In Linxia City, Ganzhou Province, Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu rushed to the hotel booked in advance by the show’s crew after getting off the train.
This time, the crew didn’t book the entire place, for there were only fifty contestants left.
They only booked all the rooms on the first and second floors.
Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu both lived on the second floor.
By the time they arrived, the keys to the other rooms had been taken away by others. All the contestants had arrived.
However, on the way to his room, Fang Qiu didn’t see the other contestants.
The two went into Fang Qiu’s room first. Jiang Miaoyu helped Fang Qiu unpack and put away his stuff, and then returned to her room. Fang Qiu also followed her in, mainly checking the safety of the room. After making sure everything was fine, they went out to have dinner together.
When they came back after dinner, it was already nine in the evening.
As Fang Qiu returned to his room and was about to take a shower, the SMS alert sounded suddenly, “Dee-dee-dee…”
Washing his face, Fang Qiu then took out his cell phone and saw that it was a text message from the show’s crew.
“All contestants, please note that we will hold a meeting tomorrow morning at 7:00 in the conference room on the third floor of the hotel. Every contestant, please arrive on time!”
After reading the text message, Fang Qiu went straight to bed and started practicing his mental power.
Fang Qiu no longer needed to hang things in front of him to help him practice. As long as there was something movable in the room, he would be able to train himself.
Sitting on the bed, Fang Qiu used his mental power.
The mineral water on the table was immediately lifted.
It was one bottle first, then two bottles. And then all the kettles, shoes, and cups were lifted.
The next morning, it was three o’clock in the morning. Fang Qiu got up and jumped out of the window. After running a few kilometers outside, he came to a park and began to practice with his eyes closed.
Until five o’clock in the morning, when the first person appeared in the park, Fang Qiu opened his eyes and trotted all the way back to the hotel.
On the way back, he also had his breakfast.
Fang Qiu returned to the hotel and went to take a shower. He then ran to buy hot soy milk and steamed buns and took them to Jiang Miaoyu’s room.
After Jiang Miaoyu finished her breakfast, the two went up to the third floor and came to the conference room.
It was 6:50 in the morning.
In the conference room, many people had already sat there. A few people were standing at the well-ventilated place outside the room, eating their breakfast.
Soon, it was seven o’clock.
The crew of the show headed by Director Li Huawen came to the conference room.
“Today, we will be recording the third episode of the show. The reason why I ask you to come here is to elaborate on the rules of this episode.”
Director Li Huawen then paused and glanced at all the contestants. “It’s an outdoor competition in the third round.”
“Fifteen kilometers away from Linxia, there is a forest. Many wild herbs are planted there.”
“We had asked someone to investigate before, and basically we can be sure that there are no beasts in the forest, so you don’t have to worry too much about your safety.”
“According to statistics, there are 18 kinds of herbs in this forest.”
“Your task is to find the 18 kinds of herbs and complete the collection. Whoever takes the shortest time will win.”
“This round is 30 out of 50, so only the top 30 people would be able to get into the next round. Are you clear?” the director asked.
“Yes,” Fifty contestants responded in unison.
As they replied, Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu sitting next to each other exchanged glances, and both of them had a slight smile on their faces.
This task sounded difficult.
For most of the contestants, it was indeed tricky. But for Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu, it wasn’t difficult because there was Yaowang Mountain in their school.
As students of the School of Chinese Medicine, everyone had been to Yaowang Mountain.
Every one of them had been there to learn about the Chinese herbs and collect some of them, not to mention that Fang Qiu also learned a lot from the keeper of Yaowang Mountain.
As for Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu, this round would be to their advantage.
At this moment, there was the sound of footsteps. “Pitter-patter…”
Three judges headed by Li Zhengtang also came to the conference room.
Li Zhengtang was still in a wheelchair.
Coming to Director Li Huawen, Li Zhengtang opened his mouth. “I believe everyone has understood the rules of this round. It’s actually a test for you. Recognition and collection of medicines are essential skills for every Chinese Medicine practitioner. In addition to testing your skills, you should also experience the hardships that your forebears had gone through before.”
Yang Juanyong then opened his mouth and added, “If you want to be a Chinese Medicine doctor, you must know how to endure the hardship. This is not only a test, but it is also a training course. Although today’s technology is very advanced and there are endless means of cultivating medicinal herbs, the most effective medicines are still the wild herbs. Maybe one day you’ll go to a place where no one can be contacted. Maybe someone will be injured there, or you may be injured yourself. And our test of you today will probably save you or your friend’s life that day!”
Huang Zhengren then added, “Chinese Medicine doctors live by nature. Chinese herbal medicine is the best gift that nature gives to human beings. Only with Chinese herbal medicine, can Chinese Medicine truly exist. Therefore, as a medical practitioner, we must be in awe of nature and protect the herbs.”
