Published: February 12, 2025
Looking at Indy's hesitant expression and the other people's hesitation to speak, Ye Zhongming realized that his request might put the people from the Bourbon Free Territory in a difficult position.
"Do you have any difficulties?"
Indy was the leader of this small team of six remaining members. He was a free adventurer from Ailiu City, one of the few cities in the Endless Wilderness. The people around him were his good friends, also free adventurers, forming a fixed exploration team.
Just like any place with life, Ailiu City had its own hierarchy and classes.
There was a high and mighty city council, a powerful adventurer alliance, and aristocrats and artisans who wielded substantial power.
Indy and his team were not at the very bottom of Ailiu City, but they also did not reach the middle line; they were only slightly better off than the beggars and laborers among the proletariat.
This time, they came here to obtain Red Scarf Fruit, which had significant effects. After taking it, it could help young people have a greater chance of becoming adventurers, similar to the One-Star Evolution Elixir. If taken by adventurers, it could also enhance some of their abilities. The longer the Red Scarf Fruit had matured, the better the effects.
However, these long-matured Red Scarf Fruits were located at the very center and highest point of the Red Scarf Trees' canopies, making it difficult for ordinary adventurers to obtain them.
Clearly, Indy and his team had come away empty-handed this time, and they had even lost one person.
"Ye, you want to go to the border, but that's very far away. Walking there won't work, and any method to reach it requires... a lot of money. But we..."
Indy seemed rather embarrassed, which surprised Ye Zhongming.
This… didn’t seem to relate to him? Why would he feel embarrassed about his own poverty? Was he trying to help Ye Zhongming with travel expenses?
"I think you might have misunderstood; the money issue, I will find a way myself," Ye Zhongming could only explain kindly, feeling a bit more fond of these people. He also sighed, realizing that although this place was not an apocalypse, these people would easily treat anyone as a friend after just a few days of acquaintance, making it hard for them to hold an advantage in competition.
"Ah?" Indy and the others were taken aback for a moment, then Indy cleared his throat and said, "Actually, we might be able to take on some tasks together to earn some money, which would help us gather enough for travel expenses."
After saying that, as if afraid Ye Zhongming would disagree, Indy hurriedly added, "You don’t need to do much, just some tasks that our deceased companion used to do. If we cooperate, we can definitely make some money."
Ye Zhongming blinked, suddenly realizing that it was he who had been naive.
……………………………………………………
Ye Zhongming greatly appreciated the scenery of Hey Ant Valley. There were beautifully eroded rocks of various shapes, salt lakes that were half water and half ice, towering succulents, patches of fine grasslands, and, of course, the tall Red Scarf forests.
In Hey Ant Valley, Red Scarf Trees were not uncommon, but they mostly grew in clusters. Their fallen leaves and the Red Scarf Fruits that rotted after dropping due to natural reasons formed a unique humus soil.
This humus soil was the preferred environment for heyma bugs, and the Insect Towers were formed by these bugs attaching themselves to the fallen leaves.
It can be said that the Red Scarf forest was a gathering place for these heyma; any life that intruded would be attacked wildly.
Now, Indy was chattering away. He truly did not expect Ye Zhongming to come back here for the Red Scarf Fruits.
"Ye, although we found only three Red Scarf Trees, they are all adult trees that have grown for many years. The canopy's range is very wide, and the fallen leaves' humus range is also extensive. The number of heyma is considerable. We have already failed once, and going again won’t help. I know you need money to reach the border, but if you lose your life, then nothing will matter."