Chapter 245 – Production-Type Epic

Crimson Mist calamity months bearing the “month” suffix typically indicate disasters lasting approximately one month or slightly longer. By mid-cycle of the current Crimson Mist calamity month, the frequency of monster hordes assaulting territories had notably decreased.

Yet the Crimson Mist continued drifting through the air. As increasing tendrils of crimson haze seeped from the Deep Wilderness, the mist between heaven and earth seemed to grow more viscous.

At Stone Ridge Town’s eastern gate, over a dozen veteran Players were returning from the wilds. They belonged to a mercenary group that had just completed a mission to subdue and purify a Land of Filth. Most bore stains of monster blood, with only a few spellcaster-types remaining relatively clean. Trailing behind them, dozens of accompanying troop units dragged or carried monster carcasses alongside valuable timber and raw ores – all spoils collected along their route.

Only those who understood to scavenge valuable resources within their sight could look forward to better days. This was standard practice for seasoned adventurers.

“However, subduing Lands of Filth during Crimson Mist calamity months is truly challenging. The gathered monsters multiply several times over compared to ordinary periods.”

“Absolutely. Had this Land of Filth not recently emerged, we might not have succeeded in conquering it. Even so, our group lost over a dozen troop units, including one main Elite… Without the Player Association’s mission subsidies, this expedition would have ended in loss.”

The robust young man leading turned back upon hearing this. “We can’t always calculate costs and gains. If such Lands of Filth aren’t promptly subdued, they may trigger major disasters. Being able to purify them is achievement enough, isn’t it?”

“Right, right, Guild Leader, you’re absolutely correct…”

The vice-leader massaged his temples, then suddenly paused. “Old leader, your eyes seem… somewhat bloodshot.”

A realization struck him as he whirled around to scrutinize everyone’s eyes intently.

“Everyone has reddish bloodshot eyes, with the troops showing more pronounced crimson tinges,” he observed. “This is Crimson Mist erosion. Once the corruption penetrates bones and defiles the Soul, both we Players and our troops will degenerate into monsters – becoming creatures no different from those bloodthirsty, instinct-driven killers roaming the wilds.”

“While our current erosion levels remain manageable, continuing like this could lead to irreversible consequences. We shouldn’t venture out again in the short term, unless everyone’s willing to purchase medicines like the Icy Purity Elixir.”

Such purchases were beyond their means, leaving them no choice but to remain in town for several days to gradually recover. This represented the standard approach for most veteran Players.

Acquiring Anti-Corruption Potions? Only heavy spenders or Lord Players possessed either the financial capacity or willingness to expend such significant additional resources.

“For common Players like us, taking several days’ rest after missions is quite appropriate anyway. Let’s instead consider what mission to accept next.”

…

“Can’t grab them – simply impossible to secure missions!”

Player Association, Stone Ridge Town – Mission Hall.

A ponytailed girl sat in the hall’s corner clutching a tablet-like device. This apparatus connected to the hall’s main System, functioning only within Association premises for information browsing and mission acquisition.Seventeen had been squatting in the mission hall for three days now.

She had been dispatched by the Lord to Stone Ridge Town as the security captain for the merchant guild’s outpost, but under normal circumstances, her intervention wasn’t actually necessary. She didn’t understand business matters anyway—those were handled by Daisy and others.

Thinking she couldn’t just freeload and collect a salary without contributing, Seventeen quickly figured out a way to earn money after spending a few days in Stone Ridge Town.

She would follow other players’ lead and take on missions to earn Soul Sand.

If other players could earn it, why couldn’t she, Seventeen?

After seeking the Lord’s approval, her wisdom was affirmed. The Lord even planned to send a group of elites to assist at the Stone Ridge Town outpost.

However,

She couldn’t snatch any missions!

Even though she was an Epic lifeform, even though she possessed the sharp eyes essential for an archer, strangely, she was always just a split second too slow.

Admittedly, Seventeen was strong, but she couldn’t compare to the super hand speed others had honed over thirty years of being single.

Mercenary groups and major factions all had dedicated personnel squatting in the association hall.

These people weren’t necessarily the strongest in combat, but they were the best at grabbing missions.

Just moments ago, a mission to purify the Land of Filth had slipped right through her fingers. If she hadn’t exercised restraint, she might have nearly poked a hole in the Tablet Device in front of her.

Over three days, she had only managed to grab a few basic missions to exterminate monster hordes.

Better than nothing.

Seventeen doodled circles in frustration.

She pulled out a palm-sized notebook and gently flipped it open. Inside were numerous tips and precautions—some observed by her, others obtained by asking around.

“Money-making channels in Stone Ridge Town: 1; 2; 3; 4”

“Suggest addressing other players as ‘Handsome’ or ‘Beautiful.'”

“When greeting acquaintances, ask ‘Have you eaten?'”

“Stone Ridge Town has three training grounds. The one capable of withstanding power above the Warrior level is located in the east side of town, with a fee of 2000g Soul Sand for ten hours. But with Old Fisher’s referral letter, you can get a 20% discount.”

