"I've always believed in reciprocity — when someone tosses me a peach, I return a plum. That Crimson Sky Golden Flame is of tremendous importance to me, and now that I've benefited from it, I certainly won't forget your hard work." Du Rufeng smiled as he regarded Yang Kai. "So, how about it? Interested in coming over? I can't promise anything else, but I'm confident I can help you advance to Third-Order Open Heaven within three hundred years."
Yang Kai exclaimed, "Third-Order Open Heaven!"
Third-Order Open Heaven was arguably the greatest aspiration a menial worker could hope for, but to date, no such worker had ever achieved it. The materials needed to condense the powers were simply too numerous, each one worth a small fortune, and menial workers could never save up enough Open Heaven Pills. Of course, Yang Kai's ambitions far exceeded Third-Order Open Heaven, but as a menial worker, he naturally ought to react the way one would.
Du Rufeng nodded. "I know you've had fortune on your side and condensed wood-element power of Fourth-Order or above, but you must understand — that was nothing more than a stroke of luck. Even with wood-element power of that grade, without other high-grade materials, the Open Heaven you eventually achieve will have limited prospects."
"I understand," Yang Kai nodded as well.
"Good that you do. I was worried you might think your starting point was too good, aim too high, and end up accomplishing nothing in the end."
"I appreciate your kindness, my lord." Yang Kai cupped his fists. "However, after some thought, I believe it would be better for me to continue working in the orchard for now."
"Why?" Du Rufeng looked mildly surprised, clearly not having expected Yang Kai to turn down the offer — after all, it was an irresistible temptation for any menial worker.
"For one, I've only been at Fire Spirit Land for three months. I've made contributions, yes, and I've received the rewards I deserved. If I were to receive yet more generous treatment, the other workers would likely complain that you were playing favorites, my lord. That would breed unrest, and the orchard work could suffer."
"Who would dare?" Du Rufeng let out a cold laugh.
"On the surface, perhaps not. But behind closed doors, who knows?" Yang Kai said.
Du Rufeng considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Go on."
"Secondly, I'd like to hone my skills here in the orchard a while longer. When the time is right in the future, I can offer my services to you then. By that point, no one would have much to say, and I'd be able to help you more and better — rather than the situation now, where if I joined you, I'd simply be sheltering under your wing without accomplishing anything of substance."
Du Rufeng regarded Yang Kai with an amused smile. "How rare, to see someone with such foresight. In that case, let it be. Whenever you change your mind, you're welcome to come find me."
"Thank you for your kindness, my lord."
After offering Yang Kai a few more words of encouragement, Du Rufeng continued his inspection of the orchard. Watching him depart, Yang Kai's brow furrowed deeply. Today's events felt extremely strange. Du Rufeng's inexplicable favoritism toward him was certainly no whim of the moment. His refusal stemmed partly from suspicion, and partly on account of General Sichen.
He had just opened up a channel for earning pills, netting several thousand Open Heaven Pills every month. Why would he throw that away to follow Du Rufeng for no good reason? If he actually went over, that revenue stream would certainly be cut off. Du Rufeng's guarantee was advancement to Third-Order Open Heaven within three hundred years — but the materials for Third-Order were only worth around a hundred and ten thousand Open Heaven Pills. That sum, he could save up in just a few years on his own. He hardly needed Du Rufeng's assurance.
The following period passed in relative tranquility, though Yang Kai could clearly sense that tension pervaded the entire orchard. Perhaps word had spread that the chief steward would be coming down for an inspection, so all the menial workers stayed obediently in their own patches, carefully tending the fruit trees, terrified of making any mistakes. Even Xiang Yong hadn't dared leave his little plot of land without permission — presumably Zhou Zheng had given him strict orders.
When the time arrived, the orchard's restriction array activated, forcing everyone outside.
Yang Kai wasted no time and headed straight back to the workers' quarters. After a brief wait, Old Fang and Die You arrived together, and without further ado, the three of them set off for the market district.
There was another round of bustling activity in the market, collecting the bugs from the other six spirit lands. By nightfall, the scene inside Yang Kai's small cottage was just as it had been the previous month — the three of them sitting down to divide the spoils.
But this time the haul was far greater than the last. The previous month, the agents from those spirit lands had been hesitant and didn't dare buy too many bugs at once. Aside from Yu Xueping, who showed real boldness, the others had purchased at most just over six hundred each.
Having tasted the rewards once, however, they no longer hesitated.
This time, they had collected over twelve thousand bugs from the various locations alone. Combined with what they'd bought at Fire Spirit Land this month, the total came to roughly fifteen thousand.
Yang Kai spent an entire day and night feeding General Sichen. Even with the General's prodigious appetite, by the time he left Yang Kai's room, he was somewhat overfed, staggering as he walked, looking for all the world like a drunkard.
After deducting expenses, this month's profit came to nearly ten thousand Open Heaven Pills!
And as previously agreed, Old Fang and Die You each took ten percent — one thousand pills apiece — leaving the remaining eight thousand for Yang Kai.
Old Fang's eyes were rimmed with red, not from jealousy, but from emotion. Think of it — all these centuries, he had painstakingly hoarded Open Heaven Pills, carefully rationing every single one for daily expenses. Now money was practically rolling in without effort. The feeling overwhelmed him, and he choked up, unable to speak.
Yang Kai laughed heartily and slapped him on the shoulder. "What are you crying for, Old Fang? This is just the beginning. The good days are still ahead of us."