Ten packets of braised beef noodles were brought back to Jack's apartment like holy objects. The light of the blue panel was imprinted in his mind. "Plane communication" and "material exchange" were the keys to the new world. The ecstasy settled into the calmness of an ice cone. The plane anchor changed everything. He was no longer a lucky scavenger, but a "businessman" with an operating table. Although the starting product was instant noodles.
"Instant noodles... braised beef flavor..." Jack examined the cheap packaging. In Glenn's information, the diet of Eredar was primitive and rough: black bread, dried meat, roots, and spices were scarce. "Convenience" and "flavor" were absolute luxuries.
"Sir Thorin..." Jack's mind outlined the image of the pragmatic and martial border noble. A lighter made him bleed heavily. What about this "golden soup noodles" (Jack's name made up) that "injected boiling water" to get "magic food"?
Value! The value of cognitive difference!
But how to trade safely? Last time Glenn teleported directly, the risk was too high. His eyes locked onto [Plane Communication].
"How much is a trace amount?" Jack took out a small bag of magic crystal fragments, picked out the smallest piece the size of a fingernail, and carefully touched the communication option.
Buzz!
The panel glowed blue! The magic crystal fragments quickly dimmed and turned into powder. The panel appeared:
[Communication connection is being established... Please specify the target anchor coordinates or communication mark...]
Coordinates? Mark? Jack only had "Ashes Post" and a vague anvil emblem. He concentrated his mind on "Ashes Post, Sir Thorin", and his fingers outlined the burning anvil on the panel.
The panel glowed, and stabilized after a few seconds:
[Target: Eridar Continent, Anvil Castle Kingdom, Scorched Wasteland Edge, Ashes Post. Authority: Low-level outpost communication node. Connect? ] (Yes/No)
It's done! Select "Yes".
The blue light waves rippled, and a blurred, flickering, and interference-filled stone chamber image was condensed with difficulty.
A low and vigilant voice said intermittently: "...Who?...Interference...Strong...Ashes Outpost...Alert status...Report your identity!"
It's Sir Thorin!
Jack's heartbeat accelerated, and his voice was deliberately calm and profound, with the displeasure of being disturbed: "Sir Thorin. The nodes of your outpost are more unstable than I thought...I am Jack Reynolds. Are you satisfied with the 'Seed of Flame'?"
The image fluctuated violently! Thorin's voice rose, full of shock and fear: "Dragon...Dragon Merchant?! It's you?! Please forgive me! Space turbulence...'Seed of Flame'! Miracle! Pure and stable! It ignites the heart of the furnace and doubles the forging efficiency! Your kindness, the Ashes Outpost will never forget it!" The tone was extremely respectful and flattering.
Jack felt relieved. The lighter effect exceeded expectations, and the tiger skin was very strong. He said calmly, "As long as you are satisfied. It's just a trivial thing, just do it casually." Then he changed the subject, "This time, there is a new 'gadget', which may make your life in the Scorched Wasteland... a little more enjoyable."
"New...gadget?!" Thorin's voice was full of extreme desire, "Sir! Please give me your instructions! Ash Outpost will do its best!"
Jack picked up a pack of braised beef noodles and shook it in front of the shaking image. The bright packaging and steaming pictures were strangely dazzling in the dim stone room. "This thing is called 'Golden Soup Noodles'. It comes from the rich plane. Pour boiling water into it, and you will get a delicacy that contains gentle energy, nourishes the body, has a rich aroma, and has an endless aftertaste in a moment. Dispel fatigue, invigorate the spirit, and is a perfect match for guarding the border."
He paused, letting the shock ferment. The image was blurry, but Jack seemed to see the other party's wide eyes and rapid breathing.
"Dispel fatigue... invigorate spirits... contain energy... delicacies..." Thorin murmured and repeated, his voice trembling, "Sir... Sir! God's gift! Wasteland food is rough and hard to swallow, soldiers are tired all year round... How much of this 'golden noodle soup' do you have? Ash Outpost is willing to pay three times the mithril coins! Plus magic crystals! Ore! Whatever you ask for!"
