Chapter 88: Strange Valley

【Ginseng: A precious medicinal herb, non-toxic and edible.】

【This Ginseng has grown for an exceptionally long time—over a century.】

【Legend has it that Ginseng possesses miraculous powers. When aged sufficiently, it is said to develop spiritual awareness, even awakening true intelligence.】

Looking at the Ginseng before him, glowing faintly with information, Lu Qing couldn’t help but smile.

Ever since he’d unearthed that Ginseng over two hundred years old, his luck had taken a dramatic turn for the better. He’d since found three more Ginseng specimens—each over a century old.

Gently extracting the centennial Ginseng from the earth and placing it into his Herb Basket, Lu Qing felt a surge of satisfaction.

The basket now held four Ginseng roots, and with the one Xiao Li had brought earlier, that made five in total.

One of them was over two hundred years old; the other four were all century-old specimens.

If all were refined into Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pills, it would be more than enough to sustain him through his cultivation to the peak of Qi Xue Jing.

“Truly a treasure mountain!” Lu Qing murmured, gazing around in awe.

He hadn’t even searched far, yet had already uncovered so many ancient Ginsengs.

And that was just the beginning—along the way, he’d spotted countless other medicinal herbs.

It was no wonder this forest teemed with such abundant resources.

Calling it a treasure mountain was no exaggeration.

Yet, despite its wealth, this place was no easy place to enter.

This primordial wilderness was rife with venomous insects, serpents, and hidden predators.

One misstep, one careless moment, and a single bite could spell doom in the deep woods.

But Lu Qing was no ordinary gatherer.

As a Qi Xue Jing cultivator, he carried his master’s specially prepared medicinal pouch—effective at repelling snakes and insects.

And Xiao Li, his spirit beast, seemed to possess an innate aura that unnerved other creatures of the forest.

That’s why he could move through this land with relative ease.

For any ordinary herbalist, venturing this deep into the wild would be impossible.

So even if they knew this mountain was overflowing with treasure, they’d be forced to stand back and watch.

But for Lu Qing, this was a blessing.

Only he could come and go freely here—meaning he’d have unlimited access to whatever herbs he needed in the future.

Having gathered enough Ginseng for his cultivation, Lu Qing paused his search.

This trip wasn’t just about gathering Ginseng.

He also wanted to test the knowledge from the Hundred Herbs Scripture—to observe how other medicinal herbs grew in their natural habitats.

With Xiao Li by his side, he began wandering aimlessly through the forest.

Thanks to Xiao Li and the medicinal pouch, no venomous creatures dared approach.

After a while, Lu Qing couldn’t help but marvel again at the sheer abundance of herbs.

In just a short stroll, he’d spotted dozens of different species—each flourishing, vibrant, and potent.

He carefully selected a few rare and valuable herbs that weren’t commonly found elsewhere, digging them up with care.

His master often treated villagers from the nearby Jiu Li Village for free, and the demand for herbs was high.

Common herbs could be found on the nearby hills, so Lu Qing focused only on those that were rare or unknown outside the region.

He’d only just begun when he stumbled upon another discovery.

【Tian Qi: A rare medicinal herb, non-toxic and highly effective.】

【Known for its ability to invigorate blood circulation, resolve stasis, stop bleeding, and relieve pain. A top-tier remedy for both internal and external injuries.】

Seeing the radiant white glow surrounding the herb, Lu Qing’s eyes lit up in surprise.

He hadn’t expected to find Tian Qi here—this was an even rarer herb than Ginseng.

The famed Golden Wound Medicine—renowned across the martial world as a divine healing elixir—was primarily made from the finest Tian Qi.

His master had even once requested Tian Qi from the Wei Family Residence to treat Wei Xiao Gongzi’s severe blood loss.

The fact that it was so valuable was undeniable.

Lu Qing immediately began digging.

Though the glow was only white—modest compared to higher-tier herbs—it was still exceptionally rare.

This single specimen could produce a large batch of Golden Wound Medicine.

A life-saving remedy in critical moments—how could he possibly pass it up?

As he dug, a quiet doubt stirred in his mind.

According to the Hundred Herbs Scripture, Ginseng and Tian Qi were never supposed to grow in the same place.

