Above the mage

Chapter 359 39 Drops of Liquid Mana

"Okay." Sunafa readily agreed, not even caring what God wanted the flesh and blood of the high-level ley line creature for.

This thing is indeed not that rare or valuable in the North.

After all, before the discovery of Northwest Barley No. 1, the Zhenbing tribe was an atypical nomadic tribe, and hunting was always one of the most important sources of food.

"My king, my 'Azure Wood Longevity Scripture' has advanced to the second-ring mage level." After thinking for a moment, Sunafa took the initiative to reveal this news to Gaode.

Although he knew that Sunafa, a fourth-ring mage, was cultivating the "Azure Wood Longevity Scripture" in reverse, and that the sacred object was the Ice Jade Wutong, which was at the sixth rank, his cultivation speed must have far exceeded the norm, Gao De was still slightly surprised when he heard this news.

"After advancing to the second ring, the 'Green Wood Longevity Scripture' granted me a new ability."

"What is it?" After all, he also practiced this cultivation method, so Gao De was extremely curious.

"The Language of Nature: Once you have this ability, you can communicate with plants in a simple way."

Sunefa replied, "I tried it, but because plants themselves don't have high intelligence, the communication is mostly limited to the most basic question and answer."

It didn't sound as good as the art of nature, but it seemed to be a skill with a lot of potential for development, Gao De thought to himself.

Most people naturally perceive plants as inanimate objects and have little to no defense against them.

In Gaode's view, this is the greatest potential advantage.

"I understand," Gao De nodded in thanks, then thought for a moment and added, "There's one more thing, which I didn't bring up in the meeting, but now that I think about it, I should bring it up as soon as possible."

"Please speak," Sunefa said, adopting a listening posture.

It wasn't just out of respect for Gaode, but also out of genuine curiosity.

Over this period of time, we have repeatedly verified that Gaode's novel ideas have played a crucial role in the development of Phoenix.

"Now that we have begun to absorb other small and medium-sized tribes and integrate resources, it is necessary to conduct a population census before expanding the city."

"Population census?" Sunafa's eyes revealed a hint of doubt; it was yet another Gaode-style term.

"It means sending people to conduct a comprehensive survey and registration of the current population of the Zhenbing tribe, household by household and person by person, including how many households there are, how many people are in each household, their gender, and their specific ages," Gao De explained.

"This is a huge project. It's a bit awkward to say that it's mid-November now. In the future, in the North, we can simplify these months to January through December. It's mid-November now, so let's try to finish this project before the end of the year."

After careful consideration, taking into account the difficulty and timeline of the project, Gao De made his final decision.

He didn't try to be mysterious, nor did he keep Sunefa in suspense; he directly explained the significance of his actions:

"Experience has shown that detailed population data is necessary before undertaking large-scale economic construction and expansion."

"Having a comprehensive understanding of the tribe's population will make it easier for us to plan and invest in various public resources when expanding the city. Moreover, if nothing unexpected happens, there will be some additional gains during the census process, which you will find out later." Gao De revealed a mysterious smile.

"Okay, I will organize the manpower as soon as possible to start working on the census." Although there were still many things she didn't understand, Sunefa obeyed God's orders unconditionally.

After leaving the treasure vault, Gao De unconsciously touched the six ice crystal jade boxes he had kept in his arms, feeling a strange sense of peace.

The main purpose of this trip has been achieved, and there was even an extra gain: wolf blood ginseng.

He now urgently needs to establish his reputation as a genius in order to gain a higher status and identity among the Sea Sentinels, making it easier for him to do more and acquire more of the resources he needs.

Wolf blood ginseng is a great help.

Although things in Lagos were quite urgent, Gao De couldn't stay long this time and was somewhat pressed for time. However, before that, there was one thing that had to be done no matter how rushed it was.

"Master, you have no conscience." The little boy turned his head away, refusing to look Gao De in the eye.

puffed up with anger.

Like a small pufferfish that has been provoked and swelled up, it doesn't frighten you, but only makes you want to poke it a couple of times.

Flora's words were brief.

But as a five-star "Flora's Keeper," Gao De knew that what the little guy meant by being heartless was that he had given Flora a bunch of tasks while he himself had just left without a care in the world, using "Astral Teleportation" to go off and have some fun.

