Mo Wenjie led Huang Ling'er, Jiang Yurou, Xiao Yawen, Ding Yan, Tuobaying, and Qin Xiaodie to continue their exploration. Suddenly, there was a dazzling light ahead with colorful displays that were too dazzling to look away. Mo Wenjie also found it very strange. What treasures could be hidden ahead?
Mo Wenjie was full of curiosity and flew ahead first toward the light. The women followed closely. When they got closer to the source of the light, they discovered a giant spirit tree, which was hung with fruits that flashed with mysterious lights.
"This must be the legendary Starlight Fruit? It's said that eating it can increase one's cultivation for a century," Huang Ling'er exclaimed.
Just as Mo Wenjie was about to reach out and pick the fruit, the surrounding space suddenly twisted. A giant guardian beast appeared. It exuded powerful pressure and roared, "You dare to covet the holy tree's fruit."
Mo Wenjie composed himself and said, "We have no ill intent, we just happened to come here."
Mo Wenjie calmed down and said, "We have no ill intent; we are here by accident."
The guardian beast did not listen to the explanation and directly launched an attack. Mo Wenjie clasped his hands and formed a spiritual energy shield that deflected the attack. Then he vanished from his form, charging at the guardian beast, and engaging in combat with it. The women also cast spells one after another to assist Mo Wenjie. For a moment, spiritual energy fluctuations spread everywhere. Mo Wenjie saw his chance and unleashed his most powerful strike, hitting the guardian beast's vulnerable spot. After being injured, the guardian beast transformed into a beam of light and disappeared. The crowd took a deep breath, looking at the spirit tree again with anticipation in their eyes.
Seeing this, Mo Wenjie was about to reach out and pick the Starlight Fruit from the spirit tree, but suddenly a ray of golden light blocked him. Mo Wenjie hurriedly retreated. A white-haired elder appeared in the sky, looking at Mo Wenjie and shaking his head. "This Starlight Fruit is not something you can touch. It is the main ingredient for concocting the Dragon Roar and Phoenix Sing Pill. You should know how precious it is, right?"
Mo Wenjie bowed with respect and said, "Senior, the junior indeed knows the value of this fruit. But we came to take risks and experience. If we can get this fruit to enhance our strength, we will certainly do more good deeds in the future. Please Senior favor us." The elderly man with white hair snorted in cold laughter: "Hmph, don't use such words to fool me. This Starlight Fruit is rare in the world, and I have waited for years to refine it into a pill that saves people's lives."
Mo Wenjie showed a look of hesitation. Huang Ling'er stepped forward beside him, "Senior, may we know who it is you wish to save? If it's meant to be, perhaps we can help as well." The elder paused slightly, sizing up Huang Ling'er: "The person I wish to save was severely injured by evil people, with their soul damaged. Only the Dragon Roar Phoenix Cry Pill can restore their soul."
Mo Wenjie pondered for a moment and said, "Senior, although our cultivation is still shallow, perhaps we can work together to find alternative herbs to replace the Starlight Fruit." The elder listened and his eyes showed a hint of relaxation: "Do you really have such a heart?" Mo Wenjie nodded firmly.
The elder sighed and said, "Well, seeing your sincere hearts, I'll give you a chance. If you can find a substitute, I'll give the Starlight Fruit to you." The group exchanged glances and said in unison, "Thank you very much, senior!"
Mo Wenjie looked at everyone and said: "The herbs that can substitute for the Starlight Fruit are Withering Soul Grass and the Seven Souls Flower. Although they are not as precious as the Starlight Fruit, they are also not easy to find. Let's split up to look for them now. I'll draw pictures of the Withering Soul Grass and the Seven Souls Flower. You will be paired up in twos, forming four groups. Huang Ling'er and Qin Xiaodie will go eastward together, Jiang Yurou and Xiao Yawen will go westward together, Ding Yan and Tuobaying will go southward together, and I'll go northward. Whichever group finds anything, pass on the message to others. Let's start splitting up now!"
Mo Wenjie walked alone northward, carefully searching for the trace of Withering Soul Grass and the Seven Souls Flower. He delved into the mountains, with only his footsteps echoing in the silence around him.
On the other side, Huang Ling'er and Qin Xiaodie followed the path on the east, constantly searching. Suddenly, Qin Xiaodie pointed to a secluded corner and shouted, "Sister Ling'er, look over there!" There were several Seven Souls Flowers that emitted an ethereal glow. Huang Ling'er was overjoyed and quickly took out a message talisman to inform everyone else.
After receiving the message, the other three groups hurried to Huang Ling'er and her companions. The group gathered in front of the Seven Souls Flowers, their faces alight with joy. At this moment, Mo Wenjie suggested, "Since we've found the Seven Souls Flower, let's also look for the Withering Soul Grass together. Maybe we'll find it quickly as well." Everyone nodded in agreement. They then scattered again to search for the Withering Soul Grass around this area. Eventually, through their collective efforts, they successfully found the Withering Soul Grass as well. With both herbs in hand, they returned to find the white-haired elder. The elder saw the herbs and smiled with satisfaction, handing over the Starlight Fruit as agreed and praising their spirit of unity.
Mo Wenjie looked at the Starlight Fruit and began to worry. Although they had the Starlight Fruit, to create the Dragon Roar Phoenix Cry Pill, they still needed many thousands of years of rare medicinal herbs. Without other thousands of years of medicinal herbs, this Starlight Fruit would be useless!
