Phil Gray had heard Patrick talk about the Chosen Ones' High Trade Fair when he was still in Durr City.
It is said that rare treasures, and sometimes even sacred objects, will appear at high-level trade fairs.
He was very curious about the trade fair at the time, but he never expected that he would become a part of the organizer when he actually participated.
"Is there anything you'd like to buy? I've looked at their list of items, it's so extensive! They have everything from the sky and the sea to the land. Perhaps I could be your shopping guide?" The vice president of the Commercial Church stood beside him, smiling amiably.
This vice president is quite remarkable. To become a god-sent-down member and vice president of the commercial church at the age of fifty indicates that he not only possesses considerable wealth but also an extremely intelligent mind.
“I want to buy some items to strengthen the city’s defenses. With war raging everywhere, who knows when a cult like the Disease Cult might come after me again,” Phil Gray replied after a moment’s thought.
The Church of Destiny is now relatively stable internally, and there will be no more apostates, but the external environment remains far from optimistic.
Training the Knights of Destiny in each city is one aspect, but talent development takes time, and training knights cannot be accomplished overnight.
At this point, some items would be needed to strengthen the city's defenses in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.
"Hmm... let me think. Please come with me. This way, to the owner of stall number 132. I think you can chat with him; perhaps there will be a pleasant surprise." The vice president led him for a while, to the northwest corner of the hall, then stopped and pointed to a man with a long beard and round-framed glasses.
Phil Gray walked over to the man and carefully examined the items on his stall.
It was a disc-shaped object covered by a black cloth.
"Your Holiness, are you interested in it?" The man took the initiative to lift the black cloth, revealing a wooden disc with strange runes carved on it and a groove in the center.
"Yes, please tell me about it."
"Let me introduce myself first. I come from the Eternal Church. This is something my church and the Church of Creation developed together half a year ago. It's called the Intersecting Gate. Place it next to any door and fill it with a certain amount of blue crystals, and it will extend countless false doors into this room. No matter how long you walk through these doors, you will always return to the original place, like a maze. You can use it to interfere with others. If it absorbs enough blue crystals, it can even cover an entire city, turning your city gates into hundreds or thousands of doors. It will take enemies ten days to half a month to enter the city!" the man proudly introduced, attracting many people to stop and watch.
The stall owners in the vicinity all turned their attention to it.
No wonder this guy stood there quietly after arriving, not revealing what he was selling. It turns out his stuff is good enough that he has no trouble selling it.
It's absolutely a must-have for home security against assassination.
Although it wasn't the kind of defensive weapon he wanted, it sounded somewhat useful. Phil Gray asked, "How much?"
"Your Majesty, if you wish to purchase, I will certainly grant you this favor. Five hundred blue crystals, what do you say?"
The surrounding area erupted in an uproar. This was definitely the most expensive item sold in the vicinity. Blue crystals were rare and highly sought after, with an exchange rate of about one to one hundred gold coins. Even at the lowest price, it was equivalent to 50,000 gold coins, which was an astronomical price.
The onlookers immediately lost interest in buying it.
Phil Gray recalled how Eli had demanded twenty gold coins a month as payment when dealing with him, and he instantly laughed. That would have been enough to hire him for over two thousand years.
“Never mind, it’s not what I want anyway.” Phil Gray shook his head and was about to leave.
The man coughed softly, "I can give you a little more leeway, how about four hundred and fifty blue crystals?"
Phil Gray was unaware of the church's specific financial situation, but presumably it was very tight. He shook his head and remained silent.
He wasn't the kind of pope who flaunted his status by spending lavishly.
Besides, the item's effects are not quite what he wants, so it would be better to save some money and see if there's anything more suitable.
The man opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.
"What's wrong? Didn't you reach an agreement? I remember his offer should have met your requirements." The vice president of the Business Church approached and asked.
“He wants 450 blue crystals, I think that price is a bit high.”
