Chapter 7: Spiritual Power, Medicinal Herb, purple pole grass
Seeing Mo Bai's luxurious single-occupancy dormitory.
A flash of envy crossed Tang San's eyes, but it quickly vanished. Afterward, the two chatted about Innate Full Spirit Power.
Because Yu Xiaogang had already given him a heads-up, Tang San wasn't particularly interested. He chatted half-heartedly, his mind entirely focused on the medicinal herb Mo Bai had purchased.
But he scanned Mo Bai's room. Although it was so large that there were some corners he couldn't see, he didn't spot any traces of medicinal herbs within his line of sight, nor did he smell anything. Could he have been deceived?
Mo Bai observed everything while he spoke. He said so much trivial nonsense mainly to test Tang San's attitude.
If Tang San was interested in him but not his Innate Soul Power, there was only one reason he had come: the rumors Mo Bai had recently spread. He had truly been lured in. After chatting for over ten minutes, it was time to get to the main point.
"Oh, that's right!"
Mo Bai acted as if he had just realized something. "I recently purchased a medicinal herb in the city. After applying the medicinal liquid from it to my eyes, I felt my Spiritual Power improve significantly."
Hearing this, Tang San immediately became interested. "Where is it? Where is it? Can you take it out and let me see? I read many books when I was young; perhaps I recognize it."
"But I told many teachers, and they didn't believe me. Tang San, you believe me, right?" Delusion activated. Mo Bai's sincere gaze fell upon Tang San's face.
"This..." Tang San hesitated. To be honest, he would only believe it if he saw the real thing. But there were so many people on the road, even the massive organization Spirit Hall. They couldn't have issued a reward for no reason, right?
Tang San finally hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I believe you."
The corners of Mo Bai's mouth lifted slightly. [Ding! Tang San has believed your lie—the Spiritual Power medicinal herb, purple pole grass. Trust level 50%, Manifestation level 100%. Manifestation successful: Withered purple pole grass!]
Mo Bai flipped his hand and produced a purple medicinal herb. However, the tips of the two leaves were completely devoid of medicinal liquid.
This magical method was very familiar. Tang San was stunned for a moment, then realized—right, even his teacher had a new spirit tool, so there was no reason Mo Bai, who was so wealthy, wouldn't have a space spirit tool. He was making a fuss over nothing.
Tang San comforted himself before turning his gaze to the medicinal herb in Mo Bai's hand. But as he looked at it carefully, he became even more puzzled. He had never seen this herb before. It wasn't even in any records.
Could it be a medicinal herb unique to the Douluo Continent? Since this was a different World from his previous life, it was entirely possible. Tang San looked thoughtful and nodded repeatedly.
Seeing this, Mo Bai reached out, broke off a small piece of the purple pole grass's stem and leaves, and handed it to Tang San, smiling. "I see you're very interested; why don't you take it back and study it?"
"No, no, no, this is very expensive..."
"Expensive? It's not expensive for me." Mo Bai stuffed the stem and leaves into Tang San's hand without a care. Only when Tang San personally proved the medicinal properties would his trust become increasingly firm. He was already looking forward to tomorrow's Delusion.
Hearing this familiar excuse, Tang San stopped his rejection. After thinking about it, he took out a gold coin. "Although it can't compare to your 100 gold coins..."
"Are you insulting me?" Mo Bai's expression instantly turned cold.
Hearing the change in tone, Tang San realized belatedly that for the person in front of him, a gold coin was no different from a wildflower on the side of the road; it was indeed somewhat insulting.
Tang San silently put away his living expenses for the next few months. He looked at the purple pole grass liquid in his hand and whispered, "Thank you."
Hearing this, Mo Bai smiled again. "It's fine. Since we are both Geniuses with Innate Full Spirit Power, we should help each other out."
Hearing the term Innate Full Spirit Power again, Tang San raised his eyes to stare at Mo Bai's handsome face. Recalling what his teacher had told him, his thirst for knowledge surged violently at that moment.
