Yin Yang spoke, a mix of amusement and exasperation bubbling within him. This Zhang Wei was truly cautious. Who said he was reckless when dealing with enemies? He seemed more careful than anyone. Anyone else would have already started the transaction.
"I need you to prove you're genuinely interested in artifact forging, not just pretending."
Zhang Wei paid no mind to Yin Yang's expression.
Through his conversations with Yin Yang, and what Fatty had previously told him about Yin Yang's personality, he had already determined that while Yin Yang was difficult to win over for others, it wasn't the case for him. He had a way to win Yin Yang over, simply because of Yin Yang's passion: artifact forging!
Seeing Yin Yang eager to obtain his so-called artifact forging methods, Zhang Wei seized the opportunity and tossed out his condition:
"If you're truly interested in artifact forging, then you should be very knowledgeable about it. I'll pose a few challenging questions related to artifact forging. If you can answer them, then I might consider trading with you."
"Fine."
Yin Yang agreed without a second thought.
[Ding! Yin Yang... I thought it would be some difficult condition. If it were anything else, I might not be able to manage, but artifact forging, that's my forte.]
[Host has gained System Points +1500]
Following that.
Zhang Wei posed several artifact forging questions. With the system's knowledge of artifact forging, each question he asked was more difficult than the last. By the fourth question, even a master-level artifact forging master would struggle to answer.
As for the fifth question, Zhang Wei was confident that even an artifact forging master capable of crafting national-level artifacts would be scratching their head, not necessarily able to answer correctly.
However, these did not stump Yin Yang. Yin Yang provided the correct answers, a rare smile gracing his usually calm face as he looked at Zhang Wei, his eyes filled with approval.
"It seems your artifact forging skill is very high, you even answered my fifth question."
Zhang Wei remarked, having confirmed Yin Yang's artifact forging prowess. He estimated that few people globally could match it.
"You too."
Yin Yang replied.
While Zhang Wei had confirmed Yin Yang's artifact forging level, Yin Yang had done the same. Through the questions Zhang Wei asked, he could tell Zhang Wei was not all show. Being able to pose such questions clearly indicated a high level of artifact forging skill.
At that moment.
Yin Yang's desire to obtain Zhang Wei's artifact forging techniques grew even more intense:
"So, I've proven my interest in artifact forging, right? Can we trade now?"
"Don't rush, I still have one last question."
Zhang Wei grinned, revealing a set of pearly white teeth.
Having confirmed Yin Yang's artifact forging level through the previous five questions, it was time to present the real lure.
The next moment.
Zhang Wei slowly posed an artifact forging question. This time, unlike before, Yin Yang didn't answer lightly. He froze, his brows furrowing from a slight frown to a deep crease, his hand resting on his chin as he pondered.
A full ten minutes passed.
Yin Yang finally looked up, but his brow remained furrowed. He said gravely:
"If you didn't want to give me your artifact forging methods, you didn't need to give me questions that are impossible to answer. Among the questions you gave, two of the forging formations conflict with each other, and the forging material also conflicts with the formations. How can lightning-struck wood be used as a material with those two forging formations?"
Yin Yang's face showed his displeasure:
"Lightning-struck wood is yang, a material for forging righteous artifacts. Yet you want to use lightning-struck wood to forge the most evil of demonic artifacts. How is that possible? Lightning-struck wood is extremely yang and rigid, a nemesis to evil, so how can it be controlled by demons?"
"And those two formations are also righteous. By all accounts, they can only forge righteous artifacts. You say this can forge an extremely evil artifact, and one that can only be used by zombies, not other demons. How is that achieved?"
As he spoke further.
Yin Yang's temper flared, convinced that Zhang Wei was deliberately making things difficult and playing tricks, not genuinely intending to trade.
However, in the next second.
"Who says it can't be done."
Zhang Wei spoke slowly, then unhurriedly provided the solution to the problem.
It could be seen.
As Zhang Wei explained the solution, including the forging concept, key points, and the step-by-step process, Yin Yang's anger and displeasure from the previous moment vanished, replaced by shock and astonishment.
"This..."
Yin Yang stood stunned, looking at Zhang Wei with wide eyes. His expression shifted from surprise to excitement, and he muttered incessantly:
"It can be done like this? There's actually this method? How could I not have thought of it? Genius, you are a genius! To think of using this method to neutralize the extreme rigidity and yang of lightning-struck wood. Haha, brilliant idea, brilliant idea!"
At this moment, Yin Yang was like a child who had just received a new toy, clapping his hands with joy. The way he looked at Zhang Wei had changed, filled with admiration and appreciation.
"You are very skilled. Now I understand why you were able to forge that White Fan from that stolen country into a national treasure. Your understanding of artifact forging is completely inconsistent with your age, far surpassing mine."
Upon saying this.
Yin Yang sighed deeply, his excitement turning to regret:
"You're right about this question, it can be answered. It's just that my understanding of artifact forging isn't profound enough."
Without showing any embarrassment.
Yin Yang turned to leave.
However, even though he hadn't answered the question, Yin Yang's mood wasn't bad. The exchange with Zhang Wei made him realize he still had a long way to go in artifact forging. At least, Zhang Wei was subtly ahead of him, and he needed to go back and continue his research.
Just then.
Zhang Wei called out to him:
"Are you leaving?"
"Hmm? Yes."
Yin Yang paused, as if realizing something, and replied:
"I said I came for your artifact forging. I won't deal with you just because you're on the Senluo Division's blacklist. Since I couldn't answer your question, there's no reason for me to stay here."
"Then you're not planning to trade with me?"
Zhang Wei smiled slightly at his words.
"Hmm?"
Yin Yang stopped in his tracks and looked back at Zhang Wei abruptly.
[Ding! Yin Yang... ????? Trade?]
[Host has gained System Points +1600]
"Didn't I fail to answer your question? Can I still trade with you?"
"Yes."
Zhang Wei's smile was playful:
"Who said you have to answer my questions to trade with me? After all, with my artifact forging skills, I don't claim to be the strongest, but I believe there are very few people in the world stronger than me. It's normal if you can't answer."
[Ding! Yin Yang... Although you speak arrogantly, it's true.]
[Host has gained System Points +1700]
"Then can I trade with you now?"
"Yes, but I have one more condition."
"What condition?"
Yin Yang was taken aback. In the past, if someone had repeatedly pushed him away like this, he would have snapped their neck. But Zhang Wei was an exception. He desperately wanted Zhang Wei's artifact forging insights, especially after the last question, which had shown him Zhang Wei's skill. He wanted it even more than when he first met Zhang Wei and was already impatient.
"Tell me, what condition do you want? As long as I can fulfill it, I will. Do you want me to quit the Senluo Division? Or have me provide you with intelligence from the Senluo Division? I can agree to anything."
"Who said I want you to quit the Senluo Division?"
"Hmm? You don't want me to quit? My status in the Senluo Division is very high. If I quit, it would be very beneficial to you and a huge blow to the Senluo Division."
"I don't want you to quit; I just want you to be my mole."
"????"
[Ding! Yin Yang is stunned]
[Host has gained System Points +1800]
...