Chapter 129: The Cyan-Blue Tree

Since even Old Ding was so surprised, Lin Dong was greatly astonished and eagerly asked, “What rank is this Cyan-Blue Fruit?”
“Fifth rank!” Old Ding replied without hesitation.
“Fifth rank?” Lin Dong was stunned. It was roughly in line with Xiao Tianchi’s estimate. But could a fifth-rank spiritual fruit really surprise a peak-level expert so much?
“The medicinal effects of the Cyan-Blue Fruit dissipate easily. Remember to consume it within half a month after picking it.” Old Ding closed the wooden box, raised his gaze, and stared at Lin Dong intently. “Where did you get this Cyan-Blue Fruit?”
“It was given to me by the head of a family,” Lin Dong explained. “He said he bought it by chance. He doesn’t know its name. He only knows that consuming a few of them helps with cultivation and that they must be taken within half a month.”
“Bought by chance?” Old Ding frowned slightly before slowly shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?” Lin Dong asked curiously.
Old Ding pondered for a moment before saying, “This Cyan-Blue Fruit matures only once every ten years, and at most one or two fruits are produced each time. If the matured fruits aren’t picked, although their medicinal effects dissipate more slowly, it can only delay the process by a year or two. In other words, no matter how hard you try, it’s impossible to pick more than three at once.”
“Wont two Cyan-Blue Trees suffice?” Lin Dong asked, puzzled.
Old Ding shook his head. “Cyan-Blue Trees prefer solitude. Not to mention two trees, even a single tree can’t coexist with another.”
Lin Dong was completely confused. What did it mean that a single tree couldn’t coexist?
Old Ding recalled briefly and said, “Actually, the Cyan-Blue Tree has two main trunks. One part bears green fruits, while the other bears blue fruits. If consumed separately or used to make pills, both types of fruits are only of fifth rank. But if consumed together or used to make pills, their medicinal effects are no less than those of ninth-rank spiritual materials.”
Lin Dong’s heart trembled slightly as he exclaimed in shock, “Ninth-rank spiritual materials?”
“That’s right! The Cyan-Blue Tree actually has two main trunks. But since they can’t coexist—although they share the same root system at the base—the two trunks are at least a hundred meters apart, sometimes even a kilometer.” Old Ding nodded. “Another reason why this Cyan-Blue Fruit couldn’t have been bought is that there are spiritual beasts guarding each of the two main trunks. These beasts vary in strength, but none are below fifth rank. Ordinary people have no chance of picking these fruits. As for warriors who can slay fifth-rank spiritual beasts, they certainly wouldn’t lack silver or spirit stones, nor would they need to curry favor with a family. There’s no reason for them to give away such a precious thing.”

