Chapter 3036: Knows the Times
Learning how to control time power from Huahan and being protected by him, Xu Huo's connection with District 011 was gradually deepening. Even though he was still reluctant to have close dealings with District 011, by the day Huahan died, his relationship with the district would be formally settled.
Whether for profit, for personal ties, or for repaying kindness, he and District 011 were moving toward the same future.
As for the narrow-minded people within the district, those were just minor matters.
They didn't even need Huahan to speak up; they sent the people over themselves, handling things cleanly and neatly, leaving absolutely no trouble for Xu Huo.
Xu Huo didn't stay long in District 011, but the gifts sent to him nearly filled Rose Castle to the brim. In addition to the assets from the Herta family, he received many voluntarily donated real properties from various families, vaulting him into the top hundred of District 011's wealthy list.
The assets were handled by Mr. Dong and Huahan's butler. Xu Huo lingered briefly at Rose Castle before visiting Huahan, having a meal with him, then returning to the castle to depart for Platinum Eye.
"So many things!" Xiao Yuan looked at the mountain of gifts, pointing at the emblems on them. "I've seen these before. When their family members came to the castle as guests, they held their heads high and wouldn't even talk to me. Are these their gifts?"
Xu Huo nodded. "Do you want to go back?"
Xiao Yuan thought for a moment. "It's fine here. I want to keep learning from the teacher. But I do miss Uncle Dong. I wonder if he feels lonely not seeing us for so long."
"He's very busy." Xu Huo felt that Mr. Dong, who seemed to want forty-eight hours in a day, didn't have that kind of free time.
"That's great. I'll visit Uncle Dong when he's free." Xiao Yuan was very happy and didn't mention moving back at all.
Letting the two children open the gifts, Xu Huo sat down to chat with Old Lady Lu, asking her to examine two Primordial Stones he had recently obtained.
One was a purple stone, acquired from the Wisteria Instance.
The other was given by the Enforcement Department and had spatial properties.
"I don't know how to handle these two stones for now. I'd like your help taking a look."
Old Lady Lu had excellent eyesight. She picked up a magnifying glass, examined them briefly, and confirmed they were Primordial Stones. She sighed in admiration, "Kid, you're impressive. You managed to get two Primordial Stones at once."
"Using Primordial Stones as raw material to craft A-grade items is too wasteful. Even cutting off a small part isn't worth it. Usually, if Super Items are made from Primordial Stones, they're used whole to maximize the stone's integrity."
"But I can't make Super Items. You'll have to go to an A-grade wormhole point and find the Game Government's dedicated Artificers. They rarely help ordinary players craft items, but if it's a Primordial Stone, someone will definitely want to make an exception."
"Even though I'm an Artificer, I have to say using Primordial Stones to craft items is a bit wasteful. Their value goes far beyond that."
"I've heard from others that some Primordial Stones can even promote player evolution?" Xu Huo asked.
"There are stones like that, but they're monopolized by the Game Government. As for how effective they really are... I doubt it." Old Lady Lu said. "Materials are what they are. How good an item can you make? Players have their limits. How much further can they evolve? Going too far is as bad as not going far enough. Some players start degenerating at a young age because they chase evolution too hard."
"As for this one..." She picked up the purple stone. "You could try planting some Mutant Plants with it."
Xu Huo nodded and described the spectacular scene of the space where the purple stone had been.
Old Lady Lu was also surprised after hearing it. "The world is vast and full of wonders. To think there's a plant that has evolved to this extent."
"Just don't let the Game Government find out, or who knows how many people they'll harm."
Xu Huo didn't mention the base he had discovered. It might very well be one of the Game Government's products.
"Grandaunt! I've come to see you again!" Xin Rong's loud voice came from outside the yard.
Old Lady Lu's face fell, and she quickly told Xu Huo to put the Primordial Stones away. "Here comes the moocher again."
Xin Rong pushed open the door with practiced ease. As soon as he saw Xu Huo, his eyes lit up. "I was wondering when I'd get to see you. What a coincidence!"
"Is it a coincidence?" Old Lady Lu snorted.
"Grandaunt, seeing through it but not saying it—you should have that principle down by now!" Xin Rong grinned, placing the fruit on the table, then turned to Xu Huo. "Are your family matters settled?"
Xu Huo nodded. "And yours?"
"Lost some assets. Nothing major, just held a lot of funerals in a row. A bit tiring." Xin Rong waved his hand, not wanting to dwell on the topic. "I heard you were coming. I wanted to thank you, but my family's in a bit of a famine right now. I have to come mooch off Grandaunt, so I can't offer anything you'd find valuable."
"But I'll remember this debt. I'll repay it in the future!"
"We're friends. No need to be so formal," Xu Huo said. "Besides, I used to borrow your instruments all the time, and you were always happy to lend them."
Xin Rong chuckled, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "Good brother! I won't stand on ceremony either. Let's have a meal at Grandaunt's place. I'll cook!"
Old Lady Lu poked his foot with her cane. "Using my place to offer flowers borrowed from Buddha!"
Xin Rong hopped exaggeratedly a couple of times, then said, "I'll go prepare the ingredients."
Watching him head into the back kitchen, Old Lady Lu shook her head, a hint of sadness in her voice. "This is what happens when family ties are too close."
Xu Huo had only learned from following up later that Xin Rong's family had nearly been wiped out after temporarily leaving Platinum Eye.
"But kids grow fast. One batch after another will rise up quickly." There was a coldness and compassion in Old Lady Lu's eyes, tempered by time.
Adults were used to hiding their grief and anger behind smiles. The small yard was filled with laughter, but only the two children were truly happy.
After the meal, Xu Huo accompanied Xiao Yuan and Tan Qi in learning some Artificer skills, then prepared to leave Platinum Eye.
Xin Rong saw him out, gradually growing quiet.
"My condolences." Xu Huo patted his shoulder.
Xin Rong sighed helplessly. "The facts can't be changed. I can only look forward."
He rubbed his face hard. "I'm planning to quit the game. Someone has to handle family matters."
Unlike other descendants of Platinum Eye's wealthy elite, Xin Rong preferred seeking thrills in instances and had thus kept his player status. "Actually, I'd already planned it. Even without this incident, I would have stopped at A-grade. The difficulty of A-grade instances is too high, and many don't have mature strategies. No need to take the risk."
He looked at Xu Huo again. "Brother, I hope you go further in the game. Be careful in A-grade instances. Come back for a drink next time."
"Goodbye." Xu Huo nodded slightly, then left Platinum Eye and entered the Dimension Station.