102 Bailing Mushroom

Mount Dawang was famous for its abundance of Bailing Mushrooms. Every year, thousands of cultivators ventured deep into the mountains in search of this legendary spiritual item. Yet, of the thousands who entered, fewer than five would ever return.

The Bailing Mushroom was a naturally formed spiritual entity, born in the deepest and most fertile parts of the forest. Drawing wood spirits from the dense woods and growing within the thick, decaying layers of soil, it would frantically absorb the vitality of all surrounding living things. Accumulating this over time, it often took tens of thousands of years of effort before it could finally break free of its shackles and leap onto the long-awaited surface.

A newly emerged Bailing Mushroom was the easiest to catch. Having spent far too long in the darkness, their first contact with the outside world filled them with wonder. They would even perch curiously on a human's shoulder, gazing at these things they were seeing for the first time.

Yet, their ability to absorb vitality was innate. Once their curiosity about the outside world faded, they became a disaster. Wherever they went, not a blade of grass would grow, and birds and beasts would flee in terror. Humans could forget about capturing them; even at a distance of less than a mile, the vitality within their bodies would be continuously drained away, eventually leading to their demise at the mushroom's hands.

However, they would not expand indefinitely. Once their accumulated vitality reached a certain threshold, they would burst, dispersing into countless tiny clusters of life force that ultimately returned to the mountains and forests. Meanwhile, the mushrooms themselves would revert to spore-like forms, sleeping deep underground to await another ten thousand years of accumulation.

Such was their cycle of life: laboring for ten thousand years just for a single chance to leap above ground. Yet, this opportunity, while opening the gates to a new world, also heralded the end of their lives. Only in this manner could the forests, and indeed all living things, avoid destruction.

Though it sounded as if their existence was devoid of meaning, in truth, every blade of grass, every flower, and countless other living things lived in just such a quiet manner. Immense effort was spent for a single moment of blooming, only to return to the dust in the end.

If only one could preserve its most brilliant moment...

Due to their extremely potent vitality, Bailing Mushrooms were commonly used for two purposes.

If a human cultivator caught a newly emerged, naive Bailing Mushroom and sealed it in a specially crafted jade box for alchemy, it could be refined into various sacred medicines for healing and extending life.

If it were a ghost cultivator, they could exploit its trait of absorbing vitality to cultivate the death qi within themselves, thereby achieving breakthroughs in their cultivation.

Thus, dangerous as it was, this spiritual entity remained incredibly enticing.

Every year, countless cultivators arrived to try their luck, harboring hopes of a stroke of fortune. Yet, the vast majority only ended up as nourishment for the Bailing Mushrooms, ultimately feeding the entire forest.

Because of these cultivators, Mount Dawang grew greener and more lush with each passing year.

"The nine hundred and fifty-eighth one this year," a slightly hoarse voice sighed softly.

A young boy with his hair tied in twin horn-braids was buried in his task, devouring half a watermelon that was almost larger than his own body. Hearing the voice, he looked up, revealing his face. Though he had made a mess, with the red juice smeared all over his face, one could still see that he was an exceptionally handsome child. With his cheeks puffed out, he mumbled, "Fifth Uncle, what did you say?"

The man, Fifth Uncle, turned his head. He lovingly stretched out his sleeve to wipe the juice from the boy's face, his eyes filled with pity as he repeated, "I said, the nine hundred and fifty-eighth person this year went in three months ago. No doubt they won't be coming out, just like the nine hundred and fifty-seven before them."

The child shook his head in confusion and went back to gnawing on the massive watermelon.

Fifth Uncle looked back toward the forest. He sighed softly and, while weaving the straw rain cape in his hands, recalled the day he first saw number nine hundred and fifty-eight.

Fifth Uncle's family had lived at the foot of Mount Dawang for hundreds of years.

After their first ancestor arrived here, he had, by a stroke of luck, learned to use a type of grass harvested from Mount Dawang, called Jingpu, to weave rain capes that could resist the draining of one's vitality.

The treasure-hunting cultivators who came every year were their customers, but few ever became repeat buyers. Most simply never had the chance to return.

Even so, the Bailing Mushroom's reputation continued to draw wave after wave of cultivators, and his family's business had persisted to this day.

Now, Fifth Uncle was of the fifth generation. Although his family's Jingpu capes were not exceptionally effective, they were still better than having no protection at all. Consequently, almost everyone who entered the forest would first buy a Jingpu cape from Fifth Uncle's house at the foot of the mountain.

Fifth Uncle had practically become the guardian of this forest. He knew every cultivator who entered Mount Dawang and often accepted their last requests.

That day, he was sitting there weaving a cape as usual when someone suddenly asked him, "Excuse me, do you sell Jingpu capes here? I would like to buy one."

Though Fifth Uncle's cultivation was not particularly high, he was still the most talented member of his family in the past century, having just advanced to the Golden Core stage this year. Even if she were a whole major realm above him, a Nascent Soul cultivator, it should not have been easy for her to approach him so closely without his noticing.

Therefore, Fifth Uncle sized her up very seriously.

She was a very young and beautiful girl, looking no older than seventeen or eighteen. Although most Nascent Soul Daoist Lords did not look old, one's actual age could always be read from their eyes.

She was definitely not old. Radiating a youthful vitality, she had certainly not come to extend her lifespan.

