The cave was about a hundred square meters. The cave walls were relatively smooth, as if someone had flattened them. On the ground were piles of weathered wood shavings, and there were also many wood shavings near the entrance. This was likely the furniture of the little pine's owner, which had weathered away over hundreds of years, including the door at the entrance.
The two of them explored two other caves. The left cave also only contained weathered wood shavings, while the right cave had a stone stove that had collapsed. Both of these caves were about a hundred square meters.
There was nothing left.
Tian Jing was very disappointed. It was also understandable that so much time had passed, and they were at such a high altitude. The biting north wind blew, and apart from rocks, everything had been blown away. She truly wondered what this physician was thinking, to live alone here until old age.
Li Zhengguo gently squeezed the small hand in his, "There is, at least he left behind Little Pine."
"Right." Tian Jing agreed. Little Pine was considered the physician's best experimental subject. A pine tree that had grown up being watered with medicinal juice. She became curious about the liquid in the enamel mug.
"Let me see the juice, what is so special about it."
Li Zhengguo took out the enamel mug from his backpack. Seeing the viscous juice, Tian Jing seemed to see the liquid from the crystal cores of mutated plants.
"I'll take a sip."
Li Zhengguo was startled, "Can you drink it? Didn't Little Pine say this was for treating wounds?"
"It said it's for treating wounds, which doesn't mean it can't be taken internally. Unless it's a poisonous plant, the essence of plants can be used both internally and externally."
"But, this..."
"I think this is a bit like the liquid from the crystal cores of mutated plants. If the effect is the same, I can use this to upgrade."
Tian Jing's words made Li Zhengguo stop dissuading her, "Then try a small amount first."
"Okay, I'll drink a sip first, and then I'll know."
Tian Jing took the enamel mug and drank. As soon as the juice entered her mouth, she felt a pure wood element energy. "My guess was correct. I'm going to cultivate."
"Go into the cave; it's windy here."
"Okay."
With direct wood element energy, no conversion or compression was needed, just stacking. Tian Jing's abilities quickly advanced to Level Three Intermediate, then Advanced.
As she was about to drink more to continue upgrading, she saw that there was only a little juice left in the enamel mug, not enough for a mouthful. The further along, the more energy was required. Fine, she would leave this little bit and test the medicinal effect Little Pine mentioned.
In the future, she could slowly build up her strength with ginseng essence, or continue cultivating if she encountered essences like Little Pine's.
As for Level Four, it was probably hopeless. Level Four was a watershed, requiring too much energy. Fortunately, in this world, Level Three Advanced was sufficient.
Moreover, her energy shield could act as bulletproof clothing in critical moments, protecting her from head to toe. This was a harmonious society, and she would protect herself with the law. If that didn't work, then she would resort to force.
Putting aside her disappointment, Tian Jing opened her eyes.
"Tiantiantian, are you alright?" Li Zhengguo sensed Tian Jing's emotions.
"I'm fine. I've advanced two levels, to Level Three Advanced. Level Four is probably unlikely. I was just a little disappointed, but I quickly got over it. This isn't the apocalypse, and my combat power is sufficient."
Li Zhengguo held Tian Jing's hand, "As long as you're alright, nothing else matters. I'm here."
"Mhm, let's go down the mountain to see that pack of wolves and try the effect of this juice."
Li Zhengguo didn't care how Tian Jing planned to try it; he would accompany her.
They had wasted a lot of time on Eagle's Beak. When they descended, the two of them found that the pack of wolves was still waiting.
"Alright, given how well-behaved you are, I won't bully you. Just obediently send out a wolf, and let me test the medicine."
Li Zhengguo even nodded in agreement with Tian Jing's words. His Tiantiantian wasn't bullying these wolves, just letting them volunteer as experimental subjects.
"Awoooo~" The wolf king let out a soft howl and walked out on its own.
The pack of wolves let out low growls at Tian Jing, as if a warning.
"I'll do it."
Li Zhengguo picked up the chopping knife, intending to help. Tian Jing quickly stopped him, "I'll do it. Wolves hold grudges, and since you didn't subdue it, the wolf king won't agree to you cutting it."
Looking at the wolf king's fierce eyes, Li Zhengguo was eager to try.
"Next time, if there's enough time, you can have a match with this wolf. There's not enough time today, and Grandma will worry."
Li Zhengguo looked up at the sun, which was already leaning west, "Alright, then be quick."
Tian Jing picked up the chopping knife and made a cut on the wolf king's front paw, which was lying obediently in front of her. She used a branch to drip a drop of juice onto the wound. The inch-long wound healed visibly.
A few minutes later, only a faint trace remained.
She turned to Li Zhengguo, "This is too heaven-defying? Then this thing cannot be revealed. If I had known the medicinal effect was this good, I would have used less."
Li Zhengguo reached out and touched her face, "No matter how good something is, it's not as important as your needs. And who knows if the medicinal effect will diminish if this thing is kept for too long? If you really need it, you can discuss it with Little Pine."
"Then, where should this thing be kept?"
"It won't be safe anywhere. Let's put it in another container and bury it in the dense forest for now."
"Alright."
Tian Jing handed the enamel mug to Li Zhengguo and said to the wolf king, "I want half of this valley, and I want a clean hot spring pool."
The wolf king's eyes finally shifted from the enamel mug. It stood up and walked towards the pack of wolves, looking back at Tian Jing.
Tian Jing pulled Li Zhengguo along.
After passing the largest pond, the wolf king stopped with its pack.
"You mean, everything on the other side of the pond is mine?"
"Awooo."
"Then you'd better warn your subjects not to cross the boundary. The hot spring pools on this side are all mine."
"Awooo~" The wolf king led its pack and turned to run away.
Tian Jing watched the direction they ran, which was towards the mountain they had just come from. On the mountainside, there were several large caves.
She looked back at her side. There were three pools, about ten square meters each, steaming. Miscellaneous shrubs grew on the green grass. On the mountainside belonging to her, there were no caves.
"I've been tricked."
Tian Jing's words made Li Zhengguo hug her and laugh, "Wolves are naturally cunning animals. I plan to renovate the caves on Eagle's Beak to serve as our base."
"Let's dig out these three pools and build walls with stones to make bathrooms. The grassland here is more extensive than the wolves' side. I'll clear it and plant some grain. Don't you want to use your abilities to grow grain? Here, you can do as you please."
Tian Jing leaned against his chest, "You take your time. Clearing the grass can also be done slowly. First, let's renovate the caves and the hot springs."
"Okay, I'll bring Chen Suozhu to make furniture and cave doors first."
"Here." Tian Jing leaned on him, raised her hand and drew a circle around half of this valley, "This will be our secret base. In the future, if there's a major event, it can serve as a shelter."
Although the next few decades would be very peaceful, Li Zhengguo still agreed to Tiantiantian's request. He knew that Tiantiantian, who had been through the apocalypse, wanted a stable rear base.
"Okay, I'll prepare two more beds. If that day ever comes, my mother and Minmin can also come to take refuge."