Chapter 44: The Black Little Beast's Return Gift

[Acupuncture Point Theory: A book containing extensive theoretical knowledge regarding the acupuncture points of the human body.]

[Thoroughly studying this book may provide you with a clear and lucid understanding of many acupuncture points on the human body.]

[Download?]

After Lu Qing had flipped through the "Acupuncture Point Theory" for a while, such information appeared in his field of vision, just as expected.

Without hesitation, he selected download.

[Downloading, current progress: 1%...]

Lu Qing began turning the pages from the beginning. As he flipped through the book page by page, the progress bar in his vision flickered.

[...97%, 98%, 99%, 100%]

[Download of "Acupuncture Point Theory" complete. Would you like to begin studying?]

When the last page was turned, his ability indicated that the download was finished. Lu Qing immediately chose to study.

In the next instant, a massive amount of knowledge regarding human acupuncture points surged from the depths of his mind. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes, silently absorbing the knowledge.

After a long time, he opened his eyes, a look of wonder appearing in them.

"These human acupuncture points are truly miraculous."

"According to this 'Acupuncture Point Theory,' the major points across the body govern various vital passages and are closely related to a person's state of life."

"A skilled physician, if they use them properly and apply needles to the correct points, can eliminate disease and even bring the dead back to life without even using medicine, saving people in moments of crisis."

At this moment, Lu Qing had completely memorized the entire "Acupuncture Point Theory."

Of course, he had only memorized it. It didn't mean he knew how to perform acupuncture on someone right now. He currently possessed nothing but theoretical knowledge, lacking even a shred of practical experience. If he were actually given a patient to needle, he didn't know if he could cure them, but he was certain he would end up hurting them.

To truly master this book, there was still much he needed to learn. However, just gaining this understanding made Lu Qing feel that the path of medicine was indeed extraordinary. Whether it was pharmacology or acupuncture, both were profound and complex, with knowledge so intricate that mastering either was no easy feat.

If not for his special ability, he wouldn't know how long it would take him to understand even the two medical books his master had given him.

Gently flipping through the pages, Lu Qing began to review the contents once more. Although he had already memorized the content, he still preferred the feeling of turning the pages.

In the twilight sun, Lu Qing continued reading. He didn't put the book away until the sun had set and the sky grew dark.

That night, Xiao Yan still did not wait for the little black beast she had been longing for. That little thing seemed to possess some special skill; it always appeared only after Xiao Yan had fallen asleep.

Sure enough, just as Lu Qing had tucked the little one into bed, he heard the familiar sound of scratching at the door from outside. He went to the kitchen, brought out the fresh live fish he had prepared earlier, and opened the door.

Then, he saw a black figure leap backward nimbly. It sat down elegantly with its two front paws pressed together, watching Lu Qing quietly, waiting for him to set the fish down.

"You, you're getting more and more casual," Lu Qing shook his head.

He set the fish down and took a few steps back. The little black beast immediately stepped forward and began to feast on the fish in the wooden basin.

Lu Qing simply watched it eat in silence, not disturbing it.

Compared to ten days ago, the little black beast's body had grown a little bit. Its attitude had also shifted from its original suspicion and vigilance to its current state, being able to face Lu Qing quite calmly. When eating, it no longer snatched a fish to hide away and come back for a second one after finishing; instead, it ate directly from the basin just as it was doing now.

Of course, although its attitude was much more peaceful, Lu Qing still couldn't get close to it, let alone touch it. But Lu Qing had never intended to touch the fellow. If this little thing suddenly got excited and gave him a claw, his hand would likely be ruined. He didn't believe his limbs were as hard as steel or stone. Not to mention, even if they were steel or stone, this fellow could tear through them. Therefore, every time he set the fish down, he stepped back to avoid accidentally provoking this little ancestor.

And every time the little black beast finished its fish, it would leave without lingering.

However, this time, something seemed different.

After finishing the fish, the little black beast turned to leave and jumped out of the fenced yard. Just as Lu Qing was about to go forward to collect the wooden basin, he saw its figure reappear before him.

"What, are you still hungry?" Lu Qing couldn't help but ask.

That shouldn't be right; he had added even more fish today than he had yesterday. Even if the little thing had grown a bit, its appetite shouldn't have increased this much all at once.

Hearing Lu Qing's words, a strange expression appeared in the little black beast's eyes. If Lu Qing had noticed, he would have seen that it seemed to be a look of contempt.

Unfortunately, Lu Qing did not notice, because his attention was drawn to something else.

"What are you carrying in your mouth?"

It turned out that the little black beast was currently carrying something in its mouth. The object appeared grayish-white, but Lu Qing couldn't see it clearly. The moonlight tonight was not bright; only a thin crescent moon hung in the sky.

The little black beast stepped forward, placed the object from its mouth on the ground, and then retreated a few steps.

"Is this for me?" Lu Qing was surprised.

The little black beast made no move, merely watching Lu Qing quietly. Lu Qing, however, understood its meaning—the object was indeed a gift for him.

"Is it really for me?"

Lu Qing was truly shocked this time. In all the time he had been feeding this little thing, this was the first time he had received a return gift.

"What is this?"

Lu Qing stepped forward and gently picked up the object. Once it was in his hands, his first judgment was that it seemed to be the rhizome of some plant. It had leaves at the top, many fine roots, and some soil clinging to it.

Under the faint moonlight, he began to examine the object in his hands. The more he looked, the wider his eyes grew. Having read the entire "Classic of a Hundred Herbs" until he could recite it backward, the more he looked, the more he felt the object in his hand resembled a certain medicinal herb.

"Could this be..."

Before the thought could fully form in Lu Qing's mind, his ability provided the answer. A hazy glow of supernatural light rose from the plant in his hands. Most importantly, this light was not purely white; within the white, there was a faint trace of red light.

[Ginseng: A precious medicinal herb, edible, non-toxic.]

[This ginseng has grown for a long time, appearing to be over a hundred years old.]

[Legend has it that ginseng possesses various miraculous effects. Ginseng of sufficient age even seems to possess spiritual abilities and can develop sentience.]

A hundred-year-old ginseng!

When he saw the information provided by his ability, Lu Qing's eyes instantly widened.