Chapter 1081 - 161: Ascetic Saint Dante and the Bountiful Harvest of Extraordinary Spiritual Plants (3)

Chapter 1081: Chapter 161: Ascetic Saint Dante and the Bountiful Harvest of Extraordinary Spiritual Plants (3)

A gentle breeze swept through, making the whole sea of flowers and fruit grove sway lightly and emit a rustling whisper, like countless devout followers softly praying. Purple petals fluttered down like fine snow, swirling and refracting mystical glints in the sunlight, eventually covering the grass under the tree, forming a layer of purple carpet. Meanwhile, the heavy pods collided slightly in the wind, producing a crisp and melodious sound akin to wind chimes.

Su Li felt utterly refreshed; the existence of each extraordinary spiritual plant greatly elevated the fantastical level and fiscal scale of the Hesse Territory.

Su Li asked delightedly, "Have the Holy Purple Vine Tree and other Spirit Trees yielded a harvest?"

Hilude promptly nodded, with a face filled with admiration for the bounty: "Lord, this season’s harvest from the Holy Purple Vine Tree far exceeds last year’s. Last year’s pods were good, but some were still somewhat shriveled; whereas this year each one is plump and full, brimming with the essence of life, and the medicinal efficacy will undoubtedly be superior." She paused, her voice carrying a touch of certainty and amazement witnessing a miracle: "Its effects have been favorably verified on Knight Olsen."

"You might have heard of Knight Olsen; he was a northern immigrant who fought for the Empire for half of his life in the Nord Territory and settled in our territory after retirement, buying a small manor at the outskirts of the Blood Pine Forest. During the winter, he was already at the end of his rope; the physician predicted he wouldn’t last past early spring, and the family had even prepared for his funeral."

"Therefore, last year he used up his life savings, selling off a large portion of ancestral properties, and with the help of his children, barely bought a Holy Purple Vine Tree pod."

"After consumption, the effect was nothing short of miraculous. His body, ravaged by old injuries and aging, astonishingly regained vitality within a short cycle. His withered skin regained its luster, his murky eyes turned clear, and he could even pick up and swing his beloved warhammer a few times. This wasn’t a mere flicker of life; the territory’s most senior physician Shalya confirmed his life essence had been miraculously stabilized and extended."

"Since consumption, over the next eight months, Knight Olsen not only compiled a lifetime’s worth of martial arts insights but personally guided several promising young knights in the territory. Furthermore, in a vigorous mental state, he witnessed his youngest grandson’s initiation as an Apprentice Knight. Just three months ago, on a morning, this old knight wearing his most formal attire chose his spot in the family cemetery and then calmly sat on a bench beneath the purple vine tree, peacefully passing away in a shower of falling petals, his expression content and without regrets."

"This event caused quite a stir at the time, sparking widespread discussion throughout the territory."

"Three months ago?" Su Li raised an eyebrow, cautiously confirming, "Wasn’t that just around the time of the Fiery Sun Festival? Are you sure... this is the genuine situation? And not Dean Oliver’s propaganda?"

After all, based on Su Li’s understanding of Oliver, this iron-fisted Prime Minister would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

To promote the effect of this prize, secretly fabricating such an effect and case is entirely possible.

Hilude promptly shook her head, saying, "No way, Dean Oliver wouldn’t set up a story that could be so easily debunked. I think this example was sensational because the fame of the Holy Purple Vine Tree pods soared at that time; hence, this instance garnered more attention."

"Nevertheless, regardless of authenticity, the key is the effect of the Holy Purple Vine Tree itself; as long as the Holy Purple Vine Tree’s fruits can extend life, even if this case is fake, it will eventually become real. Otherwise, even if the story is true, it will ultimately be deemed as manipulating public opinion."

There is some sense to it; temporary public opinion and exaggeration might bring about massive sales.

After all, scams, health products, and even ephemeral talismans can be sold widespread; ultimately, the key lies in the effect of the Holy Purple Vine Tree pods.

If there is no effect, an item claiming to extend life would have surely been questioned within a year with someone demanding an explanation.

Su Li hesitated for a moment and then asked, "Hilude, do you think we made a mistake back then? I feel these Holy Purple Vine Tree pods are actually priced too cheaply. Compared to a year’s lifespan, being only 200 Golden Crowns is bound to raise suspicion."

The value of these fruits should reasonably be five to ten times greater! Only when it’s unbelievably expensive will people be more convinced of its efficacy.

By then, even if they harbor doubts, they won’t display it. With firm belief, they might even live a bit longer.

Hilude’s lips slightly curled, looking gently at Su Li’s profile, she said, "Lord, it’s already very expensive. Even last year, it was only those like Knight Olsen, who served the Empire for many years, that could manage to purchase one by emptying lifelong savings and selling off much family estate."

"This year the value of the pods has nearly doubled; knights within the ruling class already dare not wish for them. Only great knight clans, large landowners, merchants, and Lords can provide a full 200 Golden Crowns!"

Golden Crowns, requiring a farmer to go without food and drink for 400 days, not falling sick, not resting a single day, to gather such wealth.

But who can go an entire year without any illness? Especially in this dark and desperate world, plagued by rampant viruses, goblins frequently attacking and poisoning.

A farmer, after paying heavy taxes, is left with meager wealth; they carry only a few copper coins.

To save 200 Golden Crowns to extend their parents’ life is practically an impossible endeavor.

In actuality, if viewed from a civilian, farmer’s perspective rather than a Lord’s, the despairing tone of this world becomes overwhelmingly intense, driving one to collapse. Finding a few Silver Coins could fill the whole family with excitement. Discovering a few Gold Coins leads to both trepidation and sleepless nights.

Frightened about how to use such a large sum, while fearing the loss’s rightful owner might appear, as behind such an amount lurk remarkable individuals.

Thus, Su Li distributing about a third of such expensive pods last year as spoils and rewards truly benefitted the entire territory.

Hilude continued, "Our region is, after all, not comparable to the interior of the Empire; the value of the Holy Purple Vine Tree pods could not immediately be worth a fortune. Last year’s decision was already the wisest choice at the time."

"Additionally, the value of the Holy Purple Vine Tree pods will visibly increase with the expansion of our territory’s strength. The stronger our territory becomes, the more people will be influenced by the value and effect of these pods."

"When we become Electors or the Emperor of the Empire, the effect of these pods could genuinely realize a worth of a thousand gold."

Su Li withdrew his gaze from afar, looking at Hilude and smiled, "You’re indeed the best at comforting me."

Su Li was certain, no matter the reality, Hilude would find an explanation and direction to put him at ease. Nonetheless, everything Hilude said had no angle Su Li could counter.

Thus, he ceased his nitpicking and instead asked, "And what about the state of other Spirit Plants?"

Hilude calmly replied, "Star Dew Sweet Oranges also yielded a harvest. However, unlike the Holy Purple Vine Tree pods, these berries on shrubs are almost entirely monopolized by Lady Ingrid, over 90%. The quantity exceeds 80 pieces."

pieces?

Su Li took a deep breath, this year indeed appears to have been a much greater harvest than last year, with every tree bearing more gleaming fruits.

Hilude continued, "The critical thing is that we might have misjudged the value of Star Dew Sweet Oranges. Compared to their intrinsic value, these sweet oranges might only serve as decoration; the true value lies within the plant itself. Its growth there is inherently priceless."