706: The Other Two Pieces

The Other Two Pieces

"in any case, you've really obtained Abyssal Ice."2

The old woman looked happy as she glanced over at her husband, who just stared at it like a child with toys. Wo Long transferred the shard to a different container, a small glass dish that was clear to see-through. 

"I can't thank you enough for obtaining this and giving us a piece."

He stood up and made a deep bow. 

"Thank you, truly from the bottom of my heart."

Ming Yue immediately rose up, trying to stop him. 

"Please, there's no need to bow", she said. 

Even then, he had a grateful look on his face. 

"There have been many treasures and rare herbs that I've come across. Among them, Abyssal Ice was one of the few that I deemed impossible to obtain. For you to have done so, I cannot help but show my gratitude."

And then Yuan clapped her hands, grabbing both of their attention. 

"In any case, I'm sure that you aren't here just for the Abyssal Ice. Why don't we talk over dinner? Those two seem quite hungry."

The old woman looked down at the owl and fox. Both beasts seemed a bit roughed up from the flight but they seemed to have their attention on the kitchen, enjoying the smell.

If that weren't enough, a growl came from Ming Yue's own stomach. It wasn't very loud but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. She had a look of embarrassment on her face, shifting slightly to adjust her seating position. 

Yuan just chuckled before standing up, pulling her sleeves back.

"Ahahaha, don't you worry, dinner will come out soon enough." 

Just like that, she disappeared into the kitchen, where wonderful smells flowed out from its doors. As she said, dishes came out, filling the table until a wonderful feast was in front of them. 

Plates were set down and everyone was seated.

Ming Yue sat there and waited for the elderly couple to eat. But Yuan just gestured towards her. 

"Please, eat first."

The young woman had a surprised look but they just nodded their heads, encouraging her to eat first. And so she obliged, taking the first bite. 

They watched her do so before helping themselves. Soon enough all of them were happily eating away before Wo Long looked at her. 

"So then, aside from the Abyssal Ice, what else were you searching for?" he asked in between bites. 

Still chewing away, Ming Yue answered, taking out the pill recipe from her spatial Ring.

"It's the Dragon Eye Berries and a 10,000-year-old Penzai."

"Hmm, I see. What do you know about them?" the old man asked, rubbing his chin.

"I was able to find a bit of information about the Dragon Eye Berries and Abyssal Ice but I've never heard of a Penzai before. I had even asked the administrators of the Archive at Heaven's Gate but they had nothing on it", she responded. 

"That is because a Penzai is not something of this world. Or rather, it does not exist anymore."

Wo Long looked at her solemnly as he said this.

"As for Dragon Eye Berries, that is an item of nearly mythical status. They are fruit born from a dragon's blood but not just any dragon. It has to be from an Earth Dragon. Just one berry is said to elevate one's physical and martial prowess to new levels. In fact, it is said that it can turn someone whose never cultivated before into an Earth Realm Cultivator, all it takes is one berry. However, there is one thing that separates Dragon Eye Berries from anything else."

"What?" she was quite curious about it. 

The elderly man smiled as explained. 

"Dragon Eye Berries are named so because they resemble the eyes of a dragon. Apart from that, they can gift someone a dragon's sight. Imagine, being able to see through most if not all disguises and illusions, breaking arrays with ease. On top of that, you can even exude a dragon's pressure from eating a single berry. And the more berries you eat, the stronger those powers become."

While Ming Yue was impressed by the power of those berries, she was confused by his earlier words. 

"But dragons don't exist anymore, how is it possible to obtain them?"

Remembering her experience with the Dragon Emperor years ago, she was certain that he was the last dragon left.

But all was clear when Wo Long explained. 

"I understand. There hasn't been a sighting of a dragon in decades but not long ago, scholars of the Dark Water Kingdom had come across a real living dragon. They kept such information quiet but luckily, I know a few folks from there. So chances are, Earth Dragons may still exist and you would most likely find them wandering across the continent. If not, you could try your luck at the Golden Treasure Kingdom. Their markets are far-reaching and they have auctions nearly every day. You may have a better chance at finding them there."

"Is that so?"

Ming Yue thought carefully about this. Truthfully, she hadn't thought about the Golden Treasure Kingdom before. She very rarely went to auctions and money was something she thought little about.

But with the thought of having to find an Earth Dragon looming over her, going to an auction didn't seem so bad. 

"Hmm, but I have had luck with dragons... maybe I'll bump into one", she thought. 

Unfortunately, she wasn't too keen on that idea. After making her mind up on this, the topic moved toward the other ingredient. 

"About the Penzai, what do you mean by it not existing anymore? Or even that it is not of this world?" she asked him. 

Wo Long had a difficult expression on his face, trying to think of a way to explain it in words. 

"Give me one moment to go back to my study, I'll need to bring a few things to better illustrate just what a Penzai is."

He stood up, putting his chopsticks down before quickly walking out of the manor and into the little house in the courtyard. It took just a few minutes for him to find what he needed, returning with a few books. 

Yuan lifted her hand up, making a waving motion toward their attendants who nodded and started to remove whatever dishes were empty.

With part of the table cleared out, he put all of the books out, opening them to specific pages before talking. 

"You see, a Penzai isn't something that is grown naturally out of this world, it is something created by man. Carefully cultivated and cared for through multiple means to create a treasure among treasures."

He pointed at one book, showing her pictures of those very experiments before continuing. 

"Could you imagine, merging hundreds if not thousands of plants into a single vessel? It would become an all-powerful treasure! It could cure any disease, heal any injuries, gift anyone with any and every power imaginable."

His words slowed as disappointment covered his face. 

"Unfortunately, it has not taken a physical form as no one has been able to create it. The furthest that someone has gone was five, after that the Penzai would be too unstable dying in a matter of seconds or producing poison. For one to have existed for over ten thousand years is practically impossible. Because there haven't been any real results, such an idea was swept away, known to very few."

He then looked at Ming Yue with a bit of dismay. 

"I'm not sure who gave you this pill recipe but as far as I know, a Penzai does not exist", he said to her. 

But the young woman didn't seem to feel the same way. Rather, her mind was elsewhere. 

After hearing these words, she seemed to have thought of something and then looked down at the Eternal Heart Ring.

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