Yan Jiaojiao had no idea how much longer it would take to find the so-called spiritual herbs and secret treasures. After all, this place didn't look like it held anything valuable, unlike the dense forest near Gunan Academy.
However, Jiang Yiling and the others were unfazed. They pulled out small compass-like objects from their robes and led them forward.
In just half an hour, they had traveled over ten li. Jiang Yiling finally stopped.
It was thanks to Yan Jiaojiao and the others possessing cultivation techniques that they could travel so fast without feeling tired. For ordinary people, even if they collapsed from exhaustion, they wouldn't have covered such a distance.
Jiang Yiling walked back and forth a few steps with the compass, then stopped at a spot and beckoned to everyone, "Alright, start digging."
The new students were all stunned, not understanding what Jiang Yiling meant. Then, a senior disciple who had been here before casually conjured a shovel and began to dig in the direction Jiang Yiling was pointing.
After just a few shovelfuls, Yan Jiaojiao heard the sound of metal striking stone.
"We've dug it up!" the senior disciple exclaimed in surprise. He then crouched down and used his hands to clear away some dirt, revealing a stone radiating spiritual energy. "It's a mid-grade spirit stone!"
This spirit stone was not small. Even if it wasn't used for personal cultivation, it could be sold for a good price.
The treasures in the ownerless secret realm belonged to whoever found them first. The others couldn't help but feel envious, regretting their slow reaction and allowing the senior disciple to get there first.
Yan Jiaojiao watched silently from the side, now understanding that the small and exquisite compass in Jiang Yiling's hand was a "treasure-seeking device."
With the first discovery made, Jiang Yiling stopped and said, "To prevent disputes, the treasures encountered from now on will be claimed in order. Their value depends entirely on luck. Do not harm the harmony among fellow disciples."
This was an old rule established by Gunan Academy for entering the ownerless secret realm year after year. The others had no better suggestions, so they abided by it.
Jiang Yiling continued to lead with the compass, and they successively discovered some spiritual herbs and spirit stones, though none were as valuable as the first spirit stone.
Wen Jinshu and Xiao Su, among other wealthy young masters, remained expressionless, showing no particular emotions about it.
Yan Ruxue, however, who was in the middle of the group, grumbled discontentedly, "After all this effort, are we just going to find these insignificant weeds and rocks?"
Having been doted on since childhood by the Yan family, Yan Ruxue had access to many things that others rarely obtained. Therefore, she naturally didn't care for these items. However, while Xiao Su and the others remained silent, Yan Ruxue couldn't help but complain.
Tang Xiye had a similar expression. Doted on by her master Xuan Chen, the quality of these items was not even comparable to what she received from Xuan Chen. She naturally positioned herself at the back, hoping to encounter better treasures in the depths of the secret realm.
Yan Jiaojiao, always at the very end, was walking just a step behind Tang Xiye and couldn't resist the urge to make a move.
As they ventured deeper, the barren loess soil began to transform into vast grasslands. However, these grasslands were not the usual green; they were a deep, dark green, still exuding an eerie sense of oppression.
With a thought, Yan Jiaojiao caused a vine to extend from the side. Tang Xiye, caught off guard, tripped and nearly fell. She stumbled a few steps before regaining her balance and then turned to glare fiercely at Yan Jiaojiao.
Yan Jiaojiao pretended not to notice and pointed to Jiang Yiling at the front, "What treasure has been found now?"
Tang Xiye, indeed, no longer had time to suspect Yan Jiaojiao and hurried to join the others. This time, they saw a fruit tree laden with Yu Su fruits!
The Yu Su fruits were shaped like persimmons but had a jade-like luster. They were crisp to the bite, sweet, and refreshing. Most importantly, they were rich in spiritual energy and excellent for tempering the meridians, making them highly sought after. However, Yu Su fruits were produced in extremely small quantities and were often unavailable for purchase even with money.
A fruit tree bearing twenty to thirty Yu Su fruits like this was something even Jiang Yiling had never seen.
The students erupted in excitement, all crowding around, their faces filled with longing as they gazed at the fruits on the tree.
If someone could obtain so many Yu Su fruits at once and consume them slowly, their meridians would surely widen by at least half a hao. This alone could allow them to accommodate nearly twice the amount of spiritual energy as their peers at the same stage.
It was Chen Bingbing's turn to claim the treasure. She was so excited her face turned red. She never expected to have such good luck and eagerly opened her Qiankun bag, preparing to harvest all the fruits on the tree.
Yan Jiaojiao, on the other hand, stood by with her arms crossed, watching leisurely. Yan Jiaojiao knew how much Tang Xiye wanted to widen her meridians; it was for the Pearl Elixir, which could widen meridians, that they had fought fiercely before.
Now, there was another opportunity. Although not as effective as the Pearl Elixir, Yan Jiaojiao was certain Tang Xiye wouldn't let it pass.
As expected, before Chen Bingbing could release her spell from her fingertips, Tang Xiye suddenly spoke, "Wait a moment!"
Chen Bingbing's previously smiling mouth froze. She slowly turned to look at Tang Xiye, already anticipating something she wouldn't like.
Indeed, Tang Xiye stepped out from the group, a gentle smile on her beautiful face. "Chen Bingbing, I was ahead of you just now."
"But you actively moved back yourself," Chen Bingbing whispered in defense, both anxious and wronged. It was clear Tang Xiye had her eye on this tree of Yu Su fruits.
"I know," Tang Xiye continued to negotiate politely. "So, I want to exchange my next two opportunities to claim treasures for this batch of Yu Su fruits. Please give them to me."
Even with two opportunities, who could guarantee that both would yield good items?
And even if they were good items, would Tang Xiye demand them again and again, starting a precedent?
Chen Bingbing's mind raced. Ultimately, the immediate benefit was too tempting. Chen Bingbing decisively refused, "Senior Sister Tang, exchanging two for one is too much of a loss for you. If you want to taste these Yu Su fruits, I'll give you one. There's no need for you to make such a great sacrifice."
Saying this, Chen Bingbing raised her hand and pointed. A Yu Su fruit that had grown the best detached itself and floated into Tang Xiye's hand.
Tang Xiye's smile disappeared, and she looked coldly at the single Yu Su fruit in her hand.
Yan Ruxue immediately reprimanded Chen Bingbing, "Senior Sister Tang is giving you a good opportunity. Don't be ungrateful and step aside immediately!"
Chen Bingbing glanced at Yan Ruxue with displeasure and grievance, stubbornly refusing to move.
Just as Yan Jiaojiao thought their relationship would fracture over the matter of profit, Tang Xiye suddenly smiled again and waved the fruit in her hand. "Thank you, Chen Bingbing. It's fine, we don't have to exchange. However..."