Chapter 2542

Zhao Chi had given her a batch before, letting her use them freely.

She had just issued the highest execution order herself, so Fang Li also took it very seriously upon receiving it, and consumed Rapid Construction Talismans to build it instantly.

Based on this scale, it was estimated that over 20 were used.

After all, it was only a thin wall—although the overall construction was very long, over 20 were enough.

Besides that.

Zhao Chi also saw quite a few female soldiers standing guard against the wall inside the enclosure.

Each of them held a weapon in hand, silently looking toward the center—that is, the position of the sapling.

Presumably, the patrol squads outside the outer wall had also been fully arranged.

Wei Leng and the others really were efficient.

Now inside the entire enclosure, there were only the female soldiers on guard, along with Zhao Chi and Qi Yue.

No one else at all.

Although Zhao Chi was dizzy and seeing black, he still didn't want to leave.

If his blood had no effect on the Eternal Tree either, then he probably could only purchase large quantities of Rapid Growth Talismans.

Rapid Growth Talismans were the most expensive among all work-type talismans.

After all, they could boost the progress of an entire field by one month.

So the standard price was around 3 gold coins.

But now with continuous wars, the price of Rapid Growth Talismans had also risen steadily, now already 4–5 gold coins.

That wasn't a problem.

In terms of money alone, Zhao Chi could completely afford it.

But the problem was still the Rapid Growth Talismans themselves.

Just like Rapid Work Talismans, the quantity of Rapid Growth Talismans was also limited.

And even fewer than Rapid Work Talismans.

Rapid Work Talismans only accelerated one craftsman by 10 work hours, but Rapid Growth Talismans could speed up an entire field by one month.

So lords also preferred Rapid Growth Talismans.

There wouldn't be too many Rapid Growth Talismans on the market either.

Previously, Li Ruanyu had collected all the Rapid Growth Talismans of the entire White Tiger Corps, and only collected 13,000 of them; the number of Rapid Work Talismans collected at the time was 230,000.

A difference of 11 times!

Even if there were still large quantities of Rapid Growth Talismans in the lords' hands, the Protection Corps would have at most 30,000, still far short.

The White Tiger Corps should already be half empty.

The exchange probably couldn't buy too many either.

After all, Shubei Town was just a town, with only one main force's lord.

Even adding those in the hands of commoners, the total would be at most around 20,000.

The quantity was too small.

Now 8,000 had been consumed, only making this Eternal Tree grow out this tiny bit…

To make this great tree become that 200-plus-meter-tall one… wouldn't that damn thing require at least 10 million Rapid Growth Talismans?

Damn…

This thing really wasn't something an ordinary lord could touch.

Zhao Chi already couldn't be considered an ordinary lord, yet it was still this difficult.

It should be said that the Eternal Tree simply wasn't something mortals could plant.

When rescuing the Ancient Giant Tree before, the fresh blood was visibly absorbed by the Ancient Giant Tree.

In the end, the blood mixed with chlorophyll, turning into an eerie purple-pink.

But now…

This sapling was still tender green.

It could be said it hadn't absorbed any blood at all.

Was all this blood on the ground really wasted?

Huh?

Seems not…

Zhao Chi quickly leaned closer and discovered that at the position of the tree roots, a faint pink had indeed appeared.

So… it worked?

Qi Yue, following Zhao Chi's gaze, also saw the faint pink at the tree roots.

She immediately asked, "My lord, are you trying to cultivate this sapling with blood?"

Zhao Chi nodded, "Yes, but it seems the effect isn't obvious."

Qi Yue tilted her head and said, "If blood isn't obvious, then you… want to try irrigating it with genetic material? Didn't you still have two points left unused today? I feel your genes are thicker and sweeter than fresh blood, so the nutrition should be richer too, right?"

Use genetic material?

Zhao Chi looked at the excited Qi Yue.

He could tell Qi Yue really liked this, but Zhao Chi really hadn't thought of this before.

Perhaps it would work?

But the problem was…

Spraying blood at a sapling was still understandable, but jerking off at a tree… that was a bit off, wasn't it?

Kind of mentally ill or something…

Or should I have Qiyue extract it and spray it on the sapling?

No, no...

It's not a problem with the method.

It's that the matter itself is flawed.

Qiyue is fascinated by these things because she possesses the blood-thirst gene.

But that doesn't mean the giant tree is like this.

Zhao Chi shook his head and said, "No need, Qiyue. It probably won't be of much use. Rather than wasting it on the tree, you should eat it yourself. This tree won't be finished in a day or two anyway; I'll find another way to get more Speed-Growth Talismans..."

Qiyue nodded: "Alright... but my lord, your complexion looks very bad. Go rest first? I'll take you back; after all, the ground is covered in blood-mud, and you'll slip easily walking on it... Huh? Where did all the blood go?"

Qiyue suddenly stared at the ground in surprise.

Zhao Chi was stunned, then immediately looked down too.

Just moments ago, the ground was entirely mud soaked with blood.

And now... the mud is half-dried, and a vast amount of blood has vanished at some unknown time.

Zhao Chi quickly looked at the sapling.

The sapling remained unchanged, still a tender green, with only the roots showing a faint pink...

No!

There is a change!

Why have all the leaves withered?

Originally, though the leaves were tender, they all grew vigorously; now, they are all limp and drooping.

Moreover, it is clear they are getting softer and softer.

A few branches have even completely hung down to the ground.

Zhao Chi felt his scalp go numb.

Could it be... I watered it to death?

Qiyue was equally dumbfounded.

But she also saw Zhao Chi's expression was wrong and quickly comforted him.

"My lord, do not blame yourself. This is not your fault; the seed of this tree must be defective."

No sooner had she spoken than all the remaining leaves withered.

The sapling, thick as an arm, also leaned crookedly to one side.

Judging by this, it really cannot survive...

Zhao Chi's heart went cold.

This is clearly not right.