Chapter 316: Solving the Most Difficult Problem
The third item was some alchemy blueprints and alchemy techniques unique to the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.
Although the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had the War Merchant's database, it was incomplete.
Secondly, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom did have its own unique features and possessed alchemy techniques that the War Merchant did not have.
For example, some potion recipes related to the Ice Heart. Among them, the ice head flower potion was not found in the War Merchant's data.
The survivors collected these, on the one hand to supplement the database, and on the other hand to deepen their understanding of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, so that when they sold potions here in the future, they could greatly enhance their market competitiveness.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord took the list and looked at it a second time.
After that, he began to walk alone, thinking rapidly.
He didn't think for long. Soon, he stopped and stared at the dragonman youngster.
He put the list on the table and pointed to the contents on it.
“Regarding the magic ship, Commander Long Fu, you must understand that there is no way you can buy a brand new magic ship.”
"The situation now is completely different from a few years ago. Pirates are rampant, and the emergence of the Pirate Throne has plunged the world’s oceans into chaos.”
“You should know that even on Gear Island, orders for magic ships are already booked years in advance.”
“Although our Ice Sculpture Kingdom has the capability to produce magic ships independently, our production capacity still has its limits.”
“Several years ago, our country began to devote all its efforts to the production of magic ships, and every year, new magic ships are launched.”
"But these ships, just like on Gear Island, have long been reserved. Even I can't get one."
Seeing the dragonman youngster frown, the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord changed the subject.
“However, although we can't buy new magic ships, we can buy old ones!”
“Every warship has a limited service life.”
"Especially in recent years, with the abundance of newly produced magic-powered ships, the navy takes priority. As a result, the kingdom's navy retires a significant number of warships each year."
“Though the alchemy technology used on these warships dates back several or even over a decade, they remain highly sought after in the lower level market.”
“A large number of mercenary corps, hunting groups, and merchant alliances are all eager to get their hands on these decommissioned warships!”
“If you are willing to accept old warships, I can still deliver them.”
After hearing this, the dragonman youngster stated, “My group needs silver level magic ships.”
“Right.” The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord nodded affirmatively, “Gold level is difficult, but silver level old warships are still within my capabilities.”
Hearing this reply, the dragonman youngster did not hesitate much and immediately nodded, “Of course, that's fine.”
Having solved a difficult problem, the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord perked up and continued the discussion.
“Regarding the white dragon and related alchemy materials, it is also very difficult for us to sell them.”
“Although there are a large number of white dragons living in the interior of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom, the royal family and the white dragon clan have long had a treaty of non-aggression and mutual exchange.”
“The highest snow peak in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom is called White Dragon Peak, which is the gathering place of the largest white dragon clan.”
“The current White Dragon King is a saint level existence, and there are also a large number of gold level white dragons in the white dragon clan, who are very powerful.”
“Even the royal family finds it difficult to obtain the bodies of pure-blooded white dragons, let alone us.”
"The bodies of white dragons that circulate in the market are extremely rare and are mostly obtained by tomb raiders. They can only be traded on the black market. Alternatively, they are processed through alchemy to disguise them as other materials, then traded in a private transaction where both parties are in on the secret."
"One of the prohibitions in our country's laws is the ban on hunting white dragons. If I were to trade with you, it would first violate the kingdom's laws, and secondly, I simply have no goods to sell."
“However, the sale of wyverns and dragon beasts are permissible.”
Wyverns were no longer pure dragons, but their dragon bloodline still dominated.
Dragon beasts had even weaker dragon bloodlines, which were no longer the primary bloodline, with other racial bloodlines being more concentrated. Dragon beasts only possess individual dragon characteristics. Sometimes, these characteristics were not very obvious.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord continued, “The sale of wyverns and dragon beasts is not prohibited by the royal family.”
“I wonder if these can be used as substitutes?”
Of course they could!
The dragonman youngster mainly wanted to use the Bloodcore to absorb the white dragon's bloodline and enhance his resistance to frost.
By absorbing the bloodlines of related wyverns and dragon beasts, the dragonman youngster could also achieve this goal after accumulating a small amount.
However, the dragonman youngster did not immediately agree.
Instead, after thinking about it for a while, he looked hesitant.
Finally, he said, “If there really are no white dragons, then we can barely accept the related wyverns and dragon beasts.”
“But in that case, the number needs to be greatly increased.”
A flash of joy appeared on the face of the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord, and without any hesitation, he nodded and agreed, “That's no problem at all!”
White dragons were relatively rare, and each one was cherished by the White Dragon King.
