"Straighten your tie." Gu La stood up and adjusted his cuffs, the platinum cufflinks glinting coldly in the twilight. "Inform the front desk to open the second reception room and use the cloud mist tea I stored in the thermostatic cabinet."
With a flicker of his mental energy, Gu La instructed the spirit soul mechas to protect the raw materials.
As they walked through the corridor, Manager Lin looked deeply troubled.
His position wasn't high enough to know that the Tang Technology Co. was merely a front for the Tang Sect, but even the Tang Technology Co. itself was already a behemoth spanning three continents and over a hundred cities.
Such a colossus coming to acquire their company left Manager Lin unsure whether to feel joy or dread.
The moment the door opened, the scent of sandalwood wafted toward them. The man sitting at the head of the table was idly playing with a blue-and-white porcelain teacup, the mechanical wristwatch peeking out from beneath the dark-patterned Tang-style sleeve.
When Gu La saw the triangular dart-shaped emblem on the man's chest, his pupils contracted slightly—it wasn't just an ordinary branch manager but rather one of the Tang Sect's External Affairs Department executives.
He had learned in the Spirit Pagoda that a Tang Sect executive bearing this emblem was at least a Titled Douluo, likely also a Three-Character Battle Armor Master or a Black Mecha Pilot. Considering his position as an executive, he was most likely the latter, though there was a small chance he was both. They were clearly placing immense importance on the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment.
"Mr. Gu," the man set down the teacup, the glaze making a dull thud against the rosewood tabletop. "Let me introduce myself. My surname is Tang. I heard you've been looking for distributors?"
Behind him, four black-suited attendants stood up simultaneously. Without uttering a word, they exuded immense pressure.
Perhaps sensing the hint of coercion, Mr. Tang smoothed the creases on his custom-tailored suit, his gaze lingering on Gu La's youthful face.
This genius who claimed to have developed the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment appeared even younger than the information suggested. He recalled the analysis report from headquarters' think tank before leaving—this invention filled the gap left by spirit souls being ineffective for physical conditioning.
"It's better to meet than to hear about it. Mr. Gu, you truly are young and accomplished. Rumors about products from Arceus Company have been spreading across the market recently. I didn't expect you to remain so calm."
Gu La gave a reserved smile. "Just lucky to have achieved some results, nothing worth mentioning. Mr. Tang, you're here to discuss cooperation, right? Let's move to the meeting room."
Mr. Tang hesitated momentarily, catching the subtle implication in Gu La's refusal of the acquisition.
Shaking his head inwardly, 'Too young,' he thought. Since he had personally come, he wouldn't give up easily.
As they headed to the meeting room, Mr. Tang observed closely. Based on the information gathered, aside from the boss himself being an immigrant from the Dou Ling Empire, there was no indication of any special background or backing.
He felt ninety-nine percent confident about acquiring this company with limitless potential.
Arriving at the meeting room, Gu La activated the holographic projector on the table. "Being a startup, our conditions are modest. Please bear with us, Mr. Tang."
Saying this, Gu La showed no sign of courtesy, directly taking the seat at the head of the table and waiting for Mr. Tang to speak.
Mr. Tang was stunned. In business, the seller doesn't set the price?
Well, considering the data from testing the liquid medicine, this was indeed a seller's market. Their room for negotiation was minimal.
But the marketplace was like a battlefield; business wasn't so simple.
"Mr. Gu, your company has boundless potential, but you've made a name for yourself through hunger marketing. You must be aware of the limitations of your resources."
"The Tang Technology Co. spans three empires and can provide the best support for your company's expansion. We hope to acquire your company. Of course, Mr. Gu may retain partial shares."
Before he even finished speaking, Manager Lin already felt the overwhelming pressure. However, Gu La remained unfazed.
"What's the acquisition price?" Gu La asked curiously.
Thinking Gu La had agreed, Mr. Tang's face lit up. "Three hundred million gold spirit coins. Your company hasn't been around long, so this price is quite generous. Mr. Gu may retain 20% of the shares."
It was indeed somewhat generous. Without considering the twelve mechas, Gu La had spent less than five million gold spirit coins establishing the company. Within two weeks, this was a sixty-fold return, surpassing countless companies.
However, this was without factoring in the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment.
Gu La shook his head. "Not very generous. Besides, I don't plan to sell the company."
Though he could sell Tang Sect an empty shell of a company, the formula had always been in his hands and never placed within the company. Still, considering Tang Sect's strength, Gu La decided against playing with fire.
Mr. Tang frowned. In his view, his offer was extremely generous. Retaining 20% of the shares was Tang Sect's way of winning goodwill. Otherwise, such a strategic resource would never allow a single individual to hold shares.
"Mr. Gu, in business, we need win-win cooperation."
Mr. Tang took a water-blue chip from his suit's inner pocket and slid it across the table. The surface of the chip bore the Tang Sect's emblem, revealing their true identity.
"In addition to three hundred million in cash, we can share our company's collected plant genetic information, including data on ten-thousand-year-old plants. This will surely help you achieve more breakthroughs."
He was practically showing all his cards, only stopping short of outright declaring they were from the Tang Sect founded by the Sea God.
"A tempting offer, but I decline."
Gu La remained unmoved. Rare metals, spirit souls, genetic data, and even status boosts were merely incidental gains.
What he truly sought was the intangible influence.
This goal required ensuring that no single entity monopolized the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment. Otherwise, its influence would be confined to a limited range, possibly hidden away and used discreetly, which ran counter to Gu La's aim of expanding his influence.
Seeing Gu La's unyielding stance, Mr. Tang began to feel irritated. However, he controlled his emotions well and asked:
"May I ask what concerns Mr. Gu has? Our company has always maintained an excellent reputation. If you're worried about us burning bridges after crossing the river, you needn't worry."
"The Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment does have great potential, but it's not worth trading for our reputation. Moreover, compared to the formula, we value you as a person even more."
Using the most advanced equipment, plant-type Titled Douluo researchers, and even consulting with ferocious beasts at the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, the Tang Sect still couldn't analyze the drug's formula.
This was the root reason they decided so quickly to acquire Arceus Company—compared to the formula for the Body-Forging Bone-Fortifying Ointment, Gu La's ability to encrypt formulas seemed even more valuable?
This was the intuition of the Tang Sect's higher-ups. At their level of cultivation, they trusted such instincts deeply, which was why they sent a Titled Douluo to negotiate.
"We greatly appreciate your company's interest."
Gu La feigned gratitude, then added with difficulty: "However… I initially started researching the drug purely out of interest. Who knew it would lead to significant results? I'll need to inform my family."
Another excuse, and aren't your family members all dead?
Mr. Tang silently cursed in his heart, but he wasn't lacking in patience. The Tang Sect had sealed off the news, and branches across the regions would block other factions. He had plenty of time to wait.
"I hope you'll notify your family soon so we can reach a decision."
After saying this, for some reason, Mr. Tang felt a sinking sensation in his heart, as if something ominous was looming.
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