Summon of the Bloodline

When the groups arrived at the mountain, they began preparing to set up camp. One team started searching for medicinal herbs around the mountain's peak.

Zhen Chen (Jian Chen) joined the herb-searching team. Thanks to his heightened spiritual senses, finding the herbs was relatively easy. Under his guidance, they managed to collect a significant number of herbs, leaving Yu Xue Yin (Yu Ruo Yan) in a state of constant amazement. The herb-searching team consisted of both men and women, some hired from the village at the foot of the mountain, while others were employees under Yu Xue Yin's command.

As darkness fell, they returned to the campsite. Upon reaching the tents, Yu Xue Yin immediately became busy. Zhen Chen stayed by her side, helping her sort through the herbs, examining soil samples, and conducting various tests. By the time they finished, it was already around 8 PM. In the city, 8 PM would be a bustling time with bright lights and honking cars, but deep in the wilderness, it was nothing but darkness and silence, save for the faint glow of the stars.

The tents were neatly arranged, with four stoves set up. Some bamboo poles were planted into the ground, and a few solar-powered lights illuminated the area. With no phone signal, the team could only communicate using walkie-talkies. A female employee brought dinner into the tent. As Zhen Chen and Yu Xue Yin ate, Yu Xue Yin showed him a picture of a medicinal plant on her laptop.

"I really want to find this herb, Zhen Chen. It's crucial for my life," she said.

Zhen Chen looked at the herb and asked, "Is this herb extremely rare?"

Yu Xue Yin shook her head. "No, it's not that. I don't know much about this herb. I don't even know its name. But someone contacted me, saying that if I could find it, they would give me information about my father."

Zhen Chen hesitated. "What if they're lying? Can you trust them?"

Yu Xue Yin sighed. "I don't have a choice. I don't want my mother to know about this. If there's even a slight chance of finding out about my father, it's worth the effort."

She showed him a photo. "This is my father and his two friends, taken just before he disappeared. According to the person who contacted me, my father was captured by a powerful organization. He was a member of that organization but was punished for breaking their rules."

"This herb is one of my father's discoveries. He researched it extensively. If I can find it, the organization has promised to let me see him."

"That's why I came here. I heard that a similar plant was spotted on this mountain."

Zhen Chen felt a pang of sympathy for the girl searching for her father. If her father had indeed been captured by a powerful organization, why couldn't they find the herb themselves? Why involve Yu Xue Yin?

The situation seemed more complicated than he had initially thought. However, he didn't want to crush her hopes. If danger arose, he would protect her. What was there to worry about? Zhen Chen nodded and said, "Don't worry, Yu Xue Yin. If the herb is here, I'll help you find it. But you have to promise me one thing."

Yu Xue Yin looked at him curiously. "What promise?"

"If we find the herb, you must tell me everything when you contact those people. Don't make any decisions alone. No matter what happens, we'll face it together and find your father. Promise me you won't go off on your own."

Yu Xue Yin was silent for a moment before asking, "Zhen Chen, you're usually so cautious. Why do you want to get involved in this now?"

Zhen Chen laughed. "It's true, I'm usually scared of everything. But I'm even more scared of you facing danger alone. That's why I can't let you go by yourself. Tell me everything, and let's find your father together, okay?"

His words touched her deeply. This timid boy was showing courage for her sake? He didn't want her to face danger alone?

All her life, she had relied only on herself, facing everything alone. But now, Zhen Chen was offering to stand by her side. It was a strange, warm feeling.

Was it the comfort of being cared for? Or was it the lingering emotions from the day's events? A sense of trust and reliance on someone else?

It was almost funny. The first man she felt she could trust was the one everyone called a coward.

Yu Xue Yin nodded in agreement and then asked, "Zhen Chen, do you believe in cultivators?"

Zhen Chen was momentarily stunned but quickly replied, "Of course. Just because we haven't seen something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. There are many things in this world beyond our understanding."

Yu Xue Yin nodded in agreement. "I used to think the same way. But after meeting that woman, I couldn't help but believe. She claimed to be a cultivator and said this herb is crucial for cultivators. She told me that if I could find it, I would learn more about my father. Then, she vanished into thin air, like a dream. If it weren't for the pictures of the herb and my father, I would have thought I was hallucinating."

Zhen Chen was shocked. Were cultivators involved with this herb? Was Yu Xue Yin's father also a cultivator? If cultivators were involved, his current abilities might not be enough. He needed to improve his strength before things escalated.

If they found the herb, he would need to be fully prepared. He needed to investigate more about the world of cultivators.

As Zhen Chen was lost in thought, Yu Xue Yin spoke again. "Zhen Chen, they are powerful people. We can only deal with them through subtle means. You don't need to worry too much. We won't do anything dangerous. At most, we'll just hand over the herb. There's nothing to lose."

Zhen Chen sighed. "First, let's focus on finding the herb. Then, we can discuss how to negotiate with them. No matter what, we need to be cautious and plan ahead."

"Alright then. Tomorrow, we'll start searching for the herb near the cliffs. You should get some rest too. Goodnight, Zhen Chen!"

Zhen Chen bid Yu Xue Yin goodnight and quickly returned to his tent. He needed to cultivate and elevate his energy levels. Was it because he needed to prepare for what lay ahead?

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*To be continued...*