In the vibrant valley, bees and butterflies fluttered about, and uniquely shaped flowers and plants were everywhere. Every few steps, one could spot some rare spiritual plants.
“Is the spiritual energy here really this dense?” Chu Liang realized that Lin Bei hadn’t exaggerated.
Indeed, this place was filled with natural treasures.
However, most of them were seedlings, which would take at least a hundred years, or even nearly a thousand years, to mature. The rest were mostly withered branches, either already decayed or harvested.
Only a few plants were ripe for harvesting.
Originally, compared to the long growth cycle of natural treasures, the time for their medicinal effects to mature and become suitable for consumption wasn’t long. Moreover, they often grew in remote mountains and rarely populated areas, which made them so rare.
“The guardian beast of this place is a powerful old ape, be careful.” Lin Bei warned cautiously.
Because of their remote growth locations, usually, before a cultivator discovered a natural treasure, a beast would have found it first. Due to the spiritual plant not being mature yet or the beast itself waiting for a breakthrough, it often wouldn’t immediately consume the plant.
During this time, if a newcomer discovered this natural treasure, the beast that found it first would attack, known as a treasure-guarding beast.
However, the spiritual plant itself wasn’t planted by it, and its growth didn’t need its protection. The so-called treasure-guarding beast was just like a person who saw money fall on the ground first. Picking up money didn’t matter who came first.
Born from nature, when does it belong to you?
“Okay.” Chu Liang nodded.
He spread his divine sense, carefully guarding his surroundings.
The Golden Behemoth entered this fragrant spiritual plant valley and immediately became interested. It sniffed around, seemingly looking for something to its taste.
Shu Mountain was in the southwest, far from the Eastern Region, and it took almost half a day to fly here. In other words, it hadn’t eaten for half a day!
“Don’t harm these immature spiritual plants, wait until we return to Shu Mountain before you can eat as you please.” Chu Liang warned.
This time, he only wanted to take the Swordleaf Mysteria.
“Last time, I just fell out of here and saw a Fire Spirit Mushroom right in front of me.” Lin Bei pointed in a direction, “That Swordleaf Mysteria should be right here.”
Saying this, he led Chu Liang a few steps to the right, and sure enough, behind a huge rock ahead, there was a cluster of conspicuous flowers, with long green leaves and enchanting red petals.
Under the sunlight, there were specks of golden light swaying in the flower’s stamen, as if it was swallowing the sunlight.
“It’s the sign of the Swordleaf Mysteria maturing…”
Chu Liang’s heart pounded twice. If he could get this, he would have all the ingredients for two top-grade Golden Elixirs.
“The Swordleaf Mysteria is born by absorbing the essence of the sun and contains golden spiritual energy. Whenever someone tries to pick it, its eight incredibly sharp sword leaves will automatically close.”
He recited the key points of harvesting he had researched earlier.
“To harvest this natural treasure, you must first use a long object to provoke it, tricking its sword leaves into closing, and then uproot the entire plant. Only in this way can you obtain a complete Swordleaf Mysteria.”
Every natural treasure was not born to be eaten by humans, so naturally, they all had some means to protect themselves. If one didn’t know the right method, they would instead be harmed.
Like this Swordleaf Mysteria, there have been people who lost their hands due to reckless harvesting throughout history.
But just as he kept moving forward, about to approach the big rock, a sudden change occurred!
Suddenly, a howling sound came from above!
Above!
Chu Liang looked up and saw numerous vines hanging from the bare and steep cliff, one of which was clinging to a huge white ape over a meter tall!
When he approached the Swordleaf Mysteria, the white ape suddenly fell down and pounced at him!
Presumably, this white ape had seen them with the Golden Behemoth long ago. Seeing their powerful force, it had temporarily avoided them, and now it suddenly launched an attack.
Thanks to Chu Liang’s alertness, even when he was close to success, his divine sense didn’t slacken in the slightest.
“Golden Behemoth!” He shouted.
He retreated while beckoning the behemoth.
This white ape seemed to be at the peak of the fourth realm, with a fierce momentum, making it difficult to resist alone.
The Golden Behemoth didn’t care about these, it didn’t need Chu Liang to call, it had already noticed the pouncing white ape. With a roar that shook the mountains, a golden wind rushed over!
Bang——
The white figure and the golden figure collided in an instant, like a meteor hitting the earth! A dull sound echoed!
“Roar——”
After this collision, it was the Golden Behemoth that was sent flying!
Boom——
Its huge body plowed a deep trench on the ground, and the soil it pushed up immediately piled up into a small hill.
