Chapter 3

The pond was about two meters long and one meter wide, with many aquatic plants floating on its surface. After parting the aquatic plants, Xiaohai finally understood why the two wolves had brought him here:

Lingzhi—a genuine wild lingzhi mushroom!

As a descendant of a snake-catching family, Xiaohai had been familiar with wild plants since childhood. During the process of catching snakes, it was inevitable to encounter some emergencies, and being able to clearly identify those sometimes life-saving wild plants was of great help to him.

Xiaohai was very certain that what he saw was a high-purity wild lingzhi mushroom!

The so-called wild lingzhi mushroom, also known as Taishui!

This is the fourth type of life form in nature, distinct from animals, plants, and fungi. It was recorded in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" over 4,000 years ago, indicating that Taishui lingzhi is one of the rare ancient organisms on Earth. Although many ancient books record that Taishui can grow back after being cut, to this day, the number of wild Taishui lingzhi mushrooms discovered is still very few. Some biologists have called it as ancient as the giant panda, highlighting the rarity and preciousness of Taishui lingzhi.

Moreover, what is even more peculiar is that although Taishui grows very slowly, it continues to grow. In a suitable environment, Taishui lingzhi can reproduce indefinitely, regardless of its size. A pound of Taishui can be divided into 100 or 10,000 pieces, and each piece remains a living organism, growing on its own. This is a unique characteristic in the natural world. It also possesses some characteristics that other species do not have: it cannot be frozen to death—after being stored at -18 degrees Celsius for 50 hours, it still survives. Taishui lingzhi has strong anti-corrosion properties, cannot be dried to death, cannot be starved to death, and cannot be dehydrated to death.

There are not many organisms in nature as magical as lingzhi.

And here, Xiaohai actually saw a wild lingzhi mushroom—Taishui!

Xiaohai guessed that the two wolves must have discovered this lingzhi mushroom in the large lake outside at some point and then brought it here to hide it.

"Are you planning to give this to me?" Xiaohai asked tentatively.

The two wolves made "ao ao" sounds in their throats, as if telling Xiaohai that since he did not kill them, this was their way of thanking him.

Well, that's strange, have you ever seen wolves give gifts to humans?

"Brother Wolf, Sister Wolf, in principle, one shouldn't accept gifts for doing good deeds, especially since I absorbed your essence. But I'm really poor, so poor that I have nothing left. I have no choice but to take it and sell it for money." Xiaohai smiled and fished the lingzhi mushroom out of the pond, putting it into his bag.

Since the lingzhi mushroom has such a strong vitality, he wasn't worried about it dying anytime soon.

Seeing Xiaohai accept their gift, the two wolves wagged their tails excitedly like dogs.

Animals do have feelings, and Xiaohai started to like these two wolves. He thought for a moment, "Brother Wolf, Sister Wolf, unfortunately, I have to leave. Be careful and don't let anyone find you. Ah, I should give you names, so I can recognize you if I come back in the future."

Xiaohai frowned and thought for a long time, but his naming skills were limited. After a while, he said, "Brother Wolf, you'll be called Xiaocao, and Sister Wolf, you'll be called Xiaoyuan. Together, you're the grassland. Yes, that sounds nice, nice!"

The two fierce grassland wolves being given such names would make people laugh out loud. But the two wolves, who understood Xiaohai's words, couldn't distinguish good names from bad and happily rubbed against Xiaohai, as if showing their gratitude and affection.

After all, except in zoos, have you ever seen wolves with names?

Although he was reluctant, with the sky getting dark, Xiaohai had to leave.

Xiaocao and Xiaoyuan accompanied Xiaohai for a long distance before reluctantly watching him go...

When he returned to the town, it was already dark. He finally found a cheap inn, costing 60 yuan per night, which reduced his already meager possessions by a large amount.

After locking the door, Xiaohai took out the lingzhi mushroom and placed it in the washbasin. All his hopes were on this lingzhi mushroom.

He hoped it would sell for a good price tomorrow; otherwise, he wouldn't even have money for food and lodging.

Back in bed, he adjusted his body according to the cultivation method left by his parents. He could clearly feel the Dragon Spirit Pearl in his body digesting the essence of the two wolves, not only nurturing the pearl itself but also continuing to transform his body.

For example, Xiaohai felt his eyesight had improved significantly.

Previously, Xiaohai had mild myopia, wearing glasses with about 100 degrees. But now, he found that he could see things clearly without glasses.

Moreover, his hearing had also improved significantly.

Although the soundproofing in these small inns was poor, he couldn't usually hear what people in the neighboring room were saying. However, when Xiaohai focused, he could clearly hear a man and a woman in the next room:

"You didn't bring your wife's phone?"

"Ah, I told her I was on a business trip, darling. No one will disturb us today."

What a pair of adulterers, doing such things without finding a better place. Xiaohai couldn't help but curse.

Xiaqi looked up with a sad expression, full of委屈 (grievance). Why did he have to include the word "dog" when cursing?

But regardless, his hearing had definitely become astonishing. All this was due to the Dragon Spirit Pearl in Xiaohai's body.

It seemed that it wouldn't be long before he could break through the first level of Dragon Spirit Pearl cultivation, the "Heart Spirit Pearl." Xiaohai remembered his father telling him that once the Dragon Spirit Pearl reached the "Heart Spirit Pearl" stage, the pearl would turn from white to red, and it could unblock the Conception Vessel in his body, allowing him to communicate mentally with animals and even command some low-level animals.

Mental communication? Xiaohai's heart stirred. Could it be that Xiaocao and Xiaoyuan seemed to understand his words during the day because the Dragon Spirit Pearl was about to break through the first level?

Xiaohai wasn't sure, maybe he would have to wait until the Dragon Spirit Pearl turned red to make a judgment.

Moreover, to break through, it wasn't just about absorbing animal essence; he also needed the help of some jade.

Jade doesn't fall from the sky; it needs to be bought.

But, but... I, Xiaohai, have everything except money, and not only do I have no money, I'm so poor that I can't even afford food.

Thinking about this, Xiaohai gradually fell asleep.

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