Uncle Chen turned to the three bow hunters. "You handle the densest meat and muscle parts! We need everything to be processed into sellable meat and essence powder. Don't waste time!"

  Liang, while peeling the thick skin of the Ape—which would become the raw material for top-tier shields and armor—glanced towards Uncle Chen. "Chen, what about the bones? Fire Roaring Ape bones are excellent for foundation soup!"

  "Just take the largest ones," Uncle Chen replied, his eyes moving to the faintly trembling bushes. "I sense something. Hurry!"

  They worked with brutal efficiency. In less than two minutes, the carcass of the Fire Roaring Ape had been transformed into piles of sorted meat, skin, and bones. The most precious spiritual treasures were in Uncle Chen's bag. The remaining meat and skin scraps were put into Bao and Liang's bags.

  "Finished!" Fourteen shouted, jumping back.

  Uncle Chen did not wait any longer. He discarded his iron staff, which felt too slow. He pulled out a dagger hidden on his wrist.

  "We don't run. We dash. Don't release your essence energy! Conceal your breath!"

  Uncle Chen led the way, his body streaking through the grey mist. Although he was an Organ Transformation master, his speed on the complicated terrain was incredible. He moved like the wind passing through leaves, barely leaving a trace.

  Liang, Bao, and Fourteen, along with the three other hunters, followed him, each channelling their essence into their legs. They did not run; they glided over mud and roots, their bodies bent low, utilizing every drop of energy left from the fight.

  They knew the danger. They were deep in the forest, where other Sprouting Fang level beasts could smell the Fire Core and blood. They had to return to the Broken Bamboo Gate at the forest border as quickly as possible.

  Mid-flight, Liang, who was next to Bao, whispered. "The Thousand Year Jade Root... it will greatly help the young ones, won't it?"

  Bao nodded, panting. "Of course. With the Jade Root, we can stabilize foundations that are... weak. Children like Mingling and Zhi Xuan. Especially Zhi Xuan, Grandfather Wu was hesitant about him."

  "True," Liang replied, his eyes focused on Uncle Chen's back. "He has eyes that are too sharp for an ordinary mortal. His origin is too mysterious to uncover. A youth like that... the Village needs him."

  "This Village needs youths like that more than we imagine," Uncle Chen muttered, without turning around. He had apparently heard their whispers, a sign that his spiritual senses were beginning to sharpen.

  They continued to dash. After several minutes of intense flight, Uncle Chen sighed with relief. They had left the poisonous mist and the swamp behind, reaching a firmer stone path.

  "Now we can breathe," Uncle Chen said, slowing his pace. "We will move slowly to the border. Mission complete."

  Bao smiled with satisfaction, wiping sweat from his dirty forehead. "A Fire Core for Uncle Chen, and a Jade Root for Zhi Xuan and the others! And I got a crystal! I will break through to Blood Transformation soon!"

  Uncle Chen turned, his gaze cold. "Bao. Don't forget the boundaries. That spiritual treasure is for the Village's foundation. Not for your personal ambition. But yes, you will all get a fair share of the meat and skin."

  Uncle Chen looked towards the east, towards the peaceful Star Village. "We return. And we will give them the best Divine Wheel."

  Liang sheathed his bloodied knife, his voice containing a calm yet vigilant tone. "This smell of blood. Even though we are far, we should not underestimate the Muddy Forest Bears. They are unaffected by the blood lotus poison."

  Uncle Chen nodded, glancing behind them. "Yes. We move in silence. We will take the detour through the Dry Bamboo Cliff. Further, but safer than the beast route around here."

  Fourteen, who was still staggering, nodded in agreement. He held his large axe with trembling hands. "That Ape really hit me hard. I need Pure Forest Ginseng to recover my strength. Or that Jade Root."

  "The Thousand Year Jade Root is not for people like you, Fourteen," Liang retorted sharply, a mocking smile curling his lips. "It's for stabilizing weak foundations. Your foundation is hard as your axe."

