Ning Fei took a few steps forward, his attention fixed on a tree under which a fallen log lay. The dead wood rested in partial sunlight, its surface darkened with patches of moss.
"Look, everyone—this is Ganoderma lucidum," Ning Fei announced as he adjusted the phone's camera to give the audience a clear view.
"Be cautious when identifying Ganoderma lucidum," he warned. "It's easy to confuse it with poisonous mushrooms. Also, be vigilant about poisonous insects and snakes, as they often hide near valuable finds in the wild."
The audience held their breath as Ning Fei approached the log.
"Unfortunately, this one is no good," he said with a sigh, pointing out the damage caused by insects. "See here? It's been eaten through. Such a pity."
Disappointed murmurs filled the live stream chat. Despite not fully understanding Ganoderma's value, the audience empathized with Ning Fei's regret.
As he examined the surroundings with a slender stick, one viewer asked, "Anchor, what's that stick made of?"
"It's just Qinxiang wood," Ning Fei replied casually.
The chat exploded.
"Just Qinxiang wood? That's priceless!"
"Qinxiang wood repels insects naturally. It's so rare!"
"That stick alone might be worth 50,000 yuan!"
Ning Fei didn't elaborate. The stick had been passed down in his Taoist temple for generations, crafted from the core of a centuries-old tree. More than just a tool, it served as protection, deterring snakes and insects.
Among the viewers, Jiang Feng, a connoisseur of Chinese medicine, noticed faint red veins running through the wood. A thousand-year-old Qinxiang wood! he thought, realizing its true value could exceed 500,000 yuan.
Ning Fei, oblivious to the mounting intrigue in the chat, continued into the forest. His calm narration helped the audience feel immersed in his exploration.
"The deeper you go into the mountains, the more likely you are to encounter wild animals," he explained, sipping water. "Wild boars are usually harmless unless provoked, but black bears are a real threat. Don't underestimate their speed."
The forest grew denser, the air cooler. Suddenly, Ning Fei stopped, his eyes lighting up. "Look at that—four trees growing closely together!" He pointed to a cluster of trunks standing tightly packed.
"When trees grow so close, they compete for sunlight, creating a perpetual shadow below them. Such spots are ideal for finding Ganoderma lucidum."
The audience's curiosity peaked as Ning Fei approached the natural enclosure. Peering into the shaded space, he exclaimed with joy, "It's white Ganoderma!"
This discovery thrilled the viewers, though many didn't understand its significance.
"What's white Ganoderma?"
"Is it rare?"
"Someone explain, quick!"
Ning Fei elaborated, "White Ganoderma is highly valuable due to its rarity. It only grows in the wild under specific conditions. The purer the color, the better the quality."
Excited murmurs in the chat turned into astonishment when Jiang Feng chimed in: "That's not just white Ganoderma—it might be Baiyu Ganoderma!"
Baiyu Ganoderma, revered in Chinese medicine, is a form of white Ganoderma that halts its growth under rare environmental conditions, enhancing its medicinal properties. Its value far surpasses ordinary Ganoderma.
"Brothers, this might be a jackpot!" Ning Fei's tone grew jubilant as he assessed the pristine Ganoderma. Carefully, he prepared to retrieve it, using his Qinxiang stick to check the area for danger.
Suddenly, from the underbrush near the Ganoderma, a small green snake slithered into view.
The audience was startled.
"A snake!"
"Be careful!"
"Don't get bitten!"
Many viewers shrieked, some even dropping their phones in fright. Liu Ting, a regular viewer, scrambled to pick up her phone, her heart racing. "Is he okay? Don't let anything happen to him!"
Ning Fei, however, remained composed. Holding his stick steady, he studied the snake's movements carefully.
"Relax, everyone," he said calmly. "This is a green bamboo snake. It's venomous but usually non-aggressive unless provoked."
The audience watched with bated breath as Ning Fei skillfully maneuvered around the snake, ensuring both his safety and the preservation of the valuable Ganoderma.