Ultimate True Lord

The furnace fire burned, its light distorted.

After a short wait, the stove lid was lifted.

【Technique: Crescent Moon Step】

Enhancement 1: Increases the speed of practicing the Crescent Moon Step by 70%!

Enhancement 2: The Crescent Moon Step technique can generate a martial arts visualization diagram called "Crescent Moon Without Shadow"!

Almost at the same time.

Jiang Ming seemed to feel a black-gold lightning bolt flash into his mind, instantly bringing a surge of leaping and rolling inspiration.

All the martial arts knowledge, techniques, moves, and general characteristics of the Crescent Moon Step were mixed together in one mess. It was as if everything had been thrown into a blazing alchemical furnace, constantly extracting the essence and discarding the dross.

Finally, a martial arts visualization diagram quietly emerged in my mind.

In the pitch-black sky, a crescent moon hung high, casting distorted, crescent-shaped shadows that completely covered half the earth.

Jiang Ming's eyes lit up slightly, and he felt a surge of joy.

With this "Shadowless Crescent Moon" visualization, he no longer needs to worry about the consequences of practicing the Crescent Moon Step, and the probability of going into qi deviation is greatly reduced. As long as he pays a little attention, he will have a smooth journey ahead.

Jiang Ming regained his composure and immediately began practicing.

As expected, the movements were incredibly smooth and fluid. Gone was the occasional hesitation and sluggishness I usually felt; it was much more enjoyable.

Moreover, the restlessness and unease in his heart vanished completely, as if the snow had melted away.

After a day of intense training.

Jiang Ming dragged his tired body to finish his practice, and couldn't help but feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection).

"Maintain, or even accelerate, this pace of cultivation."

"Next, I will relearn the Crescent Moon Step to the level of softness, which probably won't take long at all. In fact, it will greatly accelerate my breakthrough to the level of entangling strength in the future."

……

……

Time flies, and several more days have passed.

Early March.

On Wen Jin's side, preparations for the herb-gathering team in the deep mountains have finally been completed recently. Moreover, with the arrival of early spring and the gradual warming of the weather, various common medicinal herbs from the Yancang Mountains are beginning to sprout.

Wangyue City, Wen Family Residence.

On a blue stone square.

The newly formed herb-gathering team, consisting of more than ten people, was dressed in either black outfits or gray herb-gathering uniforms. They were all Wen Jin's elite troops, the best men he could select, and they were lined up in a row.

He stared blankly at Jiang Ming, who was distributing things in front of him.

Jiang Ming was tall and robust, with a cold and composed demeanor, but he carried a heavy bamboo basket in his right hand, as if it were an old lady buying groceries.

Every time he came to a person, he would take out seven or eight oil paper packets from his basket and stuff them into the hands of the members of the herb-gathering team in the deep mountains.

He also gave a couple of instructions.

"Don't spill it, you'll break it."

"Don't touch your wound either, it's a hassle to clean."

After completing the round, each member of the herb-gathering team in the deep mountains received these oil paper packages, and then each person received a small sewn waist pouch.

"Boss, what's this?"

One of the members of the herb-gathering team couldn't help but ask.

"Lime powder, lime powder with additives."

"If we encountered bandits deep in the mountains, everyone would throw packets of lime powder at their faces and wounds."

"However, be careful not to accidentally hurt your own people."

Jiang Ming smiled faintly.

Since his own herb-gathering team in the deep mountains had a numerical advantage, he naturally wanted to make good use of it during the herb-gathering process. Even herb gatherers who didn't know martial arts could be of great use if used properly.

They didn't know how to throw concealed weapons, and besides, concealed weapons were expensive; if they weren't thrown accurately, they were unlikely to be effective. But lime packets were different; you could buy a large batch for just a few coins. A few packets thrown could cover a wide area.

When a group of people throws something at once, even the most ruthless thugs will be caught off guard and disoriented.

on the square.

The members of the herb-gathering team nodded thoughtfully, then tied their waist pouches and stuffed bags of lime into them.

