"Brother Zuo, why didn't you send someone to inform us in advance when you came to my Sunshine Base? I would have gone out to greet you."
Luo Tianyu's enthusiasm was within Zuo Feng's expectations. Firstly, Luo Tianyu should have known about Firefly's strength, and secondly, he must have already known about the existence of a-grade metal.
Zuo Feng smiled slightly, shook hands simply with Luo Tianyu, and humbly said, "Brother Luo is too polite. How could I, Zuo Feng, be worthy of you personally greeting me?"
Luo Tianyu laughed heartily, "Brother Zuo is too modest. Recently, that kid Luo Rufeng has been praising you to the heavens. It's truly an honor to meet you in person today."
After some pleasantries, Luo Tianyu invited Zuo Feng and his group into the building.
The interior of the building was luxuriously decorated, a stark contrast to the apocalyptic scene outside.
Luo Tianyu personally poured tea and water for Zuo Feng and inquired about the Firefly Squad's situation; his words did not hide his desire for a-grade metal.
He had lit up four lotus seeds, and ordinary cold weapons could no longer meet his needs, not even weapons made from the torso of a five-line Tank Zombie.
After learning about the existence of a-grade metal, Luo Tianyu was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night. If he had such a weapon, Luo Tianyu felt he could even lead his team to hunt Six Horizontal Bars zombies!
Today, having met the owner of a-grade metal, Luo Tianyu naturally didn't want to miss the opportunity.
What if he was the leader? When he encountered someone with a 'mine' and his strength was inferior to theirs, he still had to lower his stance.
Zuo Feng smiled sweetly, sipped his tea, and slowly said,
"Brother Luo overpraises me. This visit is also to discuss cooperation with your base. After all, in this apocalypse, resource sharing and mutual benefit are the ways to survive."
"It's here! It's here!"
Luo Tianyu was incredibly excited. He had just tried out Duan Wuye's two scimitars and loved them.
Luo Tianyu could assert that as long as he forged a weapon suitable for himself with a-grade metal, his strength would see a leap!
Luo Tianyu suppressed his inner excitement, a glint flashing in his eyes, and nodded in agreement:
"Brother Zuo is absolutely right. May I ask what Brother Zuo's purpose is for coming this time? Please speak freely. As long as I, Luo, am capable, I will not disappoint Brother Zuo."
Zuo Feng gently put down his teacup:
"This visit is mainly to exchange some necessary supplies with your base, and also to reach a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with your base."
Luo Tianyu coveted Zuo Feng's a-grade metal, and Zuo Feng also coveted the research achievements of Luo Tianyu's base, such as potions that could accelerate Mutants' ability to light up lotus seeds.
A glint flashed in Luo Tianyu's eyes. Zuo Feng said he was cooperating with the base, not with him personally. That meant this cooperation would involve the interests of the entire base, not a private transaction.
"Brother Zuo, please speak..."
Luo Tianyu nodded slightly. He had absolute say at Sunshine Base, and he could make the final decision on cooperation matters.
"First, I need a batch of firearms and ammunition to arm 200 people, as well as corresponding protective equipment."
As Mutants gradually grew stronger, the original firearms and ammunition were gradually phased out, but to establish a base, these weapons were still indispensable. After all, it was impossible for the entire base to be Mutants, and hot weapons still provided great support for ordinary people.
"Secondly, your base can provide potions for Mutants. I hope to open up supply channels. I won't take advantage of you; I will purchase them at your base's prices."
Zuo Feng had not thought of directly taking research achievements, as that was unrealistic. Luo Tianyu could not possibly directly trade research achievements; as for researching it himself, Firefly currently did not have that kind of scientific research capability.
Although Firefly Base had equipment, and it was top-notch, it lacked scientific researchers. For now, they could only purchase finished products.
"Thirdly, we need to customize a batch of cold weapons, especially special material weapons."
The special material weapons Zuo Feng referred to were naturally weapons made from zombie torsos.
A thoughtful look flashed in Luo Tianyu's eyes, and he nodded:
"I understand Brother Zuo's needs. Our base can meet all three of these points. However, Brother Zuo should know that these supplies are not a small sum. How does Brother Zuo intend to pay?"
Zuo Feng looked at Luo Tianyu with a smile, "How does Leader Luo intend to conduct the transaction?"
He secretly found it amusing. This Luo Tianyu clearly wanted to use a-grade metal as an exchange, yet he managed to hold back from mentioning it until now. It was truly difficult for him.
Luo Tianyu laughed heartily. He knew Zuo Feng had seen through his thoughts, but he wasn't embarrassed. He slowly said,
"Brother Zuo is truly a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. I hear your base possesses a large amount of a-grade metal. I wonder if it can be used as an exchange?"
Zuo Feng smiled and nodded:
"a-grade metal is certainly possible, but the value of a-grade metal is extraordinary. And Leader Luo is mistaken; we do not have a large amount of a-grade metal. After making the necessary special weapons, not much is left."
He naturally wouldn't let Luo Tianyu know that they could exchange one three-line zombie crystals for one a-grade metal. Not even Duan Wuye and Fengyu Squad knew the origin of a-grade metal;
After all, rarity makes things valuable. Appreciation is one thing, business is another.
Luo Tianyu raised an eyebrow, calculating inwardly, but his face remained impassive:
"Brother Zuo is absolutely right. In that case, I hear a-grade metal is all about the size of a Pigeon egg. So, how about we value it by loss crystal, with one a-grade metal equivalent to one five-line loss crystal?"
Luo Tianyu did not doubt Zuo Feng's words. The previous mention of a large amount of a-grade metal was just a test, and he hadn't held out much hope. It was normal for such precious metal to be scarce.
He was already well-versed in Sunshine Base's loss crystal exchange system.
Based on one-line loss crystals, each additional line increased the value tenfold. The cost of one a-grade metal was one three-line zombie crystals;
Priced at five-line loss crystals, the value had already increased a hundredfold;
Zuo Feng was very satisfied with this pricing. Although it was a bit exorbitant, a-grade metal was currently his 'exclusive monopoly' material;
Moreover, the supplies they were exchanging for were all at Sunshine Base's market price, not cost price.
Zuo Feng smiled slightly, secretly pleased, but calmly said on the surface:
"Leader Luo's proposal is reasonable, but Leader Luo should also know the hardness of a-grade metal; even Duan Wuye cannot forge it..."
Zuo Feng's meaning was very clear. Even if Luo Tianyu got a-grade metal, he wouldn't be able to forge suitable weapons. To forge weapons, it would involve the issue of borrowing Hotuntun and Hotutu.
A glint flashed in Luo Tianyu's eyes, and he said in a deep voice:
"Brother Zuo, how about this: for this exchange, you lend us those two small beasts to use. Once the weapons are forged, they will be returned immediately, serving as an extra. In the future, if we need to borrow them again, we will pay a price of one five-line loss crystal, or exchange for equivalent value in supplies. How does that sound?"
Zuo Feng pondered for a moment. This deal was indeed worthwhile for him, as it solved his immediate urgent needs and paved the way for future cooperation.
He nodded and said, "Deal! However, the future use of the small beasts must take place within our base, and we don't have much time at the base, so an appointment needs to be made in advance."
Upon hearing this, Luo Tianyu was overjoyed, yet maintained a composed expression: "Brother Zuo is indeed straightforward. Then it's settled."
His base had a scientific research team, and he believed they would eventually decipher the method for forging a-grade metal.