Fortunately, its strongest point was its sturdy flesh, and it wasn’t injured. With a roll, it sprang up again, its ferocity fully unleashed!
The white ape on the other side landed gracefully on the big rock.
Although it was a beast, it was wearing a short combat suit, with a robust body and arms like coiling dragons, intimidating to look at. It posed with one hand outstretched towards the Golden Behemoth, paused for a while, and then withdrew its stance.
“Which immortal sect do you belong to? This valley is my cave dwelling, leave immediately!” The white ape shouted.
Chu Liang replied: “I currently need a Swordleaf Mysteria. As long as you are willing to give it, we will naturally leave. We won’t mention the natural treasures here to outsiders.”
“Hmph.” The white ape waved its hand dismissively, “Wishful thinking.”
Chu Liang pursed his lips.
“Being polite to you, and you really think these heavenly treasures are grown in your own vegetable garden.” Lin Bei cursed loudly, “You’re really taking advantage of my kindness!”
Chu Liang nodded silently.
He had spoken his mind.
With a roar, the golden-haired beast sprang out again, shaking the earth and mountains!
The old ape’s eyes hardened, and he raised his hand in a stance of fist followed by palm. As the golden-haired beast pounced, it drew a semicircle with its body, receiving and striking in turn.
Boom——
The massive body of the golden-haired beast was once again sent flying, rolling three times on the ground.
Chu Liang was slightly surprised at the sight.
This white ape was at most at the peak of the fourth realm, and whether in cultivation or talent, it was incomparable to the fifth realm spirit beast. The reason it could withstand the charge of the golden-haired beast was surprisingly due to the technique of using the opponent’s force against them.
Could it be a martial arts master?!
The golden-haired beast refused to admit defeat. The white ape’s heavy punches couldn’t break its defense. It got up and fought again!
The white ape leaped, dodged a pounce, kicked up, and its leg heavily smashed on the skull of the golden-haired beast! Boom——
Even though the golden-haired beast was a fierce spirit beast, the white ape was also a naturally born demon beast, its strength was definitely not weak. At least compared to Chu Liang’s ten-tiger strength, it was definitely not enough.
The booming sound of this kick made both Chu Liang and Lin Bei grimace. If they were on the receiving end of this kick, their heads would probably explode on the spot.
Although the white ape’s natural speed and strength were inferior to the golden-haired beast, its martial arts skills far surpassed it. In this physical collision of beast bodies, it even had the upper hand!
But the golden-haired beast’s defense was obviously not to be underestimated. It got up, shook its big head, and seemed completely unaffected by the heavy blow.
Five hundred pounds of big head, at least four hundred pounds were armor!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Such intense collisions repeated more than ten times, causing echoes in the valley and dust flying around, destroying countless flowers and plants. Fortunately, there were no particularly valuable spirit plants among them. The fierce aura rose to the sky, a pure physical confrontation, primitive and violent!
During this process, the white ape demonstrated a wealth of martial arts skills. Under the tremendous physical strength of the demon beasts, these martial arts skills were fully utilized.
It was unknown where this demon creature learned these master-level martial arts moves.
But the golden-haired beast was not to be trifled with either. After taking so many punches and kicks, it was still full of fighting spirit, even more fierce than before!
It seemed to be naturally indestructible!
Over time, it was the white ape that showed signs of fatigue first.
Chu Liang saw this and suddenly shouted, “Stop!”
“Roar——” The golden-haired beast stopped at the sound, its big head turned towards Chu Liang.
The white ape also took a step back, staring at Chu Liang with an unhappy face, “What do you want?”
Chu Liang stepped forward and said loudly, “I see that my mount can’t deal with you, but you can’t hurt it either. If this fight continues, it will definitely be disadvantageous for you.”
The white ape’s eyes were deep.
He had to admit that Chu Liang was telling the truth. At this level of battle, those two third-realm cultivators could be ignored.
But if the fight continued, sooner or later both he and the golden-haired beast would run out of strength… It seemed that he might even be the first to get tired.
By then, they would have a great advantage in numbers.
“Do you want to threaten me with this?” The white ape retorted coldly.
“No.” Chu Liang shook his head and smiled, “I mean, since this is the case, why don’t we make a bet.”
“A bet?” The white ape repeated.
“This Swordleaf Mysteria grows naturally here, and by rights, it belongs neither to you nor to me.” Chu Liang said, “Why don’t we make a bet, whoever can pick it barehanded today, the Swordleaf Mysteria will belong to him, how about it?”
(End of the chapter)