Chapter 9

The halfsummer that the old TCM doctor asked Shui Mengyao to find was not an ordinary halfsummer, but a wild one that had been growing for over twenty years. Such a thing could be considered a rare treasure.

At this moment, Shui Mengyao's heart stirred. Looking at Guo Ming's determined eyes, which were calm and pure, like the sacred snow lotus on the snowy mountain, she felt a deep respect. After some consideration, Shui Mengyao still shook her head and said softly, "Thank you, but I still want to go myself."

This matter was closely related to her family. She was extremely grateful that Guo Ming was willing to accompany her on this dangerous journey, but how could she let him go alone? What was Guo Ming to her? She had no reason or right to ask him to take such a risk for her.

Guo Ming looked into her brown eyes and read the determination there. He nodded slowly and said softly, "When do you want to go?"

"The sooner, the better," Shui Mengyao said. Her unspoken words were that it would be best to go now.

Guo Ming naturally understood, but he was not impulsive. Shui Mengyao could be considered an idealist, always assuming that good things would happen to her. Guo Ming, who had been through countless battles, knew that success only comes to those who are prepared.

First, they needed to choose a location, which was easy. There was a primeval forest in their county. Next, they needed to consider the timing. It was already noon, and even if they set off immediately, they would arrive at the forest by four or five in the afternoon. By then, it would be evening. Who searches for herbs in the middle of the night? The primeval forest in their county was a nature reserve, with some fierce beasts roaming around. They needed to consider how to defend against these beasts.

Where would they stay at night? They would need to buy a tent. The mosquitoes in the primeval forest were not ordinary, so they would need to prepare some mosquito repellent. They would also need to prepare drinking water, food, a compass, and many other things.

"There's a bus at five in the morning tomorrow. Let's go then," Guo Ming said after some thought.

"Um," Shui Mengyao was somewhat unwilling but eventually nodded. Her face clearly showed her dissatisfaction.

Guo Ming smiled, not taking it to heart. After a few more words, he left.

Watching Guo Ming's departing figure, Shui Mengyao felt a faint disappointment. It seemed he didn't value her much. Every girl wants to be the center of attention, even if she didn't like Guo Ming, she had her pride and hoped that Guo Ming would follow her lead. But today, she clearly heard him make an excuse, which made her feel that her dignity had been hurt.

Guo Ming returned home and immediately took out his bank card. He told Yu Xia and then went out. Since his family was quite wealthy, his New Year's money was substantial. Moreover, Guo Ming didn't spend much, so he had nearly thirty thousand yuan in his account.

He went to the best outdoor living supplies store in the county. The salesgirl was a girl around seventeen or eighteen, wearing a camouflage uniform, looking very spirited. Guo Ming couldn't help but be impressed. This girl clearly had a strong uniform appeal, and Guo Ming thought wickedly.

The girl looked at Guo Ming and said with a smile, "Little handsome, what do you want to buy?"

Guo Ming looked back, seeing that he was the only one there, and laughed, "You must be talking to me."

"Of course, do you think you're not handsome? I can see your aura from a mile away! Come, let me take a good look," the girl came out and, to Guo Ming's shock, pinched his cheek and said with a smile, "Indeed, you have a strong aura!"

The other customers who saw this were immediately stunned. How was this possible? Some of them were regulars and were used to the girl's cold demeanor, but today she was acting so out of character.

The two were very close. Guo Ming, who was nearly 1.7 meters tall, could see the fine down on the girl's face and the slight smile at the corner of her mouth, making his heart race. The girl exuded a captivating aura. If any other girl had done this, it would have made Guo Ming blush, but this girl's actions were so natural, as if they had met at the end of a thousand lifetimes. Everything was so reasonable and flawless.

Time seemed to freeze. The noise from afar and the honking of cars on the street faded away, leaving only their breathing. Guo Ming felt himself fall into a state of confusion, a feeling so wondrous that his thoughts seemed to transcend time and space, flying into the vast universe.

The mysterious star river, the brilliant Milky Way, everything was so magical. Guo Ming couldn't describe this feeling to anyone, but at this moment, he was completely focused, forgetting everything. He forgot who he was and forgot Shui Mengyao's request.

The girl's eyes flashed with a strange purple light, and after a moment, a slight sweat appeared on her forehead.

