Chapter 50: Chapter 50: Warm Water Fat Pine, Medicine for Healing
The path leading to the pond where "Elder Turtle" resides is an extremely deep trail, flanked by lush pine trees. The bark of each pine tree is covered with large patches of resin.
Blue-green flames burn on the resin, seemingly affecting the surrounding temperature slightly, making it feel warm.
The scent and warmth of the resin are overwhelming, creating an illusion of being in warm water.
’It seems to be a Second Tier Spirit Plant.’
’Warm Water Fat Pine.’
’How can the Spiritual Qi in such a place support the survival of a Second Tier Spirit Plant?’
He became more curious about the situation here.
Even though the Spiritual Qi here was not very abundant, it was intriguing that the fragrance of these Spirit Plants had a very obvious calming effect. Li Ye felt his mind at peace, just like soaking in a hot spring.
Li Ye followed behind the young boy. The boy in front seemed to hesitate for a moment and then gathered courage to introduce:
"Immortal, this is the sacred place of our Earth God Temple in Heavenly River City, and going further down is the deep pond where Grandpa Turtle resides."
"It’s indeed my first time here, so if there are any taboos or interesting stories I don’t know, just tell me directly."
Honestly, he still didn’t understand why Su Ya insisted on him coming here.
Was it just to experience the mundane scenery, or perhaps to explain the power of the Four Seasons Sect to him?
It can’t really be to get him to accept a menial task, can it?
Perhaps he would understand after seeing the so-called "Elder Turtle," or from the words of this young boy.
"Alright!"
The boy’s courage grew slightly. He moved swiftly through the woods, speaking clearly:
"Every year, there are immortals like you who come here to pay respects to Grandpa Turtle.
The entire Heavenly River City relies on the protection of Grandpa Turtle and the Land God and Land Lady to ensure favorable weather conditions."
"Land God and Land Lady?"
"Yes."
"The crops we farm every year are passed down by the Earth and Mountain Gods from the temple. It’s said that... they used to be immortals just like you!"
Like me — no, it should refer to immortals like Senior Sister Liu whom I just met.
"I see."
"Tell me more about the land; I’m very interested."
Li Ye nodded, having some ideas in his mind.
Hearing Li Ye’s words, the boy immediately shared everything he knew.
Through his description, Li Ye came to know what Heavenly River City was really like.
It turns out that calling it a city is an understatement. It actually spans a vast area, home to millions of people. Beyond Heavenly River City, there are many other cities, with a variety of landscapes and natural scenery all complete.
Just as Su Ya said, a mortal could hardly traverse it all in their lifetime.
However, the special resources of each city, such as Spring Wheat and similar items, need to be obtained through Earth and Mountain Gods from cultivators like Li Ye in the Immortal Realm.
Likewise, cultivators can also obtain some special items from the Mountain Gods and Earth Gods.
The exchange benefits both sides; the Mountain Gods and Earth Gods can develop their cities, and cultivators can acquire various items spawned by the incense and merit of this world.
After this conversation, Li Ye finally got a clear understanding.
Meanwhile, he also secretly marveled at the influence of the Four Seasons Sect, within such an isolated Grotto Heaven free from external interference.
Generation after generation nurturing, these mortals have long been utterly loyal to the Four Seasons Sect.
No death warrior could compare to people nurtured in this way.
However, the Four Seasons Sect indeed pays a lot of attention to these mortal worlds.
No disasters caused by cultivators, plus ensuring Four Seasons Smooth, is considered pretty good in the Cultivation Realm.
...
While the two were chatting, the flaming fragrance in the distance had formed a light mist swirling in mid-air. The further they went down, the denser the mist became.
Even Li Ye, with his repeatedly refined mana, felt it quite difficult, but the boy beside him remained at ease, as if unaffected.
When Li Ye reached the end of the stairs, the flaming light mist formed a deep pond in the mountains, from which a giant figure slowly rose.
