How to Do It

San Dong was cooperating quite well.

At least, that was how Li Yingling perceived it from the little flower spirit's attitude—San Dong's small face was tightly composed.

Whenever Li Yingling asked a question, San Dong would carefully ponder before earnestly answering to the best of its knowledge.

"Is there anything unique about this place?"

"N-no… nothing…"

"Then have there been any strange phenomena here, like surges of spiritual energy?"

"San Dong has been here for a long time… never… never noticed anything like that."

"Do you know anything here that others don’t?"

San Dong racked its brain, then timidly raised its head and whispered:

"There’s a rabbit that turned into a yaoguai… and it’s really fierce. Does that count?"

Li Yingling frowned slightly, remaining silent.

The little flower spirit’s expression seemed earnest, but its answers were utterly useless.

San Dong appeared harmless enough, and Li Yingling wasn’t keen on force-feeding it an elixir.

Noticing Li Yingling’s expression, San Dong understood that its responses hadn’t satisfied the seemingly amiable human cultivator.

But it truly didn’t know much.

San Dong had never even left the Flower Ridge. It had awakened here, grown up here, watching the sun rise and the moon set, witnessing the cycle of seasons.

It had never seen the wider world—most of its knowledge came from stories told by others.

The only faint and distant memory San Dong could recall was of another flower spirit it might have encountered long ago.

So long ago, in fact, that it couldn’t even remember the other spirit’s appearance.

So distant that San Dong sometimes wondered if it had all been a dream.

Back then, San Dong had been naive and clueless. The other flower spirit had stayed with it for a while, teaching it how to avoid danger and other skills.

But the memories were so blurred now that San Dong had come to regard them as mere dreams.

After being alone for so long, it no longer dared to hope for companionship.

If you never had something, you wouldn’t miss it.

Still, San Dong knew none of this was what Li Yingling wanted to hear.

But it didn’t dare make things up—what if it was asked to lead the way, only for them to dig around and find nothing? Would they bury San Dong in the hole as punishment?

San Dong’s tense little face broke into an ingratiating smile—Look how cute I am, maybe you’ll let me go?

Li Yingling sighed softly and, to San Dong’s shock, reached out to gently pat its head.

The unexpected touch slowly calmed the trembling flower spirit.

Timidly, San Dong lifted its gaze to Li Yingling’s faintly smiling face.

Li Yingling picked up a piece of Wood Spirit Crystal and handed it to San Dong.

"You don’t know anything, and you seem a bit slow, but your attitude isn’t bad. Here, take it."

San Dong stared at the crystal, then at Li Yingling.

Truthfully, it didn’t have the courage to accept the gift.

What if… after taking it…

Human promises were less reliable than raindrops falling from the sky.

At least raindrops nourished flowers, leaving vibrant blooms as proof of their passing.

Human promises vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.

This wasn’t just San Dong’s imagination—it had seen and heard countless humans make countless promises, almost none of which were kept.

Humans were all like that.

This human before it looked kind and gentle, but what if it was a trap?

Just like this tiny fragment of Moon Essence…

Li Yingling, seeing San Dong’s hesitation, unceremoniously shoved the Wood Spirit Crystal into its arms. Then she stood and addressed the other two:

"Should we record this place and move on, or search more thoroughly?"

Zhang Miaoyu answered first: "Whatever the leader decides."

"You make the call," Xie Lingyu added calmly.

Before splitting up, Chu Xingchen had specifically instructed them to follow Li Yingling’s lead when searching for things—her luck was unusually good.

But if she started concocting elaborate schemes or stirring up trouble, they needed to be cautious.

Xie Lingyu hadn’t paid much attention at first, but Chu Xingchen’s repeated warnings and serious expression had convinced her to comply.

For now, they were still within the bounds of a straightforward search.

Li Yingling’s gaze swept across the vibrant flowers surrounding them. Under the moonlight, each blossom seemed to glow with an ethereal radiance.

The night was so clear that even a mortal could appreciate the dazzling colors.

Li Yingling had once dreamed of a sea of flowers as enchanting as this.

The scenery was breathtaking, and she suddenly felt no rush to leave. Their mission wasn’t urgent—why not linger for a day or two? She might never return to this place again.

Her master had once said: In life, you must learn to pause for yourself.

She’d thought it was just an excuse for laziness, but now it made perfect sense.

"Let’s search a bit more?" Li Yingling suggested.

Zhang Miaoyu immediately voiced her agreement.

Xie Lingyu gave a slight nod, her gaze shifting to San Dong, who was still trembling nervously.

Flower spirits weren’t rare to her—the Tianyan Sect had all manner of creatures.

But this was the first time she’d seen one so terrified for its life.

Admittedly, it was rather endearing.

Flower spirits were generally weak and gentle by nature, harmless to all.

Watching San Dong’s desperate fixation on the tiny Moon Essence, Xie Lingyu fished out a spirit stone and placed it before the little flower spirit.

This poor thing is as destitute as Chu Xingchen was back in the day.

But where San Dong was pitiable, Chu Xingchen had been amusingly broke.

San Dong peeked cautiously at Xie Lingyu, whose expression was as calm and cool as her demeanor.

Li Yingling made another offer:

"If you won’t take it as a gift, consider it payment. Meet us here at mao hour tomorrow morning and show us the best scenery nearby. Can you do that?"

San Dong blinked in confusion, but Li Yingling didn’t elaborate. With a smile and a wave, she bid farewell:

"See you tomorrow, San Dong."

Taking Xie Lingyu’s hand, Li Yingling led the way out.

San Dong watched the three depart, leaving behind two spirit stones, a Wood Spirit Crystal, and the small Moon Essence still clutched in its hand.

Under the moonlight, wisps of pale blue spiritual energy drifted through the flowers, plucking a few of the loveliest blooms to weave into a tiny floral crown.

Li Yingling held up the finished crown, playfully waving it toward Xie Lingyu.

"Aunt Xie, this would look lovely on you."

Xie Lingyu inclined her head slightly, permitting the gesture.

Zhang Miaoyu piped up enviously, "Leader… I want one too."

"Of course, you’ll get one."

"Then I’ll make one for you as well!"

San Dong watched their retreating figures, laughing and chatting, never once looking back.

It glanced down at the treasures they’d left behind without a second thought.

As if they weren’t worried it might take the goods and vanish.

Or perhaps… they simply didn’t care whether it showed up at all.

San Dong pursed her lips, staring at the spirit stone before her, unsure of what to do.

This one-sided agreement was utterly shameless.