For Levi, there were only two types of items most valuable from trading with piglins. One was ender pearls, which could be used for teleportation, and the other was enchanted books, though the probability of getting these was quite small and could only depend on luck.
Levi traded two full stacks of gold, and enchanted books only appeared once, and it was the practically useless Soul Speed enchantment that merely increased walking speed on soul sand.
This made Levi wonder if these piglins were being deliberately uncooperative. Sometimes these creatures really were somewhat deserving of a beating.
Though occasionally unscrupulous, trading had to continue.
Under the bombardment of gold ingots, the piglins produced several chests full of miscellaneous items. Ender pearls were successfully exchanged for a whole row, a total of over 140, basically achieving ender pearl freedom.
And with enough ender pearls, the first thing Levi did was combine them with blaze powder to make an Eye of Ender.
Returning to Roadside Fort, Levi threw the Eye of Ender into the sky. The Eye of Ender, trailing purple particles, flew overhead and floated in mid-air, turning left and right. After a moment, it exploded with a soft pop, turning to powder and drifting away.
Alright, now he knew this world had no End portal. That answered one question, at least.
"Sir."
Just as Levi was contemplating the spot where the Eye of Ender had exploded, a resident hurried over with obvious excitement.
"What is it?"
"There's a hobbit outside the city named Baggins who says he's your friend. Should we let him in?"
Levi perked up immediately.
"Of course, I'll go right over."
The resident watched Levi's departing figure, wanting to speak but stopping, finally choosing to remain silent. Their lord seemed to dislike being waited on. Whether cooking or fetching something, he basically did everything himself and never sought a servant.
Yet if he were willing to speak up, there would immediately be a crowd of people competing to volunteer for any task.
The city gate opened with its familiar grinding sound.
"Welcome, I've finally been waiting for you, Bilbo."
"Forgive me, Levi."
Bilbo, wearing a thick traveling coat, looked helpless as he walked into the city, saying: "You absolutely cannot imagine what happened at my house. It was simply terrible."
"Was it robbed?"
"Even worse than that!" Bilbo said indignantly. "You don't know, my cousin, the Sackville-Baggins family, they've wanted to take Bag End for a long time. During the time we were adventuring, they actually declared me dead and even held a funeral for me!"
"When I returned, they were moving my furniture out, leaving nothing behind. They even wanted to auction off the sword you gave me."
Levi frowned. Though he knew the Sackville family had always had conflicts with Bilbo, always coveting his property, some special items weren't for them to casually touch. This family was being somewhat impolite.
If he remembered correctly, when Saruman had designs on the Shire in the future, this family would be his first breakthrough. They wouldn't hesitate to sell information about the Shire to Saruman for large sums of money while harboring ruffians and spies from outside, causing chaos throughout the Shire with daily losses for people.
"I barely managed to drive them all away," Bilbo continued.
"Ha, when I returned, they pretended not to recognize me, as if I were just some ruffian trying to steal from them. Fortunately, I had that burglar contract document Thorin left me, or I wouldn't even have been able to prove my identity."
At this, Bilbo sighed in relief.
"But I'm really glad we're all alive." Bilbo smiled: "Do you remember, Levi? Though it's embarrassing, the first time I saw that contract document, I fainted from shock."
"Of course I remember. Gandalf had to persuade you for ages to calm you down."
Bilbo nodded: "I'm glad I chose that journey."
"But speaking of which..." Bilbo turned his head to look around. "Are those the residents here?"
"Yes, they all came to Roadside Fort recently. They originally lived in the Anduin Valley between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood, but it's become increasingly dangerous there and is no longer habitable."
"I don't know if you've heard, but many hobbits used to live there too. Later they crossed the mountains westward and, with the king's permission, established the Shire."
Bilbo shook his head. "No one in my family ever told me these things, but now I know. By the way, which king are you referring to? I don't think I've heard of the Shire having a king."
"That was a kingdom that has already fallen." Levi shook his head, not elaborating further. To explain this properly would require Gandalf's knowledge. He only knew the general outline.
Without asking more questions, just curiously observing the subjects who were working or resting leisurely, Bilbo turned and followed Levi into the castle.
"Levi, I brought you this."
The first thing Bilbo did upon entering the castle was carefully remove his backpack and place it on the table.
"What is this?"
"Aged vintage wine, the most precious wine treasured in my house. It's quite old, older than me." As he spoke, Bilbo pulled twelve bottles of beautifully colored red wine from his pack.
"The Sackville family has always coveted my family's fine wine. I wouldn't let them succeed. I'm giving all of these to you, Levi. Trust me, they won't disappoint you."
"Thank you. Though actually I don't usually... well, never mind, it's fine. I'll treasure them properly."
Hearing this, Bilbo nodded with satisfaction.
"But speaking of which, what did you need me for?"
Levi carefully placed the bottles one by one, paused, then turned to face the somewhat puzzled Bilbo:
"Bilbo, I know you have something special with you, right?"
Bilbo's heart suddenly jumped.
"Sorry, I don't know what you're referring to..."
"A ring. I know you must be carrying it."
Bilbo quickly reached into his pocket, showing some surprise on his face. So I've been carrying it all along? No, wait, why was I carrying it?
Bilbo really couldn't remember when or why he had brought this thing out.
Recalling his recent conversation with Gandalf, Bilbo pursed his lips and admitted directly:
"Yes, I do have a very unusual ring. You might not believe it, but I don't even know how it got in my pocket. Would you like to see it?"
As he spoke, Bilbo was about to pull out the ring to show Levi.
"No, no, no, I don't want to see it. Don't take it out, Bilbo." Levi quickly stopped him.
"You know I'm very interested in magical things, so I'd like to study that ring of yours."
"Well, if you need it, I'll let you use it." After hesitating briefly, Bilbo agreed.
"No, don't give it to me. That thing is better off in your hands. By the way, would you like some milk?"
"Of course. Actually, I've been drinking milk for the past few days. Thank you."
Bilbo accepted the milk and drank it in one gulp.
"Very fresh."
After confirming Bilbo had finished the milk, Levi nodded and said: "Then let's begin. Don't worry, just some small experiments. I won't take your ring."
"I understand." Bilbo said seriously, "I'll do my best to cooperate with you."
"Just..."
Bilbo's expression showed some hesitation.
"Just what?"
"I don't mean to criticize you, Levi. There might be some cultural differences, but where I come from, constantly talking with your back to someone is actually quite rude..."