Chapter 59: Chapter 59: Entering the Mountain
The man had his own plans, so Bai Mo couldn’t insist.
After seeing Elder Tao off, Bai Mo returned to his quarters on Lanshan Mountain.
He held the *Jia Chen Alchemy Skill* in his hand.
Although it contained no dedicated section on medicinal fields, there were a few scattered mentions.
Bai Mo read for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and quickly pulled out the notes he had obtained from Alchemist Gou.
In his youth, this Pill Master had been particularly interested in the cultivation of medicinal herbs for a time.
The notes contained many entries about him consulting others on matters concerning medicinal fields.
It was only theory, but it was enough to answer Bai Mo’s questions.
Lanshan had also gone out and returned with two yellowed, old books.
Bai Mo took them and opened them. He was amazed to see that they were filled with records about medicinal fields, complete with unique insights and techniques.
"Where did these come from?"
Lanshan said, "I borrowed them."
"Who do they belong to?"
’I should try to buy these,’ Bai Mo thought.
But Lanshan advised against it. "Shopkeeper Bai, it would be best to give up on that idea."
"They may struggle to survive on Celestial Barrier Mountain, but they have their pride."
According to him, the books were heirlooms passed down through two families whose ancestors had managed medicinal fields for a sect several generations ago.
It was a genuine craft, the very means by which they made a living.
"No wonder. I see the language inside is mostly colloquial slang."
"But some of the tips and insights seem very practical. They’re clearly based on real experience."
Bai Mo understood, but he didn’t dismiss the idea from his mind.
"Where do these two families live? I wish to pay them a visit."
Lanshan was a little surprised.
"At this time of day, they’ve probably gone into the mountains to look for herbs. They have a good eye for it—they always find what they’re looking for!"
Bai Mo nodded. "Then I’ll just go see them after they get back."
"By the way, what are their usual earnings like?"
Lanshan understood his unspoken intention.
"Their cultivation is low, so the herbs they can gather aren’t very high-grade. They sell them to middlemen, so they don’t keep much of the money for themselves."
"Besides, they have whole families to support, so things are actually quite difficult for them."
"What’s this? Is Shopkeeper Bai interested in them?"
Bai Mo nodded honestly.
"They’re all living a hard life. It would be better for them to work for me..."
...
In the following days, Bai Mo selectively read through the materials he had, getting through most of them.
His understanding of medicinal fields grew, and he gained much new knowledge.
"This art of planting is quite profound."
Putting down the book in his hands, Bai Mo looked out the window.
Several packs were already packed and on Wang Hu’s back. Aside from a change of clothes, they also contained some necessities.
Among them were several bottles of Pills that Bai Mo had contributed.
It was worth noting that Wang Hu also had several knives and iron hooks of different styles tucked into his belt.
"It’s time to go."
Bai Mo put a few books into his own pack, shouldered it, and walked out the door.
Lanshan pushed open his door and strode out, his fierce gaze sweeping over everyone in the courtyard.
"Is everyone ready?"
Everyone nodded, and Lanshan waved a large hand.
"Let’s go!"
The Demon Hunting Teams they were meeting had not yet arrived.
The group headed toward the city gate.
The guard at the gate was a little surprised to see Lanshan.
"You just got back a few days ago, and you’re heading out again?"
"Short on cash?"
Lanshan waved his hand. "Cut the crap. No one ever has too many Spirit Stones!"
The guard smiled faintly and watched them leave.
He was a bit curious why there was a child in the Demon Hunting Team, but he didn’t ask.
They were just trying to make a living in Immortal Arrival City, not members of some powerful sect.
When dealing with these fierce Demon Hunting Teams, their principle was always to avoid trouble.
Once outside the city, Lanshan led the group in a certain direction, knowing the path like the back of his hand.
Bai Mo raised his eyes and looked into the distance.
A towering mountain range stretched across the horizon, blocking the view.
Just by looking at it, one could feel the immense, heavy presence of the mountain range.
Before they had walked a mile, other Cultivators began to catch up to them one after another.
