I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 183 - 181: Xi Yuan Tournament (Part 7)

At the same time, Tianyi Team in the northeast of the desert was gathering food and water in a small oasis.

The surface of the oasis had no water, but the soil was more moist, indicating that there was likely an underground water source. To easily tap the water from the deeper soil layers, the plants here generally had thick and robust roots.

These roots contained abundant water and cellulose. If identified as non-toxic, they could replace Nutrient Liquid, serving as an emergency ration to support the Tianyi Team’s actions over the next few days.

For most Healing Masters, identifying whether plants are edible was a laborious task. Looking at the six types of tuberous plants neatly lined up in front of her, varying in size and color, Lin Caier frowned.

Jiang Yuesheng was in a foul mood.

They entered the oasis to restock on food and water, but after more than three hours, he and An Qing only hunted small Star Beasts like sand mice and rock salt crabs. Either their taste was too fishy to eat, or their bodies were armored with sharp scales, leaving very little edible parts.

Although hunting yielded some results, compared to them, Lin Caier’s side was utterly fruitless. Despite Chu Yunyi’s help in digging out so many tuberous plants, none were identified as edible.

Their purpose here was to replenish food and water in preparation for the next desert journey. However, after half a day of work, they gained nothing but consumed a lot of drinking water and Energy Stones. The more Jiang Yuesheng thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

Lin Caier carefully sliced off the outer skin of a brown root, tossed it into a mortar to grind it, and prepared to test the juice. Jiang Yuesheng looked at the dimming sky and grew impatient.

"Caier, the sun is almost setting, and you still haven’t figured it out?"

Already frazzled by these plants, Lin Caier was irritated and, hearing Jiang Yuesheng’s comment, lost her temper. She threw the beaker heavily to the ground and shouted, "If you think I’m slow, then do it yourself!"

Jiang Yuesheng smirked sarcastically, "If I could, I’d have replaced you already. Do I need your reminder?"

"You—! If you don’t understand, keep your mouth shut. What right does a martial master have to criticize a Healing Master?"

Jiang Yuesheng looked down on Lin Caier’s Healing Master supremacy attitude, snorted, and retorted:

"I heard that Li Xing can instantly determine if a plant is poisonous or not, whether it’s edible or medicinal. You both are Healing Masters at the same level; why is there such a big difference? Is it possible that your certification was bought by the Lin Family?"

Regarding Jiang Junnan’s matter, as the Young Master, Jiang Yuesheng knew more insider information than outsiders. He knew that Lin Caier, although not directly involved, was definitely part of fueling the situation.

No matter how incompetent Jiang Junnan was, he was still a member of the Jiang Family, and being manipulated by Lin Caier was something Jiang Yuesheng couldn’t swallow.

Therefore, recently, Jiang Yuesheng’s attitude toward Lin Caier was completely different from before, often snidely remarking.

Lin Caier hated being compared to Li Xing by others, and listening to his words drove her crazy: "Jiang Yuesheng, what nonsense are you spouting!"

Chu Yunyi cast a calm glance at Jiang Yuesheng.

"Yuesheng, watch your words."

The Healing Master certification was reviewed by the Elder Council, and Jiang Yuesheng’s words were dangerously close to attacking authority, especially in this setting.

Realizing his misstep, Jiang Yuesheng forced a smile and said unnaturally: "I was just joking, Caier. Why so tense?"

Lin Caier was about to retort but was stopped by Chu Yunyi.

"Let’s all say less. Caier, based on the current results, do all these plants have issues?"

Lin Caier nodded: "They all show toxic reactions. However, based on my analysis, it’s highly unlikely that the entire plant is toxic. I’ll try to find non-toxic parts and isolate them."

Plants are divided into major parts like roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, with each part consisting of smaller units. Identifying toxicity in each is unrealistic.

Chu Yunyi thought for a while and then shook his head: "Too time-consuming, we can’t delay any longer. Let’s give up on these tubers."

