Mountains and giant beasts, cabins in the woods

The days that followed were a period of settling and accumulating experience.

Liu Xingmo carefully taught the contracted beasts and contracted seedlings, improving them in every aspect.

He also focused on cultivation.

His cultivation of blood magic has improved day by day, and he has mastered all the blood magic he can use. He has also mastered the second-level content of the "Xuanwu Hard and Soft Transformation".

His cultivation in wood cultivation was also steadily improving, reaching the level of perfect tenth rank.

The focus of the second stage of cultivation, the enhancement of the soul, was not neglected.

Through repeated use of secret techniques and constant training of the contracted beast, his mental strength was greatly enhanced. The Soul-Path Elixir and the Spirit-Connecting Rhinoceros Horn directly increased his soul's foundation.

One day, I was fortunate enough to connect with the spiritual world of a benthic demon fish. Taking this opportunity, I learned some knowledge of the Way of the Soul and used visualization techniques to condense my soul.

All the Soul Imprints have finally been collected: 14 from the Blood Path and 10 from the Wood Path, for a total of 24.

The cultivation of contracted seedlings for the timber road project will be put on hold for now. We will select some superior varieties and proceed with the project next spring when the weather is better.

Ideally, Bao Hei would find a rare, innate seedling of wood.

If Liu Xingmo were to devour and refine this treasure, he would be able to transform into a Wood Dao Innate Body, becoming an exceptionally talented individual.

On the other side, Su Mali had accumulated strength for more than half a year, and her strength had advanced further, reaching the third level of the second tier.

With the help of the Blood Maple Ball, Liu San Niang also advanced once, reaching the third level of the third tier.

In the blink of an eye, half a month has passed, and it's November.

The last batch of seeds from the needlegrass was successfully harvested before the temperature dropped. It no longer needs to flower and bear fruit; instead, it needs to figure out how to survive the winter.

Foxtail grass normally has a lifespan of only one year, but once it becomes a miraculous seedling, it can possess almost infinite vitality and survive round after round of changing seasons.

Plants are like that; if you don't cut them down at the root, they'll grow back in the spring. And some species of trees, as ordinary living beings, can easily live for thousands of years; after cultivating themselves, who knows how much they can grow.

Liu Xingmo trimmed the leaves of the awns to reduce their energy consumption. He then took out planks and stones and built a shelter in the small garden to protect it from wind and snow.

What follows is a long, cold winter.

That day, early in the morning, the doorbell rang incessantly, "Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!"

As soon as Liu Xingmo opened the door, he saw the face of a supplier of spiritual herbs, who was also his distant relative, his seventh maternal uncle.

"Little Mo! I've received word that a large merchant caravan from out of town is coming to Black Dragon Village! Would you like to come and take a look?" Seventh Uncle said kindly.

"Is that so? Nobody told me."

"Of course! If merchants introduce you to other caravans, what business will they be able to do?"

"Grandpa, wait a minute. I'll pack up and come with you."

Liu Xingmo went to the warehouse and packed the pills made from foxtail grass seeds into a medicine box. Although the healing potion had been discontinued, there was a large stock of the panacea, so he took it all with him.

After loading the goods, we arrived at the door.

My seventh great-uncle rode a wild rabbit, towing a truck. Inside were several large packages, radiating intense spiritual energy.

Liu Xingmo settled into the truck, and the wild rabbit took off running to the Birch Avenue stop in the east of the city, continuing eastward.

Are we going to Dongzhen? That place is considered a restricted area; ordinary people aren't allowed in.

The main road was sparsely populated; the other people were either driving cars or riding beasts, and they all seemed quite powerful, probably on their way to participate in a trade.

After driving for most of the day, the main road led into the mountain cave. My seventh great-uncle skillfully drove the car and, at a fork in the road, chose the left.

Before long, a checkpoint appeared ahead, and they were easily allowed to pass.

After exiting the cave, they arrived at a flat valley. The forest was dense and the grass was lush, with birds singing all around, clearly indicating that it was in the wild.

Many people and animals gathered here, chatting with each other while craning their necks to look down into the valley, waiting for the rare foreign guests.

"Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The dull thud was like a boulder from a mountaintop crashing into the ground, each impact making one feel extremely uncomfortable.

The distant jungle trembled continuously as several enormous creatures, with an unparalleled aura, approached the valley.

They revealed their true forms: their bodies were as robust and majestic as mountains, covered with thick, long brown fur. Their four strong thighs were as thick as giant trees, and their pair of curved, long teeth were as sharp as knives.

Mammoths! The most powerful land mammals!

As the caravan drew closer, each footstep sounded like thunder.

The people of Black Dragon Village held their breath, gazing up at the enormous beasts.

These mammoths carried loads as high as mountains on their backs, with sacks, rattan cages, and wooden boxes, and small people and animals wandering among them, as if the mammoths' backs were streets.

Liu Xingmo's mouth was agape; he was unable to describe his feelings.

Alright, let's just focus on trading from now on.

It is said that the Mammoth Kingdom is the most powerful beastman kingdom, occupying vast swathes of the cold northern plains, areas where dragons cannot set foot.

Liu Xingmo had a premonition that this deal would be thrilling.

The roar grew louder and louder as a herd of mammoths, darkening the sky, entered the valley.

They carefully staggered their steps to avoid trampling their tiny allies on the ground.

They stretch out their long noses, and the people living on the hill slide down to the ground.

"Old buddies from Black Dragon Village! It's been a year, how are you all?"

"Great! Why are you here so early? Much earlier than last year."

"Some troublesome things are better off just getting rid of."

We met with old friends and exchanged pleasantries.

I've heard that some humans live off giant beasts, helping them grind their teeth and trim their feet, ward off mosquitoes, and perform delicate tasks. Now I've witnessed it firsthand.

Liu Xingmo carefully sensed the surroundings, searching for a suitable trading partner.

At that moment, a mammoth approached him.

The words, as clear as a vast snowfield, traveled directly to the depths of his heart: "Human, you possess an unusual aura. Is it a divine medicine?"

Liu Xingmo was suddenly startled. The last person who gave him this feeling was his great-grandfather, that fifth-level elder.

He dared not delay and quickly replied, "Yes, my medicine is made from Tai Sui and is called 'Cure All Diseases.' It excels at removing putrefaction and pus, and provides vitality to heal all injuries."

"Hiss—whoosh—" The long, drawn-out sound of the wind was like an elephant's trunk slowly panting. "I smell the scent of a curse. You weren't lying."

Liu Xingmo strained to look up and saw a huge eye staring back at him. The eye continued, "My medicine is very cheap! Are you interested?"

"Speak to my servant."

The elephant's trunk drooped to the ground, and a middle-aged man slid down.

He was dressed like a caveman, with a beast-tooth knife hanging from his waist. He possessed the strength of a third-tier cultivator and practiced swordsmanship.

Liu Xingmo was certain that the two people in front of him were the ones he was dealing with this time.

He opened his medicine chest, displaying his goods. A faint yet pure vitality rippled with waves barely visible to the naked eye.

The man, dressed in animal skins, spoke in a gruff voice: "Human, I want to try your medicine."

The tone of his voice left Liu Xingmo both amused and exasperated.

He calmed himself down and said solemnly, "I'm sorry, but curing all diseases will bring bad luck. With your abilities, you can accept it, but it's not a good idea."

"Give it to him, human," the giant elephant said slowly.