Artificially cultivated medicinal herbs are no different from naturally grown ones, and in essence, artificially cultivated ones are even better.
This is especially true for many fruits. Wild fruits can be bitter, astringent, and sour, tasting unpleasant or even unpalatable. However, after artificial cultivation, these once unpalatable fruits become sweet and delicious.
Furthermore, artificially cultivated medicinal herbs grow faster than wild ones, eliminating the need to wait for long periods to obtain them.
However, there is a drawback: they do not absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Regardless of how perfect the cultivated herbs are, their medicinal efficacy is far inferior to that of wild herbs, let alone rare treasures.
"Yilin, although heavenly and earthly treasures are scarce now, if one searches diligently, some can still be found..."
After a while, Ning Beichen spoke.
"I believe in your abilities, and if you want to find them, you will be able to find some. But a few medicinal herbs are like a drop in the ocean; they might only save a few people..."
Liu Yilin sighed.
Facing a vast number of cancer patients, even if Ning Beichen could find some heavenly and earthly treasures, how many people could they save?
"Regardless, you continue your research and think of other methods, and I will find ways to locate heavenly and earthly treasures. Saving a few people is better than doing nothing."
Ning Beichen said to Liu Yilin.
He wasn't skilled in research but could find things. This also aligned with his ongoing search for blessed lands.
"Alright, I will continue to think of other methods. The path ahead may not necessarily be a dead end. Remember, you forged a path when there seemed to be none. The road ahead might not be hopeless."
Liu Yilin clenched her fist, her confidence firming.
"Good, we will work together."
Seeing her renewed determination, Ning Beichen was also inspired.
Next, Ning Beichen gave an order to six transcendents, instructing them to fully search for specific heavenly and earthly treasures he designated.
Upon receiving Ning Beichen's command, the six transcendents dared not delay and immediately set out.
The worldly powers they controlled also began searching for heavenly and earthly treasures across the globe.
Indeed, with the help of these transcendents, within a few days, many heavenly and earthly treasures were found and delivered to him.
However, they were still far from Ning Beichen's requirements, as heavenly and earthly treasures are not things that can be acquired solely with money.
Famous and commonly used items like century-old ginseng or lingzhi could still be found in markets with some searching and expenditure. However, more obscure medicinal herbs were practically impossible to locate.
Yet, there was one crucial medicinal herb that Ning Beichen specifically requested, and traces of it had been found in the tropical Amazon rainforest.
The location was difficult to access and situated in dangerous areas, mostly frequented by no one. Few dared to risk their lives searching there.
Therefore, upon receiving this news, Ning Beichen decided to undertake the journey himself, as this herb was one of the most vital components in the cancer treatment drug Liu Yilin was developing.
Soon, Ning Beichen found himself in the Amazon rainforest, accompanied by a local guide.
Their destination was a place called Devil's Gulch. The name itself spoke volumes; it was no pleasant location.
Locals claimed devils resided there, and anyone who entered never returned alive.
While there might have been some exaggeration, it was a place no one dared to enter.
The reason was simple: most who entered perished.
Those who managed to escape often returned insane and did not live long. The tales of devils originated from these delirious individuals.
Over time, Devil's Gulch became a place no one dared to tread.
However, Ning Beichen did not believe in devils. Even if they existed, he would deal with them.
Moreover, under generous rewards, brave souls emerge. With sufficient compensation, people would take risks. Thus, the guide accompanying Ning Beichen was someone who feared no death.
But upon reaching the outskirts of Devil's Gulch, the guide became terrified. He refused to enter, constantly urging Ning Beichen to turn back.
Ning Beichen did not force him, entering Devil's Gulch alone and leaving the guide to wait outside.
Devil's Gulch was a vast, ravine-like rainforest, with eighty percent of its area being swamp. Entering carelessly could lead to one being swallowed by the swamp, likely one of the reasons few ventured there.
However, for Ning Beichen, this was not a problem. Swamps or solid ground were the same under his feet.
The only difference was the greater number of crocodiles in the swamp, though Ning Beichen had already subdued and prepared some of them for consumption.
The herb he was seeking was called Bone-Rot Flower.
Bone-Rot Flower had stringent requirements for its growth environment. This medicinal herb had almost vanished in ancient Eastern countries, forcing Ning Beichen to search in the Amazon rainforest.
Although there were reports of its presence here, and some elderly indigenous people had confidently spoken of this "devil flower," Ning Beichen was unsure if it truly existed or not. He had to see for himself.
Ning Beichen had been searching Devil's Gulch for two hours without finding any trace of the Bone-Rot Flower.
However, Devil's Gulch was immense, filled with towering trees and various plants, and the swampy ground underfoot slowed his progress considerably.
Finding heavenly and earthly treasures was not about speed but about meticulousness and patience.
He had arrived in the afternoon, and after more than two hours of searching, night fell.
Ning Beichen had no intention of leaving and planned to spend the night there before continuing his search the next day.
Leaving now and returning tomorrow would waste a significant amount of time.
Since he was alone and the weather seemed fine, Ning Beichen didn't even bother to set up shelter, finding a place to rest for the night.
He built a campfire and began roasting the crocodile meat he had obtained during the day. Soon, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
However, Ning Beichen had forgotten that this was a haven for countless ferocious animals. The scent immediately stirred the predatory instincts of the carnivores in the area.