The Healing Grove: A Journey to Shennongjia

Surrounded by clouds and mist, there was an expanse of nothingness, occasionally interrupted by the graceful flight of white cranes, lending an ethereal quality to the scene.

This place...

Fu Bao was momentarily stunned, then her face lit up with joy as she realized where she was. She hadn't expected that she would succeed in opening her mind space with her last ounce of strength!

In this moment, Fu Bao reverted to her original form as a young girl, adorned in a red wide-sleeved fairy dress, with two small pigtails atop her head, giving her a charming and adorable appearance.

"Grandpa Fuxing! Are you here?" she called out eagerly.

As her voice echoed, an old fairy adorned with an official hat and holding a jade ruyi appeared, riding on auspicious clouds towards her. With a gray beard and a benevolent countenance, he addressed her, "Fubao! Just a call away and I'm here. Did you think I'd leave you hanging, my dear?"

If Fu Bao wanted to revert to normal, she needed to recount the old and chattering method to him, but with the urgency of the situation, she couldn't afford to waste time. With tears in her eyes, she pleaded, "Grandpa Fuxing, please, you have to help me. I can't bear to see Grandpa die!"

The death of Grandpa Li would be a devastating blow to the already struggling Li family, pushing them further into hardship. It would be even more challenging for her to save them!

Originally, Fu Bao hadn't come here with selfish intentions. But Old Fu Xing shook his head and said, "I... I can't intervene in matters of life and death. My domain is limited to matters of fortune, not the cycle of life and death."

"Then who can help me? Please, tell me. I'll find them!" pleaded Fu Bao.

After a moment of contemplation, Old Fuxing finally spoke up, "I know someone who can help you."

Fu Bao's eyes lit up with hope, and she eagerly grasped Old Fuxing's arm. "Really? Grandpa Fuxing, then please take me to find him!"

...

They floated through the clouds and mist, arriving swiftly at a place resembling Taoyuan. Towering mountains and ridges surrounded them, while gushing waterfalls cascaded down from mountain streams, merging with the murmuring river below. Lush forests sprawled as far as the eye could see, shrouded in a mystical mist that added to the beauty of the scenery.

This place was entirely new to Fu Bao, prompting her to ask in astonishment, "Grandpa Fuxing, where are we?"

Old Fuxing stroked his long white beard before replying, "Shennongjia!"

Fu Bao was taken aback. Shennongjia?

Yes, Shennongjia is indeed a place steeped in legend, known for its abundant aura, countless exotic flora and fauna, precious medicinal materials, and rare birds and animals.

Shennong himself is a renowned figure in the heavens, revered as a deity in charge of herbs and medicine. Despite never having seen him before, Fu Bao is well aware of his significance. As a little fairy with several thousand years of existence, she knows that Shennong predates her by tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of years. His name has been passed down through generations, and Fu Bao learned about him from an early age.

According to legend, Shennong was born with a "Crystal Belly," possessing a transparent abdomen through which all his internal organs were visible, allowing him to see everything he consumed. In ancient times, when mortals often fell ill or succumbed to death due to consuming unknown substances, Shennong took it upon himself to taste various herbs. He carefully categorized them, placing the delicious and edible ones in a bag on his left side, which he then shared with others.

Indeed, Shennong's dedication to discovering medicinal remedies is legendary. Not content with merely categorizing edible herbs, he was deeply troubled by the suffering inflicted by diseases and ailments upon people. Thus, he resolved to search for medicines capable of curing illnesses and saving lives. Fearlessly risking his own well-being, Shennong ventured into the wilderness to gather medicinal materials. Even when faced with poisonous herbs, he did not falter or retreat.

Through his relentless efforts, Shennong successfully identified the therapeutic properties of hundreds of herbs. These discoveries were then shared with those grappling with illness, offering relief and hope to countless individuals.

The possibility of finding Shennong fills Fu Bao with optimism. If she can locate him, there might be a chance to save her grandfather!