Gateway of Immortality-Chapter 301: Harvesting the Herbs

As they spoke, the group had already clashed with the Human Head Owls.

With Qin Sang and Ge Yuan joining as reinforcements, the power of the Golden Ring Array surged dramatically. The early-stage Demonic Spirit Realm Human Head Owls suffered significant injuries and dared only to hover at a distance, while the lesser demons didn't dare to approach at all.

The Human Head Owls attempted to retreat and attack their foes individually, but Qin Sang and the others gave them no opportunity, relentlessly pursuing them. Before long, the battle had shifted across most of the mountainside.

Spotting their chance, the group managed to ensnare the wings and claws of the Human Head Owls with their bronze rings, suppressing the beasts' ferocity slightly and barely maintaining control.

Seeing the opportunity, Qin Sang and Shangguan Lifeng broke away from the group and split up to act separately.

Ge Yuan, still resentful of his earlier humiliation, directed the bronze ring to fiercely attack the Human Head Owls. He quickly sent a message to Qin Sang through voice transmission, saying, "The Blue Dew Epiphyllum is crucial for me. Daoist Master Qingfeng, you must secure it. I will owe you greatly!"

At the same time, Qin Sang received a transmission from Wandering Man, who informed him of the locations and types of several spiritual herbs.

It wasn't all for nothing—beneath that faint dark yellow qi lay none other than the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence!

Hearing that it was indeed the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence, Qin Sang's heart raced with excitement. He listened attentively as Wandering Man explained how to break the herb's protective barrier. Without hesitation, Qin Sang leapt toward the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence.

The lesser demons attempted to intercept him, but they posed little threat. Qin Sang summoned the Yan Luo Banner of Ten Directions, whose Ghostly Threads scorched the souls of the Human Head Owls, forcing them to retreat. His speed remained undeterred, and he soon laid eyes on the long-sought-after herb.

The Dark Patterned Yellow Essence grew tenaciously in a rocky crevice, barely covered by a thin layer of soil.

Its broad, emerald-green leaves spread out like a lotus, while a thin rhizome, identical in color to the dark yellow qi emanating from the herb, protruded from the crevice. Though it looked unremarkable—dry, wrinkled, and no thicker than a finger—it was unmistakably the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence, the main ingredient for refining the Dark Patterned Heyun Pill!

Qin Sang's breathing grew heavier as he gazed at the herb. Raising his head, his eyes followed the glowing light into the depths of the misty mountains.

The information provided by Wandering Man confirmed Qin Sang's speculations, giving him a clear idea of how the barrier guarding the herb operated.

This barrier was ingeniously constructed. The seemingly harmless mountain mist was actually part of the barrier itself.

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Within the yellow light surrounding the herb, not only was there the dark yellow qi from the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence, but a secondary barrier was hidden within. This explained why the herb's aura was so concentrated. In places where herbs had already been harvested, the dim, threadlike remnants of light indicated the absence of spiritual herbs.

Anyone attempting to pick the herb would trigger the barrier, unleashing devastating lightning strikes. Wandering Man speculated that the intensity of the lightning was directly proportional to the quality of the herb.

Qin Sang had witnessed this firsthand when Ge Yuan harvested the Blue Dew Epiphyllum. The sheer ferocity of the lightning was terrifying, capable of annihilating even late-stage Foundation Building Realm cultivators. Without the protective measures in place, the herbs would have long been devoured by the Human Head Owls.

This knowledge made Qin Sang even more cautious. One wrong move, and he would be reduced to ashes under the lightning strikes.

After a moment of contemplation, Qin Sang extended his right hand, gathering a small orb of spiritual power in his palm. With a flick of his finger, he sent it flying toward the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence.

Pop!

The spiritual power was repelled upon contact with the dark yellow qi surrounding the herb. The light rippled slightly before dissipating the attack effortlessly.

Seeing no change in the barrier, Qin Sang hesitated no further. He secretly activated the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman within his Qihai, manifesting the spirit of the Jiao around him. Swiftly, he darted toward the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence and reached for the herb.

Just like Ge Yuan's earlier experience, the herb seemed within reach, but the barrier activated instantly. A dazzling lightning net surged forth.

Thunder roared overhead as bolts of lightning descended, poised to smite Qin Sang with earth-shattering force.

These strikes were even more ferocious than the ones Ge Yuan had faced.

Qin Sang had anticipated this situation and immediately activated the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman. His figure swiftly retreated, waiting until the lightning dissipated before finally halting. During this time, his gaze remained fixed above, where the aura of the spiritual herb and the mist intertwined.

Just then, Qin Sang heard the enraged screech of the Human Head Owls from afar. His eyes filled with alertness as he kept his focus on the source of the sound, prepared in case they had failed to subdue the creatures.

Fortunately, the beast had been firmly restrained by the Wandering Man and his companions, allowing Qin Sang to focus on cracking the barrier.

He withdrew his gaze and quickly refocused on the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence beside him, continuing his probing efforts.

With each repeated attempt, Qin Sang found himself in a worse state, but gradually, a smile began to appear on his face as he glimpsed the subtle intricacies of the barrier.

After narrowly avoiding another lightning strike, Qin Sang stood still to regulate his spiritual power, calming himself as a sense of depth appeared in his eyes..

Although he had identified the key to the barrier, breaking it still posed significant danger.

Yet, no matter how great the risk, he had no choice but to try.

The Jiao spirit roared silently. Qin Sang unexpectedly activated the power of the Nine-Dragon Heavenly Chariot Talisman ahead of time. His ebony sword hovered before him, ready for action.

Qin Sang took a deep breath and appeared beside the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence. The barrier was immediately triggered.

As silver snakes swirled in chaotic motion, Qin Sang made a surprising choice—not to retreat as before, but to feign a retreat. Once the lightning dispersed slightly, he charged forward!

In the next moment, Qin Sang’s figure was enveloped by the lightning.

At that instant, he cast aside all thoughts from his mind and fixed his gaze on the twisting silver serpents. Without hesitation, he reached his maximum speed, leaving afterimages in his wake.

These afterimages were immediately shattered by the lightning, but Qin Sang himself managed to slip through the gaps, shooting straight toward the sky.

​The lightning quickly altered its course, relentlessly pursuing him, but all Qin Sang needed was this brief opportunity.

The ebony sword shot out, striking a precise point where the aura of the spiritual herb met the mist, erupting in a resounding crash akin to the sound of a great bell.

The light trembled violently, but there seemed to be little change.

However, Qin Sang’s objective had been achieved. He immediately began fleeing, ready to repeat his tactic once the lightning subsided.

This cycle repeated again and again, appearing dangerous, yet Qin Sang had become adept at handling it.

The barrier wasn’t without change, but Qin Sang always maintained control.

Boom!

His persistence was rewarded. After another loud crash, the light seemed to falter, which greatly encouraged Qin Sang.

Yet, the barrier soon began to change again—the mist churned, and it began to repair itself automatically.

Seeing this, Qin Sang’s expression changed slightly. He took out a spirit pill and quickly swallowed it, without pausing for a moment.

At last, the ebony sword struck the barrier’s critical point once more. The light pillar exploded, and the lightning behind him dimmed dramatically, losing much of its power.

Qin Sang’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, he turned and dove down, braving the lightning as he grabbed the Dark Patterned Yellow Essence!