When Li Mu returned to the camp with Ou Xiaoqian, Guan Yong and Mei Bing had already prepared food.

Some bread, dry food, braised dishes, canned goods, and self-heating hot pot—although these are all convenient foods, they are already quite plentiful in the wild.

Through their conversation, Li Mu roughly learned that Ao Chong was the leader of the four, and that he had the highest cultivation level.

However, Ao Chong gives the impression of being simple and honest, which may be the reason why he can make extraordinary progress in cultivation at such a young age.

As the group got to know each other better, and through Li Mu's deliberate and unintentional attempts to elicit information, they roughly figured out 'their own' and the identities of the others.

Mu Li, the island master of Nanya Island, also known as Nan Daoren, is a disciple of Meng Bufan.

He was a cultivator at the Heavenly Realm in the Southern Dao, residing on a secluded island. Throughout his life, he was charitable and hated evil.

Ao Chong, from Wuji Island, is the grandson of Ao Wuji and the son of Ao Fang. Guan Yong, Ao Chong's follower, is also from Wuji Island.

Ou Xiaoqian, daughter of Ou Junhao, the master of Lingyun Palace. Mei Bing, Ou Xiaoqian's best friend, is also a member of Lingyun Palace.

These three places are all islands in southern China, isolated overseas, with populations of several thousand or tens of thousands, natural ecology, and interdependent.

The reason why Ao Chong and his companions camped in the mountains was to gather herbs for his father.

His father, Ao Fang, acquired the Pure Heart Controlling Cauldron Technique a few years ago. After practicing it, his strength increased greatly, but he occasionally felt exhausted.

Legend has it that someone in this mountain once picked a thousand-flower, and they came here in search of this medicinal herb.

The funny thing is, Ao Chong had no idea what the herb looked like; he just picked it by feeling.

"Uncle Mu Li, have you encountered any Thousand-Flower Flowers in these mountains? We've been searching for two days and haven't found a single trace," Ao Chong asked Li Mu.

"I was looking for some medicinal herbs here, but I haven't seen any Thousand-Flower Flower," Li Mu said, shaking his head.

Li Mu had never heard of the Thousand-Petal Flower, but there was a kind of Immortal Petal Flower in the cultivation world that could be refined into the Child Derivation Pill. This pill was mainly used to replenish the essence and blood of those who cultivated together.

Thinking of the Immortal Flower and the Child-Born Pill, Li Mu began to suspect that Ao Fang might have been practicing some kind of dual cultivation technique.

"Sigh! If we can't find it again, we'll have to leave. We'll see if we can trade the Mystic Ice Grass for some blood-tonifying herbs then," Ao Chong said with some disappointment and helplessness.

.

"Mystic Ice Grass? Little puppy, bring me the Mystic Ice Grass so I can take a look."

When Li Mu heard Ao Chong mention Xuanbing Grass, his heart skipped a beat. This was a spiritual herb, a key ingredient in refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

"Ah! Uncle Mu Li, do you want Xuanbing Grass? But..."

"Hey! You little brat, I don't even want your stuff, I'm just looking at it, and you're already upset. Never mind, forget I said anything."

Li Mu stood up, making a move to leave. Now that he knew everything he needed to know, and Mu Li's identity was confirmed, it was time for him to go.

Ao Chong refused to show him the Xuanbing Grass, and Li Mu couldn't force him. Besides, this Xuanbing Grass might just have the same name and might not be the same kind he knew. It was also unlikely that spiritual herbs could grow in this world.

"Ao Chong, why don't we show the Xuanbing Grass to Uncle Mu Li?" Ou Xiaoqian interjected as Uncle Mu Li was about to leave.

"Never mind, Xiao Qian'er, I really have to go now. Whether you see it or not doesn't matter anymore."

"Alright! Uncle Mu Li, this Xuanbing Grass was dug up by my father from Duanlong Cliff with great difficulty. I can only show it to you."

Ao Chong pouted, somewhat reluctant, because his father had repeatedly instructed him that this herb was hard-won and must be exchanged for something useful. He was now at a critical juncture in his cultivation, and if he couldn't break through, he might fall in cultivation level.

Ao Chong first took out some herbs that had not been picked for long from his bag; they were all herbs that could replenish one's energy and spirit.

Li Mu had to look at this kid with new respect; it was truly remarkable that a modern martial arts practitioner could possess such insight.

When Ao Chong finally took out the wooden box, Li Mu immediately sensed a faint spiritual energy emanating from it, and was startled.

Could this really be the Mystic Ice Grass? How could that be?

The wooden box was opened, and a lush green plant with a small blue flower on top was displayed in front of Li Mu. This really was the Mystic Ice Grass!

.

"Smack!"