“Rumor has it that at the Westside Training Grounds, one can take on instructor jobs? Pending confirmation. (Note: Confirm this intel by today.)”

“Legend says some small merchant guilds are short on escort personnel—this might also be a money-making path. (But last time, I was kicked out before I could ask more than a few questions. Strange—where did I go wrong?)”

Seventeen glanced around and, with her keen eyesight, immediately identified everyone in the hall who, like her, was squatting for missions.

Thirty-seven people in total.

She considered approaching them for advice but hesitated and didn’t dare, only observing them secretly out of the corner of her eye.

After observing for a while, Seventeen took out her pen and recorded in her little notebook:

“Many people aren’t staring at the panel constantly, yet they always manage to focus and quickly grab high-level commissions dozens of seconds before they appear, as if they can predict the future… Compared to these experienced Seniors whose skills have reached the Peak, I’m still too green in the mission-grabbing business.”

“Let’s head back to the shop first.”

The territory had two outposts in Stone Ridge Town: one was a shop at the end of the main road, and the other was the merchant guild outpost on the town outskirts, where rent was relatively cheaper.

Seventeen returned the Tablet Device, stepped outside, and walked briskly. The Player Association was located in the busiest, most bustling area. The further she went, the sparser the crowd became. By the time she reached her own shop’s entrance, only a cold, deserted scene greeted her inside.An elderly man with white hair and beard stood behind the counter, fiddling with some instruments as if grinding certain medicinal herbs.

The old man was a resident of Tianyuan Territory and a talent in pharmacology.

According to what the Lord often said, this was a rare R-grade talent. Seventeen didn’t quite understand what an R-grade talent meant, but she had always respected and admired educated people.

“Elder Tong.”

“Captain Seventeen…” The old man set aside his medicinal herb processing work, “Does Captain Seventeen have any instructions?”

“Nothing, nothing.”

Seventeen waved her hand, then after a moment’s thought asked, “Where’s Daisy?”

“Young Miss Daisy has gone out to discuss business with other merchant associations.” The elderly Tong showed some concern, “Our shop has opened but the income is limited. We only received two batches of medicinal herbs all morning and sold very few potions. We’ll be operating at a loss if this continues.”

Seventeen understood the reasoning, but asking her to propose suggestions was somewhat beyond her capabilities.

Daisy would probably have a solution, right?

If not, the all-powerful Lord would surely come up with something.

She wasn’t too worried. What she needed to do was generate as much income as possible within her capabilities.

She looked around the shop and spotted Vampire Count ‘Kibi’, who was dressed as a shop assistant but was actually a member of the security team. After some thought, she said, “Captain Kibi, I’ll leave it to you to inquire about the instructor position at the western city training ground.”

Vampire Count Kibi was the most outstanding among the three vampires and the first to receive the evolution baptism.

He had been promoted from Viscount to the great Count.

And had been entrusted with important tasks by the Lord, stationed at the Stone Ridge Town outpost to take the first step in the territory’s conquest of the stars and seas.

“But you want me, a dignified Vampire Count, a noble and great aristocrat, to work at the western city training ground?”

“A noble Vampire Count would never work for others!”

“I’ll go!”

Kibi straightened his collar and said.

Of course, all of this was for the Lord’s plan to conquer the stars and seas.

It had absolutely nothing to do with his dream of epic evolution.

…

Since Tianyuan Territory wasn’t particularly lacking in elite combat power for now, Mu Yuan had stationed some personnel at the Stone Ridge Town outpost.

Taking on association missions was indeed a way to generate income.

Mu Yuan particularly remembered how, when he used to purchase rare items online, it was an intelligent Netherworld Ghost who delivered them to his door.

Mature troop types would all work to earn money for their Lord.

Seventeen had matured, and she was even helping other troop types gradually mature as well – this was quite good.

“Association missions may be small individually, but they accumulate into significant earnings. Moreover, there are more basic monster extermination missions than players can handle. Taking on a few more here would also help alleviate some pressure in the Shiling Town Region.”

Although what he most wanted to accept were missions to purify the Land of Filth.

Being able to both obtain coordinates of the Land of Filth for free and receive rewards from the association – just thinking about this double happiness was delightful. It’s just a pity he hadn’t had the opportunity.

At Stone Ridge Town, Seventeen served as security captain, while Daisy was responsible for business negotiations. She didn’t permanently reside in Stone Ridge Town but traveled with merchant caravans, occasionally staying over.

The R-grade talent selected from the refugees, ‘Tong Shanshen’, managed the shop as the store manager.Tong Shanshen, Elder Tong, is an advanced talent in medicinal materials, skilled in identifying and processing herbs. Although player identification can discern information about ranked medicinal materials, it only provides a name.

There remain significant differences in quality and value among various medicinal materials.

Moreover, unranked medicinal materials still hold value, as many high-grade potions require these common blending ingredients for refinement.

The handling and preservation of medicinal materials is also a specialized field.

