Chapter 39 : Chapter 39
Chapter 39: The Qinghe Mountain Range, Herb Gatherers
The next day,
Li Xingge brought Li Wuyou back to the clan.
When the clan members saw that a little girl was actually following beside the Family Head, they all looked rather surprised.
Not long after they returned, the Grand Elder, having received the news, hurried over at once.
It was rare to see the Grand Elder so openly delighted, and Li Xingge found it somewhat surprising.
Smiling, he asked, “The Grand Elder seems very happy. Has some good fortune occurred?”
“Good fortune? Great fortune! A joyous event for the entire Li Clan!”
The Grand Elder was all smiles as he spoke.
Li Xingge’s interest was piqued, and the Grand Elder did not keep him in suspense. He said directly, “Family Head, last night, the Third Elder gained a great-grandson. I tested the child’s talent. He is seventh-grade!”
“Seventh-grade talent?”
Li Xingge lifted a brow. Thinking of the system reward from last time, a smile appeared on his face.
“That truly is good news. The Li Clan must focus on nurturing this child from now on.”
Li Xingge gave his instruction.
“First our Li Clan gained the Family Head, and now we have such an outstanding younger generation member. This is a sign that our Li Clan is destined for great prosperity.”
The Grand Elder was grinning from ear to ear, and Li Xingge naturally had no intention of dampening his spirits, merely smiling faintly in return.
Then the Grand Elder seemed to remember something.
With some curiosity, he asked, “I heard the Family Head brought back a little girl?”
Li Xingge nodded, his expression turning serious. “That’s right. I gave her a name—Li Wuyou. She is no ordinary child. She is extremely important to my Li Clan. From now on, her status within the clan will be equal to that of a direct-line descendant. If anything goes wrong, kill without mercy!”
Hearing this, the Grand Elder could not help sucking in a breath of cold air. Never before had he seen the Family Head place such importance on a single person. He immediately said without the slightest hesitation, “Please rest assured, Family Head. The clan absolutely will not let Wuyou suffer any grievance.”
Li Xingge smiled in satisfaction. Then he suddenly remembered something else.
So he said, “Grand Elder, there is a matter I need the clan to handle.”
“Please speak, Family Head.”
“Secretly gather a group of orphans who are still young and whose backgrounds are clean. I have great use for them.”
“Understood. I’ll see to it immediately.”
The Grand Elder answered solemnly.
As for the reason, the Grand Elder did not ask.
Because he trusted Li Xingge without reservation.
After the Grand Elder left, Li Xingge took out a cultivation manual from his sleeve.
It was none other than the Bloodfiend True Art.
...
...
The Qinghe Mountain Range lay east of Baihe County and stretched across several counties.
Its vast and heavy body resembled the very spine of the boundless earth.
Dense forests blanketed the mountains, their ancient trees lush, towering, and vigorous.
Deep within the forest,
a group of roughly six or seven people was moving slowly among the trees.
They were herb gatherers, mountain wanderers who made their living collecting medicinal herbs from the wilderness.
Suddenly, the group came to a halt.
The lead herb gatherer narrowed his sharp gaze toward a patch of weeds, and the others stopped as well.
The lead gatherer slowly approached the patch, carefully parting the weeds.
His face lit up with delight. “Cylindrical shape, branching at the base, brownish-yellow in color, seven leaves... It’s Seven-Leaf Grass!”
The others immediately gathered around as well and began chattering excitedly around the herb.
“Brother Jin really does have a sharp eye. It really is Seven-Leaf Grass.”
“This is top-grade medicine for Body Tempering. Its effects are excellent.”
“We’ve struck it rich. This one stalk of Seven-Leaf Grass is worth at least ten gold.”
“That’s right. With just this one stalk, this trip already wasn’t wasted.”
Brother Jin shook his head and licked his dry lips. “And you’re all satisfied with just one stalk of Seven-Leaf Grass? This is only the beginning. If we keep going deeper, there may be even better things ahead.”
As he spoke, he carefully dug up the Seven-Leaf Grass with a small shovel and placed it into the grass basket on his back.
“Brother Jin, we’ve already gone very far in. If we keep going, I’m afraid it’ll get dangerous.”
