169: Legend of the Mythical Beasts

Upon hearing the three words “Medicine King Valley,” the Mountain Spirit Gray Shadow’s deep brown eyes, which had just regained clarity, visibly fluctuated, revealing a complex expression containing both reverence and a sense of kinship belonging to the same kind.

"Medicine King Valley... the terrestrial spiritual resonance there is a hundred times richer than here, so the guardian spirits are naturally more numerous and powerful," Gray Shadow’s Divine Thought transmission carried a natural awe. "Among them, there are also the elder ancestors of our ‘Tong Ling Treasure-Seeking Mouse’ clan. Our branch is considered a remote offshoot."

It laboriously moved its massive head, pressing the side of its face near an area under the armpit of its front limb, gently nudging it with its nose. After a moment, several whiskers, shimmering with a strange silvery-gray light—several times thicker and longer than the whiskers of the Treasure-seeking Mouse “Little White,” faintly circulating Spiritual Qi—drifted down. It used a gentle demonic power to hold them up and presented them to Miss Xiao Chun.

"These are my Natal Spirit Whiskers, containing my aura and a trace of the Mountain Spirit Mark," Gray Shadow explained. "If you carry these and enter the territory of Medicine King Valley, if you encounter any Spirit Beasts of the Mouse Clan, show them this item. They will sense my request and your goodwill, and perhaps offer some assistance or guidance. Of course, the rules in Medicine King Valley are strict, and the boundaries between the Human Race and the Spirit Race are clearly defined. This item may not guarantee passage unhindered, but it is, after all... an additional Opportunity."

This was undoubtedly help in a time of need! Qin Feng clasped his hands solemnly: "Many thanks, Senior Gray Shadow!"

Miss Xiao Chun carefully accepted the few warm spirit whiskers, able to feel the gentle yet tenacious spirituality within them. She smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Big Mouse... uh, Senior Gray Shadow!"

Gray Shadow seemed unbothered by the address. Its gaze shifted to the Treasure-seeking Mouse Little White, which was excitedly circling near Miss Xiao Chun’s feet, revealing a gentle look in its eyes. "This little fellow has pure spirituality; it is a good seedling." It opened its mouth and spat out a small cluster of a light green gas mass, suffused with the fragrance of medicine, which slowly floated towards Little White. "This is a 'Spirit Nurturing Pill' condensed from the essence of several Spirit Medicines I collected. It is quite beneficial for a young creature just beginning to develop spiritual intelligence like him, helping to stabilize his spiritual foundation and enhance his perception."

Little White chirped excitedly, eagerly inhaling a mouthful of the green gas mass. Immediately, its silver fur shone a bit brighter, and it squinted its eyes comfortably, rubbing against Miss Xiao Chun’s ankle to express its joy.

"The mist that previously trapped you, and the humans outside who lost their minds, were caused by my critical injuries and dying state, which led to the violent disruption of the Terrestrial Qi I controlled, forming a self-protective Illusory Domain," Gray Shadow continued, its voice still weak but clear in its reasoning. "Now that my spiritual intelligence has recovered, although my injuries have not healed, I can barely constrain the Terrestrial Qi. The mist will dissipate soon, and those humans will awaken as if from a deep dream. Besides some fatigue and brief memory confusion, they will suffer no other harm. They might not even remember exactly what happened."

This was undoubtedly good news. Qin Feng’s greatest worry was the casualties among the innocent villagers.

"In that case, I thank the Senior again." Qin Feng expressed his gratitude once more, his favorable impression of this Mountain Spirit’s character deepening.

Gray Shadow’s gaze finally lingered on Miss Xiao Chun for a long time, the transmitted Divine Thought carrying a solemn warning: "Miss Xiao Chun, the aura you emitted while healing me... is it the 'Myriad Medicine Body,' correct?"

Miss Xiao Chun’s body stiffened slightly, and she nodded.

"Remember, you must keep it a secret! Try not to fully reveal it in front of outsiders." Gray Shadow’s tone became grave. "Our Mouse Clan has an innate sense for the spiritual treasures of heaven and earth and special Physiques, which is how I perceived it. But in the world of the Human Race, especially in a place like Medicine King Valley, such a Physique is too rare and enticing. Once exposed, you will become a 'Rare Heavenly Treasure Medicine' in the eyes of all Alchemists, apothecaries, and even some unscrupulous individuals. You might even be seen as a 'Humanoid Medicinal Catalyst' by some extremists."

It paused and added: "If it is truly unavoidable that someone suspects something, you can claim you cultivated some kind of special Wood-attribute Cultivation Technique, or possess some peculiar Bloodline. In short, the words 'Myriad Medicine Body' must never be easily admitted. Remember, Possessing Treasure Invites Disaster."

These words struck Qin Feng and Miss Xiao Chun like a warning bell. Qin Feng had long known Miss Xiao Chun was extraordinarily talented, but such a solemn warning from a Mountain Spirit made him realize the severity of the issue even more. "Senior is right to remind us, we have taken note." He responded solemnly.

Miss Xiao Chun also nodded vigorously: "Mm, I remember. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Gray Shadow."

Everything that needed to be said had been said, and everything that needed to be given had been delivered. Gray Shadow appeared even more exhausted. Its massive body slowly lowered, and it closed its eyes: "I must enter hibernation to heal... You all, be careful on your journey. Medicine King Valley... is not a safe place. Be cautious in all matters..."

After bidding farewell to the Mountain Spirit Gray Shadow, the four of them retreated from the cave along the original path. Indeed, the dense fog outside was fading and dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye, receding into the depths of the forest like a tide going out. Sunlight once again streamed down, illuminating the wet official road and the trees.

Those villagers and travelers whose eyes had been vacant and who had been wandering aimlessly now stood stunned in place, looking at each other, as if they had just woken up from a long dream. They were confused about why they were there and what had just happened, but their bodies were unharmed, only feeling somewhat fatigued.

Seeing the four of them emerge from the woods, some people vaguely remembered that outsiders seemed to have appeared during the crisis, and they cast looks of gratitude and inquiry, but their memories were blurry, making it difficult to articulate clearly.

Qin Feng offered no further explanation, merely nodding to a few people who looked like leaders, signaling that the danger had passed, and then quickly returned to the carriage with his companions.

The carriage started moving again, proceeding along the official road. The direction of Green Ox Village behind them had become the past; ahead, the outline of the Misty Mountain Range was gradually becoming clear. They now held the Mountain Spirit's token, possessed greater vigilance regarding the Myriad Medicine Body, and felt the pervasive shadow of the Yin Demon Sect more keenly.

Medicine King Valley lay just beyond the mountain range.

Master, we are one step closer to you.