Chapter 54: A Gain or a Loss?

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: A Gain or a Loss?

Luo Pei chuckled and answered frankly, "In the search for pollution-free water sources, every place humans could reach in Hua Country has been scoured countless times over the past decade. After you saved me with your spring water, Yang Jin deployed the Green Dragon Team’s most elite forces and advanced detection equipment. He spent half a month combing through Mountain No. 49 twice more, but still couldn’t find the pollution-free spring."

After he finished, Luo Pei had to marvel at Xiaqing’s luck. "Finding a spring is a matter of luck. Just because we didn’t find one doesn’t mean it’s not there. I personally led the team that cleared out the Third Territory piece by piece last winter, and I didn’t find a spring then, either."

Now that Xiaqing understood why the Green Dragon Team wanted to buy the mountain, she felt a little more at ease. ’If the mountain’s internal structure gets damaged, the water quality of the spring in my territory could be ruined, or it could dry up completely. So, to protect the spring water, of course the mountain needs to be protected.’

"I was with Brother Luo clearing the Evolution Forest back then and happened to see a little squirrel dart out of a crack in the rocks. I thought there might be fruit in the crevice, so I moved a few stones and ended up finding the spring. It’s tiny and makes almost no sound. If it weren’t for that squirrel, I never would have found it." Xiaqing told Luo Pei the truth about her discovery, then asked curiously, "Brother Luo, are there still places on Blue Star that humans can’t reach?"

Luo Pei gave a simple answer. "Forget other regions, there are several such places right here in Hua Country. Those areas either have excessively high concentrations of the Harmful Element or too many dangerous evolved creatures. In truth, humans could force their way in with enough gear, but there’s no need. We’re also concerned that overusing heavy weaponry could trigger an adverse chain reaction."

After the great evolution of life on Blue Star, humanity had become more cautious for the sake of survival.

Xiaqing continued to probe, "When Captain Yang pretended to fly Brother Luo out by helicopter, you headed west. Is that because the bases to the west have large amounts of pollution-free spring water?"

Luo Pei answered patiently, "The bases in Lan City to the west have indeed found more pollution-free springs than we have here. Another reason is that Lan City is separated from us by a vast Evolution Forest, so there isn’t much contact between us. Flying west was a better way to confuse any enemies. By the way, what level are your hearing and Visual evolutions?"

Xiaqing answered truthfully, "I’ve never had them tested, but my Three Systems Abilities should all be Above Level 5."

Luo Pei’s eyes shot open in astonishment. He looked at Xiaqing and warned her seriously, "Even though you’re a Lord now and most people wouldn’t dare to cross you, it’s best not to reveal that you’re a Three Systems Evolver. You’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble that way."

A twenty-five-year-old female High-Level Three Systems Evolver of child-bearing age wouldn’t just attract the interest of the research institutes; she would also become a target for the major powers and families of Hua Country, who would all vie for her.

Xiaqing, of course, understood this. "Everyone around me thinks I’m a Level 4 Strength Evolver. So far, I haven’t sensed anyone doubting my abilities. But I’m only twenty-five, and there’s still a chance for my powers to grow, so I’m thinking of gradually revealing my Strength Evolution up to Level 6. That way, I won’t be looked down upon, but I won’t attract any special attention either. Even at Level 6, Strength Evolution isn’t that useful, so it’s perfect for someone who just wants to stay on their land and farm peacefully. Besides, I can’t do anything else. I can only farm."

’The person with the most potential to become a top expert in Hui San Base, or even the entire Hui City Base—a High-Level Three Systems Evolver—is sitting right in front of me, earnestly saying that all she can do is farm...’

Even Luo Pei, who had been honed by ten years of Natural Disasters into someone as steady as an old dog, couldn’t stop the corner of his mouth from twitching. He had no idea how to respond to this... unconventional Lord.

