Upon entering the secret realm, Jun Jiuli proceeded directly to the location of the Spirit Cleansing Grass as per the system's instructions.
The two-headed serpent was coiled beside the Spirit Cleansing Grass, motionless, as if asleep.
Following the wind, Jun Jiuli scattered the soporific powder she had made out of boredom in her intergalactic travels.
Seeing the two-headed serpent fall into a deeper slumber, Jun Jiuli stepped forward and plucked the Spirit Cleansing Grass. She then skillfully replaced it with an imitation weed.
Having completed all these actions, she quietly withdrew backstage, preparing to spectate and enjoy the show.
As expected, a short while later, Shui Bingqing arrived with her fawning senior brother.
"Senior brother, that looks like Spirit Cleansing Grass. I, with my triple spiritual roots, really want it. But my cultivation is too low, and I can't defeat that two-headed serpent. We should leave quickly."
After speaking, she tugged at Sheng Yang and turned to leave, only to look back a few times with reluctance.
"Junior sister, don't worry. That two-headed serpent is merely at the late stage of Golden Core. Senior brother is confident he can procure the spiritual grass for junior sister. Stay here and wait obediently. Do not venture out alone; I fear you might get hurt."
With that, he drew his sword and charged towards the two-headed serpent, failing to notice the fleeting disdain in Shui Bingqing's eyes.
Although Sheng Yang was also at the late stage of Golden Core, the physique of a demonic beast was always stronger than that of a cultivator.
However, as the senior disciple of the Shu Mountain Sect, he was not without his skills. He detonated a quasi-divine artifact, and only then managed to subdue the two-headed serpent.
He carefully plucked the inferior Spirit Cleansing Grass and, as if holding a treasure, hobbled towards Shui Bingqing, presenting it to her. Shui Bingqing, impatient, immediately consumed it. She thought that with the senior brother guarding her, even if she experienced any discomfort after taking the Spirit Cleansing Grass, the senior brother could resolve it.
After consuming it, half an hour passed without any change. Shui Bingqing became anxious and spoke somewhat carelessly.
With misty eyes, she said, "Senior brother, if the Spirit Cleansing Grass has other uses, you should have told me directly instead of deceiving junior sister like this."
Sheng Yang saw her tearful appearance and instantly felt a pang of concern. He rushed forward in a panic to wipe away her tears.
"What is junior sister saying? I don't quite understand. How have I deceived junior sister? This Spirit Cleansing Grass was just picked. I have the Heavenly Fire spiritual root; this Spirit Cleansing Grass is of no use to me."
His unintended words struck a nerve with Shui Bingqing.
"Senior brother, are you perhaps looking down on me as a trash with triple spiritual roots?" she said, then began to cry again.
"Junior sister, you know very well that senior brother does not mean that. I cherish you, how could I possibly harm you? Although junior sister has triple spiritual roots, your cultivation is diligent. You only stepped onto the path of cultivation three years ago and have already reached the Foundation Establishment stage. You are stronger than many with single spiritual roots. Junior sister, do not belittle yourself."
After Sheng Yang's earnest consolation, Shui Bingqing was willing to speak to him again.
"Alright, then I will forgive senior brother."
Sheng Yang: "I knew junior sister was the most understanding."
Jun Jiuli: "Are you alright?" ←_←
"Senior brother, look over there." Sheng Yang followed the direction she pointed and saw a white light emanating from the nearby lake.
"Senior brother, there must be a treasure descending. Will you accompany me to take a look?"
"Alright, I'll do as junior sister says."
With that, the two of them jumped into the water. Of course, Jun Jiuli had already descended before them. While they were still bickering, the passage had opened.
According to the original plot, the female protagonist would obtain a phoenix egg here. After hatching, it would become her spirit beast. The phoenix had once swaggered around Shui Bingqing and injured the original owner multiple times.
Upon reaching the bottom, a space of over ten square meters was revealed. Looking at it alone, it resembled a paradise. Several peach trees were planted nearby. The rest of the area was uneven, with large stones placed haphazardly.
After considerable effort, Jun Jiuli managed to break through the formation and find the phoenix egg. Thinking whether it should be steamed or braised, she placed it into her storage bracelet.
A moment later, the female protagonist also entered. Jun Jiuli concealed her presence and hid behind a large rock.
"Senior brother, let's search separately."
"Why should we separate? What if you encounter danger?"
"Senior brother, you can't follow me all the time, can you? You also need to find your own opportunities. If I encounter danger, I will call you."
"Junior sister, you are truly kind."
With that, the two parted ways. In reality, Shui Bingqing did not want Sheng Yang to seek his own opportunities. It was just that upon entering, she vaguely sensed a great opportunity belonging to her. This feeling of hers had never been wrong. She was afraid that if Sheng Yang stayed by her side, she would have to share a small portion of it with him.
Indeed, her chosen path was filled with spiritual grasses, aside from the troublesome stones. She excitedly stuffed all the spiritual grasses into her spatial bracelet.
After her excitement subsided, she realized she could not find her way back. So she took off her hairpin and marked her path. She would carve a scratch on the stones wherever she went.
Soon, she found that a stone had scratches on all four sides. How could she get out? Anxiously, she shouted, "Senior brother, senior brother, save me!"
On the other side, Sheng Yang was not as lucky. They had only been separated for a moment before he encountered unicorns. Although a unicorn was only equivalent to the Foundation Establishment stage, they were too numerous for him to handle.
He was already struggling to fight them, and when he heard his beloved junior sister cry for help, his attention wavered, and he was knocked to the ground by a unicorn using its horn. Sheng Yang quickly used his sword to block its next attack.
Unexpectedly, a unicorn from behind directly rammed into his leg. With a crack, his leg broke.
This was a desperate situation. On the verge of death, he suddenly remembered the protective amulet his master had given him. Within it lay his master's strongest attack from the Mahayana stage.
He quickly took it out and unleashed it against the pack of unicorns. A sword glow accompanied by immense pressure pierced out. The pack of unicorns fled in terror, and those that were slow were crushed into pulp. Sheng Yang managed to save his life.
Meanwhile, Shui Bingqing, realizing that calling her senior brother was useless, remembered that she had an old grandfather within her. She awakened the old grandfather, and following his guidance, she walked out of the formation. She then heard Sheng Yang's screams and hurried towards him.
"Senior brother, how did you get so injured?"
"I'm sorry, junior sister. I failed to help you, and now I'm injured and have made you worry."
"Senior brother, what nonsense are you talking about? Senior brother and junior sister should help each other."
"Junior sister, you are so kind." With that, he looked at Shui Bingqing like a pervert.
Shui Bingqing, suppressing her disgust, stepped forward to help Sheng Yang up. The two then returned to the initial flat area, as they discovered that as long as they stayed there, they would not be attacked by demonic beasts, nor would they encounter any formations to break.