Panel

Li Xiao subconsciously answered, "Yes," and a phantom Panel suddenly appeared in his mind.

Host: Li Xiao

Already Recorded: Herbal Compendium (Not Mastered 1/120 First Mastery grants a reward

Limit-Breaking Points: None

The Panel was absurdly simple. At a thought from Li Xiao, it quietly vanished.

Heaven had finally taken pity on him—his eyes nearly reddened. So this was his Golden Finger?

But he had no clue how to use it.

"System? How do I operate this? Open sesame? Give me a straight answer!"

Li Xiao muttered to himself, firing several questions at thin air, but the Panel did not stir in the slightest.

There was nothing else he could do.

Then he suddenly remembered: the Panel had activated when he flipped through the Herbal Compendium. Could it be connected to this book?

Steadying himself, he picked up the yellowed compendium again and, with trembling fingertips, turned to the second page.

This page depicted Angelica Sinensis.

Drawn in ink, its stem stood straight, its leaves were pinnately divided, and clusters of tiny white flowers dotted its crown. Beside it, densely packed notes were written in clear ink:

Angelica Sinensis, also known as Dry Angelica and Qin Angelica. Sweet and pungent in flavor, warm in nature.

Nourishes and invigorates the blood, regulates menstruation and relieves pain, moistens the intestines and promotes bowel movements. Can treat sallow complexion from blood deficiency, dizziness, palpitations...

Mostly found in cold, rainy mountain regions. Prefers cool, humid climates; cold-resistant but afraid of waterlogging. Best grown in loose, fertile sandy soil...

Harvesting season: dig up in late autumn, remove fibrous roots and dirt, and once the moisture has slightly evaporated, tie into small bundles, place on racks, and slowly smoke-dry over a fire...

[Herbal Compendium Experience points +1]

At last, the Panel changed!

Li Xiao's heart jolted. He hurriedly flipped to the next page—it was Chinese Yam.

[Herbal Compendium Experience points +1]

Now he understood completely—the Panel actually relied on accumulated experience!

Each time he carefully studied a medicinal herb's illustration and annotations, his Experience points increased by 1, and the number under "Already Recorded" rose along with it.

His earlier disappointment and confusion were instantly swept away by excitement.

This Golden Finger looked simple, even somewhat "plain," but to him as he was now, it was no less than a ray of light in the darkness.

As though he had discovered a new continent, he pored over page after page, from Codonopsis to Goji Berry, from Bupleurum to Poria Cocos, silently committing every herb's form, effects, and growth habits to memory.

[Herbal Compendium Experience points +1]

[Herbal Compendium Experience points +1]

The numbers on the Panel steadily climbed, from 3 points to 5, then 8, 20...

"Already Recorded" also changed from "Mastered 2/120" to "Mastered 5/120," then "Mastered 20/120."

By the time the sky outside darkened, Li Xiao's head was spinning. Only then did he reluctantly close the book.

At a thought, the information on every herb he had just read appeared before his mind's eye, flawless down to the smallest detail.

He clenched his fists in excitement. This was not merely photographic memory—it was more like instinct. No wonder it consumed so much mental energy.

At last, he had something to rely on to gain a foothold in this world.

As long as he accumulated things bit by bit and mastered more skills, life would eventually get better.

"Creak—"

The door opened softly, and Li Youde emerged leaning on his cane. With the weather freezing cold, he could not bear to burn firewood for warmth, so he spent most of his time huddled inside.

"Xiao'er, you must be hungry. I'll make dinner now."

He spoke with a smile, but his gaze suddenly froze on the compendium atop the table. After a soft sigh, he slowly walked over and sat beside Li Xiao, his rough palm gently stroking the yellowed pages.

"This was left behind by your mother." His voice was low and unhurried, filled with nostalgia.

"Back then, I would go hunting in the mountains, and she would dig up medicinal herbs on Back Mountain..."

Li Xiao listened quietly without saying a word.

He knew his mother had died of a minor illness because there was no medicine to treat it—in this world, a life could sometimes be lighter than a feather.

Only after talking for quite a while did Li Youde rise with his cane and slowly make his way into the kitchen.

Li Xiao wanted to read a few more pages, but the moment he opened the book, his head began to swell and ache, his vision swimming. He could only set it down helplessly.

Rubbing his throbbing brow, he suddenly realized: this body was simply too weak.

For days on end, he had been drinking millet gruel so thin it reflected a person's shadow. He was severely malnourished, and his already depleted body was being hit by snow upon frost.

He had just read through more than ten kinds of medicinal herbs in one breath, maintaining intense concentration. For him now, it was already beyond his limits.

"Looks like the Golden Finger needs a strong body to support it too."

Li Xiao gave a wry smile and leaned back against the cold chair, catching his breath.

No matter how good the Panel was, without a sturdy body, forget going into the mountains to gather herbs—he probably would not even last through a few pages of reading.

The sound of a cane lightly tapping against the floor came from the kitchen, mixed with the crackling pops of firewood.

Before long, a faint fragrance of grain drifted over—Millet porridge again, so thin one could practically count every grain in it.

He rose to help, but after taking just two steps, his legs went weak. I need to nurse this body back to health first. I cannot rush my reading either.

Li Xiao silently made up his mind.

Among the herbs recorded in the illustrated guide around Willow City, Polygonatum and Chinese yam were both excellent for nourishing the spleen and stomach.

Once the snow let up, he had to head into the mountains and try his luck. Even if he found only a few plants, they could at least add something decent to the family's meals—anything was better than drinking watery porridge every day.

As he was thinking, Li Youde came out carrying a bowl of porridge and shakily set it on the table.

"Drink it while it's hot. I put in an extra half-spoonful of Millet today."

Looking at the porridge, slightly thicker than usual, Li Xiao felt his nose sting.

He helped his father sit down before lifting his own bowl and taking small sips.

The grain porridge was still coarse, but as it entered his mouth, it felt especially grounding—every mouthful was the foundation for restoring his health.

After finishing the porridge, Li Youde took the bowl back to the kitchen. When he came out again, he was stroking that illustrated guide, his eyes filled with melancholy.

"Dad, once I'm feeling a little better, I'll go into the mountains and take a look."

Li Xiao suddenly said, "If I can find some herbs, they could nourish our bodies, and maybe even be exchanged for a few copper coins."

Li Youde froze and looked up at him.

The Li Xiao of the past would have been cause enough for thanks to heaven if he did not steal things from home to gamble away. When had he ever thought of helping support the family?

Perhaps he really has come to his senses and understands how hard things are at home... Xiu'er, do you see this?

He silently murmured his late wife's name, but merely shook his head aloud.

"The mountains are sealed by heavy snow. How could herbs be so easy to find?

Even old herbalists would not enter the mountains at a time like this.

You have only read a few pages, and you already want to go up the mountain to dig for herbs? Wait until spring."

Though he was pleased that his son had such intentions, he absolutely could not agree.

"The roads are slippery in heavy snow, and wild beasts roam the mountains.

Your health has only just begun to improve. Taking such a risk is not worth it."

Li Youde's tone carried an Unquestionable firmness.

"Besides, in the dead of winter, the herbs are all hidden beneath frozen earth. Even if you find them, digging them up would be difficult.

Wait until spring, when the snow melts, the earth warms, and the herbs push through the ground. Then I'll teach you the way and take you for a walk around Back Mountain."

He was also afraid—afraid that Li Xiao was only fired up for three minutes.

When he was little, he had clamored to study. Li Youde sent him to the village school, but before long, he was skipping class every day and getting into fights, nearly angering the teacher to death.

This time, they would have to see whether he could persist for a few more days.