Vanished

With this silver spirit tree, all the surrounding spiritual energy had become wood-attributed spiritual energy. Naturally, cultivation yielded twice the results for half the effort, though it was not quite so friendly to other Spiritual Roots.

Fortunately, it had no adverse effect on Xue Fuyao. Not only that, it helped her considerably. After all, her Creation Spirit Root came from the Creation Green Lotus, and the origin of the Creation Spirit Root was a Spirit Plant.

Besides these, there were many other spirit medicines: rainbow skirt grass, golden sun lingzhi, dragon scale fruit, longevity fruit, snow spirit grass, golden bell seed, heaven-mending lingzhi, dragon-pattern grass, Soul-Nourishing Trees, and many more that Xue Fuyao could not name. They filled her vision, growing as freely as weeds.

Yet these spirit medicines, any single one of which could stir up a bloody storm in the outside world, seemed incomparably insignificant before the Heavenly Spirit Tree in the distance.

Xue Fuyao did not know how long the barrier would last. Not daring to waste time, she took out a shovel and began digging.

She had thought she had prepared more than enough jade boxes this time, but now it seemed they were nowhere near enough.

Left with no choice, she could only dig up extra soil along with them, preserving the spirit medicines' roots and medicinal potency as best she could. This would at least ensure that their potency would not dissipate for a month.

As for the traces left behind...

Once the barrier disappeared, with so many Monster Beasts outside, a sweep through by them would probably destroy every trace.

Even if someone noticed something amiss, she could say the Monster Beasts had done it.

Xue Fuyao wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead and thought, When I get back this time, I'll see whether I can buy a Portable Medicinal Garden.

Although that mighty cultivator's cave abode had contained many magical artifacts, including many spatial artifacts, there had not been a Portable Medicinal Garden.

Of course, it was quite possible that Forging Masters had not yet developed Portable Medicinal Gardens in that mighty cultivator's era.

Portable Medicinal Gardens were more difficult to craft than other magical artifacts. After all, they had to support the cultivation of spirit medicines inside, so they were extremely expensive.

Besides spirit medicines, Xue Fuyao also dug up several tea trees.

They were Camellia Trees, ranked one hundredth in the Record of Strange Spirits. Unlike ordinary tea trees in appearance, these trees were tall, their bodies covered in all sorts of brightly colored blossoms whose fragrance filled the air. Their fully opened flowers could be dried and brewed into tea, which could beautify the complexion, clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and continuously replenish spiritual power.

"What a pity they aren't Dao Enlightenment Tea Trees. Both are listed in the Record of Strange Spirits, but one ranks one hundredth and the other third."

After making the Camellia Trees acknowledge her as their master, Xue Fuyao diligently resumed digging up spirit medicines.

Looking at the Divine Spirit Tree not far away, she had considered getting there ahead of everyone else. Unfortunately, some kind of restriction seemed to protect it, and before the Divine Spirit Fruit ripened, she feared no one would be able to approach.

An unknown amount of time passed. The spirit medicines in Xue Fuyao's Storage Bag and Space Ring had already piled into mountains when the barrier suddenly shook.

"Is it finally going to disappear?" Looking at the barrier overhead, Xue Fuyao decisively stopped digging, concealed her aura, and swiftly approached the Divine Spirit Tree.

Just then, the barrier suddenly disappeared.

Meanwhile, the people and Monster Beasts that had waited outside the barrier for more than ten days charged inside at their greatest speed the instant they saw it vanish.

When those from the Yuanji Sect and Kunlun Sect saw clearly what was inside the barrier, they all sucked in a sharp breath.

Spirit medicines. They were all spirit medicines. Even though the Yuanji Sect and Kunlun Sect were major sects, they had never seen so many spirit medicines.

Before they could even react, their bodies had already begun moving.

Gu Nian and Yan Changxi, however, looked ahead, their pupils trembling involuntarily.

"That's a Divine Spirit Tree!" Gu Nian exclaimed in shock.

Especially upon seeing that the Divine Spirit Fruit on the tree had already ripened, she charged over without a second thought.

By then, Xue Fuyao had already reached the Divine Spirit Tree ahead of everyone else. Just as she was one step away from the Divine Spirit Fruit, something unexpected happened: the Divine Spirit Fruit actually vanished.

And it was not just one. Three Divine Spirit Fruits suddenly vanished in succession.

The other Monster Beasts and the disciples of the Yuanji Sect and Kunlun Sect rushing toward the tree saw an unfamiliar black-clad cultivator suddenly appear before it, followed immediately by the disappearance of three Divine Spirit Fruits. Their eyes instantly reddened with rage.

Xue Fuyao, who was equally bewildered, sensed something was wrong and immediately lunged toward one of the two remaining Divine Spirit Fruits.

This time, the Divine Spirit Fruit finally did not disappear.

Looking at the menacing Monster Beasts and sect disciples behind her, Xue Fuyao also realized they were blaming her for the three Divine Spirit Fruits that had vanished at the start.

What an injustice! I don't know what happened either!

But no one would likely believe an explanation now. Fortunately, she had disguised herself and did not have to worry about being recognized.

Just as she prepared to slip away, she caught sight of a pale yellow, mouse-like creature running along the Divine Spirit Tree.

Were there mice on the Divine Spirit Tree too?

With no time to think further, Xue Fuyao grabbed the suspected mouse in passing, then tore open a Teleportation Talisman and vanished from the spot.

Watching her disappear, the other Monster Beasts and people wanted nothing more than to tear her into ten thousand pieces, but they did not actually pursue the person who had already left.

Whether they could catch up was another matter; there was still one ripe Divine Spirit Fruit on the Divine Spirit Tree.

Meanwhile, after confirming that her surroundings were safe, Xue Fuyao could not help letting out a sigh of relief.

She raised her right hand and examined the mouse-like creature she had just caught. Judging by its appearance, it looked like a Mutant Spirit Mouse. It did not even qualify as a Monster Beast, only a Spirit Beast.

Generally, Monster Beasts with little strength and low intelligence were called Spirit Beasts. They were smarter and stronger than ordinary beasts and could understand human speech. Their temperaments were also relatively docile, allowing them to be kept as pets.

The Mutant Spirit Mouse in Xue Fuyao's hand had lively eyes and a plump body, its fur sleek and glossy. One look made it clear that it had been keeping itself very well fed.

The Spirit Mouse seemed frightened and kept making terrified noises. Finding it noisy, Xue Fuyao knocked it unconscious with a flick to the head, then took out a box and put it inside.

Mutant Spirit Beasts were extremely rare and could often fetch high prices outside. Although this was only a Mutant Spirit Mouse, it could probably still sell for quite a bit.

After putting the box away, Xue Fuyao hurried toward the Divine Spirit Tree once more.

"I know, I know. I'll feed you next." As she walked, she soothed the Demon-Suppressing Bracelet on her wrist.

Along the way, she removed her disguise. Only after confirming that there were no flaws did she pretend she had just arrived.