C18 Treasure One

Holding the bullet head that took only a second to refine, complete with a 'Suzerain Level' defense-breaking formation, Shih Wen was struck by an embarrassing realization: he didn't have a single spirit stone to his name. His dream of activating this formidable bullet head crumbled to dust. Dreams are beautiful, but reality can be brutally unforgiving. Even if he had a spirit stone, what would he do? Throw it by hand? A host of challenges loomed before Shih Wen, the 'great' Alchemist.

Shih Wen managed to keep any sign of discouragement from his face. With over three hundred soldiers looking to him for leadership, showing any loss of confidence could spell disaster for morale. So, Shih Wen, the Earth-born homebody, forced a confident smile and turned to address the soldiers resting in the corridor behind him, "Everyone, head inside. I'm about to lower the gate."

Once he reached the small square and lowered the gate, they were safe from Orc attacks. Shih Wen examined the radar display; this area was clearly a junction or transit hub, with twelve massive main passages radiating from it, doubling as a resting spot. He marveled at how the ancients had constructed this metallic square from rare magic metal, treating such wealth with apparent disregard.

His gaze then settled on the towering tree at the square's center, nearly a hundred meters tall and laden with fruit the size of honeydew melons, glinting gold and emitting a heady scent. The ground was carpeted with a thick layer of fallen fruit. While the ones at the very bottom had rotted away, many remained intact, alongside clusters of small, pale saplings struggling to survive without soil, water, or nutrients.

"Sir, these are Gold Spirit Fruits," a scholarly-looking lance corporal informed him. "They're edible, rich in rare metallic elements, metal attribute spiritual force, and Universe Power. They offer immense benefits to Mages practicing Metal Type Alchemy. Typically, these trees are only three to four meters tall and bear two to three fruits. This one is a miracle, both in height and the sheer number and size of its fruits—nearly ten thousand, I'd say. The ones on the ground are fully ripe and can last a hundred years without spoiling. In a place rich with golden spiritual energy, like here, they could last between four hundred and eight hundred years." He then picked up a Gold Spirit Fruit, cleaned it off, and took a bite, signaling to Shih Wen that not only were the fruits edible, but they were also exceptionally tasty.

The lance corporal, who exuded a scholarly air, sported a long beard reminiscent of Guan Yu, though his was not red but rather a distinguished white. He had the look of a middle-aged man with an effortless charm, and one couldn't help but feel an immediate warmth towards him. It was clear that he was well-liked; even when soldiers teasingly called him "Bookworm," he would often be seen with two books in hand, having set aside all other gear. He was undoubtedly a voracious reader, yet his speech and actions betrayed a sharp efficiency that belied his bookish demeanor.

The six personal guards swiftly gathered and cleaned a platter of Gold Spirit Fruits, presenting them to Shih Wen. Each fruit was as large as a honeydew melon and brimming with juice, serving both as food and drink. It was as if surviving a great calamity indeed led to a stroke of good fortune! With such an abundance of Gold Spirit Fruits, they could easily sustain themselves for a year in this place. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, no longer desperate to find an exit. After all, without Shih Wen's guidance, they might have already perished at the hands of the Orcs.

Upon tasting the fruit, Shih Wen's face lit up with delight. Truthfully, he had never experienced such a delectable treat; the sensation was intoxicating. The sweet nectar flowed through his body like rivulets, a pleasure beyond words. Shih Wen was instantly smitten with the Gold Spirit Fruit, devouring it eagerly. As he reached for another, the lance corporal cautioned, "Sir, it's best to wait another four hours before having more. Otherwise, you'll feel as stiff as wood and quite uncomfortable for the entire day."

"Oh!" Shih Wen heeded the warning, not keen on becoming a living zombie. He turned his gaze to the six guards who had served him five Gold Spirit Fruits. Clearly, they had unwittingly encouraged him to overindulge. The guards, now flustered, knelt and explained, "Sir, we had no idea about the proper way to consume Gold Spirit Fruits; this is our first encounter with them. Had the Bookworm not informed us, we would have been clueless." The guards were visibly distressed. Gold Spirit Fruits were a delicacy reserved for the nobility, rare and valued at tens of thousands of Black Crystal Coins each. It was unimaginable for warriors of their lowly station to know the etiquette surrounding such an exquisite fruit.

"Innocence lies in ignorance. Everyone, please rise; I wasn't aware of this custom either." Shih Wen quickly assisted the six guards to their feet. These six attentive and efficient guards were indeed a pleasure to work with, so naturally, he bore no ill will toward them. Curiously, he inquired, "Bookworm, how did you come by this knowledge?"

Bookworm stroked his long beard with a hint of pride and responded, "I am dedicated to cultivating Gold Spirit Fruit. I serve as a humble steward in King Nanzhong's household."

"Oh! With such an esteemed background, what made you consider enlisting?" Shih Wen probed with a touch of nosiness.

With a heavy sigh, Bookworm explained, "A concubine of mine bore me quintuplets, each blessed with exceptional talent for cultivation. Alongside them, my other three sons and two daughters are also Mages. It should have been a tremendous celebration to have ten Mages in the family. However, King Nanzhong's chief Great Archmage warned that despite their extraordinary talents, the likelihood of them naturally advancing to Mages was slim. The supply of Foundation Pills distributed annually by King Nanzhong's estate is quite scarce, and my position as a mere steward offers little chance of securing them. When Iron Wall Pass announced its recruitment, promising five Foundation Pills to every warrior who enlisted, I saw an opportunity for my children's future and signed up to serve." Bookworm's voice carried both joy and concern.

Shih Wen paused, taken aback by the revelations behind enlisting. He glanced at the other warriors; their nods confirmed his suspicion that Foundation Pills were indeed scarce. Otherwise, with their potential for a promising future, who would willingly join the ranks at Iron Wall Pass, where the risk of death loomed largest?

Without further inquiry, it was clear that each person had their own compelling reason to join the army, most certainly to secure a brighter future for their loved ones. They were, without a doubt, a group of the noblest individuals. Shih Wen's respect for these unsung heroes grew, and he found himself recalling the essay from his school days, "Who is the most lovable person?" Indeed, it was the soldier who defends their homeland.

Armed with a radar, Shih Wen set out to probe the local geology, but he encountered strong energy interference emanating from a massive tree. This limited his visibility to only the rough path of the tunnels. The tree's complexity was evident, and after several days of rigorous cultivation and training, Shih Wen had grown significantly stronger than upon his arrival. He could now trek considerable distances at a slow pace. Shih Wen had come to realize that the gravity in this world was roughly twice that of Earth's, making every step feel as though he was carrying the weight of two additional people. Despite the exhaustion, he knew he couldn't just give in to fatigue. Lying down offered no relief either, as it felt like being pinned under the same weight. His only recourse was to continue his regimen of cultivation and training.

Accompanied by six personal guards, Shih Wen was never left unprotected. Even in the absence of apparent threats, they maintained a vigilant formation around him, ensuring his safety. He was their sole hope for a safe departure from this perilous place—if disaster struck, their fate would be sealed.

Upon further exploration, they stumbled upon a series of vast secret chambers, likely serving as a rest area and a hub for resource distribution or a transit station. Shih Wen found himself before a seamlessly sealed chamber—more accurately, a warehouse door. These doors required remote activation and a password for entry. After examining the internal chip, Shih Wen crafted a remote control and effortlessly swung the door open. Inside, the warehouse was packed to the brim with metal boxes—thousands of them, filling the space entirely.