Chapter 327: Upgrading Fruit Trees

Chapter 327

Upgrading Fruit Trees

"You...you truly are a worthless child. Why did you behave like that? Don’t you want the Fronda family to live in peace? I already have to work so hard to curry favor with the Setter family. Don’t you know our survival depends on them? Don’t you understand!? And...what terrible thing did you do to provoke the future lady of the Setter family to attack you like that, huh?!!"

"Didn’t you boast about your abilities before entering the institute, saying you would become an important person there? I know your powers are quite special, but so what? Your powers can only snatch others’ souls, even dealing with demonic toxin is rendered useless."

"Now the Setter family and all the kingdoms can exchange just 10,000 low-level weapons for weapons to handle demonic poison. So, do you still think you are useful? Tell me, is your power still beneficial? Can it do anything else? Can it help our Fronda family live on the 7th floor safely?!!"

"Hah! Where is it? Where is this importance you claimed you would achieve?!!" The head of the Fronda family was furious. He shouted at his daughter, whom he had once most adored for her understanding nature. However, now she had caused such trouble.

After returning home, he continued to berate her harshly, unsure of what to do next. As for his daughter, Grace...she had remained silent since before they left the banquet, not speaking or explaining her actions at all. This only made her father even angrier.

Grace looked at the large man who was the father of her host body. She wanted to argue and explain the storyline of the novel she knew, but considering what had just happened, telling him would only make him scold her even more.

She felt an inevitable headache. She had read the novel, but she couldn’t believe there were people who got poisoned before the actual demonic toxin’s victim appeared. And...wasn’t Ellie overdoing it? How could she approach and befriend someone like that!!

If the other party had a bit of kindness, couldn’t Ellie has just talked to her calmly? Instead, she slapped her hard across the face. Such a violent act, especially from someone important in the kingdom, was practically a declaration of war against her. In her previous life and this one, Grace had never encountered someone so difficult to deal with.

Ellie seemed to know her better than anyone else, anticipating her every move. She had no idea what she had done to tip them off.

While Grace was having a headache, people who had witnessed the incident started spreading the news. It began with the previous day’s talk about Ellie being dearly loved by Eldest Young Lord Owen. Today’s news added that the Setter family had developed a way to handle demonic toxin and were selling weapons to counter it, provided the exchanges were made correctly. There were other topics too.

The most significant news was that Ellie and Grace’s relationship had reached a breaking point. Even Professor Lucien openly expressed his displeasure with Grace’s actions. Many speculated that he might sever ties with her, just as he had with Nara.

Now everyone was already wary of the Setter family’s movements. Knowing that the Setter family disapproved of someone, potential collaborations with the Fronda family decreased. Even those from the original Rhea Kingdom didn’t want to be involved with them.

Prince Jason, filled with anger, began investigating his two poisoned guards. He eventually discovered a chain of events.

It turned out that the first poisoned guard had just been caught in the crossfire. Someone was manipulating the demonic toxin’s victim from behind the scenes. When they found out who had demonic toxin, they had a way to activate the demonic toxin immediately by using a certain kind of poison.

The poison in the first guard’s body was an activating poison. The guard had accidentally blocked the poison, getting it into his system, but it wasn’t seriously harmful. However, if the poison entered the body of those who already infected, it would activate the demonic toxin.

In the end, the perpetrator managed to escape, but it was clear their intention was to cause chaos at the banquet. Perhaps the target wasn’t the prince after all. If Prince Jason had been the true target, there would have been ample time to activate the demonic toxin without being obstructed by the first guard. However, they activated the demonic toxin after he joined the conversation with others.

Jason wasn’t the only one suspicious about this. It seemed the Setter family had the same thoughts. They likely were the real targets of the demonic toxin users. The attackers probably knew they wouldn’t survive to the 7th floor because they need the Setter family to ascend, just as everyone had feared earlier about the impending catastrophe. Their plan was to annihilate everyone together.

The primary targets were undoubtedly the members of the Setter family. If they managed to destroy all 2,000 Setter family members making their way to the 7th floor, the other humans would be left in the same despair. They probably didn’t anticipated that the Setter family would have numerous secret cards for dealing with such threats, resulting in this outcome...

The demonic toxin user group was very large. Although Ellie had infiltrated their base with spores, it was only one of their bases. She needed to move cautiously to avoid detection and wanted to continue expanding her surveillance further, which would take more time.

The Setter family had already dispatched their hunters to various cities for training. Only a few younger members remained in the kingdom to continue their basic studies.

For other days of the celebratory banquet organized by the kingdom, they finally had an excuse to avoid attending, only sending a few family representatives instead. They claimed that the palace couldn’t ensure the safety of all Setter family members adequately and they didn’t believe in their security anymore, so they would stay away for their safety.

Of course, this was merely a cover story. Even though they claimed to have another 10 years, in the Setter family’s eyes, even 1 additional day was highly beneficial. Especially now, as the family was actively trading weapons and spiritual fruits for those demonic toxin-countering weapons. Many people who heard the news brought numerous weapons for exchange, resulting in the family amassing several hundred thousand tols in just a few days.

