The Xu family might hold a secret, after all, even renowned medical families like the Dong family were unaware of such a substance as the Hehuan Powder.
Lin Xiao Tian mused that he should find an opportunity to visit the Xu family.
With the matter concerning Fang Wen Hua thoroughly concluded, Lin Xiao Tian proceeded to address the curse.
The Po'e Pills, refined from a Nascent Soul stage demonic core, were indeed far more effective, but they still fell short of breaking the curse. Higher-grade medicinal ingredients were required.
Now, for the Golden Core stage demonic cores, Lin Xiao Tian could obtain them through his apostles; what he lacked were the corresponding-level herbs.
Golden Core stage demonic cores called for herbs of the Ten Thousand Year variety. To acquire such potent herbs, one needed to venture deeper into Black Mountain.
Lin Xiao Tian prepared his firearms and, with a team, embarked on an expedition into the depths of Black Mountain.
Accompanying him was the little white snake, which clung to Lin Xiao Tian every time they entered the mountains.
The little white snake possessed an excellent sense of smell and was intelligent enough to understand Lin Xiao Tian's words. For this mission of searching for Ten Thousand Year herbs, Lin Xiao Tian had to rely on it, as its olfactory range far exceeded his divine sense.
Lin Xiao Tian led the team for some distance before instructing them to remain and await his return. Venturing further inside meant he could not guarantee their safety if danger arose, and their presence here would serve as a rear guard for him.
The deeper they went into the mountain, the more agitated the little white snake became. If Lin Xiao Tian hadn't held onto it, it would have darted away.
Lin Xiao Tian found this perplexing.
Given that it was a White Viper, a formidable demon beast, why did the little white snake exhibit no fear whatsoever in the heart of Black Mountain, surrounded by the aura of various ferocious beasts?
However, Lin Xiao Tian had no time to ponder this. He could only cautiously proceed in the direction indicated by the little white snake.
After walking for a while, Lin Xiao Tian halted.
His gaze was fixed intently on the path ahead.
Moments later, a figure emerged from the darkness.
It was a humanoid zombie, its body covered in grotesque bulging veins, with an estimated power level of the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Human? It's been a long time. To have come this far, you possess some skill," the zombie grinned at Lin Xiao Tian, its lips splitting open with the smile.
Lin Xiao Tian did not respond. He had encountered such zombies in the Shen Nong Medical Codex. If he answered, he would fall prey to its bewitching curse and lose all strength to resist.
The method for dealing with such zombies was to remain silent. As long as he didn't reply, it would leave on its own.
But Lin Xiao Tian waited for a considerable time, and the zombie still refused to depart.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao Tian decided to retreat.
The herbs were not as important as his life on this expedition.
However, the moment he took a step back, the little white snake flicked its tongue and coiled around his ankle.
Lin Xiao Tian gently pulled the snake away, preventing it from causing further trouble.
To his surprise, unable to persuade Lin Xiao Tian, the little white snake, when he wasn't paying attention, slithered to the ground.
The little white snake moved forward, occasionally glancing back at Lin Xiao Tian. It seemed to be deliberately teasing him, yet its direction was precisely towards the zombie.
Unwilling to speak carelessly, Lin Xiao Tian attempted to use his wind element power to draw the little white snake back.
However, the elemental powers were significantly weakened in the depths of Black Mountain. The wind element could only conjure a gentle breeze, utterly incapable of restraining the little white snake.
The little white snake easily reached the zombie.
Snake and zombie locked eyes.
In the next instant, something utterly unexpected happened.
The little white snake lunged at the zombie and bit it.
The zombie recoiled several steps in shock.
But the little white snake was relentless, pursuing it fiercely. The zombie was forced to flee desperately, eventually escaping into the air to evade the snake's relentless assault.
A Qi Refining stage demon beast had terrified a Foundation Establishment stage demon beast to such an extent?
Lin Xiao Tian could hardly believe his eyes.
The little white snake looked at Lin Xiao Tian, signaling him to follow.
Lin Xiao Tian hesitated for a moment before finally complying.
The zombie bared its teeth at Lin Xiao Tian, but a glare from the little white snake sent it scurrying away.
The little white snake, clearly pleased with itself, strutted with arrogant steps, leading Lin Xiao Tian forward.
Finally, it stopped before a cave dwelling.
Lin Xiao Tian observed closely; there were several zombies at the entrance of the cave.
The little white snake charged in without hesitation. Lin Xiao Tian had no choice; staying behind would surely spell his doom, so he followed.
Upon entering the cave, Lin Xiao Tian was stunned.
Every one to two meters, there was a zombie.
This cave dwelling was clearly the zombies' den.
He encountered no less than three Foundation Establishment stage zombies alone. If a fight were to break out, he would have no chance of winning.
The little white snake, however, seemed unconcerned. Upon entering the cave, its objective was clear: it headed straight for the deepest part of the cavern.
In the deepest recess of the cave, an ancient zombie caught Lin Xiao Tian's attention.
Although ninety percent of its skin was decayed, the potent, suppressed aura emanating from it put Lin Xiao Tian under immense pressure.
Without the little white snake's presence, the ancient zombie's aura alone would have rendered Lin Xiao Tian immobile.
The little white snake did something rather impolite. It directly drove the ancient zombie away. Then, it circled the spot where the ancient zombie had been sitting a few times, gesturing for Lin Xiao Tian to approach.
Lin Xiao Tian, with a sense of trepidation, moved closer. Upon closer inspection, he found several Ten Thousand Year herbs growing there. Particularly noteworthy were the ice-like crystals interspersed among the herbs, known as Condensing Qi Crystals. These not only possessed efficacy similar to serpent crystals but could also regenerate flesh and bone, making them rare healing elixirs.
The little white snake indicated for Lin Xiao Tian to take them. Without hesitation, Lin Xiao Tian collected both the herbs and the Condensing Qi Crystals.
As they departed, the ancient zombie stared fixedly at Lin Xiao Tian. If looks could kill, Lin Xiao Tian would have died countless times over.
The little white snake wished to continue exploring the depths of Black Mountain, but Lin Xiao Tian would not indulge it this time. He forcefully led it out of the deepest parts of the mountain.
The little creature was visibly displeased with Lin Xiao Tian's actions and sulked all the way. Lin Xiao Tian, however, had no recourse. Fortunately, he still had a couple of demonic cores left, which he promptly gave to the little white snake.
Content, the little white snake snuggled back onto Lin Xiao Tian.
Having witnessed the little white snake's power firsthand, Lin Xiao Tian now had a plan forming in his mind.
While he didn't know what secrets the little white snake held, the fact that Foundation Establishment stage demon beasts in Black Mountain feared it presented an opportunity to gain some advantage.
The little white snake couldn't consume those herbs, but it could devour demonic cores. In return, Lin Xiao Tian would compensate the snake with some demonic cores.
In the future, should the opportunity arise, Lin Xiao Tian would also set aside higher-grade demonic cores for the little white snake.
Having acquired the herbs and Condensing Qi Crystals, Lin Xiao Tian left Black Mountain, fully satisfied.