"Then he must be trying to extort you." The vice president looked somewhat surprised and angry. After all, he was the one who introduced him, but he didn't expect that guy to miss the opportunity.
"His price is too high. He sold one at a previous trade fair for a much higher price."
The vice president of the business church walked up to the man, smiled, and said, "Friend, last time you sold this thing, it wasn't for this price, was it?"
"Well, there are only three Intersecting Gates. One has already been sold. The remaining two are rare, so it's normal for their prices to go up."
The man's eyes darted away as he forced an explanation.
“Our Chamber of Commerce’s high-level trade fairs have always upheld the principles of fairness and impartiality,” the vice president raised his voice a few decibels to ensure everyone around could hear, “We do not allow any form of fraud or unfair trade, especially price discrimination based on individual circumstances. Otherwise, your booth will be disqualified and you will be placed on an unwelcome list. I believe you did not raise the price of one hundred blue crystals to five hundred because of His Holiness the Pope, did you?”
One hundred becomes five hundred?
This is way too dark!
And isn't he afraid of offending these two major religious sects?
The people around him changed their expressions, now filled with incomprehension and condemnation.
Seeing this, the man adjusted his glasses, somewhat embarrassed. How could he have expected this guy to remember the price he had paid at the last trade fair? But he also knew he couldn't offend the Commercial Church, much less the Pope of the Church of Destiny, so he quickly changed his tune: "Of course not, I just, um, forgot the previous price."
The vice president chuckled and said, "Now that you've remembered, you should sell it at the original price. How about this: two hundred and fifty blue crystals, and we'll pack up the remaining two items? Consider the extra fifty as a price increase due to their rarity."
The man hesitated for a moment, but still agreed to the price: "Alright, two hundred and fifty blue crystals, I'll sell it."
The vice president nodded, indicating his acceptance of the price, and then turned to Phil Gray: "Your Holiness, this price is much more reasonable. Are you satisfied?"
Phil Gray did the math in his head. Although 250 blue crystals was still a considerable sum, the investment was worthwhile considering the actual utility of the two intersecting gates.
Moreover, if they keep making excuses, they'll only leave behind a reputation for poverty and destitution for the Church of Destiny.
He nodded: "Okay, I'll buy it."
Just as Phil Gray was about to call someone to make the payment, the vice president took out a space stone from his sleeve and handed it to the man: "This is the payment for His Holiness the Pope's purchase. Please check it."
The man took the space stone, put it away with satisfaction, and then handed the two intersecting gates to Phil Gray: "Your Holiness, these are your intersecting gates."
Phil Gray took the Intersecting Gate and said to the vice president, "Thank you. I'll have someone send the Blue Crystal over."
The vice president smiled and waved his hand: "Your Holiness, you are too kind. Our Commercial Church and the Church of Destiny are friendly allies, and it is only right that we help each other. Moreover, consider these two intersecting gates as a small gift from me to you, and there is no need to repay them."
"How can this be?"
"Our two religions will be carrying out more activities in the future, won't we? Please don't refuse. I should thank your religion for your hospitality these past few days."
Seeing the vice president's resolute expression, he did not refuse further, but expressed his gratitude: "Then I will accept your help. If the Commercial Church needs any assistance from the Church of Destiny in the future, please feel free to ask."
It must be said that this vice president is indeed very capable. Through this incident, he not only spread the reputation of the Commercial Church for fair trade, but also gained favor with the Church of Destiny, which will give him more advantages in the Church of Destiny's business activities in the future.
He even suspected that the vice president knew the seller's temperament and deliberately brought up these matters.
However, having obtained such a valuable treasure of blue crystals for free, he didn't want to be suspicious of others. In any case, it was a good thing for the two religions to be on good terms. The Commercial Church never participated in any wars and only thought about making money and doing business, making it a very reliable ally.
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, the vice president smiled and nodded, then led Phil Gray to look at the other booths.
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