On the day of the celebration, the weather was bright and sunny, and tribes from all directions arrived one after another.
With the Western Continent caravan and the Green Python Tribe added in, a total of nine groups had come. A rarity for the Spark Tribe, which had only just been established.
Some came for the Red Salt of the Green Python Tribe, while others were tribes that had previously been on friendly terms with the Hei Lie. Hearing the news, they came to the Spark Tribe for various reasons.
This time, the celebration was grander and more orderly than before. Having gained experience from the previous event, they handled the larger scale and the increased number of outsiders with ease.
The leaders of each tribal group all stood on the large platform in front of the temple. Special chairs had been arranged for everyone to sit, making it the best viewing area.
Yang Yi held a special status, so his position was above everyone else. At the very top, a spot was set aside just for him, with a sunshade supported by gauzy curtains, and two beautiful girls standing at his side.
The entire setup resembled that of an ancient emperor of China. This arrangement had been specifically planned by the logistics department’s ceremonial team, following Jiao’s strong insistence.
They had seen similar designs in some animated shows with ancient settings and thought it looked exceptionally impressive.
The divine envoy was special and could not be treated like an ordinary person.
Although Yang Yi felt it was a bit strange, he accepted it, though he couldn’t help feeling that being so high up came with a certain chill.
He had always been an ordinary person. Although his family was wealthier than most, he had grown up in a city village like this one.
Most of the villagers were people who kept their wealth discreet. As for those playful young people, he had never really been on the same path as them.
So from childhood to now, he had never thought of himself as a “rich kid” or somehow different from others.
In daily life, he acted neither outstandingly nor poorly, neither standing out nor holding anyone back. He rarely had moments in the spotlight, so it was natural that this attention felt somewhat awkward.
But this wasn’t the first time. Apart from feeling a bit strange at first, he quickly adapted.
The temple building wrapped around nearly half of the square, so the steps on one side were used as benches, while others sat there, watching this grand event together.
The process was much like previous celebrations. But this time, the displays not only featured a greater variety but also larger quantities. After each group introduced and paraded their offerings, they would remain in the center of the square.
Everyone watched as all sorts of vegetables, fruits, grains, and products were placed on specially prepared racks and passed before them.
Even just the tomatoes came in red, yellow, purple, and more, dazzling everyone’s eyes.
This time, Goose King’s group made an even grander impression. The poultry had grown enormous, especially the ostriches, which were now large enough to carry half-grown children running around.
These were still just appetizers. For the visitors, they might envy the wealth of the Spark Tribe, but it wouldn’t leave them completely stunned.
It was only when the strange and unusual tools came out that everyone’s understanding was repeatedly refreshed.
During the introductions, the difference in efficiency between manual labor and machines was also highlighted, making it even clearer just how much these tools could accomplish.
After that came the weapons display, which was even more captivating.
Upon first entering the Spark Tribe, it was already clear that they possessed formidable ironware. But when the weapons were brought out, people realized it was far beyond what they had imagined.
“This is truly astonishing!” Jin Huan exclaimed in admiration. “Last time, you managed without these things… It’s a good thing I’m here this time.”
What had just been moved out were the repeating crossbow carts. Unlike the other exhibits, the explanation of the weapons was noticeably briefer, yet it didn’t prevent everyone from sensing their power.
“This is just the beginning,” Hei Lie said, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth, his hands resting on the armrests of the wooden chair made especially for him.
The chair had been carefully designed and carved, with exquisite patterns. Standing tall, it radiated a domineering aura, quite different from Yang Yi’s gentler style.
Hei Lie was already overwhelmingly imposing. Occupying the specially designed C-position chair only amplified it. Behind him stood Yang Yi, dressed entirely in white, almost radiating a holy light, making the scene feel all the more extraordinary.
“I think we should have a proper talk between us.”
Jin Huan’s eyes were like silk, her lips curved in a faint smile. Seductive and alluring, her beauty was beyond compare.
Now holding the cosmetics Yang Yi had given her, she used them with practiced ease, even decorating herself with flowers as adornments.
Although the forest had many flowers, they were nothing like the vast, specially cultivated garden here. Under careful tending, these flowers grew even more vibrant and beautiful.
The flowers weren’t just used to decorate houses or themselves. They were also turned into pigments for personal adornment, making everyone in the tribe more beautiful.
Now the entire Green Python Tribe was surrounded by a forest of blossoms. With more flowers came more bees, which in turn meant more honey for them.
Hei Lie smiled slightly, unfazed by her beauty.
“Our two tribes are the best of partners. We will do our utmost to meet your needs.”
His tone maintained a respectful distance without feeling cold or indifferent.
Nearby, Chief Li of the Dayuan Tribe leaned forward and said, “Hei Lie, we’ve known each other for so long. You can’t forget me. I came here just for you!”
“Of course I haven’t forgotten you,” Hei Lie said, extending his fist. “Anyone who comes here with goodwill will get what they desire.”
