The dense mountain forest was alive with competition: exotic flowers and plants vied for attention, while trees and vines struggled for space. A rugged path wound through the woods, carrying the quiet serenity of early morning. Birds chirped brightly, and leaves rustled softly. Hua Dou walked slowly along the path with a medicine basket on his back, enjoying the fresh mountain air and savoring the forest's scent.
A playful white rabbit hopped around Hua Dou, showing its affection and familiarity with him. Hua Dou reached into his basket, took out a scarlet fruit, and gently tossed it toward the rabbit. The rabbit caught the fruit in midair and flashed a humanlike smile, making Hua Dou laugh heartily.
Hua Dou gazed at the rabbit with a sigh and murmured to himself, "Leaving the Sea of Suffering behind might not be such a bad thing after all."
Just then, a mournful sob came from deeper in the forest. Hua Dou stopped in his tracks. Perhaps only hunters lived in these mountains, so the crying must be for someone who had died or was near death.
Hua Dou hurried toward the source of the sobbing. Though he did not cultivate the Dao, the health-preserving arts passed down from the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, along with the breathing techniques that kept surfacing in his mind, had left him far fitter than an ordinary man. Even in his sixties, he could stride along at a swift pace.
A low wooden hut stood among the trees, with several animal hides drying outside. Hua Dou saw a woman weeping over a burly man lying in front of the hut, his face dark purple.
Hua Dou hurried over and carefully examined him. The man had no breath, and his blood was no longer circulating.
Hua Dou quickly