Chapter 515: Elemental Herb!
"Sigh!" Wang Tianlin let out a heavy sigh. "At this rate, we might not even have enough to eat."
A chamber of commerce had huge expenses. Most martial artists in Iron Wolf City relied on hunting demonic beasts to earn crystal coins and elemental stones. With the demonic qi outbreak preventing them from entering the Sky Demon Forest, they had nothing to sell.
The Tianlin Chamber of Commerce, with its limited assets, probably wouldn't last more than a year or two before having to shut down.
"Senior Wang, the hunters in Iron Wolf City make a living by hunting demonic beasts and often deal with them. Surely, there must be some herb that can help in resisting demonic poison, right?" Ling Feng asked, pretending to be casual. "For instance, an elemental herb."
Ling Feng's purpose in coming to Iron Wolf City was to obtain a map of the Nanjiang demon domain and to find this elemental herb.
According to Yan Cangtian, the Demon-Transforming Pill could disguise him as a member of the demon race, and the elemental herb was the best remedy for demonic qi.
Without it, if demonic qi accumulated in his body, though acceptable in the short term, it could be problematic since Ling Feng estimated that he might need to stay hidden within the demon race for about a month. Therefore the elemental herb was essential.
"There is such a herb," Wang Tianlin replied respectfully. "The elemental herb is unique to Iron Wolf City and can neutralize demonic qi. However, given the strength of our Tianlin Chamber of Commerce... Sigh..."
A glimmer of joy flashed in Ling Feng's eyes. "Where can I find this elemental herb?"
"Hehe, it's quite a coincidence," Wang Tianlin said with a bitter smile. "The day after tomorrow is the triennial Medicine Garden Contest in Iron Wolf City, where you can find that elemental herb."
"Medicine Garden Contest?" Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"The Medicine Garden Contest is no secret in Iron Wolf City," Wang Tianlin explained. "It's a valuable place where the soil is perfect for growing medicinal herbs. It's said that this treasure land was formed by a space fragment of a specific earth vein, ideal for the growth of various medicinal herbs. I don't know if that's true or not."
He continued, "This medicine garden belongs to the city lord of Iron Wolf City. Every three years, the city lord opens the garden for various factions in the city to enter and gather herbs. This event is called the Medicine Garden Contest."
"Oh?" Ling Feng's eyebrows furrowed. "Is the city lord of Iron Wolf City so generous to open his medicine garden for others to harvest?"
"Of course not," Wang Tianlin sighed. "Only factions ranked third-tier and above, who pay the annual garden maintenance tax, are eligible to send their disciples in to gather herbs."
"I see." Ling Feng chuckled. The city lord of Iron Wolf City is quite business-savvy!
Her exquisite figure emitted a faint fragrance and her slender waist was slightly bent, revealing a hint of white on her chest.
Feeling awkward, Ling Feng touched his nose. He wasn't a saint and certainly had normal male impulses.
Wang Caiwei leaned closer, bringing her pretty face near Ling Feng's, their distance almost nonexistent. Ling Feng could even hear her blood flowing through her veins.
Their eyes met, and Ling Feng saw a pair of shy, admiring eyes.
Her shy glance was deeply intoxicating.
Ling Feng took a deep breath, put away the map, and said calmly, "Thank you, young lady Wang. It's late, and it wouldn't be good for your reputation to be alone with me here."
"I..." Caiwei's eyes flashed with disappointment. She had gone to such lengths, even using flirtatious tactics, yet Ling Feng couldn't see her charm or understand her feelings?
Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. He didn't dislike Caiwei, but he had no romantic feelings for her.
"Alright, young lady Wang, I'm a bit tired. You should rest early too," Ling Feng said, giving a gentle dismissal.
Wang Caiwei left the room with a sad expression. Outside in the courtyard, Wang Tianlin had been waiting for a long time.
Wang Tianlin sighed and gently patted his daughter's back. "Forget it, my dear."
Hearing this, Wang Caiwei's eyes filled with tears. She threw herself into Wang Tianlin's arms, crying out, "Father, what's wrong with me? I've tried so hard to change my temper and dress up carefully, but why... why doesn't he like me?"
"Silly girl, didn't I tell you? Mr. Ling and us, we're just not the same kind of people."
Wang Tianlin patted his daughter's back, comforting her. "If possible, I would hope you could marry Little Feng. He's a good man. In fact, he could have taken advantage of you and left, and with his abilities, we wouldn't dare say anything.
"But he didn't do that. He didn't ruin your life's happiness," Wang Tianlin sighed again. "Silly girl, you should be grateful to him. And since Little Feng has clearly expressed his feelings, you should give up and not pester him anymore, or it might make him dislike you."
"I... I..."
Wang Caiwei bit her lip, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed uncontrollably.