Chapter 31: News About The Heavenly Star Grass

Time passed, day after day.

Fang Hao’s Cultivation at the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm became increasingly stable, yet his longing for the heavenly star grass never waned.

To find the whereabouts of the heavenly star grass, Fang Hao had trodden almost every possible place, leaving no stone unturned.

He would stop before the bulletin board at the Mission Hall, carefully reading every mission notice, hoping to find a trace of information about the heavenly star grass; he traveled through the streets and alleys of the market, chatting with well-informed peddlers to ask if anyone had seen the heavenly star grass; he even entrusted familiar Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters to help inquire, missing no potential source of information.

However, all his efforts were like a stone sinking into the sea, with no news at all. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

People shook their heads, telling him that this heavenly star grass was simply too rare, growing only in extremely special places where the power of the starry sky gathered, something to be encountered by chance but not sought.

Fang Hao did not lose heart because of this; he firmly believed that as long as he persisted, he would one day find a clue to the heavenly star grass.

Thus, he continued to bury himself in the search, even scouring the Sect’s classics, hoping to find some records about the heavenly star grass within them.

Finally, hard work pays off. Fang Hao found some sporadic records about the heavenly star grass in an ancient book of the Sect: "heavenly star grass, absorbs the essence of the stars, appears once every hundred years, mostly seen in dangerous peaks..."

One day, Fang Hao was deducing a Formation in his Immortal Cave when he suddenly received a communication talisman from Liang Ling.

His heart stirred, and he hurriedly opened the communication jade Talisman, which read: "How have you been lately? Regarding the matter of the heavenly star grass, I have already entrusted a few Senior Brothers to inquire, but there is no news yet. Do not be anxious, the Opportunity has not yet arrived."

Looking at this brief message, a warm current surged in Fang Hao’s heart.

Since returning from the Cangjie Mountains, Liang Ling’s care for him had clearly increased.

Although her tone was still as cold as ever, the concern between the lines could not be hidden.

Fang Hao replied: "Many thanks to Senior Sister for your concern. This Junior Brother is doing well, just waiting for the Opportunity."

Just after replying, another communication talisman flew in; it was from Lin Wan:

"Junior Brother Ning! Good news! Senior Sister Liang has rushed into the top fifty of the dragon ranking! Ranked forty-ninth!"

Fang Hao was overjoyed.

The Inner Sect dragon ranking recorded the top one hundred Disciples, and those who could enter the top fifty were the elite among the elite.

For Liang Ling to achieve this shortly after her Foundation Establishment was truly remarkable.

He immediately prepared a congratulatory gift—a box of carefully refined Ice Heart Pills, which would be of great benefit to Liang Ling, who practiced ice-attribute Cultivation Techniques.

Arriving outside Liang Ling’s Immortal Cave, Fang Hao was hesitating about how to speak when the cave door quietly opened.

"Come in." Liang Ling’s voice came from inside.

Fang Hao stepped into the Immortal Cave and saw Liang Ling adjusting her breath, her body surrounded by cold air; evidently, she had just finished Cultivating.

"Congratulations to Senior Sister for making the dragon ranking." Fang Hao presented the gift.

Liang Ling nodded slightly: "You are thoughtful." She opened the jade box, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, "This Ice Heart Pill... the quality is excellent. Did you refine it?"

Fang Hao nodded: "Just a small effort. Senior Sister must have consumed a lot of energy while challenging the dragon ranking, this Medicinal Pill can help with recovery."

Liang Ling looked at him deeply: "Your Alchemy is stronger than many Inner Sect Disciples." She put away the Medicinal Pill, her tone softening a little, "Regarding the matter of the heavenly star grass, I have already left messages in several Secret Realms. If there is any news, I will notify you immediately."

Fang Hao said gratefully: "Many thanks for your trouble, Senior Sister."

The two were silent for a moment, then Liang Ling suddenly asked: "Bao Zhijian... has he been bothering you lately?"

Fang Hao shook his head: "Since the Cangjie Mountains, there has been no movement." But he knew in his heart that Bao Zhijian would never let it go; he was just waiting for an Opportunity.

A cold glint flashed in Liang Ling’s eyes: "If he dares to make a move again, I will certainly not show mercy." These words were said resolutely, making Fang Hao’s heart tremble.

