78: Chapter 78 Herbs Come to Life and Run Wild! Catching a Herb is More Tiring Than Fighting

Lin Feng crossed the main hall and pushed open the back door.

A damp, moldy smell hit him.

Before him was a huge courtyard, covering at least several thousand square meters.

The yard was overgrown with weeds, the tallest being taller than a person.

Among the weeds, one could vaguely see collapsed buildings, broken clay pots, and rusted farm tools.

"This is the backyard?" Lin Feng frowned. "It looks like a vegetable patch abandoned for hundreds of years."

In his mind, Elder Dan's voice rang out.

"What vegetable patch! This is a medicine garden!" Elder Dan's tone was dissatisfied. "Back then, what grew here were all Heaven And Earth Treasures. Any single stalk taken outside could cause a bloodbath."

"It's just that no one has looked after it for over two thousand years, so it's gone to waste."

Lin Feng stepped into the yard.

Weeds submerged his knees, the soil beneath his feet was soft, and he occasionally stepped on broken tiles.

"Elder Dan, you said there are treasures here?" Lin Feng looked around. "Does this look like it has treasures?"

"What's the rush? Keep walking in," Elder Dan said. "The core area of the medicine garden is at the very back, near the Spiritual Vein. These weeds outside are just wild grass that grew later; they're worthless."

Lin Feng continued walking in.

After walking for about five minutes, the weeds gradually became shorter, and the ground became drier.

A circle of collapsed walls appeared ahead.

Inside the walls was a relatively flat piece of land.

Although it was also overgrown with weeds, one could see traces of artificial planning—neat ridges and regular spacing.

"We're here," Elder Dan said. "This is the core area of the medicine garden. Two thousand years ago, every inch of this land was planted with precious medicinal materials."

Lin Feng walked to the edge of a ridge and squatted down to check.

Among the weeds, there were indeed some unusual plants.

Some leaves gave off a faint glow, and some stems were incredibly thick.

"These are..."

He reached out, wanting to pull one up to see.

Just as his hand touched the leaves of that plant—

*Whoosh!*

That plant suddenly uprooted itself!

Its roots swung rapidly like legs, and the entire plant, like a startled rabbit, dashed away into the distance!

"Holy crap?!"

Lin Feng was dumbfounded.

Plants can run?

"Haha!" Elder Dan laughed loudly. "Kid, did you think two-thousand-year-old medicinal materials were still ordinary plants? They attained sentience long ago!"

"The one you just touched was at least a Purple-grade Spirit Ganoderma Grass. It runs faster than a rabbit!"

Lin Feng's eyes widened as he watched that Spirit Ganoderma Grass disappear into the weeds in a flash.

"This... how am I supposed to catch them?"

"That depends on your skill," Elder Dan gloated. "Back then, when those Alchemists gathered herbs, they had to set up a Formation to prevent the materials from escaping. Now that the Formations are gone, they are free."

Lin Feng stood up and looked around.

With this look, he realized something was wrong.

Those medicinal materials that had been quietly growing in the ground were now all "coming to life"!

One by one, they pulled up their roots and stared warily at Lin Feng.

Some curled into a ball, some slowly retreated, and some were already prepared to flee.

Looking across the field, there were at least a hundred of them!

"Damn..." Lin Feng swallowed hard. "So many?"

"Of course," Elder Dan said proudly. "With no one harvesting them for over two thousand years, they have thrived and multiplied. There might even be Red-grade ten-thousand-year medicinal materials in here!"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

Red-grade!

How much would that be worth?

No, how much strength could it increase?

"I must catch them!"

Lin Feng rolled up his sleeves, preparing for a big task.

He aimed at the nearest one—a completely golden plant with leaves like small fans and a thick stem, emitting a faint golden light.

[Golden Leaf Ganoderma (Purple)]

[Quality: Purple]

[Effect: Can be consumed directly to permanently increase spirit +50, or refined into a pill for better results]

[Description: Formed from a thousand-year-old Ganoderma absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. It has become a Essence Spirit and is extremely difficult to capture]

spirit +50!

Lin Feng's eyes shone.

