Chapter 154 Sun Heart Tree
Maximus continued to wander within the empire.
The range of the Empire's territory was a hundred times larger than in the past.
This expansion was essential to accommodate all future residents who would come to the Moonlight Empire.
"It seems that it's time to introduce a mapping function in the token," Maximus thought.
After the Moonlight Forum, library, bank, and battle coliseum, it had been a few years since a new app was introduced.
"Just add it to the guild mission," Maximus thought adding it to the guild mission panel.
"It's really good to have capable subordinates,"
Besides providing resources, Maximus had little to worry about.
All the cumbersome tasks were solved by his guild members.
Apart from Maximus, there was probably no one else who would utilize talented people like these.
All of his guild members were special students with status and enough talent, usually treasures of some guild.
Yet here, they were engaged in mundane tasks.
As Maximus was about to return to his castle, he came across Lunar Garden City.
It was the largest agricultural city in the entire Moonlight Empire and housed the most precious and challenging-to-grow plants and animals.
"Huh? Your Majesty?" Robert, who was still instructing his subordinates, spotted Maximus.
"Your Majesty, it's really you!" Robert exclaimed excitedly.
"Hmm, at ease. I'm just looking around."
"Since Your Majesty is already here, why not try out the newly developed fruit?"
"Then let's see what the crop seed research group has produced this time."
"Hahaha, I've made sure this is the most delicious fruit Your Majesty ever tasted," Robert laughed confidently as he led Maximus.
Robert was truly thankful to Maximus.
Initially, Robert had only dreamed of feeding all of the people and never let anyone die of hunger ever again.
However, as Moonshadow City evolved into the Moonlight Kingdom and then into an empire, Robert's goals shifted.
Merely satisfying hunger was no longer enough.
His new pursuit was to create the most delicious food for everyone to enjoy.
Robert had originally been in charge of the agricultural aspect of the empire
But due to his ambition, he relinquished these various miscellaneous responsibilities.
With Maximus's assistance, Robert established a research group dedicated to creating the most delicious crops.
Perhaps due to his talents, Robert and his research group managed to create various delectable crops.
These crops had now become the primary resources traded and exported by the empire.
Of course, Maximus could have easily acquired more advanced seedlings through his system.
However, he refrained from doing so for several reasons.
First, he aimed to minimize the existence of his system.
Maximus only dared to buy seeds, plants, and animals native to the Etherium Realm.
Second, it was not a necessity as it wasn't his primary source of income.
Third, it served as a means to train his people.
After all, he couldn't solely depend on the system for everything.
In the future, he still plans to set up a shop in the World Myriad Mall by himself.
If there's nothing unique in the shop he creates, it would be useless, and he wouldn't earn much.
So far, the only thing unique in this world that he can't buy in the World Myriad Mall is the Amalgamation of Will.
This energy seems to be able to do anything.
Although it's lower in quality than the world's original energy, it has more wonderful uses in some aspects.
Unfortunately, for now, he can only dream of using it.
He can only let the system absorb it and convert it to points.
Soon, Maximus was led to the Orchard Garden.
Looking at the various unique trees that he didn't know, Maximus marveled at the crop seed research group's efficiency.
"How is it, Your Majesty?" Robert smiled upon seeing Maximus looking around.
"Unfortunately, this is only a prototype," Robert sighted.
"But lately, it seems that we have been blessed by heaven"
"All our research is progressing at an incredible speed,"
"I heard, Doran said something about it being the Amalgamation of Will," Robert continued to chatter nonstop.
Robert no longer attended official meetings and focused solely on research.
After all, there were more capable people than him.
He could also concentrate on pursuing his dreams.
Soon they reached the center.
"What is that?" Maximus asked, looking at the strange fruit tree in front of him.
This tree is unique as it only has one fruit.
Furthermore, it seems that the tree is absorbing all the mana in the surroundings.
"This is the Sun Heart Tree, bearing the fruit of the Sun Heart Fruit," Robert explained.
"Your Majesty should have felt that the tree is absorbing all the mana."