  Uncle Chen snorted. "That Jade Root is mine alone to distribute. Focus on the journey, Fourteen. And never underestimate your opponent again. If it weren't for your axe, you would have become embers."

  Bao chuckled softly. "That's right, Fourteen. You need to cultivate harder so you don't bounce around like a rag doll next time."

  "Enough," Uncle Chen said, his tone final. He took a deep breath. "We go home. This treasure is the blessing of our Village."

  The eight hunters walked quietly home to their shelter, filled with relief and joy that this would be a turning point for the strength of their Village.

  The sky above Star Village slowly changed from deep blue to soft orange. The cool morning dew blessed the bright dawn, giving a peaceful impression to the star-adorned village gate, made of sturdy ironwood palisade.

  In front of the gate, a small crowd had gathered. They were the wives, children, and elders, waiting for the return of the hunters from the overnight hunting mission.

  Among the crowd, Mi Wei stood anxiously. Her fingers twisted the apron she wore. Beside her, Xin Mu, Bao's wife, looked calmer, breastfeeding her six-month-old baby. Lu Xi, the wife of Wang Yu who is named Fourteen, stood slightly apart, her gaze sharp and focused on the winding forest path, much more tense than the others. Aunt Lian, usually busy in the kitchen, was also standing there, her face showing a mixture of worry and pride.

  Grandfather Wu was the calmest; he stood by the gate, his staff resting on his shoulder. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, but his focus was actually on the winding forest path.

  "They are late, aren't they?" Mi Wei whispered to Xin Mu, her voice carrying a worried tone. "Usually Uncle Chen returns before the thick fog disappears."

  Xin Mu nodded slowly. "The Fire Roaring Ape is a tough beast, Mi Wei. But Uncle Chen won't take unnecessary risks. Bao will return. He always returns."

  Lu Xi snorted softly. "Wang Yu won't return without the Fire Core. He promised me this time he would break through to Blood Transformation before the next harvest."

  "Wang Yu, is it?" Aunt Lian smiled faintly. "Young girl, your husband's ambition is too high. A strong foundation is better than wild speed."

  "Grandfather Wu always says the same thing," Lu Xi said, but she didn't show deep respect. "But if they don't take risks, when will our young village men have enough essence for the Divine Wheel? They've been waiting for a long time."

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  Grandfather Wu, who heard the conversation, sighed softly. "Cultivation is patience, not greed, Lu Xi. The young men like Zhi Xuan and the others still need time to properly wash their marrow and bones."

  Suddenly, a shout of excitement came from one of the small children. "Look! It's them! They are back!"

  In the distance, from the lower thicket path, eight figures were seen walking out of the gloomy forest darkness, stepping surely towards the gate. They were all covered in mud, sweat, and bruises, but their expressions showed clear relief and success.

  Uncle Chen, with his torn leather robe, led the front. Behind him, Liang, Bao, and Fourteen walked proudly. The three bow hunters, including the expert Hua Ling, also followed.

  The crowd immediately broke up. Mi Wei ran towards Liang, hugging him tightly. "Liang! Oh my god, you are so dirty! Are you hurt?"

  "No, dear. I'm fine," Liang said, laughing softly. "Just a little Fire Roaring Ape mud. But look! We succeeded! The Ape is dead."

  Xin Mu walked quickly towards Bao, her gentle eyes filled with relief. "Bao! You worried me half to death! The baby was fussy all night."

  "Relax, Xin Mu. I brought a Pure Water Crystal! A Crystal! We can turn it into a gentle Body Transformation Pill!" Bao exclaimed, elated. Xin Mu only shook her head, but the faint smile on her face couldn't be hidden.

  Lu Xi ran towards Fourteen and immediately hugged him, but her embrace was much tighter and more possessive. "Wang Yu! You made me anxious! Is the Fire Core yours? Tell me you cut the Fire Core!"

