Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

After getting plenty of rest, Liu Xingmo bid farewell to Liu Sanniang and continued selling newspapers.

Today, many readers are pestering this "storyteller," all requesting that characters be added to his new book.

Perhaps, this could really be the start of a business. But we must be careful; this book has far-reaching implications, and there might even be a fifth-level elder secretly watching us. We mustn't get carried away.

As evening approached, the setting sun hung over the western hills, painting the streets red.

Liu Xingmo walked towards the east of the city, leaving a long shadow on the ground.

The uphill cement road is flat and wide; it's newly paved to make it easier for pedestrians to get around.

Before even seeing the granite fortress, we spotted a cylindrical wooden building.

The wooden building was short and stout, with a round roof and large eaves, resembling a mushroom. This was the newly built shop, used to entertain guests.

The shop has four doors on the ground floor, as well as many bright windows.

Rows of simple chairs were arranged in the corner, and several people were sitting on them, each reading an old newspaper.

There were about ten other people queuing in front of the counter with numbered tags, waiting for a short woman to fill the medicine into a bamboo bottle and then sell it.

Liu Xingmo walked over, put down the package, and said, "Xiaomei, let me do this."

"Mr. Liu!" Du Xiaomei greeted him with a smile, making way for him at the counter. "I'm going to help out with Madam's side!"

"Okay, please remind Mary to drink more water and get some rest."

Liu Xingmo worked skillfully, administering the medicine and settling the bill.

The sun had completely set, and lamps were lit in the shops. The flickering firelight illuminated faces, making the newspaper text appear dim and illegible.

The number of waiting customers gradually decreased until only one person remained in the shop, sitting in a dark corner.

Liu Xingmo confirmed that the glass jar and silver pot were empty.

He said apologetically, "I'm sorry, the medicine is sold out! There must have been a problem with the numbering system. Sir, we'll reserve some for you tomorrow and sell you double the amount, is that alright?"

"No need to trouble yourself, I'm just here to return something." The man stood up, his face illuminated by the lamplight.

His cheeks were thin, his eyes were sunken, and he wore a tattered linen robe.

He offered half a white stone with his thin, dry hand: "This spirit stone is returned to its rightful owner today."

"Guo Qikai, congratulations on your advancement to the second rank!" Liu Xingmo congratulated him and then looked at him carefully.

There were no metal parts on the man's neck; new skin covered his bones and muscles. He was truly healed.

"Yes, thank you for your spirit stones, which helped me get through the toughest days." Guo Qikai turned to look out the window.

The fortress in the darkness was strangely solemn. Faint flames shone through the ventilation holes, and towering chimneys spewed black smoke in the moonlight.

A nostalgic look crossed the man's face: "This place has become like this, it's truly magnificent!"

"This land is excellent, a place with auspicious feng shui." Liu Xingmo thought for a moment, then took out a spiritual herb from his storage bag. "Take this as a gift to celebrate your rebirth!"

"I can't accept something for nothing." Guo Qikai shook his head and refused, saying calmly, "Returning this spirit stone will put a weight on my heart, and that's what makes me happy." He turned and walked towards the door, waving his hand, "I wish you a bright future, my friend."

"Are you alright? You don't look too well. How about I give you the medicine on credit, and you can pay it back slowly?"

"The government offices have been quite busy lately." Guo Qi smiled wryly, his figure disappearing into the night road, leaving only a few words behind, his voice growing softer and softer, "Because of the flood, many people have gone downstream to salvage the debris, and there have been some accidents..."

"An accident?" Liu Xingmo murmured. "This time of year is always a fishing extravaganza. I wonder if those bastards are alright..."

Shops are closing up shop.

Liu Xingmo locked the doors and windows and returned to Mushroom Castle.

In the hall, there was a sharp cone taller than a person, which was the horn of a spirit rhinoceros.

Sumali sat on the ground with her back against a rhinoceros horn, meditating.

Su Dabao and Du Xiaomei watched curiously and whispered to each other.

"Xiaomei, this thing came from the Southern Rhinoceros Kingdom, right?"

"Absolutely. Their royal bloodline cultivates the Soul Path in a way that is unique in the entire Central Plains."

"Good heavens, a fourth-tier royal bloodline, and a rhinoceros, second only to the elephant among beasts, this treasure is incredible..."

"If our dean were here, with his fifth-level alchemist skills, he could definitely refine some peerless pills that would be fought over!"

"Such a high-quality Soul Dao Pill, once consumed, will allow one to smoothly progress through the entire second stage, right? Even at the fifth stage, consuming it will enable one to condense their soul."

"That's my guess, Da Bo."

……

Sumali's expression was calm, but a surge of energy flowed through her body, and her aura rose steadily.

Su Dabao and Du Xiaomei retreated to the corner of the wall and kept watch carefully.

Liu Xingmo walked over and said, "Could you two contact the dean? Cut off a piece of rhinoceros horn, refine it into a pill, and split it 50/50. Isn't that a good idea?"

"Mr. Liu, you think too highly of us," Du Xiaomei said with a wry smile.

"That's right, Uncle. The Dean is a Marquis of the Great Yin Kingdom, and he can even speak for the Emperor," Su Dabao added.

"Understood, then let's go find the Toad Demon. Black Dragon Stronghold and Hongyi Hall are both full of demons and monsters, their disciples certainly won't refuse me. Hahaha!" Liu Xingmo said self-deprecatingly.

At this moment, Sumali woke up.

She swayed her slender neck and stood up from the cushion: "Using alchemical techniques, this rhinoceros horn is a fairly pure second-class Philosopher's Stone, whose power can be extracted and infused into the human body through an array."

She looked at her husband: "Xingmo, do you want to do this?"

Liu Xingmo shook his head: "Forget it, let's use this kind of treasure as a prop slowly, and we can even make it into a family heirloom later. Unless there's an emergency, let's not waste it. Anyway, we don't lack anything now, and as long as we have time, we can advance to the next level."

Du Xiaomei's eyes lit up as she asked, "Mr. Liu, can I touch the spirit rhinoceros horn too?"

Liu Xingmo nodded: "Let's put this in the study. When we get tired of reading, we can use it to refresh ourselves and restore our energy."

"That's awesome!" Du Xiaomei exclaimed excitedly, wanting to jump for joy.

Just then, Su Mali remembered something and asked, "By the way, tomorrow's a day off. What are your plans?"

Du Xiaomei looked at the rhinoceros horn, then turned to look outside the door, appearing somewhat hesitant.

Su Dabao's square face flushed slightly, making him appear even more hesitant.

Liu Xingmo sighed inwardly and said, "Mary and I have to go out tomorrow. I'll write you a letter of introduction and have the skilled old farmer take you up the mountain to see how the medicinal herbs grow in the summer."

"A spiritual herb under cultivation?" Du Xiaomei's interest was immediately piqued. "Is it a rare, acquired seedling cultivated using the 'Ancestral Tree Technique'?"

Sumali chimed in, "That's right, I've seen them too. There are so many. Flowers and plants, you name it. You can take a good look at them; maybe you'll gain some insights."

Du Xiaomei pondered for a while and finally made up her mind.