Following Jeeves, Chen Mu was browsing the goods at the trading area . There were stands with very low prices at some of the trading areas, where anyone who wanted to make some money could sell things . Of course, there weren't that many card artisans there, and there was pitifully little to trade for . Most people would turn their goods over to the chamber of commerce, although they would get a much lower price . Considering how far that place was from the city, however, the prices still seemed fair .

Limited goods were laid out among the spa.r.s.e stands . Most of what was on sale were fantasy cards, though there were no high-grade goods .

Seeing Chen Mu's dubious expression, Jeeves explained, "Most of these fantasy cards were just taken, and those who took them couldn't use them . The price would be too low to sell them to the chamber of commerce, so they just trade them for power cards . Those are the hard currency here—more useful than money cards . If you have a lot of power cards on hand, you can trade them directly for goods . "

It was hard to imagine how such an advanced base would be so primitive and simple with the trading that went on inside it . Although Chen Mu didn't show anything by his expression, Jeeves immediately knew his client wasn't so pleased about the place .

That gave him a little jolt to the spirits . His being displeased with the goods there made it clear that he required higher-cla.s.s goods, and higher-cla.s.s goods always meant a higher price . He restrained his excitement and asked seriously, "I wonder if you might require some alternative goods . Raw materials? Or finished card appliances? We also specialize in selling certain cards, although the price might be a little higher than in the city . "

"Raw materials," Chen Mu said . Bogner added, "We could also take a look at finished card appliances if they are well-made . But don't show us any mainstream goods . "

"Raw materials?" That hadn't been unexpected for Jeeves . The sales price for raw materials there was 30 to 50 percent below that of the city . If one had extra room to transport them, then buying some raw materials along the way and taking them back to the city to resell them would bring in a good chunk of income . Quite a few of the card artisans would do that when returning to the city .

Bogner's additional instructions had somewhat surprised Jeeves, although he didn't show it . "Please come with me . " Jeeves led the way . They took the escalator to the top floor of the base .

The security there was clearly a lot tighter, and Chen Mu and the rest had already discovered quite a few card artisans watching them from the dark . The card artisan in charge of security greeted Jeeves heartily . "You've brought more business, Jeeves?"

Looking at the card artisan, Jeeves' expression immediately relaxed . "Indeed, Uncle Dai . When I finish this bit of business after a couple of days, I'll invite you all for a drink . "

"Ha ha, you'd better conserve your money better, kid . You'll be wanting a wife later on!" The uncle surnamed Dai was laughing, though his tone had showed real concern . The surrounding card artisans laughed along with him .

Chen Mu was secretly shocked to find that the card artisan named Dai had truly impressive power! He must have been a close-combat card artisan, which could be seen from his posture . A light bout of perception swept across Chen Mu's body . With the recent surge in his perceptual acuity, he could clearly sense the toughness and sharpness of his counterpart's perception . Although the strength of the other few card artisans wasn't bad either, it was clearly a couple levels below that of Dai .

He took a slightly surprised look at Chen Mu . He seemed to have just detected a slight bout of perceptual fluctuation, though it seemed too fine . As soon as he detected it, it disappeared . He didn't know who had emitted that perceptual fluctuation, and he couldn't even be certain he wasn't feeling things . But he had a lot of actual fighting experience and really didn't think it was his own misperception .

That could only mean his counterpart's perceptual acuity was way stronger than his! Such refined ability to control perception was awe-inspiring . There was an ace across from him!

Perceptual sensitivity didn't mean anything, but in the eyes of Dai, he understood the power it implied . Perception was a marvelous thing, but it was essentially no different than other things . Anything, no matter from what aspect, would doubtlessly show frightful power once it achieved a breakthrough in quality . Perceptual strength was like that, and so was perceptual acuity .

The year he had battled with a card artisan who was good at perceptual control, relying only on his own power, his adversary had nearly annihilated his little team straight out . That sort of card artisan's perceptual strength was not so unusually powerful, but his powerful ability to control his perception made up for his insufficiencies . They didn't need too much perceptual strength to be able to achieve the most complete and effective use of perception . They could detect your flaws in an instant and could then use accurate attacks to be fatal in a single blow!

"We welcome your visit to the Hughes Chamber of Commerce, and we hope you will be satisfied with what you find . " Dai took half a step back and saluted to Chen Mu and the rest . He was no longer the card artisan who knew how to violently kill an enemy . Having been in the chamber of commerce for so long, he had developed his own style of hospitality .

