Chapter 93

Yue Heng put the materials he had exchanged for nearly ten thousand contribution points into his bag, determined to find some clues within three days.

He chose to test the "Spring" rune in his body, not the "Life" rune, because there were no records in the academy's library about a formation that could fully restore a person's vitality, leaving him without any reference.

The "Spring" rune, however, was at least something he had seen before. It was called the Rejuvenation Formation, a level-two spirit master formation, commonly used for planting spirit herbs in fixed areas, which was important and common.

Yue Heng stood on a single-person mobile vehicle and arrived at the entrance of the spirit master passage on the third floor of the academy. Unexpectedly, he was stopped by two academy law enforcement officers.

One of them shouted, "Stop! Non-spirit master professions are not allowed to enter the spirit master passage without permission!"

Yue Heng, unaware of this rule, could only retreat. Before leaving, he asked curiously, "Excuse me, if I have a private card from a level-three spirit master, can I enter?"

One of the law enforcement officers sneered, "What are you, a level-one scholar, trying to cause trouble? If you have a private card from a level-three spirit master, why don't you go directly to the Spirit Cleansing Tower to pass on the message?"

"Hey, I didn't notice, how did you, a mere scholar, get to the third floor of the academy? Stop! Take out your stone tablet, I need to check your identity!" The other officer pointed his spear at him, already stepping out with a martial arts shadow step, dust flying, his sash fluttering, and his face showing ill intent.

Now, Yue Heng couldn't leave even if he wanted to. He had no choice but to reluctantly take out Min Xuhuai's private card.

"Is this Min Xuhuai's card?" The two officers looked surprised, clearly knowing Min Xuhuai.

The law enforcement officer confirmed it was Min Xuhuai's card, and all suspicions were dispelled. However, according to the academy's rules, the spirit master passage must be guided by a spirit master. Even with the card, Yue Heng couldn't pass through and had to find someone to guide him.

Yue Heng had to think of another way. Just then, a level-four spirit master passed by the spirit master passage. He tried to ask about Min Xuhuai's whereabouts. The spirit master knew Min Xuhuai, took the card, checked its authenticity, and reviewed Yue Heng's identity stone tablet. Finally, he agreed to guide him.

The spirit master passage was actually an encrypted teleportation formation. The spirit master took Yue Heng to the teleportation formation, and after a moment of dizziness, they arrived at an unfamiliar mountain range, possibly a branch of the Qimang Mountains.

"Salute to Lord Shanming!" The private soldiers guarding the formation respectfully saluted the level-four spirit master.

The spirit master handed Yue Heng over to the private soldiers and said with a smile, "Little brother Yue, Min Xuhuai's garden is not far from here. These private soldiers will take you there."

Yue Heng respectfully bowed in gratitude. He vaguely recognized the spirit master, who might be the level-four spirit master who resonated with "The Master's Words"!

The private soldiers took Yue Heng and sat on a giant iron-armored worm, a tamed beast that had become the best tool for traversing mountains. The worm moved forward quickly and steadily, as if walking on flat ground on a rugged mountain path, leaving Yue Heng amazed.

After crossing seven or eight mountain peaks, a private soldier pointed to a misty, sunken valley and said, "That is Min Xuhuai's garden. You can enter with the private card."

After saying this, the private soldier's face showed a hint of fear, and he didn't want to stay any longer. He turned and left on the iron-armored worm.

Yue Heng had to walk forward. The valley was shrouded in white mist, with visibility not exceeding five zhang. The mist seemed to have a spirit, swirling and entwining.

He held Min Xuhuai's private card high, and the golden runes and the plant pattern on it emitted a faint golden light, gradually dispersing the mist around him and revealing a path, guiding him forward.

"Stop! Who dares to intrude on Min Xuhuai's garden?"

A crisp voice came from the mist. Yue Heng followed the sound and saw a yellow-clad girl slowly emerge from the thickest part of the mist. She wore a white flower in her hair, carried a basket, and was small and young, about sixteen or seventeen years old. The mist had not completely dissipated, so her face was not very clear.

"Miss, I am a student of the county academy, named Yue Heng. I came here today to visit my friend, Min Xuhuai!" Yue Heng, not wanting to offend her, held Min Xuhuai's private card with both hands and bowed slightly to the girl.

"Xiao Bai!"

The girl called out, and Yue Heng felt something as fast as lightning pounce at him. The mist around him swirled wildly, and a gust of wind hit his face. His hand felt light, and the private card disappeared. The next moment, he saw a snow weasel on the girl's shoulder, holding the card in its mouth, proudly showing off to its owner.

The girl lifted her hand, took the private card, and looked at it, muttering, "It really is my brother's card... Hey! Did Xiao Bai scare you? Dopey, come in!"

Yue Heng followed the girl into the depths of the mist. She walked ten steps to the left and then seven or eight steps to the right, seemingly following the rules of the Fuxi Eight Trigram Formation. After several twists and turns, the mist suddenly cleared, and a picturesque rural scene appeared before Yue Heng.

A large flat area in the valley, bamboo groves, streams, thatched cottages, water wheels, and vast fields of colorful flowers. Small animals ran around, many of which Yue Heng did not recognize.

The yellow-clad girl took a handful of petals from her basket and threw them, mimicking the clear chirping of birds.

A flock of birds flew from the sky, eating the petals before they hit the ground, chirping and flying around the girl, making her laugh like a silver bell.

Yue Heng felt as if he had entered a grand garden. The valley was a paradise on earth, filled with the refreshing fragrance of flowers. He was amazed; this was really Min Xuhuai's garden?

"Dopey, come in and sit down!" The yellow-clad girl had already pushed open the door of the thatched cottage and waved at him.

Yue Heng followed, carefully avoiding the rats, chicks, frogs, and large insects on the ground. Once inside the cottage, he could see the girl's full appearance.

The yellow-clad girl was humming a song, sorting the petals in her basket. Her bright yellow silk dress accentuated her slender figure, making her a delight to look at.

She had a heart-shaped face, cherry-red lips, long fingers, and skin as white as snow, a small beauty who somewhat resembled Min Xuhuai.

A white flower, whose name he did not know, was tucked into her slanted hair bun. Occasionally, a snow-white weasel would peek out from her hair and neck, its black eyes staring at Yue Heng with caution.

"Dopey, what is your relationship with Min Xuhuai?" The girl's pleasant voice came, her hands still sorting the petals, but she glanced at Yue Heng.