Mo Wenjie was about to frown when Jiang Yurou suddenly lit up and said, "I've heard that there is a mysterious place deep in the Mist Forest where many rare herbs from thousands of years ago may be hidden. However, it's full of danger and strong restrictions." Mo Wenjie's eyes hardened after hearing this: "I will try no matter what." After discussion, they decided to go to the Mist Forest. Once inside the forest, they encountered various traps and attacks from demons. But with their own cultivation skills, they managed to avoid danger after danger. Finally, they arrived at the legendary mysterious place as described, but a huge restriction blocked their way. Just when everyone was at a loss for what to do, Tuobaying discovered ancient runes etched on the restriction. Mo Wenjie was proficient in rune arts and after some research, he cracked some of the runes, creating an opening in the restriction. The group rushed in and indeed found many rare herbs from thousands of years ago growing inside. Just as they were excitedly picking them, a protective spirit beast suddenly appeared.
The group had no choice but to join forces again to combat the spirit beast. Mo Wenjie unleashed his strongest spell to distract the beast, hoping that the others would take advantage of the opportunity to gather enough medicinal herbs. However, as expected, once they separated, Mo Wenjie was no match for the spirit beast, and they had to join forces once more to hold it back, which gave Mo Wenjie a headache! What should we do now?
As the group listened, Mo Wenjie quickly thought of a plan. Suddenly, a spark of insight lit up in his mind. He turned to the group and shouted, "We can set up a five-element Mystic Trace Array to temporarily confine the spirit beast." The group heard this immediately and followed Mo Wenjie's instructions, positioning themselves according to the directions he provided. The five elements' powers intertwined, forming a glowing array that trapped the spirit beast within it.
The spirit beast, trapped and roaring in anger, continuously crashed into the array. Taking this opportunity, Mo Wenjie clasped his hands and muttered incantations, sending a strange power towards the land around the herbs. The herbs seemed to be called by some power, uprooted themselves slowly and floated towards the group's location.
But at that moment, the spirit beast suddenly unleashed a powerful surge of energy and broke through the five-element Mystic Trace Array. Mo Wenjie shouted, "Hurry up!" The group quickly ran towards the exit with the herbs they had collected. The spirit beast relentlessly chased after them, and it seemed like it was going to catch up soon. Jiang Yurou threw out a magical artifact, which instantly transformed into a light curtain blocking the spirit beast. Taking this opportunity, the group successfully escaped from the mysterious place, although somewhat disheveled, but at least they had gathered enough herbs.
Just as Mo Wenjie and his group managed to escape the pursuit of the spirit beast, a young woman blocked their path. "Who are you people? Why do you steal my medicinal herbs from my garden? Don't you fear being caught?" she asked.
Mo Wenjie quickly approached and explained, "Miss has misunderstood us. We did not intend to steal; we are in urgent need of herbs to save someone." The girl looked them over, still harboring doubts in her eyes: "Humph, who knows if you're making up an excuse?" At this point, Jiang Yurou stepped forward and handed the girl a crystal clear spiritual pearl: "Miss, this spiritual pearl is compensation. We truly have an emergency." The girl took the spiritual pearl and her expression slightly softened: "Seeing as this spiritual pearl has some value, I will temporarily believe you. However, these medicinal herbs here were cultivated with great care by me. If you are truly in need, you should come to me first to discuss it." Mo Wenjie quickly apologized and expressed his gratitude. The girl looked at the medicinal herbs they held once more and suddenly brightened up: "Wait a moment! The medicinal herb you've collected has a companion herb next to it that is extremely useful to me. If you are willing to give me that companion herb, today's matter will be set aside." Mo Wenjie and the others listened and exchanged glances; they didn't know what the companion herb was used for but decided to hand it over to avoid any trouble.
Mo Wenjie looked at the girl and pondered for a while before saying, "I'm not sure how to address you, miss."
The girl shook her head and said, "Call me Enchanting Herbalist. If you don't leave behind this companion herb today, you won't be able to leave no matter what!"
Mo Wenjie frowned and said helplessly, "Enchanting Herbalist, we have already agreed to use this companion herb to save someone. We really cannot give it to you." Enchanting Herbalist crossed her arms and looked determined: "Then you won't be able to leave here. This companion herb is crucial for me to break through my realm, and I've been waiting for it for a long time."
Just as the tension between the two parties reached a stalemate, Jiang Yurou stepped forward and whispered, "Enchanting Herbalist, perhaps we can find another way to compensate. For instance, we can help you find other rare herbs or treasures." Enchanting Herbalist scoffed lightly: "I only want this companion herb. I don't care about anything else."
A spark of inspiration struck Mo Wenjie, and he remembered an ancient scroll he had once obtained that described a special array capable of nurturing a spirit substance with effects similar to the companion herb. He turned to the Enchanting Herbalist and said, "Mistress, I know of a method that can create a spirit substance with the same efficacy as the companion herb, but it will take some time." The Enchanting Herbalist looked at him with half-belief and half-skepticism: "If you dare deceive me, I won't spare you." Mo Wenjie hurriedly nodded and assured her.
The Enchanting Herbalist looked at Mo Wenjie and the others, and said, "I have some matters to attend to, but I must leave here now. However, you must leave all the medicinal herbs behind or I will make sure that none of you can leave here!"
