He Laizhen city center.
Carriages bearing the purple-gold willow branch emblem moved through the city, with guards ahead of them, swords at their waists, pushing aside the citizens.
"Get out of the way, all of you!"
Cursing was heard everywhere. The citizens pushed to the roadside frowned deeply, but upon seeing the imposing procession, they felt these people were not to be trifled with and dared not speak.
"What are these people doing?"
"The main streets in the city are not for carriages, isn't that one of our He Laizhen's laws? Who are these people? Why haven't the city guards shown up yet?"
"Sigh, isn't it obvious? They're scared."
Suddenly, amidst the murmurs of the crowd, a rather incongruous snort emerged.
Everyone turned their gaze toward the sound and saw a human youth dressed in a very peculiar manner, with a blade of grass in his mouth, arms crossed, and a scornful expression.
"What are you doing?"
Immediately, several beastmen standing beside the youth's eyes widened.
"Where did you pick this grass from?"
"Huh?!" The youth who was yelled at was completely taken aback. He lowered his eyes to look at the grass in his mouth and reached out to pull it out. "You mean this? Isn't this stuff everywhere? Ah... I get it. Don't misunderstand, I picked this grass from outside, not from your He Laizhen."
Hearing the youth's explanation, the expressions of the onlookers softened somewhat.
"So scary."
The youth, who had intended to put the grass back in his mouth, thought about the way those people were looking at him and curbed his impulse, carefully placing it back into his wristband.
Throw it away?!
If he threw this grass on the ground, it would grow all the way to his grave by next year.
It really is the desert region.
Even a broken piece of grass is cherished like this.
"We are truly sorry, outsider." Just as the youth was grumbling inwardly, the people standing beside him smiled apologetically. "As you can see, our He Laizhen has a special geographical location. The people living here have been trying to improve the desertification environment for generations. Any plant is precious to us, which is why we reacted so strongly. We apologize."
"Understood, understood."
The youth grinned, seemingly unconcerned.
"Hey, why don't you stockpile more water condensers, or find some water element mages to artificially induce rain, or perhaps do some land transplantation? This is a magical world, so you should be able to do that, right?"
"We have thought about it, but... the purchased water condensers are simply unable to condense water."
"Water element mages cannot cast spells here. We have no water elements at all, so how can we possibly induce rain? We've tried many methods, but they're all futile."
"Exactly."
The natives of He Laizhen sighed dejectedly. The youth frowned and listened for a moment before scoffing.
"Nonsense. You have air here but no moisture? If there's no moisture at all, then I see there are trees in the mansion within the city."
"That's the last bit of greenery our He Laizhen has," said the native.
"Regardless, I won't believe you have no water elements here even if you beat me to death." The youth looked speechless. The native lowered his voice and said, "Actually, there's a saying among us that we've been cursed. An ancient demon god cursed our land so that nothing would grow, which is why our... "
"Superstition!"
The youth, arms crossed, continued to scoff dismissively.
"What era are we in, still talking about gods and immortals? You people are just too backward, science hasn't developed. If science had reached a certain level, there wouldn't be so many problems. Here's what I'll do, I'm a friendly person. If any of you have a survival wristband, leave your contact information. I'll help you find suitable seeds or saplings for desert cultivation outside and send them to you."
"Are... are you serious?"
In an instant, the eyes of several He Laizhen natives became respectful.
"I, Lu Haisheng, always keep my word." The youth thumped his chest. "Although I'm an outsider, I'm by no means a despicable one. Creating a harmonious society and promoting world progress is my noble mission that Lu Haisheng will never change. You wouldn't understand the rest of it, but in short, I will help you."
"Sir, if you can truly improve our environment, I believe the Chief will..."
"Shush!"
Before the He Laizhen natives could finish speaking, Lu Haisheng raised a finger.
"I have no interest in high positions or generous salaries. While helping you is a whim, it's not mere words. You don't need to be so formal; we are all beings in this world, and offering assistance is only natural."
The cave dwellers had never heard such words. Their lack of knowledge prevented them from even forming a coherent expression of gratitude.
They could only look at Lu Haisheng with intense emotion, attempting to convey their gratitude through the most primitive means.
Contact information was exchanged via wristbands.
The impressions the natives had of Lu Haisheng completely changed. In their eyes, Lu Haisheng was a seed of hope.
Thinking of Lu Haisheng's generosity, the natives wanted to say something.
"Hey..." Before the natives could find the right words, Lu Haisheng opened the conversation. "I heard that in your Beastman Empire, there's an omniscient and omnipotent expert?"
"Are you referring to Venerable Oroq?"
"Huh?"
"Venerable Oroq is the foremost astrologer in the Empire, the strongest in the entire Empire, the closest being to god, and has even surpassed god."
"Astrology, playing with tarot cards?"
Lu Haisheng frowned. The natives clearly didn't understand what tarot cards were, but from Lu Haisheng's expression, they could sense his contempt.
"Sir, you mustn't speak carelessly; it's disrespectful to the Venerable."
"Alright, alright, I won't say it!" Lu Haisheng sighed helplessly and then gestured towards the team charging ahead. "Then what are they doing? They look quite overbearing, pushing and shoving people around. Don't your city people do anything about them bullying you? What are they? Spoiled rotten."
"Who are you calling that?!"
*Swish!*
A sharp sword blade was thrown directly at Lu Haisheng, sticking firmly into the ground before his feet. The sudden appearance of the sword did not startle Lu Haisheng; he simply stood before it, examining it closely.
"A rapier, isn't that for ladies?"
"Say that again?" The one who threw the sword was none other than Pai Huo. He strode over, glaring, and grabbed Lu Haisheng by the collar. "What did you just say?"
"Is this your sword?"
Still unfazed, Lu Haisheng, with his collar being yanked, even managed a hint of a defiant smile.
"No way, no way. A grown man, five feet five inches tall, using a rapier? How embarrassing is that. Also, don't pull my clothes. If you're really capable, then just beat me up?"
"Do you dare?"