Pillar of Yita

The walnut from the underground took the leaf from Zaozi’s hand and said to everyone: ”Mr. Ade, this is a wisdom potion - according to the Grey Treants, it can enhance a person’s cognitive ability in a short time and gain experience and knowledge from the wisdom of the Ancient Trees.”

”And such a leaf, each is worth fifty experience points. The task offered by the Grey Treants is a clearing mission; for every Disorderly Minion slain, the reward is three Elder Tree Leaves; for slaying one Disorderly Guard (Construct Giant Crab), the reward is thirty Elder Tree Leaves; for slaying one Disorderly Supervisor, the reward is two hundred and fifty leaves.”

Fifty experience points, Fang Hong thought this wasn’t much experience, counting as among the most basic kind in experience potions. It’s probably only suitable for newcomers from Levels 1 to 3, but given the quantity of rewards, it could still fetch a good price when sold.

After all, the number of newcomers entering Eteliria from Earth each year isn’t small, and even if each person only got one leaf, the demand for these leaves wouldn’t be low. If Elder Tree Leaves were a local specialty, it might sell even better.

Moreover, experience potions can also be used by natives.

”But what if you slay the Crystal then?”

Parker couldn’t help but start blabbering nonsense again.

”If the Crystal is slain, the reward is ten thousand leaves. In addition, it is said the Tree People offer a so-called mysterious reward named ???.”

”Anything else?”

”Besides,” the walnut from underground took a deep breath, ”if someone accumulates a hundred leaves in total, as recognition from the Holy Land, the Grey Treants will sell them some unique local specialties only available in this Holy Land.”

”Wait,” Fang Hong couldn’t help but interrupt, ”Is it possible the Tree People have divided it into different tiers, and when we get more leaves, they will offer discounts, right?”

The walnut from underground didn’t answer but gave him a look of surprise, meaning Mr. Ade, how did you know?

Tang Xin rolled her eyes lightly at the side and finally couldn’t help but say: ”... This Heart of Tree is really interesting, it truly expects the Invoker to take down the Ancient Guardian for a reward of ten thousand leaves and ??? reward; it truly understands the Invoker’s heart. But alas, most people probably won’t have the fate to get this reward—”

”At least this sounds a bit more realistic...” Fang Hong couldn’t help but chuckle, thinking this Heart of Tree is quite interesting, ”... After all, it can’t exactly say, alright, you’re no match for it, so just wait for death obediently, right?”

”The so-called realistic sound is just sending people to their deaths.” Tang Xin shook her head, wondering why there are always so many fools in the world.

But Fang Hong had a different viewpoint from her because even without deception, Invokers can’t be stopped from their self-destructive tendency. They always actively engage in the most dangerous frontlines, taking risks for rewards that seem insignificant to others.

Sometimes, these people might not even be in it for the rewards themselves but are merely enjoying the process.

Being one of those people himself, he could somewhat understand.

”Wait,” Tianlan noticed a blind spot, ”Walnut, what do you mean by each leaf?”

The walnut from underground turned to look at her, nodded: ”... That’s exactly what I was about to say, this tree leaf is different from other wisdom potions. Because it can be used repeatedly, the experience almost doesn’t deplete, but it’s very special—only those recognized by the Heart of Tree are allowed to use this leaf.”

Suddenly, the surroundings became terrifyingly quiet.

Even Tang Xin turned her head, eyes flashing with surprise. Though she didn’t think much of her foolish cousin’s many behaviors, it didn’t mean she didn’t understand this world.

In fact, quite the opposite, in some details, she even understood the world better than Fang Hong.

And Fang Hong opened his mouth—he initially thought the Tree People planned to treat these leaves as a kind of general currency, allowing Adventurers to obtain leaves and then consume them to purchase some specialty materials or magic items here.

While leaves as experience potions only offer fifty points of experience bonus, it still has value, at least it will undoubtedly sell in outside regions.

So it doesn’t seem like just a blank check.

But if such leaves can be used multiple times without leading to experience depletion, then its meaning is completely different.

It’s merely a simple multiplication operation, Fang Hong almost immediately went over it in his mind, ten thousand leaves equal to 500,000 experience points.

What’s the concept?

Enough to let someone newly arrived in this world directly upgrade to a level equal to Parker’s current level. Though such enhancement almost wouldn’t bring the equivalent combat power, at least it could let a rookie exhibit the abilities of Level 14 or 15.

Of course, slaying the Crystal might be unrealistic, but accumulating Elder Tree Leaves through killing Orderly Minions or Guards could still be achieved.

And according to the walnut, such leaves can only be used by those recognized by the Heart of Tree, indicating it almost can’t be resold.

Fang Hong couldn’t help but feel tempted, if not for the Seven Seas Traveler still outside, he almost wanted to stay here and brush their ’reputation’ with the Tree People for a while before leaving.

And as one could imagine, exchanging such precious leaves for something surely would mean great value.

He thought this was just a poor Adventure Camp prototype, not knowing it turned out to be a rich opportunity, and the Grey Treants had such a trump card.

”Why not,” Parker’s eyes sparkled, ”I think we should do a few tasks here before leaving, the grey elder asking us to investigate something matches our purpose, doesn’t it?”

”Parker, you’re such a hopeless money-grubber,” Tianlan sighed: ”Where’s your stance?”

”What good is a stance,” the Papalarian retorted loudly, ”The Papalarians have everything but a stance.”

His voice was too arrogant, causing others to frequently look over.

But honestly, Fang Hong indeed felt tempted.

According to the walnut from underground, the Grey Treants have announced many tasks, not every one is as tough as investigating ’Dark Aura.’

They could complete a few tasks casually, since no one dislikes more rewards, right? Besides, the Seven Seas Travel Group’s strength is far above the other Invokers here, before support arrives, they can surely hunt monsters here.

While Fang Hong was contemplating, suddenly in his peripheral vision, he saw a brilliant light ascending into the sky in the distance, almost illuminating the ceiling of the underground cavern.

”Someone ahead was attacked!”

The Seven Seas Travel Group heard a shout from the other side of the river:

”It’s those monsters!”

”There are so many of them!”

”Everyone quickly prepare to defend—”

Fang Hong froze, unexpectedly surprised, he didn’t expect speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives, the opponent came knocking.

Yet, after so many combats, the Seven Seas Travel Group is no longer what it used to be; they swiftly drew weapons with the fastest reflexes and found the nearest hiding spots.

And Fang Hong himself didn’t think either, he reflexively pulled out a Clockwork Fairy from behind his waistband and tossed it towards the Thorn Front.

He pulled down his Wind Goggles, under his manipulation, the Silver Bee spread its wings, buzzing towards the wilted forest ahead.

But at this moment, a voice came from beside:

”Wait, friend, Combat Artisan?”

Fang Hong froze, wearing goggles, using his remaining eye to look, and realized the one speaking to him was the Bard holding a lute previously.

...