In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 53 Do you believe there is light in this world?

Ning Xiaoxi slept soundly through the night, even though it was in the wilderness.

Before setting off again, Ning Xiaoxi specifically sought out Wu Dayong to discuss taking her brother to the wilderness to gather some food. Wu Dayong readily agreed; he now felt it was still very necessary to befriend the Ning family's daughter. Having a Taoist master with her in the desolate mountains would always make him feel more at ease.

Ning Xiaoxi followed the exile procession along the winding road.

The procession slowly passed through a continuous mountain range. The undulating mountains were like the body of the earth that had not yet fully awakened after a long slumber, draped in a hazy veil. It was March, and the tender green was just beginning to appear, intertwining with the still withered yellow background to create a mottled picture.

Ning Xiaoxi greeted Wu Dayong and her parents, and then embarked on her outdoor adventure with her brother.

Like birds set free, the two began to search for treasure in the fields and hills.

She soon discovered clusters of wild blueberries, the tiny berries like forgotten purple gems hidden beneath tender green leaves. Ning Xiaoxi moved quietly among the blueberry bushes, gently plucking plump berries and placing them in her cloth bag. Each blueberry was glistening with the dew of a early spring morning; the cool touch spread across her fingertips, like a gift from nature. She couldn't resist popping some into her mouth as she picked, the sweet taste making her squint her eyes. She then popped another one into Ning Ziqing's mouth.

As she climbed the hillside, in a sunny, open area, Ning Xiaoxi saw several more wild peach trees.

The peach blossoms are in full bloom, their pink and white petals swaying gently in the breeze, like shy maidens dancing lightly. Beneath the trees, some early-ripening wild peaches are already turning slightly red, their fuzzy skin carrying a hint of unripeness.

Ning Xiaoxi stood under the tree, tiptoeing slightly to reach for the peaches. She carefully selected the fruits that had reached a certain level of sweetness and gently placed them into her basket. Occasionally, petals would fall and cling to her hair and shoulders, as if adding a touch of lively poetry to her.

In a low-lying valley nestled among the hills, Ning Xiaoxi was delighted to discover a patch of thriving ferns. These ferns resembled tiny, curled elves, just peeking out of the soil, fresh and vibrant.

Ning Xiaoxi squatted down and skillfully used a knife to cut off the tender stems of the bracken fern, soon harvesting a large handful. The unique fragrance of the bracken fern lingered at the tip of her nose, making her feel as if she could already see a delicious cold bracken fern salad.

Ning Ziqing watched her younger sister, like a mountain sprite, constantly discovering all sorts of fruits and wild vegetables, and thought to herself, "This is wonderful."

Further on, Ning Xiaoxi found a patch of honeysuckle at the edge of a grove of trees.

Honeysuckle vines twined around the branches, their yellow and white blossoms emitting a delicate fragrance. Ning Xiaoxi carefully picked the honeysuckle flowers one by one and placed them in a small cloth bag. Honeysuckle can not only be used to make tea, but also has medicinal properties that clear heat and detoxify. During this exile, it was undoubtedly a precious medicinal herb and beverage ingredient.

Ning Xiaoxi thus tirelessly traversed, searched, and picked amidst the fields and hills of early spring.

Her figure blends seamlessly with nature, becoming a unique and resilient landscape in this spring scene, and each discovery brings a sparkle of joy to her eyes.

Although Tuanzi can be unreliable at times, the cognitive skill she awakened is quite useful, allowing her to easily recognize so many wild vegetables and fruits and discover endless fun in the early spring wilderness.

In the shady spot on the hillside, Ning Xiaoxi discovered several more wild Polygonum multiflorum plants. The vines of Polygonum multiflorum twined around the surrounding branches, and the heart-shaped leaves appeared lush and green in the early spring sunshine.

Ning Xiaoxi knew that Polygonum multiflorum had medicinal effects such as tonifying the liver and kidneys and replenishing essence and blood, but it needed to be processed to exert its maximum effect. She carefully dug out the tuberous root of Polygonum multiflorum, wrapped it in cloth, and prepared to take it back to Physician Zhao so that he could process it. Although it could not be consumed immediately, Polygonum multiflorum might become an important medicinal material for treating the wounded and sick in the future.

While digging, I also secretly transplanted a few into my own spiritual field, wondering if the effects would be better after being nourished by the spiritual field.

