The Selection Begins, Three Talents Evolve

Everyone in the meeting room gradually dispersed. Zhuang Xian and his two companions hurried away, clearly eager to contact their families to prepare the armor materials. The other two elders of the Dongfang Family also left first, leaving only Dongfang Cheng seated opposite Qin Tian.

Warm air still rose from the stove, and the fragrance of tea lingered.

Dongfang Cheng raised his teacup, took a small sip, and looked at Qin Tian with a knowing smile. "Young friend Qin, it seems this challenge from the three families played right into your hands."

Qin Tian smiled candidly. "You have a sharp eye, Elder Cheng. To be honest, armed armor will become one of Ice Extreme Pass's pillar industries in the future. I already intended to gradually market it elsewhere. This challenge gave me an opportunity to bring armed armor to the attention of the Gold Families, and even the Holy Blood Families. That certainly played right into my hands."

"Oh? So you see our Dongfang Family as another potential major customer?" Dongfang Cheng set down his teacup and pressed him with a smile.

The corners of Qin Tian's mouth lifted. "Is the Dongfang Family not interested in armed armor like this?"

Dongfang Cheng grew serious. "It would be a lie to say we aren't. I can foresee that once this armed armor, which combines technologies from multiple civilizations, becomes widespread, it will change the way the entire empire wages war. Our Dongfang Family has always been willing to blaze a trail. However—"

He changed tack. "We are allies, after all. Surely you ought to give us a discount? Don't tell me the terms you offer the Dongfang Family will be the same as those you offer the Zhuang Family."

"Of course not."

Qin Tian shook his head and spoke sincerely. "In