White Lingzhi

After steadying himself, Li Xiao slung his bow over his back and headed down the mountain early, before nightfall.

When he returned home, Li Xiao simply said he had failed to catch any game, never mentioning the danger he had encountered so Old Dad would not worry.

Lying in bed, Li Xiao could not fall asleep for a long time.

Whenever he closed his eyes, that enormous Mountain Imp filled his vision.

He had heard legends of Mountain Imps in his previous life as well, but one over a zhang tall was clearly abnormal.

It was very likely an Exotic Beast.

"Exotic Beasts, Martial Masters..." Li Xiao murmured, more eager than ever to become a Martial Master.

He was only an ordinary hunter, yet the archery he had always taken pride in had been utterly worthless before that Martial Master. It might still work against ordinary people, but against a Martial Master, it was clearly not enough.

The next day, after eating, Li Xiao prepared to go hunting in the mountains.

This time, he planned to take the other side of Crescent Valley. That was where he had found the Ginseng last time.

Following the Mountain Path along the other side of Crescent Valley, he found the vegetation here far denser than at the valley entrance. With the snow melted, the earth was soft and damp, imprinted with countless tracks of birds and beasts.

He slowed his pace, watching the thickets that might conceal prey while searching for traces of herbs. From time to time, his gaze swept over the cliff face—the spot where wild ginseng had once been found might yet be hiding other surprises.

After walking for about an hour, he came upon a not-too-steep cliff. Moss and low shrubs covered its face, while several unknown wildflowers swayed in the wind.

Li Xiao was about to go around it when the corner of his eye caught an unusual flash of white.

He stopped and focused his gaze. In a crevice halfway up the cliff grew a Lingzhi the size of a palm.

The Lingzhi was snow-white all over, its cap rimmed with a faint glow. Amid the dappled light and shadows, it looked like a piece of warm white jade, completely unlike the Red Lingzhi he usually saw.

"White Lingzhi?" Li Xiao's heart stirred.

He had seen it recorded in the Herbal Compendium. White Lingzhi, also known as Jade Lingzhi, was exceedingly rare. Its medicinal effects far surpassed those of ordinary Lingzhi, possessing miraculous benefits for replenishing vital energy, healing injuries, and nourishing the body. If he took it into the city, it would surely fetch a high price.

However, the White Lingzhi grew in a rock crevice more than a zhang above the ground. The cliff face was slick, and there were no vines nearby to use for support. Harvesting it would not be easy.

Li Xiao circled the cliff and found a place where the slope was a little gentler. Taking a deep breath, he began climbing with both hands and feet.

The moss was slippery, and several times he nearly lost his footing. He could only cling tightly to protrusions in the rock crevices and inch his way upward.

The higher he climbed, the stronger the wind became, whipping his clothes with a fierce rustle.

At last, he was only half a step away from the White Lingzhi and could clearly smell its faint medicinal fragrance.

Li Xiao steadied himself, extended his right hand, carefully pinched the base of the Lingzhi, and gave it a gentle twist—

With a soft crack, the White Lingzhi came free intact, roots and clinging soil included.

He carefully placed the Lingzhi into the cloth pouch at his waist and tucked it close to his body. Only then did he let out a breath and climb back down the cliff with both hands and feet.

The instant he landed, he found his palms drenched in cold sweat, yet he could not hide the joy in his heart.

With this White Lingzhi, if he sold it, he might be able to scrape together enough tuition to study at the Martial Arts Hall.

He looked up at the sky and decided not to venture any deeper. He would take this treasure home first.

As he turned and headed back, his steps became much lighter.

"This Herbal Mastery skill seems pretty useful."

Li Xiao returned home, changed clothes, and headed straight into the city.

He would feel more at ease after selling it sooner.

Li Xiao hurried toward the city with the cloth pouch containing the White Lingzhi tucked against him.

There was nothing of note along the way. By the time he reached Changlin Street, the sun had already passed its zenith.

