In Teyvat, it all begins with rescuing the grass god.

Even outsiders to Rhodes couldn't help but shake their heads repeatedly.

People from the same country can enjoy a life of abundant resources, receive high-quality education, and travel freely to other countries to conduct scientific research, while people in another region mostly live hand to mouth, struggling to even eat and drink. In such dire conditions, public health and education are nonexistent, and even obtaining supplies through normal trade is not permitted.

Rabbits will bite when they are anxious.

Not to mention the impoverished people living in the desert.

Thus, the Sumeru desert region became known throughout the entire Teyvat continent as the most vicious and treacherous place.

After killing the Tannet bandits, Rhodes wandered the desert for nearly a month, witnessing firsthand its cruelty.

Desert areas are unsuitable for farming, and oases are scarce.

Those desert people who occupied the oases and were militarily powerful still had plenty of means to survive. Whether it was hunting, planting or raiding, no matter what means they used, they always found a way to ensure the continuation of their tribes.

But what about the weak and militarily vulnerable desert dwellers?

Rod had personally witnessed how those physically weak desert people struggled to survive in the desert.

Grass roots, tree bark, insects, and corpses—these are their daily foods.

Fresh vegetables and meat?

That's food straight out of a dream!!!

Some people who were so hungry that they even dared to stuff sand into their stomachs, and eventually died from bloating.

Rod is a well-educated modern young man.

Therefore, he was moved by compassion and shared the food he had finally obtained with the hungry desert people.

What I got in the end was this.

It was the surging murderous intent that arose from the desert people, whose eyes gleamed with green light, like hungry wolves, after they had eaten and drunk their fill. The reason for killing their savior was simply to steal all the food and water from Rhodes.

Since that incident, Rhodes' heart has become a completely cold stone.

Even if someone were to beg him for food again, he would not be moved in the slightest.

Poor mountains and bad waters bring out unruly people.

This statement aptly describes the current situation of desert dwellers.

Although the root of all this lies in the Council's comprehensive blockade and sanctions against the desert, this cannot change Rhodes's extremely hostile stereotype of the desert people.

Of course.

Dishia, who is also a desert dweller, is not included in this list.

Compared to the desert people who treat human life like dirt, the kind and warm-hearted Dixia seems like someone who came from the desert.

"This place? This place is so-so. It's a bit far from the village, and you have to walk a long way to get water, which is very inconvenient. Plus, there isn't even a pot in the house."

“This place is nice, it’s just right for you to live alone, and there’s even a well. It’s just that the house is a bit dilapidated, you’ll have to fix it yourself.”

"Hey~ This place is great, fully furnished, with a well and a pot, and the house is alright too. Oh, and there's even a separate toilet. It's just that the rent is a bit expensive. By the way, do you have any money? If not, I can lend you some first, and you can pay me back when you find a job and get paid."

Dixia enthusiastically helped Rhodes choose a house. Her selection criteria were simple: a cooking pot and a well for drawing water were the best conditions, and a toilet would be an even greater surprise.

Of course.

This fully-equipped house is also the most expensive of all the empty houses, costing 1,500 Mora a month. Rhodes' entire savings are only enough for a month and a half.

Compared to other houses where the rent is only three to five hundred Mora a month, this house is clearly beyond Rod's current means.

Dixia noticed his current predicament and generously offered to lend him some money.

"What jobs in Aru Village pay the most? You come here often, so you should know, right?"

Instead of answering Desia directly, Rod asked about work.

The Blazing Beasts are not a wealthy mercenary group.

Rhode had a fairly good relationship with the members of the Blazing Beasts, and from them, he learned roughly about the current financial situation of the Blazing Beasts.

how to say.

They certainly have enough for daily expenses, but to say they have substantial savings, they've never been that wealthy.

Knowing that he didn't want to borrow money from her, Dixia smiled helplessly. After thinking for a moment, she said, "There are many jobs in Aru Village, but if you want to know the highest pay, be the village guard."

"guard?"

Rhodes frowned slightly.