Their ideal environments were entirely incompatible.

Ginseng thrived in cool, shaded, and low-temperature conditions—perfect for this deep forest.

But Tian Qi required a different balance—moist, neither too hot nor too cold—best suited to climates that were warm in winter and cool in summer.

Yet here, in Jiu Li Village, winter brought snow.

So why was Tian Qi not only surviving, but flourishing here?

After pulling the Tian Qi from the ground and placing it in the Herb Basket, Lu Qing paused, deep in thought.

Now that he reflected on it, something was off.

The herbal abundance here was too extreme.

Centuries-old Ginseng appearing in such numbers, other herbs growing abnormally strong—now even Tian Qi, which shouldn’t exist here, was thriving.

Earlier, he’d assumed it was simply due to the pristine environment and lack of human presence.

But now, with Ginseng and Tian Qi coexisting in the same region, he could no longer dismiss the anomaly.

His first thought: Could there be some hidden secret in this mountain?

He turned to the black little beast beside him.

“Xiao Li,” he asked, “you’ve been roaming this forest for a long time. Have you noticed anything… unusual around here?”

Unusual?

Xiao Li tilted its head, eyes full of confusion. It clearly didn’t understand.

Lu Qing adjusted his wording.

“Is there any place nearby that feels different from the rest? Something that feels dangerous… or perhaps strangely comfortable?”

This time, Xiao Li understood.

It paused, then stepped forward, gently biting the hem of Lu Qing’s sleeve and tugging toward a specific direction.

There really is such a place?

Lu Qing’s pulse quickened.

He followed the gesture.

“So you’re telling me… I should follow you?”

The black beast nodded.

“Is it dangerous?”

If so, he wasn’t going.

He wasn’t about to risk his life over mere curiosity.

Xiao Li shook its head.

After a moment’s hesitation, Lu Qing decided to trust his companion’s instincts.

“Alright then. Let’s go. Just go slow—I can’t keep up if you rush.”

Xiao Li bounded ahead, playful and alert, while Lu Qing quietly circulated his Qi, following closely behind.

Despite the rugged terrain, the two moved swiftly.

Before long, they arrived at a secluded valley.

“Is it ahead?” Lu Qing asked, noticing Xiao Li had stopped.

Xiao Li nodded, then used its paw to gesture at the spot—this was the place it meant.

Lu Qing scanned the area. Nothing seemed threatening.

On the contrary, as soon as he stepped into the valley, he felt an overwhelming sense of lightness—his mind cleared, his body relaxed, his spirit refreshed.

His senses sharpened.

He knew he’d found the right place.

No matter what else came of it, the air alone was proof this place was extraordinary.

Xiao Li, sensing Lu Qing hadn’t moved, tugged at his sleeve and dashed into the valley.

Lu Qing hurried after it.

Stepping inside, he froze.

Before him lay a breathtaking scene—birds singing, flowers blooming, a clear stream trickling through mossy stones.

The valley was alive with vibrant energy—utterly unlike the world outside.

Xiao Li seemed familiar with the place. Without hesitation, it led Lu Qing deep into the heart of the valley.

At the far end, a waterfall cascaded into a crystal-clear pool below, splashing into a thousand sparkling droplets.

“Awooo!” Xiao Li stood atop a large stone before the waterfall, pointing a paw at the curtain of water.

“You’re saying… there’s something behind the waterfall?” Lu Qing asked, stunned.

The waterfall wasn’t massive, nor was the curtain thick.

But after a moment, Lu Qing spotted it—a hidden cave mouth behind the falling water.

“Awooo!” Xiao Li called again.

“You want me to go in?”

The beast nodded.

Lu Qing hesitated.

Not because he didn’t trust Xiao Li—but because entering an unknown cave blind was risky.

And this valley was already strange. Who knew what waited inside?

A wild beast? A trap?

He wasn’t about to walk into a death trap just for curiosity.

“Xiao Li,” he said after a pause, “what if we go together?”

Xiao Li was a Red Light Spirit Beast—far stronger than him.

With it by his side, his safety would be greatly increased.

But Xiao Li immediately shook its head, its expression clearly disgusted.