Ning Ziqing helped her younger sister collect all sorts of things into her basket, trying to lighten her sister's burden as much as possible.

"Is this wheat?" Ning Xiaoxi approached a clump of wheat seedlings and observed them carefully.

"What is this?" Ning Ziqing looked at it carefully, but he could only see upright, slender green leaves and couldn't make out anything else.

“Once this matures, it can be used to make flour, and there are so many foods you can make with flour.” Ning Xiaoxi looked at Ning Ziqing with some doubt. “Brother, is there wheat in Youzhou?”

Ning Ziqing shook her head helplessly, "I don't know."

Ning Xiaoxi looked at the wheat seedlings, then at Ning Ziqing, and suddenly pulled him to a small open space. She looked at him seriously and said, "Brother, do you know that I have now cultivated spiritual power, learned talismans, and even learned some martial arts techniques?"

Ning Ziqing nodded.

"I secretly checked your aptitude, brother, and discovered that you also have spiritual veins and roots, and can cultivate spiritual power. I wonder if you would like to start cultivating?"

"I'm willing." Ning Ziqing's eyes sparkled. Could he also cultivate?

"Brother, you..."

"No need to think about it." Ning Ziqing interrupted Ning Xiaoxi. "No matter what level you can cultivate to, your brother will do his best."

Ning Xiaoxi gazed into Ning Ziqing's eyes and saw determination and resolve there. She felt relieved and stood opposite Ning Ziqing. "No matter what happens in a little while, don't be surprised, brother." It was her first time using her ability, and she wasn't sure what special effects the unreliable dumpling's skill would have, so it was better to let him know in advance.

In a secluded place where light and shadow intertwine, Ning Xiaoxi gently waved her hands, and the surrounding space instantly rippled, slowly revealing a unique illusionary space.

She turned to look at Ning Ziqing, her eyes full of expectation and encouragement, and led him into this fantastical realm.

Upon entering the illusion, Ning Ziqing was immediately awestruck by the dreamlike scene before her. Surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, spiritual plants shimmered with strange light, swaying gracefully as if welcoming their arrival. The surrounding atmosphere was vibrant, with a dense and heavy spiritual energy that made even lifting a leg or stretching an arm feel strenuous.

After they stepped into the illusionary space, the entrance slowly disappeared, leaving only a blank space.

In the illusionary space, Ning Xiaoxi stood in front of Ning Ziqing, her expression solemn and focused. Then she stretched out her finger and gently touched Ning Ziqing's brow, slowly injecting a gentle spiritual energy.

Ning Ziqing felt a sudden clarity in his mind, as if an invisible force was guiding his senses to explore deeper within. Guided by Ning Xiaoxi's spiritual power, he gradually felt a faint warmth deep within his body, like a sleeping young dragon slowly awakening.

"Concentrate your mind and feel the flow of this energy; that is where your spiritual veins are located," Ning Xiaoxi said softly, her voice echoing in the illusion, carrying an ethereal quality.

Ning Ziqing took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind of distractions and focusing all his attention on that aura. As he concentrated, the aura began to slowly surge, initially just a weak tremor, then gradually strengthening, like a gentle stream meandering through his body.

"Very good. Now try to guide this spiritual energy along specific meridians." Ning Xiaoxi continued to instruct, forming a strange hand seal. A thread of spiritual energy appeared in the air, demonstrating the route of spiritual energy circulation to Ning Ziqing.

Ning Ziqing stared intently at the thread of spiritual energy, carefully manipulating the spiritual energy within his body, guiding it slowly along his meridians. However, this was no easy task; the spiritual energy sometimes veered off course and sometimes stalled, causing fine beads of sweat to gradually appear on his forehead.

"Don't rush, controlling spiritual energy requires patience and practice," Ning Xiaoxi comforted her from the side, while releasing another burst of spiritual energy to help Ning Ziqing stabilize the restless spiritual energy within his body.

With Ning Xiaoxi's help, Ning Ziqing tried again and again, and finally, the spiritual energy successfully completed a cycle along the predetermined meridians. He immediately felt as if a brand new power was growing within him, and his body became light and full of vitality.

Looking at the serious and earnest Ning Xiaoxi in front of him, Ning Ziqing felt as if he had seen a ray of light that illuminated his path forward.

Do you believe there is light in this world?