Chapter 125: Association Contract
The camel set sail again, but this time the target was the final station.
About ten days later, Xilutiya and her classmates finally saw the sunlight again, walking out of this enclosed towering high building.
The place they came down to was a mountain slope, and the camel, about three hundred meters tall, stood at the foot of the mountain.
Then, under the guidance of a group of cavalry wearing deep green hooded robes, they passed through the roads between the mountain slopes and arrived at the valley below, where several hidden lakes were distributed.
The water on the lake surface was clean as a mirror, reflecting the mountains and the sky in black and silver hues. At this moment, streaks of moon boats were docked at the lakeside.
Not far from the lakeside, some wizards wearing black robes, their faces indiscernible, stood there. Their natures were one of the three lunar natures, with ranks between Second Order and Third Order, about 5 Third Order wizard apprentices and 17 Second Order wizard apprentices.
“According to the numbers and names I call out, board the boats in sequence and head to the center of the lake.” A black-robed wizard stood on a mountain rock to one side, announcing to the group of students below.
Upon arriving here, Xilutiya had to part with Florera, because the lake passages they were going to were different.
Under the tall tree shade by the shore, Xilutiya sat on a two-meter-high black wooden crate waiting. Under her black silk skirt hem, her symmetrical calves and ankles were wrapped in long stockings, swaying slightly back and forth like a swing.
The other students also carried their own luggage, waiting in the open space by the lake, some gathering in twos and threes to chat idly.
“Are we about to go to the woodland?”
“To think it’s done in this way.” Someone looked at the scene on the lake, feeling surprised and unexpected.
On the lake surface, several moon boats carried students and luggage to the center of the lake. Then the lake surface lit up with light, and the students and luggage on the boats instantly disappeared, leaving only the empty moon boats pulled back again by ropes.
“The shadows beneath the continent and the world on the continent have a wondrous connection, like the inside and outside of a mirror symmetrically reflecting each other. Certain abilities of the moon nature can be used to swap them, arriving at the Shadow World.” A knowledgeable student explained.
“The people going to Glimmerstone Town have finally all left. Now it should be our turn.”
“Students heading to ‘White Falcon Cliff’ begin preparing.” The wizard on the cliff announced.
“Alright, let’s go, let’s go.” These few students stood up, dragging their luggage, boarding the boats step by step.
Under the tree shade, Xilutiya watched as the other students boarded one by one, her name never called, until dusk fell, the distant sun slowly setting, leaving only about ten people.
“Students heading to ‘Golden Plain’ begin preparing.” Finally, Golden Plain was called.
Xilutiya lightly leaped down from the tall wooden crate. Several boatmen by the lake helped drag and lift her tall wooden crate onto the boat, and the last batch of students also came over one after another.
“Xilutiya, First Order · Emerald Honey, heading to Golden Plain.” The black-robed wizard checked her identity with a booklet, nodding slightly to the maiden, then letting her pass.
“Approved, next.”
Xilutiya gave a simple thanks, then picked up her carry-on luggage, walked to the boat’s edge, carefully stepped on the gunwale, and boarded the slightly rocking moon boat.
Speaking of which, she seemed unable to swim. Sitting in the boat, this silver-haired maiden lightly dipped her fingers into the water, feeling the icy coolness of the current.
After playing with the water for a bit, Xilutiya sat properly again. By now, the other students had also boarded one after another, about 1-2 people per boat. Xilutiya’s boat had only her and her luggage.
After preparations were ready, to Xilutiya’s surprise, several wizard apprentices by the lake also boarded the remaining small boats, following them together, slowly advancing toward the center of the lake.
The lake water rippled, the small boat traveling on the evening lake surface as if walking on a black mirror. The mountain rocks and trees in the field of view gradually disappeared, everything becoming exceptionally empty, with only the vast dusky sky overhead and the black lake water beneath.
Upon reaching the center of the lake, Xilutiya leaned on her suitcase, her mood slightly tense. But thinking it over, she seemed able to switch to ‘Alien Star’ nature, so she shouldn’t fear this method of spatial travel, and gradually relaxed.
Faint silver light rose from the lake surface. At this moment, Xilutiya could see her reflection in the lake water.
Not far away, other students let out exclamations, then the surrounding environment blurred and distorted.
Several seconds later, everything became clear again. She and the group of students had landed on white stone slab ground, with a sky overhead as blue as washed.
