"To be honest, this is definitely better with chili peppers. This boiled pork slices look very authentic." Xiao Lingfeng picked up his chopsticks and started eating heartily.

Let's take a break and have a nap before we leave.

We're not in a rush. What I'm looking for isn't something I can find overnight, and I'm not even sure if it exists over there, which makes things complicated.

Jian Ning also sat down, but she wasn't very focused while eating.

If they fail to find the Nine-Turn Profound Yin Grass this time, then Minglan's life may truly be coming to an end, and she may simply vanish into nothingness. This is something she absolutely does not want to see.

Unfortunately, I'm no longer in the cultivation world, so even if I wanted to offer a bounty to buy it, there's nowhere to start.

"What are you thinking about? You seem distracted?" Xiao Lingfeng asked, stopping what he was doing after eating two copper coins and glancing up at Jian Ning's expression.

"It's alright, it's just that the future is uncertain. I don't know if I'll come back empty-handed this time. I hope the losses in Miao territory aren't too serious."

"That's hard to say. Such a large earthquake can easily cause landslides and mudslides. However, Miao territory is located in a remote area, and judging from the current situation, it should be far from the epicenter."

We'll only be able to confirm the specifics once we get there; anything we say now is just speculation and useless.

Jian Ning nodded, relaxing a bit. Life and death are determined by fate; sometimes, you can't force it.

However, she had done her best, and the consequences were beyond her control.

After waking up from his afternoon nap, Xiao Lingfeng continued flying the plane. The two of them took less than six hours to finally arrive over Miao territory.

Looking down from the sky, the clouds and mist were shrouded in a hazy glow, and the sunset cast its light. Most of the buildings on the ground were destroyed, but it looked much better than the cities we had passed through.

The stilted houses built along the mountainside, winding and layered, are now eerily quiet, devoid of any sign of human life.

"The damage here looks just as severe! Let's find a place to land."

Jian Ning actually wanted to find a few locals to ask for information, hoping that there might still be survivors in these villages.

Xiao Lingfeng piloted the helicopter and landed on a platform. The wind generated by the propellers made the wooden doors of the stilted houses not far away rattle.

The two got off the helicopter and walked around several houses, but apart from the dilapidated buildings, they didn't see anyone.

"The earthquake here wasn't that serious, so where did everyone go?" Jian Ning asked, puzzled.

“There must be a shelter, but we haven’t found it yet. We’re not familiar with the terrain here, and it’s getting dark. Let’s rest for the night and look for someone again tomorrow.”

If not, then we'll go into the mountains first. Give me a picture of the herb you're looking for, and I'll see what it looks like.

"Okay," that's the only option. Night falls quickly here, and we're unfamiliar with the area, especially in the mountains.

Especially since this is Miao territory, where there are not only Gu worms but also poisonous miasma. Jian Ning didn't want to risk her life.

Holding Xiao Lingfeng's hand, they returned to the jade pendant space together.

We had a seafood feast for dinner, all freshly caught from the river, each one lively and jumping around. Jian Ning isn't a great cook, but boiling and steaming don't require any fancy techniques; just getting them cooked is fine.

This place is full of spiritual energy; not to mention crabs and prawns, even clams boiled in plain water are incredibly delicious.

The two of them enjoyed a delicious and satisfying meal.

When I woke up in the morning and came out of the space, the Miao region in the morning light, although there was no longer any wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, was still breathtakingly beautiful.

The air here is fresh, and there isn't much volcanic ash. Jian Ning stretched and took a couple of breaths of fresh air before going back into the space to have breakfast with Xiao Lingfeng.

After searching along the mountain road, the entire Miao village was eerily quiet, without a single living person, let alone any livestock. It seemed to have been abandoned for some time.

Since that's the case, Jian Ning gave up hope of continuing to ask around.

"Let's go into the mountains and search separately, but don't stray too far apart. Here's a picture of the Nine-Turn Mystic Yin Grass."

Based on its growth characteristics, it most likely grows on shady, damp cliffs, or in rugged locations that are difficult for ordinary people to reach.

You should look in this direction.

This storage bag contains food, emergency medicine, and talismans; in case of danger, prioritize your own safety.

Although Jian Ning knew that there were many dangers in the mountains, it would be too inefficient to search separately.

"Be careful too, and use a communication talisman if anything happens. Keep this pistol with you. Don't just think about using a sword; sometimes, these firearms are just as effective as swords."

Xiao Lingfeng put away the things Jian Ning gave him, looked at the blueprints carefully for a few moments, and whispered some instructions.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. Whether or not I find it, I'll come here to meet you in five days."

"I'll go over there, you can choose a direction yourself." After Jian Ning finished speaking, she tiptoed and kissed Xiao Lingfeng on the cheek, then disappeared in a flash.

Xiao Lingfeng looked in the direction she had gone, smiled slightly, and then started walking into the mountains. His steps appeared unhurried, but in reality, he moved quite quickly, disappearing from sight in a few leaps.

The powerful earthquake caused severe damage to the mountains, leaving them scarred and making the already difficult mountain paths even more treacherous.

Thanks to Jian Ning's ability to fly close to the ground on her sword, although it consumes some spiritual energy, it also helps her avoid many unknown dangers.

These slopes are too steep to stand on; even a slight increase in force could trigger another landslide. Carefully avoiding obstacles, we searched meticulously along the mountainside.

The area in front used to be a waterfall cascading down from the mountaintop, but it has been completely cut off due to the earthquake.

The outlet below has formed a barrier lake, and the water is very turbid.

When Jian Ning flew over, she only glanced at it and didn't pay much attention. Her eyes were fixed on the direction of the cliff. Unfortunately, she searched all morning but found nothing.

There are quite a few aged medicinal herbs and elixirs in Miao territory, but unfortunately none of them are what she urgently needs right now.

However, I also dug up some Gastrodia elata and Spatholobus suberectus. These medicinal herbs, which were quite old, were thrown into my spatial storage.

When I got hungry at noon, I found a flat rock and took out a big bowl of hot beef noodles from my spatial storage.

I had just taken two bites when I suddenly heard a rustling sound next to me. I turned around and was stunned.

A hint of surprise appeared in her eyes as a small black and white panda peeked out from behind a rock, looking at her with its two eyes.

They were clearly drawn in by the aroma of the beef noodles.