SFS Chapter 67 Dragon Saliva Herb
Chapter 67 Dragon Saliva Herb
Yunmeng Marsh covers an area of eight hundred li, with numerous lakes and waterways, and reeds as vast as the sea.
Standing by the marsh, gazing at the vast expanse of water, Zhou Ning felt a surge of inexplicable awe.
The lake was shrouded in mist, and from a distance it looked like a green ocean with no end in sight.
Occasionally, a few waterbirds would be startled from the reeds, flapping their wings and flying into the sky.
He walked north along the lakeside path.
According to the "Local Landscape Records", the dragon's saliva grass grows on a small island deep in the Yunmeng Marsh, where there are many poisonous snakes and ferocious beasts, and it is also guarded by monsters.
To find ambergris, you must first find a guide familiar with the waterways.
After walking for about an hour, a water fortress appeared ahead.
The water village was built on a shallow beach by the lake. It was constructed of wood and bamboo and was not large in scale, but it was quite exquisite.
Several small boats were moored at the entrance of the village, and a few shirtless men were busy on the boats.
As Zhou Ning approached, a burly, dark-skinned middle-aged man came to greet him.
"Young man, are you looking to rent a boat?" The man looked him up and down.
Zhou Ning cupped his hands and said, "I wish to venture into the marshland in search of a medicinal herb and need a guide familiar with the waterways. Could you possibly assist me, brother?"
The man scratched his head:
"Going into the swamp? That's extremely dangerous. There are water bandits, monsters, and man-eating water monsters in the swamp. Most people who go in never come back."
Zhou Ning said:
"I am a cultivator and have means to protect myself. Brother, you only need to take me in; I will take care of my own safety."
The man hesitated for a moment, then said:
"Alright. But it's not cheap. Ten taels of silver a day, half upfront."
Zhou Ning took out fifty taels of silver from his pocket and handed it to the man:
"This is a deposit for five days. If it exceeds five days, an additional deposit will be required."
The man took the silver, his eyes lit up, and his attitude immediately became much more enthusiastic.
"Brother, you're straightforward. My name is Lao Zhao, but everyone in this water village calls me Boss Zhao. You wait here, I'll go get the boat ready, and we'll set off right away."
He turned and walked towards the village.
Zhou Ning stood by the lake, waiting.
Before long, Old Zhao came out carrying a small boat.
The boat was small but sturdy, with an oil lamp hanging at the bow and fishing nets and tools piled up at the stern.
"Hey buddy, get on board."
Zhou Ning jumped onto the boat and sat down at the bow.
Old Zhao pushed off with a bamboo pole, and the small boat slowly sailed away from the shore, heading deeper into the marsh.
The surface of Yunmengze is more complex than it appears from the outside.
Everywhere you look there are reeds, and the waterways are narrow and winding; if you're not familiar with the area, it's easy to get lost.
As Zhao Laoda rowed the boat, he explained the situation in the swamp to Zhou Ning.
"This Yunmeng Marsh covers an area of eight hundred li and contains over a hundred islands. The larger islands are inhabited by people, while the smaller ones are inhabited only by birds and beasts. The island we are going to is a small island in the north called 'Snake Island.' It is teeming with venomous snakes, and few people dare to go there."
Zhou Ning asked, "Is the ambergris on Snake Island?"
Boss Zhao nodded:
"I heard from the older generation that there is indeed a peculiar grass on that island, with leaves like dragon's tongue, small golden flowers, and a faint fragrance. It should be the ambergris you are looking for."
He paused, then continued:
"However, there is a giant snake on that island, as thick as a water bucket, which guards that herb. People have tried to pick it before, but the snake has eaten them all."
Zhou Ning said, "Brother Zhao, don't worry, I have a way to deal with that giant snake."
Old Zhao stopped talking and focused on rowing the boat.
The small boat glided through the reeds, surrounded by silence, with only the sound of oars cutting through the water.
After walking for about two hours, a small island appeared ahead.
The island is small, only a few dozen acres, and is covered with dense trees and shrubs.
