Chapter Four: Superior Spiritual Treasure—The Humanoid Ganoderma

Ah!

Ling Yan couldn’t help but exclaim, her face filled with doubt as she asked, “Is your master perhaps the ancient divine beast Bai Ze?”

The old hunter beside them was taken aback by her words, casting a strange look at Bai Mu, occasionally sneaking glances at the ancient-looking Azure Dragon Sword, his expression hinting at some ill intent.

Seeing Bai Mu remain silent, Ling Yan couldn’t help but whisper softly, “If your master is Bai Ze, the ancient divine beast, his status is second only to the Heavenly Emperor. Even the great gods from all realms would pay him their respects. Why would he take a mortal like you as his disciple?”

Bai Mu gave a bitter, helpless smile and replied, “That’s something you’d have to ask my master. Since I can remember, I’ve lived in Eastward Mountain. This is my first time in the mortal world, but I haven’t even had a chance to experience its splendor before becoming a cripple…”

Ling Yan gritted her silver teeth upon hearing this, vowing with conviction, “Bai Mu, since you were injured saving me, I will certainly heal your wounds and safely return you to Eastward Mountain. This is my promise to you.”

“No, no, no!”

Bai Mu hurriedly shook his head, weakly refusing, “It’s better if you don’t send me back to Eastward Mountain. I’ve already disappointed my master by sneaking down the mountain this time. If you bring me back in my current crippled state, he’ll be beside himself with worry. I don’t want to affect his cultivation because of this.”

“Don’t worry, young Bai. Your body isn’t beyond saving!”

The old hunter looked confidently at Bai Mu lying weakly on the bed. The sunlight streaming through the window illuminated his grizzled beard and the deep lines on his face, lending him an air of wisdom and insight quite unlike that of an ordinary hunter.

“Sir, do you have a way to save him?” Ling Yan turned hurriedly, earnestly pleading.

“I possess a humanoid Ganoderma from the Mysterious Pill Mountain of the Southern Wilds. If young Bai takes it, his meridians will be restored and his strength greatly increased. However…”

“What is it, sir? Please, speak freely!” Ling Yan saw the old man’s troubled expression and urged him with hope flickering in her heart.

She had heard stories in her youth among the gods that in the Savage Realm, there existed ganoderma in the shapes of men and horses, born from the essence of heaven and earth, absorbing the spirits of animals.

The lowest grade was the ox Ganoderma, the middle grade was the horse, and the highest was the humanoid. This treasure was exceedingly rare and could rival the wonders of creation, always proving miraculous in healing wounds.

The old hunter gave a cunning smile, his face shrouded in mystery. “This humanoid Ganoderma is a rare treasure I found by chance after decades of hunting. If I were to hand it over so easily, wouldn’t I be suffering a great loss…”

“Sir, what would you require to part with the humanoid Ganoderma? Please, name your price!”

Ling Yan didn’t hesitate, meeting the old hunter’s gaze. At this moment, nothing could make her waver—she would traverse heaven and earth if necessary to save Bai Mu.

After all, Bai Mu was the first person she met upon entering the Savage Realm, and her benefactor at that. Whether out of emotion or principle, she could not refuse.

“Hahaha.”

The old hunter glanced sidelong at Bai Mu’s gleaming Azure Dragon Sword, then stood aside with an odd laugh.

“No!” Bai Mu saw the hunter’s longing look at the sword and immediately refused, “Sir, I’m willing to accept any other condition, but not this ancient sword. It concerns the safety of all living beings in the Savage Realm!”

The old hunter’s face darkened at his words, angrily turning away from the two.

Ling Yan, ever perceptive, saw through his intentions. Clearly, he recognized the sword’s origins and wished to claim it.

Before coming to the Savage Realm, Ling Yan had heard the prophecy from the Child of Heaven: “Heaven’s order is changing, the demon star has appeared, the fate of transformation lies with the Azure Dragon.”

Her main task was to find the missing Transforming Demon Flask, but now that the long-lost Azure Dragon Sword had resurfaced, she could not let it fall into others’ hands.

With this in mind, she forced a smile and sincerely explained to the hunter, “Sir, the Azure Dragon Sword recognized Bai Mu as its master by blood in White Deer Valley. Even if you were to take it, the sword would not serve you.”

“It might even turn its ancient sword energy against you, leaving you as crippled as Bai Mu. Then, there would be no spare humanoid Ganoderma to save you!”

Heh heh.

The old hunter’s eyes flickered. The girl’s words made sense, so he replied, pretending to be magnanimous, “Don’t misunderstand, I have no designs on the Azure Dragon Sword.”

Then, changing the subject, he spoke calmly, “Young lady, I noticed a divine light on your waist earlier. If I’m not mistaken, that must be the legendary ‘Light Firefly Silk Fan’?”

“According to the tales passed down by elder hunters, though small in form, the Light Firefly Silk Fan is infused with heaven’s essence—a magical artifact that can change size at will. A single wave can sweep away all things, and it protects its bearer. Is that correct?”

“Yes,” Ling Yan replied hesitantly, taking the fan from her waist and lowering her head.

“If you’re willing to trade this fan, I’ll bring forth the humanoid Ganoderma to heal your friend, restoring him anew!”

“No, this Light Firefly Silk Fan was given to me by my father when I turned fifteen…”

Ling Yan suddenly paused, realizing she had said too much.

She gave an awkward smile and quickly corrected herself, “This fan is a gift from my father. He told me never to let it leave my side, so I can’t give it to you.”

“Besides, as a hunter, the fan wouldn’t be of much use to you!”

“Not so, not so,” the old hunter waved his hands. “We hunters live in the wild, constantly facing beasts and spirits. Sometimes it’s extremely dangerous.”

“But with the Light Firefly Silk Fan’s protection, I’d be much safer hunting.”

“Also, your friend’s injuries are severe. If you delay, even the humanoid Ganoderma may not save him. Don’t blame me if that happens!”

With that, the old hunter grinned, preparing to leave.

Wait!

Ling Yan bit her lip, frowning as she spoke solemnly, “Sir, I’ll give you the Light Firefly Silk Fan, but you must keep it safe. Never use it to harm others, or if I find out, I will take your life with this fan!”

“Rest assured, rest assured.”

The old man laughed with satisfaction, taking the precious fan and examining it closely, a sly smile flickering at his lips. He carefully tucked it at his waist, striding out to prepare the materials for boiling the humanoid Ganoderma.

“Ling Yan!”

Bai Mu called out in shock from the bed, “You shouldn’t have traded the precious fan for my broken body. In the valley, you held your own against Bi Fang thanks to the fan’s power!”

“Now that the fan is gone, how will you face the countless spirits and beasts of the Savage Realm?”