"Yuesheng, go fetch An Qing. Tell him to bring back all the Star Beasts he hunted, regardless of taste, as long as they are edible! We leave in ten minutes."

Jiang Yuesheng nodded, glared at Lin Caier, and turned to leave.

As Chu Yunyi led Tianyi Team toward Turquoise Pool, Tu Ling Team was also on the move.

The last to enter the field, Tu Ling Team was ironically the closest to Turquoise Pool.

Compared to the previous match, Lin Yin was much more reserved. Though he still exuded an aura of aloofness, he no longer caused trouble. He also completed the tasks set by Song Shurun very well.

Lin Yin’s change left the three teammates incredulous yet slightly flattered, and thus, they were no longer hostile toward him.

Tu Ling Team proceeded in a Double Dragon Formation, with two martial masters at the front on either side cutting the path, the talisman master in the center controlling the direction, and the Healing Master at the rear.

Along the way, they encountered several waves of Star Beasts that were low-level and easily cleared out, yielding quite a lot of beast meat. Regardless of taste, these were protein foods fit for consumption.

Similar to Ye Qingting’s situation, Chou Xiaoyuan, who was also an Ice Elemental Spirit, wasn’t in good condition; he had to keep the temperature-tuning talisman at maximum to function normally.

As the team’s talisman master, he continuously released spiritual power to determine the direction, which took a toll both physically and mentally.

To relieve Chou Xiaoyuan’s burden, the team had to stop and rest every hour to allow him to hydrate and alleviate discomfort.

Chou Xiaoyuan’s Energy Stone consumption was rapid, so martial masters Pei Nan and Lin Yin each gave him half of their quota. These two had better physical conditions than Chou Xiaoyuan and, due to their Elemental Spirit Attributes being less constrained by the Five Elements, were not as reliant on the temperature-tuning talisman.

So, proceeding with frequent rests, by sunset, Tu Ling Team was still twenty kilometers from Turquoise Pool.

Pei Nan wiped the sweat from his face and looked far ahead. The desert heat distorted the distant scene. If there weren’t nothing but endless yellow sand nearby, mirages might have appeared.

Pei Nan discreetly glanced at Lin Yin, who walked beside him. Although covered in sweat, Lin Yin’s face remained as pale as usual, starkly contrasting with Pei Nan’s face, as red as a pig’s liver, making it impossible to tell he had been under the scorching sun all day.

Only fifteen minutes had passed since the last break, but Chou Xiaoyuan’s condition deteriorated rapidly. His breathing became labored, sweat poured down his head, and he stumbled forward, relying solely on muscle memory, barely conscious.

Song Shurun quickly helped him lie down, took out his water, and poured it in.

"Xiaoyuan has reached his limit; we can’t continue." Song Shurun took out his Energy Stone and replaced Xiaoyuan’s, energizing the temperature-tuning talisman again, gradually cooling his body. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Song Shurun looked at Pei Nan and Lin Yin with some difficulty and said:

"Xiaoyuan can’t operate the Defense Talisman Array in his state. Until he recovers, I’ll have to trouble you two to stand guard."

Pei Nan, although tired, knew it was a martial master’s duty to protect the talisman and Healing Masters. He thumped his chest and said, "Leave it to me!"

Lin Yin said nothing, staring coldly at the fallen Chou Xiaoyuan.

Song Shurun expected Lin Yin to make disparaging remarks like "useless" or "trash," but to his great surprise, Lin Yin silently picked up his axes and was the first to step outside to take on the guard duty.

Pei Nan was surprised and then shouted, "Lin Yin, you guard first. I’ll take over after a bit of rest!"

It wasn’t that Pei Nan wanted to delay; it was just that he wasn’t in good shape. Guarding the camp was important, and he needed to replenish his depleted primordial spirit first to do a good job, right?

Lin Yin didn’t respond, his slender and aloof figure resembling a lone desert wolf.

Pei Nan looked back and forth between Song Shurun and Lin Yin’s retreating figure, feeling quite moved: if Lin Yin could remain silent forever, Tu Ling Team would be truly harmonious.