Chapter 105: The Herb Gatherer
Chapter 105: The Herb Gatherer
Inside the ancient well courtyard where the Phantom Bride resided in the Illusory Realm, a brilliant light suddenly burst forth. Two figures, luminous as the moon, appeared and illuminated the pitch-black courtyard until it was as bright as day.
This radiance emanated from their very beings, somewhat similar to the Phantom Bride’s crimson glow. It could reach over a thousand meters away yet remained perfectly under their control.
Upon closer inspection, their bodies were not physical flesh and blood but were purely composed of Soul Power.
One of them glanced at Li Si’s Idol of Fortune and couldn’t help but laugh, “Junior Sister, your disciple is quite interesting, huddled here like a local earth god.”
Judging by the voice, it was Jiuxuanzi, and the other was naturally Qingyunzi.
“Don’t mention that troublemaker! One of these days, I’ll hang him up and beat him to death!” Qingyunzi was clearly annoyed.
The two waited for a moment before the Phantom Bride slowly crawled out from the ancient well. Suddenly lifting a corner of her large red veil, she bowed to them. Instantly, the silver radiance emitted by Jiuxuanzi and Qingyunzi dimmed by at least half.
“Two Deities, instead of managing your Pure Land territories in the Mortal Realm, you linger here in the Five-Tone Ruins every day. Aren’t you ashamed?”
The Phantom Bride’s words were sharp, and as she spoke, howling ghostly winds twisted into countless phantom soldiers and spectral generals, charging toward the two figures.
Qingyunzi’s aura weakened abruptly, and he took a step back. However, the silver light around Jiuxuanzi surged violently, flickering with hints of gold. It wove into a golden shield wall, blocking the assault with unwavering strength, seemingly gaining the upper hand.
“Madam Palace, we respect you as the Herb Gatherer of the Five-Tone Ruins and thus treat you with courtesy, but that does not mean you can interfere with our affairs in the Mortal Realm. Moreover, you are the chief culprit behind the current state of the Mortal Realm.”
Hearing this, the Phantom Bride sighed softly, withdrew her crimson glow, and stood still. “Then what brings you two here today?”
“Two matters, or perhaps one. Either you rebuild a Hall of Fate for us in the Palace Ruins—this was the condition we agreed upon to stabilize the Mortal Realm’s Fate. Without a Hall of Fate, we are vulnerable on all fronts in the Mortal Realm and won’t last long.”
“If you refuse to rebuild the Hall of Fate, then lift the Divine Demon Seal on the Five-Tone Ruins. We will leave, and neither of us will owe the other anything! Lingering like this is torture; all that awaits us is certain death.”
“Or… are you hiding something from us?”
The Phantom Bride remained silent for a moment. “Could you grant me some more time? There’s been some trouble in the Palace Ruins, and I’m investigating the source. Once I identify the problem, I will immediately use the Wishing Stone to rebuild the Hall of Fate. As for lifting the Divine Demon Seal, don’t even think about it. Even if I agreed, it wouldn’t help. The Devil Mushroom is on the verge of losing control. I can only restrain it for three more months at most. Then, you will witness what a true Deity and Demon is truly like.”
“Don’t forget, the Devil Mushroom isn’t the only Seven Emotions Great Medicine that’s running wild in the Seven Emotions Medicine Field.”
“So please pass this message along: make as many preparations as you can in these three months. After three months, you, I, and everyone else will face a true apocalyptic hell. Our only hope for survival remains in the Mortal Realm. We must think of every possible way to stabilize the Fate at all costs. As long as the structure between the Mortal Realm and the Illusory Void remains unchanged, the Devil Mushroom’s true form will be unable to enter the Mortal Realm, and it will remain trapped in the Illusory Void.”
“Believe me, you do not want to see the moment the Devil Mushroom’s true form enters the Mortal Realm.”
Qingyunzi and Jiuxuanzi fell silent, the truth sending chills down their spines and deepening their despair.
“Is there really no other way? Such as seeking help, or waiting for the master of the Seven Emotions Medicine Field to return?” Qingyunzi asked tremulously.
“There is no other way. Don’t even think about seeking help. Three hundred years ago, you True Immortals could have severed your ties to this world and ascended to the Land of Infinite Vastness. But now, it’s too late.”
“As for the master of the Seven Emotions Medicine Field… heh, the Seven Emotions Medicine Field has been abandoned for countless years. I, the Herb Gatherer, stumbled in here by chance and inherited part of the former Herb Gatherer’s legacy, which granted me some authority over the field. Beyond that, I know even less than you.”
“Go now, or perhaps take your wandering disciple’s Idol of Fortune back with you? That kid is foolish and clumsy. I opened the Palace Ruins for him yesterday, and he only managed to take one step.”
The Phantom Bride spoke with clear disdain.
Jiuxuanzi glanced at Qingyunzi, who hesitated. Then, as if recalling something, a flash of anger crossed his face before he shook his head. “Senior Sister, we risked our True Immortal spirits to travel all the way here. With my strength diminished, I’m already a burden to you. If we also carry that kid’s Idol of Fortune, our speed will be halved. Besides, it’s safe enough here. If something really were to happen… Well, that might even be for the best. I could take the opportunity to reclaim control over my own Pure Land.”