Although he didn't know much about desert tribes, he knew that in a large village like Aru Village, guards were definitely not the highest earners.

"The guard position I'm referring to is the most suitable job for you right now."

Seeing that Rhodes had some doubts about this, Dixia quickly explained: "If you're talking about who earns the most money in the village, it's definitely the village merchants and the hunters who are responsible for going out to hunt. But with your current status, even if you wanted to do that kind of work, Candice probably wouldn't agree."

Once he heard that, Rod understood.

Right.

No matter how pristine Aru Village may be, it is still part of the desert.

Although the old-fashioned tribal system that emphasizes survival of the fittest is no longer used, the most basic xenophobia still exists. For Rhodes, who is no different from outsiders, it is naturally impossible to hand over some positions that are very important to the village right now.

As for the guards.

Literally, it means the guards of Aru Village, responsible for protecting the safety of Aru Village and carrying out daily patrols.

This is actually a very important position.

Logically speaking, it shouldn't be Rhodes' turn to take on that role either.

But there are always exceptions.

All the guards in Aru Village were under the direct jurisdiction of Candice, and she had full power of appointment and dismissal.

in other words.

If Rhodes wants to apply for the guard job, he only needs to pass Candice's test.

If you look at it this way.

Rhodes is a holder of the Eye of God. Although his development level is not very high and he does not know martial arts, he is still a very good combat force.

With such advantages, plus Dixia's recommendation, getting a guard job shouldn't be a problem.

"Okay, then I'll apply for the guard job."

"That makes sense," Rod nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 6 The Current State of the Desert

After selecting the house and confirming with Uncle Ampu, Rod signed the contract with the homeowner and received the keys.

Holding the contract in his hand, Rhodes was quite emotional.

In other parts of the desert, this thing is just a piece of waste paper, but in Aru Village, the contract is no less effective than in Liyue, the land of contracts. As long as the contract is successfully signed, no one can break it, otherwise they will be hunted down by Candice herself.

This made Rhodes realize once again just how important the name Candice was in Aru Village.

With the house chosen, the next step is to stock up on basic living supplies.

The house is fully furnished and has a well for drinking water. Except for the fact that it needs to be cleaned properly since no one has lived there for a long time, it is basically ready to move in.

And there are things Rhodes still needs to prepare.

These are daily necessities such as firewood, rice, oil, salt, bedding, and candles.

Led by Desia, Rod followed her to a general store.

“Aru Village holds a two-day market on the first and last day of every month. Merchants from the rainforest and desert regions gather in the central square of the village to set up stalls, where many good things are sold.”

"It's not the appointed time yet, so just make do for now."

After discussing the market, Dixia began to introduce the shop in front of her: "This is Uncle Bard's shop. You can come here to buy anything you need in the future."

Compared to Aru Village, the goods in this shop can be described as dazzling.

just

"Second-hand goods?"

Rod picked up a basin and stared at the scratches on it.

There is more than one scratch.

It's obvious that this is a used iron basin.

"Yes, these are all cheap secondhand items outside. The brand new ones are all inside. After all, not everyone in the village can afford brand new stuff."

Dixia explained with a smile.

But there was a hint of sadness in that smile.

Even in a village like Aru Village, which has abundant job opportunities and a large number of merchants coming to trade, most people's lives are still below the poverty line according to the standards of Sumeru.

Therefore, secondhand goods used by people in the rainforest area, as long as they are not severely damaged, are still the top choice for many people in Aru Village.

No other reason.

One cheap option is enough.

For example, the basin that Rod has in his hand, a brand new one would sell for around 500 Mora in Aru Village, while a used one would only cost 50 Mora.

The price difference is enough for an average family to buy more things.

After Desia finished speaking, Rod understood the reason behind it.

to be frank.

He doesn't really want secondhand items; it's a personality issue, nothing else.

But after much hesitation, he still chose to pick from the things in front of him.

Money is tight.

He only had that little money on hand.

If I buy all new things, I'll starve before I get my next paycheck.