The energetic stone was about the size of a pomegranate, entirely crimson.

The color and texture were somewhat akin to the local red bricks.

However, Lin Ziming could sense it.

This energetic stone contained a small but very distinct amount of energy.

Lin Ziming, possessing fire, earth, and metal spiritual roots, had a vague intuition upon touching this energy:

This energy could potentially aid his cultivation.

Clearly.

Unlike spiritual energy, which is a universal substance all spiritual roots can utilize, the energetic stone has some limitations or targeted use.

Only cultivators with fire attribute spiritual roots can properly utilize it.

Furthermore,

The absorption efficiency and whether it contains harmful substances need to be determined through further observation.

Of course,

Compared to the hassle of instrumental testing, the rabbits had another preliminary risk elimination method:

Seeking outside assistance.

As Lin Ziming played with the energetic stone, Lin Li's voice suddenly came through the earpiece:

"Colonel Lin, we just got in touch with Chairman Wei in Ziqiong City.

The energetic stone is indeed a common trade good of the Barbarian Commerce Association.

However, compared to some minerals in the central region, the energetic stone has a more intense elemental attribute.

Therefore, it is relatively limited, possessing some characteristics similar to spirit stones in a sense.

The purchasing price of an energetic stone is generally one spirit stone for ten energetic stones, and it can be resold in Ziqiong City for about a one to five ratio."

Only then did Lin Ziming understand.

In the Damo Realm, transportation is relatively primitive, so it's not surprising that regional goods can be traded for significant profits.

Even domestically, with advanced high-speed trains and planes, some things still have different prices from north to south.

Of course,

National air drops are not in this category.

Moreover, the Barbarian Commerce Association doesn't appear frequently, so if they don't make a big profit in a rare deal, the transaction wouldn't be worth much.

After understanding this,

Lin Ziming returned the energetic stone to Red Dragon, intending to return it to its owner.

Unexpectedly, Red Dragon cheerfully gestured and took out a stone whistle from his person.

He handed the energetic stone and whistle to Lin Ziming, babbling a few words.

Master Tian said, translating honestly:

"Steward Lin, Commander Red Dragon said you match his temperament, and the energetic stone and stone whistle are his gifts to you as a new friend.

They aren't worth much, so please don't disdain them."

Master Tian's face showed a slight surprise during the translation, as such gift-giving behavior was clearly uncommon.

Seeing the two items handed to him, Lin Ziming was momentarily stunned.

After coming back to his senses, he instinctively tried to refuse.

However, when he met Red Dragon's sincere and cheerful smile, the words were stuck in his throat.

He pressed his lips, hesitating for a few seconds, and finally made a decision.

He drew a handgun from his body, checked the safety.

With one hand, he took the two gifts from Red Dragon, and with the other, handed over the handgun:

"A gift from a distinguished guest, I dare not refuse.

Mr. Tian, please convey to Commander Red Dragon,

that this Type 92 handgun is my return gift, hoping Commander Red Dragon finds it worthwhile."

The gift from Red Dragon was not heavy; whether the stone whistle could even be sounded was questionable.

But the key lies in the sincerity these two items reflect.

From Master Tian's expression, it was evident that such gift-giving from barbarians was not common.

Clearly, Red Dragon was moved by the attitude shown by the rabbits.

Thus, the most appropriate response was to give back another relatively meaningful gift.

However, somewhat embarrassingly,

Lin Ziming did not have many valuable things on him at the moment, oh, except for Miss Shi Yin.

But you can't just give away the girl, right?

The Damo Realm isn't like some universities at home, where such companionship is necessary.

After much thought,

only the Type 92 handgun seemed most suitable.

Being the main officer of the Fire Camp troops, Lin Ziming naturally had some authority over weapons disposal.

As for the potential risks of weapon leakage...

That's a joke.

This is the Damo Realm, and Red Dragon is a strong Mountain Opening Realm equivalent to a Foundation Establishment level four or five.

If it were core weapons like a 12.7mm spiritual energy sniper rifle, caution would be necessary.

But a Type 92 handgun truly did not matter.

The Type 92 handgun's range is only 50 meters, with a power barely comparable to a Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer attack.

Even if Red Dragon didn't follow the central region cultivation system, he would still have plenty of means to replicate the effect of a Type 92 handgun.

Lin Ziming then simply demonstrated the Type 92's operation, including how to disengage the safety and load bullets...

After a round of exchanging modest gifts,

the atmosphere on site visibly improved again.

Subsequently, Red Dragon led Lin Ziming to another wooden cart, picking up a piece of purple beast hide, and said:

"Steward Lin, here are some beast furs, bones, and unique medicinal materials from the Celestial Moon Mountain Range.

For instance, this purple fox fur is also very popular in the central region.

We had long-term transactions with a city, which always specifically demanded a large amount of purple fox fur every time."

Hearing this, Lin Ziming couldn't help but carefully examine the hide.

If he remembered correctly,

During his first visit to Ziqiong Market, he did see some noblewomen in Ziqiong City wearing similar material and color clothing.

And he faintly heard that such material had a high value.

Then he thought of something and curiously asked:

"Commander Red Dragon, since your side had previous long-term transactions with another city, why seek new partners this time?"

Hearing Master Tian's translation, Red Dragon shook his head:

"Because that city was recently destroyed by a beast tide, and only ruins were left when we arrived..."

Lin Ziming fell silent for a moment, exhaling slowly.

The price of purple fox fur is not low, and a city capable of purchasing such materials on a large scale would likely not lack strength.

The stronger the city, the more mortals it typically governs.

The fall of such a city to a beast tide conjures another image of tragic desolation...

Afterward, the two had a simple exchange, confirming the commodity situation of the Barbarian Commerce Association:

The main trade commodity was energetic stone, the exact amount Red Dragon did not disclose, but it must be considerable.

Secondly, various beast materials and special spirit plants from the Celestial Moon Mountain Range supplemented the trade.

The rest were some strange insects.

These insects had been raised to maturity, categorized as non-renewable resources.

They could perform specialized tasks, such as testing food safety earlier.

The Barbarian Commerce Association's demand was simple:

Food, and lots of it!

As for the rabbits...

They definitely wanted the energetic stones, but they desired far more.

However, considering both parties were still in the early stages of trade, making demands without understanding the other's sensitive points was inappropriate.

Thus, Lin Ziming temporarily parted ways with Red Dragon, returning to the city with his gains.

Then...

Routine meeting.

........

Note:

The early morning update was the third one for yesterday, so tonight there's another update.

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