"Um..." "Mo Bai, why don't you go hunt for a Soul Ring? Although Soul Rings don't affect our Cultivate of Soul Power, obtaining one early allows us to train our Martial Soul Ability sooner, which is ultimately beneficial for us."
"Soul Ring? Who told you I don't have one?" Mo Bai asked back, feigning confusion, while a yellow Soul Ring appeared under his feet.
The yellow light shone and flickered in Tang San's pupils, appearing incredibly dazzling, causing him to lose focus.
This... how is it possible? Is the teacher lying to me? Mo Bai really is a Genius with Innate Full Spirit Power.
As this thought arose, Tang San felt a bit ashamed. Thinking back to how half-heartedly he had chatted with Mo Bai earlier, his shame deepened. "I'm sorry, Brother Mo Bai. I have misunderstood you all this time."
Facing Tang San's apology, a faint, imperceptible smile hooked the corners of Mo Bai's mouth. He patted Tang San's shoulder without caring. "It's fine. Don't worry about what others say; just believe what you see."
"Brother Mo Bai." Tang San's eyes were filled with emotion.
Mo Bai pointed to the purple pole grass stem and leaves in Tang San's hand. "Go back and study it first, otherwise the medicinal properties will be completely lost, and then you would really be letting me down."
Tang San realized this and nodded vigorously. As for his Purple Demon Eye, he couldn't practice it right there on the spot, after all, his Martial Soul was not his eyes.
He then wrapped the purple pole grass stem and leaves with his hand. "Goodbye, Brother Mo Bai. I'll let you know if I hear any news."
After saying this, Tang San opened the door and hurried away. Mo Bai watched Tang San's departing figure, the corners of his mouth rising further. Not bad, really not bad. The leek is growing well; tomorrow or the day after is time for harvesting. Should he harvest the Innate Full Spirit Power first, or the purple pole grass?
Oh right, there seems to be a space spirit tool as well. Little San, please work a bit harder.
After leaving Mo Bai's dormitory, Tang San found a deserted corner, hid himself, and sat cross-legged. He began to Cultivate his Purple Demon Eye, crushing the purple pole grass liquid and applying it bit by bit onto his eyelids.
At the very moment of contact, a cool sensation penetrated into his brain. Tang San's eyes snapped open, a purple light flashing across them. He was filled with surprise. "It really works!"
"Those rumors are all true!" It was just a pity that because it was from withered branches and leaves, the effect was not strong, lasting only for an instant. The real effect came from the liquid of the purple pole grass.
"It seems necessary to borrow a permit from the teacher. But why did the teacher lie to me? Speaking of Brother Mo Bai, it seems I heard Wang Sheng and the others say that there seems to be some misunderstanding between Brother Mo Bai and the teacher."
"What could be the reason for this?" Tang San thought, with a big question in his heart, as he walked toward the dormitory. It would be great if he could resolve the misunderstanding between the two. With Brother Mo Bai's talent, he would definitely reach a higher level with the teacher's help! Huh? No, that's not right. Brother Mo Bai has Innate Full Spirit Power, so the teacher must have approached Brother Mo Bai. But why didn't they agree in the end?
... The second day after Tang San returned from the Spirit Hunting Forest. Since it was only time to study with Yu Xiaogang in the evening, he found Mo Bai as soon as he finished his classes.
While telling Mo Bai about the results of his research yesterday, he said he could obtain a Spirit Hall permit and invited Mo Bai to enter the Spirit Hunting Forest together to look for purple pole grass.
"Little San, you forgot, I have money, there's no need for such trouble." Mo Bai said with a hint of indifference.
Tang San was stunned, then smiled bitterly. That's right, with money, he could buy it directly; there was no need to take the risk of entering the Spirit Hunting Forest to find purple pole grass. His Martial Soul was his eyes; it should be difficult to have combat power right now. Even with Innate Full Spirit Power, Brother Mo Bai still needed to develop. Unlike himself, who had Hidden Weapons and many other means like Tang Sect Cultivation Technique, he had been a bit too excited.