Jiuxuanzi was surprised. Was this the same person who had been singing that disciple’s praises just days ago?
But with the enigmatic and mysterious Herb Gatherer present, she couldn’t say anything. The two bowed slightly to the Phantom Bride and departed.
The Phantom Bride stood motionless until Li Si poked his head out. She gave him a pitying look. He hadn’t even condensed a Soul Body; he drifted around like a mere shadow, more ghost-like than she was.
A rookie like him wouldn’t even know how he died three months from now.
No wonder Qingyunzi didn’t want to risk taking him along. Indeed, master and disciple may share the same forest, but when disaster strikes, each flies their own way.
“You’re here!”
“Yep! Are we going to the Palace Ruins again today?”
Li Si was full of fighting spirit. He was determined to try again today; he had even caught a net of Little Mushrooms this morning. He refused to believe he couldn’t take a second step.
The Phantom Bride was silent, then abruptly asked,
“Do you have a lot of Fate?”
“Uh, not really. I’m as poor as a ghost right now. No offense intended, of course.” Li Si complained. So far, he hadn’t even earned his first bucket of gold. As a transmigrator, he was truly a disgrace to his peers.
“Your Master and that Jiuxuanzi were just here.”
“Ah! Them? Oh, that makes sense.” Li Si was initially startled but quickly realized he was overthinking it. Although the Phantom Bride was bizarre and often spoke in riddles, she undoubtedly knew those twelve World Guardian True Immortals.
“Were they… looking for me?”
“You’re quite good at wishful thinking.”
Li Si chuckled, unembarrassed. The Old Madam probably wanted to strangle him right now, so it was better to keep his distance.
“In three months, a catastrophe will occur. So, for the sake of our acquaintance, I advise you to prepare early. Accumulate as much Fate as possible; it might help you survive a little longer.”
“What’s going to happen? Is the Giant Mushroom going to lose control?” Li Si’s heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t hard to guess—the Giant Mushroom was the number one final boss right now.
“Something like that. When it happens, even my place won’t be safe. As for your nine-inch Divine Idol, I suggest you return it to your Master as soon as possible. That way, she might be able to protect you a bit longer—assuming you haven’t offended her, that is.”
At this point, the Phantom Bride glanced at Li Si as if reading his mind. “Those twelve World Guardian True Immortals are still incredibly powerful. Don’t underestimate them. Previously, they even had the ability to attack the surface layer of the Illusory Realm—the place you mentioned with lots of Little Mushrooms.”
“Ninety percent of their power is concentrated there, so what they left behind in the Mortal Realm are mere Remnant Exuviae, like clay statues. But now, with all hope of a breakthrough gone, they will abandon the Illusory Realm’s surface. Then you’ll discover that the old folks who could barely move have suddenly become terrifying True Immortals.”
“Take care of yourself.”
“Do you still want to go to the Palace Ruins now? Remember, if you can’t ensure progress every time, you’ll not only waste a great deal of Fate but also fail to obtain even a speck of Seven Emotions Great Medicine residue.”
“Of course I’m going! Why wouldn’t I?”
Li Si declared resolutely. This was currently the only method to rapidly increase his Soul Evolution Level.
As for the benefits of raising his Soul Evolution Level?
Could it count as enhancing resistance against Soul Alienation Contamination?
Could it count as acquiring a new Dao Heart?
At this stage, Li Si wasn’t too afraid of physical Aberrant Corruption because he could stack buffs by improving various Dao Techniques and Divine Abilities.
But Soul Corruption was truly insurmountable.
Especially the Seven Emotions Tribulation—he was terrified of it. If what the Phantom Bride said was true, and the Devil Mushroom Evil God lost control in three months, then the Little Mushrooms that were currently avoiding him would form teams all over the world to hunt him down.
Rest assured, his hatred meter would undoubtedly rank first on the celestial charts!
At that point:
Go out to use the restroom—encounter the Seven Emotions Tribulation.
Go out for a walk to clear his mind—encounter the Seven Emotions Tribulation.
What could he do then?
For now, his priority was to ensure his own survival.
As for the Old Madam—even a celestial goddess’s household has no surplus grain!
He couldn’t expect too much.
“Suit yourself. But I can’t take you there. I need to make some preparations too. Here, take this. With this item, you’ll temporarily have the authority to open the Palace Ruins. You can also leave your Idol of Fortune there for now. It’s temporarily safe.”
The Phantom Bride sighed, extended a pale finger, and traced a strange rune in the air. It materialized and branded itself onto Li Si. Instantly, he felt a warm sensation, and his surroundings became much clearer.
“Go!”
With a wave of her hand, the Phantom Bride sent Li Si and his Idol of Fortune flying out like dust. The next second, they landed right in front of the Palace Ruins.
Immediately after, a red lantern adorned with a double happiness character floated above his head, illuminating a radius of twenty meters around him.
At the same time, Li Si received a message.
“Obtained the Herb Gatherer’s Lantern. Can be used to open the Palace Ruins Secret Realm while deterring evil. Remaining duration: 72 hours. After the time expires, this item will vanish automatically.”
—
“It seems I won’t be able to rely on this new big shot’s protection either.”
Li Si pondered thoughtfully. His chance for survival lay within these next seventy-two hours.