As Shennong tested more and more herbs, his understanding of them deepened. He discovered that some herbs, once ingested, instantly banished his fatigue, as if injecting him with a surge of new life and restoring his vigor. Others, however, caused dizziness or even breathing difficulties, proving clearly poisonous. Every time he tried a new herb, he recorded it meticulously. Using stones, he carved its characteristics into the trunks of large trees, carefully describing the shape and color of its leaves, the appearance and scent of its flowers, as well as its taste—whether bitter, sweet, or pungent. He also recorded the physical reactions it induced, whether comfortable, painful, or completely unnoticeable. These carvings were like footprints left along his journey of exploring the world of herbs, documenting each of his discoveries and trials.
Once, he accidentally ate an extremely toxic herb. Instantly, his face turned as pale as paper, and his strength was entirely drained. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground. His breathing became rapid and shallow, and the world before him began to blur. Just when he felt he could hold on no longer, his eyes fell upon an unremarkable little weed growing nearby. It looked utterly ordinary, with nothing special about it, but he thought, *Since things have already come to this, I might as well try it. Perhaps there is still a slim chance of survival.* Summoning every ounce of his remaining strength, he struggled to reach out, …
Chapter 175