Chapter Four: A New Divine Power

Seven Star Grass: A spiritual herb, its leaves slender like orchids, emerald green. One leaf grows each year, reaching maturity in seven years; another cycle brings a leaf and a star point each year, requiring forty-nine years to achieve seven leaves and seven stars. It cleanses the organs, dispels chronic illnesses, refines blood and energy, and enhances strength. Its main effect is to cleanse the organs and remove hidden injuries. This particular grass had thirty-six stars, was severely damaged, contained three points of essence, and the essence was rapidly dissipating.

Such was the information flowing from the Earth Seal.

Yang Fan, upon seeing this, immediately activated the Qi Consumption ability and absorbed all the essence within.

Earth Essence: 3

Without hesitation, he invested the essence into his Awakening Degree.

In an instant, the sensation of ascending to bliss returned, as if his entire being was sublimated from inside out.

The pleasure subsided.

His Earth Sense now encompassed a radius of seven meters, able to extend seventy meters out.

“Seventy meters—so long as I don’t run into mountain spirits or fierce beasts, I have a significant measure of safety,” he thought, his tense mood easing somewhat.

Beyond that, his senses heightened, his strength increased.

Bang…

Yang Fan struck a nearby tree with his fist, leaving a clear print and causing the tree to shake violently.

His skin remained unbroken.

“This punch carries twenty years’ worth of skill!” Yang Fan laughed.

Had that punch landed on his former self, it might have crippled him—such was the terrifying improvement in strength.

He jumped straight up in place, nearly two meters high; upon landing, he stomped hard, creating a deep pit beneath his feet and darted forward like a leopard, landing five meters away.

“Is it really this powerful?” Yang Fan estimated the distance, unable to suppress his excitement.

He felt like a small superhuman.

But thoughts of the two men’s earlier battle cooled his ardor.

A stir in his heart revealed other changes.

Seal Master: Yang Fan

Fate: Mountain Patrol Envoy

Awakening Degree: 7%

Awakened Abilities: Qi Consumption, Earth Sense

Awakening Ability Available: Intimidation. Awakening condition: 5 points of essence.

Earth Essence: None

Information about Intimidation flowed into his mind.

Intimidation: The earth bears all, mountains are its bones. Great mountains nurture all spirits; as Mountain Patrol Envoy, one should command the power to rule them. Blessed by mountain spirits, standing upon the earth, one’s presence intimidates, shaking hearts, spirits, and wills, commanding the spirits of the mountains. To patrol the ranges, roam the land, and maintain order.

“This ability is extraordinary—no, it’s very powerful!”

But awakening it required five points of essence.

Yang Fan could only shake his head.

He sensed that to gain other abilities, not only must his Awakening Degree rise, but he must acquire more essence—a great deal of it.

Yet essence was so rare.

Whether monkey ginseng or Seven Star Grass, both were spiritual herbs, their worth considerable.

Just look at the two men earlier; for a single Seven Star Grass, they turned against each other, likely perishing together.

Without lingering, Yang Fan hurried away.

The sun had already risen halfway above the horizon, faintly visible through the mist, as if swelling and ready to burst forth and flood the world with light.

The fog drifted slowly, thinning bit by bit.

Guided by Earth Sense, Yang Fan could spot danger in advance and descended the mountain swiftly. Along the way, he encountered many treasures, but none contained absorbable essence, so he paid them no heed.

Reaching the foot of the mountain, he crossed a forest and entered a valley.

This was the outermost valley; a short walk would bring him outside the mountain, with a view of South Mountain Town.

The valley served as a gathering point for the Hall of Healing, with a stream, many trees, and several caves. More than ten tents had been erected.

By dusk, the youths participating in the trial would return here to rest.

“Yang Fan, you’re finally back!” A young man ran over joyfully upon seeing him. “What happened yesterday—did something dangerous happen? You didn’t return all night; I was worried sick. Huh, where’s your medicine basket?”

“Da Hu!” Yang Fan replied quickly, “I ran into a mountain cat yesterday. In my panic, I dropped everything, then found a cave and hid there until now.”

Yang Da Hu was from the town as well. They often played together and were close friends.

His family’s circumstances were average, and he’d often ventured into the mountains.

This opportunity was rare, so he joined the Hall of Healing’s trial.

As they spoke, he called over other youths who gathered round, many of whom Yang Fan recognized.

But Yang Fan noticed one fellow who looked at him as if seeing a ghost.

A glance at the man’s feet confirmed it—he was the one who’d ambushed his former self.

“You ran into a mountain cat?” Yang Da Hu exclaimed. “You’re lucky to escape. You must be starving after a night of fear. Come, I have some cakes—eat a little first.”

“I am indeed hungry.” Yang Fan rubbed his stomach and asked, “Da Hu, how was your harvest yesterday?”

Essence might boost Awakening Degree, cleanse and refine him, but it couldn’t fill his belly.

“Nothing special, probably no hope for me,” Yang Da Hu said, pulling a bitter face.

“There’s still one day left, another chance,” Yang Fan patted him on the shoulder. “Who had the best harvest yesterday?”

“Yang Tian—that guy’s luck was absurd. He found a piece of yellow essence, worth eight taels of silver. Then Ma Guang caught a golden-thread centipede, worth five taels. The mayor’s precious son, Yang Xiang, picked a few Red Glow Fruits, also about five taels. I suspect Yang Tian and Yang Xiang cheated,” Yang Da Hu lowered his voice.

Whether they cheated or not, he didn’t know.

But Ma Guang must die.

After eating several cakes and drinking some water, Yang Fan felt revived.

“Yang Fan, since you didn’t harvest yesterday, don’t go out today. Rest and avoid another mishap,” Yang Da Hu advised. “This isn’t the only path. I’ll try again, just in the outskirts. The sun’s up and the mist is gone; I’ll head out.”

“Go on, be careful!” Yang Fan watched as the youths departed, greeted them as they left, and when the valley grew quiet, he sought out the Hall of Healing’s steward.

He repeated the excuse he’d given Yang Da Hu, then asked, “Uncle Wang, do we have any spare baskets, shovels, or knives? I want to try my luck again.”

“You rascal, nearly eaten by a mountain cat and still want to go?” Steward Wang admonished. “Why not just leave it?”

“This is a rare chance. I believe great fortune follows great hardship. My luck will surely turn today.”

“You really aren’t afraid of death. Fine, there are spares. I’ll prepare a set for you,”

Steward Wang didn’t press him further, and soon provided a medicine basket, a shovel, and a knife.

After thanking him, Yang Fan left the valley, resolutely heading into the forest.

Having witnessed the might of martial artists, he made up his mind: if a single spiritual herb could turn comrades into enemies, then among martial artists, he must be merely ordinary.

What about those truly powerful martial artists?

Become an herb apprentice.

Seek out cultivation methods.

If there was a chance to gather great power, Yang Fan did not wish to live an ordinary life ever again.