Chapter 390: Acquisition
「Two months later.」
Perhaps moved by the widespread suffering of the injured disciples and mindful of their sacrifices, the sect finally dispatched a large number of personnel to treat them.
Someone grumbled resentfully.
"So they did have the manpower. Why did they say they were short-staffed before and just leave us hanging here?"
The disciple treating him wore a sorrowful expression.
"Please don't say that."
"Once we're finished treating everyone's injuries, we have to go to Celestial Barrier Mountain."
"My poor Spirit Medicines... I don't know what will happen to them. They were about to mature..."
Before this, these disciples had been preparing for their departure.
Word was that a facility to house the wounded had already been built on the other side of the Celestial Barrier Mountain range, a clear sign that they were preparing for a protracted war.
There was no telling when any of them would be able to return.
With others now attending to the wounded, Bai Mo was finally free.
After working overtime to finish the Pills he had on hand, Bai Mo instructed Li Wuji—whose new left hand was still tender—to help watch over Mi Mountain, and then he departed.
Bai Mo had already been on Mi Mountain for over half a year without setting foot outside, but he didn't feel particularly strongly about it.
Ah Er, who was following him, on the other hand, was practically jumping for joy with excitement.
Upon leaving, the first thing Bai Mo did was visit the disciples who had previously purchased his Pills.
He made solicitous inquiries about their well-being, seemingly concerned for their health, but in reality, he was recording their reactions after taking the Pills.
Regardless, the disciples were deeply moved and praised Bai Mo profusely.
After making his rounds, he was relieved to find that no one had run into any issues.
The only exception was Fu Jiu, the first to take the Jiao Soul Pill. Half his body had become malformed, but in the end, he had decided against letting Bai Mo reverse the effects.
And as time went on, that half of his body had become even more hideous and terrifying.
When asked, Fu Jiu simply smiled and said:
"My master prepared an inheritance for me, and it requires this very body."
"If it's for my cultivation path, this is nothing. Besides, once I've mastered the technique, I might even be able to change back to my old self."
They were both sensible people who knew the score, so Bai Mo didn't dwell on it.
After visiting his many "clients," Bai Mo set his sights on the disciples who were weaving among the wounded, tending to them.
Among them were quite a few people from the inner sect's Medicine Peak.
"Senior Brothers, since you're about to depart, do you happen to have any medicinal ingredients you haven't had time to deal with?"
Bai Mo asked, getting straight to the point.
The few Medicine Peak disciples he approached nodded.
"Of course we do. Why?"
Bai Mo smiled. "They're all fine things you Senior Brothers have meticulously cared for. It would be a real shame to let them go to waste."
"How about selling them to me? I'm willing to pay five percent above market price!"
"However, Senior Brothers, the restrictive seals on your medicine fields will need to be opened for me. I'll wait for the plants to mature before harvesting them."
"This..." The Medicine Peak disciples exchanged glances.
To be fair, the terms Bai Mo was offering were quite good.
They had no reason to refuse.
A disciple Bai Mo had treated saw their hesitation and spoke up in his favor:
"Junior Brother Bai normally watches over Mi Mountain, and he's treated many disciples. He's a known figure around here; he's not going to run off, and his character is impeccable."
"You all really have nothing to worry about!"
Hearing this, many of the Medicine Peak disciples were tempted.
Bai Mo also smiled. "I know a thing or two about managing medicine fields. I certainly won't ruin the layouts you've established, Senior Brothers."
One disciple, having just finished his task, left behind the wounded patient who was simply screaming in pain, and walked over.
Seeing that no one was paying him any mind, the patient stopped shouting and simply craned his neck to watch the spectacle.
The Medicine Peak disciple washed his hands.
"My medicine field is at the foot of Medicine Peak. There are still many herbs waiting to mature, but I won't be around for it."
"Junior Brother Bai, care to come with me and take a look?"
"My pleasure." Bai Mo shot a grateful glance at the disciple who had spoken up for him, then followed the man away.