A young herb gatherer wearing a bamboo hat spoke with worry.
The others, upon hearing this, also hesitated.
After all, demonic beasts existed in these mountains.
If they really encountered one, then with the strength of people like them, they would have almost no chance of survival.
Seeing their reactions, Brother Jin said flatly, “If you’re afraid, you can head back the way we came. If you leave now, it’s still not too late.”
The herb gatherers exchanged glances, then all shook their heads in unison. “We’re willing to keep following Brother Jin.”
“Since you brothers trust me, then I certainly won’t mistreat you. Everyone, pick up the pace. I can guarantee you that deep in these mountains, there must be many more good things.”
“Yes.”
The group quickened their pace.
Before long, they vanished into the dense forest.
No one knew how long they had walked, but by now, everyone was drenched in sweat beneath the blazing sun, panting heavily.
The young herb gatherer tipped up the gourd in his hand, stuck out his tongue, and stared pitifully as the very last drop of water fell from it.
“Brother Jin, if we don’t find water soon, we’re all going to die of thirst.”
One of the herb gatherers complained.
Brother Jin wiped the sweat from his brow and looked into the distance. “There’s a water source not far ahead. Once we get there, you can drink all you want.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up, and their spirits immediately rose.
A short while later,
they saw a rushing waterfall before them, and all of them cried out in delight.
Every last one of them buried his face in the pool beneath it and drank greedily.
As for the young herb gatherer, he simply jumped straight into the pool.
Only after a while did he emerge from the water again.
“Refreshing!”
The young herb gatherer burst into laughter.
Standing on the bank, Brother Jin laughed and cursed, “No one knows how deep that pool is, brat. Don’t go drowning in there. Hurry up and get out!”
“Don’t worry, Brother Jin. I’m an excellent swimmer. People even gave me the nickname White Stripe in the Waves!”
Hearing that, everyone burst into laughter.
The young herb gatherer swam happily through the water like a slippery fish.
Suddenly, from the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a faint glimmer behind the waterfall.
Curiosity drove him through the curtain of water, and to his surprise, he discovered a narrow passage hidden behind it, barely wide enough for one person to squeeze through.
After walking forward several dozen steps, his vision abruptly opened up.
It was an enormous valley.
And right beneath his feet spread a patch of green medicinal herbs, exuding a rich, enticing fragrance.
“Snake-Scent Grass!”
The young herb gatherer cried out in delight.
Snake-Scent Grass was not some especially rare herb, but such a vast patch of it was still worth quite a sum.
Then, looking more closely, he discovered even more precious herbs growing not far away.
He was so delighted that he practically danced with excitement.
Right now, he could hardly wait to share this wonderful news with the others.
Outside the waterfall,
Brother Jin and the others were anxiously searching for the young herb gatherer, who had been missing for quite a while.
“Brother Jin, we still haven’t found him. Don’t tell me that brat really drowned in the water?”
One of the men, climbing out of the pool, spoke up.
“I already told him the pool was deep and told him not to fool around. This is my fault too. If only I’d stopped him just now.”
Brother Jin said with a face full of self-reproach.
“Brother Jin, it was him refusing to listen. It has nothing to do with you.”
“Brother Jin! Brother Jin! I found an incredible place!”
The young herb gatherer emerged from behind the waterfall, shouting excitedly.
“A-Liang, where the hell did you come from? You scared us half to death. We thought you’d drowned in the pool.”
One of the herb gatherers said irritably.
A-Liang’s face reddened, and he scratched the back of his head. “Sorry, elder brothers. I got carried away. But I have good news to tell you!”
“What good news?”
Someone asked curiously.
“Behind the waterfall, I found a super huge valley! There are countless medicinal herbs in the valley. I was completely dumbstruck when I saw them!”
The moment they heard this, everyone turned to stare at A-Liang.
Their breathing grew a little quicker as they asked, “Is what you’re saying true?”
“Of course it is. Why would I lie to you? Come with me, all of you!”
A-Liang patted his chest, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.
Brother Jin was the first to jump into the water.
The others followed right behind him.
Before long, the entire group had entered the valley.
And when they saw that sea of herbs spread out before them,
they were all utterly stunned.