Chapter 501 - 483: A Bountiful Harvest

The few surviving Pharmacists of the Shi family first washed the blood off their hands with clean water. Then, they took out their tools—medicinal trowels, bamboo slips, soft-bristle brushes, and the like—and laid them out in a neat row beside the Dragon Sinew Grass.

The lead Pharmacist crouched down and gently brushed aside the dead leaves and broken twigs on the ground, carefully identifying the roots and stems of the Dragon Sinew Grass.

The leaves of the Dragon Sinew Grass were long and narrow, and entirely blood-red. A central main stem ran from the root all the way to the tip of the leaf, looking like a taut Great Tendon. This Great Tendon, having absorbed an abundance of Qi and Blood essence, was the most valuable part of the Dragon Sinew Grass.

"Dig the trowel in three inches away. Don’t damage a single root."

Following his low-voiced reminder, the Pharmacists divided the excavation work. One person angled their trowel into the soil along the outer edge, loosening the dirt bit by bit. Another carefully scraped away the loose earth with a bamboo slip.

When they encountered fine roots, they slowed down even further.

After all, if they were careless and damaged the fibrous roots with a single strike of the trowel, it would mean losing at least tens of taels of silver.

In the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the first stalk of Dragon Sinew Grass was finally unearthed. The Pharmacist didn’t shake off the dirt on the roots; instead, much like harvesting mountain ginseng, he used a soft-bristle brush to sweep away the loose soil. He then wrapped the roots in damp moss before placing it into a medicine box lined with a soft cloth.

Seeing the first stalk of Dragon Sinew Grass successfully extracted, everyone unconsciously let out a breath of relief.

For a moment, silence fell over the surroundings, leaving only the soft rustling of iron trowels slicing into the earth.

The Pharmacists grew increasingly Skilled at unearthing the remaining Dragon Sinew Grass. In less than an hour, this entire patch of Dragon Sinew Grass had been completely harvested.

"My lord, there are a total of thirteen stalks of Dragon Sinew Grass!"

The Pharmacist reported happily. Normally, finding three to five stalks of Dragon Sinew Grass would be considered fortunate, but this time they had harvested an astonishing thirteen stalks—a massive haul.

A hint of joy appeared on Shi Yueshan’s usually stern face. The harvest from this trip was incredibly bountiful. Thirteen stalks of Dragon Sinew Grass meant at least thirteen Dragon Tendon Pills!

"Gentlemen, this Dragon Sinew Grass cannot be stored for long after being unearthed, so we must hurry back to Black Stone City immediately. At that time, I will have the Pill Masters of the Shi family refine them into Dragon Tendon Pills all at once, and then I will personally deliver them to your doorsteps!" Shi Yueshan cupped his fists solemnly at Su Yu and Li Jingfeng.

"Then let us proceed exactly as Brother Shi suggests," Li Jingfeng agreed aloud.

Su Yu nodded as well. He couldn’t find a Pill Master on his own, so leaving the refinement entirely to the Shi family was actually a better arrangement.

However, he had no intention of leaving just yet. "You all go on ahead. I still want to explore Tiger Roar Mountain a bit more," he said.

The crowd’s expressions immediately shifted to surprise. After killing so many members of the Black Lotus Sect, there was likely a sect stronghold nearby. If they didn’t leave immediately, there could be unforeseen dangers.

Her pretty face filled with worry, Li Ningcai couldn’t help but say, "Brother Su, it would be better if we went back first. Later, we can have Gu Changfeng and the others come with us to explore."

After speaking, she looked at Yang Zhen, hoping the other woman would persuade Su Yu.

Yang Zhen merely smiled faintly. She hugged Su Yu’s arm sweetly, her demeanor showing that she deferred entirely to his decisions.

The group was taken aback once again. Just a moment ago, they had seen Yang Zhen looking like an ethereal fairy descending to the mortal realm, her garments fluttering elegantly. Yet now, she looked like a dainty little wife. They couldn’t help but feel a surge of envy toward Su Yu.

Many questions also lingered in their minds. How come they had never heard of such a heaven-favored daughter before?

"Rest assured, everyone. I am naturally not staying behind out of arrogance. If I encounter danger, I will flee in time. The Dragon Sinew Grass shouldn’t be delayed. Return to Black Stone City swiftly," Su Yu said.

Shi Hai chuckled and chimed in, "Commander Su is a chosen genius; his actions naturally differ from ordinary people. Everyone, don’t worry anymore. Commander Su’s strength and confidence far exceed ours. Let us leave quickly so we don’t stay behind and become a burden."

The crowd spoke no more and departed in silence.

Su Yu, meanwhile, led Yang Zhen deeper into Tiger Roar Mountain. The two dashed forward for roughly a quarter of an hour before stopping at a clearing in the forest.

Su Yu looked up into the sky. Soon, the tree canopy above their heads rustled and shook.

Qingyuan dove down from high above, sweeping past the dense branches and leaves. Its wings, comparable to steel, easily tore through thick branches before it landed steadily on the ground.

