louisehourcade Chapter 417 New Mission: Harvesting Clear Heart Fruit
Chapter 417 New Mission: Harvesting Clear Heart Fruit
After breakfast, everyone gathered outside Zhaixin Hall.
Xia Ning stood before the crowd, her expression as cool and composed as she slowly scanned the group:
"Today's morning practice task: Picking Pure Heart Fruits."
"The Pure Heart Orchard is located east of the Silent Realm Temple, at the end of the Broken Cloud Steps in the Valley of Forgotten Return."
"That orchard is under the jurisdiction of the temple, and the pure heart fruit it produces is exclusively for the incense table in the main hall."
Whispers broke out among the crowd.
"Go east? Wouldn't that mean we can leave the temple?"
"I've been cooped up in the temple these past few days, with the morning bells and evening drums, I'm almost going crazy from boredom. It'll be good to get some fresh air."
"What's there to be happy about? It might be even more dangerous outside the temple. Where in the world of ghost stories is there any truly safe place?"
Amidst the noise, Xia Ning spoke calmly:
"The rules are as follows, please listen carefully and remember them."
Everyone immediately fell silent.
"First, form groups of four and each group chooses a fruit tree and must not cross the boundary."
"Secondly, each tree bears approximately four to five hundred fruits. Your task is singular—to pick the largest 'Chengxin' fruit from the tree."
"Third, each group has only three chances to pick, and only one fruit can be picked at a time."
"Fourth, if none of the three fruits are the largest, the mission is considered a failure."
"Fifth, if the harvesting is not completed before noon, even if there are still harvesting opportunities left, the task will be deemed a failure."
The atmosphere instantly became heavy, and the relaxed look on the faces of those who had just been thinking about going out for some fresh air had vanished.
Xia Ning paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd again, her tone even colder than before:
"In addition—miasma mosquitoes live in the orchard."
"They are small in size and their bites are painless, but if bitten too many times, they can become poisonous."
"Mild symptoms include blurred vision and numbness in the hands and feet; severe symptoms can lead to paralysis or even death. Remember to protect yourself."
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in chaos.
"And mosquitoes? The kind that can kill you?"
"Picking fruit is hard enough, but I also have to watch out for being bitten? This isn't cultivation, it's trying to kill me!"
"A bite without pain... Does that mean you wouldn't even know you've been bitten? By the time you realize it, you've already been poisoned?"
Anxiety spread through the crowd like ripples.
Some people subconsciously touched their arms, while others began looking around, seemingly searching for reliable teammates.
Several quick-witted individuals had already approached Lin Feng and asked to join him.
Lin Feng remained silent, his gaze sweeping past the eager faces in front of him and landing on the other side of the crowd.
There was an old woman standing there.
It was the same person who had led the weeping child on a pilgrimage around the temple.
She stood alone, surrounded by a few people, but no one approached her.
She didn't take the initiative; she just stood there quietly, gazing calmly into the distance, as if she had long been accustomed to being ignored.
Evelyn followed Lin Feng's gaze and smiled.
"I'll go and invite her over."
After saying that, she walked over.
Approaching the old lady, Evelyn said gently, "Ms. Martha, we're short one person. Would you be willing to join us?"
The old lady raised her head, her eyes, though surrounded by wrinkles, were deep and serene.
She looked at Evelyn, seemingly surprised, but that surprise lasted only a moment before turning into a gentle smile.
"Of course, thank you."
Evelyn gestured for the old lady to follow her.
Upon approaching, the old lady looked at Lin Feng and Wasim and said, "I'm getting old and my legs aren't very nimble. I'm afraid I'll be a burden to you."
Lin Feng gently shook his head: "Ms. Martha, there's no need to worry. In the world of ghost stories, what matters most is not strength, but a meticulous mind and composure in the face of adversity."
"You were a teacher; your keen observation and composure in the face of adversity are exactly what we need."
Martha felt a warmth in her heart: "I am already very grateful that you are willing to accept an old woman like me. I will do my best to not hold you back."
Before long, everyone had formed teams, a total of fifteen teams.
Xia Ning nodded slightly and glanced at the two black-clad stewards beside her: "Let's go."
The group walked out of the gate of the Silent Realm Temple in a grand procession and proceeded along the winding bluestone path on the east side.
The road gradually became steeper, with clouds and mist swirling around our feet, and ancient trees towering on both sides, blocking out the sunlight.
Reaching the end of the Broken Cloud Steps, a breathtaking view suddenly unfolds before you—a vast orchard stretching out quietly across the valley.
This is the Chengxin Fruit Forest in Wanggui Valley.
Each ancient tree is about three or four zhang tall, with a thick and sturdy trunk and protruding branches, making it easy to climb.
The branches and leaves were not the usual green, but had a faint bluish hue.
Every branch was laden with Chengxin fruit, which was round like a heart, with a semi-transparent skin and a faint golden light flowing inside. From a distance, the entire orchard looked like it was adorned with stars.
However, the fruits were densely packed on the branches, all of similar size, making it incredibly difficult to find the largest one.
Add to that the deadly miasma mosquitoes in the forest... This is no longer picking; it's a life-or-death selection process.
At this moment, Xia Ning raised her hand and waved it, and a long table appeared out of thin air in front of her, filled with all kinds of tools.
"Each group may choose one tool from these to take with them," Xia Ning said calmly, her gaze sweeping over the tools.
"Once selected, if you wish to change, you will have to exchange an arm for it."
The crowd erupted in uproar.
"To break an arm just for changing a tool? That's too cruel!"
Some people instinctively hugged their arms, their faces turning pale.
Lin Feng ignored the commotion around him and focused his gaze on the table.
The tools on the table are of various kinds, each with its own focus:
Bottled floral water, a small mosquito killer, a telescopic fruit-picking pole, a chainsaw and hammer/chisel set, as well as tweezers, scissors and other small items.
The crowd surged forward, with most heading straight for the telescopic fruit-picking poles.
After all, trees are tall and difficult to climb, and telescopic poles can avoid the risk of falling while climbing trees.
Some groups, fearing the threat of miasma mosquitoes, opted for mosquito killers.
Wasim looked at Lin Feng and asked in a low voice, "What do we choose?"
Lin Feng did not answer.
His gaze remained fixed on Xia Ning, not looking away.
The favorability rating is already 94 points, so we can't just leave without giving any hints, right?
Xia Ning seemed to sense that gaze, and slightly turned her head to glance at him.
That glance was so fast that no one else would even notice it.
Then, her gaze swept lightly across the table, landing on the hammer and chisel set, pausing for less than half a second before looking away.
Lin Feng saw it all.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and picked up the hammer and chisel set.
A young man who was reaching for the telescopic pole saw Lin Feng take the hammer and chisel and immediately withdrew his hand.
He turned to his team members and said, "How about... we just follow Lin Feng's lead and choose?"
The group members immediately objected: "None of us in the group are good at climbing trees. How are you going to pick them without a telescopic pole?!"
"Besides, what are hammers and chisels even good for? I can't figure it out."
Without saying another word, he took the telescopic fruit-picking pole...