Samuel Young made this judgment based on the way the young man greeted him. He raised his right hand, with the back of his hand facing himself and the palm facing Samuel Young, meaning: Look, I didn’t bring any weapons.

In the past, Africa was plagued by frequent wars and killings. There was a lack of trust between strangers, and surprise attacks were common. That’s how this gesture representing friendship came about.

Samuel Young extended his palm toward him, and the two shook hands firmly.

This is also a South African greeting ritual. Many Black people are simple and straightforward; they believe that a strong handshake shows respect, while the light handshake popular in Europe and Asia is seen as perfunctory and careless.

“I’m Ron, Wolf Fang Ron.” The young man gripped his hand tightly and said, “I heard you want to buy land, right?”

Samuel Young stared at him warily and said, “No, not necessarily.”

Ron continued on his own, “Then you’re lucky, brother, you’re lucky. I just happen to know how you can buy that land. I have connections, but you need money, you know what I mean?”

Samuel Young smiled noncommittally and said, “I understand what you mean, but I’m sorry, I actually don’t have much money. I’m just here to take a look this time.”

His words made the previously cheerful Ron a bit displeased. He looked at Samuel Young and muttered a few words, his tone not very friendly.

Samuel Young didn’t understand what he said; it wasn’t English. There are many languages in South Africa—just the official ones number eleven.

Manager Mason came to his rescue. He knew Ron, and after giving him two bottles of banana wine, Ron left reluctantly.

Samuel Young was very grateful for his timely help and said, “Put those two bottles of wine on my tab.”

Manager Mason rubbed his hands and said, “No need, no need, buddy. Hmm, you actually want to buy land in the reserve, right? If so, how about I introduce you to a broker?”

After saying this, he was afraid Samuel Young would overthink it, so he quickly added, “He’s my brother-in-law. Don’t worry, he’s a professional real estate agent. He’ll never overcharge you or scam you. If he does, you can file a complaint against him. He works for Independent Group.”

Independent Group is the leader in South Africa’s real estate industry, very well managed, with mostly white employees.

Samuel Young thought for a moment and said, “Then have him contact me. I can’t promise much. I can only tell you that if he’s really someone who can help me, I’ll hire him. Otherwise…”

He spread his hands to express the rest.

Manager Mason nodded happily and said, “Of course, of course. Thank you for trusting me. I’ll have him come over tonight. Oh, how should he contact you?”

Samuel Young said, “I lost my phone, so I can’t give you a number. But I’ll be staying in town tonight—have him come directly to the restaurant. Also, Manager Mason, can I borrow your phone for a bit?”

He needed to contact the Cape Plant Reserve as soon as possible.

“Sorry, buddy, phones are useless here—the signal is terrible.” Manager Mason shrugged. “Usually we rely on landlines to contact the outside, but you know, a typhoon made landfall here a couple of days ago, and the phone lines are down. The resort town has become an isolated island. Unless you drive out, you can’t get in touch with the outside world.”

This is very normal in Africa. Even the continent’s most developed country, South Africa, hasn’t achieved full mobile network coverage.

Samuel Young then asked, “So how will you contact your brother-in-law?”

Manager Mason smiled and said, “We can use radio communication.”

“niubility!”

After dinner, Mason helped him find a small inn to stay for the night. The conditions were average, but the price wasn’t low—three hundred rand.

But that’s normal in a resort town. The town is basically inside a scenic area, so prices are higher than in cities or ordinary villages.

He slept soundly through the night. In the morning, as soon as he woke up, the tree spirit panel popped up with a ‘whoosh’: 【The Spring of Life has been born. Young Lord, hurry and go take a drink】

Seeing this message, Samuel Young was overjoyed. The Spring of Life is a wonderful thing—it’s one of the essences of the Tree of Life, with many magical effects. The two most important are nurturing elves and enhancing the elf lord’s magic power.

Some arcane knowledge had been poured into Samuel Young’s mind, but it required magic power to use.

It was still early, the sun had just risen above the horizon.

Samuel Young checked out of his room, bought some bananas to feed the goblin, and jogged all the way to the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life had grown taller. From 1.8 meters when he left yesterday, it had reached two and a half meters, and its crown was even lusher, spreading out to cover five or six square meters.

The trunk was very straight, with branches growing from the center and extending outward into many side branches. At the top of the trunk was a depression like a small bowl—this was the Spring of Life. The spring water was the sap of the Tree of Life, slowly flowing out from the patterns at the top of the trunk and finally gathering into a small pool of clear water.

The Spring of Life was about two meters above the ground—Samuel Young couldn’t reach it without climbing the tree.

But there was a problem with climbing—the trunk was too thin!

“This is tricky.” Samuel Young smacked his lips, then looked down at the goblin.

The goblin looked up at his shoulder and giggled, “Lord, I have an idea. If we make a human ladder, we can get the spring water.”

“That’s a great idea, you clever little thing. Come on, squat down.”