As someone who had closely interacted with Wang Hui, Zuo Qiu Yue could perhaps conjecture the temperament of this divine being.
Since she could exchange the sacred relic for the divine beast, the dragon horse, along with the deity's promise of twenty years of protection, why could the Nalan and Huyan clans not do the same?
Although there was only one sacred relic in the world, the deity never specified that only the sacred relic would suffice!
"I cannot say this! Absolutely cannot!"
Huyan Qingbo shook his head vigorously like a clanging bell, adamant about safeguarding the secret.
"Ah-hem..."
The Zuo Qiu elder cleared his throat, gesturing for someone to fetch a wooden box and revealing its contents.
Inside was an exquisitely crafted iron sabre, a remnant from the compensation materials offered by the Nalan clan.
Its quality was akin to the renowned Damascus sabres of history!
"Lord Qingbo, if you can respond appropriately to our chief's inquiries, I believe the transaction will proceed more smoothly.
This rare and exceptional sabre shall rightfully belong to you."
Huyan Qingbo's eyes were immediately drawn to the sabre, and the elder's smile grew ever more benevolent.
…
Moments later, having finalized the transaction details, Huyan Qingbo departed with his team.
He took with him ten bags of seeds, along with two Zuo Qiu clan members tasked with imparting agricultural techniques.
Of course, there was also an inconspicuous wooden box...
In contrast, within the Zuo Qiu council hall, someone expressed concern:
"Chief, is it not too hasty to relinquish our absolute secrets so freely?"
"Agricultural techniques will no longer be the key to the prosperity of the Zuo Qiu clan."
Zuo Qiu Yue gazed at the mineral pattern on the parchment in her hand, her eyes alight with determination:
"From this day forward, anyone not engaged in farming, livestock raising, or patrol duties shall dedicate their efforts to searching for heavenly crystal stones!"
"It may be a ruse concocted by the Huyan clan, but... I concur with the chief's judgment."
The Zuo Qiu elder sighed, murmuring:
"Every action of the deity has the potential to easily alter the balance among the three clans.
Whoever earns the deity's favor will truly find themselves in an invulnerable position...
The times are about to change!"
…
In the external world, the following morning.
Wang Hui rose from bed and proceeded to the bathroom to wash up.
Gazing at his vibrant reflection in the mirror, a smile crept upon his face.
"At last, I no longer resemble the lethargic version of myself from earlier.
As long as I continue to elevate my life level, I shall surely eradicate the effects of ALS completely!"
After finishing his ablutions, Wang Hui prepared two fried eggs, nestled with bacon between slices of bread for breakfast.
He ate while making his way to the micro-world.
"After sleeping for over eight hours, nearly a year and a half has passed inside... Hmm?"
Wang Hui's expression shifted to one of surprise.
Inside the glass dome, countless small black dots darted about.
Regardless of the northern mountains, western hills, or eastern plains, the tiny beings were engaged in extensive activities.
"Not just the Huyan clan; even the other two clans have begun to work tirelessly for me?"
A year and a half may not seem long, but it was certainly ample time for numerous events to unfold.
The silver-coated landscape he had seen before sleep was now a distant memory; the micro-world was currently in the midst of summer.
Wang Hui slightly slid open the top of the glass, allowing for synchronization of time.
Using a magnifying glass, he scrutinized the scene, discovering that aside from those involved in hunting, livestock care, and tending to fields, most of the little beings were out and about.
This was true for all three tribes!
In the absence of conflict, the only plausible explanation was that they were all canvassing for heavenly crystal stones on his behalf.
"Tsk, I never realized my influence seems to have grown quite substantial..."
He contentedly pressed on the **Yin Yang Fish** emblem.
This trend of development was precisely what Wang Hui delighted in seeing.
Ultimately, regardless of how many heavenly crystal stones the three clans could discover, their prolonged and large-scale activities would undoubtedly foster the generation of source energy.
This bore only benefits with no detriments!
As the radiant glow danced upon the clouds, the newly condensed source energy from the previous night was entirely absorbed by Wang Hui.
Current available source quality: C-6% → C-11%!
"If this continues, I could elevate my life level again in about a week, even if I do nothing at all..."
Wang Hui chuckled softly.
He glanced at the wall clock; it was nearly eight o'clock.
After deliberating briefly, he took out his phone and called his company to request a week of annual leave.
In the span of just one day, Wang Hui learned of his diagnosis of ALS, shortly followed by the discovery of the micro-world and the means to enhance his life.
The drastic emotional rollercoaster, from despair to hope, had profoundly shifted his mindset!
Compared to the joy of being a deity in the micro-world and exploring the evolution of life, working felt like a waste of time!
As for why he did not simply resign...
Currently, Wang Hui lacked a suitable method of profiting from the micro-world.
He would prefer to wait until his life level reached B before reevaluating his future lifestyle.
By nature, he was somewhat rational, always leaving himself a margin of safety.
The company was quite accommodating; after briefly inquiring about the reason, they approved Wang Hui's leave, albeit requiring him to complete a formal application process.
"It shouldn't take more than two hours, and I doubt there will be any surprises..."
Observing the thriving scene in the micro-world, Wang Hui closed the glass dome, causing the little beings to enter a fast-forward state.
After changing into appropriate attire, he left home and hailed a cab to the company.
Before departing, he ensured to secure the micro-world's original packaging, pushing it against the wall in a corner of the yard.
This way, even if drones or similar devices flew overhead, they would not capture anything unusual.
"It would be best to set up full coverage shielding for the yard. Hmm...
It's nearly summer; erecting a sunshade at home is perfectly reasonable, and no one can find fault with that."
With such thoughts in mind, Wang Hui planned to swing by the market on his way back.
What he did not anticipate was that shortly after leaving home, unexpected disturbances would arise in the micro-world...
...
As the Zuo Qiu clan began a vigorous search for heavenly crystal stones, Nalan Xia, who initially intended to act discreetly, no longer concealed her intentions.
While instructing her clan to mobilize, she sent out announcements to the Huyan and Zuo Qiu clans, proposing a triad conference.
Huyan Gui and Zuo Qiu Yue, both ambitious young leaders, naturally would not allow their spirits to wane, promptly agreeing to the proposal.
Before long, the leaders of the three major clans gathered at the confluence of the Pinchuan River, an extraordinarily rare sight in history!
The crux of the conference was straightforward; Nalan Xia openly expressed her admiration for the deity and hoped that the three clans could set aside their past grievances and unite to serve the divine being.
Huyan Gui, remembering his father's teachings, had no objections to this.
However, he insisted that each clan should only search for heavenly crystal stones within their own territories; should anyone dare to encroach and pilfer, the Huyan clan would respond with fierce retribution!
Zuo Qiu Yue was taken aback by this.
It was a blessing that the Huyan clan was not instigating trouble; who would want to wander into their desolate lands?
Subsequently, Zuo Qiu Yue presented her own proposal.
She hoped that the three clans could deepen trade cooperation under the premise of a non-aggression agreement.
For instance, the Zuo Qiu clan could supply timber and grain, the Huyan clan could offer furs and dairy products, and the Nalan clan could trade ironware and mountain delicacies.
Among these, the ironware from the Nalan clan was particularly crucial!
Once the surface heavenly crystal stones had been exhausted, possessing the right tools would be key to conducting in-depth excavations.
Nalan Xia readily consented.
Consensus was reached on various proposals!