Mystic Spirit Grass

Mystic Spirit Grass had a negligible effect on high-quality Tool Martial Souls, but it was exceptionally effective for Martial Souls like scythes and hammers.

Even so, the price of Mystic Spirit Grass on the market was far beyond what they could afford.

Li Li had learned the location of the Mystic Spirit Grass by chance, but he had not told the other work-study students in the same dormitory.

As for why he had not sought out anyone else and had specifically come to him, Tie Li quickly guessed the reason.

On one hand, it was a matter of strength. He had a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, and the attributes granted by a Soul Ring alone created an enormous gap.

Among the academy's work-study students and commoner students, only he and Li Li possessed Hundred-Year Soul Rings.

Li Li could not possibly ask noble students for help. Their families supported them, and once the location of the Mystic Spirit Grass was exposed, they would mobilize their families' resources.

On the other hand, it might have been because of the number of Mystic Spirit Grass plants. There were most likely only two, which was why Li Li wanted to set out with a Soul Master about as strong as himself.

To be honest, Tie Li was tempted, but Spirit Herbs were always guarded by Soul Beasts.

"Well?" Li Li asked.

Innately gifted with seventh-rank Soul Power and possessing an ordinary Scythe Martial Soul, this had always been a thorn in his heart. If the quality of his Martial Soul had been a little better, Spirit Hall would have recruited him.

"I can agree, but you need to tell me the specifics."

"Alright."

Seeing Tie Li was moved, Li Li immediately revealed everything he knew.

The Soul Beast guarding the Mystic Spirit Grass was a Hundred-Year Iron-Armed Ape. Both of them were One-Ring Soul Masters with Hundred-Year Soul Rings, and as long as they coordinated properly, they had a good chance of killing the Hundred-Year Iron-Armed Ape.

"However, there are only three Mystic Spirit Grass plants." Li Li hesitated for a moment before choosing to tell the truth. Dividing the gains was also an issue.

"I only need one plant, but the Iron-Armed Ape's corpse belongs to me."

"Alright."

Seeing Tie Li relent, Li Li immediately agreed.

A dead Hundred-Year Soul Beast could certainly fetch a good price, but how could it compare to a Mystic Spirit Grass plant?

On the market, a single Mystic Spirit Grass plant could sell for at least five hundred Gold Soul Coins.

"When do we leave?"

"This afternoon!" Li Li said.

Tie Li frowned. The other boy clearly did not intend to leave him any time to prepare, though he understood his reasoning.

"Alright, I'll go back and get a few things."

Tie Li moved quickly. As soon as he returned home, he put the iron inner armor he had taken off earlier back on, the claw marks from the Nether Wolf still visible on it. Then he picked out a set of clothes he usually wore while smithing and put them on as outerwear.

He also found several lengths of Cloth Rope and tucked them into his chest. After touching the Thunder Python's single horn beside him, he ultimately decided to bring it along.

Once he was ready, Tie Li arrived at the academy gate and saw Li Li already waiting there.

Li Li had likewise removed his academy uniform and changed into his own patched hemp clothes. For a moment, the two of them looked much the same.

"Let's go!"

Li Li did not tell him the exact location of the Mystic Spirit Grass, so Tie Li could only follow at his side.

Only after they left Manno City did Li Li speak.

"The last time I left my village, I wanted to take a shortcut back to the academy and cut through White Light Forest. By chance, I saw immature Mystic Spirit Grass on a mountain peak, but a Hundred-Year Iron-Armed Ape was guarding it."

White Light Forest could not be considered a Soul Beast Forest. Most of the creatures inside were ordinary wild beasts, though Ten-Year Soul Beasts occasionally appeared.

That Hundred-Year Iron-Armed Ape had most likely been drawn there by the fragrance of the Mystic Spirit Grass.

Spirit Herbs and flowers born of heaven and earth held an inexplicable attraction for certain Soul Beasts. Even from far away, they could sense them.

Just as the two reached White Light Forest, they discovered a caravan ahead, with a group of bandits blocking its path.

"This is troublesome. Should we go around from the other side?" Li Li suggested.

Tie Li gave the opposing sides a meaningful glance. With their strength, it was better not to get involved in this mess.

The caravan was transporting provisions and daily necessities, with twelve carts in total. Though the goods were worth quite a bit, at most they should have hired one One-Ring Soul Master to guard the caravan.

Yet Tie Li sensed three fluctuations of Soul Power within the caravan and four within the bandit group.

Would an ordinary cargo delivery attract so many Soul Masters?

For the current Tie Li, avoiding trouble was the best choice.

The two concealed their presence and circled around to the other side of the forest.

Li Li was familiar with the terrain in this area and moved quickly, but Tie Li always felt that he was deliberately taking a detour.

It was not until the sun had set that Tie Li saw the mountain peak Li Li had mentioned. Three Mystic Spirit Grass plants stood at its summit.

"Once the Mystic Spirit Grass absorbs the final moonlight tonight, it will fully mature," Li Li said to himself.

Tie Li said nothing more and followed Li Li, hiding behind a huge boulder.

Peeking out, he could see the massive Iron-Armed Ape guarding the Mystic Spirit Grass.

It was also waiting for the Mystic Spirit Grass to mature!

The pale full moon grew ever colder, and faint moonlight spilled down from the sky. The instant the Mystic Spirit Grass touched that cold light, it emitted a soft white glow.

At that moment, the Iron-Armed Ape's attention was entirely focused on the Mystic Spirit Grass.

"Move!"

The instant they summoned their Martial Souls, their Soul Rings released a yellow glow. Tie Li's Soul Ring shone with a deeper radiance.

Tie Li glanced at Li Li's Martial Soul. Bolstered by the Hundred-Year Soul Ring, Li Li's scythe had undergone considerable changes.

Its handle was black, while its long blade gleamed with a sharp, chilling light. When he unleashed his First Soul Skill, that cold gleam flared brilliantly.

Li Li swung his scythe with all his strength, sending a blade aura slicing out from his Scythe Martial Soul.

Sizzle!

It easily tore open the Iron-Armed Ape's back, carving a savage wound. Blood poured out endlessly, exposing white bone beneath.

First Soul Skill, Thunder Hammer!

Just as the Iron-Armed Ape was about to turn and retaliate, a great hammer crackling with lightning came crashing toward it.

Bang!

The impact of the force was accompanied by lightning damage.

Forging, Shock!

The hammer vibrated at high frequency, striking its head and sending it into a brief daze, though it was not enough to kill it outright.

"Cut off its head!" Tie Li shouted at Li Li.

Li Li rushed forward and swung at the Iron-Armed Ape's neck. His First Soul Ring lit up once more.

Using a blade aura at this range?

As Tie Li wondered, he saw the blade of the Scythe Martial Soul grow larger and sharper.

Was this a Hundred-Year Soul Skill?

Crack!

Without any surprise, Li Li severed the Iron-Armed Ape's head with a single strike.

The two could not help looking at each other's Martial Souls and Soul Rings.

Only after a full ten seconds did Tie Li speak to break the silence.

"As agreed beforehand, I get one Mystic Spirit Grass plant and the Iron-Armed Ape's corpse." Tie Li stepped forward first to where the Mystic Spirit Grass grew and picked the one that belonged to him.

Li Li followed closely behind, carefully picking the other two and placing them into a wooden box he had specially prepared.