He quietly approached.

That Golden Leaf Ganoderma seemed to sense danger, and its roots trembled slightly.

Lin Feng suddenly lunged forward!

"Don't run!"

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma darted out with a *whoosh*!

Its speed was astonishing!

Lin Feng lunged into empty air and fell face-first into the mud.

"Pah, pah, pah!" He spat out the mud in his mouth and looked up.

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma had already run ten meters away and was looking back at him.

That movement and expression were as if it were mocking him.

"Dammit, I don't believe I can't catch you!"

Lin Feng scrambled up, unfolded his Wind Wings, and flew at a low altitude to chase it!

Seeing things were looking bad, the Golden Leaf Ganoderma took off!

It dashed left and right through the grass, its speed like a bolt of golden lightning!

Lin Feng pursued relentlessly, his Wind Wings flapping at full speed!

One person and one plant engaged in a chase across the medicine garden!

"Stop! Don't run!"

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

"Stop for me!"

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*

After chasing for five minutes, Lin Feng still hadn't caught up.

That Golden Leaf Ganoderma was too agile, always suddenly turning at the moment he was about to catch it, making him miss.

What was even more infuriating was that every time it turned, it would look back at him. That posture was simply a provocation!

"I'm so pissed!"

Lin Feng stopped and panted heavily.

Even though he was a mage and his physical strength wasn't as good as a warrior's, he shouldn't be unable to outrun a plant, right?

"Zhi zhi!"

Xiao Jin jumped down from his shoulder and pointed at the Golden Leaf Ganoderma with its golden front legs.

That expression was as if to say—watch me!

Then, Xiao Jin's six legs moved rapidly, and it rolled toward the Golden Leaf Ganoderma like a small black ball!

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma seemed to daze for a moment when it saw Xiao Jin.

Then, it turned and ran!

But Xiao Jin's crawling speed was much faster than Lin Feng had imagined!

Its six golden legs were like they were equipped with motors, flying through the grass!

The distance to the Golden Leaf Ganoderma grew closer and closer!

Ten meters... five meters... three meters...

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma panicked!

It accelerated desperately, but Xiao Jin was faster!

Just as Xiao Jin was about to catch it—

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma suddenly made a sharp turn and dove into a clump of bushes!

Xiao Jin couldn't brake in time and crashed headfirst into the bushes, rolling several times.

"Zhi zhi zhi!"

Xiao Jin scrambled up, squeaking in anger.

Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh.

"You can't do it either."

Xiao Jin turned and glared at him.

Then, it took a deep breath and spat out a stream of pale golden mist from its mouth!

The mist spread rapidly, enveloping an area of several dozen meters!

[Void Holy Beetle Skill: Tracking Mist]

[Effect: Releases a special mist that can lock onto the aura of all living beings within range, lasting for 10 minutes]

[Description: Targets touched by the mist will be tracked no matter where they run]

In the mist, several blurry trails could be vaguely seen.

Those were the escape routes of the Golden Leaf Ganoderma!

"Good job!"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

He followed the trail and soon discovered the Golden Leaf Ganoderma hiding deep in the bushes.

It was curled into a ball, shivering.

"Run, why aren't you running anymore?"

Lin Feng reached out with a smile.

The Golden Leaf Ganoderma wanted to run, but the surrounding mist left it with nowhere to hide.

In the end, it was grabbed by Lin Feng!

[Obtained: Golden Leaf Ganoderma (Purple) ×1]

"Haha, the first one!"

Lin Feng happily put the Ganoderma into his wanxiang ring.

Xiao Jin ran over, holding its head high as if claiming credit.

"I know, I know, you're the most amazing."

Lin Feng patted its head.

Xiao Jin rubbed against his hand contentedly.

The person and the insect continued to hunt the next one.

With the Tracking Mist, capturing became much easier.

But soon, they encountered a new problem.

Those medicinal herb spirits seemed to have gotten smarter.

They no longer ran away individually but began to coordinate with each other.

Some were responsible for distracting attention, some for setting obstacles, and some for launching sneak attacks.

