Chapter 1017 - 532: The Intimidating Power of Severed Heads (Part 2)

"I know, but in that urgent moment, how could I have considered those things?"

As Lan Yao became increasingly irritable, the Third Elder stepped forward.

"Gu Sheng, blame me for overlooking the defensive power of the Yinchen Wood. At the time, you were in seclusion, Shi Lou and the others were breaking through, and I was focused on protecting you. When I saw someone attacking, I panicked and forgot about this matter. Lan Yao, it was my oversight. I apologize to you."

Upon hearing this, Lan Yao waved his hand repeatedly.

"Third Elder, it’s not your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s Gu Sheng. He didn’t make it clear."

"Yes, indeed, I didn’t explain it well. Blame me."

Gu Sheng took responsibility and then smiled, "It doesn’t matter who’s to blame, as long as everyone is fine. Now, Purple Mist Peak has been removed from Jianghu. Their heads will serve as a deterrent to those who come later, so everyone shouldn’t worry too much."

"Gu Sheng, you can ignore other sects, but not Heisha Sect. Zhang Ping harbors resentment and uses despicable methods. Such a person cannot be left alive."

After some thought, Gu Sheng nodded, "You are right. Zhang Ping indeed cannot be left alive, but there’s no rush. His life will eventually be mine."

"When you go to Heisha Sect, I’ll go with you."

"You’re not going back to the Elf Clan?"

"No rush."

Gu Sheng did not ask further, just nodded lightly.

That night, someone attacked Stone Village again, but Gu Sheng and the others did not show up.

As expected, the numerous heads served as a deterrent, and those people quickly withdrew.

Hearing the footsteps gradually fade away, Gu Sheng curved his lips.

"It seems the method is still effective. If there are any more who don’t have eyes, we’ll cut off their heads and hang them outside Stone Village."

Upon hearing this, Er Gou rubbed the goosebumps on his arm.

"Brother Sheng, this method is too terrifying, isn’t it? It makes me afraid to get up at night."

"Coward, then just wet the bed."

After Gu Sheng finished speaking, everyone burst into laughter.

After a few drinks, the Third Elder approached Lan Yao and produced a peachwood box from behind him.

"Lan Yao, thank you for guarding Stone Village for me. This is a small token of my appreciation. I hope you don’t mind."

Seeing the box in his hand, Lan Yao waved his hand repeatedly.

"Third Elder, you’re too kind."

"It’s not about being kind, just a small token. Take it."

As he said this, the Third Elder pushed the box directly into Lan Yao’s hands.

Lan Yao initially wanted to return it, but upon feeling the aura within the box, his hand suddenly stopped.

"Third Elder, is this the Spirit Root of the Spirit Tree?"

Seeing his eyes light up, the Third Elder smiled and nodded.

"It is. This was brought back by Elder Shi many years ago. It’s known to be a good thing, but unfortunately, the soil of Stone Village isn’t promising. When planted, there was no response, so we could only keep it stored. It is said that the Elf Clan has abundant Spiritual Energy and can nurture all things under heaven and earth. This is perfect for you, otherwise, keeping it with me would be wasteful."

Hearing this, Lan Yao hesitated.

He knew he shouldn’t accept it, but it was so tempting that it made him extremely conflicted.

Seeing him like this, Gu Sheng couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

"The Third Elder gave it to you, so just take it. You’re not an outsider, so why be polite? I’ve never seen a Spirit Root. Open it and let me see."

Lan Yao nodded and carefully opened the box.

As soon as the box was opened, a unique aura of the Wood Element instantly filled the entire space.

Looking at the seemingly ordinary tree root, Gu Sheng poked it with his finger.

"Such an ugly thing has such strong Spiritual Power?"

Hearing this, Lan Yao couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.

"Can this thing be judged by its looks? Don’t underestimate it based on its appearance. It may look ordinary, but it has great use."

"What use does it have?"

