Ning Fengzhi and Tang San's Cooperation!

Under the arrangements made after the auction ended, Ning Fengzhi and his party were led to a more private reception room in the auction house.

The room was not large, but it was elegantly furnished, clearly meant for receiving important clients.

When Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo Chen Xin, and Bone Douluo Gu Rong entered, a young figure was already seated properly on the sofa.

He was plainly dressed, with refined features and calm eyes, carrying a steadiness beyond his years.

Ning Fengzhi studied the young man, somewhat surprised.

He had assumed that the person capable of crafting such an ingenious hidden weapon as Hidden Arrow would be an experienced old master. He had not expected him to be so young!

The guide introduced him respectfully, "Honored guest, this is the seller of this auction item, 'Hidden Arrow.'"

After that, he tactfully left the room and closed the door.

Ning Fengzhi wore a gentle smile as he said, "Young brother, you are truly promising. May I ask how I should address you?"

Tang San rose slightly, cupped his hands in salute, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "You are too kind. This junior is Tang San."

He only gave his name, and not a single piece of extra information.

"Tang San?"

Ning Fengzhi searched through his mind, but found no famous figure connected to that name.

He nodded and continued, "Young Brother Tang, your Hidden Arrow is ingenious in concept and exquisite in craftsmanship. Even these two old friends of mine praised it without end."

Though Chen Xin had a cool temperament, he also gave a slight nod at this moment, indicating his agreement.

Bone Douluo seemed much more casual, but in those eyes that occasionally opened and closed, a sharp gleam flashed and vanished.

Ning Fengzhi took a light sip of tea and set down the cup.

"May I ask, young friend, where you studied?"

"This junior has studied mechanical arts since childhood and has no specific master."

Tang San answered with a smile, making his words watertight.

Ning Fengzhi smiled, neither confirming nor denying it.

Then his tone shifted, and he cut straight to the point.

"Young Brother Tang, your skill in crafting such hidden weapons is truly rare."

"I wonder if you have any other similarly ingenious items in your possession?"

"Or whether you would be willing to cooperate with my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and develop them together?"

Expectation showed in his eyes.

What the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect lacked most was offensive means, and this kind of hidden weapon was undoubtedly an excellent supplement.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?! This person is actually from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? I wonder what his relationship with Ning Rongrong is?

But looking at the two old men beside him, their auras are restrained, yet in my perception, they are like an abyss, like a prison! Compared with Teacher Zhao Wuji and Dean Flender, who knows how much stronger they are!

This person is not simple. Perhaps he is one of the higher-ups of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!

Tang San was secretly rather alarmed!

Seeing that Tang San did not speak, Ning Fengzhi next extended an olive branch.

"Or perhaps, young friend, would you be willing to join my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and become a sect offering, specializing in hidden weapon development?"

"My sect would not begrudge resources and would support you with all our strength."

The auras of Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo also stilled slightly in that instant.

If they could bring him into the sect, it would be of extraordinary significance to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

If the other party refused...

Tang San remained silent for a moment.

Before coming here, he had already anticipated this in his heart.

Once his hidden weapons appeared in the world, they would inevitably draw the attention of powerful forces!

But he could not easily expose all of his secrets, much less be completely controlled by any sect.

"Thank you for your generous regard."

Tang San raised his head and met Ning Fengzhi's gaze.

"This junior is used to coming and going alone. For now, I have no plans to join any force."

A trace of surprise flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes, then he returned to normal.

This youth's refusal was quite straightforward.

"This junior makes hidden weapons only to earn some Gold Soul Coins needed for cultivation."

Tang San continued, laying out his core demand.

He needed money—a lot of money.

Whether for his own cultivation or for Xiao Wu.

Then a troubled look appeared on Tang San's face.

"And although the materials for making the Hidden Arrow aren't especially rare, the craft is complicated and the production cycle is very long. It doesn't really suit the model of a sect or clan!"

He paused, then went on.

"At today's auction, this junior saw many items that would be of great benefit to my cultivation. Unfortunately, my purse was empty, so I could only watch helplessly."

"If there were a stable channel to auction off the hidden weapons this junior makes, exchange them for Gold Soul Coins, and then use those Gold Soul Coins to buy the items needed for cultivation, that would be the best support for this junior."

His words both expressed a tactful refusal and hinted at the value and scarcity of this technology, as well as the possibility of cooperation between the two sides.

"Oh?"

Ning Fengzhi's brows lifted slightly.

"Only for Gold Soul Coins?"

"Yes."

Tang San answered firmly.

"If this junior creates new hidden weapons in the future, I will give priority to entrusting this auction house with auctioning them off!"

After all was said and done, Tang San had put forward his cooperation plan.

That was, a purely commercial partnership.

Ning Fengzhi's fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop.

This boy was not simple.

Despite his young age, his thoughts were so meticulous. He was unmoved by a sect's reputation or benefits, seeking only practical gain.

Bone Douluo Gu Rong snorted coldly.