"Thank you for your hard work, Lady Flora," Gaode said earnestly, clasping his hands in a fist salute to the little figure.

"Hmph!" Flora remained silent, only expressing her dissatisfaction.

"So, I specially brought back a gift for Lady Flora from outside."

"A gift?" Flora finally turned her head, her bright eyes instantly lighting up as she noticed that God was carrying a large package on his back.

"Yes, a gift." Gao De took off the package and untied it in front of Flora, revealing a series of small cloth bags inside.

The little boy stared at the cloth bags without saying a word.

"This is a golden privet beech tree, and this is a Dorn fir tree." God smiled slightly, untied the small cloth bag one by one, and showed Flora the contents.

These are all large trees of different species that Gaode specially collected, totaling nearly seventy kinds.

Then, Gaode took out several more special and heavier small cloth bags.

In addition to tree seeds, each of these cloth bags also contained a small amount of soil.

"Black Iron Elm seed. A mature Black Iron Elm is a second-tier magic tree, so this is a second-tier magic tree seed." Gao De waved the black, mulberry-like seed in his hand at Flora.

This is the most precious of the many tree species he brought back this time.

Mature black iron elm wood is as hard as iron, and the trunk is dark black. It is often used to make armor or treasure chests.

Because of its powerful functionality and versatility, the black iron elm has always been a valuable and highly sought-after tree.

However, the growth conditions of black iron elm are extremely demanding, and it can only germinate and grow in a type of dark gray soil called dark iron soil.

Even in Virando County, the native habitat of the black iron elm, there is only a very small patch of dark iron land.

It is said that Dark Iron Soil is formed from the decay of knights' armor and weapons that fell in ancient wars. It exists only in certain ancient battlefield ruins, making it extremely rare and impossible to create artificially.

These harsh growing conditions result in an extremely limited yield of black iron elm.

However, the black iron elm tree itself is not very valuable, since it is useless if there is no suitable land for planting.

This black iron elm seed was found by God in a magical plant shop in the northern district of Dorne.

What ultimately convinced him to take the tree was that it still had a small patch of native dark iron soil.

It was really just a tiny clump, not even as big as a fingernail, and it looked like a layer of ash attached to the surface of the seed.

But that's enough. With Flora's power of the power of all earth, she can create all things and create a vast expanse of dark iron land.

"Song fir, golden chestnut, fluorescent poplar, ghost vine, and moss." Gao De opened the remaining five small cloth bags and introduced them one by one.

Compared to ordinary tree species, the magical tree species that Gaode brought back were relatively limited, totaling only six species, and apart from the Black Iron Elm, they were all first-tier magical tree species.

"Does Lady Flora like these gifts?" After showing off the gifts he had brought back, God looked at Flora.

"You have a conscience."

But that's not enough.

"Next time we teleport to the Astral Plane, when we're about to return, shall I let Lady Flora have some fun first?" Godd glanced at Flora's wings, which had already slightly opened again, thought for a moment, and offered a new condition.

"What's fun about it?"

"There are lots of fun things to do."

"for example?"

"It's no fun listening to me; let Lady Flora have her own fun."

"The monk makes a good point."

"Shouldn't Lady Flora forgive me?"

"Can four horses catch up?" After spending a lot of time with Gao De, Flora has also picked up a lot of "Ga De-style vocabulary" from him.

However, since most of these ADO (Academic) terms are too complicated to understand, Flora often adapts them into "Flora-style terms" based on her own understanding.

"Can't catch up." Gao De was already a level 10 Flora speaker, so communication was completely seamless.

"Alright, Lady Flora forgives you, mage."

"Lady Flora is truly magnanimous; she has a heart that can hold a boat."

"Huh?!" Flora exclaimed in surprise, looking at God warily, and said seriously, "I can't fake it."

"It's not that we really want to stuff a ship into Lady Flora's belly, it's just a figure of speech used to praise Flora's generosity."

Flora tilted her head and pondered for a moment, seemingly absorbing knowledge, before staring at Gao De and saying, "We can install the city hall."

That's very generous.

"certainly."

There was no conversation for a while. The little figure stared at Gao De for a long time, then suddenly flapped its little wings and flew to Gao De.

"Master."

"What's wrong?"

"Reach out your hand."

Gao De bent down, opened his palms, and faced upwards.

