Urban Martial Saint

Faced with the giant snake much larger than itself, the Fat Jiao didn’t even spare it a glance. It reached out with its chubby little paw, took the milky white Lingzhi from the giant snake’s tail, and handed it to Ye Qing beside it, its pair of black eyes blinking as if trying to please Ye Qing.

Ye Qing finally understood that the previous roars of the Fat Jiao were actually to summon the giant snake to bring the Lingzhi down. Judging by the looks of the Fat Jiao, it wanted Ye Qing to eat the Lingzhi. It must have noticed Ye Qing’s hunger. One had to admit, this Fat Jiao was quite clever.

Taking the milky white Lingzhi from the Fat Jiao, Ye Qing sniffed it under his nose, immediately catching a whiff of an intoxicating medicinal fragrance. Even before eating it, Ye Qing felt an indescribable comfort throughout his body. He casually tore off a piece and put it in his mouth. The Lingzhi was spicy yet mild in taste, leaving a lingering medicinal aroma, an exquisite taste that was unmatched.

In Ye Qing’s previously learned Acupoint Seeking Technique, there were records of medicinal herbs, including this Lingzhi. This milky white Lingzhi, also known as Jade Ganoderma in the Acupoint Seeking Technique, increases in effectiveness with its growth period, excellent for the human body, and even has longevity benefits. Moreover, this Jade Ganoderma is not common at all, even rarer than ginseng. One of considerable age is even harder to find. Although this Jade Ganoderma isn’t very large, Ye Qing could tell its growth must span many years, at least a century.

A ten-year-old Jade Ganoderma is already very rare, capable of strengthening the body and removing disease. A fifty-year-old Jade Ganoderma holds effectiveness comparable to a century-old ginseng, but crucially, its value far exceeds that of a century-old ginseng. After all, the effects of Jade Ganoderma are different from ginseng’s, and the efficacy it can reach is beyond what ginseng can achieve. Furthermore, with the same medicinal herb, the first-time effects are undoubtedly good, but repeatedly consuming it naturally lessens its effects. For instance, consuming three to five century-old ginsengs generates less effect than consuming one century-old ginseng and an over-fifty-year-old Jade Ganoderma, which is why Jade Ganoderma’s value is primarily higher.

A century-old ginseng can still be purchased with money, but an over-fifty-year-old Jade Ganoderma is priceless, a treasure money can’t buy. As for Jade Ganoderma over fifty years old, there’s no need to mention its worth anymore. Especially with a Jade Ganoderma surpassing a century, Ye Qing couldn’t even begin to estimate its value!

Ye Qing had previously entered Medicine King Mountain and had seen such Jade Ganoderma there. However, the Jade Ganoderma on Medicine King Mountain didn’t have nearly as long a growth period as the one Ye Qing was seeing now. Most of the medicinal herbs on Medicine King Mountain were later transplanted or planted by Divine Doctor An Shiping, and for something like Lingzhi, transplantation was clearly impossible. So, the Lingzhi on Medicine King Mountain was all planted. Since it’s planted, from Divine Doctor An Shiping’s era to now, it’s clear those Jade Ganoderma haven’t grown over a century.

When Ye Qing saw that field of over-fifty-year-old Jade Ganoderma on Medicine King Mountain, he was already very shocked. Who would have thought that in Mount Wendao, there would still be a Jade Ganoderma surpassing a century? Ye Qing was understandably stunned!

The Fat Jiao saw Ye Qing only eat a piece and stretched out its little paw to nudge Ye Qing, signaling him to consume the entire Jade Ganoderma.

Ye Qing had just eaten a small piece, already confirming it was a Jade Ganoderma, deeply aware of its worth, and naturally wouldn’t consume more. In reality, a Jade Ganoderma over fifty years has lifespan-extending effects. And one over a century old can significantly increase lifespan. For Ye Qing to consume it now would be sheer waste. If someone like Fu Qingping ingested a Jade Ganoderma over a century old, it might even extend his lifespan. Of course, Ye Qing wouldn’t consume it just because of his hunger.

Carefully storing the Jade Ganoderma, Ye Qing turned to the Fat Jiao and curiously asked, ”Where did you get this Jade Ganoderma from?”

Ye Qing didn’t know if the Fat Jiao could understand him, so he gestured toward it while questioning, hoping the Fat Jiao would grasp his meaning.

However, Ye Qing clearly underestimated the Fat Jiao’s intelligence. Transforming from a snake into a Jiao was no accident. Back when Ancestor Chen Tuan was here, the Fat Jiao always stayed by his side, long since understanding human language. Therefore, Ye Qing didn’t need to gesture; it fully comprehended his words.