"Boy, do you know what you're refusing?"

"The recruitment of my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is something countless soul masters long for but can never obtain."

Tang San's expression did not change.

"This junior naturally knows the prestige of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."

"It is just that everyone has their own aspirations. I hope you will forgive me."

Ning Fengzhi fell into thought.

The value of a genius who could not be controlled had to be reassessed.

However, the other party seemed to regard the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's auction house merely as his personal money pouch and general store.

Ning Fengzhi could not help beginning to weigh the pros and cons.

At present, the other party had no intention of building ties with other forces, much less widely releasing such weapons.

If they could establish a long-term cooperative relationship with him, even if merely as a seller for the auction house, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could still benefit from it, and they would also gain priority access to his new products.

That was acceptable.

"Since your ambitions do not lie here, young friend, I will not force you."

Ning Fengzhi spoke slowly.

Tang San felt slightly relieved.

It was done.

"This junior hopes Seven Treasures Auction House can provide a stable auction channel for this junior's works."

"As for the commission, I hope I can receive some preferential treatment."

"Most importantly, this junior hopes the auction house can keep the seller's identity absolutely confidential."

That was what he valued most.

He understood the principle that a tall tree caught the wind.

Ning Fengzhi nodded.

"You need not worry about that. My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's business spans the world, and what we rely on is credibility."

"Confidentiality of identity is all the more a basic principle of any auction house. Rest assured, it absolutely will not be leaked."

"In addition, although I am not the master of this auction house, I can still make this decision and grant you the most generous treatment."

"The commission can be charged at the lowest standard."

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"At the same time, as a show of sincerity for our long-term cooperation, you may also become a distinguished guest of our auction house."

"If items beneficial to your cultivation appear in future auctions, as long as the price is not especially outrageous, I can provide you with some convenience, and even consider giving you a certain degree of flexibility in the method of payment."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"However, I have one condition as well."

"Please speak, Sect Master Ning."

"I hope that if you have hidden weapons of similar quality to Hidden Arrow in the future, or even higher quality, you will give priority to my Seven Treasures Auction House to auction them."

"And if my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect has a special need, I hope we can have priority in purchasing some finished products from you."

This could be considered mutually beneficial.

Tang San thought for a moment.

"Very well."

The condition was not excessive.

"To a pleasant cooperation."

Ning Fengzhi smiled and took the initiative to extend his hand.

Tang San reached out and lightly shook it.

"To a pleasant cooperation."

Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo watched the scene with differing expressions.

When the other party had refused earlier, they had even secretly felt killing intent, but now it seemed their sect master had taken a liking to his talent!

After all that back and forth, it had turned into this!

Their sect master was still too benevolent!

"Young friend Tang San, I'm still somewhat curious about this Hidden Arrow."

Ning Fengzhi asked a few more questions about the design details of the Hidden Arrow, while Tang San answered selectively, showing only the tip of the iceberg of his craftsmanship while keeping the core secrets to himself.

Finally, naturally, came the question of when the hundred pieces could be completed.

To this, Tang San readily produced a blueprint and said it was for the related parts. They could make the parts first and hand them to him for the final processing, and then it would be very quick.

As for the production time, he still did not give a definite answer.

Ning Fengzhi looked deeply at him.

This youth was slippery as an eel.

However, since the cooperation had already been reached, there was no need to rush.

"We had a most pleasant discussion today, so I won't disturb you any longer."

Ning Fengzhi rose to his feet.

"For the follow-up matters of our cooperation, I will appoint someone specifically to liaise with you."

Tang San also stood up and cupped his hands.

"Many thanks."

The meeting ended, and Ning Fengzhi left the quiet room with Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo.

Alone, Tang San slowly let out a breath.

Dealing with that old fox truly took no small amount of mental energy.

But at least his initial goal had been achieved.

He walked out of the quiet room. Most of the crowd inside the auction house had already dispersed, and the lights had dimmed considerably.

Just as he reached the entrance of the auction house, a petite figure rushed over.

"Ge!"

Xiao Wu grabbed Tang San's arm, her small face carrying a bit of anxiety and a bit of dissatisfaction.

"Why did you only come out now? I've been waiting for you for ages!"

She pouted, gently shaking Tang San's arm.

Tang San looked at her, and much of the weariness in his heart dissipated.

"The Spirit Armor is in hand, and there was business to discuss, so I got delayed."

He rubbed Xiao Wu's hair.

"Let's go. We're heading back."

"Mm!"

Xiao Wu smiled sweetly, intimately linking her arm with Tang San's as they walked out side by side.

After only a few steps, they ran straight into Ning Fengzhi and his party coming from the opposite direction.

When Ning Fengzhi saw Xiao Wu beside Tang San, he smiled faintly, nodded, and walked off in another direction.

However, the instant Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, who were behind him, brushed past Xiao Wu, both of them almost imperceptibly paused at the same time.

Then they exchanged a glance, and each saw unbelievable shock in the other's eyes.