"Big Brother, you found all four stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass. Half for each of us will do. As for the Goldspirit Rat, we'll stick to our previous agreement!"
"We agreed!" Zhou Xun wanted to say more, but was interrupted again.
"Big Brother, I misjudged that Goldspirit Rat earlier. If not for you, I'm afraid we would have failed,"
"And this cave—if not for you, Big Brother, with my temperament, I would have left after killing the Goldspirit Rat. I never would have entered, nor discovered these spirit herbs. Splitting them equally, I'm still the one getting the better end of the bargain!"
Looking into Dan Xiong Hai's sincere eyes, a trace of warmth rose in Zhou Xun's heart. He nodded.
"Then we'll do as you say!"
Zhou Xun accepted the two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass Dan Xiong Hai handed him and stowed them in the pack on his back.
Because of the Spirit Gathering Grass, the two searched the hall several more times, circling it again and again. Finding nothing, they finally left the cave in disappointment.
"Big Brother, is this real? I actually got two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass!" The moment they emerged from the cave, Dan Xiong Hai could no longer conceal his excitement.
Zhou Xun frowned at this and quickly warned him,
"Da Hai, as the saying goes, 'A common man is innocent, but he is guilty for carrying a jade.' These spirit herbs are so valuable that even Foundation Establishment cultivators would likely take an interest in them. Now that they have fallen into our hands, we must keep our mouths shut. Otherwise, they will surely bring a calamity that takes our lives!"
"Big Brother, don't worry. Not showing one's wealth is a rule every demon-hunting cultivator has carved into his heart. I definitely won't tell anyone!" Dan Xiong Hai promised, patting his chest.
Seeing him swear by his identity as a demon-hunting cultivator, Zhou Xun nodded and said no more.
Hundred Savages Mountain was rich in resources, with countless heavenly treasures hidden within. Demon-hunting cultivators who made their living there would have long been eaten until not even bone dregs remained if they did not know how to hide their strengths and instead showed off every treasure they obtained.
The two returned to the trap where they had killed the Goldspirit Rat, packed up their belongings, and filled two large bundles.
One carried one bundle as they headed back toward Red Leaf Square.
After a full seven days, they finally returned to the market district.
The reason the return journey took two extra days was entirely because of Zhou Xun.
They carried enormous treasures, and the two huge bundles were truly eye-catching. Perhaps sharp-eyed people had already noticed them on the way there and were lying in ambush along the road back.
Thus, they chose routes rarely traveled by people and made a detour, costing them two additional days.
Fortunately, nothing happened along the way, and they returned safely to Red Leaf Square.
Once they reached Green Willow Alley, they first carried their things into Dan Xiong Hai's home.
Only then did the two finally let out a breath of relief.
The formation around the house not only provided defense, but also blocked sound. Only then did they truly set down their taut heartstrings.
"Big Brother, we've really struck it rich this time!" Dan Xiong Hai said.
But Zhou Xun shook his head and explained,
"Those two treasures are far too precious. Even with Second Uncle's status, if word gets out, it would be difficult for him to keep them safe."
"The Wu Family's Treasures Pavilion has an excellent reputation. They wouldn't ruin their name of so many years over these things, would they?" Dan Xiong Hai retorted.
"That depends on what sort of treasure it is."
"If it were an ordinary treasure, that would be one thing. But this is Spirit Gathering Grass—a treasure that breaks through realms!"
"If refined into Spirit Gathering Pills, it could create more than ten Late-Stage Qi Condensation cultivators. For a lineage, that is an immense temptation!"
"It would be enough to draw out the Wu Family's Foundation Establishment cultivators!"
"With their cultivation, they could deal with us without a sound or a trace, while leaving the outside world none the wiser. Do you believe that?"
Zhou Xun warned him with a grave expression.
Only upon hearing this did Dan Xiong Hai nod in belief. He sighed.
"Then we have obtained this thing, yet cannot use it for the time being. That really is vexing!"
"Treasure stirs the heart. Our cultivation is still too low!"
"We should store them away patiently. When we reach the peak of Mid-Stage Qi Condensation, we can trade them for Spirit Gathering Pills and break into Late-Stage Qi Condensation in one stroke!" Zhou Xun said with ringing conviction.
Dan Xiong Hai suddenly understood.
After sitting for a while, Zhou Xun took his leave and returned home. They agreed to visit the Mystic Talisman Pavilion at the center of the market district together early the next morning to sell the Goldspirit Rat materials.
Upon returning home, Zhou Xun immediately shut the doors and windows. Only after checking everything thoroughly did he take out the two stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass with ease of mind.
