Chapter 25: Crafting and Cooperation

Song Zhiyou ignored Lin Yue, who was tangled in complex emotions, and began crafting a wrist guard and hand straps on the stone platform.

Close-quarters combat was her forte; a suitable wrist guard and hand straps would offer her better protection.

The Iron Palm Bear was thick-skinned and tough. Its hide was extremely resilient and had a degree of fire and water resistance, making it perfect for these accessories.

Having measured the appropriate size against her wrist, Song Zhiyou retrieved a full set of tools from her storage pouch and began her work with a clatter.

Li Xiaoye had initially found it uninteresting, but as he watched, he became captivated.

He felt that every line Song Zhiyou carved, every step she took, every handling of the materials, had a seamless and supremely satisfying quality that he was unknowingly drawn into.

It wasn’t until Song Zhiyou finished the wrist guard and hand straps and put them on that Li Xiaoye snapped back to reality.

Song Zhiyou punched the rock face, gleefully testing her new gear.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

“Xiaoyou, could you make a set for me too after we get out? I’ll pay ten thousand spirit stones!”

Having been fully immersed in her work, Song Zhiyou hadn’t noticed Li Xiaoye watching from behind. Startled by his sudden voice, she jumped.

But she quickly recovered, nodding emphatically. “Deal! Leave it to me!”

The two struck a pleasant deal and then discussed the night watch arrangements.

Song Zhiyou would take the first half, Li Xiaoye the second.

Lin Yue had assumed he would also be included in the watch.

Yet they finished their discussion without mentioning him even once.

Lin Yue frowned. “I can stand watch too.”

Only then did Song Zhiyou look at him.

After a moment’s thought, she smiled amiably. “No need, Fellow Daoist Lin. You’ve already paid your lodging fee. We’ll handle the watch.”

Lin Yue felt something was off. Wasn’t this the same Song Zhiyou who had charged him extra for lodging? How could she be so generous?

But indeed, she insisted he not stand watch.

Seeing her firm resolve, Lin Yue gave up trying to understand and focused on recovering his spiritual power.

The night passed quickly.

A few beasts came to cause trouble, but Song Zhiyou dealt with them all.

Meanwhile, flashes of light continued outside the valley.

That was the glow of distress tokens infused with spiritual power.

In one night, who knew how many more were eliminated.

The next morning, as Lin Yue packed up to leave, Song Zhiyou approached with a grin.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, would you like to journey together?”

Lin Yue shot her a cold glance but said nothing.

He knew Song Zhiyou must be eyeing his cultivation strength, wanting an alliance.

But now it was too late to invite cooperation.

Undeterred by his cold shoulder, Song Zhiyou cheerfully continued her sales pitch. “I won’t charge much—just five thousand spirit stones for companionship. Since you’re a returning customer, I’ll give you a ten percent discount. How about it?”

“No need. I’ll go alone!” Lin Yue’s face darkened. He grabbed his longsword and strode away.

Song Zhiyou was speechless.

Why was this kid so moody?

Just then, Li Xiaoye strode over. “Song Xiaoyou, where to next?”

Song Zhiyou counted on her fingers. “I’ve already got the beast core. Staying in the inner circle shouldn’t be too dangerous. I plan to gather some spirit plants over the next couple of days, and if convenient, take down a few more beasts. Li Xiaoye, what about you?”

Yesterday, Song Zhiyou had spotted several unfamiliar spirit plants.

But pressed for time, she had only hastily pulled up a few.

Cooperating with Li Xiaoye was indeed quite satisfying.

It was like having an almost unlimited healing buff.

However, if Li Xiaoye had other plans, they could part ways.

Li Xiaoye didn’t hesitate. “Alright! I’ll follow your lead!”

The two walked side by side into the valley.

Song Zhiyou’s sharp eyes soon spotted several Mist Hidden Grasses hidden behind rocks.

Before Li Xiaoye could blink, Song Zhiyou dashed over like the wind, a hoe appearing in her hand.

A hoe?!

What exactly did Song Zhiyou keep in her storage pouch? What proper cultivator would put a hoe in their storage pouch?!

Li Xiaoye walked over with his arms crossed, intrigued by Song Zhiyou’s enthusiastic digging.

Not having a hoe himself and unwilling to dig barehanded, he pulled out a longsword embedded with precious stones and started digging up spirit plants alongside her.

Behind the water mirror, the elders watched with twitching lips.

“If I’m not mistaken, those gemstones on that longsword are Star Fragment Crystals, right?”

Star Fragment Crystals were an extremely rare embedding material.

Another elder added, “Not only that, but it’s also engraved with several formations.”

That sword might not mean much to them.

But they would never use such a treasured sword for digging!

The other girl seemed normal, but was actually the more abnormal of the two!

Storage pouches had limited space, yet she used hers to carry a hoe!

What kind of eccentric pair were these two, and they ended up together?

Just then, an elder spoke up.

“Hey… isn’t that girl… the one from Qixia Mountain?”

The image from the water mirror was not clear, but this elder felt it was familiar and eventually recognized her.

Elder Wang pondered for a moment. “Actually, it shows that this child is truly simple and honest—a pure and good child devoted to the Dao.”

The other elders turned to stare expressionlessly at him.

But Elder Wang just stroked his beard and watched the mirror with satisfaction. “Indeed, this old man’s judgment was not wrong!”

The others turned back, uninterested in humoring this old man with his rose-tinted view of Song Zhiyou.

Still, Song Zhiyou’s performance yesterday was indeed commendable.

Whether it was her decisive battle with the beasts, her chivalry toward Li Xiaoye, her calmness against the high-ranked beast, or her careful vigilance in the cave—all were noteworthy.

It’s just a pity… she had a deviant spiritual root.

She wouldn’t go far.

With a sigh, the elders shelved their thoughts of inviting Song Zhiyou to their sects and turned their attention back to Li Xiaoye.

Although Li Xiaoye was brash and loud, his miraculous healing skills left them in awe.

Moreover, despite being only a wood-attribute medical cultivator, he didn’t panic upon entering the valley like most candidates, but instead boldly challenged the Phosphorous Fire Fox—that was especially commendable.

Indeed, Li Xiaoye had gone after the Phosphorous Fire Fox on his own.

Many elders schemed on how to snatch Li Xiaoye from the Heavenly Mystery Sect, but since the water mirror couldn’t transmit sound, the hall was quite silent.

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