A fortress protected by white city walls sat on the golden plain. Outside the high city walls, fields of wheat fields were neatly distributed, forming shimmering golden waves when the wind blew through.
In the distant view, within that fortress stood six white stone tall towers, their tips like sharp swords pointing to the sky. Above them, immensely thick heavy clouds were repelled as if by an invisible force field, expanding into a huge circular void. Through this massive void, sunlight slanted into this world in the shadows.
……
“You must be this batch’s new students.” A tall and thin boy came before the group. He wore a white hooded robe and held a book in his hand.
“I’m the senior male student responsible for guiding you. Now please follow me to White Tower Fortress.” He had a thick scholarly air about him, wearing glasses with a gold chain on one corner of the frame connected to the pocket at his chest.
Hearing his introduction, the group curiously approached, and he answered their questions one by one.
“The horse carriages are ready. Coordinate usage based on how much luggage you have, and first move your things to the Woodland Association warehouse in the city. Later, they will be distributed according to your specific destinations.”
“Alright, no need to inquire so much from me. When you get to the Woodland Association, there will naturally be teachers to explain everything to you specifically.” With that, he adjusted his glasses, his gaze sweeping over the group.
When he saw Xilutiya, his gaze lingered for a few seconds, probably noticing the badge she wore on her chest.
Half an hour later, the coachmen loaded the luggage, then carried these students toward the fortress. The road up the mountain slope was somewhat bumpy and shaky.
“Why not just build the teleportation site directly in the city? It wouldn’t be so troublesome.” Someone couldn’t help asking.
“You didn’t study well, did you? Fortresses are basically crafted items of the ‘Castle’ path, naturally suppressing other natures. Moving it to the city would make it hard to exert effects.”
“Oh, I remember now, it seems that’s the case.”
“Yes, although living in the fortress is inconvenient, it’s also very safe.” This tall and thin senior male student spoke again. He was currently ‘Second Order · Castle’ and seemed very accustomed to life here.
“If you happen to cultivate the ‘Castle’ nature, then living in the fortress has no drawbacks at all.”
“It’s safe that way, sure, but it’s also a bit boring. I still prefer the free feeling of the wilderness.”
Everyone chatted about their own thoughts. Along the way, some occasionally sneaked glances at the maiden sitting in the horse carriage watching the scenery, not speaking.
Although many admired this silver-haired maiden’s beautiful appearance and temperament, seeing the badge she wore, no one dared to approach and strike up a conversation to disturb her.
Just like that, the group of horse carriages slowly entered the fortress. Noise and clamor gradually surged in from the air outside the carriage.
The streets here were exceptionally wide. Numerous alien races with strange appearances walked and shuttled about. Of course, there were even more humans, but the group was clearly more curious about the unfamiliar and unknown things.
Unlike the continent above the floating clouds, almost all residents and pedestrians here possessed condensed natures, meaning 90% of people were at least First Order level, while the remaining without condensed natures were mostly slaves and laborers in the city.
Along the way, Xilutiya saw various subhuman races, including lizardmen, elves, half-giants, moon rabbits, and so on. There were also cavalry guard teams training in neat formations in the city, all wearing white armor and capes, with strict discipline.
Despite the multitude of alien races and people of various appearances and temperaments, public security here was exceptionally good. No wonder it was among the top ten in population among the woodland outposts.
The horse carriage arrived at the Woodland Association. Xilutiya jumped down from the carriage and, seeing the sign and tall building ahead, confirmed this was the reporting site for the Woodland Association outpost. She walked in with the group of students.
Inside the association, personnel moved about, and many people came to handle affairs. The white-robed glasses-wearing senior male student leading them brought the group to a side exclusive window and began processing one by one.
About half an hour later, it was Xilutiya’s turn.
The maiden sat on the chair in front of the counter, her silver waist-length long hair draping down, forming a slight crescent gap at her lower back. She first handed her letter of recommendation to the staff, then took out her badge and showed it to them.
“I see, Miss Xilutiya.” Seeing the badge, the other person became slightly more serious and checked the information.
Soon, this young woman with glasses and a low ponytail put down the letter, then took out a booklet from one side and flipped through it.
“There are many suitable jobs for newcomers here. Considering you’re from a gardener background, the most appropriate should be going to the wheat fields outside the city to manage crops.”
“Currently, there are about three regions still short on gardeners. The first is close to the fortress, mainly tending to improved wheat to supply high-quality grain. The difficulty is very low, of course your subsidy will be much less, but the benefit is the work is simple with plenty of free time to stay in the city.”