"Now that I have Spirit Gathering Grass in hand, it is the perfect time to test the abilities of the Ningshun Sutra!"
He had no thought at all of begrudging the precious spirit herbs.
For cultivators, aptitude was the foundation. Though spirit herbs were precious, they could not compare to improving one's spiritual root aptitude.
Even when condensing Spirit Herb Essence to improve spiritual root aptitude, the effects of ordinary spirit herbs and precious spirit herbs would certainly differ.
Besides, he still had another stalk of Spirit Gathering Grass.
Zhou Xun opened one of the jade boxes, picked up the Spirit Gathering Grass, and was about to circulate the Ningshun Sutra's incantation when he suddenly stopped.
"These past few days of travel have left my body and mind exhausted. My condition is poor. I'd better adjust myself first and try it tomorrow!"
For seven days, Zhou Xun had remained highly vigilant, severely draining his mind.
Zhou Xun forcibly resisted the temptation of improving his spiritual root aptitude and placed the Spirit Gathering Grass back into the jade box.
The moment he closed the lid, Zhou Xun's heart became clear and open.
Reflecting upon oneself in the face of temptation was also a trial of the heart.
After properly hiding the Spirit Gathering Grass away, Zhou Xun ate a simple meal of Spirit Rice and went to rest.
Early the next morning, Dan Xiong Hai pulled Zhou Xun along with him to the Mystic Talisman Pavilion in the center of the market district.
As Red Leaf Square's largest talisman shop, it had great demand for Goldspirit Rat materials, which could be used to prepare spirit ink and refine Talisman Brushes.
Stepping once more into the place where he had worked for three years, a ripple stirred in Zhou Xun's heart.
In the past, he had come here as a laborer. Today, he came as a customer.
The moment he stepped into the Mystic Talisman Pavilion, a servant in an azure robe came forward to greet him.
"Daoist Brother, welcome to the Mystic Talisman Pavilion. May I ask what you wish to buy? Eh! Zhou... Zhou Xun?" The servant first bowed warmly, but when he raised his head and clearly saw Zhou Xun's face, he froze in shock.
"Why are you here?" The servant's tone immediately became colder, carrying a faint trace of impatience.
This servant was named Qian Xun. Like Zhou Xun, he was a Spirit Contract Laborer of the Mystic Talisman Pavilion, so the two naturally knew each other.
However, he was somewhat of a snob who fawned over the powerful.
When Zhou Xun had previously been favored by the steward, Qian Xun had often befriended him and addressed him as "Brother Zhou" in daily life.
"I'm here to see Shopkeeper Liu!" Zhou Xun had initially been in a good mood upon seeing an acquaintance,
But seeing Qian Xun's attitude, he lost any desire for pleasantries.
"You've already been dismissed. What are you doing back at our Mystic Talisman Pavilion?" Qian Xun glanced around before lowering his voice.
Zhou Xun frowned and was about to speak,
When a gentle voice suddenly rang out.
"So it's Zhou Xun!"
The newcomer wore a sky-blue brocade robe. He was none other than Shopkeeper Liu, the man Zhou Xun had come to see.
"We came to sell Goldspirit Rat materials, yet this fellow was trying to drive us out!" Dan Xiong Hai sneered.
Qian Xun's expression changed upon hearing this.
Shopkeeper Liu's expression remained unchanged. He promptly cupped his hands in salute.
"I see. Then it is our failure in discipline. I apologize to this Daoist friend."
Seeing the shopkeeper be so courteous, Dan Xiong Hai waved his hand.
"Oh, and Zhou Xun... no, Daoist Zhou. Since you have come to sell materials, you are naturally our guests!"
He did not slight Zhou Xun in the least merely because Zhou Xun had once been his subordinate.
Perhaps this was an important reason why he had climbed from an outsider laborer with no backing or foundation to his current position.
He turned to Qian Xun beside him and ordered,
"Why have you not apologized to these two Daoist friends?" There was a trace of authority in his voice.
Qian Xun hurriedly bowed again and again.
"Brother Zhou, and this Daoist Brother as well, this lowly one had dog eyes that failed to recognize Mount Tai. I beg you, great sirs, do not hold a petty man's faults against him. Please spare me!"
Zhou Xun waved his hand, unwilling to pay him any further attention.
"Leave!" Shopkeeper Liu flicked his sleeve.
Qian Xun hurried away at once.
"Two Daoist friends, please come speak in the inner room!" Saying so, he led Zhou Xun and Dan Xiong Hai deeper into the building.
Before you continue