The island was shrouded in fog, making it difficult to see clearly.
"This is it." Old Zhao moored the boat at the shore.
"Young man, I'll wait for you here. Be careful going up. If you encounter any danger, shout loudly and I'll come to get you."
Zhou Ning nodded, jumped ashore, and walked towards the island.
There are indeed many snakes on the island.
Large and small, colorful, they coiled on branches, rocks, and grass, flicking their tongues and hissing.
Zhou Ning circulated his internal energy throughout his body, forming a protective layer of internal energy.
The snakes sensed his presence and all avoided him, not daring to approach.
He walked along a path toward the center of the island.
After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, an open space appeared ahead.
In the open space, there grew a peculiar plant.
The grass was about half a person's height, with long, narrow leaves that had wavy edges, truly resembling a dragon's tongue.
At the top of the grass, a few small golden flowers bloom, emitting a faint fragrance.
Ambergris!
Zhou Ning was overjoyed and quickly walked over.
Just as he reached out to pick it, the ground suddenly shook.
A giant python emerged from an underground cave.
The python was as thick as a water bucket, its body covered in black scales, and its eyes burned with a ghostly green light.
It opened its blood-red maw and lunged at Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the python's attack with a swift movement.
At the same time, he drew his Qingfeng sword and slashed at the python's head.
"Ding!"
The sword blade struck the scales, sending sparks flying.
Only a faint white mark remained on the python's head.
Such hard scales.
Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine, pulled out an "evil-repelling talisman" from his waist, and threw it at the python.
"disease!"
The talisman transformed into a golden ray of light and struck the python's abdomen.
"hiss!"
The python let out a scream as a charred wound appeared on its abdomen, from which wisps of black smoke rose.
Enraged, it lashed out with its tail and swept towards Zhou Ning.
Zhou Ning used his lightness technique to leap into the air and avoid the snake's tail.
At the same time, he concentrated his inner energy at the tip of the sword and unleashed the "Demon-Slaying Slash".
A dazzling azure sword aura, like a dragon emerging from the sea, rushed straight towards the python's wound.
"Pfft!"
The sword energy pierced through the python's abdomen, and green blood gushed out.
The python let out a desperate hiss, then collapsed to the ground and remained motionless.
Zhou Ning, panting heavily, sheathed his sword.
He walked to the ambergris, carefully dug it up by the roots, wrapped it in cloth, and put it in his bag.
"I've got the ambergris."
He turned and walked towards the shore.
Back on the boat, Boss Zhao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he had returned safely.
"Hey buddy, did you get it?"
Zhou Ning nodded: "We succeeded. Brother Zhao, let's go back."
Old Zhao pushed off with a bamboo pole, and the small boat slowly sailed away from Snake Island.
By the time we returned to the water village, it was already dark.
Zhou Ning paid the remaining fare and gave Zhao Laoda a reward of ten taels of silver.
"Brother Zhao, thank you very much."
Old Zhao laughed and said, "You're too kind, young man. If you need to come to Ze again next time, feel free to come find me."
Zhou Ning nodded and left the water village.
He found an open space by the lake, lit a campfire, and prepared to spend the night there.
Having obtained the Dragon Saliva Grass, his next step is to search for the Thousand-Year-Old Lingzhi and the Earth Core Fire Lotus.
According to the "Local Landscape Records", the thousand-year-old Ganoderma lucidum grows on the vast mountains in the north, while the Earth Core Fire Lotus grows on the Flaming Mountains in the south.
One in the south, one in the north, thousands of miles apart.
"It seems we still have a long way to go," Zhou Ning sighed.
He sat cross-legged by the fire, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.
The true energy within the body circulated slowly, bringing a warm and comforting sensation.
Although the cultivation level at the early Foundation Establishment stage is much stronger than that at the Qi Refining stage, there is still a long way to go before one becomes a true powerhouse.
"Don't rush, take it one step at a time."
The following morning, Zhou Ning left Yunmengze and continued north.
His next target is the Cangmang Mountain.