These "Mountain and Earth Gods" probably had it hard too.
When he learned that Li Ye was finally willing to cooperate, the Earth God's eyes practically brimmed with tears.
Excitedly, he waved a hand and summoned a golden sapling. The sapling had nine branches in all, yet only one of them was currently lit.
Li Ye stared at the tree, but received no prompt from his panel. It was probably not a spirit plant, but some physical manifestation produced by a Magic Treasure or divine ability.
"Junior Brother, look—this is Tianhe City's Incense Spirit Tree."
"Each level can yield different products of the Incense Divinity. The fur of the Incense Spirit Fox that Junior Brother needs is on the third level, though it will probably take several years."
"This pocket world created by the patriarchs is centered around people.
"The more prosperous the mortals become, the more strange phenomena arise, and the more incense offerings we can obtain."
"Unfortunately, Tianhe City only began construction five hundred years ago, so it still lags somewhat behind the other cities.
"That is why we are so eager to cooperate with capable Spirit Herbalists like Junior Brother."
"If no fellow disciples are willing to work with us, then when this little tree completely withers, Tianhe City may have to merge with another city!"
By the end, the Earth God's voice was distinctly urgent.
So that was it.
No wonder they were so impatient despite me only being at the Qi Refining stage.
Li Ye fell into thought.
Looking at the golden sapling, he saw a halo flickering faintly over its sole branch, like the glow of an extinguished lamp. It gave him an immediate understanding of Tianhe City's situation.
Mm, things really were not looking good.
It was far more than merely "lagging somewhat