The fish has taken the bait! Jack sneered in his heart, his tone was playful and disdainful: "Mithril coins? Magic crystals? Sir Thorin, do you think... I will lack these things that can be found everywhere?"
There was silence on the other end of the communication. Thorin was obviously choked.
"Then... what do you need, Sir?" The voice was nervous and cautious.
"Knowledge." Jack said firmly, "Basic knowledge of Eredar. History, geography, race, basic arcane principles, warrior path, Warcraft illustrations, material properties, herbalism, mineralogy... all systematic books, scrolls, and atlases. The more detailed and precious, the better." He added, "Also, I need a stable, small, and hidden material receiving coordinate point inside your outpost. I don't want to be kicked in the door when I trade in the future." He meant something.
Knowledge! Coordinate point! Thorin was obviously surprised. Although knowledge is valuable, it seems to be acceptable compared to "artifacts" and "delicacies". The coordinate point is in his own territory, which is easier to monitor... or to build relationships?
"Knowledge... books and scrolls..." Thorin pondered and evaluated, "No problem! Your Excellency! Although the Ash Outpost is remote, there are also classics! I will organize and copy them immediately! Detailed and comprehensive! Receive coordinates..." He was well prepared, "There is an abandoned old storage room under the outpost, which is very hidden! I can have someone carve a stable small one-way receiving array! The coordinates will be sent to you later!" "Very good." Jack was satisfied, "For the sincerity of the first 'Golden Soup Noodles' transaction, I will give you... three packs." He shook the three packs of noodles. "Pour boiling water and wait for three minutes. The taste... will be unforgettable for a lifetime." "Three packs! Thank you for your generosity!" Thorin was excited, three packs of divine delicacies! "Knowledge scrolls and coordinates, organize and transmit as soon as possible!" "Well. Communication consumes energy, so much. When the things arrive, the noodles will arrive naturally." Jack cut off the communication coldly. The blue light converged and the star map reappeared. Jack leaned against the wall and took a long breath, his back wet and cold. The first active negotiation, the pressure was huge, but the result... was very good! Looking at the three packs of noodles in my hand, and then at the anchor point, the huge blueprint is rapidly constructed. Knowledge is power and wealth! Coordinates are stable tentacles!
Collect the remaining seven packs of noodles and guard them like a gold mine. Look at the anchor point again and point to:
[Primary material exchange (need to invest in Holy Light Gold or equivalent)]
The panel changes, and a shabby list emerges:
[1. Earth Plane·Standard Supplies: Braised Beef Flavor Instant Noodles (10 packs) - Exchange: 1 Holy Light Gold or 10 standard units of pure magic crystals]
[2. Airedal Plane·Basic Material Pack (Random) - Exchange: 1 Holy Light Gold or 10 standard units of pure magic crystals]
[3. Primary Protection Ring (Weak Physical Protection) - Exchange: 1 Holy Light Gold or 15 standard units of pure magic crystals]
[4. Secondary Healing Potion (Minor Wound Healing) - Exchange: 1 Holy Light Gold or 12 standard units of pure magic crystals]
The list is short, and the items are "primary". But Jack stared at the third and fourth items!
Protective ring! Healing potion! Truly extraordinary items!
Although there is no holy gold, the magic crystal fragments are far from enough for the standard unit (the fingernail fragments are less than 0.1). But this list itself shows infinite possibilities!
"Sir Thorin... your scrolls and magic crystals... better hurry up." Jack licked his lips, with naked desire and ambition in his eyes. "Braised beef noodles... are just appetizers. The real feast... is behind." He picked up a pack of noodles and looked at the smiling face on the package.
"Brother, it's up to you. Let the other world... feel the power of Earth's technology (food industry)!"