He first went around to the entrance of Jishitang, only to find its vermilion doors tightly shut, a copper lock hanging from the lintel. The front of the shop was cold and deserted, completely unlike its usual bustle.

Li Xiao frowned slightly. Jishitang always opened on time, so why was it closed today?

He lingered outside for a moment, but seeing no one come by, he gave up on waiting.

"Forget it. I'll try another shop."

After wandering through several more streets, he arrived at a fairly large pharmacy called Huichun Hall.

The shop had a wide storefront, with several rows of herbs drying outside its entrance. The air was thick with medicinal fragrance.

Li Xiao lifted the curtain and entered. Inside, a shop assistant was arranging the medicine cabinets with his head lowered. Seeing a customer enter, he quickly looked up and greeted him.

"Are you here for medicine, sir, or a consultation?"

"I have something I'd like to sell to your shop."

Li Xiao got straight to the point, carefully taking the White Lingzhi from the cloth pouch at his waist and placing it on the counter.

The shop assistant's previously indifferent eyes abruptly sharpened the instant he saw the White Lingzhi, and a flicker of greed flashed through them.

He hurried closer for a better look, lightly touching the cap with his fingers before raising his head and shouting toward the Back Hall.

"Shopkeeper! Shopkeeper! Come take a look!"

Before long, a portly, well-fed middle-aged man in a long robe emerged.

Seeing the assistant's excited expression, he looked at the White Lingzhi on the counter. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he began examining it closely.

"Snow-white throughout, a full cap, a glowing edge..."

The Shopkeeper muttered to himself, then held it to his nose and sniffed. "Mm, the medicinal fragrance is rich. This is top-grade Jade Lingzhi."

He raised his head and looked at Li Xiao.

"Youngster, did you pick this White Lingzhi yourself?"

"Yes." Li Xiao nodded.

"Yes." Li Xiao nodded, looking calmly at the Shopkeeper. "How much can you offer?"

The portly Shopkeeper stroked his beard, his eyes rolling as he said leisurely, "Youngster, you may not know this, but while White Lingzhi is rare, its medicinal properties are too potent for ordinary people to use. Its market is very limited.

"How about this? I'll give you Ten Taels of Silver. Consider it me looking after you."

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow.

Though he did not know the exact market price of White Lingzhi, the Herbal Compendium plainly stated that it was "worth more than gold." Ten Taels of Silver was practically tossing scraps to a beggar.

It seemed the Shopkeeper had seen his youth and wanted to use the chance to force down the price.

"You must be joking, Shopkeeper." Li Xiao picked up the White Lingzhi as if to put it away.

"I risked my life to harvest this Jade Lingzhi from a cliff face. Ten taels of silver would not even cover the cost of treating my injuries.

"Since your shop has no interest in buying it, I'll ask elsewhere."

"Ah, don't be hasty, Youngster!" Seeing that he was about to leave, the Shopkeeper quickly reached out to stop him, piling a fake smile onto his face.

"Even if a deal falls through, goodwill remains. The price is negotiable.

"Tell me, how much do you want?"

"Eighty taels." Li Xiao named a price.

He had estimated this figure. It was neither an outrageous demand nor too little to reflect the value of the White Lingzhi.

The Shopkeeper's expression darkened. "Youngster, that's a lion opening its jaws! How could it be so expensive? Twenty taels at most!"

"Anything under eighty taels is not worth discussing."

Li Xiao's tone was firm as he turned to lift the curtain and leave.

"You!" A flash of anger crossed the Shopkeeper's eyes. He watched Li Xiao's retreating back, so utterly without attachment, then looked at the glowing white Lingzhi in his hand. In the end, he gritted his teeth.

"Stop! Sixty taels! Not a tael more!

"That is already a sky-high price. You won't find this offer anywhere else!"

Li Xiao paused.

Sixty taels was about what he had estimated it would be worth.

He turned around and nodded. "Deal."

The Shopkeeper resentfully had the assistant bring out sixty taels of silver. As he watched Li Xiao carefully put the silver away, a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

Li Xiao accepted the silver, confirmed that the amount was correct, and turned to leave.