However, Huo Sining was clearly overthinking this time. After circling around the small island, she didn’t find any Ruby or Sapphire, but she did see a lot of natural glass, formed by rocks being roasted by the high temperatures of lava. Unfortunately, they weren’t valuable.

The majority of the island consisted of pitch-black, prism-shaped rock columns, formed by lava ejecting and then rapidly cooling in seawater.

These rocks appeared black-brown, likely containing various minerals, but Huo Sining wasn’t a geology major and didn’t know if they held any research value. So, she decided to take out a small hammer from her storage ring and chipped off a piece from the prism-shaped rocks, intending to take it back to the geology research institute for examination.

Without finding any treasures, Huo Sining decided not to linger and pulled Qibao along to leave.

They hadn’t walked far when Qibao suddenly pointed at a nearby reef and said, "What’s that?"

Huo Sining was stunned and hadn’t looked yet when Qibao suddenly broke free from her hand and ran straight over, squatting by the reef to pick something up.

Soon enough, the little guy was waving an adult-sized conch towards Huo Sining.

Huo Sining burst into laughter, thinking Qibao had found a diamond, but it turned out to just be a conch.

Huo Sining wasn’t bothered and was about to tell Qibao to leave. Unexpectedly, Qibao ran back directly and stuffed the conch into her palm.

As it landed in her hand, Huo Sining was stunned.

A heavy, smooth sensation instantly transmitted from her palm, the texture so fine and smooth, just like Jade, making this conch unlike any other she had encountered.

Though its shape was exactly like a conch, the shell was crystal-clear, with beautiful, distinct patterns, and a soft, bright color. It even emitted a faint glow, clearly crystallized.

"Is this... Whorl Jade?"

Huo Sining was astonished, her mouth agape, as a term suddenly flashed in her mind. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Though she’d never seen Whorl Jade, she’d read about it in a gemstone appraisal book Zhou Shitao had given her.

Whorl Jade, as the name suggests, is a jade-converted conch.

Whorl Jade is a silicified fossil of ancient marine Pearl conches, a non-renewable natural heritage, formed under extremely harsh conditions, hence extremely rare.

In the gemology world, formations that are naturally formed, possess certain hardness, beauty, durability, rarity, and craftsmanship are regarded as gemstones.

The probability of ancient organisms forming fossils is exceedingly low, and the probability of forming jade is even slimmer, making the naturally rare, hard, and beautiful elements of Whorl Jade even more precious and rare.

Originating from the 4-6 hundred million years ago Cambrian to Devonian period, ancient marine Pearl conch fossils eventually crystallized through a long and complex process involving time and environmental changes.

Its hardness can reach 7.5, so the academic community classifies it as a type of natural organic gemstone.

Moreover, the mysterious colors often accompanying Whorl Jade’s beautiful patterns and its formation’s mystique and rarity confer it high collectible and investment value.

Whorl Jade originates from geological ancient times, predating even the dinosaurs’ appearance on Earth, typically discovered at mining sites. However, due to its high value, some unscrupulous traders seized the opportunity to polish and sell corals as so-called "Whorl Jade," flooding the market.

These inferior conches are not genuine Whorl Jade, regarded as extremely cheap decorations without collectible value.

But the Whorl Jade that Qibao found was different. This conch showed an alabaster, pure translucent appearance, with clear and beautiful markings, shining brightly.

Huo Sining, also skilled in appraisal, knew the book’s description of Whorl Jade matched the conch before her perfectly, something she could discern.

More importantly, the conch emitted a purple halo, proving it was definitely not one of those market fakes.

Delighted by the unexpected find, Huo Sining’s eyes lit up and she hastily asked Qibao, "Is this the only one?"

Seeing Huo Sining’s apparent fondness for the conch, Qibao couldn’t help but smile, "It seems there’s more."

With that, the little guy led Huo Sining to the reef, and after circling it several times, they found another twenty-odd pieces.

All these conches were silicified, some having clear agate patterns inside; others filled with crystal structures; some appeared alabaster, pure and translucent; others had vibrant colors.

Every single one of these conches, noticeably heavy, felt different from ordinary light-feeling conches, distinctly showing they were no longer ordinary soft organisms.

Moreover, these conches varied in shape, color vivid and beautiful, with a waxy luster, their fresh meat visible and crystal-clear, as if each conch was full of life.

"Sister, what is Whorl Jade?" Qibao had heard Huo Sining mention the conches were Whorl Jade earlier but hadn’t asked while she was busy searching.

Seeing the little one’s curiosity, Huo Sining couldn’t help but smile, "It’s a type of organic gemstone. Thousands of years ago, during tectonic plate movements, conches inadvertently entered the crustal layers, underwent a series of complex geological changes, and silicified into jade."

Qibao contemplated and then suddenly joyfully exclaimed, "I get it! So these conches were ejected from the volcano’s mouth?"

Huo Sining nodded, "That should be it, but I’m not entirely sure. One thing is certain: these conches are valuable, so Qibao, you’ve found treasures. How would you like to handle them?"

Qibao thought for a moment and replied, "Then sister, please keep them for me. When I want candy, you can exchange these conches for lots of delicious snacks and candy!"

Huo Sining was amused, pinching Qibao’s nose, "You little foodie, such little ambition. Eat more candy, and those teeth of yours will be gnawed away by cavities, turning you into a toothless old man. What will you do then!"