“The second is a region five kilometers from the fortress. There is a relatively mature ‘Golden Wheat Field’ there. The golden wheat produced, after processing, can extract small amounts of precious golden. The subsidy there is high, but tending golden wheat takes considerable effort, especially for unfamiliar gardeners.”
“The third is even farther, a valley plain twenty li outside the city. Because it was just opened from the Shadow World, hardly anyone has gone there yet. Nearby is a hunter’s cabin and a patrol post station. They regularly send people to clear monsters that emerge around, with some danger.”
“Then I’ll go to the third one.” Xilutiya quickly decided. This wasn’t because it had the largest area, but because she preferred that quiet environment where she could freely experiment and perform.
“It’s quite far. If you can reclaim a large area of good fields, the association will give you certain rewards.” The other person pushed up her glasses.
“Since you don’t regret it, sign here.” With that, she took out a paper page and handed it to the maiden.
The paper page stated that the valley plain would be temporarily entrusted to Xilutiya for management and care, and someone would inspect the situation in half a year. If she could successfully reclaim 100 mu of fields, it would be passing. If 200 mu, she would receive an excellent evaluation. If 300 mu, and she turned in 5000 jin of high-quality wheat, she would receive a perfect evaluation.
The quality of evaluations over these few years in the woodland would affect the difficulty of joining various organizations in the future. The other party would review the students’ performance over these years.
“What is high-quality wheat?” Xilutiya inquired about the standard.
“Wheat quality is divided into passing, good, excellent, excellent grade, rare, and perfect according to universal standards. So-called high-quality generally refers to excellent to excellent grade, these two stages.”
“High-quality on the contract means you must turn in at least 5000 jin of unadulterated excellent quality wheat flour.” The other person explained in detail and added this line below in writing.
“Let me show you samples.” With that, she skillfully opened the drawer and took out different ears of wheat and flour grains respectively.
Among them, the passing line wheat was the kind sold in ordinary shops in Jiaoshi City, mostly grown by farmers themselves.
Good quality wheat was probably what nobles in Jiaoshi City used in the castle for making bread and pastries, mostly specially produced in noble estates.
Excellent quality wheat, Xilutiya had never seen before. She stuck a little bit with her finger and licked it with her tongue, tasting it carefully.
Wheat of this grade clearly provided richer nutrients and energy, with better texture.
For excellent grade wheat, the maiden also tasted it. If excellent quality wheat provided 130% of the nutrients and energy of ordinary wheat, then excellent grade was 180%.
As for rare grade quality wheat, she tasted it again. It provided about 300% of the nutrients and energy of ordinary wheat, and had a faint sweet aroma. If used to make snacks or bread, it would probably be a supreme delicacy.
Finally, perfect grade quality wheat—the other person didn’t let Xilutiya taste it, just letting her touch the ear of wheat to see.
“You can’t taste this. If people came every day to taste a bit, the association would lose money.” The woman across from her smiled and waved her hand to stop.
Xilutiya looked at that plump golden ear of wheat. Even touching it with her hand, she could feel the faint vitality emanating from it.
Such wheat was probably supplied as military supplies for high-order knights, specifically for replenishment before major battles.
“Transporting supplies from the Floating Cloud Continent to the woodland is extremely costly. Here, even the most ordinary wheat costs 10 copper coins per jin, ten times the ground price.” The woman at the counter introduced to Xilutiya.
“Excellent wheat is about 1 silver coin per jin, excellent grade quality wheat is 3 silver coins per jin, rare quality wheat 10 silver coins per jin. As for perfect grade wheat, about 1 gold coin per jin.” She listed the price list.
“Of course, these are market retail prices. You are currently an association member, so the acquisition price will be 20% below market price. The benefit is no worry about selling, and the association can send people during harvest season to help reap, bundle, and process.”
“This is already very conscientious. For external personnel, the acquisition price is about 40% below market price. After all, the association needs to profit too.”
Xilutiya didn’t object to this. If she insisted on taking all the profits, she’d face many trivial matters, like threshing, transporting to the city to sell, taxes, business negotiations, after-sales issues, and so on.
With that time and energy, better to focus on what she liked and was good at more.
Division of labor and collaboration is indeed a major advancement of civilization, allowing people to focus more on one thing without disturbance.
After deciding, Xilutiya signed her name on the contract, and her farming life thereafter would slowly begin.
Golden perfect wheat, I wonder if I can cultivate it.
