NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 159
Day 36 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Lu Ming's life continued in its rhythmic pattern of training and cultivation. Amang and his group had arrived at the Nanxiang gathering place on the 20th day, and Lu Ming estimated that the second wave of Black Feather Tribe members would likely arrive around the 40th day. Of course, there was a chance they might be stronger and faster, so he remained vigilant from this day forward.
The looming threat slightly disturbed his sleep, but it didn't hinder his training.
Day 37 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Uneventful.
Day 38-39 of the Black Mist Calendar.
The days passed without incident, yet Lu Ming didn't let his guard down. He stayed alert, ready to face any potential danger.
Day 40 of the Black Mist Calendar.
Still, nothing happened. However, Lu Ming remained focused, constantly scanning for threats.
Meanwhile, outside the gathering place, Velo and Fala sat around a crackling bonfire, discussing the situation.
"I've sent a message to the tribe," Velo said, his voice heavy with worry, "but there's no one left who can come to our aid."
"And the two major tribes nearby have started a war," Fala added, echoing his grandfather's sigh.
Velo's initial plan to win the tribulation transcenders' favor by playing the hero had crumbled in the face of Lu Ming's overwhelming strength. He had shifted his strategy, hoping to exploit the Black Feather Tribe's retaliation, but his own power proved insufficient. His request for tribal support was met with disappointment—the Spirit Tribe lacked the manpower to spare.
The situation seemed hopeless until Fala spoke up, observing, "They've been eating exotic beast meat lately. Haven't they heard of black rice?"
Velo, initially puzzled, quickly caught on and exclaimed, "That's it! We can use this to our advantage!" He shared his plan with Fala, a renewed sense of optimism in his voice.
Day 41 of the Black Mist Calendar.
The afternoon arrived, but the Black Feather Tribe was nowhere in sight. Instead, the Nanxiang gathering place received unexpected visitors: Velo and Fala.
With packs strapped to their backs, the two stood before the entrance, hands raised in a gesture of peace as the sentries eyed them warily.
Huo Sheng and Bai Tianyu, alerted to the newcomers, arrived at the city gate.
"Who are you?" Huo Sheng inquired cautiously.
"Traveling merchants," Velo replied, revealing their disguised identity.
The term "traveling merchants" piqued Bai Tianyu's curiosity. He and Huo Sheng exchanged glances before asking, "What are you selling?"
A smile spread across Velo's face. "Crop seeds."
The response immediately warmed the Nanxiang people's reception. Food was a universal necessity; without it, they would starve. And lately, Nanxiang City had been facing a food crisis.
Feeding over 100,000 people was no small feat. While the Black Mist Zone teemed with exotic beasts, the sheer consumption of such a large population had nearly driven the nearby Six-legged Wolf Bears to extinction.
Hunting further afield would only exacerbate the problem. The lack of a sustainable food source was a critical issue, and even Lu Ming, with his stoic tolerance, was nearing his limit of consuming exotic beast meat day after day.
Velo's arrival, it seemed, couldn't have been more timely.
"This is black rice," Velo began, gesturing to a sack of dark grains. "High yield, fast growth rate—the staple crop of the Black Mist Zone."
"These are Sky Blue Greens," he continued, producing a bundle of leafy vegetables. "Another high-yield option."
He then showcased Heartless Fruits, boasting their sweet flavor, and Dragon Melons, known for their size and juiciness.
In a vacant house on the outskirts of the gathering place, Velo emptied his backpack, introducing each item to Huo Sheng, Lu Ming, and the others. Huo Sheng listened intently, a smile growing wider with each new crop presented.
"This will solve our biggest problem!" Huo Sheng exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. Forget bargaining tactics—he was determined to secure these seeds.
"So, how many Origin Stones for these resources?" he inquired.
Origin Stones, also known as Zombie Crystals, were the common currency in the Black Mist Zone.
"Using Level 5 Mortal Realm Origin Stones as a benchmark," Velo replied, "a thousand pieces."
Velo insisted on payment to avoid arousing suspicion. The Nanxiang people were newcomers and naturally cautious. Offering the seeds for free would seem too good to be true.
The price was fair, and after a moment's consideration, Huo Sheng agreed.
Velo added, "We also offer complimentary after-sales services. My granddaughter and I will teach you how to cultivate these crops."
This was a crucial aspect of the deal.
Huo Sheng nodded, a grateful smile on his face. "And what would be the charge for this service?"
Velo waved a dismissive hand. "No charge at all. It's just that my granddaughter and I have been out in the wilderness for quite some time, our supplies dwindling. We'd like to rest here for a while, if you'll have us."
After a brief consultation with Lu Ming, Huo Sheng readily agreed. "Of course, you're welcome to stay."
Origin Stones were secondary for Velo; the after-sales service was his true objective. It was the perfect excuse to integrate into the Nanxiang community and foster a relationship with the new generation of tribulation transcenders.
More importantly, when the Black Feather Tribe's second wave arrived, he could act strategically. If they proved too powerful, he and his granddaughter would escape. But if their strength was manageable, he could offer assistance, gaining valuable goodwill—perhaps not as much as a savior, but certainly not insignificant.
As Velo pondered his plan, Lu Ming's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Are you selling anything else?"
Velo's ears perked up. "What do you need?"
"Origin Power Skills?" Lu Ming inquired.
Velo shook his head regretfully. "Those are quite rare. I don't have any on hand at the moment."
In the Black Mist Zone, aside from basic breathing techniques, most Origin Power Skills were sealed within Inheritance Orbs, making them highly valuable commodities. Velo wouldn't risk carrying them around casually.
Lu Ming, hearing this, let out a small sigh but wasn't too disappointed. He was already swamped with cultivating the Knight Body Forging Technique, and didn't have the bandwidth for additional Origin Power Skills at the moment.
Velo and Fala's arrival didn't disrupt life in the Nanxiang gathering place much. Lu Ming continued his daily routine, while Velo and Fala eagerly awaited the Black Feather Tribe's second attack.
But strangely, even as the 50th day of the Black Mist Calendar arrived, there was no sign of the Black Feather Tribe.
That night, Lu Ming tossed and turned in bed, unable to shake off a nagging question: "What are those Black Feather Tribe members up to?! Are they coming or not?!"
The suspense was akin to awaiting punishment after failing an exam—the dread of the inevitable, drawn out by an agonizing wait.
Elsewhere, Velo lay awake, equally perplexed. "Are the Black Feather Tribe members even coming anymore?" he grumbled. "Damn it, the black rice is almost ready to harvest! What's taking them so long?!"