The Companion Herb of the Eighth-Grade Beast

Han Li did not bother with mystery. He went straight to the point.

“I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Gu about something called Thousand Leaf Dew.”

Gu Yu’s expression froze for a moment, but after a brief pause, he replied quickly.

“Thousand Leaf Dew… I do have some recollection of it. As it happens, if you had asked a few years earlier, I would have known nothing. But two years ago, I came into possession of an ancient manual that mentions it. I have already copied the manual onto a jade slip. Would you like to examine it yourself, Senior?” As he spoke, Gu Yu’s tone carried a trace of careful deference.

Han Li’s heart surged with joy. A flicker of excitement crossed his eyes.

“If there is a written record, that would be even better. If it truly is the item I seek, I will certainly reward you handsomely, Fellow Daoist.” Han Li suppressed his inner excitement and spoke with a composed smile.

Upon hearing these words, Gu Yu was equally overjoyed. A promise from a Core Formation cultivator was no small fortune for his future prospects!

Without further hesitation, he fumbled through his belongings and produced a pale yellow jade slip, which he handed to Han Li with both hands.

“This is the slip, Senior. Please examine it carefully,” Gu Yu said respectfully.

Han Li did not waste words. He took the jade slip and immediately began scanning it with his spiritual sense.

In just a few moments, Han Li’s expression shifted—first to excitement, then to confusion, and finally to deep contemplation.

Li Xun, who had been carefully observing Han Li’s every move, noticed the rapid changes in his expression and could not help but flash a curious look in his eyes.

Gu Yu, meanwhile, grew increasingly uneasy. He feared that the Thousand Leaf Dew recorded in his jade slip was not what this Senior Qu was looking for.

“It is indeed the item I seek,” Han Li finally said as he withdrew his spiritual sense from the jade slip. His tone was calm, but the excitement in his eyes had dimmed considerably.

“Is there some complication with the Thousand Leaf Dew?” the old man asked, his eyes shifting slightly as he probed carefully.

“I did not expect this thing to be so troublesome. It involves an eighth-grade demon beast.” Han Li gave a bitter smile.

“An eighth-grade demon beast?” Li Xun was taken aback, staring at Han Li with disbelief.

“That is correct. The so-called Thousand Leaf Dew is actually the sap of a ‘Companion Herb.’ However, the Companion Herb must have grown beside an eighth-grade demon beast to be effective.” Han Li let out a soft sigh, speaking with a hint of resignation.

After hearing this explanation, Li Xun fell silent as well.

He knew perfectly well what a Companion Herb was. It was a type of spiritual herb that grew near demon beast lairs, nourished over long years by the ambient demonic energy.

In theory, Companion Herbs were common enough. But a Companion Herb growing beside an eighth-grade demon beast was an entirely different matter.

Although rumors claimed that ninth-grade and even tenth-grade demon beasts had been sighted in the Outer Star Seas, those were nothing more than unverified tales.

As far as he knew, a seventh-grade demon beast was the highest grade he had ever seen in Blackstone City. An eighth-grade beast was unheard of.

Li Xun looked at Han Li with a hint of astonishment.

He wondered what kind of precious pill this man was trying to refine, that required such an outrageous ingredient.

“There are some things recorded in this jade slip that I may need to study further in the future. Would Fellow Daoist Gu be willing to part with it?” Han Li played with the jade slip in his hand, hesitated briefly, then made an unexpected request.

Gu Yu was stunned for a moment, but then replied without any hesitation. “If it is useful to you, Senior, please keep it.”

Seeing the younger man’s obedient response, Han Li nodded slightly. With a flip of his palm, a small bottle and a talisman painted with a yellow sword appeared in his hand.

“As a senior, I would not take your things for nothing. This bottle contains pills that can slightly improve your cultivation, and this is a Talisman Treasure. Use them well.” Han Li tossed both items over lightly.

“Thank you, Senior, for your generous gift!” Gu Yu caught the two items and could not contain his joy, repeatedly bowing with deep gratitude.

To a Qi Condensation cultivator, these were truly invaluable treasures.

“Since Fellow Daoist Qu has already bestowed his gift, Gu Yu, you may take your leave,” Li Xun said, his expression calm as he dismissed the younger man.

In an instant, the room was once again empty save for the two of them.

“If there is anything else this old man can assist you with, Fellow Daoist, please do not hesitate to speak,” Li Xun said with an exaggerated tone of generosity.