Lin Feng was chasing a red Blood Ginseng and was just about to catch it when his foot suddenly slipped!

A vine had entangled his ankle at some point!

"Damn it!"

He looked down to see an inconspicuous vine-type medicinal herb tightly wrapping its branches around his leg.

Meanwhile, that Blood Ginseng took the opportunity to disappear without a trace.

[Soul-Binding Vine (Blue)]

[Effect: Tough branches that can entangle a target and restrict movement]

[Description: Appears ordinary, but will secretly trip others up]

"There's even this kind of move?!"

Lin Feng broke the vine, his teeth itching with annoyance.

He turned back to find that Soul-Binding Vine, but it had already shrunk back into the ground, pretending to be an ordinary plant.

But Lin Feng had the Tracking Mist; it couldn't hide at all!

He walked over and pulled it out of the ground in one go!

"That's for being mischievous!"

[Obtained: Soul-Binding Vine (Blue) ×1]

Next, the capture became even more interesting.

Those medicinal herb spirits began to use every trick in the book, each displaying their own Divine Abilities.

Some would dig holes to escape.

Some would disguise themselves as stones.

Some would spray venom.

Some would release hallucinogenic smoke.

And some even grew a pair of wings and flew away!

Lin Feng chased a flying [Cloud Flower (Purple)], circling the sky a dozen times, and finally had to rely on the golden mist sprayed by Xiao Jin to knock it down.

"Whew... whew..."

Lin Feng sat on the ground, panted heavily.

He had already caught over twenty medicinal herbs and was exhausted.

But looking around, there were still over a hundred scurrying about.

"Elder Dan, is there any way to catch them all at once?"

He couldn't help but ask.

Elder Dan was silent for a few seconds and then said slowly.

"There is."

"What way?"

"Use the Four Symbols Demon Suppressing Formation."

Lin Feng was stunned.

The Four Symbols Demon Suppressing Formation?

That thing is used to suppress enemies; it can catch herbs?

"Within the range of the Formation, all targets will be suppressed," Elder Dan said. "Although those medicinal herbs have attained sentience, they are still plants at their core. Once suppressed by the Formation, they won't be able to run."

"When the time comes, you can just pick them up slowly."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

"Right! Why didn't I think of that!"

He stood up and began to set it up according to the Formation knowledge he had just learned.

He chose a relatively flat area.

His hands formed seals, and he silently recited the incantation.

The mana in his body began to surge.

"Four Symbols Demon Suppressing Formation—Rise!"

*Hum—*

With him as the center, a cyan light shield with a radius of fifty meters instantly expanded!

The light shield covered a large surrounding area.

The moment those fleeing medicinal herb spirits were covered by the shield, their bodies stiffened!

They were as if hit by a freezing spell, their movements becoming incredibly slow!

Some were still running, but their speed was as slow as a snail.

Some had just wanted to fly, but their wings could no longer flap.

Some curled into a ball, shivering.

[Four Symbols Demon Suppressing Formation Active: All Stats -30%, Movement Speed -50%]

"It works!"

Lin Feng excitedly rushed into the Formation's range.

Those medicinal herb spirits wanted to run, but they simply couldn't!

He walked up to a [Purple Salvia (Purple)]; it was moving slowly, like it was in a slow-motion movie.

"Run, go ahead and run."

Lin Feng smiled and reached out, pulling it up.

The Purple Salvia struggled in his hand twice and then gave up.

[Obtained: Purple Salvia (Purple) ×1]

Next was the pleasant time for picking.

Within the Formation's range, Lin Feng picked them up one by one.

Those medicinal herb spirits that usually ran so fast were now all slow-motion actors.

Some were still trying to escape, but they could only move a few centimeters per second.

Some simply gave up resistance and curled into a ball to play dead.

And some were actually starting to beg for mercy?

Lin Feng walked up to a [ten thousand year he shou wu (Red)]; it actually emitted a faint voice.

"Spare... spare my life..."

Lin Feng was stunned.

"You can talk?"

The leaves of the ten thousand year he shou wu trembled slightly, and an aged voice came through.

