A huge lawn occupied the front yard of the villa, while a swimming pool resided in the back yard, and pots containing mutated plants like the Cabbage-pult and Pea Shooter were placed on the roof.
In the yard, Dave led Su Yu around, introducing him to the mutated plants that he had acquired unintentionally, their cultivation and breeding process, and the special abilities of each plant.
After the introduction, he patted the round head of the [Wall-nut] and said, âMy lord, itâs not that I donât want to move to your territory, but I canât!â
âThese mutated plants are the fruits of my painstaking labors. I invested significant amounts of time, energy, and money into them. Hence, my neighbors have dubbed me âCrazy Dave,â mocking my obsession as madness.â
âEven if you offer a lot of money, I wonât abandon these plants to move to your territory.â
âIs that so?â Su Yu came forward too and patted the round head of the [Wall-nut].
The [Wall-nut] seemed to enjoy being touched by Dave with a satisfied expression.
However, as soon as Su Yu touched it, the [Wall-nut] immediately changed its demeanor, glaring at Su Yu with anger.
The other plants, like the Pea Shooter, also turned towards him, aiming their muzzles at Su Yu and casting warning glances at him.
Without paying any attention to the plants, Su Yu turned to Dave, âIf youâre unwilling to go with me because of these plants, we can find another solution For example, can we transplant these plants to my territory?â
âIâm afraid thatâs not possible.â Dave shook his head. âThe roots of mutated plants penetrate down several dozen meters. Transplantation would undoubtedly damage their root systems. Add to that the unsuitable soil and water, they would mostly wither and die not long after being moved.â
âHmm.â Su Yu pondered, rubbing his chin.
Daveâs primary issue was his reluctance to leave these mutated plants. Given that these plants cannot be translocated, he wouldnât leave the garden under any circumstances.
This issue seemed unsolvable, but there was indeed a plausible solution.
Soon enough, Su Yu thought of a solution, smiling, âDave, after observing your mutated plants, I am quite intrigued and decided to invest in your research.â
âInvestment?â Dave was somewhat baffled.
Wasnât the lord supposed to sway him into tilling his territory? Why the sudden change of heart?
Su Yu continued, âThatâs correct, investment. For the coming years, I will pay you two hundred units of spiritual energy daily and an additional five thousand spiritual energy coins per month as âMutated Plant Research Fundsâ. You donât have to do anything but focus on your research.â
âReally? This is incredible!â Dave got excited. Was this a pie dropping from the sky?
âOf course, thereâs a condition.â
âWhatâs the condition?â
âThe condition is that all seeds produced by your mutated plants must be sown in my territory. I will set aside a special garden for these seeds. What do you think?â Su Yu seriously proposed.
Su Yu understood that Dave only wished to stay with his beloved mutated plants.
Yet, these mutated plants possess a lifespan, a much shorter lifespan compared to regular plants. For instance, a plant like the Pea Shooter would only last two or three months from maturity to death.
If Dave sows all his seeds in his territory, over time, as plants here gradually die off while the population in his territory thrives, Dave would eventually settle down in his territory.
âThisâ Dave was tempted.
Studying mutated plants is the same no matter where.
If he went to Su Yuâs territory, he would earn over ten thousand spiritual energy coins every month. With his living expenses taken care of and extra cash for research, his conditions would be much better than at present!
However, he was worried about something: now, the lord seemed keen on investing in his mutated plant research. But what if the lord lost interest in the future, but his mutated plant garden in his territory was already established, wouldnât that be awkward?
Pondering about it, Dave voiced his concerns.
On hearing Daveâs worries, Su Yu, with a smile, retrieved a [Magic Contract] from his backpack: âIf that concerns you, we shall sign a contract.â
The [Magic Contract], priced at two thousand spiritual energy coins, was a magical document produced by the Silver Pine Tower, one of the Empireâs topmost powers. Parties could sign agreements on it.
Once the contract was signed by both parties, the [Magic Contract] became binding. If anyone breaches the contract, it would be seen as an affront to the authority of Silver Pine Tower and consequently bear their wrath.
In other words, once you sign the [Magic Contract], you must be prepared to fulfill it without any breach.
âIs this the two thousand coin [Magic Contract]?â Dave was taken aback.
The [Magic Contract] has powerful binding power. Contract signing ensures that he doesnât have to worry about Su Yu breaching it, as both he and his plants would be protected.
âThatâs correct. This is a [Magic Contract]. If youâre worried, we can sign a long-term co-operation agreement: 3 years, 5 years, 10 years or even 20, 30 years.â
âLetâs sign for 30 years!â Dave quickly agreed.
In signing such an agreement, the longer the tenure, the more beneficial it is to him, offering more overall protection for him and his plants.
Fortunately, Su Yu had the same idea. The longer Dave stayed in his territory, the more advantageous it was for him.
âAlright then, let us sign a 30-year [Magic Contract]. I will pay you two hundred spiritual energy coins daily. An additional five thousand will be given as research funds every month. I will also allocate a fertile plot of land for setting up a Mutated Plant Gardenâ
Su Yu was ecstatic inside but maintained his composure on the surface.
After listing out all the civic obligations of both parties on the [Magic Contract], Su Yu handed the contract to Dave.
Dave received the contract with trembling hands, feeling as if he was dreaming.
He carefully read the contract seven or eight times to confirm its accuracy, after which he earnestly signed his name on the contract.
âDing! Your territory, [Aphi Village], has gained the Epic quality talent, [Crazy Dave].â
[Crazy Dave]
Epic
Occupation: Farmer
Trait 1: [Planting Expert]: Increase crop yield by 50% when farming.
Trait 2: [Plant Mutation]: When planting crops, there is a small chance of mutation happening; 70% chance of beneficial mutation, 30% chance of harmful mutation.
Trait 3: [Mutated Plant Breeding]: Can breed unique mutated plants, some of which have extremely high combat power.
Trait 4: [Inspire Mutated Plants]: Increases attack power by 30%, health by 50%, and attack speed by 40% for all mutated plants within a 40 meters radius.