Removing the gold plate revealed various medicinal stones arranged in the compartments. These substances, known as spider pearls and dog pearls, were essences formed within animals by chance through the absorption of natural vitality—a primitive form of inner elixir. It was a pity that most creatures lacked intelligence; even when such cores formed, they remained unaware and could not actively cultivate or refine their qi. Only those spirits that had attained wisdom and achieved some level of cultivation stood a chance of absorbing enough vitality to fully refine their embryonic cores. The deposits found in ordinary, unrefined beasts were mostly relegated to human use as medicinal ingredients for alchemy.
The spirit stones before them were all products of condensed natural energy. Each was immense in size, comparable to rare medicinal treasures, and nearly impossible to find even within the imperial palace. Even the smallest, such as a spider pearl, was the size of a walnut—a truly rare, miraculous medicine. After inspecting them, Chen Yulou carefully sealed the jade case, fearing the medicinal potency might dissipate. He gathered the remaining herbs from the loft, and then, with Zhao Ze leading the way with a lantern, the group headed to the second floor.
The stairs wound upward. The higher they climbed, the heavier the Yin energy became, and the white mist grew increasingly thick. By the time Zhao Ze reached the door, the fog was so dense that he could only see a few mete…
Chapter 241