42: Respected herbalist, head to Brokenwood Cliff

"Immortal," Ge Xuanqing respectfully saluted.

Old Potato and the other three showed very pleased expressions, secretly delighted.

Mortals are often humble, cautious, and even fawning towards Cultivators.

This fawning, in the eyes of many players, was the enjoyable part of the game, making it easy to get immersed.

"I heard you are Qinghe Town's best Herbalist, and even have dealings with the Elders of Duan Kong Cave?" Old Potato was the first to speak, looking at Ge Xuanqing with curiosity.

Ge Xuanqing maintained his respectful demeanor: "I wouldn't say the best; I merely have some research in the Dao of herbalism. The Elders of Duan Kong Cave cherish talent, which is why they offered me some guidance."

What the four didn't know was that Old Potato's first sentence immediately put Ge Xuanqing at ease:

"Oh, they're not from Duan Kong Cave, they're Loose Cultivators. That makes it simple..."

"We also want to learn herbalism. Can you teach us?" Xiao Daidai, being very innocent, directly asked, hoping to trigger a quest.

Ge Xuanqing smiled and nodded: "Since it is an Immortal's request, there is no reason not to. Coincidentally, there is a treasure land within the Efeng Mountain Range called Broken Wood Cliff, where the Ninth Grade Spirit Medicine Qing Teng Grass grows, which can be used to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. If Immortals do not mind, you may accompany me to gather herbs."

Ninth Grade Spirit Medicine! Foundation Establishment Pill!

Midnight Gao Sou and the other three looked at each other, their breathing becoming somewhat rapid.

Xiao Daidai remained innocent: "What is the effect of this Foundation Establishment Pill?"

Ge Xuanqing was secretly delighted. They hadn't even heard of Foundation Establishment Pills, such wild Cultivators! Wouldn't dealing with them be a piece of cake?

However, he maintained his respectful facade: "A Cultivator at Qi Refining Ninth Level who takes a Foundation Establishment Pill will significantly reduce the difficulty of Foundation Establishment. Some even consider it a Divine Pill that guarantees Foundation Establishment."

Guaranteed Foundation Establishment!

The four's breathing quickened; this item was indeed a treasure!

Xiao Daidai asked again: "What if someone is at Qi Refining First Level, is the Foundation Establishment Pill still useful?"

Ge Xuanqing was already overjoyed in his heart. So they were only at Qi Refining First Level.

He maintained his respectful demeanor, even bowing deliberately to appear shorter and more humble: "It is naturally ineffective for someone at Qi Refining First Level. However, Qing Teng Grass can also be used to refine other Medicinal Pills, such as the Ninth Grade Medicinal Pill, Harmonizing Qi Pill, which can effectively increase the cultivation speed of Qi Refining Cultivators."

"There's such a good thing!" Xiao Daidai's eyes lit up: "Then can you perform Alchemy?"

Ge Xuanqing pondered for a moment: "I know the Alchemist from Duan Kong Cave and can introduce Immortals to him."

Xiao Daidai quickly waved her hand: "No, no, we can't contact Duan Kong Cave."

Ge Xuanqing narrowed his eyes. Oh, so they had a grudge against Duan Kong Cave.

"Let's not talk about Alchemy for now; we'll go to Broken Wood Cliff first."

"Alright, please follow me, Immortals."

Ge Xuanqing led the four deeper into the Efeng Mountain Range.

Along the way, they could see some tall trees, with many weeds, wildflowers, and unnamed shrubs and other plants beneath their shade.

Old Potato and the other three felt nothing, but Ge Xuanqing occasionally stopped to gather herbs, and his back basket was quickly filled.

Ge Xuanqing looked at his full back basket and sighed.

Xiao Daidai quickly took out a storage ring: "We'll help you carry them for now."

Ge Xuanqing dared not refuse and placed all the medicinal herbs into the storage ring.

"For an Herbalist, this mountain range is full of treasures everywhere," Old Potato exclaimed at this moment, and the other three shared his sentiment.

Soon, Ge Xuanqing led the four to the edge of a cliff.

Across this steep cliff, about tens of meters away, there was a completely vertical cliff face.

Strangely, the cliff face was not the usual rock color, but a wooden color, like a giant log that had been cut off, with only the lower part remaining. This part, after being exposed to wind and sun, formed the cliff face, and many plants grew in its crevices.

"That is the Qing Teng Grass!" Ge Xuanqing extended a hand.

The Qing Teng Grass looked like intertwining vines, forming a cluster of grass-like plants.

Ninth Grade Spirit Medicine did not have a significant distinction compared to common medicinal ingredients, nor did it have signs like spiritual light, Immortal Qi, or unusual phenomena.

Even if Midnight Gao Sou and the other new Loose Cultivators saw the Qing Teng Grass, they would absolutely not recognize it as a commonly used Ninth Grade Spirit Medicine, and would simply miss it.

"Good! We'll go gather herbs now!" Xiao Daidai waved her fist, her face full of excitement.

A distance of tens of meters was long for Mortals, requiring ropes and tools to cross.

But for Cultivators, it was simple; they could jump tens of meters after channeling their Qi.

"Immortals, please wait!" Ge Xuanqing called out at this moment: "To pluck Spirit Medicine, some special methods are needed, otherwise the medicinal properties will be greatly damaged, or the Spirit Medicine might even dissipate directly."

Old Potato and the other three's eyes lit up; this was exactly what they wanted to learn!

Ge Xuanqing began to teach the four a method of gathering herbs.

Soon, a new skill appeared on the panels in the four's minds:

【Clear Wind Herb Gathering Hand】

【Ninth Grade】

【Waving both hands like a clear wind, able to pluck medicinal herbs without damaging their medicinal properties】

【Proficiency: Beginner】

"Learned a new skill!" Midnight Gao Sou and the other three looked at each other, all a little excited.

This was the meaning of them seeking out Ge Xuanqing!

"It's good to have a harvest." The Mage also curled his lips, very satisfied.

Actually, he was somewhat suspicious of Ge Xuanqing at first, fearing that he was also an evil Cultivator, or had evil cultivation methods like Zhen Xingshan, and would then attack them.

But now it seemed that Ge Xuanqing was indeed very respectful, and even obediently taught them the skill that Herbalists relied on for survival.

At this moment, Ge Xuanqing spoke again:

"Immortals, I have another request. This Qing Teng Grass is incredibly precious, and I cannot afford it, but as for the other Spirit Medicine on Broken Wood Cliff, may I have some? Not much, just ten percent will suffice."

This almost pleading, yet genuinely stated request, dispelled the last trace of worry in the Mage's heart.

If the other party truly intended to act, they would definitely remain humble and would not actively make demands.

"Is ten percent enough?" Xiao Daidai was still very innocent, feeling that they were taking a great advantage.

"He's just an NPC, giving him ten percent is already too much," the Mage whispered. In fact, he didn't even want to give that ten percent.

The four practiced the herb-gathering hand for a while, preparing to head to Broken Wood Cliff.

But at this moment, the roar of a wild beast came from below, loud and fierce, making people uneasy.

The Mage's expression changed instantly: "Wait, everyone, don't go over there."

He turned directly and glared fiercely at Ge Xuanqing: "Tell me, what exactly is here?"

Old Potato also suddenly thought of something: "That's right, I saw in the CG and actual gameplay demo that the Efeng Mountain Range has Yao Beasts. So that must be some kind of fierce wild beast, right?"

The Mage narrowed his eyes, staring intently at Ge Xuanqing.

That was close, almost got tricked!