The guard who had asked the question earlier was filling the lime container while clicking his tongue in amazement.

"When I went into the mountains to collect herbs before, I only ever saw weapons being distributed. This is the first time I've seen people being given several packets of lime powder."

Lin Fei, who had also joined the herb-gathering team in the deep mountains, chuckled upon hearing this and spoke up.

"What's this? See those bamboo baskets over there? They're full of animal traps and tripwires."

"Every time Jiang Tou leads a team into the mountains, he sets up traps around the medicinal herb gathering area. He is meticulous in his work and always plans ahead."

The guard's eyes widened slightly, somewhat astonished.

"Setting traps in advance? Isn't that being overly cautious?"

Lin Fei shook his head.

"What do you know? Jiang Tou is genuinely concerned for our lives. Jiang Tou is the Second Young Master's fellow disciple, a true master of soft strength. If we encounter danger in the deep mountains, he can easily protect himself."

"But for ordinary people like us, a moment's carelessness can lead to dangerous situations. Jiang Tou is so cautious because he's thinking of our lives, you know?"

The guard nodded, indicating that he understood. The other guards around him also immediately felt that Jiang Ming was definitely a responsible leader.

Unconsciously, everyone quickly gained more approval for him.

on the square.

The team was fully prepared and ready to depart.

Wen Jin approached Jiang Ming, his expression grave, his tone slightly tense, and he seemed a little nervous. He patted Jiang Ming on the shoulder.

"Old Jiang, we're counting on you."

"Take good care of yourself on the road, and hopefully you'll have a successful start to this trip."

Jiang Ming spoke calmly.

"Don't worry, with me here, nothing will go wrong."

The two exchanged a glance and nodded, understanding the importance of their trip.

Wen Jin looked at Jiang Ming, a slight sense of emotion washing over him. At first, Jiang Ming was just a junior he'd casually sponsored. Now, the two had become deeply intertwined partners, like grasshoppers on the same rope.

If this herbal medicine team from the deep mountains succeeds, both of them can profit. But if things go wrong, the prize will be gone, and neither of them will benefit.

Half an hour later.

The group set off, heading east of Wangyue City, deep into the Yancang Mountains.

More than a day has passed, and the group has ventured deep into the mountains.

In March, the chill of spring had not yet dissipated, and the trees in the mountains were still bare and withered, with only a few trees sprouting tender green buds.

Only a few evergreen pines and cypresses stood among the withered trees, swaying in the wind.

Although it was early spring, wild animals and venomous snakes, having just awakened from hibernation, still roamed the Yancang Mountains. In particular, packs of wild boars often attacked herb gatherers.

However, the guards resolved all these problems without Jiang Ming needing to lift a finger.

"Shh shh shh".

The entire team traversed the forest, having already covered at least fifty or sixty miles, and had just entered the outer perimeter of the mountain range.

"Jiangtou, we're almost at Misty Forest. We should arrive this afternoon," Lin Fei reported to Jiang Ming, having moved from the middle of the group to the end.

The so-called Misty Forest is the destination that the herb-gathering team is heading to this time. In the heart of the Yancang Mountains, near Wangyue City, there are several locations where red herbs are most easily produced. The Misty Forest is the outermost one of these locations.

The Misty Forest is shrouded in mist year-round, making it impossible to see a person more than ten meters away, hence its name.

Two more hours passed.

The group indeed spotted a forest shrouded in a thin gray mist. Led by an experienced herb gatherer, they entered. However, not long after entering the forest...

"Um!?"

Jiang Ming suddenly stopped in his tracks, staring intently to his left.

A few trees provided shelter, and a thin mist enveloped the area.

A large tree, half of which was covered in purplish-red down, swayed in the wind. With each sway, a piece of down fell, making it look like snow was falling from the sky—beautiful yet eerie.

"It's the Red Peony Night-Blooming Jasmine!"

"Boss, open the door and good fortune!"