, collaborating with all major Base Cities. People from every Base City and every Guild can add their goods, and we can collect a small commission, establishing one massive, collective store!"

A thought sparked in Ye Chen's mind, instantly grasping the brilliance of the idea. Once goods from all Base Cities globally converged, the quality and quantity of commodities would reveal the wealth of each city. Moreover, with him present in the Brightness Base City, they could maintain a lead in equipment and medicinal resources—an excellent way to boost prestige!

Ye Chen couldn't help but look at Xu Tianguo twice. If this man were placed in peaceful times, he would undoubtedly be a top-tier marketing strategist.

"Let's do it. The specifics are up to you to execute," Ye Chen nodded.

Xu Tianguo was overjoyed. He then elaborated on the creative concepts of the proposal, summoned some personnel, had the weapons transported to the Commerce Department, cataloged them, and standardized their pricing.

Ye Chen dispatched Bai Lan to accompany them—not because he feared embezzlement, but because only she knew the functions of these specific pieces of equipment. Their detailed attributes were all noted in the Relic Treasury; moving the entire vault was impossible.

Subsequently, Ye Chen retrieved a large portion of the elixirs from the Treasure Vault, keeping only a small fraction aside for emergency wilderness use. After inventorying, he reserved many potions and herbs for physical tempering. Even so, the entire main hall was filled, causing Xu Tianguo's heart to clench, his body trembling slightly with excitement.

"Quickly, quickly!"

An attendant directed the personal guards at the doorway to move the elixirs. Every medicine was packaged in exquisite boxes. The guards handled them as if they were pearls, treating them with utmost care, terrified of dropping or bumping them.

Ye Chen led a dazed Xu Tianguo to the outer plaza. With a wave of his hand, he retrieved several massive machines from the Fire Civilization: the Demon Cannon Turrets, capable of annihilating Level 8000 monsters, and the Yan Domain, which could turn a hundred-mile radius into a sea of molten lava—both terrifyingly powerful weapons!

Receiving these implements, Xu Tianguo wept tears of excitement. Placing the Demon Cannon Turrets on the city walls would render them virtually invincible at this stage. What monster could possibly breach them? As for the Yan Domain, its destructive power was beyond ordinary comparison...

However, Xu Tianguo also understood that these large machines consumed vast amounts of energy. It was best to use them sparingly unless absolutely critical, lest they attract unwanted attention from other Base Cities...

When the large batch of Tier 1000 weaponry and precious medicines flooded into the virtual storefront, the entire virtual world issued a special announcement. The content struck like a massive bomb, instantly causing everyone to erupt in fervor!

The content read: The Guild Master, having campaigned far and wide, has contributed numerous treasures to the Commerce Department, including many high-end weapons and exotic herbs. To purchase these items, please complete the membership registration procedures at your respective Base City Commerce Department.

No one had a reason not to be excited.

Who was the Guild Master?

It was Ye Chen, of course!

Within the Brightness Base City, Ye Chen had been utterly deified. The weapons he personally put forth—even if they were merely a pair of worn-out shoes—countless people would clamor to buy, provided the price wasn't exorbitant.

"Let's go, let's go!"

"Let's go see what the Guild Master is personally selling!"

"I wonder what kind of things they are, tsk tsk."

Everyone excitedly logged into the virtual shops. Streams of items were displayed as exquisite thumbnails across various slots, labeled with functions, effects, and prices.

Upon seeing them, everyone instantly fell silent, only to erupt moments later in deafening roars mixed with howls. Many stared at the products, their eyes faintly reddened!

"What, what is this! Thousand Light Cannon, charge time 0.5 seconds, capable of instantly killing Level 3500 monsters!! Waaah, and it has automatic tracking and navigation! Does that mean even a novice holding it can eliminate a Level 3500 monster?!"

"And this one, the Pizza Armor, it can transform! It can turn into a car, and it can transform into a weapon—all in one! Wow, am I seeing things? It can even resist the attacks of Level 4000 monsters? And it has a shock absorption layer, meaning the wearer won't be injured by concussive force??"

"Incredible!!!"

Everyone's breathing grew ragged, their heartbeats accelerated. Seeing the gear, their skin tightened with excitement. It was unavoidable; these pieces of equipment were too good. Even a novice wearing them could swagger off to slay thousands of level monsters—such was the allure of legendary equipment!

However...

When everyone saw the listed prices, a chill instantly swept through them.

"Expensive, expensive, expensive!"

"This White Splendor Spear is listed for 100,000 Membership Points!"

"This one is even more outrageous, 500,000!"

"Damn it, last time I hunted a Level 100 monster and donated it to the Base City, I only received 1,000 Membership Points! How long do I have to accumulate points just to buy a single piece of gear like this?!"

Wails of despair arose, everyone clutching their chests and sighing, faces turning red with frustration but utterly helpless.

News of this equipment quickly swept through the Base City like a gale. Everyone rushed to log into the virtual world, left speechless when they viewed the collection of exquisite gear.

"This, where did all this come from?"

