Reborn Medicine King

2In front of Jiang Fann floated a group of small figures, each about the size of a hand, radiating different auras of spiritual strength. These were the sacred spirits he had acquired during his previous training. They hovered curiously, glowing with an undeniable presence.    

    

Seeing these figures, Fang Xiang was taken aback. "Are these spirit cultivations?"    

    

"They're sacred spirits, formed from the essence of the world, naturally attuned to various spiritual energies."    

    

"I've read about similar spirit cultivations in ancient texts, but this is my first time seeing them. Most people are lucky to encounter even one. How do you have so many?"    

    

Before Jiang Fann could respond, one of the spirits interjected, "It's just your lack of experience. Why did you call us out? Is there something you need our help with?"    

    

These spirits weren't exactly polite to other humans, but Fang Xiang didn't mind. If Jiang Fann could summon them, they must be useful.    

    

Jiang Fann produced a crystal, allowing the spirits to sense its energy. "I'm trying to find the source of this crystal. It should be nearby. Help me locate it, and if you run into trouble, leave immediately. Avoid contact with other cultivators; none around here pose a threat to you, so there's no need to worry."    

    

The spirits gathered around the crystal, sensing its power, then dispersed in different directions, paying no heed to Fang Xiang, as none of them considered him a match for their strength.    

    

Watching the group of spirits, Fang Xiang was filled with envy.    

    

"It's said that if these things match your own attributes, they can enhance your training and complement your strength, achieving excellent results. You can even use secret methods to integrate them into spiritual treasures, turning them into artifact spirits, greatly boosting the power of those treasures. You're incredibly lucky to have so many," he remarked.    

    

Jiang Fann replied, "They're no different from cultivators now, and I wouldn't use them for such purposes. They're even more powerful than you imagine. You'll see for yourself someday."    

    

Before Fang Xiang could respond, more figures appeared around Jiang Fann. They were a group of children who, once released, surrounded him, chattering excitedly.    

    

"Master! Master! Master..."    

    

In that instant, the surrounding grassland began to flourish. The surge of life energy left Fang Xiang astounded.    

    

"Who are these kids?" he asked.    

    

Jiang Fann handed them a crystal. "Help me search for more of these crystals. They might be underground. Stay away from any cultivators in the area, and if you run into trouble, contact me immediately. Understood?"    

    

"Yes, Master! Yes, Master!" they replied.    

    

With that, the little ones turned and ran off. To Fang Xiang's amazement, they disappeared into the ground, all proficient in the art of earth travel.    

    

"Why do you have so many helpers with you? And what's with the aura around those kids? They don't seem human."    

    

"Of course not. They're spirit herbs, very high-quality ones."    

    

"Spirit herbs that can take human form! I can't believe they actually exist!"    

    

Jiang Fann frowned and said, "Isn't that common here? Every immortal root can take on a form. It's nothing unusual, though these little ones can never reach the level of immortal herbs."    

    

"At least, I've never heard of such spirit herbs here. I only read about them in ancient texts. You've really opened my eyes today. But if people find out about them, you'll be in trouble. You should be careful. Those spirit cultivators are strong enough to protect themselves, but spirit herbs are in danger if they encounter cultivators."    

    

Jiang Fann replied, "Their ability to move through the earth makes it hard for cultivators to deal with them. Only knowledgeable herbalists or experts at the highest levels might pose a threat. Most of the young people around here probably wouldn't even notice them."    

    

Since Jiang Fann let them out to help him search, he clearly had great confidence in them.    

    

"You might be the only one daring enough to use such helpers to hunt for treasures. It's like using a priceless gem to find rocks. If anything goes wrong, you'd regret it. Their value far exceeds that of any treasure."    

    

"I dare to use it, which means I can handle it. Let's not waste time. We might find it before they do, and I can get them back sooner," Jiang Fann said as he started walking forward. Fang Xiang quickly followed, leaving his earlier complaints behind.    

    

However, Jiang Fann's mind was in chaos. The voices of the transformed spiritual herbs kept coming to him, reporting every strange stone they saw. Their excitement was like that of children, always in a heightened state. In contrast, the sacred spirits were much quieter. Jiang Fann could sense their locations and tried to stay in their central area, ready to support whichever side needed help first.    

    

About ten minutes later, the voice of the Thunder Spirit suddenly echoed in Jiang Fann's mind. "I've found something here. It's exactly like the crystal you brought out. Can I collect some for absorption?"    

    

Jiang Fann chuckled, "Of course, as long as you don't disturb the surroundings. We're on our way." He then called the spiritual herbs and sacred spirits to meet him, trying to keep them hidden from other practitioners to avoid unnecessary trouble.    

    

He turned to Fang Xiang and said, "We found it." With that, he dashed toward the Thunder Spirit's location, with Fang Xiang close behind.    

    

They weren't far apart, and within two minutes, Jiang Fann and Fang Xiang reached the area near the Thunder Spirit.    

