"The scent of the Insect Eye Fragrance is the most unique."

Li Xu leaned in and sniffed. It was a sweet aroma, a mixture of earthy fragrance and something like fermented fruit wine. "The insects’ secretions mix with the Agarwood resin. After a long period of oxidation and mellowing, it creates a unique chemical reaction."

"That’s right."

Old Zhang picked up the thread, sharing his experience with the expertise of a connoisseur. "Anyone who knows fragrances is aware that top-grade Agarwood is divided into three types. First is ’raw knot,’ like Qing Gui, Ji She, and Oil Knot lines. Second is ’insect-hollowed,’ which includes insect-hollowed resin and insect-hollowed paste. Third is ’ripe knot’ fragrance, such as Golden Thread Knot, ’sugar knot,’ ’honey knot,’ and so on."

"Although the formation of this tree root is very similar to insect-hollowed Agarwood, in terms of quality, it’s still a bit lacking compared to the real deal."

Old Zhang said with some regret, "The conditions for forming true insect-hollowed Agarwood are incredibly strict. Not only does the tree have to be old enough and the environment special enough, but it also requires the cooperation of specific insects."

"For example, in the rainforests near Nha Trang, Vietnam, the climate is humid and there are many ants and bees, making it the easiest place to produce top-grade pieces. Once a fragrance like that appears on the market, it commands a sky-high price. Selling it by the gram would be considered a bargain."

As he spoke, Old Zhang walked over to a safe in the back, entered the password, and carefully took out a small box lined with yellow satin.

Inside the box lay a palm-sized piece of black Agarwood. Its texture looked somewhat soft and waxy, and its surface had irregular horizontal stripes and S-shaped resin lines.

"Take a look at this piece."

Old Zhang handed the box to Li Xu. "This is a typical ’ripe knot’ Agarwood. Look at its oiliness—it permeates from the inside out, the exact opposite of ordinary Agarwood, which forms from the outside in. This is why the fragrance of this variety of Agarwood is so much more penetrating."

Li Xu took it and had a look.

’It really is a fine piece.’

It was warm and smooth in his hand, feeling less like wood and more like a piece of soft jade.

A gentle pinch could even leave a nail mark, but it would quickly spring back.

"This variety of Agarwood has a soft texture and is very sticky. In the past, amateurs who didn’t know better would try to carve it into beads, only to get their blades gummed up with resin. Not only was it a waste of material, but the finished products weren’t durable. That’s why connoisseurs now collect whole pieces or have them made into naturally shaped ornaments."

Old Zhang gestured with his hands to form a number. "This piece is of upper-mid grade quality. Last year, someone offered eight hundred thousand for it, but I couldn’t part with it. At current market rates, it’s probably worth a million, no problem."

Li Xu leaned in and sniffed.

The initial note was a cool, minty scent, followed by a hint of sweetness, like holding a mouthful of fine honey. The finish was a faint, milky aroma.

"’Raw knot’ fragrances are cool and sweet, some even have a scent like baked cake. ’Honey knot’ fragrances have a malty, milky smell. ’Insect-hollowed’ fragrances are the most complex—they can smell like roasted sweet potatoes, red date syrup, or even coconut milk. The variations are endless."

At this point, Old Zhang suddenly gave a mysterious smile. "Dr. Li, since you’re here, today I’ll let you see the pride of my life, my most treasured possession—Thunderstruck Agarwood."

"Thunderstruck Agarwood?"

This time, Li Xu was truly astonished.

The formation of Agarwood is already a rare event, and this specific variety is one in ten thousand.

For a tree to not only produce this kind of Agarwood but also survive a lightning strike and even form a second layer of resin because of it—the odds are lower than winning the lottery grand prize.

It’s truly one in a million.

Old Zhang walked to the innermost safe, solemnly entered three separate passwords, and then used two different keys to open the door.

He put on a pair of white gloves and, as if cradling a newborn baby, took out a Rosewood box.

He opened the lid. A piece of black Agarwood, about seven or eight centimeters long and two or three centimeters wide, lay quietly inside.

