'Snowball avoided Li Meirong's gaze before answering in a monotone voice, "Ummm, this place looks a lot like my family's home."

Li Meirong's clear eyes narrowed as she said, "Your family's home must be beautiful. I know you've been in a family dispute but maybe later on, after a few years, we can go back and visit your home, if you don't mind. "

Bai Yu thought about her suggestion. Technically, they would eventually return to the clan's grounds so he wouldn't be lying to Her Ladyship! Relieved at being able to tell the truth, he nodded his head and said, "Yes, let's do that!"

'I must be careful with my words… Her Ladyship has a troublesome inquisitive nature.' Mentally berating himself for his momentary lapse, Bai Yu leapt ahead, hoping to avoid any more potentially damning question.

During the time the pair walked towards the tower, Li Meirong kept a slower pace as she stepped between the different herbs and flowers in the field, while 'Snowball' raced forward, his small figure disappearing quickly into the shrine.

After she remained alone in the meadow, Li Meirong took her time and carefully observed the herbs around her. The majority of the plants present were extremely rare and though she easily recognised some of them, there were plenty that were still unfamiliar to her. She planned to request Chou to communicate with the herbs and gather information about their unique properties.

Then, she cast a sidelong glance as an interesting sight provoked her interest. It wasn't a flower nor a herb, but a large hand sized mushroom with a dark red-brown cap, resembling the shape of a clam. She actually recognized this particular polypore mushroom.

'This is a Lingzhi mushroom… How unusual to see it growing here.'

Li Meirong leaned down and tapped on the reddish cap, finding the texture of the fungus quite familiar. She confirmed it was indeed the Lingzhi mushroom, sprouting from the ground like a plant instead of a fungus.

'Well, considering the fact that I'm inside a metaphysical space, and not to mention the other odd things I encountered last time I was here, a Lingzhi mushroom sprouting from the soil shouldn't be that surprising.'

In fact, the mushroom was a pleasant discovery. It was better known as the "Mushroom of Immortality," and for good reason, since it was excellent for modulating the immune system if made into a tonic herb concoction. Li Meirong didn't think twice before wrapping her fingers around its base, intending to pluck it out.

'Nooo! Don't touch me, you pervert!' A squeaky voice shrieked with all its might.

Of course. It was a talking mushroom...

Li Meirong exhaled loudly and muttered, "Why am I not surprised?"

Keeping her fingers around the telepathic fungus, she contemplated her options. If all the plants began communicating with her, what would she have left to eat? This won't do. She needed this mushroom. It might assist Zhu Qingyue's health and she had promised to take care of him.

"I'm sorry, mushroom. I need to turn you into tonic to help my acquaintance. I'll pray for your soul to depart peacefully." Li Meirong said, starting to tear the mushroom from the soil.

'No! W-wait one moment! If you let me grow, I'll provide you with a field of mushrooms. I swear you won't regret keeping me. Do you know how rare it is for plants to acquire a higher form of consciousness? It'll be a waste to turn me into tonic. Super wasteful!' The Lingzhi mushroom mournfully pleaded.

Li Meirong hesitated. "You can provide me with a field of mushrooms?"

'Yes yes yes! A whole field. I just need some time to grow bigger…'

Rubbing her eyelids, she temporarily gave up on her idea for a tonic. Her resolve further crumbled as she realized the mushroom's consciousness was communicating at a level which would make her feel like a murderer should she choose to tear it from the ground.

A moment later, she recalled Chou's rapid growth spurt and came up with an idea. Nipping her thumb, she let a few drops of blood fall onto the mushroom cap.

"This should hasten the process." Li Meirong replaced her casual tone with a stern one and proceeded to say, "May the force be with you!"

After smearing blood on its cap, she resumed her walk towards the shrine, making a mental note to check on the mushroom later on and inspect the effects of her blood on the fungus.

At the same time, the confused mushroom thought, 'What nonsense is this girl talking about? How can a force be with me? I'm just a mushroom…'

Just then, a sudden surge of energy exploded inside of it, as if it had suddenly acquired the cultivation force of a thousand years.