Wolf Bandits Hunt, Bishop Yue Guan

"The so-called Wolf Bandit Hunt is a periodic cleanup operation conducted by our Spirit Hall."

Qian Xunji set down the document in his hand, looked up, and explained calmly.

"For a long time, Wolf Bandits have been one of the most troublesome man-made disasters for the people of the Douluo Continent. Wherever they pass, many villages are destroyed; they are the most evil of things."

At this moment, Bibi Dong, who was standing to the side, asked curiously, "Teacher, what exactly is a Wolf Bandit?"

Qian Xunji stood up, clasped his hands behind his back, and spoke slowly.

"A Wolf Bandit is a half-human, half-beast monster. Most are born from the union of a Gale Demon Wolf and a human. From birth, they possess formidable combat strength."

"These Wolf Bandits are exceptionally bloodthirsty and have an extremely high reproductive rate. Once a village encounters them, it is almost impossible to survive."

Bibi Dong frowned. "They are that terrifying? These beasts truly deserve to die."

"Indeed."

Qian Xunji nodded and turned to hand them a list. "Faced with such an evil species, it is necessary for our Spirit Hall to purge them, which is why this Wolf Bandit Hunt exists."

"Tomorrow, you will follow the extermination squad to slay these Wolf Bandits. Firstly, to rid the people of this scourge, and secondly, to test the results of your training during this period."

"Yes, Teacher."

Ban Shu took the list, exchanged a glance with Bibi Dong, and nodded.

"Good. This is your first mission, so perform well. Do not lose face for your master."

Qian Xunji stepped forward and patted both of them on the shoulders. "Also, you must be careful. Never force yourselves or let yourselves fall into danger, understand?"

"Understood, Teacher. We will take good care of ourselves."

Ban Shu and Bibi Dong replied in unison.

The next day, Ban Shu and Bibi Dong packed their belongings and set off, joining the Wolf Bandit hunting party as they marched forward.

Fearing that some accident might befall these two precious treasures, Qian Xunji had not only assigned Li Yan to protect them personally but also sent another trusted Soul Saint to accompany them.

As for this Soul Saint, Ban Shu was incredibly familiar with him.

"Greetings, young masters. I am Yue Guan, a Cardinal of Spirit Hall. You may simply call me by my name."

Yue Guan, draped in the exclusive robes of a Cardinal, bowed respectfully to the two of them.

"I am Ban Shu, and this is Bibi Dong. Cardinal Yue Guan, we will be troubling you on this journey."

Ban Shu had not expected that the one protecting them this time would be the future Chrysanthemum Douluo. Then again, according to the current timeline, he should already be in Spirit Hall.

However, he had not yet cultivated to the Title Douluo rank and was currently serving in Spirit Hall as a Soul Saint.

Gui Mei should still be around as well; they seemed to have known each other for quite some time.

"It is no trouble at all. For this Wolf Bandit Hunt, Bishop Li and I will ensure your safety."

Yue Guan smiled and nodded. The two in front of him were big shots; even though he was a high-ranking Bishop, he had to remain respectful and courteous in their presence.

On the road, Ban Shu kept trying to find topics of conversation to build a relationship with Yue Guan, as he would eventually need his help to obtain immortal herbs.

In the current Douluo Continent, the only ones capable of knowing the effects of immortal herbs were this future Chrysanthemum Douluo and the Ye Family.

But compared to the Heaven Dou Empire, it was better to stick with someone nearby.

"Cardinal Yue Guan, I have heard that you are a lover of flowers and have conducted research into rare herbs?"

Ban Shu steered the conversation toward flora. "I passed by a garden before where all kinds of flowers were competing in beauty; surely that must have been yours?"

As expected, this remark caught Yue Guan's attention, and a flash of pleasant surprise crossed his eyes. "Indeed, I am the only one in Spirit Hall who grows flowers. Could it be that Master Ban is also a lover of flowers?"

"Well, I don't have the heart to tend to them myself, but I do have an interest in those rare and exotic herbs that are seldom seen in daily life."

Ban Shu waved his hand with a smile. "I have read some books in the Spirit Hall library regarding rare herbs and became interested in them."

"But unfortunately, those books were too few and incomplete, so I sought out someone who understands these things, which is how I learned of you."

"Master, you have asked the right person."

Mentioning rare herbs, Yue Guan puffed out his chest involuntarily. "In the current Douluo Continent, when it comes to rare herbs, I dare not say I am first or second, but I am certainly among the best."

"For example, my own Spirit, the Heaven-Reaching Chrysanthemum, is a genuine immortal herb."

"An immortal herb?"

Bibi Dong joined the conversation. "What are you two talking about?"

"The young mistress does not know what an immortal herb is?"

Yue Guan smiled mysteriously before beginning his explanation. "So-called immortal herbs are spiritual plants born of heaven and earth, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon."

"Each of these immortal herbs possesses unparalleled efficacy, just like my Heaven-Reaching Chrysanthemum."

Yue Guan extended his hand, and a delicate, vibrant yellow chrysanthemum appeared. "The Heaven-Reaching Chrysanthemum has relatively mild medicinal properties; consuming it can clear the meridians and forge an indestructible body."

"Though the reality might not be quite as exaggerated as that, it is still a rare immortal treasure. A single stalk can change a Soul Master's entire life."

"Eh, in that case, Yue Guan, have you ever seen an immortal herb with your own eyes?"

Bibi Dong asked curiously, pointing at the Heaven-Reaching Chrysanthemum in Yue Guan's hand.

"Well, about that..."

Yue Guan flipped his hand, withdrawing the Heaven-Reaching Chrysanthemum back into his body, looking somewhat embarrassed. "It is truly shameful to admit, but I have yet to lay eyes on a single immortal herb, nor have I even caught a glimpse of one."

"In that case, could these immortal herbs be fake?"

Bibi Dong rubbed her chin, beginning to speculate boldly.

"That is absolutely impossible!"

Yue Guan immediately dismissed Bibi Dong's hypothesis; in his mind, that was an option that could never exist. "I am certain that immortal herbs truly exist; they are simply too rare and difficult to find."

"I also share the sentiments of Pontiff Yue Guan. Although immortal herbs are incredibly miraculous, the Douluo Continent is vast, and perhaps they are just waiting for us to discover them somewhere."

Ban Shu said with a smile, knowing full well that there were plenty of immortal herbs in the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well.

"It is rare to meet someone who shares my aspirations. My lord, I have something for you."

Yue Guan then took a thick book from his robes. "This book is my life's work. It records every immortal herb I know of, along with their methods of use."

"Are you sure?"

Ban Shu reached out to take the secret manual. "This is your life's work, after all."

Yue Guan lowered his head, offering the manual in his hands. "If you are able to find an immortal herb in the future, I would be more than satisfied if you would simply allow me to observe it."

"Then I shall accept it."

Ban Shu did not hesitate and tucked the book away. He was not a man who failed to repay a kindness; since the other party had given him this, he would naturally ensure he received a share of the immortal herbs.