Chapter 253: Watermelon Medicinal Plant

Lin Manzhi calculated that, using the huge plot of land Mo Lie left for her to farm, the future harvests would have to be measured in millions of tons.

Listen, such a massive amount of vegetables and melons, and some are extremely hard to store.

She thinks that before lowering prices on vegetables and melons, she wants to first make Kuangsha City's desert wealthy, and only after reaching the same prosperity as Thunder City will she consider selling them at low prices.

Now, of course, we must accumulate wealth.

At that time, Mo Lie, knowing her idea, suggested that war is the fastest path to sudden riches.

He was right; war is a shortcut to wealth in any world.

However, Lin Manzhi, who grew up in peaceful times, felt that while she could retaliate if attacked and even avenge later, actively provoking a battle that kills tens of millions would weigh on her conscience.

So Lin Manzhi rejected Mo Lie's suggestion then, which led to the two continents sitting down to negotiate now.

With Lin Manzhi speaking first, Mo Lie, along with Hua Zheng and the Kuangsha City warriors present, quietly suppressed their bandit aura.

Under everyone's gaze, Lin Manzhi nestled in Mo Lie's reliable arms without a hint of discomfort, smiled faintly: "Come, come, please have the guests from the Lei Ting Continent sit down; standing is so tiring, let's eat while we talk."

The Lei Ting Continent group, seeing someone dare such an attitude toward their lord, glanced at the bold female ahead, feeling both startled and stunned.

Whoa!

She does this and Lord Cangqiong doesn't even get angry?

They didn't know that Cangqiong, upon seeing Lin Cixing's black eyes and Mo Lie in an affectionate embrace, felt an inexplicable melancholy, though it didn't show; with an elegant posture he lifted his robe and sat on the blanket.

The Lei Ting Continent people quickly sat down following their lord.

Arriving at the domain of a powerful beast, they had been nervous all the way, and now sitting down, their eyes naturally fell on the table before them.

The Kuangsha City observers, aware that this place produces exceptionally tasty medicinal plants, were momentarily stunned.

This time, the Lei Ting Continent's strongest war general, Jiao Diao, who had previously tried Holy Maiden Fruit medicinal liquid and found it tasteless—only slightly more fragrant than ordinary medicine—thought the rumors exaggerated; how far could these medicinal plants really be delicious?

But looking down at the table laden with food and smelling an indescribable tempting aroma, the Lei Ting Continent people couldn't help devouring it.

The pink, sweet flesh and the mint‑green, crisp skin of the watermelon were presented by Lin Manzhi as the main dish for the Lei Ting Continent; its fresh scent made the desert‑weary travelers instantly thirsty.

Lin Manzhi looked over; aside from Cangqiong, who ate fast but with a steady posture, everyone else was hungrily shoveling food as if in a gluttony contest.

A small cup of Agave beer vanished in a blink, followed by a tiny plate of golden‑fried free‑range livestock that disappeared just as fast; even the Agave‑infused Holy Maiden Fruit was finished… they cleared the dishes so quickly they never got to the whole roasted Exotic Beast skewered over the fire.

The Kuangsha City folk smiled proudly at the Lei Ting Continent's ravenous feast.

Hua Zheng felt especially vindicated, sitting at Mo Lie and Lin Manzhi's feet, watching Cangqiong beside his own lord, grinning from ear to ear.

Crazy!

Where did that empty‑room aura from when we first arrived go?

If you have the guts, don't eat Kuangsha City's medicinal plants!

Lin Manzhi had already anticipated that her own food couldn't possibly be unpalatable.

She wasn't in a hurry to negotiate; letting the Lei Ting Continent guests taste her food would make price talks smoother later.

She wasn't rushed; seeing them gorge themselves, she sat up straight from Mo Lie's embrace, reached for a small piece of cut watermelon, and handed one to Mo Lie as well.

"Gather around the bonfire and eat the melon, ha…" Lin Manzhi's voice was clear and laughing as she bit the watermelon in her hand and asked Mo Lie, "I got you a small piece, want to try?"

Mo Lie reached for the watermelon Lin Manzhi offered, his pale lips curving slightly; he leaned down, took a bite, and with a moist corner of his mouth said, "Indeed, very sweet."

Lin Manzhi: "…"

"You already have one, why eat the one I've already eaten?"

She guarded her watermelon, stepped aside, and quickly ate the piece in her hand until only a slice of rind remained.

Fifteen minutes later.

Lin Manzhi waited until the Lei Ting Continent guests had mostly finished, turned to Cangqiong and asked, "Lord Lei Ting, what do you wish to trade? How do you plan to conduct the trade?"

Cangqiong, wiping his mouth with his hand, looked up and said, "My name is Cangqiong; you may call me by my name directly. How shall I address you?"

Lin Manzhi replied quickly, "My surname is Lin."

Cooperation requires an exchange of titles first.

She, who dislikes idle chatter in business, asked again, "Lord Lei Ting, the trade you seek is the Kuangsha City medicinal plants, correct?"

Cangqiong's golden eyes became sharp and clear.

At this moment, Lin Cixing's gaze, seated beside him, stared at him with a frank, emotionless look.

Behind the adjacent table, Lin Manzhi sat upright, as if unaware of Cangqiong's scrutinizing stare, and seized the initiative before he spoke, promoting the goods she wished to sell.

Her gentle voice carried a distinct professional tone as she continued:

"We have a partnership with the Wushen Temple for Lettuce and Holy Maiden Fruit medicinal plants; you know the prices aren't high, and honestly, these plants rot quickly and are hard to preserve. Moreover, turning Holy Maiden Fruit into medicinal liquid is the best method. If you wish to purchase, you lack a Shamaness, so buying the Holy Maiden Fruit liquid directly from the Wushen Temple is more cost‑effective. As for the other medicinal plants, we haven't cultivated many yet. I sincerely want to cooperate with the Lei Ting Continent, so today I've prepared foods recommended for you…"

Lin Manzhi paused, picked up a slice of watermelon from the table:

"What do you think of the watermelon?"

"Watermelon?" Cangqiong's gaze dropped, and the fresh scent made him purse his lips slightly.

"Watermelon, after being inspected by the Wushen Temple, is confirmed to contain the same ingredients as the Spirit Core soothing main medicine Snow‑going Vine." Lin Manzhi withdrew her gaze, a determined glint in her eyes. "I recommend it because Su Li once said watermelon doesn't need to be refined; eating it directly works, and it can be stored for up to a month…"

She looked at him sincerely and asked, "Lord Lei Ting, what are your thoughts?"

Watermelon is always wonderful; no other medicinal plant surpasses it!

She has crops better than watermelon and more shelf‑stable produce, and she knows how to preserve vegetables and melons, but Lin Manzhi won't tell Cangqiong.

For example, potatoes store longer, but Kuangsha City reserves them for its own people; she also plans to sell crops in Ansen City. Of the two large territories, the only high‑price export they can spare now is the watermelon that Mo Lie doesn't particularly like.

Cangqiong glanced at the watermelon on the adjacent table.

This watermelon tastes excellent; when eaten, the Spirit Core feels as if a cool drizzle falls during a scorching heat, the state comparable to ten days after drinking the Spirit Core soothing elixir.

Why after the tenth day of drinking? Of course, his watermelon intake was insufficient; had he eaten a whole one, the effect might surpass that of the Spirit Core soothing elixir.

He has already regarded the watermelon as this deal's medicinal plant in his mind.

But Cangqiong, of course, wouldn't lavish such praise on the seller beside him.

He merely frowned slightly and said, "I have only tasted that the watermelon's flavor is good."