CHAPTER 840: A SUBTLE TEST

"The quantity you want is large. Even with my existing stock, the fastest I can deliver is in three months."

With introductions out of the way, Tangere immediately moved on to the specifics of the transaction.

"No problem. You can deliver the Plague Totem Poles in phases. The cities in my territory won’t be built all at once anyway."

Orion had no issue with this.

"You’ve already used a Plague Totem Pole, so you know its effects. I don’t need to explain them," Tangere continued. "What I’m interested in now is what you will use to trade with me."

Orion had proposed a massive deal. Since the Survivor’s Platform had no currency of its own, all transactions between survivors were conducted through barter. In Tangere’s eyes, this was a major business exchange, and he was curious to see what Orion could offer. After all, there were some things he simply didn’t need.

"What to trade?"

Orion fell into thought, not responding for a long moment.

Within the Stoneheart Horde, the most abundant resources were crystal cores and dark source crystals. The latter were purer, and Orion had designated them as a strategic resource for the Horde.

As for the crystal cores, Tangere might not be interested. Besides, Orion had a subtle test he wanted to conduct. With Aerin’s world being invaded by a plague, he wanted to probe whether the man behind it could be Tangere.

"I have a large supply of crystal cores, grain, and a batch of siege weapons specifically designed to counter wood-based Treants," Orion replied, putting the ball in Tangere’s court. "Which of these do you need?"

Of the three options, crystal cores were like a universal currency; Orion was sure that Tangere, as a lord, would have some stocked away. The second was grain. If Tangere was currently waging war, grain would be a necessary purchase. The final option, the anti-Treant siege equipment, was the test. Aerin’s Wood Elf race used many Treant guardians. If Tangere was her enemy, these weapons would be incredibly effective, possibly even allowing him to breach her people’s defenses. He would certainly choose them.

In his heart, Orion didn’t really think the invader was Tangere. A cross-realm invasion required, at minimum, the power of an Archlord. Tangere was only a Lord of the Legendary tier; his strength fell short. Still, considering the man was a plague lord, Orion felt a test was prudent.

In an unknown realm, the Blighted Lands.

This was a territory where the very air was saturated with the stench of death. Unlike the Necro-Realm, this place felt more of decay, of a suffocating and absolute despair. It was a land utterly infected by plague.

Its inhabitants, though still alive, moved like mindless zombies. Green mists and rivers of lurid color coiled around them, choking even the groans of the dying and their cries for help.

And yet, in the heart of this decrepit territory stood a beautiful castle.

At this moment, Tangere was leaning back on the main throne in the castle’s deepest hall, a strange light glinting in his eyes.

"Crystal cores, grain, and equipment... all of them strategic resources," he mused. "To be able to offer grain as trade... this fellow is no simple lord."

While Orion was testing him, Tangere was using the offered goods to gauge Orion’s own resources.

As a plague lord, Tangere was in fact desperately short on food. Because of the plague, his lands were constantly corrupted, making it difficult to produce high yields of grain. Even the crops that did grow were virally tainted. While this toxic grain had a niche market, its value was far too low compared to normal, healthy food.

So yes, Tangere was in great need of grain.

"I’ll take the grain."

Seeing this reply, Orion let out a quiet sigh of relief. This choice meant that Tangere was, in all likelihood, not the mastermind behind the invasion of Aerin’s world.

"No problem. When you have the goods ready, we’ll trade. My grain for your wares."

To prove his sincerity, Orion initiated a trade with Tangere, placed a massive quantity of grain in the window, and then canceled the transaction. It was a clear signal that he was a serious buyer, not a trickster.

"Good."

"In three months, I will contact you to make the trade."

Ending his conversation with Tangere, Orion put the matter out of his mind and dove into the trading section of the Platform, seriously hunting for bargains.

In the north, Blackstone City.

The morning quiet of the Moonshadow Valley military camp was broken by a clamor of voices. A group of armored bloodline warriors emerged from a secret passage that led from an underground fissure into the valley.

"I never thought the winters in Blackstone City were this cold!" a giant named Torvald exclaimed, rubbing his stiff fingers together.

Torvald was immense. He hailed from the Starveil giant tribe and was a head taller than even the native Blackstone giants. His time fighting in the Emerald Dream Realm had only increased his stature. As a southerner, Torvald had truly never experienced the bone-chilling cold of a northern winter.

"Brother Torvald, you’ll come stay with us for a while! I’ll have my missus cook you something good!"

"That’s right! My sister-in-law’s cooking is the best, especially her honey-roasted beast meat. It’s to die for."

The speakers were Steropes and Brontes. The Bearmen were a boisterous and hearty folk, and they considered Torvald a brother-in-arms.

They had saved each other’s lives on the battlefield multiple times, forging a deep friendship. The war of invasion in the Emerald Dream Realm was over, and they were all on leave to visit their families. Steropes and Brontes’s families were in Blackstone City, making it their home turf. Of course, they had to show their good brother hospitality.

"Alright! This will give me a good chance to explore this legendary city of our Stoneheart Horde."

It was true. Within the Horde, Blackstone City had already become a legend. In the south, common citizens without the proper status, strength, or clearance were not permitted to use the teleportation array to come here.

In the word-of-mouth tales of those citizens, the name Blackstone City had been mythologized, becoming a place of legend.