Only when they reached the foot of the inner sect's Medicine Peak did he realize the true scale of their operation.
A massive peak towered into the clouds. One half had been carved into terraces, where plot after plot of medicine fields were situated.
The other half featured sheer cliffs, caves, and other treacherous terrain; a full range of topographies had been painstakingly prepared.
Just standing at the foot of the mountain, a single gust of wind was enough to fill his nostrils with the complex aroma of countless herbs.
The Medicine Peak disciple who had led Bai Mo there arrived at his own medicine field.
"I have some special insight into cultivating Puyun Grass, so that's what I specialize in. Junior Brother, take a look at this plot. What price would you offer?"
Bai Mo's gaze swept over the two-mu medicine field, which was laid out in the shape of a crescent moon.
Stalk after stalk of grass, each topped with a white, fluffy tuft, swayed in the breeze, emitting a delicate fragrance.
Bai Mo walked forward, grabbed a handful of the fluffy tufts, and tugged lightly. They didn't come loose.
'They're growing well.'
Bai Mo used Puyun Grass often. Its medicinal properties were neutral and gentle.
If there were even a minor issue with their growth, the tufts would never have grown so resilient.
"At market price, Senior Brother, these two mu are worth about three hundred Spirit Stones. I'll add five percent..."
"Done."
Neither of them was short on Spirit Stones, so the negotiations were naturally swift and pleasant.
After signing the contract, the two mu of Puyun Grass were entirely at Bai Mo's disposal.
Once the formalities were complete, the two exchanged a smile.
"In a month or so, this Puyun Grass will be mature. Don't forget to harvest it, Junior Brother."
After speaking, the Medicine Peak disciple glanced with a smile at Ah Er, who was holding up a notebook and jotting something down with a serious expression.
"Is this your attendant, Junior Brother?"
Bai Mo chuckled.
"I suppose you could say that. He's not the brightest, but since I have no one else, I have him serve as my attendant."
With the first deal setting a precedent, the remaining Medicine Peak disciples were much easier to persuade.
Without Bai Mo even having to advertise, people naturally began to seek him out.
Over the next several days, Bai Mo visited twenty-six medicine fields, spending several thousand Spirit Stones.
While Bai Mo negotiated, Ah Er stood to the side, taking notes.
When the time came, if Bai Mo was too busy, Ah Er would be the one harvesting everything.
This made Ah Er a little nervous.
Bai Mo frequently had to check his notes, not only to correct a few miswritten words but also to instruct him on proper harvesting techniques.
He was truly teaching him as one would an apprentice.
"Do you know why I'm paying a premium for these ingredients?"
Bai Mo said to him.
"These people have their own unique cultivation methods. Did you see how well those plants are growing? They're much better than the ones on our mountain."
"This is all high-quality stuff, even better than what grows in the wild. When you harvest them, don't you dare ruin any of it."
Ah Er felt the pressure and nodded vigorously.
Bai Mo said with satisfaction, "I'll dictate, you write. Don't leave out any details, and no complaining. This is what you get for not studying hard..."
He rarely had the chance to leave Mi Mountain. In the future, this badger would be his representative in the sect.
Bai Mo had no choice but to train him well.
After several days of running around, Bai Mo had closed quite a few deals and knew that a large stock of top-quality ingredients would soon be his.
He was, therefore, in an excellent mood.
Just as he was leading Ah Er back up the mountain, he unexpectedly spotted a rather familiar woman on the path.
With his memory, Bai Mo immediately recalled her identity: a senior sister from Silkworm Valley.
He had met her before when he was looking for An Caiwei.
The woman saw Bai Mo as well. She said a few words to her companion and came running over.
"You're Junior Brother Bai, aren't you?"
Bai Mo cupped his fists and greeted her with a smile.
"Greetings, Senior Sister."
"What a coincidence." The woman flashed a charming smile.
"Caiwei is back. She found something good at Celestial Barrier Mountain and was just about to look for you."
"When you head back, remember to stop by Silkworm Valley first..."