Spirit Gathering Art Mutated, Hungry Bone Changed

In the end, Li Ye spent a thousand Spirit Stones to buy twenty of each, then another three hundred Spirit Stones on medicine from Su Ya to stabilize injuries. Money truly came fast and went fast.

But if he could earn it, he could spend it.

At the very least, these Spirit Stones had not been wasted. They had been turned into assets that could sustain his future growth and continue appreciating in value.

Loaded down with his harvest, he quickly returned home.

First, he released the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp that had been sitting in the Storage Pouch for a while and tossed them straight into the reservoir he had prepared in advance, which had been dug over the past few days.

It was roughly two cubic meters in size.

More than enough to raise a few fish.

The dams dug by the beavers would continuously feed fresh water into it, while the dam on the other side could be controlled to drain the water out.

This way, it retained the qualities of running water without the risk of becoming a warm bed for mosquitoes in summer and autumn.

The carp splashed into the water, their crimson-gold scales refracting dazzling light beneath the sun.

Their appearance alone truly deserved the name "koi." Just watching them swim freely through the water was soothing.

The only ones who did not welcome them, and were trembling in fear, were the beavers standing on the dam nearby and looking around.

They were simply too small. If they fell into that pond, they would definitely be eaten by the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp.

Li Ye looked at them and decided that after binding them later, he would see whether he could "persuade" the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp. As spirit beasts, they ought to possess some intelligence, at least.

He took out the Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotus and began planting it.

Once he had finished planting, he immediately carried out the binding.

100 points of Vital Essence consumed.

"..."

When the Micro-Stream Beavers and Hungry Bone had been bound before, it had seemed to cost a hundred as well. Could it be determined by the highest rank? The Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotus was First Rank, while the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp were Second Rank.

A hundred for Second Rank? Twenty for First Rank?

As he pondered, he thoroughly bound the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp and the five strongest Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotuses he had planted.

The instant the binding was completed, the carp swam toward the Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotuses and began ramming their heads against the latter's "bulbs."

Though these Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotuses were only seedlings, their nature made their bulbs exceptionally hard. Before long, the carp had knocked the scales from their foreheads loose, and scarlet blood spread through the water.

"Huh?"

Li Ye was slightly surprised.

Yet the consciousness waves transmitted by both the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp and the Phoenix-Eye Lotuses were intensely delighted, leaving him completely baffled. Could it be that both of them were masochists?

He did not really understand.

"You absolutely cannot eat those little fellows nearby."

"Make sure you remember that!"

Whether the Crimson-Gold Dragon Carp understood or not, they simply kept ramming their heads against the water hyacinths with thud, thud, thud, scales flying everywhere and blood streaming from their heads. Even after passing out, they would still keep ramming.

"...Fine."

Looks like these fellows had gotten addicted to crashing into things.

But just as he was about to leave, the Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotuses suddenly released a stream of Spiritual Energy, along with a fishy stench, that descended directly around Li Ye.

The Five Elements Ascending Spirit Art began circulating on its own.

"What pure Spiritual Energy."

This Spiritual Energy was purer than that released by the Silver Moon Grass and Flint Crystal Worms he had absorbed before, and naturally more abundant than that from the spirit wheat as well—though it carried a strange, bloody fish smell.

"If the power of these spirit plants strengthens spells closely tied to their own nature, then the Spirit Water Phoenix-Eye Lotus should be able to purify water and condense Essence of Water Spirit.

"So..."

Thinking of the spells he currently knew, he raised a finger and gently waved it.

"Spirit Gathering Art!"

A faint glimmer flashed at his fingertip.

Immediately afterward, the water Spiritual Energy around him began gathering toward him of its own accord, even condensing into a tiny water sphere that floated lightly above his fingertip.

"It really works!"

He was instantly astonished.

It was not as though he had never cast this Spirit Gathering Art before.

But back then, using it merely drew in the limited Spiritual Energy nearby, and he had to keep the spiritual power within his body circulating without pause. How could it have ever been this effortless?

Moreover, he could actually gather water Spiritual Energy into a ball.

Did that not mean he could collect Essence of Water Spirit himself?

Essence of Water Spirit was good stuff. Whether used to water spirit plants or feed spirit beasts, it was far better than ordinary Spirit Spring Water and could speed up their growth.

If used together with a spell like the Small Cloud Rain Art, it would become a rain brimming with spiritual power!

"Truly not bad."

Li Ye nodded in satisfaction, took out the lotus flowers, and began planting them in the stream beside him, whose flow had slowed to the point of near stagnation. The lotuses were crystalline and translucent, each one a deep blue-violet.

By the time Li Ye had finished planting them, sweating profusely, they were already swaying with the breeze, drawing over the Micro-Stream Beavers that had been eyeing them greedily.

The beavers did have quite a sense of sustainability. They merely nibbled on the lotus leaves and bit at the lotus roots.

They were only palm-sized to begin with, so these twenty plants were enough to feed them. Besides, these little fellows would occasionally sneak off to steal fallen wheat ears and wheat leaves.

Speaking of which, Li Ye suddenly remembered the Observation Mirror he had bought.

He went over to the beavers' nest and, after hesitating for a moment, still rather unceremoniously began digging with his hands. The tiny bean-like eyes of the beaver bound to Hungry Bone nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Chirp chirp chirp!"

It cried out anxiously several times, then took the Observation Mirror in its arms, leaped into the water, and burrowed into its nest. It directly hung the Observation Mirror on the wall of the burrow.

"Really clever." Li Ye once again marveled at the little fellow's quick wits, then took out the matching Observation Mirror and had a look.

It had to be said that the mirror was indeed magical. Even though the beaver nest was pitch-black inside, he could clearly see everything within.

The ground was covered in soft dry grass and wheat leaves. Fallen wheat ears and the food it had gathered were piled up all around Hungry Bone.

The stark white bones had already been buried.

Only that mysterious purplish-red flower remained bright and vivid.

Yet it somehow seemed to have lost the aggressive resentment it once possessed. Buried beneath a heap of miscellaneous clutter, it instead looked rather meek and pitiful.

Beneath that pile of clutter, a faint glimmer of golden light could be seen—the only light in the entire dark nest.

"What's that?" Li Ye pointed through the mirror at the golden radiance beneath Hungry Bone. "Go bring it over. I'll give you a little bottle."

The beaver obediently nodded. Then, clutching the small jade bottle Li Ye gave it, it entered the nest, used the bottle to collect all the liquid beneath Hungry Bone, and scampered out to present it to Li Ye as though offering up a treasure.

Li Ye raised the jade bottle and brought it close to his eyes for a look.

A very obvious expression of surprise immediately flashed through his eyes.