Chapter 22: A Ray of Hope

Li Xuan and Bai Wen left Li Xuan's courtyard and headed straight toward the East District of the Flower Sea.

After walking for a full hour, Li Xuan and Bai Wen finally arrived at the border between the North District and the East District.

The North District is the lowest, most depressed part of the entire Flower Sea, while the East District is the highest ground within the Flower Sea.

Climbing the stepped terraces upward for about ten or so meters, they then entered the East District.

Upon first reaching the East District, Li Xuan was stunned; in the distance stood rows upon rows of small wooden houses, each exquisitely crafted, and the courtyards were far more refined than those in the North District.

Seeing Li Xuan's wide‑eyed, inexperienced stare, Bai Wen merely gave a faint smile, moved to Li Xuan's side, and lightly patted his shoulder.

"Xuan Ge'er'er, the first time I came here I had the same expression," Bai Wen said with a smile to Li Xuan.

Li Xuan wasn't shocked by the luxury itself, but by the contrast between the East District and the North District.

"It's like two different worlds! One moment I was in water and fire, the next I'm surrounded by birdsong and blossoms! 'Bai Wen Ge, are we even living in the same place?' Li Xuan turned his head toward Bai Wen, his eyes and tone full of disbelief."

"There's no choice; the East and West Districts are the most bustling parts of the Flower Sea. They're in charge of cultivating the rarest flowers, so the supplies and resources they receive even exceed those outside the Flower Sea," Bai Wen said to Li Xuan, already accepting the fact without a hint of concern.

Hearing Bai Wen's words, Li Xuan let out a helpless sigh; comparing people can be infuriating.

He resolved to leave this place, but before doing so, Li Xuan insisted on taking all the treasured plants from the Flower Sea with him!

"Xuan Ge'er'er, don't even think about it. With your skill, in less than two years you'll likely be assigned by Jiu Douluo to the East and West Districts, and you'll be able to live in a wooden house like this. Don't forget me then," Bai Wen whispered to Li Xuan.

"It's not set in stone, you know. By the way, Bai Wen Ge, where's the place you mentioned that sells timber cheaply?" Li Xuan asked Bai Wen.

"There's an old Flower Slave named Han Yun; we usually do work for him in exchange for timber, which we bring home to make beams or furniture," Bai Wen said, pointing to a small wooden house near the North District.

"Alright, let's go check out the Flower Slave in the North District," Li Xuan nodded.

Bai Wen replied with a murmur and led Li Xuan toward the small wooden house.

After a dozen minutes, Li Xuan and Bai Wen arrived in front of the small wooden house.

As they approached, Li Xuan saw a stooped old man with graying hair watering the vegetables in the courtyard.

"Lord Han, I've come to see you," Bai Wen waved from outside the courtyard and said with a smile.

"Hey, White Kid, aren't you supposed to be cultivating Flower Seedlings now? How do you have time to wander onto my place?" Han Yun turned his head to glance at Bai Wen, then fixed his gaze on Li Xuan.

"That little kid's eyes are bright—nice, nice. Bai Wen, your friend?" Han Yun pointed at Li Xuan and asked Bai Wen.

"Lord Han, greetings. I'm Li Xuan, a friend of Bai Wen Ge. I'd like to purchase some timber here for a purpose," Li Xuan stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Han Yun, and spoke in a steady voice.

"Old man, my timber isn't cheap. Little fellow, how much do you want?" Han Yun's eyes lit up at Li Xuan's appearance; such a clever kid does win the favor of elders.

"Is this acceptable?" Li Xuan pulled an Egg Skin Meat Floss Bread from his pocket and handed it to Han Yun.

"What's this?" Han Yun hesitated and didn't take the bread from Li Xuan's hand.

"Lord Han, this is food I made; compared to the fare in the Flower Sea, it should be sweeter," Li Xuan said with a smile, introducing the bread.

"I see. You've got fate on your side, kid. This… three coins for a piece of Iron Anvil Wood," Han Yun thought for a moment, then took the bread from Li Xuan's hand, took a bite, and gave his price.

