Chapter 103: Collecting the Spiritual Elixir
Chapter 103: Collecting the Spiritual Elixir
For instance, these spiritual elixirs can be likened to the extremely rare millennium ginseng and millennium Tai Sui, which are things that have formed through the accumulation of time and are exceptionally rare in the world.
The efficacy of millennium ginseng and ten-thousand-year ginseng has long been familiar to humans. These aged medicinal herbs are no longer considered ordinary herbs; they can be deemed as "spiritual medicines."
In ancient China, millennium ginseng was typically used for extending a person's life. In other words, the life force contained in such highly-aged ginseng is extremely potent.
However, according to Wu Hao's research, the spiritual elixirs he brought back from the underground space in Shenlongjia, while also containing a strong life force like aged ginseng, are even more potent.
There are significant differences between them, though. It's widely known that if one consumes too much aged ginseng at once, it can lead to excess, resulting in symptoms such as excessive body heat and bleeding. In severe cases, it could even be fatal.
In other words, while ginseng and similar herbs possess strong life forces, they can be somewhat aggressive and are not easily absorbed and utilized by humans.
In contrast, these spiritual elixirs, despite having an even stronger life force than ginseng, don't have these side effects. They can be rapidly and effectively absorbed by organisms and can change their constitution from the moment of consumption until their effects are completely absorbed.
Considering just this aspect, it's difficult to estimate the value of these spiritual elixirs. To put it bluntly, if Wu Hao were to auction these elixirs and let top-tier billionaires know about their effects, some of them might agree to pay him half of their wealth or even more without hesitation.
After all, this is something that can extend one's life. For those who are truly wealthy, money is just a pile of paper and numbers. With their abilities and resources, even if their assets shrink by half, they could earn it back in a few years.
However, Wu Hao is definitely not going to make these elixirs public. While there isn't much money in his bank account at the moment, he can easily acquire money in various ways. So, he's not short of money. He intends to keep these elixirs for himself and his family since they form so slowly.
Moreover, Wu Hao knows almost nothing about the composition and effects of these elixirs, except that they contain a powerful and side-effect-free life force.
That evening, Wu Hao prepared a specially designed, self-sealing, and long-term storage suitcase for the elixirs and left the base quietly through a concealed passage.
This suitcase, designed to store the elixirs, was crafted by Wu Hao based on his research on the elixirs' preservation methods from the previous night. It wasn't particularly large, roughly the size of the largest laptops available, but it was significantly thicker. It exuded a high-tech and upscale appearance, giving the impression of a specialized security case used in movies to store genetic medications and biochemical weapons.
Of course, Wu Hao's briefcase also required a password for recognition to open. Additionally, it had an internal storage system similar to a cold storage unit.
However, this briefcase was just temporary. After Wu Hao retrieved the elixirs from the underground caves in the Qinling Mountains, he would bring a small amount back home for his parents and family to use. The rest would be stored in specialized containers within his newly constructed genetic research lab.
Flying at low altitudes and speeds from the Qinling Base, Wu Hao arrived at the Shenlong Framework in just a few hours. Having been here once before, Wu Hao was very familiar with the route. It took him only a few minutes to reach the underground space.
Upon entering the underground space, the scattered apemen and their leader, the old, yellow-furred ape, instantly noticed Wu Hao's arrival.
Approaching the old ape, Wu Hao said, "Chieftain Dam, I've come to collect the sacred water this time!"
"Great Divine Envoy, please follow me," the old ape said in its whirring language. Thanks to the memories he had acquired from them, Wu Hao could understand what it meant.
Wu Hao knew that these apemen held this underground space and the elixirs in high regard. Every time they collected the elixirs, they gathered all the apemen and conducted unique worship ceremonies according to their customs.
Understanding this, Wu Hao had no intention of changing anything. He didn't want to disrupt anything in this underground cave, especially since the formation of these elixirs was likely closely related to this space.
This underground cave was constantly illuminated like daylight, and many plants grew here. More strangely, it had a special magnetic field that shielded all magnetic signal interference. Even before entering the core area of the underground space, Wu Hao could sense that his mental perception was somewhat restricted. Upon entering the tunnel, this restriction became even more evident.
After spending over an hour participating in the apes' rituals, conducted under the watchful gaze of the old ape and the other apes, Wu Hao finally collected the remaining elixirs into specially prepared transparent containers. He then placed these containers inside a briefcase equipped with refrigeration capabilities.
Throughout the ceremony, Wu Hao cooperated and didn't display any signs of dissatisfaction. Although the rituals were complex and cumbersome, they were part of the apes' customs. Wu Hao respected their traditions.
In his view, these apes had spent years living in this enclosed underground space with limited mobility. Despite the beautiful environment and comfortable living conditions, they had adapted to a life in confinement. Thus, Wu Hao understood the necessity of these rituals.
"Chieftain Dam, I've collected the sacred water this time, and everything here still requires you and your people to continue guarding it. From now on, I will come back periodically. The next time I visit, I'll bring delicious food for your people," Wu Hao said to the old ape while holding the briefcase.
Before coming this time, Wu Hao had considered doing something for these apes. After all, generation after generation, they had been living in this underground space, safeguarding these precious elixirs. Moreover, the fact that they obeyed him so readily hinted at some historical order from an individual or organization, instructing them to stay here and protect the elixirs.