"This old one... has cultivated for two thousand years... and attained intelligence... I beg young friend to spare me..."

Lin Feng hesitated.

This He Shou Wu had already attained sentience and had its own consciousness.

Would it be a bit cruel to kill it?

"Elder Dan, what should I do?"

He asked.

Elder Dan was silent for a while and then said.

"As you wish. However, I must remind you that this He Shou Wu is of Red quality. Consuming it can permanently increase your maximum Health +50,000 and Physique +50."

Fifty thousand health!

Physique +50!

Lin Feng swallowed hard.

Looking at that He Shou Wu again, it was shivering, and its leaves had wilted.

"Young friend... this old one's cultivation has not been easy... if you let me go... I can gift you three seeds... if planted, you can obtain new He Shou Wu in a hundred years..."

"Seeds?"

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

"Yes... I produce seeds once every hundred years... I currently have three... which I can gift to you..."

Lin Feng thought about it.

Kill it, and get fifty thousand health and 50 Physique.

Release it, and get three seeds that can only be harvested in a hundred years.

How to choose?

"Kid, I suggest you let it go," Elder Dan suddenly spoke.

"Why?"

"Medicinal materials with intelligence are extremely rare. If you kill it, you only gain a temporary benefit. But if you keep it and let it continue to grow, it might produce better fruits in the future."

"Moreover, an old medicine that has lived for thousands of years often knows many secrets. It might be able to tell you some things about this Secret Realm."

Lin Feng felt it made sense.

He squatted down and looked at the He Shou Wu.

"If I let you go, you'll give me three seeds?"

"Yes... yes..." The He Shou Wu nodded repeatedly.

"Alright, deal."

The He Shou Wu's leaves unfurled, as if it had breathed a sigh of relief.

Its roots fumbled in the soil for a while and pushed out three seeds the size of soybeans.

The seeds were dark red with golden patterns on the surface, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance.

[Ten-Thousand-Year He Shou Wu Seeds (Purple) ×3]

[Effect: After planting, ten thousand year he shou wu can be harvested in a hundred years]

[Description: Extremely precious medicinal material seeds]

Lin Feng put away the seeds and stood up.

"You can go."

The He Shou Wu bowed gratefully and then slowly moved its roots, disappearing into the grass.

Lin Feng watched it leave, feeling a bit emotional.

An old medicine that had lived for a thousand years really had attained sentience.

"Let's continue catching."

He picked up another dozen or so medicinal herbs within the Formation.

The Formation's duration ended, and the light shield disappeared.

The remaining medicinal herb spirits instantly regained their speed and scattered!

"Don't run!"

Lin Feng chased for a few steps, but without the Formation, he simply couldn't catch up.

He stopped and looked at the disappearing figures with a bit of regret.

"Forget it, I should be satisfied."

He counted today's harvest.

Purple Medicinal Herbs: 23.

Blue Medicinal Herbs: 47.

Red Medicinal Herb: 1 (ten thousand year he shou wu, but let it go and got seeds).

Adding those he caught before, there were over seventy in total.

"This trip was worth it!"

Lin Feng happily put away all the medicinal materials.

Xiao Jin poked its head out from his shoulder and pointed into the distance with its golden front legs.

"Zhi zhi!"

Lin Feng looked in the direction it was pointing.

At the deepest part of the medicine garden, near the mountain wall, there was a cave.

The cave entrance was covered by vines, but one could vaguely see a faint light shining from inside.

"What's over there?"

Lin Feng asked Elder Dan.

Elder Dan was silent for a few seconds and then spoke slowly.

"That is... where the Spiritual Vein is located."

"Spiritual Vein?"

"Yes," Elder Dan said. "The reason this medicine garden could nurture so many Heaven And Earth Treasures is that there is a small Spiritual Vein underground."

"That cave is the outlet of the Spiritual Vein."

"Two thousand years ago, those Alchemists built a spirit Pool there to water the medicinal materials."

Lin Feng's eyes lit up.

Spiritual Vein?

Doesn't that mean there are even more precious treasures?

"Let's go take a look!"

He strode toward the cave.