I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 240 - 238: Moon Cherry Treasure

The one-armed man saw Li Xing holding a book, her eyebrows furrowing and relaxing, as if she was faced with some difficult decision, piquing his curiosity.

"Girl, have you actually seen a three-eyed insect in person?"

Li Xing closed the book and nodded. "Yes, I have seen it."

"Oh? So it’s not just a story made up by Songling Wanderer, huh?" The one-armed man scratched his head, the dirt under his nails thickening.

"So, does the three-eyed insect really feed on human brains?"

Li Xing shook her head, "I don’t know about that. When I saw the three-eyed insect, it was already dead."

The one-armed man’s eyes shifted, and he snorted coldly, "A dead insect would make you come to the Book Collection Pavilion to check historical records so persistently? Honestly, what’s so strange about the three-eyed insect?"

Li Xing sighed, saying helplessly: "Senior, it’s really not as complicated as you think! Initially, I was just curious, wanting to understand the scientific name of the three-eyed insect. Little did I know, after checking the Star Beast Atlas and the school library, I couldn’t find any related information. The more I couldn’t find it, the more curious I became, even starting to doubt my own eyes. That’s why I came here to investigate."

The one-armed man scrutinized Li Xing, but she didn’t shy away or retreat under his authoritative gaze, making him have no choice but to believe her explanation.

"Hmph, since you’ve found it, hurry up and leave."

"Yes." Li Xing placed the book back with both hands and turned to leave. But before she took two steps, the one-armed man’s voice sounded again.

"Come back—!"

Li Xing turned around, looking at the one-armed man with confusion. "Senior, is there anything else you wish to instruct?"

The one-armed man’s expression at this moment could be described as excited; he raised his left hand to point at Li Xing’s head, trembling as he spoke, "Is the hairpin on your head a Moon Cherry?"

To facilitate flipping through books, Li Xing casually tied her hair into a low bun and used the Moon Cherry hairpin to secure it. When leaving, her nape was facing the one-armed man, which he had seen.

"Yes."

The one-armed man stepped closer, now less than an arm’s length from Li Xing. She noticed his entire body trembling, his eyes filled with excitement and fear.

"Can I take a closer look?"

"Oh... sure." Li Xing took off the hairpin and handed it to the one-armed man. "Please, senior."

He reached out to take it, but suddenly withdrew his hand, wiping it repeatedly on his dirty robe that barely showed its true color, yet still didn’t touch the Moon Cherry hairpin, examining it closely while Li Xing held it.

After a moment, the one-armed man’s voice was hoarse, "Where did you get this hairpin?"

"It’s from my friend’s cousin’s Moon Cherry Tree... given to me." Li Xing’s words seemed far-fetched to anyone else, but after hearing them, the one-armed man nodded.

"These flowers, several times larger than ordinary Moon Cherry blossoms, are called Moon Cherry Treasure, only blooming willingly. Anyone unrecognized by the Moon Cherry would never get to see them in their lifetime."

The Moon Cherry Treasure serves as a personal integrity assessment; from its freshness, one can discern the owner’s character and conduct.

The Moon Cherry Treasure in this girl’s hand looks as fresh as if just picked, proving her kindness and virtuous conduct.

"Legend has it that the Moon Cherry Treasure has resurrection powers, but due to its rarity, no one has proven it yet."

The one-armed man’s gaze shifted from the Moon Cherry hairpin to Li Xing’s face. "The Moon Cherry gave you the Moon Cherry Treasure, you must have done something that deeply gratified it, very likely saved its life. Thank you, thank you!"

The one-armed man’s eyes reddened, Li Xing could see him holding back emotions, refusing to let his tears fall.

"Senior, why are you thanking me?" Li Xing was puzzled. What does her saving the Moon Cherry have to do with him, the Tower Guardian?

"Your friend, their surname is Ye, right? His cousin is Chu Yunyi."

"Eh?"

Li Xing widened her eyes, reevaluating this one-armed man.

Though he was grimy, his posture was straight, his eyes bright, emanating strong Wood Element Spirit, his spiritual power quite robust. Before becoming the Tower Guardian, he was likely a Healing Master.

Being a Healing Master, familiar with the Moon Cherry’s habits, knowing the Chu Family planted a Moon Cherry Tree, his identity naturally revealed itself.

"You, are you—?"

The one-armed man managed a bitter smile, "Yes, I am Ning Yu."

Ning Yu was Ye Lan’s white moonlight, able to capture Qianyuan’s number one beauty’s heart. Li Xing thought, even if he wasn’t as handsome as Pan An, he’d be close. To see the "white moonlight" now scruffy like a beggar, his full beard obscuring his face, truly shocked Li Xing.

Li Xing’s gaze was so blatant it made Ning Yu feel embarrassed, running his hand through his hair, yet it made no significant change.

"Senior, why did you become the Tower Guardian?"

The entire Qianyuan Continent knew Ning Yu’s Great Healer status had fallen, unable to refine the Divine Return Drink anymore, but Li Xing never imagined that the status drop actually referred to him losing an arm.

Ning Yu sighed slightly, "This is a long story, let’s go back to the non-public area."

Li Xing glanced around, catching the eyes of a few sneaking glances in their direction. Annoyed, she glared at them, then followed Ning Yu back to the non-public area.

Arriving at the small lounge exclusive to Ning Yu, Li Xing was surprised to find its furnishings absurdly simple. Tables and chairs were made from broken wood strips; a randomly placed quilt in the corner served as a bed. Wooden planks nailed to the wall acted as shelves, holding bottles so dirty their original color was indiscernible.

Ning Yu wiped the only wooden chair clean with his sleeve, motioning for Li Xing to sit, while he sat cross-legged on the floor. With the bare table, Ning Yu felt slightly embarrassed.

"The tea... has molded, should I get you a cup of water?"

Li Xing quickly waved her hand, the cups on the shelf looked less clean than Cui Tianxiao’s foot basin, best not to drink.

"I haven’t asked your name yet."

"Senior, I’m called Li Xing."

Ning Yu nodded, "Li Xing, Star of Dawn, a good name! You don’t have to call me senior anymore, since you’re a friend of Qingtian, like him, you can call me Uncle Ning."

"Alright."

The Moon Cherry trusted Li Xing’s character, Ning Yu naturally didn’t hold back, explaining candidly why he became a Tower Guardian.

"Eighteen years ago, I snuck into the Chu Family, rescued little Lan. We planned to find an uninhabited island to live in seclusion, not expecting to be caught by Chu Yu. Lan Er was taken back to the Chu Family, and I was caught by Chu Yu, lost an arm, and sent to the Elder Council."

"Uncle Ning, are you imprisoned due to crime? Yet, the crime doesn’t seem that serious."

Only heinous crimes or life sentences could lead to serving as tower guardians for atonement, Ning Yu’s identity, and failed attempt to abduct a married woman, warranted at most criticism and education.

Ning Yu gave a self-deprecating smile, "Chu Yu claimed I destroyed the Heart Relic of the Chu Family’s first Family Head, equivalent to grave-robbing, enough of a crime to sentence me to death."

The Heart Relic is a crystalline form after a body’s cremation, not exactly a treasure but symbolically significant. To Qianyuan people, who place great importance on morality, family connections, and heritage, destroying ancestral remains is an unforgivable crime.

If the act was proven, even if Chu Yu didn’t pursue it, other Chu Family members would not spare Ning Yu.