Chapter 572
Chapter 572 - 552: The Normal Gardener
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7 min read
"Parasitic Tree? Little Wen, you’ve got yourself a good disciple..."
Lu Ping’an’s reveal of his third-tier profession greatly lightened the atmosphere at the venue.
Parasitic Tree, a rather distinct Gardener profession, is quite popular among professionals in this field of wealthy high-level Gardeners and unusual individuals, but not very beginner-friendly.
Generally, those who choose this path devote their entire lives to the Gardener domain, particularly the academic circle.
After all, studying Outer Trees and studying oneself are not the same. Having a symbiotic Demon Plant makes research much easier.
This profession alone created an initial positive impression among most gardeners, making them feel like Lu Ping’an was "one of their own."
As for his talents? In these times, those who could reach Decree-level or even go higher to Rule-level were lauded as prodigies in the eyes of their teachers and classmates.
The ability to accelerate the growth of low-level Magic Plants is indeed useful for beginners, but high-level Gardeners have their own abilities to accelerate Magic Plant growth. They usually own their own territories, demi-planes, or botanical gardens, and employ numerous laborers and supporting researchers.
As long as they have proper planning and task distribution, even if Lu Ping’an works himself to death, he wouldn’t be able to catch up with their true production speed.
A slightly talented individual who fortunately found the key "keys" eventually turned them into his present research achievements. At least, Lu Ping’an provided a plausible excuse.
Useful? Not convincing enough to fool others, but it gets by superficial standards. High-level professionals always have their secrets.
The fact that Lu Ping’an can now produce resources is the key.
"What’s the lifespan of Lamplight Grass?"
"It varies greatly, depending on the parent plant and the species."
"Will it be affected in actual combat? Some Magic Plants automatically dodge when threatened, such as burrowing into the ground or retracting their leaves."
"During the migration, they played a significant role. Their light was quite useful in the long night, providing warmth, calming people’s hearts, and even repelling some low-level Demons. They might be a bit desensitized as a result of being overstimulated... Their intelligence is relatively low, and they don’t understand fear."
Biological instincts to seek benefits and avoid harm are, in fact, inherited as ancestral memories. The completely new Magic Plants created by Lu Ping’an still have some defects in this regard.
However, this answer received unanimous praise from everyone present.
A stable and reliable light source is more important to warriors. But for them, having fewer impurities in the "genetic inheritance" is more important. It makes it easier for them to analyze and reorganize. There’s no answer even after extensive analysis if the genetic source is contaminated by repeated "crossbreeding."
This is actually an unwritten rule in the Gardener industry. Everyone has their own research field and achievements. If they want to put out a product, high-level Gardeners have more or less unique patented products.
They use the first-line quality parent plants for themselves and sell second-tier, third-tier, or even fifth- and sixth-tier products as a common practice.
With the guidance he received, Lu Ping’an didn’t dwell on the academic side and "how he achieved it." Instead, he acted like a salesperson, introducing the quality of his "products."
Initially, the big shots present didn’t have high hopes after confirming the authenticity.
"Fourth-tier or higher, huh... No, it’s clear that the potential of that symbiotic Demon Plant is extremely high. It’s just too young and has too many weak partners."
For many Parasitic Trees, the host and the symbiotic plant’s soul and body have fused, destined to live and die together. Quite a few "Parasitic Tree" professionals are envious of the young man for having such a high-quality companion species.
"It seems to be a light-absorbing type... It passively receives light. Do you know any Holy Fire Knights? Then, do you have any more Magic Plants that produce fire on their own?"
"I have a fourth-fifth tier Holy Fire Knight as my assistant. As for the fire-producing Lamplight Grass... it’s still in development. The current stage conclusion is that it’s not practical for anyone below Decree-level, and mass-producing Decree-level Magic Plants is far beyond my current capability. So, I will have to rely on my seniors."
Lu Ping’an’s words were quite pleasing. Some uncles and grandpas silently nodded in agreement, making up their minds to reward him with a piece when they successfully produce one... This is also another unwritten rule of academic mutual assistance.
Being a light-absorbing type of third-tier or lower essentially reduces the value of these species in the high-end market, but the potential Lu Ping’an displayed increased their evaluation.
"It’s not that Lamplight Grass isn’t good enough, it’s that its cultivator Lu Ping’an isn’t good enough." Lu Ping’an repeatedly emphasized this point through his actions to his guests.
Though the language is a "lie" – the frightening potential of Lu Ping’an’s symbiotic Demon Plant has little to do with Lamplight Grass itself – the content it indicates, namely "Lamplight Grass has the potential for further breakthroughs and it’s not difficult to reach Decree-level," is true.
That’s because they are offspring of miraculous creations, the Beast God’s earthly Divine-Blood legacy. Another parent is the Decree-level Bloodvine. Once the standard, mature Lamplight Grass solves the "light source" problem, its rating will definitely be Decree-level.
This guaranteed outcome satisfied most guests, making them feel that their visit wasn’t in vain.
Busy scholars and big shots naturally proceeded with the next steps. On the lecture stage, Lu Ping’an was not the teacher but a conscientious salesperson...
"I’ll take a hundred."
"I’ll take them all."
"I’ll take three of each."
Lu Ping’an’s price quotes were so fantastic he felt surreal, yet these bosses didn’t lack money and casually considered buying everything.
"...Uh, production is limited, so I’d ask you all to make on-site purchases. I’ve put everything I can sell in the teacher’s laboratory."
Next, transactions took place at Professor Wen’s botanical garden, and Lu Ping’an experienced the Gardener profession for the first time...
"Being a Gardener can be so profitable!"
"... This is the normal way for Gardeners to make money. It’s too risky to explore on your own. Those below fifth- and sixth-tier Gardeners aren’t really suitable for actual combat."
Having heard the teacher’s words, Lu Ping’an recalls how troublesome Liu Zibei was just from one incident.
The success of the Gardener profession, a "logistics-related" profession, doesn’t depend on individual strength, but on how many outrageous things they have in their arsenal.
This transaction satisfied Lu Ping’an, but there was still one problem...
"Why are they still all credit points? Doesn’t anyone dare use Eastern Country’s coins?"
"If you dare to accept, they may not dare to give. It’s a sensitive time now, and if you challenge the official’s authority, they can retaliate against you. Are you short on money? I can lend you some..."
"No need, teacher. Two million isn’t enough. The gap is larger... "
"I’ll lend you twenty million. No interest."
Once again, Lu Ping’an truly felt how profitable it was to be a successful Gardener.
— End of Chapter 572 —