Li raised an eyebrow. “So that means… I can get your ironware, which I want the most?”
Hei Lie gave a generous smile. “Yes, as long as you’re willing to pay an equivalent price.”
Everyone who had been paying attention perked up. Among all the displays of the Spark Tribe, the most coveted items were undoubtedly the iron tools.
Not only could they serve as powerful weapons to defend their homes and hunt more prey, but they could also be used to cook more and better food.
For those who had already tasted the Spark Tribe’s cuisine, the dishes were incredibly tempting.
Their cooking methods were something people had never seen before. They had never realized there was such a thing as stir-frying. They only knew roasting and boiling.
This method required iron cookware, something they either couldn’t make or didn’t know how to use properly.
“What kind of equivalent price?”
“You can exchange iron ore and coal.”
Hei Lie took out some iron ore and coal. “Thirty baskets of iron ore or fifty baskets of coal can be traded for this much pig iron.”
The pig iron was slightly smaller than half a brick.
There was no attempt to hide the iron ore or coal. Both would inevitably make a lot of noise if moved, so hiding them was impossible.
As for whether they could smelt the iron ore themselves, or whether coal could produce something more valuable than the exchanged pig iron, it was largely impossible.
Even if they could, they couldn’t match the technology Yang Yi had brought. Both Hei Lie and Yang Yi were confident in this.
Yang Yi was even more certain when he saw the bronze artifacts brought by the Western Continent caravan.
Their tribe simply didn’t have enough manpower. Using another method to obtain more raw materials would also allow them to make better use of their labor.
Li glared. “Your baskets could hold a small mountain of stuff, and all we get in return is this little bit of iron? That’s completely unfair!”
“I’m already making a huge concession here,” Hei Lie said. “If it weren’t for the fact that you’re willing to form ties with our newly established tribe, at any other time, the exchange would require at least double the amount. We not only have ironware that the entire Western Continent regards as treasure, but it’s also extremely pure. The weapons forged from it are unmatched by anything else!”
Hei Lie was brimming with confidence. These people had already tried using ironware when they first arrived.
During confrontations, whether with stone or bronze weapons, all had been dulled.
Even the lowest-grade iron tools were only slightly blunt and could easily be sharpened back to their original edge.
Even against the specially treated steel Yang Yi had brought—still a relatively rough technology—they were by no means inferior.
“Hei Lie, you’re getting harder and harder to deal with!” Li said in frustration.
Hei Lie remained unmoved. “Why don’t you ask En and Qiao from the Western Continent how precious ironware really is.”
Qiao and En just smiled, saying nothing.
As buyers, of course, they couldn’t side with Hei Lie.
But what he said was true, and it was hard to argue against.
This chief, with such tremendous martial strength, seemed to see through everything.
And with that inscrutable divine envoy present, they didn’t dare treat these people as fools.
“These stones mean little to you. They’re just a hassle to transport. But this large piece of pig iron can be forged into a spear capable of piercing an animal’s skull.”
Hei Lie clenched the piece of pig iron in his hand, his expression darkening.
“Honestly, if you think it’s unfair, I wouldn’t even want to trade! This iron is more precious than bronze. Bronze is something the Western Continent caravan wouldn’t even exchange, and our iron is even less willing to be handed over.
It’s only because the honorable divine envoy said that you were the first to show us goodwill that we should repay you in kind.”
“If you don’t want something better, our tribe doesn’t even have enough for ourselves!”
Li immediately grew anxious. “Who said we don’t want it? You promised just now. You absolutely cannot go back on your word!”
The others quickly agreed. They didn’t want to lose such a rare opportunity to trade.
Although no one yet knew where to find the iron ore or what coal to use, it was far better to agree to the deal now than to find the materials later and have the Spark Tribe refuse to trade pig iron.
Everyone understood clearly the significance of iron. It was irreplaceable by anything else.
By the time all the exhibits had been brought in, the square was already filled with all kinds of items.
“With so many things, how are we supposed to make the trade?”
Everyone wanted everything, but how to exchange for it had become the pressing question.
With so many types of items, what should they use to trade? And how much should they exchange?
Before, trades involved far fewer types of goods, so exchanges were simpler.
Trades were straightforward: agree on the quantity, bring it, and trade directly.
Now, with so many kinds of items, each one had to be negotiated individually. And since the Spark Tribe didn’t accept just anything, it became a tricky matter.
Hei Lie remained calm. They had already devised a strategy for this situation.
“You can take the items you want to trade to the Trade Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs for evaluation. You will then receive a certificate recording their value.
The value of each item is marked numerically. If you can’t read, our guides will explain it. You report the quantity you want, and the guides will calculate it for you.
Once the numbers on your certificate are reduced to zero, you cannot continue purchasing. If there is any remaining value, items of equivalent value that you brought can be returned to you.”