The Fat Jiao extended a little paw, indicating a direction above the Cave. Looking up, Ye Qing wondered, ”Is it up on the mountain?”

The Fat Jiao nodded, then used its two little paws to draw a circle in the air, making some gestures. It could understand Ye Qing’s words, but Ye Qing couldn’t comprehend its gestures. However, considering the giant snake could swiftly bring down a Jade Ganoderma, it suggested the growing location wasn’t far from the snake’s pond, possibly in that very clearing. Yet, when Ye Qing was in that clearing, he was more focused on escaping, missing the chance to observe his surroundings and notice the Jade Ganoderma.

However, obtaining a Jade Ganoderma over a century old from this mountain wasn’t easy. Unlike ginseng, which continues growing if left untapped, Jade Ganoderma is a type of fungus with a delicate surface, vulnerable to wind and rain damage. Slight environmental shifts can ruin it. To grow for a hundred years, it must not only remain unharvested but also require an extremely favorable environment. Otherwise, why haven’t other longstanding, uninhabited mountain forests grown such Jade Ganoderma exceeding a century?

Yet, the Mount Wendao clearing was ideal for Jade Ganoderma growth, with mountains sheltering it from the wind and surrounding trees shielding against rain. Furthermore, with the mountain being Fat Jiao’s domain, mostly populated by snakes for a millennium, few people have entered and even fewer have survived. Growing in such an environment, untouched and with favorable conditions, it’s fairly normal for Jade Ganoderma to have long growth spans.

Thinking about the conditions of those four giant snakes in the mountain pond, Ye Qing inevitably remembered something. These giant snakes were abnormally large, much bigger than any pythons he’d seen before. Could it be these giant snakes grew so big because they constantly ate these Jade Ganoderma?

Upon realizing this, Ye Qing glanced at the Fat Jiao beside him. The Fat Jiao was truly Mount Wendao’s undisputed overlord. All the snakes in the mountains bowed to its authority. Within its kingdom, no one dared to invade. Remembering the wave-like snake horde he previously saw made Ye Qing’s hair stand on end. Paired with the terrifying power of the Fat Jiao, who could possibly enter Mount Wendao? Even someone like The Immortal Lord entering Mount Wendao might not leave alive!

The Fat Jiao oblivious to Ye Qing’s thoughts, despite its long lifespan, was still like a playful child, affectionately circling around Ye Qing. Its plump body and glossy big eyes made it appear somewhat cute. This creature was indeed quite endearing when not enraged.

The Jade Ganoderma’s effects were truly remarkable, and although Ye Qing only consumed a small piece, his hunger had significantly subsided, and his spirits were greatly lifted. Ye Qing sat cross-legged by the Underground River, practicing the nine charts of the Innate Skill’s fundamentals from start to finish.

Upon practicing the nine charts again, the Buddha-Demon’s power within Ye Qing naturally surged immediately. However, these two forces merely remained vigilant within Ye Qing’s body without causing any turmoil. But after practicing the nine charts of Innate Skill, Ye Qing clearly felt a sense of power within himself again. This situation thrilled Ye Qing’s heart. If he continued practicing at this rate, could he regain his former strength?

However, thinking of the issues with his meridians, Ye Qing couldn’t help but feel disheartened. Although the power was present, without his meridians even with strength, he couldn’t exert it. In his current state, he was practically like a cripple; no cultivation technique could feasibly restore his strength!

Sighing gently, Ye Qing slowly stood up. Practicing the basics of the Innate Skill cleared his mind significantly, making him feel much lighter overall.

Glancing around, he noticed the range of the Cave wasn’t small. Ye Qing wasn’t in a hurry to leave, so he and the Fat Jiao explored the entire Cave network.

The Fat Jiao, having resided in this underground Cave for a millennium, was extremely familiar with its layout. So, with Fat Jiao leading, Ye Qing didn’t worry about encountering any traps. After spending half a day, they finally finished exploring the sprawling Cave. Yet, this time, he didn’t discover anything else. These Caves appeared to have once been inhabited, but now dust covered everything, and Ye Qing found nothing of value.

Since nothing was uncovered in these Caves, Ye Qing decided not to linger. He asked Fat Jiao about the exit path, and the Fat Jiao led the way. After opening several mechanisms, they eventually exited the Cave.

Upon exiting, standing outside the Cave, Ye Qing realized he was nearly at the mountain’s base. That is to say, he had slid down almost to the mountain’s foot from the ground entrance, revealing how deep the Cave truly was.