From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 152 Herb Gathering Competition and Passionate Disturbance

The light faded, and I found myself amidst a wondrous sea of ​​flowers. The vibrant blossoms exuded an intoxicating fragrance, and a faint, ethereal aura permeated the air, soothing my soul. A secret joy welled up within me; this place was indeed extraordinary, and perhaps I could truly find precious elixirs.

Before I could even observe carefully, my footing suddenly gave way, and I plummeted downwards. I cried out in alarm and quickly circulated my spiritual energy to steady myself, only to find that I had fallen into a deep pit. The bottom of the pit was covered with sharp rocks; if I hadn't reacted in time, I would probably have been seriously injured.

I carefully climbed out of the pit, brushing the dust off my clothes with lingering fear. This sea of ​​flowers, seemingly beautiful, actually harbored hidden dangers. I became even more cautious, taking each step with extra care, afraid of falling into the trap again.

Just as I was cautiously exploring this sea of ​​flowers, a familiar voice came: "Hey, isn't this Xiao Yao? What, you're here treasure hunting too?"

I looked up and saw Zi Ling standing not far away, holding a spiritual herb that emitted a faint golden light, looking at me with a smug expression.

"You're in luck," I said casually. "Looks like you've already made some progress."

Zi Ling smiled disdainfully: "Of course, unlike some people who have gained nothing so far." She deliberately shook the spirit herb in her hand, making the golden light even more dazzling, as if mocking my incompetence.

My heart sank slightly; Zi Ling's appearance was undoubtedly disrupting my composure. The spiritual herb in her hand was clearly no ordinary item. If I could also find such a miraculous medicine, my strength would surely increase.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. Now is not the time to be discouraged; I must concentrate and find my opportunity as soon as possible.

I continued deeper into the sea of ​​flowers, avoiding various traps along the way and carefully observing every plant and tree. This sea of ​​flowers seemed chaotic, but it actually held hidden secrets. I vaguely sensed that something was attracting me and guiding me forward.

Suddenly, I sensed a powerful surge of spiritual energy coming from ahead. Overjoyed, I immediately ran towards the direction from which the energy was emanating.

Passing through a dense thicket of bushes, my vision suddenly opened up. In a clearing, I saw a Ganoderma lucidum growing, radiating a dazzling golden light. The Ganoderma lucidum was about the size of a palm, crystal clear, and exuding a rich spiritual energy; it was clearly a rare treasure.

Just as I was about to go forward to pick some, a voice suddenly rang out: "Wait!"

I turned around and saw Lei Hu leading several herb gatherers towards me. They all had unfriendly expressions and surrounded me. A greedy glint flashed in Lei Hu's eyes as he stared intently at the golden Ganoderma lucidum, and slowly said, "Xiao Yao, I've taken a liking to this Ganoderma lucidum..."

Lei Hu's tone was full of threat, and the herb gatherers behind him were also staring at me menacingly, as if they would swarm me if I dared to resist. My heart sank; I knew that things were unlikely to end well today.

"Lei Hu, I discovered this Ganoderma lucidum first, what right do you have to steal it?" I tried to remain calm and argued my case.

Lei Hu laughed loudly, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world: "Why? Because my fist is bigger than yours! In this Immortal Medicine Valley, strength is everything, and the law of the jungle is an unchanging truth."

I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. I knew Lei Hu was right; in this dog-eat-dog world, strength was the key to survival. But I was absolutely unwilling to give up like this!

"If you want to take what's mine, let's see if you have the ability!" I snorted coldly, summoned my flying sword, and prepared to fight to the death.

Just then, a chilling aura enveloped the entire open space. I was startled and looked up to see an old man dressed in black slowly approaching. His face was grim, and his eyes were filled with greed and malice.

"Elder Xuanfeng!" Lei Hu and the others quickly bowed and paid their respects, their voices filled with awe.

My heart sank. Elder Xuanfeng was a notorious treacherous and cunning man in the Immortal Medicine Valley. He had long coveted the immortal medicine, and I never expected him to appear here.

“Little girl, this Ganoderma lucidum is not something you can touch,” Elder Xuanfeng said in a sinister tone. “If you know what’s good for you, hand it over obediently, and I might spare your life.”

I gritted my teeth and refused to back down. This Ganoderma lucidum was something I had found with great difficulty, and I would never give it up easily!

"Hmph, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!" Elder Xuanfeng sneered, forming hand seals, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from his body.

I felt the scenery around me begin to distort and warp; the once beautiful sea of ​​flowers transformed into a sinister and terrifying ghost realm. Countless hideous monsters surged out of the darkness, emitting mournful howls, and pounced on me.

I knew this was Elder Xuanfeng's illusion, but I couldn't break free. My mind began to waver, and fear surged into my heart like a tidal wave, almost engulfing me.

I tried desperately to calm myself, but it was no use. The monsters drew closer, extending their sharp claws, trying to tear me to pieces.

"Ah!" I couldn't help but scream and fell to the ground.

Just then, I felt a warm force envelop me, pulling me back from the abyss of fear. I opened my eyes and saw a blurry figure standing in front of me.

"Ling'er..." I murmured.

