Chapter 74: A Treasure-Hunting Mouse Returns to Evernight City

Following the direction Tangyuan pointed to from his perch on Lin Ye's shoulder, Lin Ye activated his Phoenix Dance Six Illusions technique, leaping swiftly through the dense forest.

After nearly a thousand meters, Lin Ye finally stopped atop a towering tree. From his high vantage point, he could see a large serpent coiled in the clearing ahead. The snake's body stretched nearly six meters long, its black scales sharp as blades, and a line of vicious spikes ran along its back. At the end of its tail, a menacing scorpion-like stinger gleamed with a deadly cold light.

It was a Scorpion-Tailed Venomous Python, a creature with nearly 600 years of cultivation—a soul beast even more poisonous and deadly than the Mandala Snake!

Why was it considered deadlier than the Mandala Snake? The answer lay in its razor-like scales, spiked back, and that lethal scorpion-tail stinger.

Most snakes were already dangerous with their venomous fangs and poison glands, but this one boasted a scorpion's deadly tail to boot—a true terror!

However, perhaps as a twist of fate, not far from this venomous monster grew a pure white orchid, glowing like jade.

Lin Ye recognized the plant immediately. It was a Jade Serpent Orchid, a rare herb known to neutralize snake venom, clear the meridians, and even boost one's cultivation speed.

But as useful as the herb was, Lin Ye wasn't particularly interested. Although it would fetch a high price if sold, the 600-year-old Scorpion-Tailed Venomous Python was no trivial opponent. While it had less than a millennium of cultivation, its power was comparable to a thousand-year soul beast. With its poisonous spines, venomous fangs, and stinger, it was highly lethal. Not to mention, its scales were so tough that even an iron sword might not pierce them.

Lin Ye was confident he could handle poison, but the creature's spiked back and scorpion-tail stinger could still pose a threat.

"So, you're trying to lead me to that Jade Serpent Orchid?" Lin Ye asked Tangyuan with a sigh. "The herb is decent, but that Scorpion-Tailed Venomous Python is too troublesome. It's not worth the risk. Let's just move on."

He turned to leave, but Tangyuan squeaked insistently, waving its little paw toward another direction.

"You know of more herbs?"

Slightly intrigued, Lin Ye followed Tangyuan's directions, activating his Phoenix Dance Six Illusions to move swiftly.

After traveling a few more kilometers, Lin Ye found himself in a grove of sword bamboos, where he spotted a stalk of Amethyst Bamboo.

This bamboo was also a rare medicinal herb, known to grow only around bamboo-based soul beasts. Since sword bamboos weren't aggressive, Lin Ye easily harvested the Amethyst Bamboo.

As he prepared to leave, Tangyuan squeaked again.

With Tangyuan's guidance, Lin Ye continued dashing through the Evernight Forest, discovering several more herbs: Purple Cloud Ganoderma guarded by a troop of Gale Baboons, Rainbow Mushrooms under the protection of a Thunder Ant Queen, and Jade Fruits watched over by a Silverback Demon Ape.

At first, Lin Ye thought Tangyuan simply knew the forest well from frequent foraging. But as he discovered one hidden herb after another—some of which were extremely well-concealed—he began to reconsider.

These herbs were hidden too carefully to be found by sheer luck. Tangyuan must possess some sort of treasure-finding ability!

Lin Ye glanced at the little white Gold-Eating Rat on his shoulder, a look of pleasant surprise in his eyes. What he had initially thought would be a freeloading pet had turned out to be quite the valuable companion.

After collecting five or six types of herbs, Lin Ye decided it was time to head back.

It was already noon, and if he didn't leave soon, he wouldn't make it back until nightfall. With plenty of herbs still left to find in the Evernight Forest—some protected by soul beasts and others hidden well—Lin Ye felt no urgency.

After all, with a treasure-hunting mouse like Tangyuan, he didn't have to worry about finding valuable herbs in the future.

Filled with excitement over his newfound companion, Lin Ye activated his Phoenix Dance Six Illusions, leaping from branch to branch as he made his way back to Evernight City with Tangyuan by his side.

…

Once he returned to Evernight City, Lin Ye went straight to the Tulip Inn. Seven days in the wilderness had left him a bit worse for wear. Though he'd been diligent about staying clean, the wild was still the wild. His clothes were dirty, and his hair had become somewhat unkempt.

After a long, refreshing bath, Lin Ye headed to the inn's dining hall for a hearty meal.

Despite his strength, which had allowed him to feast on fresh meat daily while out in the forest, nothing could compare to the flavors of a well-cooked meal from the inn's kitchen.

Lin Ye ordered a generous spread, enough for himself and even a small portion for Tangyuan. With how useful his little pet had proven, he felt it deserved a proper treat—not that it could eat much anyway!

Aside from the food, Lin Ye decided to try a bit of alcohol. He had never tasted it before, but seeing as Tang Hao in Saint Soul Village loved it and his friend Shi Yue had even offered to share some, Lin Ye had grown curious.

Since he'd heard that beginners should avoid strong liquor, he ordered a light fruit wine to start.

Pouring himself a small glass, Lin Ye took a cautious sip.

It had a slight kick but tasted quite pleasant.

"Squeak, squeak?"

Watching Lin Ye with an inquisitive look, Tangyuan seemed curious about his reaction to the drink.

"You want to try it too?"

Seeing Tangyuan's curious expression, Lin Ye chuckled and poured a small amount into a cup, placing it in front of the little creature.

"Here, give it a try."

"Squeak?"

Tangyuan eyed the cup, then leaned forward, taking a tentative sip of the fruit wine.

Squeak!

Tangyuan's eyes sparkled as if it had discovered something amazing, and it eagerly gulped down the rest of the wine. Soon, its little belly was round and full.

But before long, the little white puffball began to wobble unsteadily, its movements becoming sluggish until it finally flopped down on the table, squeaking incoherently.

"Did you actually get drunk?"

Amused, Lin Ye reached over and scooped up the now-drunken Tangyuan, tucking it into the front of his robe as he prepared to leave.

After leaving the dining hall, Lin Ye didn't head straight back to the Tulip Inn. Instead, he made his way to a weapons shop, intending to sell the poison fangs and venom sac he'd collected from the Mandala Snake in the Evernight Forest.

He'd always found it curious that weapon shops would buy sharp teeth and claws from soul beasts, but he assumed they were likely used as materials for forging weapons.

After completing his sale, Lin Ye was just about to turn and leave when a large hand clapped down on his shoulder, followed by a familiar hearty laugh.

"Well, if it isn't fate! Lin Ye, my young friend, we meet again!"

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