“Since Fellow Daoist Li has offered, there is another matter I would like to trouble you with. Does the Cun Jin Pavilion happen to sell agate beast horns?” Han Li paused briefly, then asked cautiously.

“Hehe! You have come to the right place! Although agate horns are extremely rare, this shop happened to acquire two just last month. If you need one, I will have someone bring it over immediately.” The old man clapped his hands lightly with a laugh, giving the order without a moment’s delay.

Han Li naturally showed a delighted expression and expressed his thanks repeatedly.

Before long, a young attendant entered the room carrying a silver tray.

On the tray rested an exquisite wooden box.

“Please take a look, Fellow Daoist, and see if this agate horn suits your needs.”

Han Li nodded solemnly, picked up the wooden box, and opened the lid.

A blue light shimmered as a half-foot-long horn appeared inside the box.

It was crystal clear, shaped like a spiraling cone, with a faint blue glow rippling across its surface.

“Excellent. This one will serve its purpose. How many spirit stones is this item?” Han Li showed a satisfied expression and closed the lid again.

“This horn was purchased by our shop for five thousand spirit stones. Since you truly need it, I will offer it at the original purchase price.” Li Xun smiled cheerfully, displaying his social grace.

Han Li naturally did not haggle. After expressing his thanks, he counted out enough mid-grade spirit stones from his person and pushed them over to the old man.

With a flick of his wide sleeve, the old man pocketed the spirit stones. Then, smiling broadly, he asked:

“Does Fellow Daoist Qu have any detailed plans now that you have arrived here? Although your cultivation is formidable, the high-grade demon beasts in these waters are not to be taken lightly. More than a few Core Formation colleagues have been severely wounded by beasts while hunting alone. Perhaps you would allow me to introduce you to some cultivation peers of similar rank. If you venture out to sea together, your safety would be much more assured.”

Han Li responded with a faint smile. The old man had been showing him goodwill from start to finish, and now had finally spoken the words of an invitation.

“I appreciate your kind offer. However, in the near future, I plan to refine some pills and will likely go into seclusion for a period. I am in no hurry to head out to sea to hunt demon beasts.” Han Li did not wish to refuse the offer outright, but he also had no intention of sailing with strangers. He turned down the invitation diplomatically.

“That is also a wise approach. It is better to increase your cultivation first and become more familiar with the situation here before making any plans. Still, if you ever need to find people in the future, Fellow Daoist, please do not forget to come to me!” Although a trace of disappointment flickered across the old man’s face, he quickly recovered and continued speaking as if nothing had happened.

Han Li naturally agreed wholeheartedly. After a few more pleasantries, he took his leave.

The old man accompanied Han Li to the door before returning to the room.

“Well? Can this person be used by us?” As soon as the old man sat back down, a flat, colorless voice suddenly echoed through the room.

A blurry human figure then floated eerily out from a landscape painting hanging on the wall. It turned out there had been another person hiding in the room all along.

This figure was clad in white robes, with a green light masking his face, giving him an air of profound mystery.

“No need to worry. Although our conversation was brief, and his face is unfamiliar, this Qu fellow is undoubtedly a rogue cultivator who travels alone. Once he encounters a few dangers on his own while sailing, he will naturally come to appreciate my earlier advice. He will come back to us eventually.” The old man spoke with great confidence.

“Hmph! That is not certain.” The white-robed figure poured cold water on his optimism with a flat tone.

“Oh? You think a mere early Core Formation cultivator could hunt demon beasts alone in the deep ocean?” Li Xun shook his head dismissively.

“He is likely no ordinary Core Formation cultivator. While you were talking inside, he never once looked directly at my hiding spot. Yet, for some reason, I felt as though I was being watched by him the entire time. I suspect he already noticed my presence but simply did not expose me.” The white-robed figure was silent for a moment before speaking with gravity.

“Are you certain? Even a cultivator one tier higher than you should not be able to detect your concealment technique. Do not tell me this fellow Qu is actually a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.” The old man furrowed his brow, a note of doubt in his voice.

“Hard to say. It is possible he practices some unusual technique, or perhaps he carries a certain treasure on him.” The white-robed figure’s reply was laced with uncertainty.

“Forget it. Whether he is ordinary or exceptional, we have done our best to befriend him. That cannot have been a mistake.” The old man paced a few turns around the room before speaking with a frown.

The white-robed figure nodded in agreement and said nothing more.

(Laughter! Happy Lantern Festival, everyone! There will be another chapter tonight. A new week has begun. Wang Yu asks for your recommendation ticket support!)