In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.
During this time, Ye Shu not only diligently continued his cultivation every day but also gained more insights into the Hunyuan Pearl and experimented with the Hunyuan Water several times.
Gradually, he began to understand some things.
The Hunyuan Pearl now acknowledged Ye Shu as its master, but he still had almost no cultivation level to speak of, so he could only refine the Hunyuan Pearl slightly. As his cultivation level and realm improved in the future, he would be able to continue refining the Hunyuan Pearl and it would have more uses.
However, although the Hunyuan Pearl’s current uses were few, Ye Shu valued it highly.
The small island inside the Hunyuan Pearl was about ten zhang in diameter, with a slightly sunken surface about one zhang in diameter, where external objects could be placed and preserved for thousands of years without decay. However, living beings could not be stored inside—not that they couldn’t ever be, but they would have to wait until Ye Shu’s realm improved several times. But even if it couldn’t be done now, it was still extremely beneficial for Ye Shu, considering that items like the Qiankun Pouch [1](乾坤袋 qián kūn dài) – Often depicted as a fabric pouch that can be hung from a belt or carried in hand. The size of the pouch itself might be unremarkable, but it holds an immense … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3553049_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3553049_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); and the Xumi Ring [2](须弥戒子 xū mí jiè zi) – Typically portrayed as a simple finger ring, sometimes adorned with intricate designs. Similar to the Qiankun Pouch, it belies a vast internal space despite its … Continue reading jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3553049_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3553049_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], }); he had obtained before could not contain living beings either, and even dead objects would only decay slower, let alone remain uncorrupted for thousands of years.
Therefore, even with just this “non-decay” function, it could bring great convenience to Ye Shu.
Of course, this was just one relatively practical use. The real benefit of the Hunyuan Pearl was the Hunyuan Water gathered by the Yellow Bamboo. This water could truly nourish all things, not only increasing the vitality of plants but also being extremely useful even for metals like gold and iron.
For plants, after several attempts, Ye Shu roughly inferred that if the Hunyuan Water was only used for planting ordinary worldly vegetation, even rare species admired by mortals, a drop diluted in water would still exhibit extraordinary effects. However, when used to cultivate spiritual flowers, exotic plants, and precious medicinal herbs, its effectiveness depended on their required vitality. Nonetheless, regardless of the circumstance, a drop of water could transform the medicinal properties of plants from decades to hundreds or even thousands of years, which was no small feat.
In addition to this, Ye Shu once soaked a partially rusted iron knife from the kitchen in a basin filled with diluted Hunyuan Water. After being fully submerged for a short while, the slight rust on its surface had vanished, and its blade had shrunk by a full circle. However, the edge of the blade had gradually become sharper, emitting a cold gleam that could almost injure someone. How could this still be ordinary iron? It almost resembled refined iron or even mysterious iron.
From this, it could be seen that the Hunyuan Water not only removed impurities from the blade’s surface and improved its appearance but also catalyzed it, causing its properties to change, as if it had transformed into another more precious substance.
Although these two effects amazed Ye Shu, he was more concerned about the benefits of Hunyuan Water for living beings.
Some time ago, a wild chicken tied to a pillar had a leg injury and had not eaten for several days. Its vitality was waning, and it was on the verge of death. Ye Shu had an idea and fetched a cup of diluted Hunyuan Water to feed it. The next moment, the wild chicken quickly regained its vitality, and even the wound on its leg healed quickly, which was quite miraculous. Apart from that, there was nothing unusual about the wild chicken. Later, Ye Shu slaughtered and ate it, but he found the wild chicken meat to be delicious, much better than the few wild chickens he had killed before. After eating it all, he vaguely felt a trickle of warmth flowing through his body, which was very comfortable. … When he ate only the large leafy green vegetables, he did not feel this way.
Later, Ye Shu tried several more times with other wild creatures of various sizes and found that the stronger and healthier the creatures, the greater the benefits they obtained. Often, they became stronger and healthier, their fur became brighter, and their claws and teeth sharper. However, when it came to treating wounds, it was different. The more severe the injury, the weaker the effect, and the Hunyuan Water had to be diluted less to be effective. In reality, the accelerated healing of wounds was not due to the therapeutic properties of the Hunyuan Water but rather because it enhanced the vitality of the wild creatures, strengthening their bodies, which naturally led to the improvement of their injuries. If it were not for such injuries, but rather poisoning or similar conditions, the Hunyuan Water could only do its best to prolong life.
Afterward, because these wild creatures benefited from it, Ye Shu also took some himself.
As soon as he drank a cup of diluted Hunyuan Water, he felt a nearly warm current flowing continuously through his meridians, quickly penetrating into his flesh and blood, surging inside and out, making him feel slightly feverish. He could perceive that his deficient body seemed to be constantly replenished, and the feeling of comfort surpassed that of eating the meat of the wild chicken fed with Hunyuan Water. At the same time, a thin layer of sweat appeared on his skin, tinged with black and a slight stench, indicating the presence of some toxins.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Shu realized that this was probably the remnant of the medicine from that bowl back then [3] The medicine made the original Ye Shu become foolish jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_3553049_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_3553049_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });, which should have been brought out by the spiritual energy when he laid the foundation. Now, the Hunyuan Water had assisted him in advance.
Later on, Ye Shu carefully increased the concentration of the Hunyuan Water and took it daily.