In a thatched cottage, the old man who had once cleansed Guo Ming's body suddenly opened his eyes, calculated with his fingers, and his face changed. He whispered, "I said I wouldn't interfere, but why can't I let go? It seems I truly can't let go! When will I be able to let go of everything? Well, I'll teach him the way of water!" He drew a circle in the air, and a purple light flew toward Guo Ming. Then he looked into the distance and said softly, "This is the last time I help you. From now on, you must walk your own path."

Guo Ming felt himself rising higher and higher, forgetting everything about life, all the joys and sorrows, happiness and anger. He was now so free and easy. He closed his eyes, and if possible, he would be willing to be lost in this endless void forever.

Jiufeng was slightly anxious. She had already spent a minute, but the boy's mental world was still not fully open. As soon as Guo Ming arrived, she immediately sensed his unusual aura. She needed to absorb the hidden aura in his body to improve her cultivation.

However, she didn't expect that Guo Ming's mental strength was much stronger than that of an ordinary person. After a minute, she still couldn't break through all his defenses. The people around her had already noticed something strange.

Just then, Guo Ming felt a powerful force pulling him down from the endless void, and it was so fast that he couldn't resist.

In an instant, Guo Ming's spirit returned to his body. He immediately opened his eyes and saw the girl's cheeks flushed. He realized that he had somehow grabbed her hand. He patted his head and said foolishly, "Sorry!"

"What do you want to buy?" Jiufeng smiled. She had just sensed a dangerous aura and realized that this boy was protected by a powerful person, so she didn't dare to have any more ideas.

"Give me a set of outdoor equipment," Guo Ming said quickly, seeing that the girl didn't mind. He wanted to leave as soon as possible.

Jiufeng quickly brought Guo Ming a complete set of equipment. Guo Ming put on the backpack and felt the weight was manageable. He asked, "How much?"

"Hehe, it's free. Consider it a gift from me," Jiufeng said with a smile. "Just come and visit me often in the future."

Guo Ming was taken aback but then nodded, "Thank you, sister." He turned and left, leaving the others staring in shock.

"Damn, this kid is really bad at socializing. She was just being polite. Can't he tell?" one of the customers said, pursing his lips.

Jiufeng was also startled, a bad feeling filling her heart.

Guo Ming hailed a taxi and said with a grim face, "Go straight ahead."

Guo Ming looked into the distance, his face turning pale. Just now, his mind had received some new information, including the old man's message. He knew exactly what had happened. The girl was clearly a martial artist from the dark path. If not for the old man's power, he would have been in serious trouble. Realizing that there were still so many mysterious things in the world, Guo Ming was drenched in cold sweat. He couldn't be arrogant anymore. If not for his years of fighting, which had strengthened his mental resilience, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Now, he just wanted to find a place to hide and practice the things the old man had given him until he was ready to come out. Damn, he had never encountered such things before, but now it seemed like everything was going wrong.

However, he also knew that this idea was unrealistic. Where could he practice? In the deep mountains? That was too unrealistic. The chances of encountering something dangerous were even higher there. The safest place was still school. Now, he just wanted to be low-key and not draw attention to himself, or he wouldn't know how he would die.

Guo Ming now regretted going to the mountains with Shui Mengyao, but he had already said he would go, and it was a chance to win her favor. He wouldn't give it up. Thinking of Shui Mengyao, Guo Ming's mind inexplicably turned to Jiufeng. He shook his head, trying to clear her image from his mind. Playing with her? No way, that wasn't playing; it was risking his life.

After buying the other things, Guo Ming went home. Yu Xia noticed that her son's face was not good and asked, "Ming, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, Mom. I'm going to the eastern forest with my classmates tomorrow morning for an adventure."

"Oh, how many of you are going?" Yu Xia asked, somewhat worried.

"Don't worry, Mom. We're a group of about ten," Guo Ming lied. If he said he was going with Shui Mengyao, Yu Xia would definitely be worried.

Hearing that there were about ten people, Yu Xia nodded and said, "Be careful at night. I heard there are wild wolves around."

"Don't worry, Mom. We'll take turns keeping watch," Guo Ming said with a smile.

"That's good. Put the things down and get ready. We'll go to Jinli Hotel later," Yu Xia said.

"Jinli Hotel? What for? Who's paying?" Guo Ming asked, confused.

"Your uncle is paying. Haven't you all finished your exams? The family is gathering," Yu Xia said, her face not looking too good. It was more like a show of status. Guo Ming was very troubled. Every time he attended such gatherings, he was looked down upon. He guessed this time would be no different.