Chapter 7: Mystic Spirit Grass

Mystic Spirit Grass has a negligible effect on high‑quality weapon martial souls, but for scythe‑hammer type martial souls its effect is excellent.

Even so, Mystic Spirit Grass costs far beyond what they can afford on the market.

Li Li learned the location of Mystic Spirit Grass by chance, but he didn't tell the other part‑time students in his dorm.

As for why he didn't seek anyone else and only approached himself, Tie Li could quickly guess the gist.

On one hand it was strength: he possesses a Hundred-Year Soul Ring, and the attributes of that Soul Ring alone create a huge gap;

Among the academy's part‑time students and civilian students, only he and Li Li have Hundred-Year Soul Rings;

He couldn't ask a noble student for help; they all have family backing, and if the location of Mystic Spirit Grass were exposed, their families would mobilize.

The other reason might be the scarcity of Mystic Spirit Grass—likely only two plants—so he wants to find a Soul Master of comparable ability to go together.

To be honest, Tie Li was tempted, but Soul Beasts guard the grass.

"What do you think?" Li Li asked.

He has innate seventh‑level soul power and an ordinary scythe martial soul; this is a thorn in his heart—if his martial soul were of higher quality, the Spirit Hall could recruit him.

"I can agree, but you must tell me the details clearly."

"Alright."

Seeing Tie Li show some inclination, Li Li immediately explained the situation he knew.

The Soul Beast guarding Mystic Spirit Grass is a Hundred-Year Iron‑Arm Ape; both are One Ring Soul Masters with Hundred-Year Soul Rings, so with proper coordination they have a high chance of hunting the Hundred-Year Iron‑Arm Ape.

"But there are only three Mystic Spirit Grass plants," Li Li hesitated briefly, then chose to speak plainly; the division of profit is also an issue.

"I can take just one, but the Iron‑Arm Ape's corpse belongs to me."

"Fine."

Seeing Tie Li relent, Li Li immediately agreed.

A dead Hundred-Year Soul Beast can fetch a good price, but nothing compares to a single Mystic Spirit Grass.

On the market, one Mystic Spirit Grass can sell for at least 500 Gold Soul Coins.

"When do we set out?"

"This afternoon!" Li Li said.

Tie Li twitched his brow; the other wasn't planning to give him time, but he understood the reasoning.

"Alright, I'll go back and fetch some things."

Tie Li moved swiftly; once home, he redonned the Iron Inner Armor he had taken off, still bearing Nether Wolf claw marks, and chose a garment he usually wears while forging as an outer coat.

He also fetched a few cloth ropes from home and tucked them into his belt, felt the lone horn of the nearby Thunder Python, and decided to take it.

After preparing, Tie Li arrived at the academy gate and saw Li Li already waiting.

He also shed his academy attire, donning his patched hemp robe; for a moment the two looked almost identical.

"Let's set off!"

Li Li didn't disclose the exact location of the Mystic Spirit Grass, so Tie Li could only follow him.

Only after they left Manuo City did Li Li speak.

"Last time I left the village, I tried to take a shortcut back to the academy, crossing the White Light Forest, and unexpectedly saw immature Mystic Spirit Grass on a peak, guarded by a Hundred-Year Iron‑Arm Ape."

The White Light Forest isn't a Soul Beast forest; most inhabitants are wild beasts, with occasional ten‑year Soul Beasts appearing.

This suddenly appearing Hundred-Year Soul Beast, the Iron‑Arm Ape, was likely drawn by the fragrance of Mystic Spirit Grass.

The naturally growing spirit grass and spirit flowers have an inexplicable attraction to certain Soul Beasts; even from afar they can sense them.

As the two hurried into the White Light Forest, they found a caravan ahead, blocked by a band of thieves.

"That's a problem. Should we go around the other side?" Li Li suggested.

Tie Li gave a meaning‑laden glance at the opposing sides; with just the two of them, it was better not to stir this mess.

The caravan was transporting grain and animal supplies, twelve wagons in total; though valuable, at most they hired a single One Ring Soul Master to guard the convoy.

Tie Li sensed three soul‑power fluctuations within the caravan, and four within the thieves' group.

If it were just ordinary cargo transport, would it attract so many Soul Masters?

"Better fewer complications than more; for Tie Li now, that's the best choice."

The two concealed their aura and slipped around to the other side of the forest.

Li Li knew the terrain well and pressed forward quickly, but Tie Li kept feeling he was deliberately taking detours.

It wasn't until sunset that Tie Li finally saw the peak Li Li mentioned; the three Mystic Spirit Grass plants were at the summit.

"When the Mystic Spirit Grass absorbs the last moonlight tonight, it will fully mature," Li Li muttered to himself.

Tie Li said nothing more, staying behind Li Li and hiding behind a boulder.

Peeking out, he could see the massive Iron‑Arm Ape guarding the Mystic Spirit Grass.

It too was waiting for the grass to mature!

The pure round moon grew increasingly cold; a faint chill light fell from the sky, and the moment the Mystic Spirit Grass touched the chill light, it emitted a pale white glow.

At that moment, the Iron‑Arm Ape's attention was fixed on the Mystic Spirit Grass.

"Attack!"

The moment he summoned his martial soul, his Soul Ring radiated a yellow sheen, and Tie Li's Soul Ring glow deepened.

Taking advantage, he glanced at Li Li's martial soul; with the Hundred-Year Soul Ring boost, its scythe form underwent a significant change.

The black shaft emitted sharp, cold rays; when releasing the First Soul Technique, the chill light flared.

Li Li swung forcefully, a blade beam cutting from his scythe martial soul.

"Sss—"

He easily pierced the Iron‑Arm Ape's back, carving a gruesome wound; blood gushed out, exposing white bone.

First Soul Technique, Thunder Hammer!

The Iron Arm Ape was about to turn and counterattack, but coming straight at it was a large hammer releasing Lightning Light.

Boom

The impact force of the power plus the accompanying lightning damage.

Forging, Shock Strike!

The hammer's body emitted high-frequency vibrations, striking the head and causing it to fall into a brief dizziness, but not enough to kill it outright.

"Chop its head!" Tie Li shouted at Li Li.

Li Li quickly stepped forward, swinging his blade at the Iron Arm Ape's neck, and the First Soul Ring lit up again.

Release a blade aura at such close range?

While Tie Li was puzzled, he discovered that the blade of the sickle martial soul had become larger and sharper.

Is this a Hundred-Year Soul Technique?

Crack

Without any mishap, Li Li severed the Iron Arm Ape's head with one blow.

Both of them involuntarily looked at each other's martial soul and soul ring.

A full ten seconds passed before Tie Li spoke to break the situation.

"As agreed beforehand, I get one stalk of Mystic Spirit Grass plus the Iron Arm Ape's corpse." Tie Li went first to where the Mystic Spirit Grass was, picking the stalk that belonged to him.

Li Li followed closely, carefully picking two stalks and placing them into the specially prepared wooden box.

(End of chapter)