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Chapter 294: A Night on the Road
Chapter 294: A Night on the Road
"Reawakening Forest Will..."
Two months after leaving Lookout City, Lindsey found himself in a small village, where he ventured into the nearby forest during the evening. He gently caressed the plants before him, his fingers brushing against a tall, brown tree with oval-shaped leaves.
【Plant: Crimson Tree】
【A tall tree species. The Forest Will is gradually awakening from its restlessness, and this plant is becoming increasingly sensitive to external stimuli.】
【A common forest plant, but its durability and resistance to decay make it far more valuable than ordinary timber!】
"It's like this again," Lindsey muttered to himself.
Ever since leaving Lookout City, Lindsey had been checking the plants in the forest from time to time.
The grand and powerful anomaly that affected the entire forest seemed to have been successfully calmed, as it hadn't reappeared in the past two months.
However, during Lindsey's inspections, he would discover these informational tags on the trees at regular intervals.
Lindsey even managed to discern a pattern.
Not every plant in the Forest Courtyard had such information tags.
Only the older or exceptionally lush vegetation would consistently display these tags.
"Lindsey, you're researching plants again?"
Elaine's figure emerged from the dimly lit forest.
The merchant girl observed Lindsey's actions and praised him with a hint of admiration, "Your tireless dedication shows that you've learned a lot from those scholars."
Lindsey acknowledged the compliment, "After all, my teacher is a plant scholar."
Elaine continued her response, but it trailed off into a slightly regretful complaint, "Lindsey, your teacher must be truly great..."
"At least they didn't turn you into a stubborn... I mean, a strong-willed person?"
Elaine's words also reminded Lindsey of the Life Scholar from Lookout City.
Kang Qi, whom Lindsey had asked for information, was fine.
But Qinggan...
There was no doubt that the female scholar was a formidable individual, well-versed in the ways of the Awakened. Her attitude towards Lindsey likely held a hint of friendliness.
It was just her mannerisms.
Most people would probably dislike them.
"In a world without extraordinary power, such people can be found among the elderly or those in positions of authority. It's even more common in a world like this."
Lindsey understood this situation and felt a sense of relief. He shook his head and decided not to dwell on it any further. With a swift motion, he pulled out an axe from his bag.
"Wait, what are you doing with that axe?" Elaine was startled.
As a merchant girl, Elaine always prioritized safety and profit.
Anything that seemed dangerous would immediately put her on high alert.
Lindsey, however, was nonchalant, "You're always so jumpy; you'll give yourself a heart attack."
"This is a Crimson Tree, also known as a Blood Tree or Citrus Wood. It's excellent material for flooring, and I'm sure I'll need it in the future."
After his explanation, Lindsey got to work.
As a homeowner, he knew he would need to expand and renovate his plant shop. This Crimson Tree was the perfect high-quality material for the job, so he had no reason to pass it up.
With a few powerful swings, Lindsey chopped down the Crimson Tree and placed it in his bag.
Elaine watched the scene in the forest, then unconsciously glanced at her right hand. The space she had created using Merchant's Skill was accessible around her and on her cargo horse.
That, however, was a merchant's ability.
The ability before her was neither a merchant's nor a spatial mage's skill, nor could it be considered an artisan's tool space.
As a gamer, Lindsey had also acquired this unique spatial skill.
Elaine couldn't help but speak up, "Even gamers can have their own personal spaces..."
"If word of this gets out in other places, it'll definitely cause some trouble."
Lindsey reminded her, "I'm a rather special type of Awakener."
"If you plan to use this information for intelligence trading, you should be careful."
"If anyone else said this, I'd think they were trying to pull one over on me," Elaine shrugged nonchalantly, accepting the reminder with ease. "But your explanation—I believe it."
As they chatted, the two of them headed back to the village.
Along the way, Lindsey couldn't help but show concern for the merchant girl beside her.
"Elaine, do you usually do some trading whenever you come across these small villages? How did you find the time to look for me today?"
Elaine's expression was a little deflated. "I can't help it; the goods I have are limited."
"After these two months, I've pretty much sold off everything I could in these small villages and settlements."
The merchant girl began to complain. "Ideally, I wouldn't want to keep this money on hand. But the output from these peripheral villages is so pitiful it's almost laughable. If I do trade, I'll have to exchange my fine coins for coarse ones. I can't accept that!"
As Elaine complained, she looked into the distance.
"I'll only have the chance to restock when we reach the next city or at least a town."
After dusk, night fell.
Lindsey and Elaine returned to the unassuming village.
In these forest villages along the way, there wasn't even a decent inn, so they had to pay to stay in the village chief's backyard.
The only decent light source in the wooden cabin was the candle Lindsey took out.
As the two of them prepared to turn off the lights and rest, the atmosphere between them reached its most comfortable point.
Elaine tentatively asked, "Lindsey, before you chopped that tree, weren't you saying something?"
"I was talking about the Reawakening Forest Will," Lindsey replied directly, then teasingly asked, "What, do you really want to know the details?"
Hearing Lindsey's willingness to answer, Elaine beamed with joy.
She hid her shadow in the candlelight, moved to the window to confirm no one was outside, then turned back to say, "Of course I want to know. But this information, it's not going to be a paid service, is it?"
"Ahh—"
Lindsey sighed, then said, "Elaine, we've been traveling together for two months now. You don't need to be so cautious with me."
"And you should know, between the two of us, who's the real merchant."
"I'm not the type who has to make money during our journey!"
"You're right about that," Elaine said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes in the candlelight, "But the fact is, since we met, I've spent quite a bit on you."
"I'm still in a state of deficit!"
Lindsey asked, "So, do you think our trade is worth it?"
On this point, Elaine didn't hesitate at all.
"It's more than worth it!"
So Lindsey tossed over three silver coins.
"Here's the money, then. Before we leave tomorrow morning, help me gather some materials, mainly some threads, the stronger the better."
These silver coins were what Lindsey had earned from Elaine.
The merchant girl took them without even checking their authenticity and, with the money in hand, crawled into her own blanket roll. "Don't worry, I'll definitely get you the best!"
Watching Elaine fall asleep, Lindsey opened her skill panel.
At the edge of the map, a river leading east was faintly visible; and on her personal attributes, several skill bars had reached the point where they needed attention.
"Fishing Master, Fishing Rod..."
"It's time to test this skill, too."
(End of Chapter)
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