Scheming Against Tang San, Catalogue of Immortal Herbs

Dai Mubai looked baffled. "Immortal Herbs? What are those? How come I've never heard of them?"

Tang San smiled and explained, "Immortal Herbs are medicinal plants known as Immortal-Grade Herbs that can greatly improve a Soul Master's aptitude. Some strengthen one's foundation and vitality, some cleanse the marrow and reshape the bones, and some can even bring the dead back to life."

Dai Mubai asked skeptically, "Bring the dead back to life? Little San, you're not pulling my leg, are you?"

Tang San said urgently, "Every word is true. It's just that these Immortal-Grade Herbs come in all kinds of forms and require extremely harsh growing conditions. They also require special harvesting techniques and methods of consumption. However, their effects far surpass those of ordinary medicinal herbs. If one is fortunate enough to obtain even a single plant, the benefits to a Soul Master would be immeasurable."

Dai Mubai pretended to consider it, stroking his chin with furrowed brows as though weighing the pros and cons.

He looked up at Tang San's earnest expression and hesitated. "These things... sound like the kind of treasures one can only stumble upon by chance. Even if I knew what they looked like and what they did, it wouldn't be much use. Who in this world could possibly be so lucky as to find them whenever they wanted?"

Tang San sighed inwardly. Of course he knew Immortal Herbs were hard to find, but this was the only bargaining chip he could offer right now without endangering himself.

"Knowledge is always useful. What if, by some fortunate coincidence, Boss Dai, you happen to encounter one in the future? At least then you won't miss out on a treasure."

Tang San continued persuading him. "Besides, if these Immortal Herbs are harvested or consumed incorrectly, they will not only fail to help, but may even cause harm. What I'm offering is a complete description of their appearance, growth habits, harvesting methods, and methods of consumption."

Dai Mubai hummed and pondered for a long while before finally nodding with reluctance. "Fine... Though it sounds like empty promises to fill an empty stomach, learning something isn't bad. What if I really do get ridiculously lucky and run into one someday?"

He weighed the Plate Crystal in his hand and looked at Tang San. "Deal. This Plate Crystal in exchange for your knowledge of Immortal Herbs."

Relief filled Tang San's heart. "All right. I'll organize it into a booklet now. We'll make the trade tonight."

"No problem. Go ahead." Dai Mubai tucked the Plate Crystal back into his storage ring.

Tang San nodded slightly and turned toward the boys' dormitory, thinking to himself, Immortal Herbs aren't so easy to come by. Trading a pile of vague, intangible knowledge for a genuine top-grade Plate Crystal? I'm not losing out!

Under the old tree, Dai Mubai watched Tang San's retreating back, a meaningful smile curling across his lips.

A little over half an hour later, Ning Rongrong finally completed her fifty laps in several stretches.

By the time she finished, her long dress was soaked through with sweat. Her face was pale, and her entire body swayed as though she might collapse at any moment.

Dai Mubai reacted quickly. He stepped forward in a flash and caught her arm.

"You all right?"

"I'm fine!"

Ning Rongrong raised her head and forced a smile, though her voice was weak and drained.

Dai Mubai took out a Recovery Sausage he had prepared beforehand. "Eat one. This will help you recover quickly. Otherwise, you won't be able to get out of bed for days."

Ning Rongrong nodded and swallowed the sausage with her eyes closed. The moment it entered her stomach, a hint of color returned to her face.

Dai Mubai supported her arm with one hand and held the other behind her waist without quite touching it, half-supporting and half-carrying her toward the girls' dormitory.

Ning Rongrong leaned against Dai Mubai, feeling the strength coming from his arm. Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

When they reached the entrance of the girls' dormitory, Dai Mubai did not enter. He merely called toward the second floor, "Xiao Wu!"

Xiao Wu poked her head out. Upon seeing Ning Rongrong, she hurried downstairs.

"Ning Rongrong finished the fifty laps, but she's exhausted. Help her inside to rest." Dai Mubai handed Ning Rongrong over to Xiao Wu.

"Got it!" Xiao Wu supported Ning Rongrong as she led her inside.

In the afternoon, the sun slanted westward.

Tang San, who had shut himself in his room after completing the fifty laps, finally pushed open his door.

He held a thin booklet in his hand. It was bound with the most ordinary yellow paper, its edges still somewhat rough, clearly something he had hastily made that afternoon.

Tang San walked down the corridor and stopped outside Dai Mubai's room.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Come in."

Dai Mubai's voice came from inside, sounding as though he had just awakened from meditation.

Tang San pushed the door open and entered.

Dai Mubai was sitting cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed and his hands resting on his knees, still maintaining a meditative posture.

Tang San held out the booklet in his hand. "Boss Dai, this contains all the knowledge about Immortal Herb that I've organized, including complete descriptions of their appearances, growth habits, harvesting methods, and methods of consumption. It records twenty-seven Immortal-Grade Herbs in total, twelve of which are top-grade Immortal-Grade Herbs."

Dai Mubai slowly opened his eyes. He glanced at the booklet in Tang San's hand, doing his best to look unconcerned.

"Oh, just put it on the table. The Plate Crystal is there too. Take it yourself."

Dai Mubai casually gestured toward the table with his chin, then closed his eyes again and adjusted his breathing as though preparing to enter meditation once more.

Feeling Dai Mubai's steady breathing and seeing his indifferent attitude, Tang San was delighted.

That Plate Crystal was practically priceless in the eyes of those who knew its worth. Exchanging it for a booklet of Immortal Herb knowledge that might never be useful was an incredible bargain.

"Thank you, Boss Dai."

Tang San walked over to the table, placed the yellow-paper booklet down, then picked up the Plate Crystal and carefully stored it in Twenty-Four Bridges Bright Moon Night before turning toward the door.

"Boss Dai, I'll be going now. I won't disturb your cultivation."

"Mhm. Take care, Little San. Remember to close the door."

"All right."

Tang San gently shut the door behind him.

He shook his head and headed back toward his room.

Inside the room, Dai Mubai remained in his meditative pose, utterly motionless.

Only after Tang San's footsteps had completely faded from the corridor did Dai Mubai abruptly open his eyes!

His gaze fell upon the thin yellow-paper booklet on the wooden table, and a triumphant curve rose at the corner of his mouth.

"I finally have it."

Dai Mubai sprang down from the bed and hurried to the table, snatching up the booklet. His hand trembled slightly with excitement.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the wild joy in his heart, then sat down and opened the first page.

"Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass grows within the Extreme Yin Spring. It takes the form of a white, enormous eight-cornered flower and emits poison of the utmost cold. Consuming this herb alone is fatal, but if consumed simultaneously with the fire-attributed Immortal Herb Infernal Delicate Apricot, which grows alongside it, poison may counter poison, helping the consumer cultivate the Ice-Fire Golden Body and greatly strengthen their physique..."

Dai Mubai's eyes swept rapidly over the text. It perfectly matched his memories of the flower, and he nodded before continuing to turn the pages.

"Infernal Delicate Apricot, a top-grade fire-attributed Immortal Herb, is the nemesis of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and grows beside the Scorching Yang Spring..."

"Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum, a neutral immortal herb. Consuming it nourishes the limbs and allows the blood to flow through the eight extraordinary meridians, enabling one to cultivate an indestructible body..."

The more Dai Mubai read, the more shocked and ecstatic he became.

Tang San hadn't deceived me!

The basic descriptions of every Immortal Herb recorded in this booklet matched the information from his memories of his previous life.

Once he confirmed there were no problems, Dai Mubai began studying it carefully.