Chapter 22
C22 – The Huge Effect of the Spirit Spring
Qiang Nantie was pleasantly surprised to find that someone had been promoting his Spirit Spring Water without charge, which explained the surge in interest.
“It’s actually quite beneficial. It’ll help me rake in some extra cash.”
He revisited the bamboo prices and noticed another 100 stalks up for sale by none other than the little poppet Lord.
Without a second thought, he snapped up her bamboo, along with some from a few other Lords, despite their prices being marginally higher.
The extra cost was of little concern to him now.
Territory notifications popped up: “The National Exchange Hall spent 1000 spirit coins for 100 bamboo.”
Another read: “The National Exchange Hall spent 120 spirit coins for 10 bamboo.”
And yet another: “The National Exchange Hall spent 600 spirit coins for 50 bamboo.”
Considering his Spirit Spring Water was merely One-star, he had no qualms about selling it.
Unbeknownst to Qiang Nantie, little poppet was taken aback once more as he continued purchasing bamboo. She gleefully sold off her entire stock at the same rate.
Qiang Nantie took note. Anticipating a high demand for bamboo during the Beginner Trial, he decided to follow little poppet. Still, he opted to keep his territory name under wraps, leaving her in the dark.
Upon receiving the notification, little poppet Lord’s curiosity was piqued. She was convinced this was the buyer of her bamboo.
But when she checked the details, she found the name concealed.
Logically, shouldn’t this person have reached out to discuss the bamboo purchase?
Yet, he had simply followed her, no conversation ensued.
That made sense, too. If he had wanted to chat, he could have messaged her directly since her name wasn’t hidden.
“What an oddball,” mused the little poppet Lord, unfazed. If he needed bamboo and she had it in abundance, she’d just focus on harvesting more to sell.
Back in Qiang Nantie’s territory, he and Huamo were busy packaging Spirit Spring Water.
His stock was selling out as quickly as it was listed.
Those keeping tabs on Qiang Nantie were worried they wouldn’t be able to secure any Spirit Spring Water for themselves.
But Qiang Nantie doubted they truly needed as much as they feared. A single Lord might not require such vast quantities, but there were plenty of Lords across the nation eager for the water. So, no matter how abundant his supply, there would always be demand.
It was then that Tung Xinghan received the alert.
Territory Notification: “Today’s extraction limit for Spirit Spring Water has been reached. Please extract more tomorrow.”
“We’ve hit the maximum extraction for Spirit Spring Water.”
The extraction rate matched the production rate of the Spirit Spring. Currently, the cap was three tons per day.
Considering each canister could hold 100 milliliters, he had amassed three thousand canisters of water.
He glanced at his spirit coin balance and excitement surged through him.
Over three million spirit coins lay before him.
“Calm down. I’m destined to be the mightiest Lord in the universe. Three million spirit coins are merely a trifle.”
Qiang Nantie struggled to maintain his composure.
“Hahaha!”
Laughter escaped him despite his efforts.
He had tried to contain it, but the joy was too overwhelming.
“Why is Qiang Nantie suddenly so jubilant?” Huamo was baffled.
The Spirit Spring’s worth was undeniable, yet most only managed to acquire bits of Spirit Spring Water through their ventures.
He, on the other hand, had an inexhaustible source.
Naturally, once the Beginner Trials concluded, the price of his Spirit Spring Water might not hold. It could potentially sell for only half its current value.
After all, it was Low-level Spirit Spring Water. Adventurers with a stroke of luck could stumble upon plentiful sources.
He’d even heard tales of Spirit Springs as vast as entire lakes.
Thus, it was only during the Beginner Trials that Spirit Spring Water fetched double the external market price.
Many Lords relied on it to irrigate their spiritual fields, spurring rapid crop growth to secure ample food supplies.
Territory Notification: “With an expenditure of 300 spirit coins, your Spirit Spring has been upgraded to Level 2.”
Territory Alert: “Spend 600 spirit coins to upgrade the Spirit Spring to Level 3.”
Another alert followed: “Use 900 spirit coins to raise the Spirit Spring to Level 4.”
Upgrading the Spirit Spring required a heftier sum of spirit coins, but given its potent effects, the investment was deemed worthwhile.
The next notification read: “30,000 spirit coins will elevate the Spirit Spring to Level 10.”
However, a subsequent message reported: “Insufficient materials, unable to enhance the Spirit Spring’s level.”
Upon hearing this, Qiang Nantie quickly accessed the Spirit Spring’s details.
Building: Spirit Spring
Level: 10
Upgrade Requirements: 100,000 spirit coins, 10 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
Quality: SSS (0/5)
Defense: 10,000/10,000
Consumption: 3,000 spirit coins per ton produced
Production Rate: 10 tons/day
Special Feature: Spring water imbued with Spiritual Energy
Description: This spring water, brimming with Spiritual Energy, not only accelerates crop growth but also fortifies the body, hastens cultivation, and aids in healing injuries and fatigue. It requires 5 more Spirit Spring pieces for further evolution.
“Is it really asking for spirit stones?” Qiang Nantie exclaimed in astonishment.
He furrowed his brow in concern. Spirit stones were exceedingly scarce, and even though these were merely Low-Grade, he understood their rarity. They were so scarce that the average person couldn’t procure them; he would need to seek out a special source.
He hadn’t anticipated that the Spirit Spring would cease to level up after reaching Level 10, as each building had its unique progression.
The output had increased to ten tons daily. Besides the three tons he sold, he could now extract seven tons for his own use, which was crucial since he was in dire need of substantial quantities of Spirit Spring Water.
Upgrading the structure didn’t replenish the extraction capacity, nor did it alter the quality of the Spirit Spring.
He had assumed the Spirit Spring could reach Level 20, thereby enhancing its quality. Yet, to his surprise, after reaching Level 10, it required additional materials for further advancement.
Qiang Nantie scoured the National Exchange Hall for someone selling buckets and, sure enough, he found a seller.
With two hundred spirit coins, he purchased a pair of buckets. He and Huamo each filled one with Spirit Spring Water and set to work watering the spiritual fields.
Watering such an expanse of fields was time-consuming.
Yet, they were filled with joy. They were tending to crops of their own making.
When harvest time came, they would have an abundance of food. Whatever they couldn’t consume, they planned to sell.
What Qiang Nantie hadn’t anticipated was the rapid growth of the crops post-irrigation with the Spirit Spring Water. They sprouted as though they had been growing for a fortnight.
“The rate of growth is astonishing. It’s no wonder Spirit Spring Water sells like hotcakes.”
In the early stages, when everyone is in need of many things, items like Spirit Spring Water become an unquestionable purchase.