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Although he had decided to venture into the mountains to search for herbs, Yang Kai was unfamiliar with their properties. Even the names "Three-leaf Remnant Soul Flower" and "Desolate Withered Wood Grass" were mere hearsay to him; he wouldn't recognize them if he stumbled upon them.
Therefore, proper preparation was essential to avoid embarrassment from a fruitless trip. Yang Kai went to the Contribution Hall to first familiarize himself with the appearance of these two herbs.
Originally intending to ask Manager Meng for guidance on identifying herbs, Yang Kai was surprised when he simply tossed him a small booklet.
Taking a look, Yang Kai discovered that the booklet contained detailed descriptions not only of the medicinal effects and properties of herbs but also their growth environments, each page adorned with illustrations. What disappointed him slightly was that the herbs described in the booklet were all of ordinary grades, lacking anything higher.
Human cultivation and the classification of herbs, weapons, and elixirs are all divided into grades: from the lowest to the highest are ordinary, earthly, celestial, profound, spiritual, and divine, each further divided into upper, middle, and lower grades.
For instance, the Three-leaf Remnant Soul Flower and Desolate Withered Wood Grass Yang Kai needed were of the lowest grade, with minimal medicinal effects and consequently low value.
Leaving the Contribution Hall, Yang Kai also reported a false message to the miscellaneous affairs department. After all, he was still just a janitor at the Lingxiao Pavilion; once he went to Black Wind Mountain, he definitely wouldn't return that day, so naturally, he had to inform them.
The steward of the miscellaneous affairs department didn't make things difficult for him and readily agreed to a three-day leave. Only then did Yang Kai set out on his journey.
Black Wind Mountain was only twenty miles from the Lingxiao Pavilion, not too far but not close either. Yang Kai had frequented it in the past for hunting, so he was quite familiar with it.
However, collecting herbs in the mountains was a completely different matter. Yang Kai was well-prepared, carrying water, making rice balls, and bringing a shovel and cloth bag.
After a hurried hour, Yang Kai arrived at the foot of Black Wind Mountain. Looking around, the dark forest stretched like a colossal beast between heaven and earth, its end obscured from view. The lush greenery and jagged rocks within the mountain created a breathtaking scenery, and the gentle breeze that blew was refreshing to Yang Kai.
Black Wind Mountain was teeming with fierce beasts and birds of prey, many of which even accomplished martial practitioners couldn't match. Therefore, those without strength wouldn't dare venture deep into Black Wind Mountain. The outer thirty miles were considered relatively safe, but beyond that, danger lurked everywhere, growing more perilous the farther one went.
Since Yang Kai only sought herbs of modest value, he didn't intend to venture too deep, ensuring his safety.
During the hour-long journey, Yang Kai didn't idle, instead recalling the herbs he had encountered in Black Wind Mountain before. Back then, ignorant of their identity, he hadn't collected any; now prepared, he couldn't afford to miss any opportunities.
This reminiscence unexpectedly brought Yang Kai several insights. Even the herb he currently sought seemed to have a specific growth location in mind.
Filled with determination, Yang Kai followed a familiar path into Black Wind Mountain.
Half an hour later, he successfully harvested a clump of Sharp-toothed Grass hidden among thorns. With this auspicious start, memories scattered throughout Yang Kai's mind grew increasingly clear, practically guiding his steps. By evening, Yang Kai had collected four different herbs.
Being on the outskirts of Black Wind Mountain meant frequent visitors made it hard for herbs to thrive there. Nonetheless, Yang Kai was satisfied with the four he had gathered.
None of these herbs were what he needed, nor were they of high grade—just the lowest ordinary class. Still, they could be exchanged for contribution points upon his return.
With the sun setting soon, Yang Kai hurried, finally reaching the last known location of an herb before sunset.
It was a peculiar spot; verdant flora surrounded it, yet the immediate area was barren, devoid of even a blade of grass. In the center of this dead zone grew three herbs arranged in the shape of the character品, their yellowish hue making them appear withered, though this was their natural color.
Relieved to find the herbs still intact, Yang Kai let out a sigh, swiftly digging them up with his shovel upon arrival.
After a cautious comparison with the booklet Manager Meng had given him, Yang Kai finally relaxed. Indeed, these were undoubtedly Desolate Withered Wood Grass; their appearance matched the illustrations in the booklet, as did their growth environment.
Desolate Withered Wood Grass grew in places where all other vegetation had perished, hence their easy identification. Carefully placing the three herbs into his cloth bag, Yang Kai then took out his provisions and settled down to eat and drink.
This trip into the mountains was primarily to find Three-leaf Remnant Soul Flower and Desolate Withered Wood Grass. Now, having found only one kind in such small quantity, he knew he had to redouble his efforts.
However, nightfall made further exploration inconvenient. Yang Kai decided to rest where he was for the night and resume his search at daybreak.
When he used to hunt in the mountains, he always returned home the same day. Yang Kai had never spent a night in the mountains before, but as the saying goes, without having eaten pork, how can one have seen a pig run? He knew enough about spending the night in the mountains to be cautious.
Finding a nearby large tree, Yang Kai climbed up and found a comfortable spot to sit, closing his eyes to rest.
Unable to sleep for a while, Yang Kai once again summoned the wordless black book and turned to the third page, whereupon a thought brought forth the appearance of the incense burner.
This discovery of the book's hidden secrets intrigued Yang Kai; evidently, items summoned from the book could also be returned. Crafted from Soul Suppressing Stone, the book possessed spatial manipulation abilities, explaining how the incense burner could be stored inside.
What puzzled Yang Kai was that, unlike the incense burner, other items couldn't be accepted by the black book. This selective capability left him baffled.
After playing with the book for a while, Yang Kai grew tired. Today's mountain trek had taken a toll, and he soon drifted off to sleep.
The night passed uneventfully, and the next morning, Yang Kai resumed his routine half-hour practice of the Body Tempering Art. Progress was promising; not only did he manage to throw more punches than the previous days, but the Qi within him also felt denser and more concentrated. Yang Kai had a sensation that he was on the verge of breaking through a barrier; his meridians felt nearly at their limit, just a step away from advancing to the next level.