Chapter 55: Spirit Plants and the Void Market
Chapter 55: Spirit Plants and the Market of Shadows
After a year had passed, the voice of the system echoed in Li Hongshen’s ears once more, jolting him awake from his heated brick bed. He propped himself up and sat upright. Still trapped in the endless wilderness, he could not check in, only sign in—a minor consolation, but one he welcomed.
“System, sign in!”
“Ding! You have obtained a spirit plant: the Tree of Strengthening Fruits. Please collect your reward!”
“Hm? Spirit plant? Strengthening? Strengthening what?” Li Hongshen was momentarily confused, unsure whether the tree would strengthen his body or something else entirely. He hurriedly opened his panel to examine the details.
Name: Tree of Strengthening Fruits
Type: Spirit Plant
Rank: First
Information: A fruit-bearing spirit plant capable of gathering spiritual energy. If deprived of energy, it will wither. It takes one year to gather energy, one year to bloom, and one year to bear fruit. Every three years, it produces a hundred Strengthening Fruits.
——
Name: Strengthening Fruit
Type: Spirit Plant
Rank: First
Information: The fruit of a spirit plant. Permanently boosts the body’s immunity, enhances physical strength, and accelerates recovery. Slightly increases the consumer’s vigor and rate of energy absorption. Ineffective after consuming three fruits.
This was what one might call good fortune descending from the heavens. Before entering the endless wilderness, Li Hongshen had lamented not possessing any edible spirit plants. Now, a year later, one arrived unbidden.
He calmed his excitement and chose not to summon the Tree of Strengthening Fruits just yet. After all, it was dark outside; nothing could be seen. He would wait for morning.
At dawn, Li Hongshen rose from his warm bedding, carrying a water bucket and a shovel, his heart full of anticipation as he made his way to the center of Phoenix Perch Valley.
He sought a suitable spot, dug a hole, planted the tree, watered it, wiped the sweat from his brow, and gazed up at the spirit plant laden with Strengthening Fruits. Tears of joy welled up once more.
He knocked a fruit down with a long pole, scrubbed it with snow, wiped it on his coat, and eagerly took a bite.
“Mmm, delicious!”
He ate another, then paused. “This will be the last one. It’s a waste if I eat them all. Better leave some for others.”
Yet he couldn't resist. “Ah, so good!” He ate a third, telling himself this would truly be the last.
Li Hongshen licked the juice from his fingers, feeling full and comfortably warm after consuming three fruits. He resisted the urge to eat more, reasoning that the first three should go to the lord, and any more would be too much.
He summoned Zhaowu, Zhao Yun, and others, informed them about the Tree of Strengthening Fruits, and explained the effects. He asked them to arrange the distribution.
But first, he set aside nine fruits for Zhaowu, Li Liang, and Chawu. Since the fruit enhanced energy absorption, it would speed their recovery and allow them to inscribe more spirit runes each day. This was essential. The reward seemed generous, but in truth it was a calculated move to maximize their productivity—a typical Li Hongshen tactic.
After accounting for his own consumption, eighty-eight fruits remained—an auspicious number. These were prioritized for the hunters, with the next batch to be enjoyed three years hence.
The sudden appearance of a spirit plant caused only minor ripples in the tribe. No one found it strange that the lord produced such a treasure; in the wilderness, anything could happen. Perhaps he had discovered it somewhere and brought it back to camp. Stranger things had emerged from the lord’s hands.
There were odd books forbidden from being shared, which, with a slap to the head, granted new knowledge. Compared to such marvels, the spirit plant was nothing remarkable.
It simply added another sight to the plaza, made the spiritual energy a little denser, and, after a glance, the tribe lost interest.
Time in the endless wilderness flowed like water—accelerated water—rushing quickly by.
Winter was nearly over, temperatures began to rise, the weekly heavy snows diminished, thick drifts receded, and everything stirred with new life.
After winter, the spring breeze swept in, carrying spiritual energy that revived all things. Hibernating beasts emerged from their dens to replenish what was lost during the cold season.
A wild rabbit darted from its burrow into the low grasses, clutching the stem and leaves with its tiny paws, gnawing quickly. Its ears stood upright, twitching occasionally. At the slightest sound, it stopped chewing, lifted its head, and scanned its surroundings.
When silence returned, it resumed eating. Suddenly, before it could flee, it was seized in the jaws of a giant wolf.
The wolf stood two meters tall at the shoulder, its fur pure white without a single blemish. Its eyes were ringed in thick, black lines as if painted, lending it an eerie, otherworldly look.
It carried the rabbit in its mouth, bounding from the grass to a man’s side, dropped the lifeless animal at his feet, and rubbed its head against his face.
The man was strikingly handsome, with bold brows and large eyes radiating vigor and a hint of authority that drew attention. But his face was smeared with rabbit blood and wolf fur, courtesy of the wolf’s muzzle, leaving him somewhat disheveled.
“Really, Dahai,” Li Hongshen scolded as he wiped his face. “I told you, now that you’re grown, you should clean your mouth yourself. Besides, I don’t eat rabbit. If you find one, eat it yourself as a snack. No need to bring it to me.”
The warriors trailing behind laughed quietly, rarely seeing their lord so helpless and awkward.
Dahai whimpered, took the rabbit aside, and began to eat. From the curve of its mouth and squinted eyes, it was clearly teasing Li Hongshen, acting spoiled.
After the winter, the fighting wolves had matured and could hunt with the team. Dahai, Erhai, and Sanhai stood two meters tall at the shoulder; Li Hongshen estimated they would grow even more before reaching sexual maturity.
Now, when playing with them, he dared not let them pin him down—their weight could truly suffocate.
The group traveled by ox cart, loaded with wooden crates, cloth, and weapons. Thirty-odd warriors guarded the cart.
Li Hongshen was accompanied by Zhao Yun and the three fighting wolves. Overhead, a pair of storm eagles soared, vigilantly surveying their surroundings.
They were heading to the Receiving City for trade. It was the annual opening of the Market of Shadows for newcomers. All who entered the wilderness through this city came here to barter.
New authors crave bookmarks, recommendations, monthly votes, comments, and feedback. Masters, please show your support.
(End of chapter)