Two Cultivators in sleeveless blue robes, three men in practical, tight-fitting clothes, and finally, a Cultivator in black who leaped out from the grass at the side.
And just like that, the Cultivators from the three groups had all arrived.
Lanshan remained silent until everyone had gathered, then said:
"Everyone’s here. Let’s go."
"Your three groups, you only sent this many people?"
"Heh," the blue-robed man, Ma Bozi, laughed aloud.
"Are you saying the few of us aren’t enough? I was afraid that if we brought more, you’d be the one complaining, Lanshan."
Lanshan looked at Bai Mo and pointed to the three groups in turn, introducing them.
"These are people from the Wind-Piercing, Mountain-Shattering, and Giant-Spear Demon Hunting Teams."
"From now on, they’ll be working for us."
Ma Bozi was about to say something more when it dawned on him. He, along with the other two groups, turned his gaze to Bai Mo.
They studied Bai Mo for a moment. Seeing his calm expression, they stepped forward to greet him.
"Might you be Alchemist Bai?"
Bai Mo’s expression didn’t change as he gave a slight nod.
"There’s no need for formalities, gentlemen. In these mountains, I will have to rely on your help."
The men exchanged glances. They didn’t think much of it and simply cupped their fists.
"Alchemist Bai, you think too highly of us."
For a Pill Master, Bai Mo’s attitude was already quite good, even polite.
But when they looked at Lanshan, their eyes held a hint of jealousy.
’How did a brawny, tactless oaf like him get to know a Pill Master, and on such close terms?’
Lanshan looked rather smug but didn’t say anything more.
"Let’s go. Into the mountain!"
The path to Celestial Barrier Mountain had been trodden solid by many feet, making it smooth and easy to walk on.
The farther they went, the taller Celestial Barrier Mountain appeared.
It loomed over them, a dark and oppressive mass that seemed to steal the air from their lungs.
They encountered many Cultivators along the way, traveling to and from the mountain.
However, the group led by Lanshan was already quite large, and their fluctuating auras were a clear display of strength.
Other Cultivators subconsciously kept their distance.
There were only one or two whom they encountered, and when they did, Lanshan and his group deliberately suppressed their auras.
Seeing this, Bai Mo knew that those were Cultivators they couldn’t afford to provoke—big shots among the Demon Hunting Teams.
"We’re here."
The group arrived before a large tree stump.
Lanshan casually plucked a blade of wild grass from the roadside, tied it into a ring, and placed it on the stump.
There were many similar items already on the stump.
The others did the same, and Bai Mo followed their example.
Han Meng, who was beside him, explained, "It’s an old tradition for Demon Hunting Teams. We do it for peace of mind."
"They say the lonely souls of those who die on Celestial Barrier Mountain can use these to find their way back here, so they don’t have to suffer alone in the mountains."
Bai Mo understood. He placed the grass ring he had made onto the stump, setting it amongst several other, dried-out rings.
Only then did the group finally enter the mountain proper.
They passed into the forest, crossed several hills, and found themselves in a dense wood where the sun was blocked by the canopy.
Noticing that Lanshan and the others were deliberately slowing their breathing, Bai Mo knew he had officially entered the Celestial Barrier Mountain range.
If he listened closely, he thought he could hear the faint roars of beasts.
His emotions were just beginning to stir when he heard Han Meng give a sudden, soft shout.
"Don’t move!"
Bai Mo froze. Han Meng reached out, snatched something from above his head, and a small, green snake landed in his hand.
"Heh heh, Shopkeeper Bai, you need to be careful."
Han Meng chuckled as he casually tore the snake’s head off.
Just as he finished speaking, another rustle came from the swaying leaves above.
Several small snakes fell.
Lanshan’s heart tightened, and he was about to act.
Han Meng also took two steps forward, but then he suddenly realized that all the snakes were writhing and shooting toward him.
They seemed to completely ignore Bai Mo, who was directly beneath them.
"Hey! Wait a minute..."
Han Meng flailed about in a panic, finally managing to bat the snakes away.
He looked at Bai Mo, confused.
Bai Mo just smiled faintly.
"I applied a repellent."