Its surface was charred black like charcoal, and in some places, you could even see traces of high-temperature carbonization.

But beneath the scorched exterior, an extremely rich, oily luster faintly shone through, as if a fire were burning within.

"This is my life’s treasure—the Full Oil Thunderstruck Agarwood Fragrance."

Old Zhang held the box, his tone filled with ultimate pride.

"That year, I went into the mountains to collect fragrances. On my way back, I was caught in a storm and took shelter in a cave. After the rain stopped, I found an old Agarwood tree near the cave entrance that had been split in half by lightning. The tree was charred, but on a whim, I dug into its core and discovered this piece."

"Take a sniff. The scent... it’s absolutely divine."

Li Xu carefully took the box and took a deep breath.

An incredibly potent fragrance shot straight to the crown of his head.

It still had the characteristic coolness and sweetness of this type of Agarwood, but mixed within was a faint, almost imperceptible scorched scent.

But this scorched smell wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary, it was like a stroke of genius, injecting a masculine energy into the otherwise gentle aroma—a sense of rebirth after surviving a great tribulation.

"A fine fragrance."

Li Xu praised sincerely, "After a lightning strike, it’s difficult for a tree to heal itself, so it secretes resin frantically. Moreover, lightning is Pure Yang. This piece of fragrance contains an extremely strong Yang Qi. It truly is the best of the best."

Chen Hui, standing to the side, was also stunned by the scent and couldn’t help but ask, "Old Zhang, how much would a piece like this sell for?"

Old Zhang shook his head, carefully placing the Agarwood back in the safe, his eyes firm. "It’s not for sale. Not for any price."

"I’ve spent my life in the fragrance trade and have earned enough money. This piece is my memento, a fateful gift from the heavens. I doubt I’ll ever encounter a better fragrance in this lifetime. It’s a family heirloom. I’ll never sell it."

But then, he changed his tune. "However, Dr. Li, you came to Guangxi this time to find medicine for President Wang’s daughter, right? If this fragrance can save that child’s life, I won’t hesitate for a second. I’ll gladly offer it up."

He was a man who believed in repaying his debts of gratitude.

If President Wang hadn’t helped him back then, he’d still be fishing on the river, not sitting on a fortune of tens of millions.

Li Xu analyzed it in his mind.

’Thunderstruck Agarwood contains the essence of lightning and fire, making it exceptionally effective at expelling evil and bolstering the righteous.’

’If used to treat ordinary ailments of a cold and yin nature, or even Zhao Qingya’s depression, this piece would be more than enough.’

’But...’

’Zhao Qingya’s condition is too unique.’

’It’s a terminal illness that even the Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles can barely seal.’

’It’s a dead end that can only be broken with the help of Ten Thousand Year Agarwood.’

’This piece of Thunderstruck Agarwood is excellent, but it isn’t old enough and lacks sufficient spiritual energy.’

’Using it might alleviate her symptoms, but it definitely won’t cure her. It might even cause the entire effort to fail at the last moment due to insufficient medicinal power.’

In the end, Li Xu shook his head and smiled faintly. "Old Zhang, this fragrance is indeed a rare treasure, but it’s not enough."

"Not enough?" Old Zhang’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Dr. Li, I’m not just bragging, but I’d dare say that in all of Yulin, or even all of Guangxi, very few people have a better piece than this. This is Thunderstruck Agarwood!"

Li Xu revealed a small hint. "What I’m looking for is something even older and purer than this."

Old Zhang looked at Li Xu’s confident expression, opened his mouth, but ultimately didn’t argue.

But deep down, he was still a little unconvinced.

’Better than Thunderstruck Agarwood?’

’What could that possibly be?’

’Ten-thousand-year-old Agarwood?’

’No...’

’Even Ten-thousand-year-old Agarwood couldn’t compare to his Thunderstruck Agarwood.’

’This was the most prized variety, after all.’

’Unless... unless it was Ten Thousand Year Old Agarwood. Only that could be better than his Thunderstruck Agarwood.’

’But Ten Thousand Year Old Agarwood... that went extinct long ago, didn’t it?’