Upon entering the safety of his cabin, Li Yi extracted his pouch with haste. His fingers moved with agility as he began to inventory every material and herb collected; however, his entire focus was anchored on a single object: that strange plant he had snatched from the beast in a display of audacity.
As he released the flower from its confinement, a majestic glow of jet-black and cobalt hues flooded the room. In an instant, the atmosphere of the cabin changed drastically, becoming saturated with a spiritual energy so dense it seemed to vibrate against the walls.
Upon viewing it directly, a flash of foreign memory crossed his mind like a bolt of lightning. He evoked images of the herbs the previous owner of this body had attempted to steal in an act of desperation. In that moment, the truth was revealed to him: what he held was not a simple resource, but a high-level plant endowed with an overwhelming energetic charge.
Li Yi had not expected such a magnitude of power. He surmised that while the flower remained rooted, it kept its essence contained, but once plucked and isolated, it began to release all the spiritual energy it had concentrated over years in the heart of the danger zone.
"I previously thought I would have to risk going outside the village again to obtain basic supplies, as a mid-level herb wouldn't suffice for my plans. But this specimen... it is equivalent to at least twenty-five of them. It is more than enough to cement my path," Li Yi reflected, feeling how destiny was finally beginning to lean in his favor.
Aware of the danger such an emanation represented, he stowed it away immediately to prevent the cultivators outside from detecting the anomaly. Next, he examined the unusual stones and minerals; some radiated an essence perfect for base refinement, while others contained energy so pure it would facilitate the condensation of his core—though several objects still remained shrouded in mystery.
After a few minutes of observation, he decided to safeguard his treasures. He went out to wash and change his clothes, feeling the need to purify both his body and mind. Once ready, he headed to the old man's shop; he needed to access records on mineralogy to identify the findings that defied his current knowledge.
As he walked through the streets, he perceived that the air remained heavy with a palpable uncertainty. The faces of the mundanes and the base-realm cultivators reflected a constant tension. He knew that as long as the threat of the horde was not officially dispelled, the village would remain in a state of vigil and fear. They had no choice but to wait.
Upon reaching the shop, he found the old man mired in silent resignation. However, noticing Li Yi's presence, the man forced a smile and received him kindly, inquiring about his needs. Li Yi, maintaining a low profile, replied that he only sought to delve deeper into reading some volumes.
"Don't worry, elder. If the horde manifests, we will resist long enough for the great cultivators to repel the beasts. Hope is our best shield," Li Yi said, attempting to instill a bit of calm in the old man.
The man smiled with genuine warmth, though his eyes revealed a tired wisdom.
"Stay calm, young man. I know that if danger reaches us, we will do what is necessary to survive; it is something etched into our very nature," he replied with a firm voice.
Li Yi understood that beneath that facade of resignation beat an indomitable instinct for survival. After a respectful bow, he headed toward the baskets of books and began to unravel the secrets of the materials he held.
Shortly after, his eyes landed on the exact description of one of his objects: Solid Flame Iron. It was a legendary mineral, capable of being imbued with energy to boost attacks exponentially. Its rarity made it extremely expensive, and Li Yi possessed seven fragments the size of two fists.
"This material is a treasure even for those in the Warrior Realm. I must be extremely cautious; if word gets out that I possess such a thing without having the strength to defend it, I would become instant prey," he thought with cold, analytical logic.
He continued his search until he identified a piece of wood the size of his palm—an essential component for creating high-level formations with immense commercial value. Finally, he examined two small pieces the size of a finger. After finding no information and noticing small pores on their surface, the reality hit him: they weren't minerals, but the fecal waste of the fox.
He immediately cast them aside but stopped to consider the consequences. If someone found and identified the beast's trail, panic would break out in the village. Carefully, he picked them up using leaves to dispose of them far from the dwellings. He bid the elder farewell and set off for home.
Upon arriving, he dug a deep hole and buried the waste, sealing off any scent. Once inside his cabin, a sense of triumph overwhelmed him; the profit from this incursion was incalculable. He would have sufficient funds to stabilize his base, help his siblings, and eventually leave this limited village.
He recalled the medicinal herbs he had hurriedly collected on the way back. With patience, he began to organize them in suitable containers to preserve their freshness.
Everything was set.
That night he would rest, and at dawn, he would begin the definitive plan: the condensation of his new and revolutionary base.