Transmigrated with a Demon-Refining Pot: Hehehe, Refine in an instant

Another day, they headed south.

After traveling south for about ten miles, a gentle slope came into view. Raun pointed into the distance and said, "Sir, further ahead lies the territory of Cold Pine Ridge."

Who is the lord of Cold Pine Ridge?

"His name is Clark Fir, an old baron." Laun paused, lowering his voice.

"However, something happened in his territory three years ago."

"The castle was breached once by orcs from the north, and we almost lost it. Although we eventually drove the orcs away, we were severely weakened and haven't recovered yet."

Ron raised an eyebrow: "Orcs?"

"They come from further north. Every year before winter, they come south to raid, and they're much more troublesome than those goblin scum."

"Every year, Marquis Mammon of Oakwood recruits lords to resist the main orc army, but there are still some scattered orcs that attack from other directions."

"Laun said, "Cold Pine Ridge is unlucky; it's right in the way of the orcs' southward advance. It's gotten a bit better in the last few years, but that's about it."

Ron nodded: "So, will we be recruited by Marquis Mammon to fight the orcs?"

"Under normal circumstances, we don't recruit lords from the front lines; we recruit lords from the rear. However, there are exceptions. If the orcs' military strength is very strong that year, they will recruit them."

Ron was very fortunate to have this knight recruited from his family. His years of experience in the frontier saved Ron a lot of trouble.

After walking along the border for most of the day, we passed through a wild fruit grove. Several wild apple trees had some shriveled little fruits hanging on them.

Unfortunately, no more Fairy Bugs were found.

"Let's go," Ron said.

No luck struck that day, nor did he encounter any major trouble. On the way back, he only saw a few jackals wandering in the distance. They didn't approach, and Ron didn't bother to chase them.

On the last day, head east.

Heading east, after crossing a gentle slope, the landscape gradually becomes desolate. More and more pebbles appear, and the grass grows sparser. Further ahead lies the foothills of the Black Stone Mountains.

"To the east is Blackstone Territory."

Laun pointed to the distant, faintly visible mines: "The lord is Baron Hosen, who has been developing this area for over ten years. The territory is rich in obsidian, so it doesn't conflict with our interests."

Ron surveyed the terrain.

Blackstone Ridge and River Bend Ridge are separated by a dry riverbed, with rocky slopes on both sides.

"Is this dry riverbed the boundary?"

"Yes. The area east of the riverbed is his territory, and the area west is ours."

Ron nodded and continued walking northeast.

After running around for several days, Ron finally had a better understanding of this wasteland.

The north is unclaimed land, inhabited by orcs but without lords—that's the direction we'll expand into later.

To the northwest lies Maolinling, separated by mountain ridges;

To the west is Linshui Pass, separated by the Qingshui River, with three shallow areas that must be strictly guarded.

To the southwest lies Green Lake Territory, separated by swamps; those are our allies.

To the south lies Hansong Ridge, and across Senling Ridge, that neighboring village, which had been breached by orcs, is not a concern for the time being.

To the east lies Black Stone Ridge, separated by a dry riverbed;

There is an unknown new lord in the northeast, separated by low hills.

The six neighbors are clearly divided in terms of strength. The strongest, Boris, is right under their noses, while Green Lake Territory is ostensibly their ally.

Cold Pine Ridge is half-dead, Black Stone Territory is indifferent to worldly affairs, and the remaining two new lords have not yet gained a foothold.

The usable resources in the territory have also been identified: they are all simple natural resources.

Finding a salt mine was already a stroke of luck, and the sprite bug was an unexpected surprise. There are definitely more undiscovered sprite bugs in the territory, but catching them will depend on luck.

There was also the matter of the patrol team; after this trip, the fifteen veterans had memorized the entire route.

Ron called Laune over:

"Once we get back, divide the guards into two teams. One team will go out on patrol and keep clearing out the monsters, while the other team will guard the camp. The two teams will take turns."

Back at the manor, Palin was already waiting at the door.

"My lord, you're finally back." The old administrator said with a smile.

"The first batch of potion seeds can be harvested from the potion fields."

Ron followed him toward the potion field.

In the five-acre dandelion field, a field of bright yellow flowers has bloomed.

Several serfs were carrying baskets, carefully picking the newly opened flowers. They didn't pick them all at once, but rather picked the ripe ones. After they finished picking, new flowers would bloom again in a few days.

Unlike food, potions don't ripen in batches. Instead, the plant keeps living, and the flowers, leaves, roots, and fruits ripen one after another, allowing for harvesting throughout the year.

The five acres of rose fields next door present a completely different scene.

The short rose bushes had just grown to knee height, with a few sparse, deep red flowers blooming on the branches. The petals were thicker than those of ordinary roses, and a strong, bitter fragrance could be smelled if you got close.

Two serfs squatted on the ground, gently picking the newly opened petals and putting them into a basket lined with a soft cloth.

Perrin picked up a basket and handed it over. Inside were about a dozen dandelion flowers and a small handful of deep red rose petals.

"This is the first batch we just picked this morning," he said.

"The potion-making apprentice has examined it and says the quality is good; we can start refining the potions now."

Ron picked up a rose petal, crushed it between his fingertips, and a little bit of dark red juice seeped out. It was viscous and had a medicinal smell.

"How's that apprentice's skill?"

"The methods are a bit crude, but basic potions can be made," Perrin said.

He said that these five acres of dandelions could produce about 30 bottles of magic potion a month.

The cheapest potion on the market costs at least one gold coin, and that's just for potions that can restore battle aura. Some high-quality potions or those with attributes can even sell for 5 to 10 gold coins.

Ron's two potion-eating insects are both pretty good.

Dandelion Spirit Insects, for example, have a low yield but high quality and are relatively rare wind-attribute potions. Rose potions, on the other hand, have a higher yield but are of average quality.

With these two potions, Ron's immediate crisis was resolved.

Finally, I don't have to spend a lot of money to buy magic potions anymore, and I can continue my drug-based cultivation.

In addition to gold coins, the knight Ron in the territory also gives them a certain amount of magic potions as a monthly salary. Furthermore, they can get a discount when buying magic potions from Ron.

However, the guards within the territory did not receive these benefits, unless their cultivation talent was exceptional enough to be taken in by Ron as his knightly squire.

"Let him do a good job," Ron promised his men.

"Buy whatever materials you need, hone your skills, and you'll be well-paid with bounties in the future."