Spirit Plant Weapons: [Devour Souls and Transform into Ghosts] and [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia]
In a short while, Li Fan established a close magical connection with the [Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant]. He poured his Blood Qi energy into it, and the Big Mouth Flower Spirit Plant grew out of its roots and rapidly expanded to a size of tens of meters, completely occupying the entire Yellow Springs Stream.
Its roots and branches transformed into flexible hands and feet, standing up and wantonly devouring the Yin Death Soul Power flowing in the Yellow Springs Stream.
Such a change naturally attracted the attention of the Yellow Springs Water Ghost was spying on the Blood Qi inside the mountain-guarding formation.
It paused briefly while tapping, moved closer to the [Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant], and let out a sinister laugh.
"Hehe! Eat... good flowers..."
Seeing his commotion, Li Fan raised an eyebrow, but just in case, he didn't risk sending the [Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant] out to try and fight this guy.
Instead, it manipulated the chaotic Yin Death Soul Power surrounding the Giant Mouth Flower Devouring Body [Stream Ravine Mountain], artificially guiding it towards becoming a spiritual plant weapon.
The more he used it, the more surprised Li Fan became.
"I never expected this big-faced, flowery creature to have the potential to evolve into a spirit plant weapon. It's like an unexpected stroke of luck; I should nurture it properly."
So-called spirit plant weapons are special spirit plants that inherently possess extremely strong combat attributes. Through special spirit plant techniques and weaponization guidance, they can evolve into special spirit plant weapons comparable to spirit artifacts and magic treasures.
The biggest advantage of this weapon is that it doesn't need to worry about minor damage, as it possesses extremely strong self-healing abilities; if the spiritual plant itself is special enough, it can also unleash various strange abilities, making it comparable to some powerful spiritual artifacts.
As the connection between their magical powers and spirituality grew stronger, he also learned the specific abilities of this [Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant].
"[Devour Souls and Transform into Ghosts], that ability is quite interesting."
To be precise, it has an extremely strong ability to restrain spirits and ghosts, and can stimulate a special hunting instinct.
However, its own cultivation level is only at the First-Tier Low Grade. If it fails to live up to the expectations of the Yellow Springs Water Ghost outside, it will probably be in serious trouble. Therefore, it needs to undergo special training.
"Since it's about devouring, a long, narrow shape isn't quite right; let's develop it towards vortexes or jars."
Under Li Fan's guidance, the rhizomes of the [Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant] began to undergo specialized and abnormal development.
The distance between the flower and the rootstock shortens rapidly, the rootstock swells and wraps around and supports the blood-red face flower, and finally develops into a face-shaped Flower Spirit plant in the shape of a flowerpot or jar.
Its mobility is greatly reduced, but its suction force, speed, and capacity for devouring increase to several times their original size.
Li Fan used his magic to control it, and its shrunken form returned to his hand, resembling a flower jar-shaped spiritual artifact. The blood-stained face with its mouth opened and closed, still devouring the Yin Death Soul Power flowing in the air.
Sensing his strength, it had already reached the initial First-Tier Middle Grade.
"Hmm! Calling it 'Big-Mouthed Flower Spirit Plant' isn't quite right anymore. Let's give it another name."
The bloodstain on the human face seemed to sense something; the expression on its face, as it gazed at him, revealed a look of hope—a truly bizarre sight.
"You're quite Spirituality and have potential; let's name you [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia]."
The blood-flower-faced creature seemed extremely pleased with its name, its mouth agape as it absorbed the endless stream of Yin Death Soul Power from the area.
Three days later, the majestic aura of ghosts and gods finally emanated from outside the mountain-guarding formation; the river patrol soldiers had finally arrived.
Li Fan wondered why they had arrived so slowly. Based on his estimation of the Yellow Springs Continent, even Dao Foundation cultivator wouldn't take this long to travel at full speed.
Outside the mountain-guarding formation, Liu Wuxin was originally the same height as him, revealed a ghostly body a hundred meters tall.
In the other two directions, the same ghostly figures blocked the path of the Yellow Springs Water Ghost.
Liu Wuxin truly lived up to his reputation as a legitimate river patrolman, officially appointed by incense offerings and authorized by Netherworld underworld; his very words carried the power of ghosts and gods.
"Hey! Yellow Springs Water Ghost dare to leave the Yellow Springs River and enter the mortal world to disrupt the balance of life and death! My ghost-beating whip is here; surrender now!"
The Yellow Springs Water Ghost seemed to lack intelligence, but they were quite afraid of the imposing black whip in Liu Wuxin's hand, so they fled to both sides.
Li Fan focused his attention on the river patrol soldiers capturing the Yellow Springs Water Ghost. Taking advantage of the Yellow Springs Water Ghost escaping some distance, he carefully activated a small part of the mountain-guarding array and threw out the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia].
In truth, the Yellow Springs Water Ghost was intercepted by the three patrolling river soldiers, and his escape was practically impossible. However, Li Fan also wanted to test the power of the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia].
At this moment, Liu Wuxin swung his ghost-slaying whip, striking the Yellow Springs Water Ghost and leaving a long mark that was almost impossible for his Yin Death Ghost Qi to erase.
When struck by the ghost whip, its aura diminished, and the hundred-meter-tall black shadow in the straw hat also shrank.
The other two patrolling sailors also swung their demon-slaying whips, one binding his feet and the other his arms, to prevent him from going berserk.
At this moment, they sensed something and looked up in Li Fan's direction, only to see the cold-faced blood flower shaped like a flower jar. The [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia] released boundless suction, firmly locking onto the Yellow Springs Water Ghost, tearing and devouring it bit by bit.
Liu Wuxin narrowed his eyes, sensing the Blood Qi power:
"This is the method of that Daoist Buzhen, a peculiar spiritual plant weapon, which is quite effective against this water ghost."
Li Fan had a portion of his divine consciousness residing in the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia], and he was somewhat pleased to perceive its powerful [Devour Souls and Transform into Ghosts] ability.
He simply increased his Blood Qi power, causing the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia] to expand to a size of 30m, which directly covered the Yellow Springs Water Ghost Ghost's hat in one gulp.
"Snap!"
The harsh chewing sound rang out again, sending a slight chill down the spines of the three patrolling sailors.
As the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia] tore and devoured, the Yellow Springs Water Ghost immediately lost its ability to move, becoming frozen in place, and was soon completely devoured by the Rafflesia.
The [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia], having feasted, floated up, its magical radiance revealing Li Fan's face:
"Thank you for your help, fellow Daoists. I have important matters to attend Buzhen and cannot open the great formation to let you in. Consider these three bottles of Blood Qi Spirit Wine as a token of my gratitude."
As he finished speaking, the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia] opened its mouth and spat out three bottles of [Yin Blood Spirit Wine], handing them to the three patrolling sailors respectively.
Liu Wuxin probed the spirit wine with his divine sense and felt a sense of comfort, so he accepted it first. The others followed suit and also took it into their hands.
Liu Wuxin found the projected face of Li Fan and the special spiritual plant weapon he was controlling quite peculiar:
"Thank you for the spirit wine, fellow Daoist. Your Yin-attribute Blood Qi Spirit Wine is indeed a rare item, and my brothers and I have no choice but to accept it."
The other two didn't say much, as they weren't very familiar with this person.
Li Fan nodded and rode the [Heaven-Devouring Rafflesia] back into [Stream Ravine Mountain].
The group looked at each other, then their voices faded away and disappeared from the scene.
Seeing them leave, Li Fan finally relaxed. He couldn't help but be vigilant, as refining the Xuanjing required most of his energy. If a powerful opponent came, it would be very disadvantageous for him.