Spirit Stone are not only a precious resource, but also a symbol of status and power.
Only S-rank powerhouses can use Spirit Stone; others not only cannot use them, but due to restrictions, they cannot even come into contact with them.
Xu Long knew about Spirit Stone and offered to join the Administration Bureau in exchange for Spirit Stone, so he must have known their purpose.
Thus, Wang Situ arrived at two conclusions.
First, Xu Long must have an S-rank powerhouse behind him. Although he is very strong, he can only be a representative.
Secondly, this S-rank powerhouse did not align himself with any major power, nor did he establish any corresponding power. This is because, while Spirit Stone are precious to those major powers, they could not possibly fail to meet the needs of a few S-rank Reincarnation Temple.
Spirit Stone are an indispensable resource for S-rank powerhouses, but the amount they can absorb is very limited. They are more often used as currency among S-rank powerhouses.
It is rare, stable in nature, and can be used for cultivation, making it far more valuable than gold.
"Headquarters has Spirit Stone, and quite a lot of them, but what are you planning to exchange them for?"
Wang Situ sat upright, not talking to Xu Long, but negotiating with a wild S-rank powerhouse.
Once the other party is moved, the Administration Bureau's strength will increase significantly.
Although China cultivators rank first in the world in overall strength, their internal composition is extremely complex.
The Cultivator Administration Bureau represents the official body and is primarily staffed by individuals with supernatural abilities.
The Cultivator Federation represents the general public and is composed of the Daoist Sect, Buddhist Sect, and heretical sects.
Of course, this is just the Administration Bureau's perspective. In the hearts of those sects with ancient traditions, they are the true masters, and the Administration Bureau is nothing more than a minor player that can be easily wiped out.
The facts are pretty much the same. Of the four S-rank powerhouses in China, the Administration Bureau has only one, while the Federation has three.
However, being fellow China, the Federation, while looking down on the Administration Bureau, would not provoke it.
The Administration Bureau and the Federation are outwardly on good terms but inwardly at odds, and there are also many internal conflicts within both organizations.
The struggle between the Daoist Sect and Buddhist Sect, the entanglement between the righteous and the evil, although temporarily united, is filled with mutual mockery.
The same goes for the Administration Bureau; it's a complete mess of power struggles and corruption.
Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own; ordinary people and spiritual practitioners are all the same.
Even so, Wang Situ was still trying to change the situation.
He hopes that the power of the Administration Bureau and the Federation can be balanced so that they can check and balance each other, because one side dominating is not good for anyone.
To achieve this goal, a new S-rank powerhouse must join the team.
"This thing can raise an ordinary person to near -D-rank without any side effects. This is the enhanced version, which can raise D-rank to C-rank."
Xu Long took out two syringes. " Shangguan Xiongfei and his wife used the standard version because their original physical condition was too poor, so they were still a little short of reaching D-rank. Oh, by the way, this stuff can be mass-produced."
"I want the recipe!"
Although he had been cornered by Xu Long and Haitang, Wang Situ was no ordinary person and immediately grasped the key point.
" Haitang, see the guest out!"
Wang Situ was cunning, but Xu Long didn't give him a chance to bargain.
Since the other party is making such an exorbitant demand, there's no point in continuing the negotiations.
"Wait! I don't want the recipe anymore!"
Wang Situ was really having a headache. This kid was impervious to reason, straightforward, and had an incredibly stubborn temper, making it impossible to negotiate with him.
"How about this, one D-rank and one C-rank potion count as a set, one hundred sets for one Spirit Stone."
Wang Situ tentatively stated.
" Haitang, see the guest out!"
"Wait! Fifty! Fifty sets will do!"
" Haitang..."
Just tell me directly, how many sets to exchange?
Wang Situ finally gave in; that bastard was a real piece of work.
He had been a powerful figure in the martial arts world for decades, and this was the first time he had ever met someone like this.
"Ten sets for one piece!"
Xu Long sipped his tea and spoke with an air of nonchalance.
"Are you kidding me? You think Spirit Stone are commonplace? They're a hard currency only S-rank experts can use! Forty sets for one!"
Wang Situ snorted, his face full of anger.
Only at this point did the negotiations begin.
The two went back and forth, spitting as they spoke, and finally reached an agreement.
Eighty D-rank Gene Strengthening Agent can be exchanged for one Spirit Stone, and twenty C-rank Gene Strengthening Agent can be exchanged for one Spirit Stone.
Delivery shall be made on the 15th of each month and shall not be given to any force other than the Administration Bureau.
This drug is a redevelopment of an obsolete product, and mass production is very easy.
Even if we don't talk about tens of thousands a day, if resources are plentiful, producing one or two thousand is quite easy.
Xu Long's bargaining with Wang Situ was designed to create the illusion that the potion was very difficult to produce.
He will then strictly control the production of the potion to ensure that this trade remains sustainable.
Xu Long has realized the importance of Spirit Stone, and this importance will continue to grow as his cultivation level improves.
Besides the Reincarnation Temple, Xu Long needs a stable source of Spirit Stone to avoid running out of supplies due to setbacks within the Reincarnation Temple.
"It's a pleasure doing business with you!"
The two foxes, one old and one young, shook hands with smiles on their faces, showing no trace of the tension and anger that had preceded their verbal sparring, which had seemed poised to escalate into a full-blown fight.
Through this negotiation, Xu Long realized that Wang Situ's identity was definitely not as simple as just a deputy minister of Haixian City.
Being able to represent the Administration Bureau in negotiating with him and freely mobilize precious resources like Spirit Stone, Wang Situ's power within the Administration Bureau is definitely among the top ten.
Not long after Wang Situ left, Rice Bucket also returned.
Hong Chao is just a D-rank piece of trash; dealing with him is too easy.
The first batch of medicine transactions is scheduled for the 15th of next month at a dock on the west bank of Haixian City.
Xu Long doesn't need to worry about any of this; the Red Queen will take charge of everything.
The location was chosen by the sea to facilitate the transaction.
Once it enters the ocean depths, no matter how advanced the world's technology is, it will be impossible to find any trace of it.
As for intercepting the deal halfway through, the only possibility is during the transaction itself.
If such a thing were to happen, Xu Long would need to reassess Wang Situ's abilities.
There's absolutely no way he could have leaked the information; the problem must lie with Wang Situ.
Even if we lose a batch of medicine, it doesn't matter. Those are just re-development of obsolete products, which won't consume many resources.
Even if it's taken away for reverse analysis, it doesn't matter, because with the current technological progress of the Great Wilderness Main World, the chance of successful research Wuxian close to zero.
Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was time for another mission.
This is Xu Long's eighth mission, and his second mission since returning to the Great Wilderness Main World.
Having learned from his experience in the previous Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, Xu Long no longer planned to go alone.
"Come in with me."
Xu Long stroked the Rice Bucket's head and said.
"Woof!"