  Fourteen, despite the bruise on his ribs, straightened his back, looking proud. "I didn't cut it, Lu Xi. But I stabbed it first! Uncle Chen said I opened the way! The Ape hit me like a buffalo! But I didn't give up!"

  On the other side, the three bow hunters were also greeted. One of them, Jin, immediately hugged his wife, Lan. The other bow hunter, Feng, and Hua Ling, who helped shoot the final arrow, were also welcomed by their families.

  Hua Ling, with a face smeared with poison-repelling oil, smiled at her husband. "The Ape was huge! But we drove the arrow right into the wound Fourteen made! I brought you the finest Ape skin, Ling. You can make new gloves!"

  Aunt Lian walked towards her husband, Uncle Chen. She did not hug him like the other wives. She just looked at him, her face filled with deep concern.

  "Chen," Aunt Lian said, her voice calm and slightly hoarse. "I smell a strong Fire Core scent. Are you alright?"

  Uncle Chen smiled faintly, warmth filling his eyes. "I'm fine, Lian. Just a little tired. But yes, the Fire Core is with me. And something better, Lian. Something for the young men's foundation."

  Uncle Chen turned to Grandfather Wu, who was still standing at the gate. Uncle Chen walked closer and bowed deeply.

  "Grandfather Wu," Uncle Chen said, his tone respectful. "Mission complete. The Fire Roaring Ape is killed. We brought the Fire Core."

  Grandfather Wu did not look at the Fire Core. His sharp eyes were fixed on the jade box in Uncle Chen's hand, covered by his robe.

  "And you found the Thousand Year Jade Root," Grandfather Wu said, not a question but a statement. "That is a blessing from Heaven, Chen. For your sincerity."

  Uncle Chen nodded. "Yes, Grandfather. The Ape hid it. It will greatly help the young men."

  "The young men..." Grandfather Wu's voice lowered, shaking his head slowly with slight amusement. "Yesterday, they obtained thirteen clusters of Pure Forest Ginseng, those naughty children almost made me want to throw them into the Black Jade Swamp."

  Uncle Chen, with the Fire Roaring Ape Core and the Thousand Year Jade Root in his hands, was stunned to hear Grandfather Wu's statement.

  "Thirteen clusters of Pure Forest Ginseng?" Uncle Chen asked, his voice rising an octave in shock. "Really, Grandfather? How is that possible? We searched the entire Shadow Cliff during spring and only found two decent clusters!"

  Liang, Bao, and Fourteen, who had been enjoying the praise from their families, immediately turned, their faces filled with deep curiosity. They had just fought a high-level Spiritual Beast and brought back foundation-altering treasure, but the information about that much Pure Forest Ginseng was far more surprising.

  "Pure Forest Ginseng?" Bao interjected, his eyes wide. "Thirteen clusters? That... that could stabilize the foundation of almost half of our young men!"

  "I don't believe it," Fourteen said, shaking his head. "That cowardly Mingling, and greedy Tang? How could they get it?"

  Grandfather Wu snorted, a rare amused smile appearing at the corner of his lips. He took his staff and gently stamped it on the ground, drawing everyone's attention.

  "Ah, the mischief of the young men," Grandfather Wu said, his tone containing a mix of firmness and gentleness. "They crossed the boundary, of course. Bashan told me their limit was the Twin Pine Trees. But they, as I suspected, continued until the Shadow Cliff."

  Xin Mu, carrying her baby, chuckled softly. "That must be Tang's doing. He's always the bravest and the quickest to lead to trouble."

  "Oh, it must be Mingling!" Aunt Lian chimed in, folding her arms. "He wanted to show off in front of Lin! I bet that was his plan to look for Ginseng. That boy watches too many puppet shows at the Exchange Market!"

  As the hunters and their wives debated who was most at fault, the small children who had just been playing in the square, including Pao and Mei, walked closer, their faces innocent and naive.

  "Yes! Big brother Mingling said it was treasure!" Pao exclaimed, hugging his mother's knee. "But he said the Ginseng was only to make his steps feel like flying. I don't believe it!"