"Deal. But today I'd also like to stroll through the Flower Sea you're in charge of, if that's alright," Li Xuan said earnestly to Han Yun.

"Stroll through the Flower Sea?" Han Yun looked at Li Xuan with puzzlement, then glanced at Bai Wen.

Bai Wen looked up, indicating it had nothing to do with him.

Within the Flower Sea, venturing into someone else's domain is a serious offense. "Kid, wandering into a Flower Sea that belongs to another is extremely impolite," Han Yun chuckled, saying softly to Li Xuan.

"Hehe, this is my gift, Lord Han. Please accept it and let me wander your Flower Sea!" Li Xuan took a Void Pearl from his bracelet and gave it to Han Yun.

Though puzzled, Han Yun took the Void Pearl from Li Xuan, examined it, and the next moment his eyes widened in shock as he stared at Li Xuan.

"Such a treasure, and you give it to me?" Han Yun, clutching the Void Pearl, asked Li Xuan.

"It's natural," Li Xuan said with a smile.

If Li Xuan wants one, a Void Pearl can be produced in a single day.

As for exposure, a Soul Guide Device occupying three cubic meters isn't enough to spark others' greed.

More importantly, the Void Pearl is the only thing Li Xuan can produce right now.

"Fine, you may go in later, but you must not damage the plants; otherwise, I can summon nearby Soul Masters to slay you outright," Han Yun finally agreed to Li Xuan's request, though his gaze suddenly turned murderous.

"Lord Han, rest assured—I promise I won't lay a finger on your flora," Li Xuan chuckled at Han Yun and cheerfully gave his assurance.

"Alright, as long as you don't uproot the trees, I can restore them. By the way, kid, how many pieces of Iron Anvil Wood do you need?" Han Yun shook his head helplessly at Li Xuan, thinking the cute kid was willing to trouble himself.

"Let's start with two. Between me and Bai Wen Ge we can only bring back two," Li Xuan thought and said to Han Yun.

As long as he has a single segment of Iron Anvil Wood, Li Xuan can use the Green Spirit Liquid in the little green bottle to rapidly cultivate a large quantity of Iron Anvil Wood, so buying two is sufficient.

"Fine, go have fun in the Flower Sea. Bai Wen, keep an eye on him, let him tinker a bit, but don't damage the roots," Han Yun shook his head helplessly and said to Bai Wen.

"Don't worry, Lord Han, I'll be careful," Bai Wen said with a simple smile, then led Li Xuan into the Flower Sea.

This truly lives up to the East District's reputation; here grow countless flower trees of exceptionally high quality, virtually none below the treasured grade.

"The quality of these flower trees is so high!" Li Xuan exclaimed, his gaze brimming with longing as he looked at the surrounding flora.

Yet, despite their preciousness, few of these flower trees possess special abilities.

It seems the plants Jiu Douluo gathered from the continent share a common trait.

Beautiful!

Li Xuan wasn't in a hurry; he began strolling through the Flower Sea, searching for flower trees he could use.

Suddenly, Li Xuan halted, his gaze fixed on a low‑lying walnut tree.

【Plant: Purple Thunder Walnut】

【Quality: Heavenly Material Earth Treasure】

【Cultivation: 3 years】

【Description: One of the top‑tier thunder‑type Heavenly Material Earth Treasures; not edible, not medicinal. After a hundred years it bears Silver Thunder Walnuts, after a thousand years Green Thunder Walnuts, after ten thousand years Black Thunder Walnuts, after a hundred thousand years Purple Thunder Walnuts. When infused with soul power and thrown, it can summon a thunderstorm】

Though the Purple Thunder Walnut is an extremely rare, attack‑oriented Heavenly Material Earth Treasure, Li Xuan's eyes did not linger on it.

"Bai Wen Ge, can that crack on the cliff wall be seen from outside?" Li Xuan pointed at the fissure opposite the Purple Thunder Walnut, asking Bai Wen in disbelief.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the two‑day countdown to the break has begun—hehe, Friday is almost here."

(End of chapter)