118 A Savage Tree

The map was actually very intricate. It had a detailed legend that showed what areas to avoid in the 100-mile radius and even listed what Savage Beasts commonly roamed the areas. With this map, we should be able to gather many Tier-3 herbs in our time here.

I began scouting the surrounding area for signs of Tier-3 herbs. Shi Da and I split up in order to cover more ground. Though we would be safer together, it wasn't economically feasible. We both needed many Tier-3 herbs to continue advancing with our alchemy, and the only place we could source it was here.

I slowly headed west looking to check out the valley marked on the map, I figured there'd be many herbs at the bottom of this valley. A stream cut through the valley and Seji had marked it as a floodplain. A floodplain is an area within a valley that commonly experienced flooding. A floodplain was an excellent area to support the growth of agriculture.

From my time as a Hudson ranger, I knew that floodplains supported very rich ecosystems, both in quantity and diversity. A floodplain usually would contain 100 or 1000 times as many species as a river. Wetting of the floodplain soil releases an immediate surge of nutrients: those left over from the last flood, and those that result from the rapid decomposition of organic matter that has accumulated since then.

Small organisms thrive and larger species enter a rapid breeding cycle. Opportunistic feeders even like to take advantage of the situation. The production of nutrients peaks and falls away quickly; however this surge of new growth endures for some time. This makes floodplains one of the most valuable areas for agriculture.

Seji had marked that many Tier-3 and Tier-4 species had made their residency in this valley. So I would have to be very cautious in my search for herbs. Fighting savage beasts would slow down my collection time, so I would have to stealthily investigate.

I sneaked into the valley, maintaining a low profile as a surveyed the surroundings. My heart was beating fast after coming here. The Tier-4 savage beasts here were mainly beast kings, leaders of their respective species. If one saw me as a threat, not only would I have to fight them but also the rest of their tribe.

My combat power was now severely limited, I wasn't even sure if I could take on a single Tier-3 combatant, let alone an entire tribe. I cautiously advanced, blending into the surroundings to not be spotted. Soon I came upon my first target within the valley.

I had found a Serpent Cedar tree in the valley. My luck was amazing! Serpent Cedar Fruit was a great ingredient to craft cultivation assistance pill-cores. The fruit it spawned would be various tiers depending on how long they had matured. 100-year-old Cedar Fruit would be Tier-3, while 300-year-old Cedar Fruit was a bona fide Tier-4 material. Rarely could a tree spawn Tier-5 Cedar Fruit, as they had to mature for 1,000 years.

The reason Serpent Cedar was named as such was because the tree bark would release an aura that was very conducive for snakes to cultivate under. Many deadly snakes would always accompany a Serpent Cedar tree.

There were over 100 Tier-3 Serpent Cedar Fruits on the tree, that I could see at a glance. But that wasn't the only thing. There were also 3 Tier-4 Serpent Cedar Fruit resting at the very top of the tree. I had to get my hands on those!

Greed had overcome my better judgment when I looked upon those Tier-4 fruits. Although I was only advancing to Grape Alchemist now, I would need many Tier-4 ingredients for my advancement to Indigo Alchemist. These Serpent Cedar Fruits could go a long way.

I begin plotting my assault on the Serpent Cedar Tree. I couldn't give up on such a massive harvest. The first thing I needed to do was get an understanding of my current battle power. I didn't specialize in stealth, so I couldn't just sneak in and steal the fruits.

The first thing that came to my mind was to create a distraction for the Titanoboas. Maybe lead another beast king over here to fight them while I escaped with the fruits in the chaos. Attempting to lead another beast king here was courting death if I didn't understand my battle power though. Luring another beast king was just as dangerous as intruding upon the Titanoboa's territory.

I calmed down my greedy thoughts and decided my only path forward was to up my combat prowess! I would need to learn to fight in this damnable high gravity if I wanted to get my hands on those precious fruits. This visit would be my only chance, as every time you came to the Savage Land they would teleport you to a random location. I didn't think my luck would always be good enough to find Tier-4 resources, especially ones that could be used for cultivation assistance!

This harvest was too large to give up on. After strengthening my resolve I began searching for my first victim. My blood was boiling. It was time I once again traveled along the path of the Slaughter Dao. Once I returned to Satyr Castle, none of those lesser races will dare look down upon my \u003cHollow Aura\u003e!

I soon found my first victim. It was a lone low-Baron Stegosaurus. The Stegosaurus had two rows of armored plates that ran down its bulky back, down the length of its spine, to its tail. Many of the spikes on this Stegosaurus' back were cracked, and it looked a bit sickly. It had obviously been separated from his tribe, to be alone with so many injuries.

Unfortunately for the Stegosaurus, it met me, an apex predator today. I would claim its pitiful life to practice my Slaughter Dao, while feasting on its bones and blood. I released my \u003cHollow Aura\u003e, and unsheathed Freedom \u0026 Destiny, as I charged at the Stegosaurus. Daddy's having Stegosaurus steak tonight!