After they were full of food and drink, the three headed towards the back mountain.
Initially, Li Dazhuang did not want to take his sister to the mountain, but Li Qingqing insisted on following. Since Li Dazhuang couldn't refuse, he brought her along. With one more person, they could dig up more herbs.
Li Qingqing was like a joy-bringer. With her around, the three had plenty to talk about, making their journey very pleasant.
To Qin Hui's surprise, Li Qingqing majored in finance at university. Typically, finance attracted more male students, as the subject was quite demanding.
Furthermore, based on Qin Hui's judgment, with Li Qingqing's capabilities, she was destined to leave this mountainous region sooner or later. If conditions were favorable, studying abroad was also a possibility.
No wonder Li Dazhuang had said earlier that he was reluctant to see Li Qingqing get married. If she married and left, she might not return home even a few times in her lifetime.
In truth, once people broaden their horizons and gain abilities, they naturally tend to settle elsewhere, rarely returning to their hometowns.
This is why so many people yearn to leave their villages and venture into the world. When they leave, there is no one to give back to the village. If all the capable individuals depart, who will drive the village's development?
This is a question that will forever remain difficult to answer.
The three walked along the mountain path for half a day, collecting many five-colored flowers. Qin Hui also gathered some other herbs.
When they reached the mountainside, the baskets they carried were already full of five-colored flowers. The villagers were unaware of the five-colored flowers' effects, so very few people picked them.
During this time, Qin Hui and his companions encountered many other villagers collecting herbs. Qin Hui, therefore, bought herbs from them, saving himself considerable time.
Although the villagers' baskets only contained common herbs, Qin Hui collected them all since he was already on the mountain.
After bidding farewell to these villagers, the three spent the entire afternoon exploring the entire mountain.
The harvest was substantial, with enough herbs to last Qin Hui for quite some time.
The only disappointment for Qin Hui was that besides the five-colored flowers, there were no other unexpected surprises.
Indeed, the medicinal herbs required for a martial artist's breakthrough are not easily found. Otherwise, everyone would be a martial artist.
As the day gradually darkened, Li Qingqing suggested staying overnight on the mountain.
If they were to descend the mountain, it would be past nine o'clock at night. Moreover, villagers often stayed overnight on the mountain, so simple wooden huts were available.
Qin Hui quickly approved Li Qingqing's suggestion. This kind of life was akin to what city dwellers called camping.
Under Li Qingqing's guidance, the three soon arrived at a simple wooden hut.
The division of labor was clear. Li Qingqing was responsible for cleaning the hut and clearing a space for the three to sleep. Li Dazhuang went to find a water source and catch some fish to make soup.
As for Qin Hui, he voluntarily offered to go hunting, feeling it would be a waste not to enjoy some game since they were on the mountain.
Because the mountain was relatively primitive, there was an abundance of game.
While collecting herbs earlier, Qin Hui had spotted several free-range chickens.
Qin Hui's skills were excellent. After walking around for a short while, he caught two wild rabbits, a significant haul.
However, just as Qin Hui was preparing to return to the hut, his attention was drawn to a small, snow-white figure – a white fox.
Normally, white foxes were rare on the mountain. Since Qin Hui had spotted one, he naturally wanted to capture it. Even if it wasn't for eating, it would be excellent for keeping.
After tying the two wild rabbits to his waist, Qin Hui quietly crept towards the white fox.
The white fox was about to enter Qin Hui's capture range when Qin Hui stepped on a dry twig, snapping it with a "crack." This directly startled the white fox and sent it fleeing.
As the white fox ran, Qin Hui naturally gave chase. If he hadn't intended to capture the white fox alive and intact, Qin Hui would have already used his hidden weapons.
This white fox was incredibly agile, darting and weaving everywhere, leaving Qin Hui in a rather disheveled state.
However, as he chased, Qin Hui followed it into a cave. By the time Qin Hui entered the cave, the white fox had long since disappeared.
"I never thought I'd be outsmarted by a white fox in my lifetime."
Qin Hui slapped his forehead, his face filled with embarrassment.
However, before Qin Hui could dwell on his misfortune for too long, he discovered several stalks of Hundred Leaf Grass within the cave.
Upon seeing the Hundred Leaf Grass, Qin Hui's expression immediately turned excited.
He hadn't expected this place to be able to grow Hundred Leaf Grass. It was known that Hundred Leaf Grass was an essential herb for a martial artist's breakthrough, and he had stumbled upon it today.
Indeed, if this mountain could nurture five-colored flowers, it could naturally nurture Hundred Leaf Grass as well.
However, Hundred Leaf Grass was extremely rare, and its growing conditions were very harsh, which explained its scarcity.
"I didn't expect my luck to be this good."
Qin Hui walked up to the Hundred Leaf Grass and carefully dug them all out, holding them in his palms as if they were precious treasures.
The most valuable aspect of Hundred Leaf Grass was its ability to grow continuously. Once Qin Hui returned home, he could plant them, thereby cultivating martial artists himself.
This was what Qin Hui valued the most!
The harvest of Hundred Leaf Grass far exceeded Qin Hui's expectations. However, Qin Hui also knew that Hundred Leaf Grass was very rare, and encountering it here was truly a blessing from heaven.
As for whether there was any more Hundred Leaf Grass elsewhere, Qin Hui knew the possibility was slim. If it were so easy to obtain, it wouldn't be considered a rare vegetation.
By the time Qin Hui emerged from the cave with his treasures, he had lost his bearings.
With the onset of darkness and Qin Hui having not intentionally left any trail while chasing the white fox, finding Li Dazhuang and the others became somewhat difficult.
It was important to note that they were on the mountainside, and mobile phones had no signal whatsoever, making it feel like a survival situation in the wild.
Fortunately, Li Dazhuang and the others were very familiar with this area. Qin Hui waited in place for about half an hour before he heard Li Dazhuang's calls.
"Dazhuang, I'm here."
As soon as Qin Hui saw Li Dazhuang's figure, he waved at him.
Upon seeing Qin Hui, Li Dazhuang and Li Qingqing hurried over.
"Brother Hui, are you alright? We were so worried."
Li Dazhuang wiped the sweat from his forehead, his nerves finally relaxing.
The mountainside at night could be quite terrifying, with venomous snakes emerging.
A single misstep could lead to an encounter with the King of Hell.
"I'm fine. I apologize for making you worry. Let's go, I caught two wild rabbits to roast and eat."
Qin Hui swung his wild rabbits, a look of excitement on his face.
Seeing Qin Hui alive and well, Li Dazhuang finally relaxed and then led Qin Hui towards the wooden hut.
However, along the way, Li Dazhuang kept a close eye on Qin Hui, fearing that something might happen to him.
This made Qin Hui feel a bit embarrassed, but he also knew that Li Dazhuang meant well.
After all, it was dark, and visibility was zero. A single slip could mean a meeting with the King of Hell.