Free Web NovelChapter 232: Chapter 232: The Person He’s Looking For
"These fruits are very useful to us as well. Selling you some is out of the question. If Mr. Guo wants them, you’ll have to find another way," Ning Xuan said, bluntly refusing without any regard for Starry Sky Academy’s prestige.
Guo Jia’s expression darkened for a moment. He had been trying to guess the group’s identity from the start. Announcing his affiliation was a test, a probe to see if Ning Xuan and her companions knew of Starry Sky Academy.
In his view, Ning Xuan and her people had some strength; they couldn’t be nobodies. ’But if they know about Starry Sky Academy, would they really reject me so decisively?’
He quickly composed himself.
Guo Jia’s fingertips gently stroked the Jade Pendant at his waist. A sliver of golden light spilled from between his fingers, coalescing in the air into a three-inch square light screen. Twelve golden patterns swirled within the screen, faintly revealing the image of a Seven-leaf Spirit Grass.
"This is a Soul Gathering Immortal Grass. It can heal damage to the soul and also helps a Companion Spirit regenerate. Three hundred years ago, the Marshal who awakened two Companion Spirits did so by consuming a Soul Gathering Immortal Grass. That’s how he obtained such a fateful opportunity," Guo Jia said, pointing to the Spirit Grass on the light screen.
"Soul Gathering Immortal Grass?" Ning Xuan stared in surprise at the glittering golden Spirit Grass on the light screen. It was yet another Spiritual Medicine she had never encountered before.
The mountain wind rustled Guo Jia’s sleeves. With a wave of his hand, the light screen shattered. "Miss, how about I trade this Soul Gathering Immortal Grass for your Prajna Fruits?"
"If the Soul Gathering Immortal Grass has such effects, you’re still willing to trade it? Are you trying to trick me?" Ning Xuan looked highly skeptical, but inwardly she was growing excited.
’The new energy in my body can already contend with my previously awakened Fire Element Energy. Though they are currently separate and have reached a temporary balance, the Companion Spirit for this new power has not yet awakened. Once I return to the Federation and the suppression of this place’s rules disappears, Little Red Bird will return. At that point, this new energy, suffused with Wind and Thunder Power, will be no match for the Fire Spirit Vermilion Bird.’
’I wonder if this Soul Gathering Immortal Grass could help a new Companion Spirit emerge?’
"How could I be tricking you? This Soul Gathering Immortal Grass is a specialty of the Void Domain and is extremely rare. However, it does have its issues. It’s said to heal soul damage and help a Companion Spirit regenerate. In truth, its ability to heal soul damage is well-documented, but the claim about regenerating a Companion Spirit isn’t as credible. After all, throughout history, very few have ever awakened two Companion Spirits." Seeing that Ning Xuan was somewhat interested, Guo Jia explained earnestly.
"What kind of trade did you have in mind?" Ning Xuan asked.
"One stalk of the immortal grass for thirty fruits," Guo Jia said immediately, seeing her take the bait. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
"Ten fruits at most. Take it or leave it. If you have other valuables, you can show them too. If there’s something I want, we can make another exchange," Ning Xuan replied.
"Ten it is." He smiled and pushed a jade box toward Ning Xuan, and it stopped halfway between them.
Di Youlin pushed the box containing the Red Fruits forward as well.
Guo Jia had readily agreed to the exchange. ’The Soul Gathering Immortal Grass is certainly a good item, but I absolutely must have the Prajna Fruit.’ freewebnøvel.coɱ
"I have plenty of other good things, you know. Why don’t we find some time to sit down and talk?" Guo Jia was very interested in Ning Xuan.
"There’s no need. If we’re fated to meet again, we can talk then." Having said her piece, Ning Xuan prepared to leave.
Wary of each other, the two groups departed from the scene.
After leaving, Ning Xuan’s group continued to hunt Exotic Beasts and gather useful plants. The area where they had collected the Red Fruits was neither far from nor close to their base. Worried that Guo Jia might be secretly tracking or monitoring them, they spent the day moving through many different places. Only when it was nearly dark, at a location far from their tree-hollow base, did they use Min Wu’s Talent Skill—a short-range, point-to-point teleport—to return inside.
As for Guo Jia, he had indeed ordered his people to secretly track and monitor Ning Xuan. But after tailing them for the better part of the day, they eventually lost the trail.
"Contractor, it’s best not to offend the people from Starry Sky Academy if we can avoid it," Lin Mo said, sounding worried.
Starry Sky Academy is one of the five major Extraordinary Influences, and they have Transcendents within their ranks. All Transcendents are exceptionally powerful individuals.
When a Spirit Controller’s Spiritual Power Level reaches 3S, their next step is to become a Transcendent. However, how to take that step is a question only Transcendents themselves know the answer to.
Therefore, any Spirit Controller who reaches Level 3S in spiritual power will typically join an Extraordinary Influence to seek an opportunity for a breakthrough.
"What’s there to be afraid of? So what if they’re an Extraordinary Influence? They aren’t the only one," Di Youlin said, dismissive of Lin Mo’s concerns.
"Besides, that Guo Jia was the one who started things today. If he didn’t have so many people with him, making it difficult to make a move, we would have left him there for good," Di Youlin added, displeased.
Guo Jia’s own strength was considerable, and he had 300 helpers. Even if they couldn’t defeat Ning Xuan’s group right away, escaping would have been easy for them.
"Let’s drop it. We might run into other teams later. Our principle is simple: we don’t start trouble, but if someone starts trouble with us, and we have the means, we will eradicate them, root and stem," Ning Xuan declared.
The group quickly concluded their meeting and returned to their respective chambers in the cave to rest.
When Ning Xuan returned to her chamber, she found Chen Nan slumped over a table, staring into space out of sheer boredom.
Seeing Ning Xuan return, Chen Nan hurried over to greet her. "Contractor, you’re back! Did the Exotic Beast hunt go well today? Was it a big haul?"
Chen Nan asked with concern.
Ning Xuan glanced at him. "So curious? Eager to get back out there? Are your wounds healed?"
Ning Xuan looked Chen Nan up and down.
"It was just a flesh wound, and you gave me medicine. It healed long ago." Chen Nan’s gaze on Ning Xuan was adoring and clingy.
"Alright, alright. I’ll take you hunting tomorrow. No need to stay cooped up in here," Ning Xuan said, rolling her eyes at him.
"Thank you, Lord Contract Master!" Chen Nan exclaimed happily.
Back to Guo Jia. He had always trained at Starry Sky Academy, so he had never participated in the Alchemist competitions and didn’t pay much attention to the Federation’s political or military affairs. Consequently, he didn’t recognize Ning Xuan, Di Youlin, or the others.
Guo Jia was furious that his men had lost Ning Xuan’s trail. Now, he was trying to deduce her identity.
Although he didn’t recognize the people with Ning Xuan, he could sense the powerful pressure they emanated. At least two or three of them had a Spiritual Power Level of 3S, and the rest were mostly at Level 2S. Their combat strength was formidable.
’A young woman surrounded by so many masters... Among the great families of the Federation, which one has such deep resources?’
’Could it be? Is this young woman the one who won the Alchemist competition? If so, isn’t she the very person I’m looking for?’