So Flora placed a small, blue flower, as if it were an ice sculpture, in Gaode's palm, then looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Gift."

"Is this a gift from Lady Flora?"

"That's right," the little man stared at him and said, "Two flowers, one for the mage and one for Lady Flora."

Children's likes are like that—pure and simple.

If she likes you, she'll be willing to share everything she likes with you.

Half and half~

Gao De looked intently at the little flower in his palm.

This is just a very ordinary little flower.

It is ordinary because it is not a magical plant and does not have any special effects.

But it doesn't seem ordinary either.

After all, it grows on the extremely cold snowfields and has amazing vitality.

More importantly, it was a gift Flora gave to herself.

Also, this is truly an extremely beautiful little flower.

and so.

"I really like it, thank you, Lady Flora," God said earnestly.

"Hmph~"

Lady Flora made a humming sound through her nose and flew away happily.

She was still very happy all the way to the fields.

After seeing Flora off, God went to his training room, sat down cross-legged, and took out the wolf blood ginseng he had just obtained.

His room was located in the heart of Phoenix's spiritual realm, where magic was abundant.

Even in Dorne, there are very few mages who can enjoy such a training environment.

Although the magic power contained in wolf blood ginseng is pure and easy to absorb, theoretically it has no effect on where it is consumed and refined.

However, to be on the safe side and to maximize the medicinal effects of the wolf blood ginseng, Gao De decided to take it in Phoenix, where the cultivation environment was most superior.

The wolf blood ginseng is only about the size of a human finger bone. Therefore, although only its juice needs to be consumed, in order to avoid waste, Gao De chose to put the whole wolf blood ginseng into his mouth and swallow it along with the juice.

After all, as a type of ginseng, it also has the effects of promoting the production of body fluids and quenching thirst, calming the mind and improving intelligence, and greatly replenishing vital energy.

A subtle sweetness instantly spreads in the mouth. This sweetness is refreshing, not the intense sweetness of sucrose, but a natural, slightly refreshing sweetness.

Moreover, perhaps due to its abundant juice, it has an exceptionally crisp and tender texture, with no fibrous feel whatsoever during the entire chewing process.

Two bites later.

A powerful and concentrated magical energy, like a pot of boiling water, instantly surged out of Gao De's body.

Gao De felt hot all over, and even felt air coming out of his mouth and nose.

There was also an indescribable heat swirling around my lower abdomen.

He dared not hesitate and immediately activated the "Green Wood Longevity Scripture," guiding the pure magic power that filled his body to his lower abdomen for absorption.

These magical energies converged at a single point in his lower abdomen, forming a vortex that transformed into liquid magic.

Diligent!

The whole process was smooth and seamless. In an instant, a new drop of liquid magic power condensed within Gao De's body.

However, the magical power emanating from his body did not seem to diminish in the slightest.

The potency of the wolf blood ginseng greatly surprised Gao De.

He calmed his mind and focused on refining this pure magic.

The magical vortex never stopped spinning, and a clear, crystalline light gradually appeared on Gao De's face.

The rich magical power contained in the wolf blood ginseng continuously flowed into the vortex of magic power, helping him to condense the second drop of liquid magic power, the third drop, and the fourth drop.

I don't know how much time passed.

The rich magical power contained in the wolf blood ginseng was mostly absorbed by Gao De, with a small portion dissipating on its own, until it was completely consumed.

Gao De did not open his eyes immediately, but instead calmly felt his current state.

Before consuming the wolf blood ginseng, he had a total of 26 drops of liquid mana.

After consuming the Wolf Blood Ginseng, he experienced a meteoric rise, instantly gaining 39 drops of liquid mana, just one step away from the 40 drops of liquid mana required for the mid-stage of the first ring.

After calming his excited emotions and feeling the abundant magical power within his body, Gao De slowly opened his eyes.

Cool!

This is what "pay-to-win" feels like.

A year of arduous cultivation is no match for a single wolf blood ginseng ingested.

The northern border is vast, much larger than the Plantagenet Empire's territory, and is sparsely populated with untapped resources.

One can imagine that there must be many other magical plants similar to "Wolf Blood Ginseng" or even more precious things on the snowfield.

Once the Zhenbing tribe grows stronger, all of these things will be within his grasp.

"Development, development is the only way forward!" Gao De thought to himself.

(End of this chapter)