"Senior Sister..." Fang Hao did not know how to respond for a moment.

Liang Ling had already changed the subject: "You are already at Qi Refining Great Perfection, and Foundation Establishment is imminent. Do you need me to act as your Protector?"

Fang Hao felt moved but still shook his head: "I dare not trouble you, Senior Sister. After I find the heavenly star grass and refine the foundation establishment pill, I will ask for your guidance again."

Liang Ling said no more, took out a jade Talisman and handed it to Fang Hao: "Crush it when you are in danger, I will sense it."

Fang Hao received it solemnly.

This jade Talisman was worth a lot; it could transmit messages over thousands of miles and was a treasure for saving one’s life.

Leaving Liang Ling’s Immortal Cave, Fang Hao felt mixed emotions.

Liang Ling’s concern made him happy, but the dim prospect of the heavenly star grass made him anxious.

Returning to his residence, Fang Hao continued to study the Pill Formula.

The six main ingredients were ready, only the last one was missing.

He repeatedly deduced the Alchemy process to ensure nothing would go wrong.

During this time, Li Xuan and Zhu Pang came to see him, bringing some news from the outside world.

"I heard that the heavenly star grass sometimes appears on the Northern Territory’s Starry Cliff, but that place is an extremely cold land, full of dangers." Li Xuan said.

Zhu Pang said: "There is also a legend about the Star-Gazing Platform in the Southern Wilderness, but that place is even more sinister; many go and never return."

Fang Hao noted these clues but decided to wait a little longer.

Blindly searching is not as good as waiting for the Opportunity.

As time passed day by day, Fang Hao’s Cultivation became more and more refined.

His seven-element Spiritual Root reached a perfect balance at the Great Perfection Realm, and he only needed a catalyst to achieve a Breakthrough.

One day, while Fang Hao was meditating, he suddenly felt something.

He took out the jade Talisman given by Liang Ling and faintly felt a fluctuation.

"Could it be..." Fang Hao’s heart stirred, and he immediately flew toward Liang Ling’s Immortal Cave.

Liang Ling was waiting for him outside the cave, her expression somewhat unusual: "I just received news that there is an anomaly at the Northern Territory’s Starry Cliff recently; it may be a sign of the heavenly star grass appearing."

Fang Hao was overjoyed: "Really?"

Liang Ling nodded: "But it is extremely dangerous there, not only with extreme cold weather but also spatial cracks. You..."

"I will go!" Fang Hao did not hesitate, "Many thanks for informing me, Senior Sister!"

Liang Ling pondered for a moment: "I need to consolidate my Realm recently and cannot go with you. Let Lin Wan accompany you on this trip; she is familiar with the terrain of the Northern Territory."

Fang Hao said gratefully: "I have already troubled you too much, Senior Sister..."

Liang Ling waved her hand: "Between fellow Disciples, no need to be polite. Remember, safety first, Opportunity second."

Returning to his residence, Fang Hao immediately prepared for the trip to the Northern Territory.

The extremely cold land required special equipment, and he spent the night refining cold-resistant Medicinal Pills and Talismans.

Three days later, Lin Wan arrived on time.

As soon as they met, she said with a smile: "Junior Brother Ning, Senior Sister Liang specifically instructed me to take good care of you!"

Fang Hao’s face turned hot: "I will have to trouble you, Senior Sister Lin."

The two flew toward the Northern Territory on their swords.

On the way, Lin Wan asked curiously: "Junior Brother Ning, you and Senior Sister Liang..."

Fang Hao hurriedly interrupted: "Senior Sister Lin is joking, Senior Sister Liang is just looking after a fellow Disciple."

Lin Wan blinked: "Really? I have never seen Senior Sister Liang take such care of any other fellow Disciple!"

Fang Hao did not dare to answer, but ripples arose in his heart.

The Northern Territory was far away, and the journey was long.

But Fang Hao’s heart was full of hope—the heavenly star grass, there was finally a clue!

The path of Immortal Cultivation is full of unpredictable Opportunities.

But as long as there is hope, there is motivation to move forward.

Fang Hao looked into the distance, his eyes firm.

This time, he must find the heavenly star grass and complete the foundation establishment pill.