The card artisans nearby suddenly s.h.i.+vered, knowing what that move of their chief meant . They then saluted in unison and neatly and respectfully said, "We welcome your visit to the Hughes Chamber of Commerce!"

The expression on Jeeves' face s.h.i.+fted .

Xi Ping was looking at the card artisans with some satisfaction, having come from their new profession himself . He had a more shrewd gaze than an ordinary person . That so-called ability to see a lot from a detail had allowed him to see the ability of the master of that chamber of commerce just from those subordinate card artisans . Chen Mu and Bogner were a lot slower in that regard .

When those inside heard the commotion outside, they immediately sent people out to welcome them . "Please come in, everyone . We welcome your visit to the Hughes Chamber of Commerce . I am the humble manager of the chamber, dedicated to your service . "

That melodious, bright voice lit up everyone's eyes . There was a professional woman standing right in front of them . Her exquisite features against a backdrop of makeup made everyone do a double-take . The collar of her white blouse was open, where a silver pendant matched her delicate, s.e.xy collarbone . Under a short, deep blue skirt, black silk stockings wrapped her long, jade legs . On her feet were black high heels .

The sudden appearance of that gorgeous woman made everyone go blank for a little while . Her looks weren't inferior to Lu Xiaoru's and Sue Lochiro's, and her capable temperament made people's eyes light up still more .

Not even Xi Ping had seen many like her, and he would never have thought he would run into such an outstanding person at a base in the wilderness .

"Sister Xiao!" Jeeves shouted out, and the woman nodded his way .

That was the time for Xi Ping to come forward . "How are you, Miss Xiao? I am Xi Ping . I'm very glad to meet you . " Xi Ping put out his hand with a placid expression .

A note of appreciation flashed through Miss Xiao's eyes as she extended her right hand and lightly held Xi Ping's right hand . "To be able to meet such a stylish person as Mr . Xi is truly a happy occasion . "

Xi Ping was well-travelled . Of course he wouldn't be bewitched by that sort of magic, and he said with a slight smile, "Miss Xiao's beauty is a net from which I will have some difficulty escaping, ha ha . It is only by powerfully restraining myself that I can avoid making a fool of myself . "

Chen Mu heard Bogner at his side, muttering, "I can't look . Always looking serious, this clown Xi Ping . This cute girl is good at what she does . "

Bogner's voice had always been loud; although he'd spoken lightly, everyone around was silent . They had heard it all clearly . Everyone's faces abruptly took on weird expressions . There were a few notches more displeasure in Jeeve's gaze toward Bogner .

Xi Ping had thick enough skin and acted as though he hadn't heard . His expression remained respectful, and he introduced Miss Xiao to Chen Mu . "This is our boss . "

Chen Mu's youth rather surprised Miss Xiao, and she saluted deeply . "We are honored by your presence, sir . It is our deep pleasure to serve you . "

"You are kind, Miss Xiao . " Chen Mu calmly returned the salute .

Meeting Chen Mu's calm gaze, Miss Xiao was secretly amazed . Someone as young as Chen Mu should be full of full of sap, and which of them hadn't turned red upon seeing her? Even if they were a little bit sophisticated and maintained their serious appearance, they were secretly stalking her with their eyes . However, that youth in front of her with the calm gaze wasn't moved at all .

Her dimpled face smiled like a flower . "We welcome your presence, everyone . I wonder what sort of items you might require . "

Her gaze then fell onto Lu Xiaoru behind Chen Mu, and she was taken aback . She couldn't help but call out in praise, "This big sister is truly beautiful . Your servant can't help her jealousy!"

Lu Xiaoru's good feelings toward Miss Xiao immediately soared, although she didn't say anything . She just gave a friendly smile .

Miss Xiao's surprise deepened . Where had this group really come from?

There was the young and placid-tempered boss and his richly experienced a.s.sistant, plus that gorgeous female card artisan . Even someone like her, who had plenty of confidence in her appearance, couldn't help but give Lu Xiaoru a double take . No ordinary person would have such a beautiful female card artisan .

From the moment he entered, his card artisan bodyguard hadn't glanced to the side, demonstrating stunning discipline . Without even thinking about what that subordinate outside had just remarked, there was indeed an ace in there .

Such a team had clearly come from someplace extraordinary .