Seeing that Uncle Mu Li was staring intently at the Xuanbing Grass without blinking, Ao Chong quickly closed the medicine box and put it into his bag.

He clearly distinguishes right from wrong and what is important. If it were something else, Uncle Mu Li could ask for it, but not the Xuanbing Grass.

"Uh one!"

"Ao Chong, has your father's cultivation recently changed? Is he cultivating alone?"

If Li Mu wanted to establish his foundation, he really wanted the Xuanbing Grass. However, Ao Chong valued it too much. He wondered if he could get it from Ao Chong.

"Ah! How did you know...? My father has been cultivating with my stepmother for the past few years."

Ao Chong carefully put away the Xuanbing Grass, and his face turned red when he heard Li Mu's question.

I don't know what Uncle Mu Li meant by that, and I don't understand how Li Mu knew about his father's cultivation.

"Oh dear! It's just that Uncle Ao and Aunt Guan have been inseparable these past few years, like husband and wife, what's there to be embarrassed about?" Ou Xiaoqian said quickly.

Seeing that Li Mu didn't seem to understand who Aunt Guan was, he explained it again.

It turns out that this Aunt Guan's name is Guan Jingjing. She admired Mu Li many years ago, but the goddess was in love while the king was not. In the end, she was remarried by Ao Fang.

Li Mu wasn't interested in Mu Li's ex-lover, and now he probably understood Ao Fang's problem.

It can be concluded that the cultivation method Ao Fang practiced was most likely a dual cultivation method.

Dual cultivation is very common in the cultivation world. Improving one's strength through dual cultivation techniques is also a way to cultivate and attain enlightenment. There are even some sects that practice dual cultivation.

However, dual cultivation is indeed rare, because due to the nature of the cultivation system, almost no one would engage in dual cultivation.

Martial arts cultivation is about self-cultivation, tempering the body, and refining one's qi and blood.

If martial arts practitioners engage in dual cultivation, it is detrimental to themselves, but will benefit their partners more.

In the early stages of dual cultivation, one may feel physically and mentally happy and make some progress in strength. However, if this continues for a long time, one will definitely lose a lot of essence and blood, and may even fall in cultivation level.

If nothing unexpected happens, this is the current situation of Ao Chong's father, Ao Fang.

.

“Ao Chong, I roughly understand what went wrong with your father’s cultivation. The Xuanbing Grass will not help with your father’s problem.”

I recently obtained two very precious pills that should be able to help your father solve his cultivation problems.

However, this elixir is extremely rare; I had to trade over a hundred jade spirit stones and some medicinal herbs for it.

Upon hearing that there was a elixir that could cure his father's illness, Ao Chong blushed and looked at Li Mu with great longing and anticipation.

Hearing Li Mu's words about how difficult it was, he felt the same way. Just now, the other person only wanted to see the Xuanbing Grass, but he had been struggling with it for a long time.

Seeing that Ao Chong was struggling with his decision, wanting to ask for medicine but feeling embarrassed, she noticed that he was hesitant.

"Hey! Little puppy, we're quite destined to meet, and we're even family friends. Seeing your filial piety, I'll give you this pill first. I can't stand seeing the younger generation in trouble."

Let me make this clear beforehand: I can assure you that these two pills will be effective for your father, but I cannot guarantee that they will completely cure him. He may still need more of these pills.

However, I don't have any more; this medicine is too rare! Here! Take it!

"Ah! Uncle Mu Li, this, this is too much trouble, but I don't have that many jade spirit stones and medicinal herbs." Ao Chong started to struggle again.

Li Mu took out two jade bottles and waved them in front of Ao Chong, one a Rejuvenation Pill and the other a Qi-Boosting Pill, but he didn't hand them to Ao Chong.

I thought to myself, "What are you agonizing over? Just hurry up and exchange it for the Mystic Ice Grass."

After Li Mu finished speaking, Ao Chong still didn't move. This kid was driving him crazy. Li Mu simply shoved the medicine bottle into his hand and said:

"Here! Take it! I'm not like some people who are stingy. What does even the most precious pill matter if a friend needs it?"

After hearing what Li Mu said, Ao Chong's face turned bright red, and he clutched the jade bottle in his hand.

Thinking about how this uncle, who had bought her candy since she was a child and given her a little eagle, was now giving her elixirs, she wondered if she was being too narrow-minded.

"Ao Chong, you, you can't just stand there! Uncle Mu Li has already left!"

Ou Xiaoqian sat to the side watching their actions and listening to their conversation.

I still think the older man is the same generous older man. How come Ao Chong is so inconsiderate? He accepted the gifts but didn't even say thank you.

"Ah! Uncle, he's gone... Wait, Uncle Mu Li, wait for me."

Ao Chong was about to give chase, but after taking two steps, he turned back, took the Xuanbing Grass out of his bag, and chased after them again.