Looking at her attire, her green dress appeared simple, but in truth, it was not something an ordinary person could afford.

The spirit stones spent on that dress alone could match a Golden Core Master's cultivation expenses for an entire year.

Furthermore, the hairpins on her head and the ornaments tied to her dress... every single one was of exquisite quality. Clearly, she had not come for wealth either.

Since she was neither seeking to extend her life nor seeking wealth, why was she so eager to throw her life away?

However, he could not openly advise her to leave. If a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord took offense, his entire family might be implicated. Thus, he could only ask his nephew, A-Miao, in a seemingly casual tone, "A-Miao, none of the nine hundred and fifty-seven people who went in this year have come out. Don't forget to remind me to send their belongings back."

The female cultivator, completely unconcerned, took the cape, pinched A-Miao's little cheek, and departed with a smile.

Now that three months had passed and she still had not emerged, she had likely perished in that man-eating forest as well. At this thought, Fifth Uncle could not help but sigh again. She clearly had everything and an limitless future ahead of her; why do something so unnecessary?

Little did he know, the female cultivator he believed to have returned to the yellow dust to nourish Mount Dawang was currently enjoying an unprecedented experience deep within the forest.

This female cultivator was none other than Hansu.

A few months ago, she had been dragged by Daoist Lord Yuheng to explore an ancient cultivator's cave dwelling, only to unexpectedly run into Rong Ling, who then inexplicably kicked her out of the dwelling. She had stood in place for five whole days, and it was only on the sixth day that she managed to dispel all her negative emotions. Just then, she received a talisman message from Cong Baoxin, stating that all the items she wanted to purchase were ready.

She then went to Cong Baoxin's place in Fanyang City to collect the items. Just as she was about to leave, she overheard a conversation between Cong Baoxin and his subordinate regarding the Bailing Mushrooms of Mount Dawang, which immediately piqued her interest.

For female cultivators, childbirth was a perilous hurdle. It not only meant a drop in cultivation realm but could also drain their life force, preventing them from ever advancing again.

For this reason, although Daoist Lord Lanhe and his wife were delighted by her pregnancy, they were also deeply worried. Even though Daoist Lord Hengbo herself was an expert healer, she had little confidence when it came to childbirth.

Although Hansu had bought a heap of items from Cong Baoxin, they only offered a slight chance of aiding her mother's recovery. If she had a Bailing Mushroom, however...

Ever since she discovered the manipulator hiding behind the so-called female protagonist and supporting female character, Hansu had felt even more lost than before.

Sometimes, a book only presented a narrow perspective. Readers would never know what earth-shattering stories lay hidden behind the scenes, transcending the so-called protagonists and antagonists.

Moreover, having discovered that the object on her person was the Heaven-Reaching Mirror, and that the "Plot God" she had always believed in seemed to be a liar full of deceit...

Every moment of the future seemed to have become uncertain, as if a massive explosion could occur at any time.

While she was not pessimistic enough to remain constantly tense and vigilant, during the days after Rong Ling sent her out of the cave dwelling, Hansu had quietly made a decision.

To live each day to the fullest and do everything she wanted to do within her limited time, lest she regret it when it was too late.

Thus, despite knowing full well that Mount Dawang was fraught with danger, she had come anyway.

If the day would eventually come when she must leave, she would rather do everything in her power to help her parents, to make up for the "Hansu" they had lost because of her arrival.

Now that Daoist Lord Hengbo was pregnant again, helping her deliver the child safely while preserving her health had become Hansu's top priority.

Dangerous as Mount Dawang was, she had to brave it.

Before coming, she had carefully studied all the gathered information regarding Mount Dawang and the Bailing Mushrooms, finally finding a relatively safe method.

Ensuring sharp perception and swift, wind-like movement was the first priority.

Because the Bailing Mushrooms slept underground while slowly draining the surrounding vitality, the entirety of Mount Dawang existed in a constant state of "bloodletting."

However, if a Bailing Mushroom leaped to the surface, it would cause the vitality within a ten-mile radius to be rapidly plundered. It would usually mature and burst within a month.

During that month, this ten-mile area would become like a living purgatory.

Therefore, she needed to perceive her surroundings keenly. If there was a sudden shift from a slightly sluggish state to absolute lifelessness, she could deduce that a newly emerged Bailing Mushroom was within ten miles. By rushing over with lightning speed, she might be able to capture it.

If she could not capture it safely, excellent mobility was also the prerequisite for a swift escape.

There was also one detail that many overlooked: if one could reach the area at the exact moment the Bailing Mushroom burst... the benefits obtained would be inexhaustible.

Having thoroughly researched the information, Hansu had purchased many high-grade flying talismans and suitable magic treasures from Cong Baoxin. Only after preparing thoroughly did she set out. As expected, her naturally powerful divine sense saved her many times here.

After wandering the forest for a month and evading several dangers, she finally mastered the skill of observing the right timing.

Author's Note:
The blueprints are out today! Yesterday, I worked overtime until midnight, and today was another busy day. Finally, I can relax a bit. I went out for a small meal with friends in the evening, came home with a happily full stomach, and started my late update.
Unfortunately, there was a power outage in between, so today's update is late again... Sigh...
Despite being so busy these past two days, I still noticed the landmines thrown to me by User 78:22. I'm so touched and delighted. You truly love me... Please don't give up on me!!!
Asking for more true love!!!