"It’s Qingyuan! It’s grown so big!"

Yang Zhen hadn’t had the chance to see Qingyuan earlier. Now, her face lit up with joy, and she stepped forward, unable to resist stroking its massive eagle head.

Qingyuan affectionately rubbed against Yang Zhen’s body, its eagle eyes filled with immense delight.

Previously at the Su Mansion, Su Yu had always acted as a hands-off Shopkeeper. The feeding of the Little Crocodile Dragon and Qingyuan had mostly been handled by Yang Zhen and Yang Ai.

Therefore, Qingyuan was exceptionally close and fond of Yang Zhen.

"Zhen’Er, get on Qingyuan’s back. This fellow is already capable of carrying both of us in flight high in the sky. With it here, we can avoid most ordinary dangers."

Su Yu’s figure blurred as he flashed onto Qingyuan’s back and sat down. Zhen’Er followed closely behind, taking a seat in front of him.

Wrapping his arms around Zhen’Er’s slender waist, Su Yu issued a command to Qingyuan.

"Go find that Demon Tiger!"

"SCREECH!"

Qingyuan raised its head and let out a high-pitched eagle cry. It then flapped its steel-like wings, the layers of cyan scaled feathers gleaming with the cold luster of metal under the sunlight.

As it spread its wings and beat them forcefully, a fierce gale whipped through the forest, sending countless fallen leaves swirling into the air.

Riding the wind, its massive body shot upward in the blink of an eye, breaking through the dense canopy and soaring high into the sky.

"WHOOSH..."

As Qingyuan climbed higher and higher, the howling winds roared past the pair’s ears.

Looking down, the magnificent and sweeping panorama of the entire Tiger Roar Mountain unfolded before their eyes.

Tens of thousands of acres of emerald-green forest rolled with the mountainous terrain. Ancient, millennia-old trees stood densely packed together, twisting like astonishing dragons and intertwining to form an expansive, boundless wave of jade.

In the distance, mountain peaks towered majestically. Some pierced straight into the heavens, while others stretched continuously into the far-off sea of clouds.

"RUMBLE..."

A waterfall that resembled the Milky Way cascaded straight down; even from a great distance, the thunderous roar of the crashing water could be heard.

A vast expanse of white mist swirled around it, and beneath the sunlight, a brilliant seven-colored rainbow arched across the misty veil.

Qingyuan pierced through the clouds and skimmed past the mist, speeding among the peaks. Mountains, forests, clouds, and rainbows—one beautiful scene after another continuously swept past their eyes.

Zhen’Er’s flawless, exquisite face was filled with pure delight. She loved this magnificent scenery, and she loved adventuring and traveling outside with Brother Su.

"Brother Su, the feeling of flying in the sky is absolutely wonderful," she said.

Su Yu maintained a calm expression, his gaze steadily fixed on the vast and rugged landscape below, but in truth, his heart was equally thrilled.

After all, the yearning to fly was etched into human DNA.

"If you like it, we’ll let Qingyuan fly a bit longer. Qingyuan has already located the Demon Tiger’s lair—it won’t be able to escape!"

"SCREECH!"

Qingyuan let out another long, cheerful cry.

Able to sense Su Yu’s praise through the Spirit Rhinoceros Blood Contract, it flapped its two cyan wings a bit faster.

From the tiny Cyan-Scaled Sea-Exploring Swallow it once was, to the Cyan-Scaled Eagle currently bearing the bloodline of an Ancient Exotic Beast, it could finally carry its master across mountains and ridges, becoming of much greater assistance to him.

After carrying the two over several more peaks, Qingyuan’s speed suddenly slowed, and it began to circle above a mountain stream.

"We’re here!"

Su Yu looked down. Two steep mountain peaks sandwiched a deep, secluded gorge. The bottom of the valley was shrouded in churning mist and clouds, making it difficult to see clearly.

Qingyuan tucked its wings and descended along an almost perfectly vertical cliff face, eventually coming to a slow, steady stop halfway up the mountain.

"Huh, it’s actually a cave?"

In the distance along the cliff face, there was a cave that recessed inward. A large outcropping of rock protruded directly above the entrance, and the surroundings were densely covered with ancient vines. From afar, it blended almost perfectly into the landscape.

A look of surprise crossed Su Yu’s face. He hadn’t expected the Demon Tiger to hide its lair in a cave halfway up a mountain.

One had to know that this cliff face was incredibly steep; even an average ape or monkey would find it difficult to scale.

Who could have possibly imagined that a Demon Tiger would place its nest here?

However, given its strength as a Tier Four Demon Beast, climbing this cliff wouldn’t be a difficult task for it at all.

"Although that Demon Tiger is heavily injured and its overall strength has fallen from Tier Four, it still isn’t something an ordinary person can handle. Zhen’Er, wait for me here, and guard the cave entrance while you’re at it."

"Alright, Brother Su. You must be careful too!"