    

In the distance, two groups of cultivators were visible, separated from the Thunder Spirit by only a few dozen yards. The Thunder Spirit had suppressed its aura, drawing in its glow, making it appear as just a small, palm-sized creature, nearly undetectable from afar.    

    

Jiang Fann approached the Thunder Spirit, noticing it beside a large stone, about the size of a millstone. The ground around it had been dug up, revealing purple crystals buried within, emanating a unique spiritual energy. The Thunder Spirit picked up a spiritual stone and tossed it into its mouth, treating it as a nourishing supplement, which explained its desire to gather more.    

    

Fang Xiang quickly crouched down, using his spiritual strength to manipulate the soil. As expected, more spiritual stones appeared, identical to those displayed at the drunkard's stall earlier.    

    

The two groups in the distance noticed Jiang Fann and Fang Xiang's presence but didn't immediately approach. They observed Fang Xiang crouching and picking up something, promptly reporting to their leader.    

    

Suddenly, the cultivators from both groups turned their attention toward them. Fang Xiang was aware of their spiritual sense probing. Without hesitation, he released his own aura, showcasing his peak Dao Understanding Stage cultivation, a level considered elite among his peers. The young cultivators present were no match for him, and Fang Xiang paid them little mind.    

    

After sensing Fang Xiang's level, the cultivators' expressions changed, finding it hard to believe. Fang Xiang didn't look much older than them. Initially, they planned to approach and check things out, but now they didn't dare to provoke him.    

    

Seeing this, Jiang Fann chuckled, "Sometimes, force is indeed more effective than reasoning."    

    

More spiritual beings arrived, gathered around Jiang Fann, and then disappeared, all absorbed back by him. A few playful herbs lingered, taking their time to return, showing no urgency.    

    

The Thunder Spirit collected dozens of spiritual stones, swallowing them all to slowly absorb later. No one knew where those stones ended up.    

    

At this moment, Fang Xiang released his spiritual sense to perceive the situation underground, while Jiang Fann infused his spiritual strength into the ground, closing his eyes to concentrate deeply. He had long suspected this area might be a vein of spiritual stones, which would be incredibly valuable if true.    

    

But after a moment, he frowned slightly and looked at Jiang Fann. "Beyond the surface layer, the spiritual stones below are scattered, not forming a vein, and there's nothing like what you mentioned."    

    

Jiang Fann smiled, "What you see is just the surface. Besides, the old man's spiritual stones might not have been mined from here. As long as they're nearby, that's what matters."    

    

As they were chatting, a voice suddenly echoed in Jiang Fann's mind from Fire Spirit, who was the farthest from him. She was being pursued by a powerful human cultivator and was heading their way, asking Jiang Fann for assistance.    

    

Looking in the direction Fire Spirit was coming from, it was the same path they had taken earlier, and they hadn't noticed any powerful figures then.    

    

Jiang Fann couldn't just let Fire Spirit be chased down. He instructed Fang Xiang to wait where he was and dashed toward Fire Spirit. The distance wasn't far, just a few hundred yards.    

    

He extended his spiritual sense ahead, and upon sensing Fire Spirit, he continued forward. He saw her flying at an incredible speed, her spiritual strength fully unleashed, like a small flame radiating intense heat, clearly giving it her all.    

    

"Master, the opponent is a cultivator at the peak of the Mortal Separating Stage. Be careful," Fire Spirit warned.    

    

Jiang Fann wasn't about to be careless. He quickly sensed the presence of the pursuer, just over thirty yards from Fire Spirit, and faster than her.    

    

If he hadn't intervened, the pursuer would have eventually caught up with Fire Spirit.    

    

Fire Spirit reached Jiang Fann, and then a voice called out from ahead.    

    

"That's mine! Move aside!"    

    

Jiang Fann looked up to see a middle-aged cultivator at the peak of the Mortal Separating Stage, exuding a formidable aura.    

    

Facing him, Jiang Fann didn't immediately hide Fire Spirit but stood in front of her, waiting for the man to approach.    

    

The monk was taken aback when he saw Jiang Fann's reaction, and then his anger flared.    

    

"You..."    

    

Unfortunately, Jiang Fann had no intention of responding. He stood silently in place.    

    

Fire Spirit already knew what Jiang Fann was thinking. He wanted her to meet up with Fang Xiang, and he wasn't going to take her away directly. Helping her get out of this situation wasn't difficult for him.    

    

"Get out of my way!"    

    

The monk approached Jiang Fann, attempting to shove him aside with his palm, clearly blaming Jiang Fann for ruining his plans. He showed no mercy.    

    

Any other cultivator at the Dao Understanding Stage would have been sent flying. But when the monk exerted his strength, Jiang Fann didn't budge an inch. The next moment, the monk found himself crashing into Jiang Fann.    

    

In that instant, it felt as if he had collided with a brick wall.