The "high-quality drinking water" Falk mentioned naturally comes from the ever-growing "Lake of the Ocean" beneath the Wildfire Territory.

In the letter Barbara wrote to her family, she emphasized repeatedly that it is crucial to win over Andrew.

On the other hand, she specifically introduced the drinking water resources of the Wildfire Territory!

As for where Andrew managed to get so much quality water, even Barbara didn't know. Only Ivan knew.

What Barbara does know is that the quality of that water definitely doesn't fall short of any top-tier drinking water she had before in Warm Fire City, or even in the Scholar's Fortress of the Magic Guild!

Andrew's plan was to engage in deeper business cooperation with the Warm Fire Commerce Association, using this method to continue implementing the "Fire Extinguishing Upgrade Method," improve his strength, and prepare for the inevitable Second Double Fire War in the future.

The Warm Fire Commerce Association essentially shared a similar thought: before the next war arrives, enlist every possible ally, strengthen their power, and at the same time, address the deficiencies in soft power exposed in the recently concluded First Double Fire War.

Both parties were keen on cooperation.

What should be used as the entry point to start cooperation?

The answer is this drinking water.

In the Flame Realm, quality drinking water is extremely rare and precious.

The largest supplier of drinking water isn't the Magic Guild or the Warm Fire Commerce Association, but the Northern Royal Court.

North of the Royal Court are vast snowy mountains and several major river sources, making the development of water resources most favorable.

The "Celestial Mountain Water" produced by the Royal Court, and the "Spring Dew" from the Southern Retreat Land, are considered the two top-tier drinking waters of the Flame Realm.

The difference is: Celestial Mountain Water has a large annual "external supply."

On one hand, the Royal Court would "tribute" water to the Magic Guild.

On the other hand, they would sell it to the Warm Fire Commerce Association, which would then distribute it.

After repackaging the Celestial Mountain Water, the Warm Fire Commerce Association sells it all over the world, including but not limited to the East controlled by the association, the Southern Retreat Land, and even some areas under the control of the Magic Guild.

The Magic Guild reserves the tributed Celestial Mountain Water as a special supply for the upper figures of the Scholar's Fortress, choosing not to sell it further.

As for the "Spring Dew" from the Retirement Land, it is not very "externally supplied," mostly satisfying internal demand within the Retreat Land.

Primarily because the production of "Spring Dew" is far less than that of Celestial Mountain Water. And once it leaves the South, it loses its top-grade taste and tends to deteriorate easily.

Overall, drinking water is definitely one of the core industries of the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

It's also the largest and most widespread demand in the Flame Realm.

High-quality drinking water, placed anywhere in the Flame Realm, is absolutely hard currency! Ironically, the ones with the greatest demand for drinking water are the Magic Guild.

The question now is—

"Is the drinking water produced by the Wildfire Territory really as good as Barbara claims?"

This was Falk's thought at the time, and it was something to be verified next.

In fact, before departing from Warm Fire City on this trip, the guildmaster assigned three main tasks:

First, safely bring Barbara back.

Second, inspect the Wildfire Territory.

Third, see if they could directly negotiate the drinking water cooperation business with the Wildfire Territory!

"In such a desert area, even if there is a quality water source, the yield wouldn't be large," Falk thought to himself, "Regardless of the yield, let's confirm the quality of the drinking water first. As long as the quality is passable, cooperation can be considered.

After all, any excellent product is a very important part of our commerce association's 'fire-building plan' and shouldn't be missed."

Once the serious business cooperation was mentioned, Leia no longer whispered questions to Barbara.

Havier deliberately said with a mocking tone, "We worked hard on this journey, came to such a remote and rundown place, and there isn't even a sip of water! Is this your hospitality? Or is the so-called 'high-quality drinking water' just exaggerated clamor?"

Outside the laboratory, the expansion work of the territory continued diligently.

In the insulated magic barrier of the reception room, it suddenly quieted down.

Andrew knew that this was the test the Warm Fire Commerce Association presented to him.

For a moment, he couldn't care less about Havier's sarcastic attitude.

"Sorry, I've been negligent."

Andrew smiled slightly and turned to nod at An Ya.

An Ya was prepared, clapped her hands gently.

The door of the reception room opened quietly, and three wooden cups filled with drinking water were brought in, placed before Falk, Leia, and Havier.

In the Wildfire Territory, every portion of drinking water must be exchanged through labor.

Neither Andrew, as the lord of the territory, Barbara, as the controller of the laboratory nor An Ya, as the territory administrator, are exceptions. So the three, including Ivan, didn't intend to drink the water now.

It was only meant for those who came with the Warm Fire Commerce Association.

Not only Falk and the others in the reception room, but every accompanying Crimson Knight outside received a cup of water too.

The same ordinary wooden cup, which compared to the finely packaged Celestial Mountain Water and Spring Dew, seemed nothing special on the surface.

In fact, even when compared to many second-tier top drinking waters, it appeared to have no competitive edge.

Just... looked very ordinary.

Three ordinary cups of water were placed in front of Falk and the others in the reception room.

Falk looked down, his face expressionless.

Leia picked up her cup, shook it gently, and studied it carefully. Her scholarly nature became evident at this moment, she looked at the water as if it were a "research object."

Havier stared at the wooden cup for a moment, then raised his eyes and asked Andrew, "You want me to drink water from such a bad cup? Are you... Are you kidding me?"

Andrew ignored this guy.

He had already given you the water, showed you enough respect, whether you drink it or not is up to you.

If you don't drink, that's fine, but if you waste a drop, huh... Andrew thought even if you're with the Warm Fire Commerce Association, no matter how unusual Barbara's attitude towards you, I'll not forgive you!

Of course, Havier wasn't the main focus now. He's not the actual decision-maker.

Andrew seriously looked at Falk and Leia, and said, "Please."

Even though Barbara was very confident in the quality level of the drinking water from the Wildfire Territory.

But Andrew, who hadn't tasted the Celestial Mountain Water, Spring Dew, or other first-tier drinking waters of the Flame Realm, still harbored a bit of anxiety over "how good the water from the Wildfire Territory really was."

After the superficially graceful "please," Andrew's heart raced, while he eagerly watched the three, including Havier, as they each took a sip.

Then... he saw the expressions of the three, including Havier, all change.

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