There are two sayings circulating among the common folk: Snake's Tongue Grass is hard to find, and a thousand-year-old ginseng is a rare treasure. To be honest, Cheng Xiaofan didn't believe that a thousand-year-old ginseng could still exist in this day and age.
Evidently, Long Xiaotian saw the doubt in Cheng Xiaofan's eyes. He quickly opened the brocade box and presented it before him, saying with a fawning expression, "Master, please examine it carefully!"
For a descendant of Shennong, a single glance at a ginseng root would reveal its authenticity and age, rendering a detailed examination unnecessary.
When Cheng Xiaofan's gaze fell upon the ginseng root, nearly a foot long, he was immediately astonished.
A thick, ineffable spiritual energy enveloped the ginseng root, and waves of medicinal fragrance assailed his senses.
This kind of spiritual energy and medicinal fragrance was imperceptible to ordinary people.
However, nothing escaped Cheng Xiaofan's eyes and sense of smell.
From the horizontal rings on the root, he could tell at a glance that this was indeed a thousand-year-old ginseng.
"This ginseng root is acceptable!"
Despite his inner jubilation, Cheng Xiaofan maintained a calm demeanor in front of the grandfather and grandson, nodding indifferently. "I can accept this!"
"Thank you, Master!"
The grandfather and grandson said emotionally.
Immediately, Long Xiaotian took out a check and presented it, respectfully saying, "Master, please accept this check for one billion yuan. It is a token of our sincerity, my grandson and I. We hope you will not refuse!"
One billion yuan!
What a generous gesture!
These wealthy individuals from prominent families were indeed extraordinary, so lavish with their offerings!
However, Cheng Xiaofan was also well aware that the Qian family had been ostracized from the prominent families in the north. This money was likely their entire fortune.
He responded swiftly!
"Vulgar. Take the check back!"
Cheng Xiaofan's expression darkened slightly. "Since I am willing to accept you two as disciples, it is not something that can be measured by mere money!"
"In the days to come, I require your absolute loyalty!"
"Yes, Master, your disciple understands!"
The grandfather and grandson immediately knelt on the ground, swearing to the heavens, "If either of us is ever disloyal to Master, may we be struck by heavenly lightning and die a terrible death!"
"Enough. I do not require you to take such a poisonous oath!"
Cheng Xiaofan waved his hand. "If either of you goes against my will, I myself will come and cripple your cultivation!"
His tone was casual, yet it exuded a rampant aura that surged outwards.
In the presence of these practitioners of ancient martial arts, Cheng Xiaofan felt no need for politeness; he said whatever came to his mind.
"Master, your humble disciple understands!" The grandfather and grandson instantly felt a bone-chilling coldness envelop them, prostrating themselves on the ground and speaking in unison.
Cheng Xiaofan lightly waved his hand. "The purpose of your visit has now been accomplished. You may withdraw."
"Master has other matters to attend to and will not be keeping you for lunch!"
"Thank you, Master!"
The two hurriedly scrambled to their feet, bowed, and cautiously retreated towards the door.
As they descended the pavilion, Cheng Xiaofan also emerged.
"Potian Ying!"
With Cheng Xiaofan's shout, Potian Ying let out a chirp and descended from the sky, landing at its master's feet. Cheng Xiaofan shifted his leg and mounted it.
"Chirp!"
Potian Ying let out a piercing shriek and soared into the sky, carrying Cheng Xiaofan.
Long Xingyun and Long Xiaotian had only seen footage of Cheng Xiaofan flying with an eagle on video. Now, witnessing this miraculous scene with their own eyes, they were utterly astounded.
*Thump!*
The grandfather and grandson seemed to have developed a case of weak knees, collapsing to the ground once more, continuously prostrating themselves towards the sky.
"Master, you finally understand what a true immortal is!"
"Master, after today's encounter, I realize how insignificant I am!"
Only after Cheng Xiaofan and Potian Ying had vanished into the sky did the two rise from the ground and hurry towards their car parked at the foot of the hill.
Cheng Xiaofan circled in the air, and upon noticing that the grandfather and grandson had departed, he returned.
This method of seeing guests off was direct and served to exert a certain psychological deterrence.
At that moment, even Cheng Xiaofan felt his actions might have been a bit ungracious.
Wasn't it a bit of a loss not to accept the billion yuan they offered?
It was practically the act of a fool!
"Xiaofan, are that old man and young man truly your disciples?" Luo Yang asked as he walked over.
Feng Xiagua chimed in, "Xiao Yang, don't you think that old man and young man have some mental issues? When they were going down the mountain earlier, they were muttering to themselves, crying and laughing intermittently!"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled. "How could I possibly accept these two as disciples!"
"They are grandfather and grandson. They saw some videos I posted and insisted on becoming my disciples. I realized they were both mentally unwell. After much persuasion, I finally managed to send them away!"
Feng Xiagua clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Haha, people with mental problems actually want to become disciples? Their condition must be quite severe!"
Luo Yang, however, frowned. "Xiaofan, can mentally ill people drive? Won't that be dangerous?"
Cheng Xiaofan grinned as he spoke casually, "These two mentally ill individuals are different from the usual patients. Once they start driving, they become normal and there won't be any accidents!"
Luo Yang and Feng Xiagua were dumbfounded upon hearing this, finding it a truly strange phenomenon that such mentally ill patients existed in the world!
After engaging in some idle chatter with them, Cheng Xiaofan returned to the pavilion.
He picked up the brocade box, took out the ginseng root, and examined it once more.
This was indeed a rare and precious thousand-year-old ginseng. What was even more remarkable were the layers of spiritual energy enveloping it.
Although the spiritual power in his spatial realm could cultivate ginseng fruit, and he could refine energy pills and water from that fruit, their medicinal efficacy was still difficult to match with genuine superior wild ginseng.
Judging by the spiritual energy covering this ginseng, if he were lucky and transplanted it into his spatial realm, it might be revived.
With this thought, Cheng Xiaofan immediately entered the Shennong space.
He took a separate pot, filled it with soil, and planted the ginseng root inside.
Whether it could be revived was just an experiment. In any case, within this space filled with spiritual energy, this thousand-year-old ginseng would not be harmed.
If it could be revived, it would be wonderful. Then, Cheng Xiaofan could obtain ginseng seeds from this thousand-year-old root.
The genetic makeup of thousand-year-old ginseng seeds was fundamentally different from those of ordinary wild ginseng seeds. Therefore, the ginseng grown from them would possess immensely powerful restorative properties.
Fearing that the spiritual energy in his spatial realm might not be enough to revive the thousand-year-old ginseng, Cheng Xiaofan extended his right hand and infused a wisp of spiritual energy containing dragon power into the soil of the potted ginseng.
"I hope to see new greenery sprout from this pot tomorrow!"
He silently controlled the thousand-year-old ginseng in the pot with his thoughts.