5

    The Abilities of Bai Xue and Bai Tu

    The following day, Bai Xue sought Bai Ling's permission to enter the forest to find herbs for Bai Tu to consume. Bai Ling did not prohibit her because the outer forest was not overly dangerous. Most animals were just ordinary wild creatures, with the occasional low-level demon beast appearing, which posed no real threat.

    Bai Ling simply instructed Bai Xue to be cautious, return home before dark, and absolutely avoid getting injured. Despite his concerns, allowing Bai Xue to venture into the forest on her own was seen as a good training opportunity.

    Consequently, Bai Ling agreed to let her go.

    "Let's go, Xiao Tu," Bai Xue said, lifting Bai Tu and heading into the Hundred Demons Forest without delay, once she had obtained permission.

    For Bai Xue, the forest was her true home, as she had spent nearly her entire previous life living in the wilderness.

    However, in a world filled with extraordinary phenomena like this, Bai Xue had to be more cautious than ever. Although confident in her survival skills, she knew she would be helpless against creatures like fire-breathing tigers or snow-spitting snakes.

    It wasn't that Bai Xue underestimated herself; she simply knew her limits. Having only recently awakened, found a family, and experienced love for the first time, Bai Xue did not wish for anything to take her newfound happiness away.

    Thud Thud

    As she ventured deeper into the forest, Bai Tu became restless and uncomfortable, prompting Bai Xue to let him down. Bai Tu then darted off to the side, with Bai Xue following closely behind.

    Soon, Bai Tu stopped by a rock near the river, leading Bai Xue to catch up and pause in astonishment. She saw three silver flowers lined up on the rock where Bai Tu had halted.

    "Is that..." Her eyes widened with delight at the sight before her, then turned to Bai Tu and asked.

    "Do you want to eat it?"

    When Bai Xue finished her question, Bai Tu opted to eat some low-level Aqua Grass instead, completely ignoring the silver flowers.

    Bai Xue looked at Bai Tu, then turned her gaze back to the silver flowers in front of her. Known as Returning Moon Flowers, these flowers were extremely rare high-level herbs capable of curing all poisons. They were seldom found and usually surrounded by powerful spirit beasts. Why then, were such rare flowers appearing here?

    What should be done?

    Collecting such herbs requires only a jade box; without it, these herbs will easily wither and die. Bai Xue stood pondering deeply, considering returning to Bai Ling to ask for his opinion. However, at that moment, Bai Tu ran back to her and firmly bit her robe, refusing to let her leave.

    "What's the matter, Bai Tu?"

    "..."

    "Do you want to eat these flowers?" Bai Xue asked, feeling a deep sense of regret, but Bai Tu continued to bite her robe without stopping. This made Bai Xue unsure of what her pet really wanted.

    Bite!

    "What do you want? Or do you want me to collect these flowers?" Bai Xue asked. When she mentioned collecting the Returning Moon Flowers, Bai Tu finally stopped and calmed down.

    "I also want to collect them, but such rare herbs require a jade box to store them. Otherwise, they will die."

    "..."

    "I'll go back and ask Grandpa first."

    Bite, bite!

    As Bai Xue was about to leave, Bai Tu started biting the hem of her robe again, refusing to let her go. This made Bai Xue wonder if Bai Tu was really a rabbit, or more like a puppy.

    "What do you really want, Bai Tu?"

    Bite, bite.

    "Or do you want me to collect the Returning Moon Flowers myself?"

    "..." Upon hearing this, Bai Tu stopped moving.

    "Do you think I can do it?" She turned to Bai Tu. Anyone seeing this might think she had lost her mind to obey a wild animal's request.

    But Bai Xue thought that an animal's instincts could be trusted. And from the first time they met, she felt that Bai Tu was special. It allowed her to hold it and obeyed her... Everything happens for a reason.

    With that thought, Bai Xue crouched down and began to carefully collect the Returning Moon Flowers by herself, handling each root delicately because she intended to replant them. She was patient with every step, and once she had collected the Returning Moon Flowers, she placed them on a white cloth, then wrapped them carefully and did the same with the roots of other Returning Moon Flowers plants.

    Huff!

    After completing her task, Bai Xue let out a big sigh of relief. Seeing that the Returning Moon Flowers did not wither in her hands and still looked fresh, she turned to Bai Tu.

