Herb Garden Robbed

After Gu Hengzhi and Su Yuntao left the Spirit Hunting Forest, they went to Spirit Hall that very day to register. After testing, Gu Hengzhi's soul power level was 12.

After returning to Nuoding Academy, Gu Hengzhi began cultivating diligently while also preparing the materials needed to carve the next deity.

As for Tang San, he returned the day after Gu Hengzhi did. Just as in the original story, Xiao Wu clashed with the noble students at Nuoding Academy, and Gu Hengzhi went over to take a look. What surprised him slightly was that Tang San had still obtained a Century Soul Ring despite losing the Mandala Snake Soul Ring, and it seemed to have greatly enhanced his Blue Silver Grass. The soul power patterns on the Blue Silver Grass faintly glimmered with golden light, and his first soul skill was actually still Entanglement. But then again, as the chosen son of this world, it would have been strange if Tang San had only absorbed a Ten-Year Soul Ring.

With his Century Soul Ring, Tang San naturally defeated the noble students led by Xiao Chenyu as easily as chopping vegetables. Gu Hengzhi did not pay excessive attention to Tang San, but ever since Tang San had decided that Gu Hengzhi had chosen the path to death, he had kept a closer eye on him. To his surprise, this allowed Tang San to discover the location of the Spirit Field.

As night deepened, a light breeze carried threads of coolness through the branches. The leaves rustled like nature's whispers, while the cicadas chirped one after another, as though recounting the clamor of summer.

Behind Nuoding Academy, the bamboo grove swayed in the wind as though dancing gracefully. With a soft "rustle," a small figure flitted over the bamboo like a ghost and passed through the bushes. That figure was Tang San.

Determination and curiosity gleamed in his eyes as he thought to himself, Gu Hengzhi, you come to the academy's back mountain every few days. What exactly are you up to? I want to see whether you're using some evil method to cultivate. Otherwise, how could you raise your soul power by five levels in a single year? Tang San moved lightly, as though blending into the night itself, advancing with care lest anyone discover him.

At last, he arrived at the herb garden Gu Hengzhi had cultivated. His eyes widened as he stared at the sight before him, his face full of shock. "Century Lingzhi! Ten-Year Qi-Gathering Grass! And..."

Tang San's lips curved into a smug smile. "So you cultivated so quickly by relying on medicinal herbs. But they all belong to me now. Consider them the price of your life. Hahaha!" His laughter echoed through the night, carrying a trace of arrogance and confidence.

With these medicinal herbs, the hope of reviving the Tang Sect has grown even greater! Don't worry, Gu Hengzhi. I will definitely put these herbs—and this grass carp, this False Soul Beast—to proper use. This can be considered making the best use of everything! Hahaha! Tang San murmured inwardly, a resolute gleam flashing in his eyes as though he could already see the Tang Sect's future glory.

"Punish evil and uphold justice"—these four words were branded deeply into Tang San's heart. They were the original purpose and mission behind the Tang Sect's founding!

Without the slightest hesitation, Tang San swept through the herb garden like a violent gale, taking every medicinal herb and that grass carp, the False Soul Beast, before turning and leaving at lightning speed.

The next morning.

"TANG SAN!!! FUCK YOUR MOTHER!!!" Gu Hengzhi's face was livid, as if covered in frost. Standing in the herb garden on the back mountain, his eyes burned with rage, his teeth clenched as though he wanted to devour Tang San alive.

The reason he had so quickly fixed his suspicions on Tang San was that, throughout the entire academy, only Tang San, Yu Xiaogang, and Xiao Wu could possibly recognize the herbs in the garden. Yu Xiaogang had been bitten by the Mandala Snake and was recovering from his injuries. Xiao Wu, meanwhile, was a troublemaker who spent her days causing mischief around the academy, leaving her no time to commit the crime. Only Tang San had not only the time and ability, but also the motive.

Everything useful in the herb garden had been completely looted by Tang San. Not even a feather remained. The losses were considerable, especially the precious Century Lingzhi, but fortunately, before Tang San's theft, Gu Hengzhi had already sold most of the herbs to gather enough materials to carve the next deity. Thus, the losses remained within a manageable range. Even so, unless he gave Tang San a brutal beating, the resentment in Gu Hengzhi's heart would be impossible to quell.

"Earth Deity! Earth Deity!" Gu Hengzhi anxiously called out to the Earth Deity resting within the God-Sealing Record, his voice carrying a hint of urgency.

The Earth Deity slowly opened his eyes, looked at Gu Hengzhi, and asked with a smile, "What has made you so flustered?"

Gu Hengzhi hurriedly said, "Senior, my Spirit Field has been robbed! I cultivated it with great care, yet it has suffered such misfortune. I beg you to help me think of a solution."

The Earth Deity frowned, stroking his white beard. After pondering for a moment, he said, "A petty thief actually dared to commit such theft? Outrageous! This old man has a formation called the Mountain-Subduing Lost Paths Formation. This formation can be set up using the Earth Vein nodes of this Spirit Field, with stone statues of myself and Xiao Qing—the Mutated Earth Azure Bull, my mount—placed at the formation nodes. It will cause intruders to become trapped amid dust and wind, lose their sense of direction, and it also possesses defensive effects. This formation will grow stronger as your cultivation improves. Only experts at least two major realms above you may possibly be able to break it."

A flicker of delight flashed through Gu Hengzhi's eyes. He promptly thanked the Earth Deity. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior! This formation truly is miraculous. If I can set it up successfully, my Spirit Field will surely remain safe."

The Earth Deity nodded with a smile, then took an ancient book from his robes and handed it to Gu Hengzhi. "This contains the method for setting up the Mountain-Subduing Lost Paths Formation. Study it carefully and arrange it step by step. Of course, if you can add a strand of Tier-One Faith Power, its might and effects will naturally improve. If you have any questions, come find this old man again."

Gu Hengzhi accepted the ancient book as though it were a priceless treasure. After bowing to the Earth Deity once more, he hurried away and began setting up the Mountain-Subduing Lost Paths Formation. He knew that only by completing the formation as soon as possible could he restore peace to the Spirit Field. Throughout the process, he would also continue improving his cultivation, making the Mountain-Subduing Lost Paths Formation even stronger.