Chapter 89: Trading with the Astral Mage

Hearing the other’s words, Weilin calmed himself and carefully browsed through the information listed, as well as the transaction points marked behind each item.

Plant Category: Primal Energy Vine
Grade: Silver
Basic Information: Can absorb ambient magic energy from the air, producing primal energy crystals (one crystal equals one low-grade magic crystal; in a thin magic environment, ten crystals form per year)
Value: 10 transaction points per plant
Shortcomings: Cannot produce seeds, growth limited to ten meters, withers after a hundred years

Weilin glanced at the words in parentheses and realized these were explanations Greer had provided, tailored to the characteristics of his own world.

Just looking at the first item, Weilin’s heart was already stirred, but he restrained himself, continuing to browse in hopes of finding something even better below.

Weapon Category: Radiant Magic Sword
Grade: Gold
Basic Information: A treasure from a minor plane, possesses a sword spirit (the spirit is unruly and difficult to tame; upon purchase, you may choose whether to erase its memories)
Value: 200 transaction points
Shortcomings: Carrying this sword may corrupt the user’s mind; choose with caution

…

Plant Category: Hollowfruit Tree
Grade: Gold
Basic Information: Assists mages in spiritual cultivation, can bear thirty hollowfruits every ten years
Value: 300 transaction points per plant
Shortcomings: For those below Gold rank, may consume one hollowfruit only once every three years; otherwise, one risks becoming a spiritual puppet of the tree—use with caution

…

Animal Category: Blackhide Porker
Grade: Bronze
Basic Information: Tender meat, imbued with magic energy, beneficial for extraordinary cultivation
Value: 2 transaction points per head
Lifespan: 5 years
Shortcomings: Enters heat ten times in a lifetime, has a violent temperament, ignores species boundaries for mating; strict management required

…

Plant Category: Luminous Grape
Grade: Silver
Basic Information: Plump and juicy, enhances physique, repairs hidden injuries, can be transplanted and cultivated
Value: 150 transaction points per plant
Shortcomings: Requires harsh environmental conditions, refuses to bear fruit in a thin magic environment

Facing this dazzling array of goods, Weilin was deeply entangled.

He wanted this, and he wanted that too, but in hand he had only 2,000 transaction points.

Moreover, this might be his only chance to meet Greer; he could not afford to be anything but cautious.

Without exaggeration, every one of these plant items, if properly utilized, could become the economic pillar of a territory, or even an entire family.

“Weilin, so? Have you seen anything you like?” Seeing Weilin hesitate, Greer finally spoke.

“Sir, I apologize for taking up your valuable time. The treasures you possess have truly broadened my horizons, so much so that I’ve become somewhat lost and indecisive.”

“Hahaha, think nothing of it, my friend.” Greer replied, unconcerned. “Tell me about your situation. I’ll offer some advice.”

At these words, Weilin said, “Sir, I am a pioneering knight. I’ve been away from my family for nearly two years. My territory covers about five hundred square kilometers, but I have struggled to find an economic mainstay, so development has reached a bottleneck.”

“In that case, I suggest you exchange for animals and plants that can reproduce. That way, you’ll sustain your development without attracting the covetous eyes of other nobles.” At this, Greer raised his head to ask, “What power currently shelters you?”

“My family,” Weilin replied without hesitation.

“What rank?”

“An earl’s house, comparable to some powerful marquis families.”

“And your father’s position within the family?”

“He is the head of the house.”

“Is there any internal strife among your kin?”

“None.”

“Are your direct subordinates loyal?”

“They have pledged their allegiance as guardian knights, witnessed by the gods.”

“I see!”

After this series of questions, Greer began to choose suitable items for Weilin.

Five minutes later, all the diverse goods on the virtual panel vanished, leaving only six items.

“Golden Apple Tree, Greenvine Tree, Red Tea Tree, Ronox Camel Beast, Blackhide Porker, Luminous Grape.”

Of these, Weilin had only seen the information for two; the other four were unknown to him.

“Check these items’ details first. I’ll explain my reasoning afterward,” Greer said gently, noting Weilin’s confusion.

“Thank you, sir.”

Weilin then focused his attention on the remaining four items’ descriptions.

Once he understood them, Greer continued, “The Golden Apple Tree—you may exchange for one. However, it requires a high-magic environment and constant care from a druid to soothe the plant’s mood. You may not be able to provide this, but you can give it to your family in exchange for their appreciation and protection.”

“The Greenvine Tree—exchange for four. Its fibers can be woven into inner armor, greatly enhancing magical defense. Even against soul-intent-level magical attacks, it can dampen most of the power—a lifesaving item.”

“The Red Tea Tree—exchange for six. You can harvest the leaves, grind them with flour into pellets, and boost endurance on the battlefield. Or, during training, quickly recover stamina and ease physical strain.”

“The Ronox Camel Beast—a fine livestock. Exchange for six: one male, five females. They mature from calf to adult in three years, eat little, work hard, and have many uses, depending on how you employ them.”

“The Blackhide Porker—an omnivorous livestock with a short maturation cycle, ready for slaughter in just six months. Extremely useful for training troops, quickly boosting your army’s strength. Exchange for twenty: three males, seventeen females.”

“The Luminous Grape—chiefly to repair hidden injuries. Exchange for two plants.”

While listening to Greer’s explanations, Weilin silently tallied the costs.

One Golden Apple Tree at 800 points; four Greenvine Trees at 320; six Red Tea Trees at 300; six Ronox Camel Beasts at 180; twenty Blackhide Porkers at 40; two Luminous Grapes at 300—for a total of 1,940 transaction points, leaving 60 points remaining.

“Thank you, sir. Your careful planning has made everything so much easier for me.”

With such an experienced elder advising him, Weilin felt as if fortune itself smiled upon him.

With a wave, Greer opened a portal of space, then patted the head of the fairy maiden, Anliya, bidding her go to his demi-plane to prepare the items for the trade.

Weilin glanced through the portal at the scene beyond—it was a veritable paradise, with extraordinary plants contending in beauty and awe-inspiring creatures living together in harmony.

Once Anliya entered the demi-plane, Greer closed the portal with a wave.

“Weilin, you still have sixty transaction points left. Is there anything else you’d like to exchange for?”

“Sir, please allow me a few minutes to consider.”

The development of his territory was now settled; the remaining sixty points could be spent on whatever he fancied.

But what did he truly desire?

Faced with this question, he felt somewhat lost.