Chapter 668

Chapter 668: Mountain Travel (Thanks to Moshang Youren for the Silver Pledge)

After the festival ended, Lolan Hill packed her bags and set off westward towards Yan Yao Continent according to the directions indicated on the map.

This time was different from usual because there were no wide roads along the route, so she had to travel on foot instead of by carriage.

Lolan Hill walked through the narrow mountain trails. The sunlight filtered through the yellow and red leaves, casting dappled light and shadow among the trees. It was still early in the morning; the cool air had yet to dissipate, gently caressing her as she moved. Even in midsummer, the fresh breeze made her feel comfortable.

Her tied white boots stepped over the grass by the roadside, leaving dewdrops on the shoes, which left a few glistening droplets. Some tender green, small round leaves clustered together, with faint white dots in the center—this was the common moneywort found in the mountains.

The young lady observed this new world as she walked.

She had learned much about herbal medicine during her studies at Emanas, and knowledge of the herbs of the Eastern Region was essential for the examinations at the Fortress Academy.

However, due to different regions, although she had read extensively about the herbs of the Eastern Region, she had not seen many of them in person until now. Only now did she match the names with the actual plants.

“This should be the ‘Seven-leaf Lotus,’ ” the young lady stopped and leaned down to look at the plant hidden behind a tree.

[Seven-leaf Lotus] (Bronze Level, Excellent): A relatively common herb that can be used to make external wound medicines and pain-relieving potions.

She reached out and, following the method described in the book, broke off the stem at the joint, then sealed the cut with the power of the Sequence to reduce the loss of its medicinal properties. Then, she lightly touched the remaining root to replenish its energy, allowing it to continue growing.

After picking the herb, Lolan Hill examined it in her hand and took a clean leaf, placing it in her mouth. A slight bitter taste spread across her tongue.

“Not very tasty,” she stuck out her tongue, then put down the wicker box she was carrying. She opened it and rummaged inside, taking out a small wooden box.

This palm-sized box was something Aitexi had casually placed in her box before leaving.

“Little Lacy, you should take this. You can put any good herbs you find on your journey inside to prevent them from rotting or losing their medicinal properties.”

“During my travels, this is indispensable. When I traveled in the Leize, several times I saw things I wanted to pick but couldn’t because the herbs lost their potency once picked. So later, I specifically got a few boxes from Wanzihong Valley to store the herbs.”

“The jade box is for storing high-temperature or potent herbs, while the wooden box is for low-temperature or mild herbs.”

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“No need to refuse. Although they are relatively rare outside, they are not uncommon among major sects. I have several more.” After saying this, Aitexi had Lolan Hill take them.

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Little did she know, these boxes would come in handy today. Even though they were a bit excessive for storing Bronze-rank herbs, having them was better than not having any at all, the young lady thought to herself.

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Lolan Hill originally thought this journey would be quite dull, but the sights along the way brought her joy.

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Because the western part of the Yan Yao Continent is close to the Suiyan mountain range, where many demon beasts reside, the terrain is rugged, and few people venture there, preserving a greater number of herbs that are rarely collected.

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As her footsteps delved deeper, the small paths on the mountain road gradually disappeared until there were no roads left, only desolate mountains and valleys.

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Scattered rocks and fallen leaves covered the ground between the trees, tree roots entwined and covered in moss, thorny shrubs blocking the gaps beneath the trees. If an ordinary person were to enter such a complex terrain, even if fully equipped, it would take days to cover just a few kilometers.

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However, this light-footed young lady walked through the forest as if on a flat road, like an elf of the woods, gracefully leaping over various obstacles.

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Her pure white dress remained spotless as it passed through layers of trees, and the wooden box she held seemed weightless, floating up and down as she navigated the complex terrain.

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Many herbalists envied her, for she seemed blessed by some divine power; even hidden herbs could be found by her. Perhaps this was due to her talent for perception.

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Along the way, she gathered various herbs, both Bronze and Silver ranks, carefully storing them in the boxes.

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When night fell, Lolan Hill stopped in a forest area where tall red and yellow oaks grew, their crowns reaching high and the ground beneath them relatively clean and flat.

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She chose this place because she had sensed the surrounding area and discovered a small spring nearby for drinking water, which is why she decided to stop here.

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After placing down the wooden box, Lolan Hill fetched some water and then lightly leaped, standing amidst the oak branches. The slender twigs, though bent under her weight, still supported her as gently as cotton. She first picked some acorns before lightly jumping down, landing softly on the soft grass.

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The acorns were similar to oak nuts since they both belonged to the genus Quercus under the Fagaceae family, differing only slightly in name and form.

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Lolan Hill placed these green acorns on her skirt and sat quietly by the fire, sorting through the herbs.

The shell was truly peeled off. This would be her dinner for the day.

The sky had completely darkened, and the fire pit in the forest burned quietly. The dampness within the fallen branches released small bubbles as the temperature rose, forming wisps of white steam.

The orange-red flames licked the bottom of the ceramic cup, heating the spring water inside. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would come, making the flames flicker and lengthening the shadow of the young lady beside it.

Her slender, fair fingers peeled off the shells of acorns, revealing smooth, oval shells. As time passed, the peeled acorns gathered in her skirt.

When it was about enough to fill a bowl, Lolan Hill stopped. She picked up these acorns, walked to the clear spring she had visited earlier, washed them thoroughly, drained the water, and then returned to the fire pit. She carefully placed each acorn into the boiling ceramic cup, making sure not to spill the water.

As the water level approached the rim of the cup, she stopped and placed the remaining acorns in a box. She sat with her legs hugged close, waiting quietly.

Acorns, or oak fruits, contain tannins, which make them unsuitable for direct consumption. They are generally boiled before being eaten, making them one of the oldest foods for humans.

After some time, seeing the clear spring water gradually change color, Lolan Hill drained it and added fresh spring water to continue boiling. After two such cycles, the bitterness of the acorns was removed.

Once the acorns were cooked, their outer skins softened. Picking up a peeled one and putting it in her mouth, she slowly chewed, savoring a unique, soft, and sweet flavor.

Thus, Lolan Hill sat by the fire, quietly eating her dinner and enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.

She had been穿梭于城市人流中 for quite some time, and it had been a while since she sat alone by a fire, eating. The quiet burning flames at night seemed to possess a peculiar magic, drawing this young lady in, allowing her thoughts and mood to relax entirely. She no longer needed to worry about the complex matters outside, slowly enjoying her own peaceful time.

Even though she had felt uneasy due to her memory loss earlier, it had now completely subsided.

Many things and wishes could not be achieved in just one day. On the path forward, proper rest was equally important and captivating, allowing her to temporarily escape the heavy burdens and savor this solitude in peace.

Until the vast starry sky filled the night, until the chirping insects and the evening breeze, until she fell into a calm and peaceful sleep.

Thanks to Stranger Scholar for the silver big mascot (second time), very much appreciated.

The arrears debt continues to increase (4/92)

Azure is too weak, feeling unable to catch up (〒▽〒/)