Huo Grass Leaves are an excellent medicinal material, essential for several medicines produced by the Changxu Water Race. They are also produced in small quantities on some other planets, but not in large amounts. On the survivor fortresses, due to stringent cultivation conditions, only a few super-large clans can produce them, making their market price very high.

Now that they had discovered this patch of Huo Grass, a rough estimate suggested they could harvest several hundred pounds of Huo Grass Leaves, enough to last the Changxu Water Race a long time.

He had told Ye Zhongming that the market price for Huo Grass Leaves was about ten thousand Moonspan Gold per pound—meaning just the leaves alone would be worth several million Moonspan Gold.

“The medicinal value of this stuff is very high. Honestly, just for these leaves, it’s worth taking the risk.” Ye Zhongming did not go into too much detail.

“Secondly, the above-ground stems of the Huo Grass—after peeling off the outer layer, there’s a white, sac-like substance inside called the ‘Kaihui Pouch.’ Consumed directly, it is an excellent remedy for mental toxins and mental damage. After processing, it can also be used as medicine or placed in accessory equipment to provide mental energy recovery and resistance against mental shocks.”

None of them were craftsmen or pharmacists, nor did they come from large clans with extensive knowledge. They lacked deep familiarity with such things, but since Ye Zhongming said so, they believed him.

“Then there’s the underground part of the Huo Grass. Those massive root systems are indeed their weapons, but once killed, those roots become excellent materials for crafting weapons.”

On this point, Ye Zhongming did not elaborate again. But in his view, these underground roots, hard as iron, were the most important and valuable resource.

He had discovered this material by chance before. After purchasing one from the Su Clan and processing it, the Cloudtop King had been captivated by its near-perfect compatibility with various properties.

This stuff was like a universal ingredient. Especially when you needed both sharpness and toughness in a weapon, using these roots as material almost guaranteed those attributes.

Moreover, when using Taloss Red Dwarf technology, this material proved exceptionally effective due to its high malleability.

Back then, Ye Zhongming had purchased a thirty-year-old Huo Grass root five meters long for five thousand Moonspan Gold, yet he had used it in at least five pieces of Red Condensation-grade equipment. The value for money was obvious.

He did not know how old these Huo Grass plants were, but they should be older than the one he had bought from the Su Clan. Ye Zhongming estimated that this Hive Nest could yield over ten thousand roots, worth at least fifty million Moonspan Gold!

With such immense wealth at stake, how could Ye Zhongming possibly let it go?

This was precisely why the Planet Hunting Ground held such strong appeal for the cosmic races—wealth lay scattered everywhere; it all depended on whether you had the ability to claim it.

“If we take this place down, since all the materials go to me, I will give each of you a piece of Red Condensation-grade equipment and a four-turn permanent physical enhancement medicine.”

Everyone’s heart stirred.

A Red Condensation-grade item was worth at least tens of thousands of Moonspan Gold. A four-turn medicine made by the Changxu Water Race—especially one that permanently enhanced physical attributes—was similarly priced. Together, they would be worth sixty to seventy thousand, perhaps even seventy to eighty thousand.

For them, how long would it take to accumulate that much money?

Indeed, they knew that Ye Zhongming would be spending a large sum—for twenty-eight people, the total would be around two million Moonspan Gold. His gains would certainly be greater, perhaps many times more, but that was rightfully his. He planned, worked tirelessly to strengthen them, provided medicine for injuries, and offered protection in times of danger.

Moreover, it was clear that during this assault, the Bronze Order Leader would be personally taking the lead.

Having done all that, it was more than generous to give them this much. Otherwise, they would still have to risk their lives, and they certainly would not—definitely not—earn sixty to seventy thousand Moonspan Gold.

“Captain, I admit we’re all tempted. But our strength doesn’t seem enough to clear out all this Huo Grass. Don’t you think we should gather more people? Don’t worry, no matter how many come, we’ll share the rewards you promised equally.”

Emi offered his suggestion with good intentions.

But Ye Zhongming shook his head. “No need for that many. Just follow me.”

“In today’s battle, I’ll take the lead.”

…………

Half an hour later, the First Squad had reached the edge of the Hive Nest. They stopped and quietly observed the battlefield ahead.

It was eerily silent.

“Did everyone take it?” Ye Zhongming turned and asked. The squad members nodded in unison. Even He had taken a “Zhi Xi Pill.”

This was a medicine that reduced damage from mutated plants. It was not from the cosmic races but came from a formula Ye Zhongming had obtained on Earth. Finding the raw materials here, he had specifically asked He to prepare them before coming to the Planet Hunting Ground.

With the blessing of the Changxu Water Race’s holy symbols, the Zhi Xi Pill’s effectiveness was twenty percent higher than when Candy had produced it on Earth, achieving roughly a fifty percent damage reduction.

“Good. In a moment, you do not need to step into the Huo Grass area. Just stay at the edge and be ready to act. If you spot the main roots containing the magic crystals, attack. If you can kill them precisely and quickly, that will be the greatest help to me.”

Everyone responded affirmatively.

After speaking, Ye Zhongming nodded to He.

Then, he gave a slight shake of his body. Beside him, several shadows identical to him appeared.

The shadows multiplied until there were so many that the squad members lost count.

A look of shock appeared in their eyes. Though they had seen Ye Zhongming use a similar ability in the Novice Battlefield on the light screen, they were certain that what they were witnessing now was on an entirely different level. These shadows were incredibly solid, as if they were Ye Zhongming himself, clad in black clothing.

This was a manifestation of supreme control over mental energy and power.

Many exchanged glances. When Ye Zhongming had participated in the Novice Battlefield, his Furelai rating had been at most a little over a thousand. But now, even Oliga and Emi, with ratings exceeding forty or fifty thousand, could not claim to achieve the same with similar abilities.

“Spread out, all personnel alert!”

Unable to speak while in this state, He temporarily issued commands on Ye Zhongming’s behalf.

As her words fell, the first of Ye Zhongming’s shadows charged forward, crossing several dozen meters in an instant and stepping into the Hive Nest’s territory.