"Aaaah..."

After reviewing the attributes of the equipment and then seeing the price tags, some people felt close to madness, like seeing a peerless beauty right before them but being unable to touch her—their hearts burned with longing.

Any novice wearing these could instantly obliterate thousands of level monsters; how rapidly their strength would soar!

Soon, this news reached the Huaxia Base City. When Murong Xue sat perched on her opulent chair, her phoenix eyes scanning the report handed over by a scout, a flicker of distraction crossed her usually grave expression.

After a long pause.

She slowly set down the document, exhaled deeply, and then spoke in an unquestionable tone, "Send my personal guard to inventory three items from the warehouse: 300-year-old Mutated Ginseng. Deliver them personally to the Brightness Base City Headquarters, hand them to Ye Chen or one of the high-ranking executives like Xu Tianguo!"

"Yes!" The scout bowed respectfully and withdrew.

After the scout left, Murong Xue finally relaxed, her rigidly straight back slumping. Her expression was complex as she stared at the report for a long time. Finally, grinding her teeth, she dialed a specific number.

"Hello." A calm yet authoritative voice echoed from the other end of the communicator.

Murong Xue summoned her courage, striving to keep her voice steady and true. "Ye Chen, it’s me."

"Oh," the voice replied.

Murong Xue waited for a long moment, but silence followed. A touch of bitterness welled up in her heart, and she sighed softly internally before composing herself. She spoke in a lower tone, "It’s like this... I saw some truly exceptional equipment in your shop recently, and I wish to purchase some. However, regarding the pricing... I wonder if it could be slightly cheaper?" Her tone was extremely cautious.

To Murong Xue’s surprise, the voice agreed without hesitation: "No problem."

"R-Really?" Murong Xue could hardly believe it. In this apocalypse, profit was paramount; yet, Ye Chen was willing to lower the price? Could it be...?

Her delicate face flushed inexplicably, suspicion flickering in her eyes. She hesitated, "Why aren't you asking me why I, the Commander-in-Chief of the Huaxia Base City, must personally negotiate with you over a few weapons?"

"You must have your difficulties," the calm voice held a trace of unexpected gentleness. "Choose the pieces you want and tell me directly; I'll have someone send them over."

Murong Xue almost doubted her hearing. That man, whom she remembered as perpetually cold, solitary, and steadfast, sounded almost tender?

It must be an illusion!

She shook her head, biting her red lip with her teeth. "Thank you!"

"En!" The voice accepted the gratitude without demur.

Logically, a few high-level pieces of equipment were insignificant. Ye Chen possessed the manufacturing schematics and could produce as many as he wished. Giving a few to Murong Xue was not just putting materials to good use, but it also earned him a favor. In the apocalypse, common people rarely spoke of favors, where even friendship, kinship, and love meant nothing in the face of death. But for a major figure like Murong Xue, such gestures held considerable weight.

However, after a moment of silence, Murong Xue heard him say, "Don't thank me; consider it repayment for the favor from last time."

Hearing those words, Murong Xue felt as if struck by lightning, standing frozen on the spot.

He knew?

Ye Chen certainly knew. If he couldn't even deduce something as obvious as the previous contract regarding the sharing of Huaxia Base City’s technological patents, then his past life had been lived in vain. Moreover, in the past within the Huaxia Base City, without Murong Xue’s subtle care, his path would not have been so smooth. While his own strength was the primary deterrent, Murong Xue had also secretly supported him by speaking well of him to Murong De. Otherwise, Ye Chen might have faced minor troubles, or at the very least, Murong De would have sent people to test his limits.

Hearing Ye Chen's words, Murong Xue gently bit her lower lip. After a long while, she suddenly broke into a radiant smile, and the entire world seemed to brighten. Her dark eyes shimmered with emotion and joy; she felt enveloped in a warmth, overwhelmingly happy...

She hadn't felt this joyful since her father passed away.

...

The stir caused by the storefront swept through the Brightness Base City and the Huaxia Base City like a hurricane. Xu Tianguo seized the opportunity to negotiate with Murong Xue, and soon the two major Base Cities joined forces, adding their respective goods to the virtual shop.

After settling this matter, Ye Chen took the physical tempering elixirs from the Fire Civilization and entered the training chamber. With over ten days remaining, he intended to focus on tempering his body.

This time, training his physical exterior, he would not be disturbed, allowing Xu Tianguo to report any major Base City developments promptly.

"Among the numerous exotic herbs in the Fire Civilization, the Dragon Elixir, ranked number one, undoubtedly holds the densest energy!" Ye Chen gazed at the few remaining elixirs in the Treasure Vault, where a single, massive golden pill floated, his eyes alight with desire.

Dragon Elixir Body Tempering!

Back in the magma world of the Xuanyuan Divine Tomb, if he had been left with no other option, he would have consumed the Dragon Elixir. However, he was later refined by the Divine Dragon's own essence blood, which made his cells tougher and infused them with a faint draconic energy, rendering the Dragon Elixir unnecessary at that time.