The Elf Lord's Offer: Two Billion Gold Coins!
The dragon sprite curiously observed the Elf Lord and her companions but soon lost interest, focusing on her red dragon fruit. Although dragon sprites are part of the elven lineage, they are more aligned with dragons due to their origins. However, Doris was unique, having been nurtured by Haotian. Her only bond was with him, placing even dragons second.
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"Honorable Lord of the Golden Oasis!" the Elf Lord began, introducing herself and her companions, performing a formal elven greeting. Haotian returned the gesture with a smile, saying, "Though the Golden Oasis is quite a distance from the Forest of Life, separated by the vast desert, we are still neighbors. And neighbors are always welcome."
"Praise the Lord!" the Elf Lord responded, sensing Haotian's goodwill, though unsure how long it would last. The rapid development of the Golden Oasis, with its elite griffin knights and ancient treant army, suggested a potential alliance against the undead plague from the Kalar Desert. However, the future remained uncertain.
She noticed that the Golden Oasis seemed to prioritize military expansion over resource production, an ominous sign. Contrary to her belief, the number of civilians in the Golden Oasis far exceeded its military forces, comprising not only desert dwellers but also nearly three hundred thousand ratmen and gray dwarves. Speaking of gray dwarves, a large number of dwarf blacksmiths were en route to the oasis, set to boost equipment production, heralding a new, lucrative industry.
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The discussion soon turned to business. Haotian smiled and said, "You've arrived at an opportune time. The silver-tailed fish in Sapphire Lake are ready for harvest. How many would you like to buy?"
The Elf Lord glanced at Ella, who, as the Lord of Kryati City, was responsible for purchasing the fish not for resale but to supply the elves of her city and contribute to the Elven Kingdom. Though nature elves are not strictly vegetarian, they are selective, and spirit fish are a favored delicacy.
"I have seen the silver-tailed fish raised by the Lord, and they are plump and full of spirit. I am willing to purchase them at twenty-five gold coins each," Ella said, implying that she would buy as many as Haotian could sell.
"Agreed," Haotian nodded. The price was above the market rate in the City of Forests. Ella, as a wealthy elven lord, had offered a generous price, leaving no room for negotiation.
The Elf Lord then addressed a more pressing matter: "Lord Haotian, our primary reason for visiting is to purchase all your remaining Elven Spring Water. Are you willing to sell?"
"Of course!" Haotian replied with a smile. "I'm a businessman. If the price is right, I'll sell to the elves."
"Praise the Lord! I'll take all the Elven Spring Water you have!" the Elf Lord declared. She had intended to discuss the dangers of selling to necromancers, hoping to dissuade him from such sales, but Haotian's emphasis on business made her realize her efforts would be futile. The emergence of a lich seemed of little concern to him.
Understanding the escalating undead threat in the Kalar Desert, she hoped to prevent further sales to evil practitioners by buying out his stock, aiming to halt the rise of a lich.
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"All of it?" Haotian smiled, looking at the Elf Lord standing in the hall. "How much gold did you bring?"
"Two billion gold coins!" she replied, lifting her chin gracefully, her swan-like neck on display. At four thousand coins per bottle, two billion could purchase fifty thousand bottles of Intermediate Elven Spring Water, possibly clearing Haotian's inventory.
Haotian was secretly pleased. Two billion gold coins converted to twenty million lord coins could be used to acquire top-tier domain abilities. "I'm offering high-quality Elven Spring Water. The market price in the City of Forests is about thirteen thousand gold per bottle."
"High-grade Elven Spring Water works for me," the Elf Lord agreed. To her, securing the purchase was paramount, regardless of grade. She proposed a middle price of thirteen thousand gold coins.
Satisfied, Haotian said, "As a gesture of neighborly goodwill, I'll give you a round figure: two billion gold for fifteen thousand four hundred bottles of high-grade Elven Spring Water." With a wave of his hand, four massive barrels appeared in the hall.
"Each barrel holds five thousand bottles of Elven Spring Water," he stated. "Feel free to fill them yourselves."
The Elf Lord and her companions were speechless.