Night on the Road

"The resurgent Forest Will..."

Two months after leaving Lookout Point City.

One evening, while resting in Small Village along the way, Linsey went alone to the woods by the village and touched the plants in front of her.

This is a tall, brown tree with oval-shaped leaves.

[Plant: Rouge Tree]

[A tall, tree-like plant. The Forest's Will is gradually awakening amidst its restlessness, and this plant is becoming more sensitive to its external environment.]

[A common forest plant, but its stability and resistance to decay and wear make it more valuable than ordinary timber!]

"It's like this again."

From the moment he left Lookout Point City, Linsey would periodically check the plants in the forest along the way.

Those massive anomalies that affected the entire forest seem to have been successfully quelled, and have not recurred in the past two months.

But during Linsey's examination...

Every now and then, he would find such entries on the trees.

Linsey even identified a pattern.

Not every plant in the Courtyard in the Forest has this information.

Such entries are often found only on older or very lush vegetation.

"Linsey, are you studying plants again?"

At that moment, Ailini's figure stepped out from the dim light.

Seeing Linsey's actions, the young businesswoman praised her with a touch of admiration:

"You seem to have learned quite a bit from those scholars, judging from your diligent efforts."

Linsey was very pleased with this:

"After all, my teacher was a botanist."

Ailini continued to respond, but her words turned into some regretful complaints halfway through:

"Linsey, your teacher must be very great."

"At least I didn't raise you to be that kind of... stubborn person?"

Ailini's words also reminded Linsey of the Life Scholar in Lookout Point City.

Kang Qi, who had asked him for information, seemed alright.

But Green Fir...

That female scholar was undoubtedly a powerful individual, having progressed quite far on the path of the Awakened. Even her attitude towards Linsey likely carried a hint of friendliness.

But that's the kind of behavior they exhibit.

I'm afraid most people wouldn't like it.

"In a world without supernatural powers, there are such individuals among the older generation or those in power, let alone in a world like this."

Linsey, however, could understand this situation.

So he felt relieved, shook his head and stopped thinking about it, then pulled an axe from his bag.

"Wait, what are you doing with that axe?"

Ailini was startled.

When traveling, young businesswomen always prioritize both safety and profit.

Any image that appears dangerous will alert her.

Linsey rolled her eyes at the guy. "You're making such a fuss all the time, you'll get a heart attack."

"This is Rouge Tree, also called Blood Tree or teak, a good material for making flooring. I'm sure I'll be able to use it in the future."

After explaining, Linsey began to work.

He now owns a house.

The Plant Shop will inevitably need to be expanded and renovated in the future, and this Rouge Tree in front of him is obviously the most suitable top-grade wood, so he certainly has no reason to let it go.

A few loud bangs.

Linsey took the Rouge Tree into her bag.

As Ailini gazed at the scene in the forest, she unconsciously glanced at her right hand. The space she had created using her Merchant Skill could be extended both around her and on the cargo wagon.

But that is ultimately a capability of businessmen.

What appeared before me was neither the ability of a merchant, nor the skill of Space Sorcerer, nor even the tool space of a craftsman.

As a Game Player.

Linsey also mastered this special spatial skill.

Ailini couldn't help but speak up:

"Playing games can also create personal space."

"If this kind of thing spreads to other places, it will definitely cause some trouble."

Linsey cautioned, "I am a rather special type of Awakened."

"If you're thinking of using this kind of information for intelligence trading, you'd better be careful."

"If an ordinary person said something like that, I would think they were trying to mislead me." Ailini shrugged, accepting the warning quite readily. "But your explanation—I believed it."

As they chatted, the two walked back to the village.

Along the way, Linsey didn't forget to care for the young businesswoman beside her:

"Ailini, don't you always make some trades whenever you come across Small Village like this on the road? What brings you out to see me today?"

Ailini looked a little dejected. "There's nothing I can do, I only have a limited supply."

"Over the past two months, almost everything that could be sold in the small villages has been sold off."

The young merchant girl began to complain, "Logically speaking, I certainly don't want to keep this money in my hands either. But the output of these outlying villages is pitifully meager. If I have to trade, they'll exchange my fine coins for coarse coins, which is completely unacceptable!"

Complaining like this, Ailini looked into the distance:

"I won't have a chance to do things like sourcing goods until I reach the next city, or at least a town."

After dusk, night falls.

Linsey and Ailini return to the unassuming village.

In the villages along the way in this forest, there weren't even any decent inns, so the two of them had to pay to stay overnight in the backyard of the Village Chief's house.

The only decent light in the cabin was the candle Linsey had brought out.

When the two were about to turn off the lights and rest, the atmosphere of their conversation reached its best.

Ailini then tentatively asked:

"Linsey, before you chopped down the tree, you seemed to be saying something?"

"I'm talking about the revived Forest Will," Linsey answered directly, then added flippantly, "What, you really want to know the details?"

When she heard that Linsey was willing to answer, Ailini beamed with joy.

She hid her shadow by the candlelight, moved to the window, and after confirming that no one was outside, turned to check and said:

"Of course I want to know. But this information isn't going to be charged for, is it?"

"Well--"

Linsey sighed first, then said, "Ailini, we've been traveling together for two months now, so you don't need to be so cautious and formal when you talk to me."

"And you need to figure this out, which of us is the businessman?"

"I'm not the kind of guy who has to make money during operations!"

"That's true." Ailini pouted, crossed her arms, and looked helpless in the candlelight. "But the truth is, I've spent a lot of money on you since we met."

"We're still in a situation where we're not making money!"

Linsey countered, "So, do you think the deal with me was worthwhile?"

Ailini, on the other hand, did not hesitate at all:

"Excellent value for money!"

So Linsey tossed over three Silver Coin: "Here, take this money."

"Before you set off tomorrow morning, go and collect some materials for me, mainly some silk threads, the stronger the better."

This Silver Coin coin was originally earned by Linsey from Ailini.

The young merchant girl snatched the money without even bothering to verify its authenticity, and then disappeared into her rolled-up blanket with the money, saying, "Don't worry, I'll definitely buy you the most suitable one!"

Watching Ailini fall asleep, Linsey opened her skill panel.

In the distance of the map, a river leading east is faintly visible; in terms of personal attributes, it's time for a few entries to make their appearance.

"Fishing Master, Fishing Rod..."

"It's time to test this skill."