The Secrets Hidden in Basic Herbs

Before long, the practical combat training came to an end. During that time, Zhou Liang had fallen to the ground again and again. Although Soul Power protected him, the falls still left his chest feeling tight.

"Alright, we'll stop here for today, but the training isn't over yet." After speaking, Wang Hu took out something that looked like a set of weights.

Zhou Liang looked at the long steel bars and the straps that resembled bindings, then asked in confusion, "Teacher, isn't my body still too young for prolonged weight training?"

"Yes, you're still young and indeed can't carry heavy weights for long periods. But these aren't for weight training. They're meant to train your balance." Wang Hu nodded.

"Train my balance?" Zhou Liang asked doubtfully.

"Yes. There are six weighted straps in total. They can be fastened to your calves, forearms, and shoulders. But you can't wear all of them at once. Each day, you need to place weight on one of those six locations, shifting your center of gravity. At the same time, you must change the location every day. If you wear it on top today, wear it lower tomorrow. If you wear it on the left today, wear it on the right tomorrow." Wang Hu held up the six weighted straps as he explained.

Only then did Zhou Liang understand. He nodded and said, "I see. By shifting my center of gravity every day, I can become familiar with how to stabilize myself under different centers of gravity more quickly."

"That's right. And wearing it on only one location each day won't affect your physical development." Wang Hu nodded and handed over the weighted straps.

Zhou Liang reached out and took them, then picked up the weight for his left forearm and strapped it on.

"Alright, rest for a while, then go attend your knowledge class." Wang Hu turned and walked away after saying that.

Zhou Liang stored the other five weighted straps in his Soul Guide Device. Then he picked up the Balance Staff, returned it to its original place, and headed toward the knowledge class.

The place for the knowledge class was an office. An elderly man with a long beard sat inside. When he saw Zhou Liang enter, he gave him a kindly smile.

"Hello, Zhou Liang. My name is Halde, and I'm your knowledge instructor. Within a year, I'll teach you the knowledge a Soul Master should possess: A Brief History of the Continent, History of the Heaven Dou Empire, Complete Encyclopedia of Soul Beasts, Record of Rare Treasures, Basic Herbs, and Map of Continental Factions." Halde took out a stack of books as he spoke.

Then, with some helplessness, he pointed to the last book and said, "There's also this one the dean forcibly added, The Ten Core Competencies of Martial Souls. Just read it to broaden your horizons. Don't believe everything in it, because none of it has been proven, and there's a certain degree of danger involved."

Looking at the book, Zhou Liang could understand why it had appeared here. He nodded and said, "Yes, Teacher Halde."

"Good. Take a seat first." Halde nodded.

Zhou Liang walked to the desk and sat down on a stool.

"Let's begin with A Brief History of the Continent..." After speaking, Halde opened A Brief History of the Continent and began explaining.

Zhou Liang also took out his copy beside him, opened it, and listened attentively.

Time passed slowly, and the knowledge class was nearing its end.

"Zhou Liang, we'll stop today's lesson here. Review what I taught today several times when you return. Tomorrow, I'll spend ten minutes questioning you." After checking the time, Halde spoke to Zhou Liang below.

"Yes, Teacher!" Zhou Liang stood up and nodded.

"Oh, and take this copy of Basic Herbs back with you and familiarize yourself with it. This is also knowledge you enjoy, so I believe you'll be more enthusiastic about it. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask during class, and I'll explain it to you." Halde took out a stack of books and handed it to Zhou Liang.

"Once we finish the earlier books, I'll carefully explain the fundamentals of herbs in this one. With advance review, your memory will be even deeper when the time comes."

Zhou Liang nodded at Halde, then looked at the stack that was supposedly one book but was actually dozens piled together. The corner of his mouth twitched.

"Alright, class is dismissed. You may spend the remaining time however you wish." Halde said.

After saying goodbye to his teacher, Zhou Liang picked up the stack of books and left the classroom.

Seeing that it was still early, Zhou Liang returned to his dormitory, put away the dozens of books in his arms, took out a copy of Complete Illustrated Guide to Basic Herbs, and began reading.

The illustrations of all kinds of herbs were lifelike, and the text beside them described their characteristics, habitats, appearances, uses, and taboos.

"Maple Leaf Grass: ... Its taste is slightly bitter. It can clear the lungs and reduce internal heat, but it must not be used together with Firestar Pentaleaf."

When Zhou Liang saw this, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he began searching. Before long, he found the following description on another page.

"Firestar Pentaleaf: ... Its taste is slightly sweet. It can dispel cold and warm the heart, but it must not be used together with Maple Leaf Grass."

Although he had not found the information he wanted, Zhou Liang was still extremely delighted.

Zhou Liang set the book in his hand aside, walked over to the stack of books, and began picking them up one by one.

After continuously searching, he finally found three books.

They were [Herbal Taboos—Basic Edition], [Theoretical Conflicts in Pharmacology—Basic Edition], and [Basic Conflicting Medicinal Substances].

Zhou Liang hurriedly opened the three books and examined them one by one, carefully searching for the information he wanted.

Inside the dormitory, apart from the sound of turning pages, only Zhou Liang's breathing remained. He was utterly focused, eagerly awaiting the information he sought.

Finally, his eyes lit up. He found what he wanted, picked up [Basic Conflicting Medicinal Substances], and carefully examined the page before him.

"Maple Leaf Grass is cold in nature. When used alone, it can clear the lungs and reduce internal heat. However, due to its special properties, it must not be mixed with heat-type herbs, or its effects will be greatly diminished. This is especially true of Firestar Pentaleaf, which possesses unique heat properties. If the two are used together, they will produce a peculiar poison. The user will certainly die within three days."

Zhou Liang's eyes lit up when he saw that. To others, certain death within three days was something to avoid at all costs, but to Zhou Liang, it was a miraculous medicine.

Death within three days means the poison isn't extremely violent at the start. That way, I can absorb it slowly, and my body won't be harmed because the poison erupts too quickly or too fiercely. Zhou Liang thought with a smile curling across his lips.

I just wonder what type of poison it is.

Zhou Liang lowered his head and continued reading.