After entering this hidden space, Jiang Chen finally laid eyes on the spirit seed of the Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruit. In truth, it was a single spirit seed of the Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruit.
Only, this spirit seed had branched out extensively, forming numerous offshoots, which meant the yield of Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits on this spirit seed was quite considerable.
Jiang Chen gazed at the yield and clicked his tongue in amazement.
He had seen Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits in his previous life, but a spirit seed bearing this many fruits was something he had rarely encountered even back then.
Jiang Chen circled the spirit seed, examining it carefully, and marveled, "Nature's creation, truly nature's creation! This Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruit spirit seed is genuinely rare—an absolute priceless treasure. Ningyan Sacred Lord, True Martial Sacred Ground must cherish and protect this spirit seed well. Do not let such a treasure go to waste."
"Naturally." Ningyan Sacred Lord nodded with a smile. "With your discerning eye, Young Master Jiang, what do you think of the quality of these Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits?"
"They can be called superior grade."
"They haven't reached supreme grade?" Ningyan Sacred Lord seemed a bit disappointed.
"Supreme grade is something that occurs entirely through natural perfection. For a spirit seed to reach that level depends on the workings of heaven and earth. It is a matter of serendipity, not something that can be forced."
Jiang Chen's words were filled with philosophical depth.
Ningyan Sacred Lord appeared thoughtful, as if savoring the deeper meaning behind his words.
After finishing their tour of the spirit seed, Ningyan Sacred Lord led Jiang Chen back to the living quarters of the base. A short while later, Yuling Saintess arrived carrying a jade tray.
"Young Master Jiang, these are six Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits—a small token of our appreciation. Please do not think them inadequate." Ningyan Sacred Lord spoke.
Jiang Chen was somewhat surprised. He had assumed True Martial Sacred Ground valued these Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits as dearly as their own lives and would never part with them as gifts.
To his surprise, they were gifting six at once—a generosity he had not anticipated.
"Young Master Jiang, if you refuse, does that mean you think it's too few?" Ningyan Sacred Lord smiled faintly.
Jiang Chen laughed. "In that case, I wouldn't know how to refuse. I shall accept with pleasure, then. To be honest, I am quite fond of these Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits."
"As long as you like them—that is what gives a gift its true value."
Jiang Chen did not stand on ceremony and accepted the six Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits.
"Perhaps only in Young Master Jiang's hands can the value of these Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits be fully realized. To be frank, if Young Master Jiang were unwilling, these fruits would be nothing more than ordinary items."
Ningyan Sacred Lord's tone carried a note of genuine emotion.
Clearly, she understood that unless Jiang Chen refined them into the Tai Yi Heaven-Mending Pill, their value would remain what it was at face value.
Thus, the true worth of these Tai Yi Dragon Scale Fruits depended entirely on the young man standing before her.
Ningyan Sacred Lord was a shrewd woman. She knew full well that gifting these six fruits was an investment in goodwill that True Martial Sacred Ground would never regret.
"If these fruits are not used to refine the Tai Yi Heaven-Mending Pill, their value is indeed greatly diminished. By the way, Ningyan Sacred Lord, the rebellions across the Ten Great Divine Kingdoms on Myriad Abyss Island have already been largely resolved in many kingdoms. How are things on True Martial Sacred Ground's front? Have you received any news?"
"Already resolved?" Ningyan Sacred Lord, being stationed in a remote corner, did not have as much information on this matter as Jiang Chen did.
"Yes. Only a handful of sacred grounds still have rebellions at a stalemate. Many sacred grounds have already quelled their uprisings successfully. In a few divine kingdoms, the rebellions never even occurred. One could say this round may widen the gap between the ten great sacred grounds."
Jiang Chen was not being alarmist. Divine kingdoms that had not suffered civil strife would have their sacred grounds' strength fully intact, giving them a definite advantage.
Conversely, the more severe the internal conflict, the greater the depletion of a sacred ground's power. Naturally, their influence and standing among the ten great sacred grounds would decline.
This was the most natural outcome.
Ningyan Sacred Lord's mood immediately darkened. She sighed, "In that case, I take it our progress in quelling the rebellion at True Martial Sacred Ground is rather grim?"
"Currently, aside from True Martial Sacred Ground, only the Divine Kingdom of Radiance and the Divine Kingdom of the Rising Sun still have rebellions at a stalemate. In the other kingdoms, either the rebellion never occurred, or it has been successfully quelled, or it is nearing its end." Jiang Chen reported honestly.
"What? Only our three divine kingdoms?"
Hearing this, Ningyan Sacred Lord felt truly crestfallen.
"Yes. This was told to me personally by our Sacred Ancestor—the most recent intelligence report. Considering the bond between Eternal Sacred Ground and True Martial Sacred Ground, the Sacred Ancestor sent me to come to your aid. This Spirit Medicine base is my first stop."
A wave of gratitude stirred within Ningyan Sacred Lord's heart.
Regardless of everything, Eternal Sacred Ground had still taken their relationship into account. After having just quelled their own rebellion and with their own situation still unstable, managing to do this much was no small feat.