My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 228 Firefly Fungus, Sapindus mukorossi

Pengjiang River, one of the three scenic spots of Wushan, is not only famous for its mighty eastward-flowing waters and the beautiful red maple leaves on both banks, but also for the riverside market.

Centuries of operation and accumulation have made this place famous, attracting countless practitioners to trade here.

The market is filled with a dazzling array of stalls, offering a wide variety of goods and services. Behind this bustling scene lies the support of the Bai family of Wushan, inspiring awe in all who visit.

At this moment, an unfamiliar Grandmaster of the Innate Realm suddenly appeared, coming with great force. The people in the market were somewhat flustered, but when they saw Bai Guanshui appear, they felt reassured.

That's the confidence that the Bai family of Wushan can bring.

As he entered the market, Bai Guanshui, with a pipe in his mouth, puffed out smoke, appearing leisurely and content.

Seeing this, Yi Xiaoqi explained to him, "The market has many areas. On the left is buying and selling, and on the right is entrustment. Go straight to the end of this road, and you will find the team wall, which is used to post team invitations. Everything is witnessed by the Bai family."

Upon hearing this, Chu Lengyu nodded slightly, indicating that she understood.

The transactions in the market were laid bare in her divine sense. Naturally, there were nothing of value, just some herbs and ordinary weapons. A few items had some spiritual energy attached to them, but they were not of high quality and could not be considered spiritual items, let alone any bargains.

She wasn't exactly disappointed, since her expectations had been very low to begin with.

What treasures could one expect from an open-air market that can be reached directly after entering Xiaojian Pass and where gold and silver can be traded?

Throughout the entire Misty Mountain, the only thing she could truly notice was that Ice Lotus.

After strolling through the market, Bai Guanshui keenly noticed a hint of disappointment in Chu Lengyu's eyes.

Indeed, to those in the Innate Realm, the things here are practically like children playing house.

In order to save face and to test her, Bai Guanshui decided to take her to see the real treasure he had.

When they arrived at one of the Bai family's properties, he said, "I have a batch of goods that arrived yesterday. Please take a look."

After saying that, he stretched out his hand and showed off the black ring on his finger.

Immediately afterwards, a dim light flashed, and several locked small wooden boxes appeared out of thin air on the table.

In Bai Guanshui's view, this empty stone that can store things is a rare treasure unique to Wushan, possessed by only a very few people. It will definitely startle this outsider innate. Then, he will use the empty stone to set bait, and he will be sure she will not take the bait.

His expression remained unchanged, but he had already made up his mind and was very pleased with himself, secretly glancing to the side.

Yi Xiaoqi naturally recognized the ring on his hand as the legendary Empty Stone, and her eyes practically sparkled with excitement.

This steward is so stingy! She's been to the market so many times, but this is the first time she's ever seen what an empty stone ring looks like.

She had only heard about it before, but now that she had seen it with her own eyes, she couldn't help but feel a longing for it.

Chu Lengyu, however, remained indifferent.

Bai Guanshui's lips twitched. Seeing that Kong Shi couldn't control her, he took out a wooden box, opened it with a key, and introduced it: "This is Firefly Fungus."

Yi Xiaoqi looked curiously at the contents of the box, only to find that it contained a few purple beans and some grass leaves.

Her eyes widened in surprise, and she blurted out, "So small, and it's called Ganoderma lucidum?!"

Bai Guanshui glanced at her with disdain and disgust, and explained, "The Firefly Fungus is actually similar to a grass. When it lies on the ground, it resembles a firefly, about the size of a bean, and like a purple flower. It glows at night. Those who eat it will have clear minds and can read at night. Those who eat forty-seven of them will live a long life!" (Note)

Don't let its small size fool you, it's a real treasure.

Only the elite cultivated by the Bai family can receive seven grains, which grant them complete insight into the seven orifices.

Consuming a total of forty-seven of these items will have a slight life-extending effect. If this rare item were to enter a secular dynasty, it would surely cause a huge uproar, with endless fighting and even wars breaking out everywhere!

Therefore, although the Bai family has access to the Firefly Fungus, they have always kept it a secret, using it only for their own family use or to exchange for other items with experts at the Innate Realm, never allowing it to fall into the hands of those outside of the Misty Mountain.

At this moment, everything Bai Guanshui possessed was merely being held in safekeeping; once the family's envoy arrived, he would have to hand it all over.

He believes that bringing it out now to intimidate a complete stranger with innate abilities is enough.

This is a treasure for prolonging life; who in the world wouldn't be tempted by it?

Holding the wooden box with confidence, he turned his gaze to Chu Lengyu.

Chu Lengyu glanced at it but showed no reaction.

She was already a Nascent Soul cultivator, with over a thousand years left to live. Extending her lifespan? That wasn't something she needed to consider.

She pointed and asked, "What's in there?"

Bai Guanshui hesitated before speaking, and had no choice but to give up.

He reluctantly put down the firefly and instead picked up the wooden box she had pointed to.

Upon opening it, I found several pieces of black wood inside, emitting a faint fragrance.

Bai Guanshui gave a wry smile and said, "Miss, you have excellent taste. This wood can ward off evil spirits and ghosts, hence the name 'Wu Huan' (meaning 'no worries')."

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Note: This description is from the "Taiping Yulan".

Both the firefly fungus and the soapberry tree are mentioned in the "Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang".

In addition, Bai Guanshui smoked fragrant herbs in his pipe, not tobacco.