Chapter 17: Negotiation!

Supervisor Shen Qiu's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

He wore a look of utter disbelief.

Just moments ago, he was inwardly muttering about whether Ou Yezi was faking it.

A full five hours just to forge a pair of bracers?

But upon closer inspection.

How was it just one!

A full nine pieces!

Moreover, their luster and quality looked quite extraordinary.

He impatiently rushed forward and picked them up one by one to inspect them closely.

The more he looked, the faster his heart beat.

Almost every single pair was of fine quality!

There wasn't even a single ordinary quality piece!

When he finished checking the last three pieces.

Supervisor Shen Qiu drew a sharp breath, and every hair on his body stood on end.

Rare quality!

To actually have three consecutive pieces of rare quality equipment!

Is this the strength of an S-class Forging Master?

Supervisor Shen Qiu was so excited his hands were trembling slightly as he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Trembling, he took out his phone and dialed a number.

From the other end of the line came an aged, hoarse voice.

"Hello? What is it?"

"Guild Leader… A Prodigy has come to the Forging Guild!"

Half an hour later.

A black sedan came to a screeching halt at the entrance of the Forging Guild.

An elderly man in his sixties, exceptionally spirited and robust, strode down from it.

His hands were covered in thick calluses, and his gaze was sharp.

He was none other than Gu Yan, the guild leader of the Tianhai City Forging Guild.

Gu Yan did not delay for a moment and headed straight to the third-floor forging room.

He walked over to the forging table, picked up those bracers, and examined them meticulously one by one.

After a long while, he put down the last pair of bracers and turned to Supervisor Shen Qiu, who was standing to the side not daring to breathe loudly.

Gu Yan nodded knowingly, a trace of gratified smile appearing on his face.

"Not bad, not bad. Our Tianhai City is finally going to produce a truly presentable Forging Master."

Afterwards, led by Supervisor Shen Qiu, Gu Yan came to Ou Yezi's office.

The old guild leader cast a sharp, up-and-down gaze at Ou Yezi before slowly speaking.

"This old man is Gu Yan, the current guild leader of the Tianhai City Forging Guild."

"I have seen all the bracers you forged."

"Very good." He paused, a flash of bright light crossing his eyes, "It is said that you are also an S-class Forging Master?"

"It seems that in the future of the Great Xia Country, we will gain yet another legendary Forging Master."

Controlling Ou Yezi, Zhou Huai maintained a calm expression: "Guild Leader flatters me undeservedly."

Gu Yan waved his hand and got straight to the point: "Let's skip the pleasantries."

"You will officially join our Tianhai City Forging Guild."

"I appoint you as a Special Grade Forging Master of the guild."

"You will enjoy Vice Guild Leader-level treatment."

"From now on, you can use the top-floor Special Grade forging room of the guild for free."

"All current forging blueprints of the guild, except for a very few that are not open to the public, will be freely open for you to review."

"In addition, basic forging Materials will be provided free of charge by the guild in the future. For rare Materials, you will enjoy priority supply rights and cost-price purchase rights."

"We will also equip you with an assistant team specifically responsible for handling chores, collecting Materials, and gathering intelligence, and provide the highest level of security forces."

With every condition Gu Yan stated, Supervisor Shen Qiu's eyelids twitched along with it, clicking his tongue inwardly in astonishment.

These conditions were simply outrageous in their generosity!

Even those geniuses and prodigies from the headquarters might not have such treatment when they first started!

After listening, Ou Yezi's expression remained calm as he picked up his teacup and gently took a sip.

"Guild Leader Qin's offered conditions are indeed full of sincerity and quite tempting."

"However, there is no free lunch in this world."

"I want to know, what do I need to pay in return?"

Gu Yan gave him an appreciative look; this young man was indeed extraordinary, able to remain calm in the face of such temptation.

"Heh heh, payment is out of the question, just a few minor requests," Gu Yan said with a smile.

"First, once you join our Tianhai City Forging Guild, you must acknowledge yourself as a member of the Tianhai Forging Guild when you are outside in the future."

"Second, our guild has the priority right of acquisition for the equipment you forge. But rest assured, the acquisition price is definitely the highest market price. If the equipment can participate in auctions, you can also get an additional profit share."

"Third, normally the guild will not restrict your personal freedom. But when the guild needs you, you must return."

After hearing this, Zhou Huai furrowed his brow imperceptibly.

The conditions proposed by Gu Yan seemed generous, but in reality, they were a dense net.

In this way, Ou Yezi, this Clone, would be thoroughly and deeply bound to the Tianhai City Forging Guild.

This was not what Zhou Huai wanted.

His SS-class Myriad Forms Divine Craftsman was destined to become the core pillar of his own forces in the future; how could he be shackled by a mere Tianhai City branch?

"Guild Leader Qin, this Junior appreciates your kind intentions," Ou Yezi put down his teacup, his tone carrying a trace of apology, "but for the demands you have raised, please forgive this Junior for being unable to comply."

"This Junior is naturally free-spirited and dislikes constraints, so I am afraid I am only suited to be an ordinary guild member."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere inside the office suddenly grew tense.

Supervisor Shen Qiu listened from the side with his heart pounding in his throat, terrified that the guild leader would leave in a huff out of anger.

The smile on Gu Yan's face also restrained a bit; he took a deep look at Ou Yezi, his gaze carrying a trace of inquiry.

"Oh? Are this old man's conditions not generous enough, or does my young friend have other lofty aspirations?"

He pondered for a moment and slowly said: "Young friend Ou Yezi, this old man sincerely appreciates your talent. How about this, if you have any thoughts or any conditions, feel free to speak your mind. As long as it is not too excessive, this old man can consider it at his discretion."

What Zhou Huai was waiting for was precisely these words.

"Actually, wanting me to agree to those requests of yours is also very simple."

"We just need to add one condition on top of the original ones."

A trace of curiosity flashed in Gu Yan's eyes: "Oh? What condition? Feel free to speak."

Ou Yezi said word by word, clearly: "As long as I want to withdraw from the guild, I can withdraw at any time! The guild must not obstruct me under any pretext!"

"This…" Gu Yan's brows instantly locked into a deep frown.

He looked deeply at Ou Yezi, a trace of hesitation flashing in his eyes.

The guild spent huge resources to cultivate you, yet you can just walk away at any time?

Wouldn't all the guild's resources go down the drain?

Such a condition, I am afraid no guild leader would easily agree to it.

Just as the atmosphere became slightly stagnant, Ou Yezi added another sentence: "My status is humble and my words lack discretion, so I hope the guild leader will be magnanimous."

"However, there is one point I need to clarify. It is not that I, Ou Yezi, cannot survive without your Tianhai Forging Guild. With my talent, no matter which city's Forging Guild I go to, I can still make a splash. I have this confidence."

"However, if you, the Tianhai Forging Guild, have my joining, you can definitely rise one or even several tiers on the existing foundation. In the future, becoming the absolute top Forging Guild in the entire Great Xia Country is not entirely impossible!"

After listening, Gu Yan was first stunned, and then let out a low, cold sneer.

"Heh heh, you kid, you are not very old, but your ego is quite something!"

His burning gaze stared intently at Ou Yezi, as if wanting to see right through him.

After a long while.

His laughter stopped, and with a burning gaze looking at Ou Yezi, he said word by word:

"This old man just loves this wild streak of yours!"

"I agree to this condition of yours!"