However, the number of related wyverns and dragon beasts is indeed quite large.
Every year, the Ice Sculpture Kingdom organizes hunting parties and mercenary corps to conduct large-scale sweeps around White Dragon Mountain.
Sometimes, royal family members even participate personally, organizing royal hunting activities.
These actions were strictly enforced to prevent the numbers of these wyverns and dragon beasts from becoming too numerous and posing a threat to the kingdom's inland security.
Two of the three difficult problems had been solved, and the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord pointed to the last one.
“I cannot provide you with anything related to ice sculpture technology either.”
"This also violates the kingdom's prohibition. Once discovered, it will be treated as treason."
The dragonman youngster's expression remained unchanged. He was already somewhat familiar with the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord's conversational habits, so he said, "So, there is room for compromise on this issue, right?"
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord smiled slightly and nodded, “That's right.”
“These alchemy techniques are taken extremely seriously by the royal family. Even alchemy from more than ten years ago has been under strict control.”
“This is because these are one of the foundations of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.”
"Although alchemy techniques can be leaked, they are strictly regulated. But even the royal family cannot prohibit the movement of alchemy talent."
"My opinion on this matter is: your group might as well spend a lot of money to hire some alchemy talent from outside. These talents happen to have mastered some alchemy techniques related to ice sculpture."
“Spend a lot of money to hire from outside?” The dragonman youngster looked hesitant.
"We are only a silver level mercenary corps, and although we are willing to pay the price to hire them, if they are only alchemy apprentices or alchemists, it is not necessary."
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord shook his head slightly and continued to explain, "Your group can definitely hire extremely talented silver level Alchemy Masters. Although the cost is relatively high, believe me, it is definitely worth it. You can sign strict and even harsh contracts with them, which will basically bind these Alchemy Masters for life."
After hearing this, the dragonman youngster couldn't help but appear even more hesitant.
This was because the suggestion put forward by the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord was in stark contrast to what he had said before.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord clearly understood the dragonman youngster's doubts, so he explained at the right moment, "I told you before: The Ice Sculpture Kingdom has an anti-slavery law, prohibiting the buying and selling of slaves in the market."
"However, the reality is: pirates are rampant, and naval battles are constant. Wherever there is war, there are winners and losers; where there are winners and losers, there are prisoners of war, and these prisoners of war become slaves. As long as wars continue, slaves will keep coming."
“These externally hired alchemists are essentially slaves.”
"However, in our country, only the royal family can own slaves. Therefore, we use strict contracts to control these slaves in the form of external hiring."
The dragonman youngster suddenly understood.
In short, there were policies from the top and countermeasures at the bottom.
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord continued, “In order to comply with the national conditions of our country, the cost of hiring these alchemists is not cheap.”
"The remuneration paid must at least meet the average salary in our country. The details must be recorded in the external contract and notarized. Every once in a while, it even needs to be inspected."
"Our Ice Sculpture Kingdom is famous for alchemy. It can be said to be the kingdom of alchemists. In our country, alchemists usually have a high status and freedom."
“I can use my connections to squeeze out a few silver level alchemists for you.”
“But Commander Long Fu, you have to be prepared for a large expenditure.”
The dragonman youngster nodded and said, "No problem! If they are excellent high level slaves, their masters will improve their treatment to ensure their motivation to work, right?"
The Snow Bird Harbor City Lord clapped his hands and smiled, “That's right.”
The dragonman youngster's eyes lit up slightly as he suppressed the excitement in his heart.
The Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps had always been looking for alchemists.
The demand for alchemists was extremely high!
Because they needed to build a Bloodline Purification formation.
This formation was of utmost importance to all survivors, as it concerned their present and future.
The sooner it was built, the better!
However, they were currently stuck on the alchemist issue, as they lack the necessary talent.
Zi Di and Cang Xu did have some expertise in alchemy. However, specialization was key, and their abilities were insufficient for constructing such an alchemy formation.
The dragonman youngster had thought about using alchemist slaves.
But when he communicated with the Snow Bird Harbor City Lord before, he learned about the Ice Sculpture Kingdom's ban on slavery and had to abandon the idea.
After communicating with them now, the dragonman youngster realized that he was still naive.
Although the Ice Sculpture Kingdom had a ban on slavery, the demand for slaves could not be prohibited. In fact, the more slavery was banned, the more vibrant and massive the demand became.
Hiring external magicians was a strategy to address this demand. It significantly addressed the demand for high-quality slaves among the upper echelons of the Ice Sculpture Kingdom.