Lin Dong remained silent. If it was truly as Old Man Ding said, didn’t that mean the Yang family had a Blue-Green Tree?
“If taken alone, the Blue-Green Fruit is absolutely a monstrous substance. It seems the family that gave you the Blue-Green Fruit probably hasn’t found the blue trunk yet.” Old Man Ding’s gaze lifted slightly, a glint flashing in his eyes. “A Blue-Green Tree, equivalent to a ninth-tier spiritual material, is a priceless treasure in Yun Cangqiong’s hands. If you sell this information to him, you can at least get one or two Reverse Meridian Pills. If you can snatch the Blue-Green Tree first and then give it to him, the benefits will surely exceed your expectations.”
“Is there any difference?” Lin Dong asked, puzzled.
“Of course there is,” Old Man Ding chuckled. “That guy is just like you. Put nicely, he claims to prefer diplomacy first; put bluntly, it’s something else… If you just tell him the information, it’s fine if he can buy it, but if not, he’ll have to lower his pride and steal it, possibly even destroying a family in the process. If you get it directly and give it to him, he won’t have any moral burden.”
Lin Dong was both amused and exasperated. “It’s rare that someone as kind as me can also become a peak powerhouse…”
“I’m not as hypocritical as you guys…” Old Man Ding shook his head disdainfully. “If he wants it, he’ll try to cheat; if he can’t, he won’t leave. Let’s see who can outlast the other!”
Lin Dong was speechless. The old man was really used to getting things for free—applying this tactic to everything.
“Elder, are you sure the Blue-Green Tree is definitely in the family that gave me the Blue-Green Fruit?”
“Pretty much!” Old Man Ding replied slowly. “There’s nothing 100% certain in this world. I heard about the Blue-Green Tree back when I was young, when my master sent me on travels to explain various spiritual materials and beasts. I can barely remember my own name—such a long time ago, I’m not even sure if I remember it clearly.”
Lin Dong nodded, thought for a moment, then said, “Regarding the Blue-Green Tree, could you help keep it a secret from Yun Cangqiong?”
“Don’t you plan to exchange it for Reverse Meridian Pills?” Old Man Ding was surprised. “Although the Blue-Green Fruit is invaluable, it’s the Reverse Meridian Pills—capable of enhancing one’s talent by dozens of times—that are the true treasures.”
Lin Dong shook his head. The Blue-Green Fruit could be used to exchange for pills with Yun Cangqiong, but not the Blue-Green Tree. After thinking for a while, he said, “A spiritual fruit that can speed up cultivation—of course, I need to keep it for myself. As for the Reverse Meridian Pills, one pill lasts a year. By the way… didn’t you promise to find a way to get two? In two years, who knows? I might find some useful thing to exchange for Reverse Meridian Pills with Yun Cangqiong.”
“Right, right, right!” Old Man Ding was shocked. His gaze toward Lin Dong became cautious. How did the conversation turn to Reverse Meridian Pills?

Lin Dong had the recipe for the braised Wind Spirit Grass in his hands, so he wasn’t worried at all that Old Ding wouldn’t be able to support him until he returned to Cloud Sky. As such, he hadn’t given much thought to the Reverse Meridian Pill. Hearing this, he immediately said cheerfully, “Then thank you very much, old man. If I can really get this Blue-Green Tree, I’ll surely owe you a favor as well.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome… Come on, drink some wine!” Old Ding quickly filled Lin Dong’s cup and kept urging him.

Unsuspicious, Lin Dong drank the fine wine in his cup in one gulp and didn’t stay long. He got up and left shortly after.

Back in his room and then arriving at the stone chamber through the transport portal, Lin Dong went straight to the new inn and immediately found Tian Hao. They got into a carriage and headed to the Yang family’s residence.

Along the way, besides returning the Blue-Green Fruit to Tian Hao, Lin Dong kept thinking about how to obtain the Blue-Green Tree. When he could see the Yang family’s main gate from afar, he had roughly figured out a plan.

The Blue-Green Tree required careful planning.

Its growing environment was unique, with two trunks at least a hundred meters apart. It was impossible to transplant it before the inn’s garden attributes developed.

If transplantation wasn’t possible, even if he bought the Blue-Green Tree from the Yang family, it could lead to complications later.

It was best to first find out the location of the Blue-Green Tree. If everything went well, the garden would reach level 5 by then. After that, he could figure out a way to acquire and move the tree—this was the best strategy.

Outside the Yang family’s main gate, Yang Ling was waiting. Seeing that it was Lin Dong driving the carriage, he stepped forward immediately.

“How did it go?” Lin Dong asked vaguely.

“As soon as you left yesterday, Yang Huailiang handed over all the Yang family’s properties in Autumn Wind City to me to manage,” Yang Ling replied calmly.

“Congratulations!” Lin Dong struggled internally but ultimately gave up on asking Yang Ling to help investigate whether the Yang family actually had the Blue-Green Tree. Yang Ling was now blinded by hatred. If he learned of the existence of the Blue-Green Tree, who knew if he might use destroying it as a means to strike at Yang Huailiang.

The Blue-Green Tree was of infinite value and crucial to his own strength and that of his guard team. He couldn’t take any risks.