Some of the herbs that Herbert collected were so young that they didn't even look a year old. A handful of such herbs might not be worth a single piece of vital energy crystal.
Even more ridiculous was the fact that even at the critical moment of his escape, Herbert still carried the large sack of cheap herbs with him. It seemed that he was obsessed with the herbs.
"I appreciate your kindness, but I don't want herbs. You've worked so hard to collect them. You'd better keep them."
As Austin had saved his life, Herbert wanted to express his gratitude by giving him some herbs. To his surprise, Austin refused.
The herbs were cheap as they were only worth a few pieces of vital energy crystals. Although Austin thought that they were useless, Herbert didn't think so.
"Er... But I only have these for you. I don't have much left."
Herbert was embarrassed. He thought Austin was expecting more.
"Well, you can have half. That's quite a lot."
Reluctantly, Herbert held the corner of the sack and poured half the herbs on the ground.
Austin frowned and thought, 'You are so odd!'
"No, thank you. I said I don't want any."
Austin lost his patience.
Eventually, Herbert realized that Austin was not appreciative of the herbs that he valued.
After thinking about it, Herbert realized why Austin didn't want the herbs. The two cores from first-level Diabolic Beasts that Austin had just acquired were worth more than forty pieces of vital energy crystals, while all the herbs in the sack were not worth much.
Besides, with his skills, it had not been difficult for Austin to kill the diabolic beasts and get their cores.
'He must be rich. That's probably why he doesn't value these cheap herbs.' Herbert's embarrassment disappeared, and he felt pleased. After all, Austin's assistance would not cost him anything.
"Dude, you saved my life. Perhaps I can repay you later. May I know your name?" asked Herbert.
"My name is Austin. You can call me Tin."
"Good name, Tin. I'm your brother from now on. I will dedicate my life to assisting you."
Herbert clapped his chest with his hand and asserted solemnly.
"By the way, Tin. Since you are so skilled, why don't you join the Ape Hunting Team? People say two evil apes are guarding the earth spirit fruits."
"The earth spirit fruit!"
Austin's eyes glittered when he heard the name of the fruit.
The earth spirit fruit was a precious herb that contained abundant energies from heaven and earth. It was said that the effect of a single earth spirit fruit was equivalent to that of two Energy-boosting Elixirs.
While one Energy-boosting Elixir was worth 500 pieces of vital energy crystals, the price of a single earth spirit fruit was at least 1500 pieces of vital energy crystals.
What's more, the refined pill was man-made. Because of the different technical levels of pill refiners and some inevitable factors in the refining process, the elixirs were not pure enough, and would more or less contain some toxins.
While long-term use of refined pills was helpful for martial arts cultivation, the toxins accumulating in the human body would lead to health problems later.
However, herbal medicines were different. Many plants didn't contain any ingredients that would prove harmful to the human body.
One could take herbal medicines safely, and their effect would be higher than that of manually refined pills.
Even though their effect was similar, natural herbal medicines were more expensive than refined pills.
'1500 pieces of vital energy crystals are undoubtedly a great fortune for me.
And the potency of one earth spirit fruit is equivalent to an Energy-boosting Elixir. If I can pick some fruits, I can sell them or eat them.'
The thought instantly motivated Austin.
"Haven't you heard about it, Tin? The news is spreading among the outer disciples of Sun Sect.
I heard that two horrible second-level evil apes are guarding the fruits. This was discovered by a team of adventures yesterday. They had intended to collect the fruits. However, the two evil apes attacked the team. Only one man from the team managed to escape," Herbert narrated.
From his expression, Herbert knew that Austin was interested in the news.
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