  "And big brother Mingling said we should practice static horse stance more, Grandfather Wu!" Mei chimed in, pointing towards Grandfather Wu. "He wanted to show off his bruises to Big Sister Lin!"

  Everyone laughed, including the usually serious Uncle Chen. The hunters who had just survived a life-and-death fight now roared with laughter at the youngsters' absurdity.

  "Truly a blessing from greed," Liang muttered, his face showing relief and a hint of funny envy. "We risked our lives for one Fire Core, and they almost died for thirteen clusters of ordinary roots."

  "But how did they find that much?" Bao returned to the core question. "In Shadow Cliff, Ginseng is usually scattered. There's no way there could be a pile."

  Grandfather Wu, who had allowed them to talk, nodded slowly. His face became serious again.

  "It is a story that brings both blessing and calamity," Grandfather Wu said, his voice lowering. "Mingling, in a state of panic last night, told me everything."

  Everyone fell silent, grouping around Grandfather Wu.

  "They went too far, until they encountered hunters from the Northern Village," Grandfather Wu said, mentioning a name that made some Organ Transformation hunters, including Liang and Fourteen, frown.

  "Northern Village? The blood-red cloth arrows?" Liang whispered, vigilant.

  "Yes," Grandfather Wu replied. "Zhi Xuan and the others were chased. They were shot at the cliff—an arrow grazed Tang. In desperation, they jumped."

  Hearing the word 'jumped,' the wives gasped, and the hunters sighed deeply.

  "They jumped from the steep cliff and were swept away by the swift river current below," Grandfather Wu continued. "They were stranded in a hidden place, a crevice on the riverbank, where the Ginseng grew profusely, hidden from any hunter's eyes because it was under the shadow."

  "Swept away..." Uncle Chen whispered, his eyes narrowing as he thought about the river current. "That is a miracle. The river there is full of rocks. They should have had broken bones or drowned."

  "It was Heaven's help, Chen," Grandfather Wu replied, his gaze implying another thought. "They were punished by running around the village today. But yes, they brought back thirteen clusters of Ginseng. They almost died, and they returned with a treasure."

  Fourteen slowly shook his head, his envy gone, replaced by reluctant respect. "Those kids... they truly are foolish heroes."

  Bao laughed. "Foolish heroes who got Ginseng without fighting a Fire Roaring Ape. I should have gone with them!"

  Uncle Chen turned to Grandfather Wu. "Grandfather, this is perfect. That Pure Forest Ginseng will provide hot essence. And now, with this Thousand Year Jade Root which is cold and stabilizing, we can ensure the foundations of those young men are truly solid. Including the foundation... of the most fragile one." Uncle Chen looked straight at Grandfather Wu, referring to Zhi Xuan.

  Grandfather Wu nodded, his eyes showing deep gratitude. "Give that Jade Root to me, Chen. I will process it. And Zhi Xuan, Mingling, and Tang... they will get a share of their Ginseng. But the rest of the Ginseng will be processed with the Jade Root, and every young man in this Village will benefit."

  "You return," Grandfather Wu said, his voice becoming firm, ending the meeting. "Clean yourselves up. We will celebrate this victory tonight. And Chen, rest. The Consciousness Realm can wait a bit."

  Uncle Chen nodded, handing the jade box containing the Thousand Year Jade Root to Grandfather Wu. He then looked at Lu Xi who was still hugging Fourteen. "Fourteen, rest. And Lu Xi, don't pressure your husband too much. Speed must be accompanied by foundation."

  Uncle Chen walked into the village, followed by his wife, Aunt Lian. The other hunters, with tired smiles, quickly headed to their huts, leaving Bao and Liang exchanging one last look.

  "Thirteen clusters of Ginseng," Bao whispered to Liang. "I will never let Mingling forget this!"

  Liang only smiled faintly, his eyes looking towards the hut where Zhi Xuan and his friends were sleeping. "Zhi Xuan... that child always brings surprises. I am increasingly curious about his origins."