"Originally, this thing was only tier 1, but as it absorbed mana, it became tier 4."
"It seems that there is no end to its growth," Robert said excitedly.
"How were you able to create this?" Maximus asked curiously.
This thing is genuinely unique.
Maximus had let the system scan its properties.
According to the system, given enough mana, it can even reach tier 9.
Furthermore, it seems that all the mana is enhancing its taste, which is unusual.
Normally, mana enhances the energy in food, making it an essential training resource.
Unfortunately, this one didn't have a bit of energy left and can only be treated as a delicacy.
Otherwise, he could mass-produce Tier 9 fruit and sell it for a fortune.
"This is an accidental product, Your Majesty,"
"While we were modifying a plant a few months ago, the Amalgamation of Will seemed to have appeared and mutated this tree."
"Until now, we have not created a second tree."
"Hmm," Maximus just nodded and plucked the Sun Heart Fruit.
"This tree is genuinely unique; after I plucked the fruit, another one popped up," Robert muttered as he saw another fruit appearing.
Looking at the fruit in his hand, Maximus bit into it.
"This..." Maximus was shocked.
Although it was only tier 4, the taste surpassed that of tier 7 food.
"How is it, Your Majesty?" Robert asked excitedly.
Robert still remembered when he tried the fruit, it seemed to be engraved in his tastebuds.
"Not bad; you've done a good job this time," Maximus nodded in approval.
Although it didn't have energy and only had taste, it was enough to sell for a huge profit.
Maybe even more, as he still didn't try the taste of a tier 9 fruit.
Maximus also tested it, given enough mana concentration, it could bear a tier 9 fruit per year.
"I'll reward you greatly this time. As for this tree, I'll take it with me."
"You will not be stingy, are you?" Maximus teased.
"No, it's my honor, Your Majesty!" Robert said excitedly.
How could Robert be stingy?
Creating delicious crops was his dream, and having Maximus's approval was a huge step toward his goal.
"Hahaha, then I'm welcome," Maximus said, uprooting the tree and putting it in his storage ring.
Maximus planned to put it in his manor in the City of Arcana.
"Do you want to try other things, Your Majesty?"
"No, this is enough."
"Then take care, Your Majesty," Robert sighed, hoping to show off other things he had created.
"Just continue to do a good job; the empire's food is up to you," Maximus patted Robert.
"I will do my best, Your Majesty!"
...
In Moonshadow City:
Maximus headed straight to his castle upon hearing that Cedric, the leader of Star Sea Trading, was already in the Sunburnt Plateau.
Apparently, Cedric wanted to discuss something with him.
Coincidentally, Maximus also wanted to talk about some things with Cedric.
Just as he was about to fly through the castle, he suddenly felt an inquiring gaze.
Originally, he would have just shrugged it off as some people worshiping their ruler.
However, upon closer inspection, he realized that it was someone he knew.
"Oh, right, Emma Eryndor and Jane Shadow,"
Maximus remembered the list of potential wives he had asked the Phantom Group to compile.
The only ones he found on the list to be one of his wives were Angeline and Rose.
As for the others, they were either not in the Sunburnt Plateau or didn't meet the system's fit criteria.
"It seems that I was lucky to find Angeline and Rose. I wonder how their fit values are..." Maximus thought.
Although he already stopped actively searching for wives, he couldn't help but be curious.
Since he was a few kilometers above, the system could scan them, so he descended to meet them directly.
...
Emma and Jane returned to Moonshadow City upon hearing that the ruler of the kingdom was in the Sunburnt Plateau.
They hoped to catch a glimpse of this mysterious figure.
After a few days of waiting, just as they were about to give up, they heard a commotion outside.
"Your Majesty!"
"It's Your Majesty in the flesh!"
"Wow, so handsome!"
The people chattered excitedly.
Maximus's image was not easily disseminated.
By now, they had only seen Maximus when he announced the establishment of the empire.
The vast majority had only heard about Maximus's legends and stature through various stories.