[Please pay the tree planting fee of 500 copper coins.]
"I wondered how it could be free tree seeds! Fortunately, one tree costs only 5 copper coins," sighed Ye Sangeng, tossing five silver coins into the collection box in the treehouse. He had naively thought it was just the system's quirky sense of humor, but it turned out they were waiting for him to pay up.
After payment, the 20 novice skeletons who received the command immediately turned around and queued up to enter the treehouse. When they came out, each of them carried five half-meter-high, thumb-thick maple tree saplings on their backs.
Watching the skeletons dig holes and plant trees in the designated area he had just marked, Ye Sangeng curiously followed one of them to observe.
The holes were not deep, and the skeleton quickly buried the slender sapling. Then, with a clinking sound, it ran back to the decay pool, scooped up a jug of green water, poured it over the planted sapling, stomped a few times, and then moved on to another location to continue the cycle.
"Is that all it takes to plant a tree?" Ye Sangeng scratched his head, ran back to the treehouse, and observed the overview board, similar to the one at the corpse-smelling farm:
Planting Overview of Undead Treehouse No. 1:
Maple trees x 100, time to maturity: 10 years.
"Ten... ten years?!" Ye Sangeng rolled his eyes.
When this maple forest grew to the point where the waist was bulging, he couldn't afford to wait!
"No... if the maple trees have a growth period of ten years, how could the trees in the Lorran Forest support the wood demand for Lorran City?" Ye Sangeng suddenly shook his head.
"Lorran Forest is not small, but after so many years of exporting timber, it's impossible to keep up with consumption. So, there must be a problem here! But... what is the problem?"
Just as he was frowning in thought, a new piece of information interrupted Ye Sangeng.
[Detected the pulsation of tree spirits, data calculation error, currently being recalibrated...]
[Recalibration complete, please check again.]
"What is the pulsation of tree spirits?" Ye Sangeng looked up at the overview blackboard with confusion.
Planting Overview of Undead Treehouse No. 1:
Maple trees x 100, time to maturity: 1 year.
"Hiss! The time to maturity has been shortened by ten times! What on earth is this pulsation of tree spirits?!" Ye Sangeng was certain that this thing was not created by his system. Could there be some treasure hidden in this underground area?
Looking at the vast expanse of ashy soil in front of him, Ye Sangeng frowned. Even if the skeletons could tirelessly search for this so-called pulsation of tree spirits 24/7, he didn't think there was any hope.
Lorran City had been built for so many years, how could no one know about the anomalies here?
So, this indicated:
The pulsation of tree spirits couldn't be found at all!
"Anyway, it's a good thing, just go with the flow." Ye Sangeng shook his head, sighing deeply.
Even though the time to maturity of the maple trees had mysteriously shortened by ten times, one year was still too long. He couldn't afford to wait like this, especially when he wanted to see what kind of creature the skeleton leader was!
"Hey! We brought dinner for you! Wow, what's this? Saplings?!"
A sudden exclamation came from behind Ye Sangeng. Without thinking, it was Weng Ling, that rough girl.
Ye Sangeng frowned. He was thinking about how to explain the origin of these saplings when Weng Ling threw a lunch box to Bede and excitedly ran to the old man with a milk jug, staring at his old face with admiration.
"Master, you can even perform the magic of large-scale afforestation, a legendary spell! Could it be that you're..."
Large-scale afforestation, this natural magic that created something out of nothing, was a forbidden existence. Just the concept of creating matter and life out of thin air could frighten many people.
But unfortunately, the effect of this magic was just planting trees. The extremely high casting difficulty and the ridiculously funny practical effect had caused this magic to be lost and become a legend.
It was said that now only some druids in the elf race who specialized in the natural system could still perform this ancient magic. Could it be that this old man with a bad back was actually a human druid?
"Master! Can you use large-scale afforestation again?" Weng Ling suddenly stammered.
"Sure, sure, admission ticket to watch: 10 silver coins!" Ye Sangeng approached.
"Huh?" Weng Ling raised her eyebrows, "Do you know how much magic power it takes to cast large-scale afforestation once? You actually only charge 10 silver coins? That's simply insulting the master!"
"Well... 20 silver?" Ye Sangeng tentatively suggested.
This was the first time he had seen someone raising their own price.
"20 won't do, take 10 silver coins!" Weng Ling said decisively.
After taking the money, Ye Sangeng didn't argue with her. Instead, he walked into the treehouse, took out five silver coins, threw them into the collection box, and then let five goblins carry the 100 tree saplings they had brushed out.
"Here you go, large-scale afforestation!" Ye Sangeng pointed to the pile of saplings.
Weng Ling: ???
Brother, who are you trying to fool?
Mr. Gu didn't do anything! Moreover, it's great that you brought this pile of saplings out, but I want to see large-scale afforestation!
"Cough, where did these saplings come from?" Weng Ling took advantage of the time when Ye Sangeng commanded the goblins to dig holes and plant trees to sneak a peek at the treehouse. However, she couldn't see anything unusual.
"Large-scale afforestation, ah!" Seeing Weng Ling reaching for the hammer behind her, Ye Sangeng immediately added, "But this is a solidified version of large-scale afforestation. Old Gu had already instilled magic into this magic house a long time ago. This house is like a reusable magic scroll, so... you get it, right?"
"Hiss! This house is so amazing? It can solidify a forbidden-grade spell? And I didn't even see a magic rune!"
"This is incredible! Hiss hiss hiss hiss hiss!" Ye Sangeng gave a disdainful glance to the fascinated Weng Ling, pointing to the other buildings, "Not only that, those are also magic houses, but I've sealed what magic they've solidified. Forgive me for keeping it a secret."
Weng Ling nodded in understanding, but then she made a puzzled sound.
"Wait a minute, if Old Gu is so powerful, how did you all end up wandering? Are you hiding something from me?!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Bede behind Weng Ling squinted at Ye Sangeng and made a throat-slitting gesture, seemingly seeking his approval.
Tsk, just now they were strolling through the empty city holding hands like
good sisters, and now...
Beautiful women are really venomous!
Ye Sangeng calmly shook his head. If Weng Ling met her demise, Lorran City would change hands. Where would he find such an innocent proxy to protect him?
"Ah, it's my naivety. I actually wanted to deceive you, who are clever as ice and snow."
"Speak, speak to the point, don't be slippery. I don't buy that!" Weng Ling said hesitantly.
"Well, actually," Ye Sangeng lowered his head and sighed softly.
"I used to live on the east side of Tianwei, with a house and fields. But who knew that evil lord..."