After that, three judges stepped aside.
“Thanks to our judges for their speeches.” Director Li Huawen bowed to show his gratitude.
Then he turned to look at every one. “There’s one more thing.”
Looking at everyone, Director Li Huawen said, “Because this is a competition and it is outdoor, you must hand over all your mobile phones before you enter the field and start the recording of this show. Searching information from Baidu will be banned from now on.”
Everyone froze as they heard that.
People started whispering and discussing.
“Please put all your mobile phones at the conference table. Our staff will collect and store them for you. In addition, I hope that you don’t have any intention of cheating. After you hand over your mobile phones, you should pass the security inspection machine to leave this room. This machine can detect if you carry any contraband. Those who were found having the intention of cheating would be eliminated immediately. So, please follow the rules consciously.”
After that, Li Huawen nodded to the staff on the side.
The staff immediately went forward with a basket and put away everyone’s cell phones.
Many contestants couldn’t help but be upset.
They were not allowed to take their phones.
It simply wanted to examine their knowledge of medicinal herbs.
Soon, all their mobile phones had been put away.
Led by Director Li Huawen and other staff, all contestants walked out of the conference room, came to the hotel’s entrance, and got into a bus.
As everyone got into the bus, it started and drove out of the city.
On the way to the forest, Fang Qiu and Jiang Miaoyu sat in the middle of the bus.
“Although the show crew said it was not so dangerous, it was a wild forest after all. I can’t stay by your side all the time. You have to take good care of yourself, okay?” Fang Qiu said to Jiang Miaoyu.
“Okay.” Jiang Miaoyu nodded.
“Remember, after entering the forest, first, you need to knock on the stone with the iron tool which is used to collect the herbs, because any animal is afraid of people. When they hear the sound of the knock, they will run away in advance. Although there is no beast in the forest, some small animals must exist. You have to pay attention to this.
“In addition, instead of walking slowly, you have to be fast while walking uphill. Some poisonous snakes in the forest move more slowly than ordinary non-venomous snakes. While several people go up the mountain together and walk in the same path, the poisonous snake often bites the second person or the third person. So when you go up the mountain, it will be best if you don’t walk up the mountain one by one. You must keep a certain distance from others.
“Thirdly, the poisonous bees. There are all kinds of poisonous bees on the mountain. Some are fatal and some are not after people got stung. Because people tend to sweat after going up the mountain, and the bees are particularly sensitive in smell. Therefore, pay special attention to the Gourd Bee.
“The fourth point is that the herbs are growing in strange places. Many herbs grow in places where you can’t find a path to get close to them. At this time, if you want to collect the herbs, you must find the footprints of animals or look at the gaps in the forest. If you find a hole that extends to the distance, it’ll be the better way.
“The last tip, if you are thirsty on the mountain, you can only find medicinal materials or wild fruits you know to quench your thirst. Even if you see some streams, don’t drink them. Pay attention to the color of the water. If the water is clear, flowing with some animals swimming such as small fish, then the water is fine. If the water is colorful, do not drink it. Otherwise, you will be easily poisoned!”
When saying these words, Fang Qiu didn’t worry that anyone should hear it so he didn’t keep his voice low.
Everyone in the bus nodded as they heard what Fang Qiu said.
A lot of people who didn’t know what to do had learned something from Fang Qiu’s words.
“Just rest assured. I know what to do,” Jiang Miaoyu answered with a smile.
Then, after half an hour, the bus finally stopped.
It really was a mountain forest outside the window.
What was more, this forest was the intersection of two mountains.
“All right, you can get off,” the driver shouted.
Everyone lined up and got off the bus.
Getting out of the bus, Fang Qiu found that there was a bus behind them.
A large group of program directors holding cameras were coming down from the bus.
“Quite a few people.” Fang Qiu smiled slightly.
Director Li Huawen then stepped forward and shouted with a loudspeaker, “Everyone, come here to get your tools for collecting medicinal herbs in the mountains.”
Everyone stepped forward immediately as they heard him.
Each person received a small backpack, a hoe, three bottles of water, and two packets of compressed biscuits.
“Well, everyone has your tools.”
“Now, program directors, please find your contestant according to the number you got.”
As Li Huawen finished his words, a young man, about 30 years old, holding a camera, ran towards Fang Qiu immediately.
A large number “1” was affixed to his clothes.
“I’m No. 1?” Fang Qiu was shocked.
“Yes, because you were the first one to advance in the last round,” the program director answered.
“All right.” Fang Qiu smiled nonchalantly.
Ten minutes later, Director Li Huawen shouted, “Ready, recording begins!”
The next moment, all the contestants were packed and marching towards the forest.