Mortals: Take Mo Juren at the start

"What kind of medicinal herbs are needed? Perhaps I can help?" Xiao Yunhuang suddenly asked, a thought stirring in her mind.

"You?" Mo Juren was taken aback. Considering the Xiao family's profound background, it was indeed possible. However, he quickly gave up after thinking about it. The other party had already helped him too much, so he decided to let it go.

"You don't need to worry about the Spirit Grass and the Illusion Fruit. Zeng Lu has already inquired and the Min family has both of these spiritual herbs. You can just buy them directly when the time comes."

"Spirit Nether Grass, Illusion Heaven Fruit?" Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunhuang was momentarily stunned, then smiled helplessly.

"The Xiao family does indeed possess these two spiritual herbs, but because they are extremely rare and difficult to cultivate, they only exist in the ancestral land, and in limited quantities."

The ancestral herb garden is under the jurisdiction of the second ancestor of the Xiao family, and even I have no way to deal with it. However, if we seek help from Senior Tianli, there shouldn't be any problem.

"I need quite a lot, and there are also requirements regarding the year. Unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to trouble Senior Tianli." Mo Juren shook his head slightly.

“That’s fine, but if we can’t buy it from the Min family, we can still consider it.” Xiao Yunhuang nodded and didn’t try to persuade her any further.

“Of course I know.” Mo Juren smiled, then looked again at the crimson jade bottle on the table, and changed the subject.

"By the way, how many spirit stones did it cost to bid for these Blazing Essence Pills?"

"It's nothing, you don't need to worry about it..." Xiao Yunhuang's words were evasive, leaving Mo Juren both amused and exasperated.
"You know my worth, so why are you being so hesitant? Or do you think I'm stingy and trying to embezzle even this small amount of spirit stones?"

"It really didn't cost much, so why are you being so particular about it with me..." Xiao Yunhuang murmured softly, but still refused to give an answer.

She wasn't actually lying. The amount of spirit stones she spent was considerable, a significant sum for others, but nothing to her.

"You!" Mo Juren couldn't help but smile helplessly, and he roughly understood what the other party meant.

He didn't argue further. After a moment's thought, an idea struck him. He gently brushed his hand across the table, and with a flash of purple light, a purple jade box about half a foot long appeared.

"Since it's your kind offer, then I'll accept it. However, as the saying goes, it's only polite to reciprocate. I happen to have a rather nice treasure here, so I'll give it to you. You can't refuse, after all, you said you don't want to be too clear about things with me."

"..."

Xiao Yunhuang was immediately speechless, rolled her eyes at the other party in annoyance, and then took the jade box to examine it carefully.

Clearly, the other party was determined not to accept the pills for free and planned to exchange them for the contents of the jade box.

It must be said that she actually quite liked this way of exchanging gifts.

Slowly opening the jade box, what came into view was a purple hairpin about half a foot long. It seemed to be made of some special wood, with an exceptionally exquisite design. The top was decorated with a lifelike phoenix, and the surface of the hairpin was engraved with countless fine runes.

Xiao Yunhuang's eyes lit up, her surprise and delight undisguised. She clearly liked the item very much and was about to take it out for a closer look when, unexpectedly, the hairpin suddenly transformed into a streak of purple light and shot away, as if trying to escape.

"Naughty!" Mo Juren chuckled, then immediately raised his hand and waved it. A five-colored net of light appeared out of thin air, trapping him in mid-air before slowly pulling him back onto the table.

"This...this is a spiritual treasure!" Given Xiao Yunhuang's background, how could she not see the special nature of this purple hairpin? With such spiritual power, it was undoubtedly a spiritual treasure.

"I suppose so," Mo Juren said, not denying it, and continued to explain.
"During my previous trip to the far north, I gained a lot, and this 'Purple Phoenix Hairpin' is one of them. I obtained it from a female cultivator of the Wood Clan who was at the Integration Realm."

The material used for this treasure is a branch of the sacred tree of the Wood Clan. After many years of nurturing, it has become sentient. It can be used as an ornament and also has the effect of protection. The protective light barrier formed after refining can theoretically withstand an attack from a powerhouse in the early stage of the Fusion Realm.

Of course, this is just a theory. Whether it can actually withstand the attack of a Fusion Realm expert is uncertain. Even if it is true, it will inevitably cease to exist after that attack.

However, this treasure's defensive capabilities are truly astonishing; it's absolutely safe for those below the Integration Realm.

"A branch of the Sacred Tree, this...this is too precious!" After hearing Mo Juren's introduction, Xiao Yunhuang's expression changed slightly. Putting aside the materials, the incredible defensive power alone made its value immeasurable.

This is absolutely a top-tier life-saving item. Compared to it, the spirit stones I spent bidding for the 'Blazing Essence Pill' are nothing at all.

"I already said you can't refuse. Besides, this is originally a woman's item, and I don't need it myself. I originally planned to exchange it with other female cultivators for some necessities in the future, but it's just right to give it to you now."

Of course, if you really don't like it, that's fine too. I have other treasures here. If you don't like it, we can exchange it for something else..."

"Who says I don't like it? I want this one!"

Before Mo Juren could finish speaking, Xiao Yunhuang snatched the 'Purple Phoenix Hairpin' away. She thought to herself, "This guy actually plans to exchange something he already gave me with other female cultivators. How 'despicable'!"
As she spoke, she began to examine the hairpin in her hand more closely. As expected of a Nascent Soul Realm expert, it was exquisitely crafted, and the more she looked at it, the more she loved it.

