Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Witnessing

Qin Wen had tried to dissuade him several times.

Hearing the doubt in his tone, Bai Mo knew he was confused and explained:

"This Berylwater Jadeflower, while it has the ability to protect itself by releasing a scent that drives away Demon Beasts,"

"if a Demon Beast with true intelligence were to notice it, they would surely fight over it."

’So it’s a hot commodity after all.’

Qin Wen understood and finally stopped questioning him.

But Bai Mo asked a question of his own:

"Brother Qin, I see you are very familiar with this path. Do you come here often?"

Qin Wen shook his head.

"Not extremely familiar. It’s just that whenever I was short on money, I would venture to the gorge to hunt Demon Beasts."

Bai Mo knew of his circumstances. Back home, Qin Wen had a sick, elderly mother, as well as a wife and child.

His son was at a crucial age for growth and building his physique, so money was often tight.

The Cultivators who occasionally accompanied him up the mountain were also mostly in need of Spirit Stones for one reason or another.

For them, taking risks was a daily occurrence.

Qin Wen continued speaking.

"Many Demon Beasts roam the gorge’s edge. Some of the more intelligent ones might even notice the traces left behind by Cultivators."

"When they’re hungry, they will deliberately follow those tracks to set up an ambush."

"That’s why we don’t completely clear the vegetation from the paths we take. We just wait a couple of days for it to grow back..."

After a day of trekking through uneven terrain, they found the entrance to a cave as darkness fell.

Many Demon Beasts that hunted by the gorge passed through this area; traveling at night was out of the question.

Qin Wen pushed aside the vines covering the cave entrance and tossed a fire-starter inside.

Within two breaths, a horde of snakes, insects, rats, and ants scurried out in a panic.

He placed one hand on the entrance, slid his feet forward, and slipped inside.

"It’s clear! Come on in!"

The others followed him in.

The last man to enter squeezed inside and, in one smooth motion, pulled a half-sized boulder and some vegetation over to block the entrance.

Then, he squatted down beside it, cradling his blade.

PFFT!

A torch flared to life, illuminating the scene inside the cave.

The cave was large. It looked as if a large beast or a Demon Beast had once lived here.

But after its original occupant left, the cave had been taken over by snakes, insects, rats, and ants. It was damp and musty, and the smell was unpleasant.

Bai Mo and Qin Wen could stand up straight inside, but a few of the taller men had to stoop.

Once the campfire was lit, the cave felt much more hospitable.

According to Qin Wen, the small beast they had acquired was indeed a good find and shouldn’t be wasted.

With a shake of his sleeve, Bai Mo produced a clay pot and several waterskins.

"Since that’s the case, you all can prepare it."

"Now you’re talking!"

Several of the men volunteered, busying themselves for the better part of an hour dressing the small beast and putting it in the clay pot to stew.

The inedible innards and other parts were buried on the spot. Someone even gave the pile a deliberate stir to make sure there were no severed fingers or anything of the sort mixed in.

About half an hour later, the men were all holding bowls made from broad leaves, slurping down the hot stew.

One of the men offered Bai Mo a refill.

"Here, here, Alchemist Bai. This stuff is great for a man’s vitality. It’s a real rarity on the market."

The others immediately snickered.

"Alchemist Bai has Fire Marrow Pills. You think this is better than those?"

After they had shared a laugh, Bai Mo got down to business.

"On this trip, we are not here to hunt Demon Beasts or stir up unnecessary trouble. We are only searching along the gorge."

"You are all seasoned veterans of the mountains. I’m certain you can keep me safe."

Bai Mo was not stingy.

"When we return, every one of you will receive a bottle of Fire Marrow Pills!"

Hearing this, the men’s breathing instantly grew heavy.

The payment for this trip was no small sum. Sometimes, even after a personal foray into the mountains, they wouldn’t earn this much.

Although it involved some risk, they were confident in their ability to simply stay alive and protect their own party!

After this rally, everyone was exceptionally motivated.

After several more days of travel, Bai Mo could hear the sound of rushing water.

From a distance, it sounded a lot like the wind, but Bai Mo could tell the difference.

"What a violent current. No wonder Liu Yaozi was swept away."

Qin Wen shook his head and added:

"Liu Yaozi was bold. He dared to sneak into a place like this all by himself."

Just as they were speaking, they heard the sound of branches snapping behind them.

The big, burly man with a scar on his face scowled.

"Dammit, that thing is still following us."

"A few of you, with me. Let’s go kill it!"

Immediately, four or five men answered the call and headed back with him.

The creature trailing them was a lone Wolf Beast.

A wolf that becomes a demon usually becomes the leader of its pack.

But there are exceptions, such as when a second Demon Beast is born into the pack.

The two fight, and the loser becomes a loner, wandering the mountains.

Moreover, because they are often seriously injured in the fight, they are left with lingering ailments that greatly affect their combat strength, causing them to develop cunning and tricky personalities.

The one Bai Mo’s group had encountered was clearly vengeful. After being repelled, it had trailed them for two days.

The group continued toward the great gorge, the weeds underfoot growing taller and denser.

In several places, beasts were feeding.

Bai Mo looked from side to side, then walked around the area.

A great river flowed down through the gorge, its current incredibly swift.

The water was clear, like a bolt of white silk rushing toward the horizon.

Occasionally, large, green-backed fish could be seen leaping from it.

Any fish that could live in such a fierce current was bound to be a violent species.

After a short while, the men who had left returned, carrying the stench of blood.

"How did it go?"

Qin Wen asked.

The scar-faced man spat.

"It’s dealt with. Just that old wolf didn’t have much meat on it. A waste of effort."

Qin Wen paid it no more mind and turned away.

"As long as it buys us some peace."

The group began to follow the river downstream.

Along the way, Bai Mo described the appearance of the Berylwater Jadeflower to the others.

"The flower is very easy to recognize. Just keep an eye on the opposite bank."

"If it’s on our side, I’ll be able to spot it myself."

The flower emitted a scent that drove away Demon Beasts, making them subconsciously avoid it.

But to Bai Mo, this scent was undoubtedly a guiding beacon.

While the men helped keep a lookout, most of their attention was focused on their immediate surroundings.

The roar of the turbulent water beside them was perfect cover for the sounds of a hunt.

Bai Mo was often ordered to halt, and they would frequently have to wait for a while before they could move on.

If one were bold enough to peer ahead, they could even see scenes of Demon Beasts charging in to hunt.

Fast! Vicious! Strike and withdraw!

This was the theme of hunting by the gorge.

No one wanted to get bogged down in a prolonged fight, attracting other predators and turning themselves into prey.

Crouching in the tall grass, Bai Mo also witnessed a clean, brutal kill on the opposite bank.

He watched as a large blade was raised high, and then half a corpse was tossed into the current.

Bai Mo turned his head to look at Qin Wen.

"Was the one who just struck... Qi Long?"

Qin Wen nodded slightly.

"Judging by the build and the weapon, it certainly looks like him."

Bai Mo frowned.

"We haven’t delayed at all on our way here. How could they have gotten ahead of us?"

Qin Wen simply said, "The path we’re taking is the one commonly used by Demon Hunting Teams."

"The great clans travel on paths they’ve developed themselves, unknown to others."

"If Qi Long and his group force-marched, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to get ahead of us."

The other men nodded in agreement.

"Didn’t think we’d run into something like this. No idea who the victim was, but we’d better not get involved."

"Let’s just focus on our own business."

Qin Wen also said, "I’ve seen them dump bodies here before. They’re old hands at this."

"The river bends up ahead. Once we pass it, they won’t be able to see us at all."

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