Zhang Ming added, "One last thing. To prevent any secrets from leaking, you must leave a deposit with me. I'll return it only after the formula is fully public and the price has risen."
"We also need a detailed plan for buying up the Starry Night Shells. We can't buy recklessly, or we'll drive up the price ourselves. If everyone acts independently, word will get out sooner or later. We must act together. Besides, investing ten thousand each is enough. There's no need to gamble so much."
The Snake Person was startled. Those terms were harsh.
Leaving that shipment of goods with Zhang Ming was effectively putting down a deposit.
If they leaked information or acted independently and disrupted the market, he simply wouldn't return it.
"How... how much of a deposit?"
"Not much... two thousand!"
Zhang Ming's gaze sharpened. The atmosphere in the room abruptly grew solemn, and streaks of lightning drifted slowly through the air.
The Snake Person before him, the strongest member of his civilization, seemed to sense a threat all at once.
He felt as though an icy claw had seized his entire body. His heart nearly stopped, and that icy sensation spread from his neck to the base of his tail!
It was as though he faced the hardest decision of his life as a snake.
This esteemed Transcendent seemed to have improved in every respect.
There hadn't been such terrifying pressure the last time they met.
Finally, his scales stood on end one after another. As though he had endured a severe internal struggle, he said wearily, "Very well. We will provide the deposit."
"Please take full charge of this matter, my lord... sorry for the trouble. Our Snake People Civilization... will cooperate fully."
Zhang Ming relaxed and waved a hand. "Don't worry. You