However, the figure gradually blurred and eventually disappeared. The illusions around me also dissipated, and I found myself still standing in that open space, with Elder Xuanfeng and Lei Hu and the others looking at me with smug expressions.

"Little girl, what do you have to say now?" Elder Xuanfeng said with a sneer.

I struggled to my feet, my heart filled with despair. Ling'er...where are you?

Ling'er's presence vanished, completely vanished. I panicked, like a drowning person who had lost their last straw. She had said she would guide me to the area containing rare immortal herbs, but now, I was left alone to face this treacherous Valley of Immortal Herbs. Elder Xuanfeng's cold laughter was as piercing as a demonic sound, and Lei Hu and the others' greedy gazes roamed over me. I felt like a lamb to the slaughter, utterly helpless.

I forced myself to calm down. Ling'er had said that the area shimmered with a strange light, which could be faintly seen even in the thick fog. I searched my surroundings desperately, trying to find a glimmer of light, but the thick fog obscured everything, and I felt as if I were in a state of chaos.

Should I just give up like this? No, I can't give up! To become stronger, to no longer be at the mercy of others, I must find that area! I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and carefully recalled the hints Ling'er had given me. She said that this area was surrounded by traps, but the traps were arranged in a certain pattern. As long as I found the pattern, I could avoid the traps and arrive safely.

I began to move cautiously, carefully observing my surroundings. Scattered on the ground were some withered branches and leaves, seemingly chaotic, but I vaguely sensed a hidden pattern. I bent down, scrutinizing the arrangement of these branches and leaves, trying to find clues.

Time ticked by, and fine beads of sweat appeared on my forehead. I remained highly focused, not daring to relax for a moment. Finally, I noticed something. The arrangement of these withered branches and leaves wasn't completely random, but rather followed a specific pattern. I tried walking according to this pattern, and sure enough, I successfully avoided several hidden traps.

A glimmer of hope ignited in my heart, and I continued to follow this pattern, step by step approaching the area of ​​shimmering light. The surrounding fog was still thick, but I could already vaguely see the distant shimmering light, like a star in the night sky, guiding my way forward.

I quickened my pace, my heart filled with anticipation. I knew that as long as I reached that area, I would find the immortal herb I needed and become stronger!

Lei Hu watched my resolute back, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He walked to my side, reaching out to touch my shoulder, his eyes filled with desire, "Xiao Yao, come with me, and I can give you the elixir you desire."

I disgustedly dodged his hand. "Don't even think about it."

I continued forward, and finally, I arrived at the area shimmering with light. However, I discovered that a colossal demonic beast was coiled there, guarding the immortal herbs of this region. It exuded a powerful aura, its scarlet eyes fixed intently on me, emitting a low roar…

Lei Hu's hand froze in mid-air. My dodge seemed to extinguish the desire in his eyes like a bucket of cold water, replacing it with a barely perceptible hint of hurt. He withdrew his hand and gave an awkward laugh. "I just wanted to help you." I snorted coldly, ignoring him, my gaze fixed on the area ahead that shimmered with a strange light. That was my destination.

Finally, I reached the edge of this area. However, the sight before me made me gasp. A colossal demonic beast was coiled there, guarding the immortal herbs of this region. Its body was covered in bluish-black scales, which reflected a metallic luster under the light. It had a pair of scarlet eyes, like two burning flames, staring intently at me, emitting a low roar that made my eardrums buzz.

I gripped the dagger tightly, my heart filled with vigilance. This demonic beast possessed an aura far stronger than any I had encountered before. Its presence here clearly indicated it considered the immortal herbs of this area its own. If I wanted the herbs, I had to defeat it.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Panic and fear would only throw me off balance; I had to find its weakness to have any chance of survival. I carefully observed the monster, trying to pinpoint its weakness. It was enormous, and its strength must have been astonishing, but its size also meant it was slow and clumsy; perhaps its speed was its Achilles' heel.

I began to cautiously circle the monster, trying to find a suitable opportunity to attack. The monster seemed to sense my intention, letting out a deafening roar and lunging at me. I was prepared and dodged its attack with a quick movement. The monster's massive body slammed heavily into the ground, making a loud thud that caused the ground to tremble slightly.

I seized the opportunity to attack the monster from the side. My dagger sliced ​​through its scales with a screeching sound, but only left a shallow scratch. The monster's defense was astonishing; my attack did almost no damage to it.

The monster lunged at me again, and I dodged once more. This repeated several times, and I gradually felt my strength waning. This couldn't go on; I had to find a way to finish this quickly.

I noticed that the monster's belly seemed to lack scales for protection; that might be its weak point. I decided to take the risk.

I dodged the beast's attack again, and then, in the instant it turned around, I thrust my dagger into its abdomen. The dagger pierced deep into the beast's belly, and it let out a painful howl before its massive body crashed to the ground.

I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to go forward to check when I suddenly felt a powerful aura emanating from the monster's body. I was startled and quickly retreated.

The monster's eyes suddenly opened, its scarlet pupils flashing with an eerie light. It slowly stood up, and its wounds began to heal at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Looking at the enormous, even more powerful monster before me, a sense of foreboding welled up inside me… “What… are you…?”