As a result, his body was filled with vitality, his thin limbs had gained some flesh, and his skin had become more radiant, making him appear healthier than the average person.
However, the drop of Hunyuan Water he produced daily was quite potent. Ye Shu dared not consume it all at once, so he would only take half a drop each day for testing purposes, and the other half to swallow… This was already Ye Shu’s limit; he couldn’t bear any more. Yet, for some reason, after swallowing it continuously for several days, he began to feel that he was absorbing the qi of heaven and earth more smoothly.
Therefore, Ye Shu became even more determined not to interrupt his daily consumption of Hunyuan Water.
While practicing cultivation, Ye Shu also studied the medical book given to him by the old doctor, memorizing which medicinal herbs were commonly used by mortal physicians and how to harvest them, before venturing into the mountains to find them. Going a bit deeper into the mountains, he could find many herbs, although most were not very old. Some grew in remote and rugged areas, making their medicinal properties even stronger.
Ye Shu collected about half a basket of herbs, not putting them into the Hunyuan Pearl, but carrying them back directly. Afterwards, he used some diluted Hunyuan Water to water some of the herbs with slightly longer medicinal ages, enhancing their medicinal properties, and also supplemented some originally fragile ones… After processing them, the herbs placed on the table looked a bit better. His handling was not excessive; the oldest herb was only fifty years old, far from being precious mountain treasures, but it wasn’t difficult to sell them for some silver coins and exchange them for necessary items.
After reviewing some of his plans in his mind, Ye Shu had lunch, then went to the field behind to pick a lot of large leafy greens and put them in his backpack. He also poured some diluted Hunyuan Water into the rabbits he had caught earlier, stunned and tied them up, and put them in the backpack as well. Finally, he placed the herbs on top.
Then Ye Shu didn’t linger anymore and headed down the mountain.
At the city gate, Ye Shu looked up at the gate.
There were still many soldiers guarding here, but they didn’t stop Ye Shu as he walked past.
Ye Shu paused for a moment and walked straight in.
Since Yanbei became the lord of the city, there had been no charge for entry and exit at the city gate.
After entering the city, Ye Shu went straight to the medical clinic.
There were several medical clinics in Mingshan City, but this one had been around for quite some time. Although there was only one senior doctor inside, he was highly respected by the citizens for his medical ethics and high medical skills.
The clinic was not very large, and there was a pharmacy boy guarding the door. When he saw Ye Shu approaching, he asked, “Are you here for a consultation or to pick up medicine?”
Ye Shu said, “I received medical care from the doctor some time ago, and now I’ve come to give my thanks. Could you please inform the master?”
The pharmacy boy recognized him and carefully examined him for a moment before saying, “I remember you, you did stay here for a few days. Let me inform Master!” With that, he hurried inside and soon came out again.
Ye Shu stood still and listened to the movement.
The pharmacy boy said, “Master said to invite you in. Come in quickly.”
Ye Shu followed him in, looking around as he walked. He didn’t see anyone consulting, only people fetching medicine from the pharmacy boy.
The old doctor was sitting in front of the main counter, and he looked over.
Ye Shu nodded and said, “Sir, I have come to pay a visit.” As he spoke, he took off his back basket, took out a bundle of medicinal herbs, and placed it in front of the old doctor. “The other day, I picked some medicinal herbs from the mountain, some of which are of good quality. I thought of exchanging them for a few pieces of silver.”
The old doctor smiled gently and said, “Let me take a look. If they’re good, I’ll take them all.”
Ye Shu nodded and voluntarily untied the bundle.
In an instant, a strong herbal fragrance permeated the air.
The old doctor was slightly surprised. “Young man, these medicinal herbs are quite potent.” He said as he carefully examined them one by one.
“Sanqi, Astragalus, Schisandra, Rehmannia…” The old doctor inspected each herb and finally focused on a few dark red Ganoderma lucidum and a ginseng root as thick as a finger. “The Ganoderma lucidum is still young, but this ginseng has a medicinal age of fifty years.”
Ye Shu said, “Being able to find this ginseng is also considered good luck.” He paused slightly. “Back then, I was able to recover quickly thanks to your care. I have nothing valuable, so I only have this ginseng that I just picked. I hope you will accept it.”
The old doctor was taken aback, then declined, “Young man, there’s no need for this. It was the young lord’s kindness back then, and I just happened to be there. This ginseng can fetch a hundred taels of silver. If you take the silver, you’ll have more savings.”
Ye Shu shook his head. “Sir, there’s no need to decline. Indeed, it was the young lord who saved my life, but you have taken great care of me and allowed me to browse through medical books. If you refuse to accept this ginseng, I will feel uneasy.” As he spoke, he took out the wrapped medical book from his pocket and pushed it over.
The old doctor took the medical book and frowned slightly when he looked at the ginseng, seeming to be in a dilemma.
Ye Shu pointed to the back basket again and said, “Please accept the ginseng first, and then calculate how much the other herbs are worth for me. After that, I will visit the lord’s mansion to deliver some mountain goods to express my gratitude to the young lord.”
The old doctor glanced at the back basket and finally said, “Young man, you are thoughtful.” He no longer declined, but when he paid Ye Shu for the herbs, he gave him a little extra silver.
Ye Shu had observed the approximate value of these herbs during his recovery here, so he returned the excess without saying much.
The old doctor could only shake his head and take back the extra silver.
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