Early on, many medicinal herbs and rare fruits collected by the territory’s exploration teams lost much of their efficacy due to improper handling, eventually expiring in the Warehouse.

This no longer happens now.

The power of the Flower Spirit lineage can stabilize the potency of medicinal materials, though they process herbs through supernatural means and possess nearly zero knowledge in identification.

Mu Yuan is currently in front of a patch of Golden Fertile Soil in the northern part of the territory.

Here, four full plots of Golden Fertile Soil remain unplanted with crops, instead fully nourishing a small tree at the center.

The Icy Purity Fruit Tree.

“La la la~”

“Grow up quickly~”

A fairy-like creature flutters around the small tree, scattering specks of radiant light.

It resembles a miniature version of a young girl, about half a person’s height, wearing a dress woven from petals, hovering barefoot in the air, with two pairs of thin, cicada-wing-like wings on its back.

Atop its head is a half-closed flower bud, appearing either as a headpiece or as part of its body.

This is the superior unit of the Flower Spirit series.

Epic One-Star · Nature Spirit!

「Nature Spirit: An Epic lifeform born from a natural Treasure Land over millennia, possessing the ability to communicate with all things in nature.」

After evolving, the Nature Spirit awakened an Epic Skill named ‘Nature’s Light’.

This skill offers almost no enhancement to the Nature Spirit’s combat prowess.

At the same Rank, the combat strength of the Nature Spirit ‘Flower Spirit’ is far inferior to that of Vampire Count Kibi.

However,

they were never intended as combat units.

Before evolution, they were auxiliary types; after evolution, Mu Yuan classifies them as ‘production units’.

「Nature’s Light: Under the enlightenment of Nature’s Light, the Nature Spirit can communicate with trees, soil, stones, and all things encompassed by nature. It can command birds and beasts, and seek directions from trees and earth. Where its radiance shines, all things flourish.」

「Additionally, if Nature’s Light is used on itself, the Nature Spirit can condense a small amount of ‘Nature’s Dew (Excellent)’ within the flower bud on its head. This dew can rapidly promote the growth of plants and grasses without any side effects.」

Flower Spirit flutters down, its bare feet touching the fertile soil.

It concentrates, raising its hands high, cheeks puffed up as if holding its breath.

“Eep~!”

A faint Nature’s Light descends.

The flower bud atop Flower Spirit’s head slightly opens, revealing droplets of dew condensing inside, dripping into the bud’s container.

One drop, two drops, three drops…

The tiny Nature Spirit sways its entire body, staggering as if drunk.

Finally, it glances,

“Hehe, I condensed one more drop than last time~”

At Flower Spirit’s current Late Stage of Rank Two, it can condense over a dozen drops of Nature’s Dew per day, and these dewdrops…

Mu Yuan takes out a jade vial, tilting it slightly over the Icy Purity Fruit Tree.

Drops of Nature’s Dew fall one by one.

In an instant,The Icy Purity Fruit Tree grew at a visible rate, its trunk thickening and tender buds sprouting from its branches. On one particular branch, the faint outline of fruit could already be seen.

“If I evolve a second and third Nature Spirit now, the Icy Purity Fruit might bear fruit in less than half a month,” Mu Yuan pondered.

Currently, the territory had four and a half major systems:

The Undead system, the Elemental system, the Nature system, the Human Race system, and the Flight system.

For the first two:

In the Undead system, he intended to focus on promoting Deadbone; in the Elemental system, he planned to prioritize Dolai.

Among the elemental types, the strongest Snow Maidens had yet to reach Elite level, and even if evolved, their combat power would be limited. In contrast, if Dolai could comprehend ‘Willpower Light,’ it had the potential to become the first General in Tianyuan Territory to challenge the Legendary Realm.

Currently, only the Undead General in the territory possessed both ‘Willpower Light’ and ‘Domain.’

Unfortunately, Deadbone had not yet advanced to the Fourth-Order Commander Tier, making the path to Legendary still distant—rushing would be futile.

The Human Race system had abundant talent and fierce competition, with the potential for many Epics to emerge in the future.

As for the Nature system…

Tree Spirit Grandma’s contributions were only moderate, and her size made it difficult for her to venture out easily. Thus, Mu Yuan considered evolving several more Nature Spirits.

After all, these were units capable of producing Excellent-grade Treasures.

Even if it took many drops to gather a single portion of Natural Dew, they were practically money trees.

In Mu Yuan’s view, Natural Dew was even more precious than Icy Purity Fruit.

However, with the Disaster Month ongoing and the Crimson Mist thick outside, he felt the need to prepare a batch of Icy Purity Potions—otherwise, his cautious heart would remain unsettled.

“First, harvest a batch of Icy Purity Fruit. If there’s any Natural Dew left over, it could be sold in Stone Ridge Town to build the shop’s reputation.”

Mu Yuan glanced at the panel.

As for the Flight system? No need to mention it.

Super stuck with writer’s block today, only 4K, Orz

(End of Chapter)