"Why can’t I take it if it’s here?" Xiang Shaoyun questioned.
He was looking at pitch-black stick resembling charcoal more than wood. It did not look special at all. Yet this very pitch black stick was the most valuable treasure of the Medicine Hall, lightning strike wood.
The so-called lightning strike wood originated from a unique breed of tree that could easily attract strikes of lightning. These trees had a certain degree of innate immunity toward lightning, and had the ability to regrow again and again after being struck by lightning. Legends said that after being struck by lightning 81 times and undergoing 81 rebirths, the tree would finally transform into a divine lightning wood that would henceforth be completely immune to lightning.
More importantly, using this wood, one would be able to cultivate the power of lightning, one of the most destructive powers in existence. Coupled with the rarity of lightning strike wood, it made it a very valuable material.
Each lightning strike wood was equivalent to a high-grade spirit plant. How many times had lightning struck this particular lightning strike wood for it to be in such a bad shape? Even though it looked completely dead, in truth, it still had life in it. After soaking it in some spirit spring water, it would regrow again.
"This is the treasure of the Medicine Hall. It can only be looked at but can never be taken. We still need to borrow its strength to capture the power of lightning during rainy days," said the overseer anxiously.
This was the treasure of the hall, and he had to keep it to gather lightning energy to assist the elders cultivating lightning energy in their breakthroughs. Although Xiang Shaoyun had a special status in the Martial Hall Palace, the overseer still couldn't allow him to take this treasure away.
Xiang Shaoyun could see that this overseer was very nervous. It wouldn't be easy to take the lightning strike wood away. Thus, he moved on to other materials instead. When he was done, he left the Medicine Hall.
Not long after, Elder Zhen Peng arrived at the Medicine Hall. He directly retrieved the lightning strike wood, yet the overseer did not dare to even make a sound.
Early the next day, Xiang Shaoyun, Elder Zhen Peng, and Zi Changhe headed out toward the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. For this trip, Xiang Shaoyun's main goal was the place where lightning gathered. The place was located at the depths of the Hundred Beast Mountain Range where mountains intersected. It was one of the more dangerous areas within the Hundred Beast Mountain Range.
The demonic beasts there were at least at the Great Demon level, and even Demon Kings could be found there. Not many humans dared to step foot there. Only those at the King Realm would dare to enter.
Xiang Shaoyun's group was in no rush. After getting Little White to enlarge his body, Xiang Shaoyun rode on Little White and started leisurely traveling through the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. He needed some time to reflect on his next step in the path of cultivation.
Xiang Shaoyun needed to do many things, and his list of tasks was something completely unimaginable for many people. Just growing in strength alone was not sufficient for him to retake all that was once his. He also needed a large number of followers.
Elder Zhen Peng and Zi Changhe were decently strong, but they were far from enough from what he required. These two would only be of actual help if he decided to properly nurture them. Apart from that, he also needed some devoted soldiers loyal only to him. He wouldn't be able to go far relying only on himself.
If everyone is as talented as this young master, it wouldn't be a bad idea to spend some time training a group of followers. Unfortunately, that is not the case, Xiang Shaoyun lamented inwardly. He then told Little White to go faster as they started rushing toward the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. When they arrived at the edge of the Hundred Beast Mountain Range, they entered directly without even bothering to stop.
"Shaoyun, we need to start being careful from now on," Zi Changhe reminded him.
Xiang Shaoyun nodded, "Yeah, I know."
Although he had Elder Zhen Peng with him, accidents might still place him in danger.
Not long after, a demonic beast attacked them. Little White grabbed the initiative and attacked before anyone else. Prior to this, Little White had swallowed a demonic core and a tiger tooth. He had been growing non-stop without attracting any attention.
Even Xiang Shaoyun was not aware of how strong Little White was right now, but he reckoned Little White was at least at the Intermediate Demon level. Sure enough, the Intermediate Demon facing Little White was quickly killed.
"Young master, your demonic beast is very powerful. He has almost reached the Great Demon level," Elder Zhen Peng cried out in alarm when he sensed Little White's strength.
"Yeah, and I doubt he is a regular striped tiger," Zi Changhe said on his elder wolf. He had learned that from the elder wolf, who had once told him that the little cub was not to be underestimated.
"Hehe, I hope so. But what I hope most is for him to quickly learn how to speak. Communication will then be much easier," said Xiang Shaoyun, who was in a great mood.
"Generally, demonic beasts can only speak when they reach the late stage of the Great Demon realm. I believe it won't be long," Elder Zhen Peng said.
"Hear that, Little White? Reach the Great Demon realm as soon as possible. You will then be able to start conversing with your boss," Xiang Shaoyun said as he petted Little White.
Suddenly, Little White turned around and said in a tender voice, "B-boss, actually, I can already speak the human tongue."
All three of them froze.
"Haha, Little White, when did you learn to speak? Why haven't you told me?" Xiang Shaoyun asked gleefully as he hugged Little White. Xiang Shaoyun was after all still a youth. Although the way he did things was comparable to a sly old fox, he was still a young man at heart. Thus, it was natural for him to be overjoyed when his pet finally learned to speak.
"Not long ago, I gained the ability to talk after digesting the tiger tooth. But I can't speak well, so I have been keeping silent," Little White replied, somewhat embarrassed.
"Don't worry about it. Just practice more, and you will be able to speak fluently. Come on, let's continue on. We can continue chatting on the way," Xiang Shaoyun said.
Elder Zhen Peng and Zi Changhe exchanged glances, disbelief still in their eyes. Not even king species beasts would be able to talk before reaching the Great Demon realm. Was Little White an imperial species instead?
In the blink of an eye, several days passed, and they safely arrived at the dividing line of the outer and inner layer of the Hundred Beast Mountain Range. Here, all of them grew anxious.
Numerous demonic beasts could be found in the area, and their numbers were terrifyingly high. The only thing they could do when encountering a horde of beasts was to flee. Fortunately, Zi Changhe was very familiar with the place, and they were able to take detours around the territories of many Great Demons. That was why they had been able to reach this place so easily.
In actuality, Elder Zhen Peng wanted to directly fly with them to the place where lightning congregated, but Xiang Shaoyun rejected the proposal. This was the world of demonic beasts. If they decided to fly, it would be equivalent to challenging all the demonic beasts present. And if the demonic beasts felt provoked, a mere King Realm cultivator wouldn't be able to survive their wrath.
None of them were clearer about this than Xiang Shaoyun. Half a day later, they were finally approaching the place where lightning congregated. A large number of lightning condors were gliding in the air, some were even diving straight down toward them.