Li Chuanfei flew through the sky at his fastest speed, fearing that someone might chase after him if he slowed down. He wasn’t afraid of those spirit field owners—after all, they didn’t recognize the Spirit-Guarding Grass. What worried him was the possibility of the news spreading and being exposed by someone who did know the truth.
A grin tugged at his lips, impossible to suppress.
The so-called Spirit-Guarding Grass he had just obtained was actually called Spirit-Siphoning Grass.
To be precise, it was the root that determined the name—whatever plant it attached to would be called Spirit-Siphoning Grass.
The grass and the roots could actually be separated. Without a spirit hoe immediately locking onto the entire root system of the plant, Li Chuan would never have been able to dig out those fine roots in his lifetime.
The reason most people didn’t know about this thing was mainly because its roots would detach from the plant and flee the moment someone tried to dig it up.
The roots secretly absorbed spiritual energy from other spirit plants underground, while the grass part absorbed energy from the air above.
In other words, its form wasn’t fixed. Today, it might appear as an ordinary Spirit-Guarding Grass beside a spirit field, but tomorrow, in the mountains, it could become part of a spirit tree—then it would be called Spirit-Siphoning Tree.
Li Chuan recognized it, of course, thanks to his Level 9 Spirit Plant Identification skill.
The subtle changes the Spirit-Siphoning Root caused in every type of spirit plant it attached to were all recorded in his mind, allowing him to spot it at a glance.
And the value of the Spirit-Siphoning Root? It could easily be called the pinnacle of non-specialized Tier 1 spirit plants. Selling it for a few thousand Spirit Stones wouldn’t be a problem at all.
Its effect was simple—its roots stored vast amounts of pure spiritual energy, making it perfect for alchemy.
Pills refined with it would see increased success rates and quality.
In short, no alchemist would dislike such a thing, even if many of them had never heard of it.
......
At the Outer Sect Mission Hall, a beautiful woman with slightly pale skin arrived at the counter where Zhou Hanhe was posting missions. She wore a long black brocade dress embroidered with beast patterns, delicate bracelets on her wrists, and exquisite earrings dangling from her ears.
Zhou Hanhe’s face lit up with joy when he saw her. "Senior Sister Min’er, you’re back!"
Zhao Mingxuan and the others nearby also greeted her.
Zhao Mingxuan stepped forward, eyeing her pale complexion. "Senior Sister Min’er, did the mission go smoothly?"
This woman was Zhou Hanhe’s cultivation partner, Hu Min, at the seventh level of Qi Refinement.
Hu Min nodded. "Don’t worry, it’s done."
Hearing her confirmation, Zhao Mingxuan finally relaxed.
His workstation was next to Zhou Hanhe’s, so he inevitably spent more time with him. Often, tasks he didn’t really want to do, Zhou Hanhe would coax or pressure him into accepting—usually with some benefit attached.
For example, this hunting mission shouldn’t have gone to Hu Min—there were many more suitable candidates. But once Zhou Hanhe found out, he had Zhao Mingxuan intercept the mission and assign it to her.
Fortunately, though Hu Min seemed exhausted, she had completed it.
"Since it’s done, let me settle the reward for you, Senior Sister." Zhao Mingxuan returned to his workstation.
Hu Min, not one for many words, followed.
Zhao Mingxuan took out 30 Spirit Stones and a translucent jade slate from a drawer. "This mission’s reward is 30 Spirit Stones and 30 contribution points."
He placed the Spirit Stones on the table, and Hu Min handed over her contribution token.
Zhao Mingxuan pressed the token against the jade slate to record her contribution.
The slate functioned somewhat like a data transmitter from Li Chuan’s past life—any information entered would be recorded in the Yin-Yang Sect’s archives, visible not only in the branch sect but even in the main sect.
Such immortal methods were truly miraculous.
Of the 30 Spirit Stones on the table, Hu Min only took 20. Zhao Mingxuan naturally pocketed the remaining 10 into his own storage pouch.
The mission reward was fixed, but he knew the target wouldn’t have been carrying nothing. So, he had no qualms about taking the extra.
Watching as Zhou Hanhe called Hu Min over and the two whispered to each other, Zhao Mingxuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy.
It wasn’t their relationship he envied—in the Yin-Yang Sect, a cultivation partnership lasted only as long as both remained partners. Once it ended, so did the affection.
What he envied was Zhou Hanhe’s ability to keep Hu Min, a seventh-level Qi Refinement cultivator, by his side despite being only at the sixth level.
In the Yin-Yang Sect, when one partner’s cultivation couldn’t keep up, the stronger one would immediately seek a more suitable replacement—regardless of gender.
So, cases like Zhou Hanhe’s were rare.
When one partner’s cultivation was higher, the lower one naturally benefited more in joint cultivation.
But envy was useless. Zhao Mingxuan knew he wasn’t as ruthless as Zhou Hanhe. He was aware of how Zhou Hanhe and Hu Min conspired to seize spirit plants from junior disciples—he could even have his own partner do the same.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to cross that line.
Even knowing it would bring greater gains, his conscience wouldn’t allow it.
Hu Min stayed with Zhou Hanhe precisely because his position gave her access to extra income.
Zhao Mingxuan noticed their gazes suddenly shift toward the mission hall’s entrance. Zhou Hanhe nudged his chin in that direction, and Hu Min seemed to ask, "That sleazy old man?"
Following their line of sight, he saw Li Chuan striding in.
A realization struck Zhao Mingxuan—they were targeting Li Chuan this time.
Every time Li Chuan came, he sold spirit plants worth hundreds of Spirit Stones, all found in the No. 1 Minor Realm. It was clear he had a talent for locating valuable plants. Following him would surely yield good rewards.
The thought made Zhao Mingxuan’s heart sour.
They all did the same job—shouldn’t their earnings be equal? Yet Zhou Hanhe made far more, leaving him discontented.
His eyes tracked Li Chuan’s movements, curious about what he had brought this time.
Li Chuan stopped at Zhou Hanhe’s counter, his gaze lingering briefly on Hu Min beside him.
Unlike other female cultivators who dressed simply, Hu Min resembled a noble family’s young mistress—adorned with jewelry, bracelets, earrings, necklaces...
Yet her expression was cold and ruthless, like a scheming heiress who had climbed to power over the blood of her kin.
Venomous, heartless, cruel... Li Chuan couldn’t help but wonder what expression she would make if he pinned her to the ground.
"Junior Brother Li Chuan, what have you brought us today?" Before Zhou Hanhe, who was in charge of spirit plants, could speak, Zhao Mingxuan had already sidled over.
Li Chuan produced the Flame Sun Grass.
At the sight of it, Zhao Mingxuan and Zhou Hanhe’s hearts clenched—they knew today would be another profitable day for Li Chuan.