Luo Pei even began to doubt Yang Jin’s judgment. ’Could this Xiaqing before him, who has no fighting spirit and only wants to farm, truly become a formidable presence in the future—someone no weaker than Fire Phoenix, a force that no one in Hui City Base would dare to look down on?’

Once Xiaqing understood the Green Dragon Team’s intentions, she started to consider the most practical issue. "Since the mountain is going to be mine, I should be the one to pay the points for it. However, I don’t have that many points right now, so consider the points for the mountain a loan from the Green Dragon Team. What do you think, Brother Luo?"

Luo Pei couldn’t help but laugh, clutching at his wound as the movement sent a jolt of pain through it. He took a moment to recover before replying, "Yes, that’s exactly what Yang Jin had in mind. We’ll buy at least one hundred years of usage rights for the mountain in your name. Then, you’ll lease the mountain to us as a practical training base, and we’ll station people here to guard it for you, which will count as your rent. You can slowly pay back the points for the mountain with spring water and crops. We won’t charge interest, and there’s no deadline. I’ll forward the contract to you after Xie Yu draws it up."

"...Wait, Brother Luo." Xiaqing felt a bit dizzy. "Is it really necessary to buy the usage rights for a hundred years?"

’This is the era of the Disaster Years, after the great evolution on Blue Star! We’re living from one day to the next, with no idea what tomorrow will bring. Is it really necessary to buy a mountain’s usage rights for a hundred years in a situation like this?’

Luo Pei nodded decisively. "Of course. The higher your Evolution Level, the better your body’s condition and the longer your lifespan. You’re a High-Level Evolver; living to be 140 will be no problem for you, so one hundred years isn’t a long time at all. If you get a shorter term, the cost to extend the rights later, after the secret of the spring gets out, will be far higher than it is now. Fire Phoenix from Hui Yi Base One bought hers for two hundred years."

Still in a daze, Xiaqing carried her empty basket up the steps and out of the dilapidated house. On her way back to the village, she absentmindedly plucked a basketful of grass, her head still spinning.

When the Sheep Leader saw Xiaqing return, it trotted over and sniffed the grass in her basket. After giving it a disgusted look, it turned and walked away.

Xiaqing followed the Sheep Leader with her basket, still in a daze as she recounted what had just happened. "Chief, you’re the smart one, help me figure this out. Did I make a profit on this huge deal, or did I take a loss? How can I feel like I both won and lost at the same time?"

The so-called smart Sheep Leader narrowed its eyes, staring intently at the metal box in the kitchen.

"I’m done thinking about it! Come on, you’re going to pedal the water pump for me!" Xiaqing wasn’t one to dwell on things. If she couldn’t figure something out, she would simply stop trying.

She opened the metal box in the kitchen, grabbed a bar of compressed rations and stuffed it into her pocket, then hauled a modified water-pumping bicycle out of the tool shed. She had customized the bike herself: the seat was a large, grass-padded cushion perfect for the Sheep Leader, and the pedals were comfortable stirrups designed for its hooves.

With the rations in her pocket and the bicycle on her shoulder, Xiaqing successfully lured the Sheep Leader to the edge of the reservoir. After setting up the water-pumping bicycle, Xiaqing didn’t make the rookie get on right away. Instead, she decided to give the Sheep Leader a demonstration herself.

The bicycle, modified for the length of a sheep’s legs, was extremely awkward for Xiaqing to pedal, as her own legs were nearly twice as long as the Sheep Leader’s. Nevertheless, she pretended to pedal leisurely for a moment, watching as the pumped water flowed through the T-junction and into the irrigation ditch leading to the fields. Only then did she stop, making a show of wiping away sweat with a comically exaggerated expression. "Wow, pedaling this is so tiring! How can it be this exhausting? I’d better eat some rations to recharge before I keep going."

Seeing Xiaqing pull out the compressed rations, the Sheep Leader, who had been standing to the side, came trotting over with a CLIP-CLOP-CLIP-CLOP. It blinked its large, doe-like eyes and stared at her eagerly.