    "I really did it, Bai Tu," Bai Xue told her pet before she quickly packed all the herbs, picked up Bai Tu, and hurried home.

    Thump, thump, thump.

    "Grandfather!" Bai Xue ran to Bai Ling, who was in the medicine preparation room, in a rush before she was scolded by him.

    "Xue Er, can't you act more like a lady?" Bai Ling said with a sigh, looking at his granddaughter with exasperation.

    "I don't have time now. Grandfather, do you have a jade box for storing herbs?" Bai Xue asked urgently. Even though the Returning Moon Flowers were not withering at the moment, she would feel more relieved if they could be stored in a jade herb box.

    "Why are you asking about a jade herb box?"

    "Do you have it or not?"

    "Of course, I do!"

    "I'd like to borrow it, please," Bai Xue hurried Bai Ling.

    Even though Bai Ling did not fully understand the situation, he agreed to bring out the valuable jade herb box from his collection and handed it over to Bai Xue.

    "What are you going to do with this? This jade box is very expensive; I got it from my teacher," Bai Ling remarked.

    "Don't worry, Grandfather. I won't damage your jade herb box, and importantly, I'll make sure you earn some money from this."

    "What do you mean?"

    “…” Bai Xue did not answer; she chose to take out the cloth bundle she used to wrap the Returning Moon Flowers and slowly opened it to reveal its contents to Bai Ling.

    When Bai Ling saw what was inside the cloth bundle Bai Xue had opened, he froze with his eyes wide in shock.

    "This is... this... this!!"

    "The Returning Moon Flowers," Bai Xue said as she began to carefully move the Returning Moon Flowers from the cloth bundle into the jade box.

    "It's impossible..." Bai Ling was stunned. The legendary flower had not been seen for hundreds of years, yet now it lay before the old man.

    "Grandfather," Bai Xue called Bai Ling after she had successfully stored the Returning Moon Flowers.

    "Xue Er, how did you come by these Returning Moon Flowers?" Once Bai Ling regained his composure, he quickly asked.

    Thus, Bai Xue recounted the entire event that had occurred in the forest to Bai Ling. His expression fluctuated between joy, shock, and concern.

    Bai Xue knew why her grandfather was worried. If people found out, Bai Tu, her little rabbit, would no longer live in peace. The greed in human hearts was truly disgusting, she knew all too well.

    "About this, Xue Er..."

    "I shall ensure that no one learns of this, I swear," Bai Xue spoke up, before being cautioned by Bai Ling.

    "That would be for the best."

    "And what shall we do with these Returning Moon Flowers, Grandfather?" Bai Xue asked, as this was the pressing matter at hand.

    "Do you wish to keep them for your training?" Bai Ling countered his granddaughter's question. Given the rarity of such herbs, it was undoubtedly a significant aid for a medicine user's training.

    "The Returning Moon Flowers are ingredients for concoctions beyond the divine level. I am but a mid-level medicine user; not only do I lack the recipes for such high-level concoctions, but keeping them would also serve no purpose, Grandfather. It would only bring trouble," Bai Xue responded.

    "What you say is true," Bai Ling nodded in agreement.

    Especially now, as the Bai family was nothing more than ordinary citizens. Should the powerful factions learn of this, they would surely come to seize both Bai Tu and the Returning Moon Flowers. Possessing such items would be akin to holding a hot potato; it wouldn't be wise to keep them.

    "Moreover, it would be better to sell the Returning Moon Flowers and use the money to buy resources for training. And importantly, Tian Er and Lan Er are about to undergo their elemental power tests," Bai Xue added.

    "Indeed, let's proceed as you suggest. As for selling the Returning Moon Flowers, we should consult with your brother first."

    "Understood, Grandfather. Then, I shall take my leave to rest."

    "Mm, go on then." As Bai Ling concluded, Bai Xue smiled and immediately returned to her own house.

    She was well aware of her family's current hardships, evident from the food and clothes everyone was wearing. Her brother and sister-in-law had to forage in the wilderness, her grandfather had to stay at the medical hall in town, and even Tian Er and Lan Er had to help water the vegetable and herb gardens.

    Bai Xue was someone who could endure hardship, but she refused to let those she loved suffer. Hence, she was determined to find a way to ensure their comfortable living from now on.