Chapter Seventy-Six: Falling from the Mountain Peak in Search of the Spiritual Herb

“No,” he shook his head, sorrow clouding his face. “Not far ahead lies a mountain, Mount Muyan, where countless creatures from all six realms gather. The herb I need to heal my wounds grows only on that mountain. In the past, whenever I sought out the ancient god Gu Mo for treatment, I would always venture there alone to find the spirit medicine. But though I always managed to gather the herb, I would inevitably come back injured.”

“Injured?” I exclaimed in alarm, my gaze filled with worry as I looked at him. “Was it serious, Master?”

“Not too serious,” he sighed softly. “However, if I were to go again this time, I fear I would be wounded once more. Over three thousand years ago, during the war between immortals and demons, I suffered a grave injury that has never fully healed to this day. If I am hurt again while gathering herbs, I fear I may never recover.”

“Master…” I called to him in a voice heavy with grief. The thought of him being injured yet again made my heart ache uncontrollably. If I could, I would gladly take all his pain upon myself so that he would no longer have to suffer.

That ancient war must have been the work of Mo Li, who plotted against him; otherwise, how could my Violet Lotus have been so severely wounded? Even after over three thousand years of recovery on Mount Lingyun, why have his wounds still not healed completely?

“Master, can Little Fish help you?” I turned my head away, blinking back tears that threatened to fall, sniffling as I asked him in a hoarse voice. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep myself from crying in front of him.

“Would Little Fish really help me?” he asked, his voice full of surprise.

“Yes, I would,” I nodded eagerly, my tone firm and resolute.

“Good!” He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face. “Would Little Fish be willing to go to Mount Muyan to gather the herb for me?”

“Yes, yes! I’m willing to gather the herb for you, Master,” I replied immediately, nodding with all my might.

“It truly is wonderful to have a disciple!” He reached out to stroke my head, his face full of relief. “Then I shall send you alone to Mount Muyan. Remember, the herb I need is a blood-red lingzhi tree that can walk and leap, and resembles a small human. Be sure to look carefully—don’t spend ages searching only to bring back the wrong thing.”

“Don’t worry, Master. I promise I’ll do my best to find exactly what you need—a blood-red lingzhi tree that can walk, leap, and looks just like a person.” To reassure him, I patted my chest and made a solemn vow.

“Good child.” He took the bundle from my back, pulled out the Youyue Sword, and handed it to me. “Leave the bundle with me. Take this sword—it will protect you if you encounter any dangerous monsters.”

“All right. I understand,” I replied. As soon as I finished speaking, I suddenly felt my body lift into the air, soaring toward the mountain peak.

Remembering that in Violet Lotus’s eyes, I was just an ordinary mortal, not the princess of the demon realm, I quickly patted my chest and shouted a few times from atop the cloud.

“Be careful!” Violet Lotus’s voice drifted from afar. But by then, I had already tumbled down onto the mountaintop with the cloud.

“How dark!” That was my first impression as I landed. The surroundings were pitch black, with blasts of cold wind swirling around me, making my robes billow and howl like the wailing of ghosts. The sight of the crooked, towering trees blocking out the sky sent a chill down my spine.