333: Chapter 333 Herbs and Decisions

When Ling Ye returned to his dwelling, the sky was already darkening.

He put away the three Low-Grade Spirit Stones he had been allotted and recalled the appearance of the plant in his mind—entirely translucent white, about a foot tall, with a pale golden fruit at the top.

He took a piece of paper on the table and slowly sketched the plant.

In the herb manual he had perused in the Scripture Pavilion, he had not seen any matching record.

If such a situation arose, it was either because the manual was incomplete, or the plant was so rare that it was simply not recorded in the classics accessible to an Outer Sect Disciple.

He needed to find a more reliable source of information.

After the lecture the next morning, Ling Ye did not go to the cafeteria as usual, but instead waited outside the lecture hall.

When Instructor Sun walked out slowly, carrying a teapot, Ling Ye stepped forward and bowed: "Instructor Sun, this Disciple has something to ask."

Instructor Sun stopped, glanced at him, and nodded: "Speak."

Ling Ye took a piece of paper from his bosom, on which was a sketch of the plant he had drawn from memory—although his technique was rough, the morphological features were outlined quite clearly.

"Yesterday, while gathering Spirit Medicine in the back mountain, this Disciple accidentally saw a Spiritual Plant I did not recognize. I dared not pick it rashly, so I drew it, hoping to ask for the Instructor's guidance."

Instructor Sun took the paper, lowered his head to take a look, and his originally casual expression froze slightly.

He held the paper closer, narrowed his eyes to examine it carefully for a moment, and then looked up at Ling Ye, his gaze filled with a hint of scrutiny: "Where did you see this plant?"

"In a mountain ravine in the back mountain; the location is quite hidden." Ling Ye answered truthfully, but did not reveal the specific location of the crevice.

Instructor Sun was silent for a moment, then returned the paper to Ling Ye, and said in a calm tone: "This plant is called 'Jade Marrow Fruit,' and it is a rare Tier 2 Spirit Medicine.

The fruit contains pure Spiritual Qi and can be used to refine a Medicinal Pill that assists in Foundation Establishment.

It is quite helpful for a Cultivator at the Late Stage of Qi to break through to the Foundation Establishment realm.

In the outside market, one mature Jade Marrow Fruit is worth at least fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Ling Ye felt a slight shock in his heart, but did not reveal a shred of it on his face.

He bowed and expressed his gratitude: "Many thanks for the Instructor's guidance."

Instructor Sun glanced at him and added: "This fruit is not yet fully mature.

When the skin of the fruit is pale gold, it will take about half a month to turn deep gold; that is the best time to pick it.

If picked too early, the medicinal effect will be greatly diminished."

After speaking, he carried his teapot and walked away slowly.

Ling Ye stood where he was, watching Instructor Sun's figure disappear around the corner, then put away the paper and turned to walk toward the cafeteria.

His steps were steady and his expression calm, but his mind was already turning rapidly.

A spirit fruit worth fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

It would mature in half a month.

It grew in a hidden valley and, for now, did not seem to have been discovered by anyone else.

This wealth was undoubtedly a huge sum for an Outer Sect Disciple who only received five Low-Grade Spirit Stones as a monthly allowance.

If he could use it to exchange for resources to Cultivate, his speed of Cultivation would greatly increase.

But at the same time, this came with risks.

When the Jade Marrow Fruit matured, it might emit Spiritual Qi fluctuations, which could be sensed by others or a Yao Beast.

He had to make sufficient preparations before it matured to ensure he could pick it at the best time and bring it back safely.