Lu Qing remembered then: this little beast had a deep-seated aversion to water.

It would only drink if absolutely necessary.

The last time it had gotten dirty playing with Xiao Yan, Lu Qing had tried to bathe it—only for the beast to nearly destroy the house in protest.

In the end, he’d just wiped it down with a damp cloth.

Even then, it had been furious for hours.

“Don’t worry,” Lu Qing smiled. “I’ll carry you. Not a single drop of water will touch you.”

He paused, then added, “Besides… you want to know what’s inside, don’t you?”

Xiao Li hesitated, ears twitching.

It clearly wanted to go—but hated the idea of getting wet.

Lu Qing grinned.

He knew it.

This beast, which scorned even century-old Ginseng, was now drawn to something in that cave.

If this could tempt a creature that hated water, then whatever lay within had to be extraordinary.

“Just trust me,” he said. “I’ll wrap you in my clothes. Your fur won’t get a single drop wet.”

After a moment of struggle, Xiao Li reluctantly gave in.

Satisfied, Lu Qing unslung his Herb Basket and placed it on a nearby rock.

Then he peeled off his outer robe, folding it into a soft, cozy nest.

Xiao Li immediately slipped inside—unbothered by the scent of Lu Qing’s body.

It had shared a room with both Lu Qing and Xiao Yan at home.

Its own bed was made from Lu Qing’s old clothes.

It was used to it.

With the beast safely tucked in, Lu Qing strapped on his War Blade.

Yes—he’d brought it with him.

After all, the forest wasn’t just full of venomous creatures.

There were also wolves and other predators.

A reliable weapon was essential.

He secured the Herb Hoe at his waist, then gently lifted Xiao Li and stepped back.

With a burst of Qi, he sprinted forward—launching himself through the waterfall.

At the moment his body hit the water curtain, he bent his back, curled into a tight ball, shielding Xiao Li completely.

With a smooth roll, he landed safely on the other side.

Inside the cave, Lu Qing immediately drew his Herb Hoe, ready to defend against any sudden attack.

But nothing came.

No creature leapt out.

No trap sprung.

He exhaled in relief.

He couldn’t help it—his mind had been haunted by scenes from old stories, where a single step into a cave triggered a deadly ambush.

He wasn’t about to become one of those clichés.

Feeling Lu Qing had stopped, Xiao Li poked its head out.

“See? I told you—no wetness,” Lu Qing said, checking the bundle.

The outer robe was damp, but Xiao Li was completely dry.

Lu Qing, on the other hand, was now soaked—like a drowned dog.

But he didn’t care.

He could dry himself with Qi in moments.

But not now—there was no point wasting energy on something so trivial.

“Awooo!” Xiao Li, delighted to be dry, let out a happy bark.

“Alright, let’s go in.”

Lu Qing glanced ahead.

The cave was pitch black—nothing visible.

But he sensed no danger.

And he wasn’t about to turn back now.

He pulled out a Fire Starter, lit it, and stepped forward, holding Xiao Li close.

But soon, he realized he didn’t need it.

After just a few steps and a turn, the cave began to glow.

The walls—carved like stalactites—were dotted with faint, shimmering lights.

Soft, radiant, and beautiful.

Lu Qing chuckled, extinguished the Fire Starter, and tucked it away.

He continued forward, holding Xiao Li.

What was even stranger?

Despite the waterfall being the entrance, the cave was completely dry—no moisture in the air.

Xiao Li, delighted, climbed out of the robe and perched on Lu Qing’s shoulder.

The cave stretched deep, yet it was never dark.

The farther they went, the brighter the glowing stone walls became.

Lu Qing used his Abilities to scan the walls.

The light came from a unique, non-toxic mineral—safe for humans.

He relaxed, continuing onward.

As they pressed deeper, the feeling of mental clarity he’d experienced since entering the valley grew stronger.

He no longer needed Xiao Li’s prompting—he could feel it too.

Something deep within the cave was calling to him—drawing him forward with an irresistible pull.

After winding through countless twists and turns, after walking what felt like an eternity, the space ahead suddenly opened.

When Lu Qing finally stepped into the chamber and saw what lay before him…

He froze.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end