Amidst the swirling mist, only its massive silhouette could be seen, but astonishingly a panel appeared —
[Name]: Flint Fire Divine Turtle · Immortal Seal Enshrinement
[Status]: Good
[Mood]: Joyful
[Bindable]: Involves Sixth Tier Spirit Plants related to Flint Fire.
The Flint Fire Divine Turtle fixed its gaze on Li Ye with eyes like torches, speaking in a very gentle male voice:
"An interesting boy, you have the spiritual power of the little ones I helped nurture for the sect.
How much Qi Fortune Shining Gold did you bring?
If there’s more, just give it all here.
I will definitely give you some benefits!"
Li Ye did bring some, but only a mere two ounces.
One must know that a Hungry Bone, when purified, only yields two ounces. The last one had already been handed over, and these two ounces were what he managed to save up.
He could only helplessly take out a bottle: "Elder Turtle! This junior only has this much!"
"That’s quite a lot, quite a lot!" The Flint Fire Divine Turtle stirred the surrounding flame mist, "Just pour the Qi Fortune Shining Gold in here."
"Snap."
Upon hearing this, Li Ye directly crushed the bottle and flicked his hand.
With a "whoosh," a gust of wind swept up the golden liquid into the pond where the Flint Fire Divine Turtle resided.
Clearly, only two ounces of Qi Fortune Shining Gold were there, yet it dyed the deep pond in resplendent golden light.
The flowing golden halo swirled around the enormous Divine Turtle, and its mood turned from [Joyful] to [Overjoyed].
Obviously, the Qi Fortune Shining Gold benefited it greatly.
Li Ye quietly waited for a while, about the time for a cup of tea, when a piece of fragrant resin fell directly in front of him, wrapped around a pine cone.
"This substance is the resin and pine cone nurtured by this Warm Water Fat Pine.
It has the effect of breaking through bottlenecks when burned and soaked in, and can also heal the meridian injuries within you."
"Most importantly, you can refine this pine cone into a Magical Artifact to carry with you, perfectly concealing your cultivation.
It carries my Divine Power blessing; even a Golden Core cannot see through your foundation."
"In the future, if you have the chance, come see this old man; maybe when I’m awake, I can teach you some Divine Techniques regarding Flint Fire."
The Flint Fire Divine Turtle slowly returned to the deep pond.
Before disappearing, it didn’t forget to give a few pine cones to the mortal boy beside Li Ye, with the translucent pine nuts inside being, of course, treasures as well.
Watching it completely vanish into the deep pond, Li Ye gave it a slight bow, then said to the boy, "Let’s go."
On the way back, the boy wanted to offer those few pine cones to Li Ye, but Li Ye wouldn’t take them.
Clearly, it was a gift from Elder Turtle to him, and Li Ye couldn’t take it.
Moreover, his harvest this time was indeed substantial.
Two ounces of Qi Fortune Shining Gold in exchange for resin that could heal injuries and break through bottlenecks, and a pine cone Magical Artifact; these were already quite satisfactory to him.
Being greedy wouldn’t bode well.
When he and the boy returned to the mountaintop where they previously were, Senior Sister Liu had already been waiting there for quite some time. She smiled at Li Ye, "It seems Junior Brother has quite a bit of fortune.
Senior Brother Su has some matters to attend to, so Junior Brother should wait here for a while.
I also have some things I want to discuss with Junior Brother. What do you think... are you willing to let this lad serve at your side?
Even if Junior Brother joins the sect in the future, you’ll always need a young one to run errands."
Li Ye helplessly shook his head, "Senior Sister, you never forget, but this lad is indeed clever. During my time in the Mountain and River City, he can indeed serve by my side."
He didn’t give a definitive answer, but even so, a smile appeared on Senior Sister Liu’s face, and the mortal boy beside was overjoyed.
Even if he couldn’t leave, being able to stay with an immortal for a few days was an extremely rare fortune!