Suddenly, she remembered something and asked again:
"You just mentioned that the main body of this item is a branch of the sacred tree of the Wood Clan, and it was obtained from a Wood Clan expert at the Integration Realm. So, if you enter the Wilderness and encounter the Wood Clan, you will definitely be detected?"

“This…” Mo Juren was taken aback; he had indeed overlooked this matter.

First, the materials are sourced from the sacred tree of the Wood Clan, and even within the Wood Clan, not just anyone is qualified to use them.

Secondly, there's Mu Bingyun. She had a falling out with her clan and fled to the far north, making her a traitor. She's been hunted by the Mu clan for countless years, and they haven't given up. If she continues to wear the 'Purple Phoenix Hairpin' made from the branches of the Sacred Tree under these circumstances, she'll certainly face dire consequences if the Mu clan discovers her.

This is not a good thing! The worst thing could be avoided unless one never sets foot in the wilderness again, but that is obviously unrealistic.

"I really hadn't considered that. How about we change to another one?"

"You... won't trade..." Xiao Yunhuang glared at the other person again and said immediately.

"You don't need to worry about this. I can take it back to my family and have the elders help me refine it again."

"That's a good idea. With the Xiao family's resources, it shouldn't be a problem." Mo Juren nodded slightly, no longer dwelling on the matter, and then changed the subject.

"I'm planning to go to the Pill Hall to find Min Xin'er later. What about you? Would you like to come along?"

“Okay, I have nothing else to do anyway.” Xiao Yunhuang nodded hurriedly. She had had this idea before, but she didn’t expect the other party to bring it up on their own initiative.

"Let's not delay, let's go."

"..."

……

After leaving Tianhua Tower, the two did not linger and immediately took to the air, heading towards the location of the Pill Hall.

The distance wasn't far to begin with, and before long the two arrived in front of the cyan giant tower where the Pill Hall was located. What came into view were rows of palaces neatly arranged around the giant tower.

Mo Juren was already familiar with this place, and he led Xiao Yunhuang straight to the interior of one of the palaces.

Similar to a shop, this place is divided into multiple levels, with countless cultivators trading on each level. Of course, the bottom level is only for ordinary cultivators and body refiners; cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage need to go to the seventh level.

The arrival of the two immediately attracted the attention of many people, and a steward hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully inquiring:
"May I ask if you are Senior Mo?"

"Did Fellow Daoist Min send you?" Mo Juren nodded slightly. After all, he was asking for a favor, and given Min Xin'er's powerful background, he naturally couldn't treat her like she was at his beck and call. It was more appropriate for him to take the initiative to visit her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to make a personal trip for a junior like her.

He had already contacted Min Xin'er before setting off, and learned that she was currently stationed inside the Pill Hall and could not be separated from him for the time being, so he came directly to her.

“What you say is absolutely right, senior. Please follow me.”

With a respectful expression, he led the way, taking Mo Juren and Xiao Yunhuang upstairs together.

Upon entering the seventh-floor hall, Min Xin'er's familiar figure was immediately spotted. However, there were still dozens of cultivators in the hall, all of whom took turns approaching her to exchange ideas.

These figures were all Black Iron Guards and Azure Nether Guards, and all of them were at the Nascent Soul stage. What was even more puzzling was that each of them had a solemn expression on their face.

Clearly noticing his presence, Min Xin'er nodded slightly in acknowledgment before continuing with her own tasks.

Seeing this, Mo Juren naturally didn't want to disturb them immediately. Instead, he was led by the steward to a seat and waited patiently.

"Why are there so many people today?" Mo Juren asked in a low voice, and upon hearing this, the steward quickly provided an explanation.
"I don't know the specifics either. I only heard that a special mission was issued from above, and pills would be distributed in advance. All of you seniors came to collect them."

"A special mission?" Mo Juren looked slightly surprised and turned to look at Xiao Yunhuang beside him. However, Xiao Yunhuang frowned and fell into deep thought. After a moment, her expression changed, and she secretly transmitted her voice.

"I remember there was a message that came out half a year ago that there was an ancient site in the 'Tian Duan Mountain Range' deep in the wilderness, which alarmed not only the human and demon races, but also other major alien races."

However, some people later said that the ancient site was fake, a trap deliberately set up by someone, but the purpose of which remains unknown.

That's why everyone gradually gave up on the exploration, but now, with such a sudden and large-scale mobilization, could something have changed?

"I see." Mo Juren looked enlightened, but that was all; he didn't ask any further questions, which surprised Xiao Yunhuang.

"The fact that the higher-ups have mobilized such a large force shows that the ancient ruins truly exist and are quite extraordinary. Brother Mo, don't you have any ideas?"

"My most pressing concern is to seize the time to cultivate in seclusion and strive to break through my cultivation level as soon as possible. I can't be bothered with anything else." Mo Juren shook his head slightly, clearly uninterested in this matter.

“That’s true.” Xiao Yunhuang nodded in agreement. Besides, even if the ancient ruins existed and possessed unparalleled opportunities, so many forces were already eyeing them. No matter how many benefits they received, they wouldn’t be able to get them, the ‘minions’ at the Nascent Soul stage.

Suddenly, she remembered something else and quickly reminded him.

“I’m not a member of the Tianyuan Guard, so I’m quite free. But Brother Mo, you are a member of the Qingming Guard, with a group of teammates under your command. If your superiors forcibly assign you a mission, I’m afraid you won’t be able to refuse.” (End of Chapter)