Among the magic ingredients needed for her Four Spirit Life advancement potion was a rare herb called the Purple Fir Tea Fruit, which was exclusively held by the royal family. Getting the royal family to part with such a treasure was nothing short of a fantasy.

  But now, a perfect opportunity had presented itself!

  Nan Gong Huan sighed softly. She had been so worried about these magic ingredients that she felt like she was going bald. The ingredients for the Four Spirit Life advancement potion were already this hard to find, and she could only imagine how much more difficult it would be to gather the ones for later stages.

  "I’m willing to help," Nan Gong Huan immediately expressed her thoughts. "But recently, I’ve been unable to complete a potion because I’m missing a Purple Fir Tea Fruit..."

  "What a coincidence! I have one here. It’s of no use to me, so I’ll give it to you as a gift," Song Xiran said, pulling out a brocade box and placing it in Nan Gong Huan’s hands the moment she heard the words "Purple Fir Tea Fruit."

  She had possessed this herb for many years but had never found a use for it. Now, if it could secure Nan Gong Huan’s assistance, she was more than happy to part with it.

  "What do you need me to do? I’ll fully cooperate," Nan Gong Huan said with a slight smile. Talking to smart people was always straightforward.

  Song Xiran explained, "The Blood Sacrifice Day is about ten days away. They’re probably struggling to find their targets. The certification association in Jiang Lou City has already placed all the alchemists under protection, so they’ll have to target the academy."

  "There are three alchemists in the academy who meet their criteria. You have some martial skills and are the most capable of self-defense. You can take on a task that requires you to leave the academy. They’ll likely try to capture you outside. Just pretend to be captured. No matter where they take you, don’t be afraid. Leave the rest to us."

  Nan Gong Huan couldn’t help but ask, "If I leave the academy, how does that relate to the Ghostly Formation inside the academy?"

  "Because the Ghostly Formation inside the academy is just one of its subsidiary formations, used to steal energy from the Mountain Guardian Pavilion. The main formation is outside—a Hundred Thousand Ghosts Formation," Song Xiran explained, taking a sip from her teacup.

  At that moment, several of her Order Team teammates approached, smiling at Nan Gong Huan. "Are we talking about the Ghostly Formation? Don’t worry, junior sister. We’ll also be protecting you in secret."

  The speaker was a tall, handsome man with a gentle demeanor—the captain of this Order Team, Ye Sangeng. He was also from the Ye family, a cousin of Ye Sang and Ye Wanjun.

  "I trust you," Nan Gong Huan nodded with a smile, showing no fear.

  In her eyes, this was a feast!

  If they could devour the Ghost King’s soul, Yan Ji and Xue Ji’s strength would surely soar!

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  "We’ve also heard about your recent potions with a hundred percent fusion rate," Ye Sangeng said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "But don’t worry, only the mentors, elders, and we know about it. If the Divine Blood Hall finds out, they’ll do everything to lure you away."

  Nan Gong Huan had been feeling uneasy about the potion matter. She had submitted potions with a hundred percent fusion rate, and the mentors had remained so calm. It turned out the information had been suppressed.

  This low-key approach suited her perfectly.

  However, during recent classes, the mentors’ gazes toward her had indeed been different.

  "You’re just as outstanding as your senior sister. I’m really curious about which sect you’re from," Song Xiran said with a gentle smile. Of course, if Nan Gong Huan didn’t want to say, she wouldn’t press.

  "My master is very mysterious. I only know he’s called Elder Ling," Nan Gong Huan replied, unsure how to explain. Should she mention that the Earth Spirit Clan wasn’t extinct?

  The group didn’t press further, and the conversation shifted to more casual topics.

  Nan Gong Huan gained a new understanding of the Order Team.

  Within the Order Team, there were different levels: the lowest was the Soldier Level, followed by the General Level, Marshal Level, King Level, Emperor Level, and finally, the Title Level.

  Promotion required Order Points, which were earned by completing tasks.

  Song Xiran’s Order Team was currently the Marshal Level Forty-Two Order Team. Only Title Level Order Teams had the privilege of naming their teams.

  After completing this task, they would be promoted to the King Level Order Team.

  ...

  It was evening.

  There were three days left until the herb field management task ended.

  The Dream Spiral Grass had grown lush green leaves, even healthier than those in the neighboring fields tended by the herb apprentice.

  The apprentice had been practically living in the herb field, spending all twelve hours of the day there. He was envious of the condition of Nan Gong Huan’s Dream Spiral Grass.

  "Senior Sister Huan, I’ve noticed two suspicious figures lurking around these past couple of days. I’m worried they might be targeting your herb field. You should be extra careful," the herb apprentice said, wiping sweat from his forehead after finishing his weeding.

  "Don’t worry, I’ve already prepared," Nan Gong Huan replied with a confident smile. As usual, she packed up her things and left the herb field, leaving only the scarecrow standing in the middle of the field.

  Yan Ji and Xue Ji were thrilled because they had overheard Nan Gong Qian’er and Lu Sui’an’s conversation—they were planning to strike tonight!

  As spirits, they didn’t need sleep, so Yan Ji and Xue Ji were full of energy.

  As the sun set and the moon rose, the herb field was peaceful, with only the rhythmic croaking of frogs in the mountains adding a touch of serenity to the quiet environment.

  "I can’t believe she managed to grow the Dream Spiral Grass so well," Lu Sui’an muttered, crouching by the edge of the field, her eyes filled with jealousy as she gazed at the thriving plants.

  She remembered her own attempts at growing the herb—either the seeds wouldn’t sprout, or they would wither shortly after. She had never encountered such a finicky plant!

  Frustrated, Lu Sui’an raised her foot and stomped on a few of the Dream Spiral Grass plants.

  "Hurry up and finish spreading this, then we’ll leave. You take care of that area, and I’ll handle this one," Nan Gong Qian’er said, holding a bag of Wan Cao Ku, ready to repeat their previous sabotage.

  The two worked quickly, unaware that a cold breeze had swept through, subtly altering the surroundings.

  Nan Gong Qian’er was the first to notice something was wrong.

  "That’s strange. I’ve been walking through this field for a while, but I’m still in the middle," Nan Gong Qian’er muttered. A sudden chill seeped into her collar, and she instinctively tightened her clothes. But the coldness that followed was something no amount of clothing could ward off.

  Nan Gong Qian’er’s gaze fell on the scarecrow. The tattered cloth hanging from its body fluttered in the wind, sending a shiver down her spine. She took a step back, her heart pounding with fear.

  To her horror, the scarecrow... moved!

  Its wooden pole, embedded in the soil, began to shift slowly, inching toward her with visible intent.

  "Lu Sui’an! Lu Sui’an!" Nan Gong Qian’er panicked, calling out desperately. But all she received in response was an eerie silence.