Xiao Chong and Zi Yan exchanged a smile and were about to step forward when suddenly, the millennium Ganoderma seemed to sense their intentions. It slowly broke free from the crevices in the rock, its four slender vines acting like legs, supporting it as it gently hopped away from the two.
"Haha! This Ganoderma… it's running!" Zi Yan exclaimed in surprise, covering her mouth with her hand, her eyes wide with disbelief at the scene before her.
Xiao Chong was equally astonished. His hand trembled slightly as he flipped through the "Illustrated Compendium of Ten Thousand Herbs." The Compendium mentions that a very few medicinal herbs, due to their ancient age and absorption of the essence of heaven and earth, can develop a rudimentary intelligence.
"I never thought we'd be fortunate enough to encounter one today."
"Rudimentary intelligence? Does that mean this Ganoderma can understand us?" Zi Yan asked curiously, then shouted towards the fleeing Ganoderma, "Hey! Little Ganoderma, don't run! We won't hurt you; we just need your help to save someone!"
The millennium Ganoderma seemed to understand Zi Yan's word. It stopped and turned to look at them, a faint purple light flickering on its cap, as if pondering.
"Look, it stopped!" Zi Yan was overjoyed and grabbed Xiao Chong hand, ready to move forward.
"Wait," Xiao Chong held Zi Yan's wrist, his expression serious.
"We must respect its will and not force it. Zi Yan, try again, use sincerity to win it over."
Zi Yan nodded, took a deep breath, and slowly approached the Ganoderma, speaking softly:
"Little Ganoderma, we know how precious you are and understand that you have your own life. But this Life-Restoring Elixir is extremely important to me. If you are willing to help us, we will be eternally grateful and promise to protect every inch of this land, not allowing any bad people to set foot here."
Zi Yan words were gentle and sincere, even moving Xiao Chong a little bit.
The light from the millennium Ganoderma seemed to soften, its vine-like legs swaying gently. Finally, it slowly moved back and stopped in front of Zi Yan.
"Success!"
Zi Yan cheered, carefully extending her hand to touch the Ganoderma, as if caressing a delicate life.
"Thank you, little Ganoderma," Xiao Chong also stepped forward, his eyes filled with respect.
At that moment, a faint buzzing sound suddenly echoed through the valley, followed by a powerful pressure sweeping down from the sky, causing hearts to tremble.
"Not good, it's a sign of a magical beast's appearance," Xiao Chong face changed, and he quickly pulled Zi Yan to hide behind a large rock.
In the sky, a giant spirit eagle soared, its sharp eyes scanning the valley, finally locking onto the millennium Ganoderma emitting a faint purple light. With a flap of its wings, it dove down like an arrow.
"Zi Yan, we must protect the Ganoderma; we can't let it fall into the hands of the magical beast," Xiao Chong whispered, a long sword appearing in his hand, determination flashing in his eyes.
"Brother Xiao Chong, let's go together!" Zi Yan also stood her ground, her hands gathering purple spiritual energy, ready to fight.
Just as the two prepared to attack, the millennium Ganoderma floated up on its own, emitting a dazzling light that formed a protective shield, enveloping itself, Xiao Chong, and Zi Yan. The spirit eagle attack was effortlessly deflected by this sudden defense.
"It seems it has decided to protect us as well," Zi Yan remarked, a smile playing on her lips as she watched the helpless spirit eagle circling outside the light barrier.
"Zi Yan, we owe it one," Xiao Chong said softly, his eyes filled with emotion.
As Zi Yan gazed at the thousand-year-old Ganoderma, her heart turned with indecision, a warm surge of strength flowed from her palm. It was the firm and comforting grip of Xiao Chong hand.
"Zi Yan, surely it protected us with a purpose. Let's find another way, one that neither betrays this kindness nor fails our goal," Zi Yan nodded, a glint of determination flashing in her eyes.
"Alright, then let's search for an herb that can replace the thousand-year-old Ganoderma. I've heard of a forgotten medicinal valley by the Boundless East Sea, where the treasure we need might be hidden."
Thus, the two embarked on their journey to the East Sea, traversing changing landscapes through wind and rain.
Several days later, they stood on the vast seashore, facing the endless, turbulent ocean. The salty sea breeze brushed past their hair.
"This is it. The legendary medicinal valley is hidden somewhere in this sea, but its exact location is unknown," Zi Yan said, her expression complex as she gazed at the sea.
Xiao Chong patted her shoulder and smiled,
"With you here, what is there to fear in finding it? Let's brave this vast sea in a small boat."
With that, they rented a small boat from a fishing village and began their sea voyage.
The days at sea were anything but calm—storms, sea monsters, and elusive sea fog became obstacles on their path. Yet, united by heart and spirit, they relied on each other to overcome each challenge.
At dusk, the setting sun cast a bloody hue, and the sea shimmered with golden light. A small boat appeared faintly on the horizon.
"Look! What's that?" Zi Yan pointed into the distance, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
As the boat drew closer, they discovered it was actually a floating island, lush with greenery and enveloped in an ethereal mist, as if it were a world apart.
"Is this… the medicinal valley?" Zi Yan could hardly contain her surprise.
Xiao Chong nodded, and the two rowed towards the island in silent agreement.
The moment they stepped onto the island, the air was filled with the fragrance of various herbs, refreshing and invigorating. They followed a winding path deeper into the island, encountering all sorts of exotic flowers and plants, each exuding an astonishing aura of spirit.
"The herbs here are even more abundant than the rumors suggest," Zi Yan marveled, gently touching a colorful spiritual orchid.
"But where is the substitute we're looking for?" Xiao Chong looked around, a hint of anxiety in his heart.
Just then, a clear voice rang out from the woods, "What brings you two from afar?"
They turned to see a young girl dressed in simple clothes, wearing a garland, her demeanor exuding a transcendent aura.
Zi Yan stepped forward and asked politely, "We come from afar, seeking a herb that can replace the thousand-year-old Ganoderma. Do you know of such a thing?"
The girl smiled, "The thousand-year-old Ganoderma is no ordinary herb, and its substitute is naturally extraordinary. If you are sincere, follow me."
Thus, the three walked to the center of the island, where the girl stopped in front of a plant that was crystal clear and emitted a faint blue light.
"This is the 'Jade Sea Spirit Core,' which grows in the crevices of undersea rocks, absorbing the essence of the ocean for hundreds of years before taking form. Although its efficacy is not as potent as a thousand-year-old Ganoderma, it is still an exceedingly rare and wondrous medicinal herb."
Zi Yan gazed at the dazzling Jade Sea Spirit Core, her heart filled with both the joy of finding the medicine and a deep reverence for nature's gift. "We are immensely grateful, but are there any taboos or points associated with harvesting this herb?"