Herbs Beasts and Weapons

[Introduction to Herbs and Beasts] was a book which as its title suggested described about the existences of medicinal herbs and beasts.

Zhao Yun started reading the book. After the scroll modified his body and soul, Zhao Yun found his comprehension and memory increasing to a whole new level. He was having no problem remembering even the smallest details that he never knew ever existed in his memories. Thus he had no problem learning the entire books given to him by Ling Yun.

[Introduction to Herbs and Beasts] started by describing what herbs and beasts were. According to the book, herbs were plants which under the influence of heaven and earth energy (Spiritual, Qi and essence) evolved to have medicinal properties. These herbs had different properties and thus had various uses. Some were medicines to cure oddities, some were poison, and some were medicines having the effect of boosting cultivation. These herbs were later characterised into various levels and categories to sort them out.

Primarily, herbs were divided into three categories.

Medicinal herbs- capable of curing various illness of human body.

Poison herbs- capable of killing even cultivators of high level when consumed.

Cultivation herbs- capable of aiding in cultivation depending on their nature. Some raised Qi, some helped in body refining while others aided soul cultivation.

These categories were further divided into various levels. They were from level 1 herbs to level 10 herbs. These herbs corresponded to their level with the cultivation system. Level 1 herbs were useful for body tempering realm cultivators, level 2 for foundation forging and so on.

After this information, there was a list of countless herbs, with their category, properties, effects, value and detailed description along with their appearance and also the nature of the places they can be found at. This kind of description was enough for Zhao Yun to recognize almost any and all kind of herbs and fruits that can be found in the mortal realm. Of course since mortal world was a complete plane, there was bound to be some herbs and fruits that were not mentioned in the book but Zhao Yun was sure that there number won't be that many.

Even with his photographic memory, Zhao Yun took half a day to completely finish the herb section.

Similar to the herb section, the Beast section also described about the beasts in detail. According to the book, Beasts could be characterized into three types, aerial, terrestrial and aquatic. As their names suggested, Aerial beasts were those who could fly. Terrestrial beasts dwelled and walked on land while aquatic beasts ruled the water bodies. There were beasts who could survive in any conditions too. There were some who dwelled both in water and land. Some who were fast both on land and air or water and land or air and water. There were some who could swim easily in water, run fast on land and can soar into the air.

Beasts were mainly cultivated their bloodlines or body. It was said that when heaven and earth were created, it gave birth to 9 divine beasts. They were – Dragon, Phoenix, Xuanwu, White Tiger, Kirin, Roc, Griffin, Spiritual stone Ape and Heavenly Wolf [1]. These beasts were able to ascend to divine world shortly after their birth. Before leaving, they mated among themselves and gave birth to various different species. Although due their superior bloodline, these species found it hard to give birth, with time due to crossbreeding and excessive mating, the bloodline within the beasts dwindled. Contrary to that, their numbers increased. Billions of years later, their number reached terrifying degree. But due to the sparse or no bloodline, their strength decreased. Since then, many species of beasts have been born. Some species have no more bloodline and no cultivation. They were considered as wild animals.

Based on their strength, beasts were also divided into 9 realms and 9 levels.

Weakest beasts were categorized as Fierce beasts. Their strength was comparable to body tempering realm cultivators. Since their bodies were stronger than humans, beasts of same level are stronger.

After fierce beasts come the Spirit beasts. Their strength equivalent to Foundation realm.

Third would be Dark Beasts followed by Dire beasts. Their strength equivalent to the core realm and the nascent soul realm respectively.

After dire beasts, the beasts possess some sort of bloodline and have intelligence comparable to the humans. Their characterization comes as

Xiantian Beasts, King Beasts, Saint Beasts, Emperor Beasts and semi-Divine beasts. These beasts have strength similar to their names. They also possess some degree of bloodline of the ancient Divine beasts. Majority of the Semi Divinity Beasts were the direct descendants of the Ancient Divine beasts or were some beasts that had successfully awoken the potential of their bloodline or have cultivated their bodies to the higher realms.

The book also stated that with correct medicinal herbs or treasures, even wild animals could trigger their bloodline and can grow into divine beasts, the book also stated various ways with which a beast could cultivate.

The most horrifying fact was that every single beast at and above Xiantian realm possessed the strength of at least a dual refiner human. Due to the presence of bloodline and their bodies, these beasts were far stronger.

The only saving grace for humans was that, these beasts had long life span and strong bloodline, thus giving birth to their progeny was extremely difficult. Whereas even the strongest human can give birth to a child every few years.

The book stated a fact that with every Xiantian beast born, 100 humans stepped into the Xiantian stage. This way a delicate balance was made between the two races.

In fact if a human won the recognition of a beast, the beast can initiate a soul contract. This way both can depend on each other. Thus the relation between the two races could be described as Love-Hate relationship.

Zhao Yun was amazed to find out all these information. At the same time an intense thirst to witness the wonders of the world was born within him.

He continued reading and similar to the herb section, a detail description of the beasts, stating their strength, habitat, weaknesses, even the method of their evolution was mentioned. After finishing all of that, Zhao Yun was certain that he would recognize 99% of any herb found in this world. He was thrilled as well as surprised to find out the use of various herbs and beasts.

According to the book, there were herbs that can directly allow a mortal to step into Xiantian realm without undergoing any cultivation. There were also herbs that could increase the life span of cultivators and mortals alike. The one which shocked him the most was the Phoenix blood grass. This herb can revive a dead person within a month of his demise. He clicked his tongue in wonder.

