Chapter 2250

Lu Ying smiled faintly and said, "Take everyone out for field practice tomorrow. See how it goes."

Shen Jiang understood. A subtle arrangement was better than a direct recommendation. With this setup, no one would know exactly what was planned. If Shan Yao chose to follow Zhu Yanyi, that would be best. If not, no one would lose face. They could find other ways to repay this karmic debt later.

The next day, Shen Jiang took everyone on an aerial bus to the wilds.

The medicinal herbs in the Medical Realm were specially cultivated. Many herbs of the same species grew much larger than usual. Because they were larger, their medicinal effects were naturally different.

Zhu Yanyi liked these herbs. They felt satisfying to use.

"Elder Shen Jiang, these herbs are so powerful. Could you give me some seeds?" Zhu Yanyi asked boldly.

Shen Jiang laughed heartily. "That can be done. Before you leave, I’ll give you seeds for one hundred types. Is that okay?"

"Thank you, Elder Shen Jiang." Zhu Yanyi didn’t hesitate. These seeds were truly good, and one hundred types was quite a lot, especially since they were special seeds from the Medical Realm.

Zhu Yanyi and the others began collecting herbs. After a while, they rested by a small river.

The environment in the Medical Realm was excellent. Even the river water carried a faint aura of spiritual energy, because this world was unpolluted.

Zhu Yanyi felt moved. Healers raised in such an environment were pure and innocent. She only hoped they would remain simple and happy forever.

However, life always has setbacks. Zhu Yanyi only hoped their hardships would be few.

Zhu Yanyi took out some fruits to share. "These fruits have little spiritual energy. I brought them from my own plane, so please don’t mind."

"We won’t." Everyone knew Zhu Yanyi meant well. No one minded, and they all started eating.

Zhu Yanyi ate while observing the herbs, planning how to plant them in her Ruyi Space. Suddenly, she felt a weight on her head. Something had fallen on her. She reached up and grabbed a strange little creature.

It looked like a date, but it was pure white. Two tender leaves sat on top like a hat. One leaf was red, the other orange.

"Who are you?" Zhu Yanyi guessed it was a mountain spirit or ghost, likely a spirit of some herb.

"Shan Zao, Shan Zao." It mumbled repeatedly. Then, as if remembering something, it bit Zhu Yanyi’s index finger. A drop of blood appeared. It swallowed it. Immediately, a contract circle appeared under Zhu Yanyi’s feet and under the little creature’s feet. Before Zhu Yanyi could understand what was happening, the contract was sealed.

After the contract, she knew its origin without asking. It was a plant spirit called Shan Zao, named for its date-like appearance. It didn’t know where it came from; it just woke up here. The locals treated it well. It chose Zhu Yanyi as its master because the wood-element aura on Zhu Yanyi felt warm to it. Its instincts told it that following Zhu Yanyi would lead it further. But fearing rejection, it initiated the contract directly.

Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. "Shan Zao, what can you do?"

"I can pick the best herbs. I can find herbs others miss, like those hidden in mountain soil. Not just plants, but animal and mineral herbs too," Shan Zao said proudly.

Zhu Yanyi didn’t worry about finding plant herbs, as her wood ability was very useful. But she lacked skill in finding animal and mineral herbs. With Shan Zao, she no longer needed to worry.

"Good. Please help me in the future," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. "When we have free time, I’ll introduce you to some friends."

Shan Zao nodded. Its date-shaped body rolled around. Then, thinking for a moment, it flew into Zhu Yanyi’s hair and hid. It laughed, knowing it would be hard to find.

Zhu Yanyi smiled, not minding. Such a little creature was pleasant to have around.

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Yanyi went to find Shen Jiang. Although Shan Zao never belonged to the Medical Realm, they had cared for it for a long time. She wanted to thank Shen Jiang.

Shen Jiang seemed to expect her visit. she smiled. "No need to thank us. This is normal."

"Normal?" Zhu Yanyi looked at her in surprise, not understanding.

Shen Jiang explained quickly, "We have been looking for someone to take Shan Zao in. Although Shan Zao brings us joy, we know it doesn’t belong to the Medical Realm.

Shan Zao is close to us, but never lets us control it. Once, someone tried to make it their master. Shan Zao hid in the grass and disappeared for days. When it returned, we never mentioned it again. But we knew Shan Zao wouldn’t stay here long. We just didn’t expect it to wait for you."

Hearing this, Zhu Yanyi’s expression softened. She took out a book and handed it to Shen Jiang. "I know the Medical Realm has many books. This one contains my experiences over the years. Everyone can read it. I have nothing else to give, but it includes the 'Thirteen Needles of Withered Wood Reviving' technique, passed down by the Azure Sovereign Qingdi. I give it to the Medical Realm."

"Needle technique passed down by the Azure Sovereign?" Shen Jiang was shocked. She knew Zhu Yanyi wouldn’t take things for free, but she didn’t expect her to give away a technique from the Azure Sovereign. For healers, this was priceless.

"Yes," Zhu Yanyi nodded.

Shen Jiang’s heart moved. "Are you perhaps a successor of the Azure Sovereign?"

Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "In a way." She was a successor, but couldn’t say it directly. Saying "in a way" implied a connection, which was the best answer for now.

Shen Jiang’s eyes lit up. "Great! Come, come. I’ll take you to see our leader."

Zhu Yanyi was slightly stunned. She had given the needle technique, but now she was being taken to see the leader of the Medical Realm?

When Zhu Yanyi saw Lu Ying, she was slightly surprised. She looked somewhat like Ma Bo.

"Do you think I look like Ma Bo?" Lu Ying asked with a smile.