Ellie was currently one of the wealthiest individuals in terms of tol coins. She had the ability to enter the tower on her own, from the 1st to the 7th floor, without needing to pass through anyone else’s city. Her registration as one of the few permitted to enter and exit City Number 128, Row 22, on the 7th floor was completed from the first day. Thus, Ellie could access the 7th floor by herself. Although it was somewhat dangerous, Ellie only entered and exited through the central building’s office, without traveling to any city.

Every entry and exit from their own cities must pass through the central building of the creator, making it a safe place. Ellie knew that exchanging spiritual fruits with people outside would definitely cause problems, as having too many resources would undoubtedly create issues. Ellie was just a small human without enough strength to fight against the high-class races. Therefore, hiding after this should be the best course of action.

As a result, the spiritual fruits that should sell for much higher prices were sold for 30,000 tols to the central authorities. Even fruits below level 2 spiritual fruits could still be exchanged for a significant amount of money. Consequently, Ellie used the remaining 5 days of the temporary school closure to make nearly a million tols.

At such a rate, even the Setter family might cry out in frustration. They worked tirelessly to earn as many tol as possible, while their young lady of the house secretly entered and exited the city, making a fortune.

Ellie received a special entry and exit pass as an important guest of the central service. Thus, when she arrived, she was specially invited to the reception room. Even her transport was kept discreet, which the central service always did for their important guests.

She was given control of 9 additional cities by Owen and the Setter family. Owen was very attentive; he personally planted spiritual fruits around Ellie’s 9 cities and took great care of them initially. Afterwards, he had to focus on managing the Setter family’s cities, believing that Ellie would manage better than him from now on.

Of course, he had a keen eye and always thought correctly. Ellie used her magic power to accelerate the growth of various fruits, especially within her own dimension. By enticing the Microbial Spirit Orb to work harder by tossing in level 4-5 herbs into the pool, it became very excited. As a result, the 3 spiritual trees in Ellie’s dimension reached level 2 with full spiritual force.

Ellie spent a full 8 hours without sleep, holding a magic restorative potion in her hand all the time, all to advance the 3 spiritual trees to level 3!

Like other bonded plants that need specific energy to level up, these 3 spiritual fruit trees required her energy. They did not disappoint her, even though she used almost 300 restorative potions!

“My lady,” the three spoke in unison after their spiritual power was elevated to this extent. They felt incredibly happy. After reaching level 3, their intelligence increased, and they behaved like little children, looking at Ellie with gratitude.

“Your duties remain the same. Now, the fruits you produce are extremely important.”

“Understood,” the three responded enthusiastically.

Ellie felt a bit exhausted from depleting and replenishing her magic power over 300 times. Though her magic power was fully restored, and she realized her magic level increased slightly with each cycle, the fatigue didn’t lessen.

Ultimately, she needed to rest. She had worked hard over the past 5 days. Although she had enough money to buy a small city, Ellie’s goal wasn’t an ordinary city. The city she intended to hide in needed to be as close to the center as possible. There was no rush during these times; she had 10 more years to save tol coins. She planned to save up as long as possible and buy a city in the 1st row near the center in the 9th or 10th year!

Her money-making ability was kept a secret. Ellie had grand plans, which even the Setter family found hard to believe. However, they didn’t interfere with her decisions, especially Owen...If he knew Ellie needed more space to make money, he might even help her.

Now, Ellie only had one day left before she had to return to the institute. Despite having many tasks to complete, including those related to the institute, everyone still felt that continuing to learn these fundamental subjects would be difficult in the future. If they didn’t grasp these basic subjects now, they might not have the chance later.

Ellie allowed herself only a few hours of rest. She relaxed on her personal floor 6 or Pan 6.1. Once she felt rested, she headed back to the 7th floor, using her magic power for the exchange.

Soon, her small figure appeared in the white reception room. As Ellie arrived, a faceless receptionist approached her, radiating a welcoming aura.

"Lady Ellie, you’re here. Please follow me this way," the receptionist said amiably. In this room, no one else could enter as long as the magic power of the registered user was sent. If the magic power matched the registered one, they would be automatically invited, ensuring that no one knew Ellie had arrived.

Ellie followed the receptionist and sat on a bright white modern chair. The receptionist rubbed their hands together before asking straightforwardly,

"Are you here to sell more spiritual fruits today, Lady Ellie?"

"Mmm," Ellie nodded. The staff were always excited when she came, and today was no different.

"Your fruits are in high demand, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

"Mmm, today will be the last time for a while. After this, I might take a break."

"Oh, that’s truly a shame." Although Ellie couldn’t see their face, she could sense their disappointment.

Ellie wanted to laugh at them. The central office and its staff were so greedy. They bought from her at 30,000 tols but sold the fruits for nearly 40,000 tols. One day, when she was confident enough to face danger, she vowed they wouldn’t profit from her anymore!

"Well then, let’s proceed with our transaction," the staff said with a smile. They assumed Ellie would have spiritual fruits of levels 0-2, as usual, and prepared to calculate accordingly. However, they were met with Ellie’s superior smile.

"Before we conduct the transaction, let’s discuss some terms first, shall we?..."