Chapter 18 Xiao Wu: Oh no! Soul Rings! How could I have forgotten about that!
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
The windows of Dormitory 7 were dampened by a thin layer of mist from the morning dew.
Tang Chuan was awakened by the birds chirping outside the window. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Xiao Wu hugging a pillow, squatting by his bedside, blinking her big eyes.
"Tang Chuan, Tang Chuan, you're awake?"
"I want to eat radish, okay?"
Xiao Wu wiggled his blanket affectionately, her voice full of anticipation, counting on her fingers as she said, "Yesterday we ate Snow Jade Crimson Radish and Purple Cloud Infant Radish... Hmm, it would have been even better if we had Jadeite Melting Core Radish!"
She dreamt about eating radishes last night.
"Good."
Tang Chuan sat up with a smile, his fingertips condensing, and the Blue Silver Grass sprouted from his palm.
"A thousand threads reappear, a hundred flavors emerge."
Amidst the intertwining of grass strands, a few glistening white vines, resembling snowflakes dotting the crimson leaves, rested on their red tips still glistening with dew.
"Don't rush, let's distribute breakfast to everyone first."
Seeing Xiao Wu reach out to grab it, Tang Chuan raised his hand to stop her. The Blue Silver Grass vines intertwined, and in a moment, a bunch of juicy fruits appeared on the Blue Silver Grass web.
Snow Jade Crimson Ivy, Emerald Crystal Lettuce, Purple Cloud Baby Ivy, Honey-Flavored Cloudberry...
"Wow! Brother Tang!"
"Is this for us?"
The work-study students woke up one after another, and upon seeing this scene, they were instantly wide awake. They gathered around with surprise and delight, their eyes filled with gratitude and anticipation.
"Help yourselves, eat this for breakfast."
Tang Chuan greeted them with a smile, his tone gentle.
The crowd cheered and thanked him repeatedly. Then each of them took one or two fruits and began to nibble on them.
Wang Sheng picked up a purple pear and saw Blue Silver vines weaving into a shoulder bag in front of him.
Inside were green deer ribs and two charcoal-grilled meat strips. The aroma of meat and oil instantly overwhelmed the fragrance of the fruit, wafting straight into his nose.
"Wang Sheng."
"This is grilled King Kong Bull tenderloin. Keep one for yourself."
"As for the rest, could you please make a trip right now and deliver them to Xiao San? The blacksmith shop should be opening soon, the address is..."
Tang Chuan patted Wang Sheng on the shoulder and gave him instructions.
"Brother Tang!"
"This is too valuable!"
"I... I'll just have some fruit; take all these to Third Brother!"
Looking at the precious soul beast meat in front of him, which far exceeded the usual amount, especially the Vajra Bull tenderloin that was radiating spirit power fluctuations, Wang Sheng was so excited that his hands trembled slightly.
"Just take it."
Tang Chuan's tone left no room for refusal: "This is your errand fee. We agreed on this yesterday. Go quickly and come back quickly, don't be late for class."
"Thank you, Brother Tang!"
"I promise to deliver it on time, so that my Third Brother can enjoy hot roast meat and ribs!"
Wang Sheng no longer declined, nodded vigorously, slung the satchel woven from Blue Silver Grass over his shoulder, turned and rushed out of the Seventh Dormitory, running towards the west of the city.
Seeing that Tang Chuan had finished his work, Xiao Wu came over while munching on a Snow Jade Crimson Vine.
"Tang Chuan Tang Chuan."
"Here, take this."
Xiao Wu pulled a cloth bag from her pocket and handed it to Tang Chuan with a grin: "I won't eat your radish for nothing. This is Star Dew Grass seeds. Soak them in water and drink the water. It's especially sweet."
"I brought quite a lot with me when I left home, have some."
Tang Chuan took it and saw that the cloth bag contained some small, silvery seeds. He held one in his hand and could smell a faint, sweet aroma.
Shouldn't it be considered an ingredient?
As Tang Chuan thought to himself, he had the Blue Silver Grass wrap around a Star Dew Grass seed and devour it. The "Ingredients Compendium" page in his Spiritual sea lit up, its golden light making his eyes light up.