"As long as a piece of land is planted with a Spirit Root, it can grow, and the place will be abundant in Spiritual Energy. As the Spirit Root continues to grow, the Spiritual Energy will become increasingly dense. If a sect obtains it, all its disciples can absorb the Spiritual Energy to enhance their strength. Absorbing for a few years will enhance their strength more than ten times compared to self-effort. Wouldn’t you say it’s a treasure?"

Knowing its use, Gu Sheng nodded in agreement.

"According to you, it’s indeed a treasure. Third Elder, are you sure this thing can’t grow in our Stone Village?"

"I’m sure. Elder Shi and I tried many times, testing every corner of Stone Village, but there was truly no response."

Receiving the same answer again, Gu Sheng sighed.

"What a pity. Now it can only benefit Lan Yao."

"Gu Sheng, why are you so stingy!"

"If I were stingy, I wouldn’t give it to you."

"This wasn’t given by you; it was given by the Third Elder!"

"Didn’t you say you didn’t want it?"

"Who said I didn’t want it? I do!"

With that, Lan Yao swiftly closed the box and tucked it away.

Seeing his behavior, Gu Sheng suppressed a laugh.

"Lan Yao, can you cultivate this thing and get one of its root systems to grow in Stone Village? Let us bask in its glory."

After Gu Sheng finished speaking, Lan Yao seriously pondered.

After a while, he said, "It’s said that Chimu Peak has a piece of Spirit Grass that can nurture all things. Regardless of what you want to cultivate, if you fail, finding Spirit Grass and planting it together with what you wish to cultivate will make the thing grow. Not only that, it will grow very lush and is guaranteed to work every time."

After he finished speaking, the Third Elder stroked his beard and nodded.

"I have heard of this, but Chimu Peak is too dangerous. Many have gone to seek it but few have found it."

"Yes, I’ve also heard that there is a specific guardian of the Spirit Grass. Even if one is lucky enough to find it, they must still get past him."

"That’s right. Decades ago, it was said that the Dragon Clan found it, causing quite a stir at the time. I have indeed heard about it."

Listening to their words, Gu Sheng became intrigued.

"Third Elder, have you been to Chimu Peak?"

"I went when I was young, also for a medicinal herb. At the time, I only ventured to the foot of the mountain, hoping to try my luck. But that place was indeed too dangerous. Within two days, we encountered several mountain wild beasts. To avoid losing our lives, we hurried back after finding the herb. Looking back now, it’s a pity we couldn’t persist."

"Third Elder, is that place really so dangerous?"

"Yes, at that time, we had more than a dozen people, but only half returned."

The Third Elder recounted his experiences from back then, leaving everyone terrified, except for Gu Sheng, who was growing increasingly interested.

He probed into many details, and the Third Elder answered them one by one.

But when Gu Sheng asked for directions, the Third Elder paused.

"Gu Sheng, are you planning to go, right?"

Knowing his thoughts were apparent to the Third Elder, Gu Sheng nodded.

"I’m really interested in this Spirit Grass and want to explore once."

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder’s expression changed.

"No way! It’s too dangerous there! You can’t go!"

"Third Elder, I really want the Spirit Grass because I’ve absorbed the century-old Spiritual Energy of the Spiritual Pearl, but a large part of it remains in my body and cannot be converted for my use. I’m in urgent need of something abundant in Spiritual Energy to help me absorb it. The Spirit Grass should do, as the Spiritual Pearl is also Wood Element, and the two should complement each other."

"What did you say? You haven’t absorbed the century-old Spiritual Energy?"

"Of course not; otherwise, how could my strength be so weak? Currently, the century-old Spiritual Energy exists within me, but only about a decade of its power has been fully converted for my use. If I want to fully convert it, I need to find another way. Third Elder, please tell me!"

Gu Sheng pleaded a few times, and the Third Elder sighed repeatedly.

After contemplating for a while, he said, "Gu Sheng, this matter is too crucial. Let me think it over a bit more to see if there’s another way."

Knowing not to push too hard, Gu Sheng nodded.

"Third Elder, please give it more thought, and once you have an answer, please let me know. I’ll be waiting for your response."