Stealing Immortal's Leftover Grain

Qi WuHuo looked at the mountain and, after some thought, decided to go up and explore. After the snow, the accumulation on the mountain didn't melt as quickly as in the city. Footprints would remain, so if the mountain wasn't closed off after snowfall, there were often many things to be found.

Not to mention the plump rabbits in winter, but if he could find winter bamboo shoots.

Tonight would be a feast for his taste buds.

Winter bamboo shoots stewed with cured meat, plus a few freshly made steamed buns.

Thinking about it, he needed to bring some gifts when he went to the Li family tomorrow. Winter bamboo shoots were perfect.

The young man thought for a moment, tucked his dagger into his waist, threw his sword into his basket, covered it with a blue cloth, and then, shouldering the basket, informed the old man before heading up the mountain.

Sensing the Primordial Qi, his steps became lighter and more agile. He guided the Qi with his spirit, circulating it throughout his body, as if his feet were carrying him on the wind. His Blood Essence was smooth and full, and he didn't feel tired. He quickly followed a familiar path up the mountain.

The mountain was covered in a silver coat, a vast expanse of white. A cold wind blew, but it didn't feel chilling, only refreshing. Qi WuHuo slowed his pace, recalling the casual words of the doctor who had saved him all those years ago.

In winter, one could search for the roots of kudzu vines on the mountain. Ground into powder, it became kudzu root powder, which could stave off hunger and tasted quite good. One could also find wild yams and the King Vine. The King Vine's fruit ripened in winter, bright red and very conspicuous, also called the Red Lantern Fruit. Its roots could also be used for soup.

They would buy it at the pharmacy, and the taverns wanted it too.

It could be used in medicine or for making wine.

Living off the mountain when you're near a mountain, living off the water when you're near water. This mountain was like a treasure trove, providing edible things all year round, ensuring one would never starve.

In the dream of Yellow Millet, Qi WuHuo had obtained a supreme opportunity. His Primordial Spirit was abundant, which translated externally as greatly enhanced observation skills. Compared to before, he could now find various mountain goods more easily.

Soon, the basket on his back was already half full.

Mostly winter bamboo shoots and King Vine.

As for kudzu roots, if he could find them, one would weigh over ten pounds. It was a pity that the spots he had marked in autumn were now empty. It seemed he wasn't the only one who had discovered them.

Qi WuHuo didn't mind and continued his search.

Suddenly, under a rock face, he discovered leaves resembling those of a lily. Although withered, their shape was still discernible. His eyes brightened, and he walked over quickly, observing carefully. "This is... Tiger Ginger!"

"I'm really lucky!"

A happy smile appeared on Qi WuHuo's face.

Aside from the seventy years of wandering in dreams, seeking immortality, the remnants of the dream were only the insights and faint impressions of the dream itself.

He was, after all, only a fourteen-year-old boy. He took out the dagger he carried and carefully began to excavate around the lily-like leaves. The excavated rootstock resembled a bamboo shoot, and also a bit like ginger.

Qi WuHuo's eyes lit up.

Tiger Ginger, also known as Chicken Claw Ginseng. In pharmacies, it had a more elegant name: Huang Jing. It fetched the highest price among the medicinal materials produced on this mountain.

They called it "immortal's leftover grain."

Therefore, many people had gone up the mountain searching for Huang Jing in the past few years, and it had become increasingly rare.

He hadn't expected to find any here.

Qi WuHuo carefully dug it out, thinking of selling it to earn some money. Then he remembered that Tiger Ginger was also edible. He hesitated.

They had three strings of cash at home now. Could he afford to keep a little?

Well, he'd leave one-third for Mr. Su.

Then sell some, and eat the rest with the old gentleman.

Although spending money recklessly when you have some was a bad habit, he had dug this up himself. A little extravagance should be acceptable, right?

Qi WuHuo carefully wrapped the Huang Jing in a coarse cloth and placed it at the top of his basket. Only then did he straighten up and look around, hoping to find more Huang Jing.

A breeze rustled past.

A thought arose in his heart, and his spirit followed, becoming a technique.

When a technique connects heaven and earth, it becomes a supernatural ability.

Primordial Qi surged, and his Primordial Spirit was released.

In an instant, it swept across the surroundings, and he discovered another stalk of Huang Jing. Qi WuHuo didn't take this one immediately. Only when he found a third stalk did he dig up a portion. This Huang Jing was also a creation of the mountain. Qi WuHuo was unwilling to take the entire root, only taking about thirty percent.

Even so, he was incredibly content.

If he were to buy this Huang Jing, it would cost about one tael and three qian of silver.

As Qi WuHuo walked and picked, his Primordial Spirit spread out, supported by Primordial Qi. All the Huang Jing on this mountain could not escape this nascent supernatural ability of searching.

Just then, Qi WuHuo felt as if his Primordial Spirit had broken through something. Beneath a cliff face, he discovered exceptionally thick lily leaves. Even in the dead of winter, they exuded a verdant glow.

Qi WuHuo understood some medical knowledge. When buying and selling Huang Jing, the price was determined by its age. He slightly examined the veins on the leaves, unable to believe his eyes. "This is... Huang Jing that's almost a thousand years old?"

"Can Huang Jing grow this big?"

He instinctively reached for his dagger.

Huang Jing this large could probably be sold for ten thousand taels of silver.

But at this moment, the Huang Jing, with its palm-thick leaves, suddenly began to tremble. The leaves gathered like hands, rolled on the ground, and transformed into a small figure with twin buns, wearing only a loincloth. It repeatedly kowtowed on the ground, babbling incessantly.

Although he couldn't understand what it was saying, the fear and plea in its spirit were perfectly clear.

Qi WuHuo said, "Are you asking me not to pick you?"

The little figure nodded and kowtowed repeatedly.

Qi WuHuo looked at the Huang Jing, thinking to himself that the one-year-old Huang Jing was one thing, but Huang Jing plants generally rotted after a few years. Something that could grow for a thousand years must have endured countless hardships and loneliness.

A gentleman loves wealth, but acquires it righteously.

Why should he ruin someone else's thousand-year wait for a bit of silver?

So he put down the dagger and smiled, "Alright, I won't pick you."

"But, why are you hiding here? So conspicuously, aren't you afraid of being discovered?"

The little person's face crumpled into a cry.

There was actually a phantom array formed by the natural medicinal fragrance around them.

Only those True Persons who had cultivated Primordial Spirit power could enter, but this person had no such power, yet they had entered just like that?

Qi WuHuo saw the little person cradle their chin in their hands, looking confused and frustrated. He smiled slightly, reached out a finger, and gently poked their cheek. "Next time, you need to hide better. Don't let anyone find you again."

The little person nodded repeatedly.

Just as Qi WuHuo was about to get up, a furious roar suddenly came from the mountain wall: "Thief! Thief!"

"Thief, me?"

Qi WuHuo instinctively looked up.

He couldn't see anyone shouting. His posture seemed to enrage the screamer even further, their shouts growing louder. Only then did Qi WuHuo lock onto the target.

On the mountain wall, a deer was glaring at him, shouting:

"Of course it's you! You, you, human!"

"Why did you steal the Huang Jing we painstakingly planted!"