[Ingredient: Stardew seeds]
[Origin: Lakeside grasslands in the heart of the Starry Sky Forest]
[Duration: Three years]
[Characteristics: Fine particles, dissolves in water, contains natural sweeteners, sweet but not cloying]
[Effects: Increases the sweetness of food; long-term consumption can enhance Spiritual energy]
"This is good stuff!"
Tang Chuan smiled and returned the cloth bag to Xiao Wu: "I'll keep this. If you want to eat radishes in the future, just tell me anytime. You don't need to exchange it."
Xiao Wu shook her head vigorously, "No, no!"
"Mom always said, you can't take other people's things for free!"
"I'll bring you more Star Dew Grass seeds later. I also have Moonflower Grass, Fluorite Fruit, Jade Core Radish, and Jeweled Bodhi seeds at home..."
She counted on her fingers, rattling off a string of local specialties from the Starry Sky Forest as if they were her most treasured possessions, her eyes sparkling with a touch of pride.
Looking at her innocent and carefree appearance, Tang Chuan's smile deepened.
"Oh, right, Xiao Wu."
He smoothly continued the conversation, his tone casual as if chatting about everyday things: "Yesterday I saw you fighting with Xiao San, and you said you were a Level 10 Agility-based Battle Spirit Master, right?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
Xiao Wu looked at Tang Chuan with a puzzled expression, wondering why he suddenly asked this question.
"Level 10 is just the right time to hunt for your first Spirit Ring."
Tang Chuan spoke matter-of-factly, gently waving the Blue Silver Grass between his fingers: "You need a warrant from the Spirit Hall to enter the Soul Hunter Forest."
"After class today, I'll go with you to see Teacher Su and make an application."
"Professor Su takes good care of work-study students. With her guarantee and the signatures of two tutors from our Academy, the authorization will be issued very quickly."
"Ah?"
Xiao Wu froze as she ate the radish, her heart skipping a beat.
Broken!
Spirit Rings!
How could I have forgotten about this!
The casual mention of spirit power level has now become a problem.
As a 100,000-year-old spirit beast in human form, I don't need to hunt spirit beasts at all. As long as my spirit power is sufficient, I can condense a Spirit Ring on my own.
If I go to the Soul Hunting Forest with Tang Chuan, wouldn't I be exposed immediately?
The Snow Jade Crimson Rose in her hand suddenly lost its sweetness; her teeth were still embedded in the fruit. Her gaze began to wander involuntarily: "Ah... Spirit, Spirit Ring..."
"Actually, I'm not in a hurry!"
"I feel like I can stabilize my spirit power a little more!"
Xiao Wu tried to bluff her way out: "Besides, the Soul Hunter Forest is so far away, and I heard it's dangerous inside. It's too much trouble for you..."
"It's no trouble at all."
Tang Chuan smiled innocently: "Acquiring a Spirit Ring is a major event for a Spirit Master, how can it be delayed?"
"Besides, with me, a food-type Spirit Master, by your side, even if your combat strength isn't high, at least you won't have to worry about food and drink, right?"
Tang Chuan paused, then added a reason that Xiao Wu couldn't refuse: "I also want to go to the Soul Hunter Forest to find some spices."
"The last time I made the barbecue, I felt like it was missing something to remove the fishy smell."
"There are many plants in the Soul Hunting Forest, so we should be able to find some. We can also help you find a suitable spirit beast while we're at it, killing two birds with one stone."
Xiao Wu bit her lower lip, her mind in turmoil.
Tang Chuan's words sounded reasonable.
Moreover, having him by her side can indeed better conceal the process of condensing her own Spirit Ring.
Just point him in any direction to find spices, and then hide away and quietly condense her Spirit Ring!
Yes, that's what we'll do!
Thinking about it, she immediately nodded, trying to make her expression look natural: "It's a deal!"
"You're mainly here to find spices!"
"I'll find my own Spirit Rings, you don't need to worry about it too much!"
She emphasized this point, fearing that Tang Chuan would insist on watching her hunt spirit beasts and absorb Spirit Rings.
[end of the chapter]