I Am Immortal in Great Yu

Chapter 230: Chapter 94: Antiquity 2

But all that was secondary. The most important thing was a plant at the edge of the pool, emitting a faint, jade-green glow.

It was barely half a foot tall and about the size of a plate. Five leaves grew from its stem, somewhat resembling mint, but far more delicate. Like the little Exotic Beast snake, its entire body was a shimmering, translucent green, just like jade.

’A Rare Plant, like the Jade Plum Tree?’

Fang Rui examined it from every angle, but he couldn’t identify the specific type of Rare Plant.

He had read numerous journals and travelogues, but his knowledge was still half-baked. Besides, since the Rare Plant hadn’t borne any Exotic Fruit, it was truly difficult to identify.

”Still, no matter what kind of Rare Plant it is, this is a fine prize!”

’The four Phoenix-tailed Swallows must have been darting about when they found this place. They tried to snatch the Rare Plant, only to be taught a lesson by the little Exotic Beast snake. In the end, they came to me for reinforcements,’ Fang Rui mused.

CHIRP CHIRP!

Just then, the four Phoenix-tailed Swallows flew over to him, fluttering up and down.

”Do you want to eat its leaves?”

Fang Rui thought for a moment, then plucked a leaf. With a flick of True Qi, he split it into four pieces and shot them toward the birds.

They deserved a reward for discovering this Rare Plant, after all.

CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP! CHIRP!

The four Phoenix-tailed Swallows joyfully snatched the pieces from the air, tilted their heads back, and swallowed them in a single gulp, appearing exceptionally delighted.

In stark contrast was the newly subdued little Exotic Beast snake.

HISS! HISS!

It flicked its forked tongue, agitated and restless. If Fang Rui hadn’t just had a ”friendly exchange” with it, it probably would have lashed out at the four Phoenix-tailed Swallows.

”Behave yourself!”

Fang Rui snorted, immediately silencing the little Exotic Beast snake. He couldn’t be bothered with it anymore. His current dilemma was how to handle the Rare Plant.

’Leave it here? Even with the little Exotic Beast snake guarding it, it wouldn’t be safe. If the four Phoenix-tailed Swallows could find it today, others could find it tomorrow. If someone were to kill the snake and take the Rare Plant, I’d lose everything.’

After a moment’s hesitation, Fang Rui dug up the Rare Plant, roots and all. He planned to take it back for Ge Changgeng to identify and to see if it could be transplanted.

He wasn’t worried about Ge Changgeng getting any ideas. Based on their interactions so far, the man was of good character.

Besides, from Daoist Ge’s earlier reaction, it seemed he had already guessed something.

Furthermore, the Exotic Beast snake guarding the Rare Plant was only at the Fifth or Sixth Grade, which probably meant the plant itself wasn’t exceedingly precious.

...

”Congratulations, my young friend. This is a Jade Lotus. It’s currently a Low Grade Rare Plant.”

Ge Changgeng said with a faint smile, ”By the way, Rare Plants often have an Exotic Beast guarding them. In the case of a Jade Lotus, the guardian is typically a Jade Snake. Did you happen to encounter one, my young friend?”

’Just as I expected. This Jade Lotus isn’t overly precious, and Daoist Ge is simply happy for me, with no covetous thoughts.’

Fang Rui mused, then brought out the subdued little Exotic Beast snake. ”An Exotic Beast, the Jade Snake? Is this it?”

”Shimmering green, its body like jade... it is indeed a Jade Snake. My young friend, you have some impressive skills!”

Ge Changgeng gave Fang Rui a long, hard look. To subdue an Exotic Beast in such a short amount of time, he must possess some special method.

However, he was a man who understood propriety and didn’t pry.

”Daoist, I don’t know much about the Jade Lotus. I’d like to ask for your guidance,” Fang Rui inquired openly.

”Where the Jade Lotus grows, no mosquitos or insects will spawn. Where the Jade Snake resides, rats and other pests will flee. If you transplant the Jade Lotus to your home, my young friend, it will make your life much easier.”

”So the Jade Lotus really can be transplanted? But... what about the environmental requirements?” Fang Rui asked, hesitating.

”You just need to spend a little money to modify the environment. Besides, Rare Plants have a tenacious life force. Even if the conditions are slightly flawed, at worst it will only grow a bit more slowly.”

Ge Changgeng stroked his beard. ”Under normal conditions, the Exotic Fruit it bears—the Jade Lotus Seed—matures in the summer. If the environment isn’t quite right, it might be delayed until autumn or winter.”

”The Exotic Fruit, the Jade Lotus Seed, is likely a bit more precious than the Jade Plums you’ve eaten. To be frank, a single leaf from this Jade Lotus is equivalent to one Jade Plum. You can brew it into Jade Lotus Water, using a method similar to how you make Jade Plum Water...”

’No wonder the Phoenix-tailed Swallows were begging me for the Jade Lotus leaves earlier.’

Fang Rui thought to himself. He reached out, plucked another tender leaf from the Jade Lotus, and instructed Qing Yun to bring a basin of boiling water and drop the leaf into it.

FIZZ!

The jade-like leaf began to melt, bobbing up and down as it released a cascade of bubbles. A misty, ethereal green vapor formed above the wooden basin, resembling an auspicious cloud.

Finally, the leaf dissolved completely, dyeing the entire basin of boiling water the color of amber-hued jade. Amid the rising steam, star-like motes of jade-green light floated and sank, creating a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

”Wow, Brother, it’s so beautiful!”

”It’s beautiful!”

The two little girls, Fang Ling and Nannan, stared wide-eyed, while the maids of all ages gasped in amazement.

Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family and Third Lady were hardly any better, their faces filled with wonder.

’This Jade Lotus Water certainly looks much more impressive than the Jade Plum Water.’

Fang Rui thought to himself and gave instructions to ladle out small bowls for Ge Changgeng, himself, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family, Third Lady, Fang Ling, Nannan, and Qing Yan. The rest was to be divided among Qing Yun, Bai Shao, and the other maids.

This immediately sparked another round of cheers. The maids were all overjoyed.

”First, it was Jade Plum Water a few days ago, and now Jade Lotus Water! We’re truly blessed with great fortune.”

”It’s not our great fortune, it’s the Master who is truly blessed! We’re all just basking in his good luck!”