Shaking his head as these herbs were almost legendary, Zhao Yun closed the book. Finally his gaze rested on [Heaven and Earth Treasures].

He calculated the time and was surprised to find out that from the three days period he gave the Zhao Clan to pack up, One and a half day had passed. Seeing the size of the remaining two books, he wondered that if he would be able to finish them both before the allotted time?

He took the [Heaven and Earth Treasures] and slowly opened it. This book was like the previous two. It detailed about various treasures, ores, weapons and other things that can be found in the world.

There were many materials in this world that had wondrous effects. These materials were graded into three categories.

Mortal, Earth and Heaven items. Mortal grade items were useful to Houtian warriors. Earth Grade materials were useful to both Xiantian and Worldly warriors whereas Heaven grade items were useful to worldly grade warriors. They were further divided into three realms. That would be low grade. Medium grade and finally High grade. Some extremely valuable items in their level were graded as extreme grade items as some weaker treasures of another realm were not as valuable as these.

The one material that caught Zhao Yun's eyes was Sallicite milk. This treasure was ungraded. Depending on its age it can be divided into all three grades. A 100 year Sallicite milk was comparable to low grade mortal whereas 999 years old was an extreme grade mortal. Similarly 1000 year old to 9999 year old was earth grade item and above 10000 year old Sallicite milk would cause even Emperor Realm powers to fight to death. This item's main use was to increase talent.

At mortal grade, it increased body talent. At earth grade, it purified the Xiantian seed while in the heaven grade it increased perception.

Zhao Yun was practically drooling at those specification. Regrettably though, they were so precious that even a drop of it would be able to cause a bloodbath.

He shook his head and continued reading. The book detailed many treasures and finally it came to weapons.

Weapons were also divided the same as the treasures. Only foundation realm and above warriors could use those weapons as they were crafted by artificers using Heaven and Earth treasures, ores and energy. They had the ability to increase a warrior's strength.

Among the weapons, a type caught Zhao Yun's eyes.

Natal weapons. He learnt that natal weapons were only at low grade mortal when created. They were linked to the body and soul of their owner. With their owner, they would grow and their potential was as high as their owners. The materials used to make natal weapons were extremely rare. They were like Sallicite milk. They would grow stronger with their age. Thus when the owner wants to increase the strength of his/her weapons, he had to find the aged material and refine his weapon. This way his weapon could continue to grow.

"Sigh! If only I had a natal weapon. Wouldn't I be free from changing weapons whenever my strength grew?" mused Zhao Yun.

He laughed softly at his own fantasies. Up until yesterday, he was an ignorant youth who knew nothing of the world. Just in few hours he can safely boasts that not many can compare with his knowledge anymore.

"All the information learnt, now all that is left is to experience them." A great expectation could be seen burning within his eyes. Zhao Yun was extremely happy right now. He had so much that even he was thinking that if it were all a dream?

Taking a deep breath, he calculated the time and knew that it was time for him to go out. The three day time period was about to end. Thinking for a bit, he though, "I still have some time. I'll skim through the contents of the last book and see if there is anything that can be used for now." He thought.

His strength was at the peak of tempering realm of all the three cultivation school. What he needed to do for now was to get used to his current strength. As the increase in strength was too much he was not able to control his strength properly. Today he wanted to get used to it while fighting the elders and Zhao Ling. Who would have thought that they would be so weak that even his casual punch killed them?

So for him, the most important thing to do would be to practise basic punching routine and get his body to the peak state.

For now what he needed the most was something that can raise the overall strength of Zhao Clan. He had a rough plan for his future actions with his current strength he is perfectly capable of annexing the nation on his own. But if he did so he might attract unwanted attention. He was just a teenager of 12. If his strength is exposed, others would know that he has a secret... then the people who would come after him might not only be golden core realm martial artists.

While he was thinking about all this, a distant memory surfaced in his mind. It was that of a book that elder Lan gave him when she took Yu Mei away a year ago. She had said that it was a book detailing all the powers of the world.

As the saying goes 'One who has the most information, has won half the war.' He thought about it and mused, "After going out I have to read that book. Hopefully I get the information about nearby kingdoms."

Thinking of the book, an adorable figure flashed through his mind. Specially those eyes which he would never forget. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he thought "Yu Mei, how are you doing? Big brother had the confidence to one day meet you one year ago, now all I need is some time. Wait for me."

Zhao Yun was filled with confidence to reach a level where the power behind Yu Mei would take him seriously. He was full of expectations for the future.

Tossing out the distracting thoughts out, the boy thought, "My clan number is reduced to just few people. The old guys are losing potential due to their age. Theoretically, I should be doing something for ones of my generation, but, I need to take care of my cultivation I can't baby sit them. All I can do is to show a way to them. Hmmm so my priority should be to search for something that would aid those old guys to reach the peak of tempering realm in two schools. Even though they have lost their potential, with medicine it might be possible to make them into a dual refining foundation realm experts. Once they reach that point, their potential will increase a little due to increased life span." He thought.

"Before that, I need to consult with Old Yun, I need to do something about Uncle and Aunt they took care of me before. Now that I'm capable, I need to resolve their cultivation issues too." Zhao Yun thought.

Zhao Ying and Su Wan were in similar situation as their Qi foundation was shattered. He wanted to do something for them. 'First let me read this book' he thought while he eyed the last book. "There might be something that can help in there."