Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Deep in the rainforest, at the deforested area used as a camp less than three kilometers away from the oak tree.
At this moment, three helicopters and more than ten large off-road vehicles were parked there.
Standing on high ground, Simon was currently looking at the gigantic sacred tree with the newly arrived outsiders.
“Everyone, regarding the revival of the sacred tree, I believe you won’t doubt it anymore, right?”
“As for why the sacred tree recovered and how it grew to its current state, I think only the gods know.”
Simon held an expression of indescribable disappointment, as he spoke in a slightly solemn tone.
“Just a reminder, don’t expect to be able to bring your equipment to check or obtain data of the sacred tree because my grandfather will not agree to it.”
“Of course, my tribe and I will not agree to it either.”
As Simon spoke, he looked around at everyone and gave them a warning look.
Most of these outsiders chose to ignore Simon’s warning.
All these people held some form of status as they hail from various countries in West York.
Hence, these people naturally felt more superior as compared to natives like Simon.
In the eyes of many of these people, Simon’s group of aboriginals were merely tools for them to grow medicine.
They would use them when they needed them, if they didn’t… They were just aboriginals. At a small price, they could be easily destroyed.
However, even though these people looked down on Simon and ignored his warning, they still acted amicable on the surface.
After all, there was no need to fall out now.
At this moment, these people looked at the sturdy oak tree in the distance, most of them lost in thought.
They pondered over the reason for the oak tree’s miraculous ‘rebirth’.
At the same time, they were also thinking about how much they could pay Simon and his tribe for them to be allowed to go into close contact with the oak tree to conduct ‘scientific examinations’.
After all, in the world of capitalism, there was nothing money couldn’t resolve.
Thus, most of the people present were smiling warmly at Simon while considering the other issue.
The issue about the religious faith people from the various countries of West York held about oak trees.
The people from West York held a sort of belief towards oak trees and Druid traditions since they were young.
Therefore, when they personally witnessed this oak tree recovering and growing into a 100 meters tall tree in a week, some of them more or less felt some form of innate reverence and devotion in their hearts.
At the same time, some people developed a strong desire to protect this sacred object.
This kind of mentality was extremely similar to what the Easterners – Line’s people – advocated for their faith in their ancestors.
Furthermore, in recent years, there has been a phenomenon of ‘Purple Moon’ that no one could explain or control.
Therefore, it was difficult for these people to reach a consensus when it came to this miraculous oak tree and the faith which the people of West York held for it.
After all, the hardest thing to deal with in this world was with regards to faith.
And it was for this reason that Simon had immediately informed all the representatives in the Barna region to come.
In order to protect themselves, they could only let these people restrain each other.
Simon did not know what these people were thinking but he had a clear goal in mind.
On his left was Vanni Campbell, the representative of the Armarica’s Department of Medicine of the most powerful country in West York.
After a seemingly casual glance, Simon continued,
“Previously, in order to improve the lives of our people as much as possible, our tribe planted the seeds of the sacred medicine on the sacred tree without restraint. This has already displeased the gods.”
“I believe that the sacred tree’s previous death was a warning from God to warn us of our insatiable greed.”
“Therefore, after discussion, our tribe has decided that we will no longer interfere with the production of the sacred medicine on the sacred tree.”
“I’ve contacted all of you to explain this matter. Of course, it’s also necessary to renegotiate the price of the sacred medicine.”
“Everyone, what do you think?”
Upon hearing Simon’s words, all the representatives of the various countries smiled knowingly.
“Price? Of course we can renegotiate.”
“However, we need to check whether there are any changes to the mistletoe produced by the oak tree. If the medicinal properties are stronger, that’s fine, but if the medicinal properties are reduced, that would be troubling.”
A middle-aged man said with a smile.
His words clearly received everyone’s approval, but someone still came out to add on.
“There are only four oak trees in the world that can produce mistletoe with anti-cancer properties. I won’t need to elaborate on the significance of that.”
“Leader Simon, you must know that the reason why you are able to keep this oak tree and not be disturbed is because of the protection granted by the Alliance of the Secret Keepers. Humans should know how to be grateful and content.”
“What do you think, Sir Simon?”
This old man’s attitude and tone were inexplicably arrogant.
However, Simon wasn’t angry at all. He merely looked at the elderly man with a calm expression.
“Indeed. You’re right, Professor Anthony. However, I believe that our tribe has been harvesting sacred herbs for all of you for nearly two generations. Isn’t this gratitude enough?”
“In fact, in order to plant more sacred medicine, our tribe’s sacred tree has already died once. Everyone has sent people to check and record this matter before. That can’t be a lie from my tribe, right?”
“Now that the sacred tree has recovered and showed us God’s warning, if we continue to expand the scale of production for the sacred medicine, aren’t you afraid of being punished by the gods?”
“Punished by the gods?” The representative of the Kingdom of Indes, Reid, laughed.
Simon frowned, and everyone else turned to Reid.
Reid smiled at everyone and looked at Simon again.
“We are all sensible people. Mr Simon, please don’t say such superstitious things.”
“Money is not a problem. We will definitely give you a price that will satisfy you. But now that this oak tree has recovered and is even better than before, don’t you think that the production scale should increase?”
Reid looked around at everyone present and spoke matter-of-factly.
“Think about it. How many anticancer drugs can we produce in a year? Less than 150 people’s worth and that amount has to be distributed among the twelve countries. How can such a small production satisfy our needs?”
“The oak tree which has grown for some reason may be a cause of concern for some of you. However, in our current world where strange disasters like ‘Purple Moon’ are happening frequently, is the miraculous recovery and mutation of a tree really so difficult to accept?
“Don’t associate it with the so-called gods just because it’s an oak tree. Sometimes, it’s smarter to think of things simply.”
“Paying attention to reality is the logical move. As for faith, sometimes it can be compromised.”
“Everyone, what do you think?”