The seeds of the Fire Oil Pine were precious, each carefully encased and stored at the bottom of silk pouches. In the dry, oxygen-deprived environment, the seeds' embryos lay dormant, capable of enduring for an extended period.

With only 31 Mountain Walnuts remaining from the batch sent by Iron Knife Mountain Master, and Spotted Cloth having stowed them away in silk pouches, their scarcity demanded frugality; only one could be consumed every two days.

Though the two ore pieces harbored potent and pure original force, their small size limited their utility. Merely hoarding them served no purpose; their true value lay in harnessing them to enhance one's own abilities.

Under the cover of night, Spotted Cloth emerged from the mountain cave, clutching a single ore piece, intending to engage in a dialogue with the Tree Spirit of the Gifted Seed.

Yet, as he approached, a sense of disdain emanated from the Gifted Seed.

This planet lacked satellites, with even the night sky sparsely dotted with stars. The darkness of the night contrasted sharply with the Gifted Seed's leaves, which emitted an iridescent purple-gold glow, a manifestation of the inexhaustible original force.

"Transmit the original force to me," Spotted Cloth conveyed to the Tree Spirit of the Gifted Seed.

Once again, the Gifted Seed expressed disdain, preferring to waste the excess original force rather than share it with Spotted Cloth.

"The ore."

With the ore held between his toes, Spotted Cloth lightly scraped it, allowing a small amount of powder to fall onto the base of a grass clump.

Healthy seedlings thrived under ample sunlight during the day, their growth hampered only by the surplus of original force, which emitted a luminous glow at night.

Spotted Cloth proposed a mutually beneficial agreement with the Gifted Seed: feeding it ore powder during the day to aid its growth, and in return, receiving the excess original force at night.

The Gifted Seed conveyed conflicting thoughts of joy and disdain, indicating its desire for the ore but refusal to provide feedback original force.

"This foolish Tree Spirit."

Spotted Cloth silently cursed, issuing a mental threat of "I'll kill you" and extending his forelimb to menace a side shoot.

"If you won't comply, I'll cut you off."

The Gifted Seed hesitated momentarily before conveying a disdainful thought: "You cut."

Having witnessed Spotted Cloth's wickedness before, the Gifted Seed knew the threat was empty; Spotted Cloth wouldn't harm it, let alone kill it.

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With shared breath and intertwined lives, who had reason to fear whom?

Spotted Cloth realized that the Gifted Seed was inherently wild and stubborn; threats and enticements held no sway over it.

Especially threats, which were utterly meaningless.

Unable to cultivate a bond, Spotted Cloth opted to abandon the effort for the time being.

...

Journeying to the mountain's northern slope, he resumed digging, completing the biogas pool under the cover of night.

A sudden rainstorm overnight made the morning dawn particularly vibrant.

Beneath the rosy hue, the Grass Clump Seedlings swayed gently in the breeze, as if rejoicing in anticipation of a beautiful day.

Amidst abundant moisture and light, the most conducive conditions for growth prevailed.

Spotted Cloth approached cautiously, digging beneath the Grass Clump Seedlings and unearthing a hole with exposed roots. With a light scrape of the ore, he sprinkled its powder into the hole before covering it with soil.

The Grass Clump Seedlings' roots quickly absorbed the diffused original force, utilizing some for their growth while transferring the surplus to Spotted Cloth's body.

Spotted Cloth obtained the necessary original force for growth, while the Grass Clump Seedlings experienced enhanced growth, a mutually beneficial cooperation.

Initially intending to use the ore to aid the Gifted Seed's growth, Spotted Cloth's efforts were rebuffed by its lack of appreciation and opposition.

After a brief period of digestion and absorption, the results were satisfactory. Spotted Cloth then turned to the Bamboo Seedlings, digging a small hole and repeating the process.

Feeling the nourishment of the original force within his cells, an indescribable sense of refreshment washed over him, bordering on addiction. Yet, he lamented the small size of the current seedlings, unable to fully harness the original force, and possessing only two pieces of ore, which felt insufficiently satisfying.

As morning arrived, the distant buzz of wings heralded the arrival of Bamboo, landing gracefully on the mountainside.

"Bamboo, good morning!"

"Spotted Cloth, good morning."

Bamboo gently placed a rabbit skin package before Spotted Cloth, revealing a piece of ore within.

"Yes, a minor trade. I sold 99 Bamboo seeds and 98 Hemp Bamboo seeds. Mountain Master Rourou was quite generous, rewarding me with two pieces of ore."

"Generous indeed, though it may harbor intentions for one of your Gifted Seeds," Bamboo remarked casually. "The caravan procured a full bag of Iron Knife Tree fruits from Iron Knife Mountain Master. As such,

I've brought one for you as well."

Bamboo's affinity for bamboo led her gaze to Spotted Cloth's Bamboo Seedlings, expressing admiration:

"Spotted Cloth, your Bamboo Seedlings are thriving beautifully! Squeak? Are you utilizing the ore? Have you already begun? Did the caravan teach you?"

"Yes," Spotted Cloth ventured, "Did Iron Knife Mountain Master engage in significant ore trades this time?"

Bamboo exclaimed indignantly, "A full bag of Iron Knife Tree fruits, yet those unscrupulous merchants only offered 200 pieces of ore! Despicable! It's said they could fetch 250 pieces upon reaching the northern territory of the Fire Beetle Kingdom. Should they venture to the Shuo Beetle Kingdom, prices may soar to 300 pieces."

In such a primitive world of transportation and trade, a 50% profit margin in cross-border transactions might be considered fair, wouldn't it?

Spotted Cloth redirected the conversation, continuing, "Does each warrior of Iron Knife Peak receive ore from the Mountain Master?"

Bamboo replied truthfully, "Senior warriors receive three pieces, while you and Black Mulberry, currently only junior warriors, receive one piece."

Bamboo sighed helplessly, "Ore is invaluable, but three pieces are too few. Iron Knife Mountain Master merely offers them to provide a taste. If there were 300 pieces, I could advance to a Level 5 senior warrior this year."

Spotted Cloth smiled, "Three pieces of ore are quite beneficial to me. I sense that another molting phase is imminent."

"That's because you're only a junior warrior with minimal original force requirements," Bamboo encouraged. "Black Mulberry was just promoted to a nine-age junior warrior a few days ago. Keep up the good work, Spotted Cloth, and you'll soon catch up to Black Mulberry."

"You two can compare who advances to intermediate warrior first and who experiences faster growth thereafter."

"Of course, Black Mulberry will advance faster. It has Iron Knife Mountain Master personally guiding it."

Spotted Cloth humbly acknowledged verbally but harbored deep disdain in his heart.

Once a training method suited to cockroaches was devised, original force utilization efficiency would double at minimum, leading to a corresponding acceleration in growth rate. At present, Black Mulberry was in a league of its own; comparisons were futile.

"That's true, Iron Knife Mountain Master greatly favors Black Mulberry, offering it all sorts of perks covertly. It's unfair to you."

Bamboo concurred before turning her gaze toward the direction of the biogas pool, inquiring, "Spotted Cloth, about that... biogas pool?"

Spotted Cloth confirmed, "The biogas pool."

Bamboo queried, "Has it been dug?"

"I dug it overnight and finally completed it," Spotted Cloth affirmed. "Bamboo, the timing is perfect. There's something I need your assistance with."

"What is it?" Bamboo inquired.

"I need to journey to the swamp and collect some marsh mud."