Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Xu Fu's heart stirred slightly upon hearing this, and he replied, "We all come from the mortal realm, and have come to this valley to seek resources for cultivation in order to improve our abilities. We just happened to find Moonflower Grass in the forest, and were about to continue exploring when we heard the fairy's flute music. I wonder if Miss Bai could point out what other treasures are worth exploring in this Illusionary Spirit Valley?"

After listening for a moment, Bai Lu said, "So you've all come for cultivation resources. The Illusionary Spirit Valley is indeed filled with rare spiritual plants and exotic beasts, but finding them is no easy task. Moreover, the valley's terrain is intricate and complex; a slight misstep can easily lead to getting lost or encountering danger." She paused, then continued, "Since you are all so sincere in your request, I can tell you a secret."

"Within the Valley of Illusions lies a highly secluded 'Spirit Spring Secret Realm.' Not only is the scenery breathtaking and the spiritual energy abundant, but it also harbors a magical liquid called 'Spirit Spring Holy Water.' Legend has it that this holy water is extremely beneficial to cultivators, even helping them break through bottlenecks and comprehend more profound Daoist techniques." Bai Lu's tone was filled with mystery and longing.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng and the other two looked on with rapt attention. They hadn't expected Illusionary Spirit Valley to harbor such a wondrous secret realm; it was truly an unexpected delight! Pangu brandished his battle axe with gusto: "Excellent! Miss Bai, quickly tell us the location of the Spirit Spring Secret Realm, and we'll head there immediately!"

Bai Lu gently shook her head: "Wait, Brother Pangu. While the Spirit Spring Secret Realm is wondrous, it's not easily entered. Not only is the terrain complex and riddled with traps, but a ferocious spirit beast guards the entrance. This beast is called the 'Shadow Leopard,' swift as the wind, with fierce attacks, and adept at concealing its tracks, making it impossible to defend against. I've tried to enter several times, but each time I had to give up because I couldn't defeat this beast."

Hearing this, Ying Zheng and the other two exchanged glances and nodded, all seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes. They understood that this mission would likely be more difficult than they had imagined. Even so, their determination to enter the secret realm only strengthened. They all knew that if they could obtain the sacred spring water, their cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds, possibly even breaking through their current realm!

During the journey, Bai Lu explained the situation of the secret realm and the characteristics of the spirit beasts in detail. It turned out that the Shadow Leopard was swift in movement, good at hiding, and had extremely strong attack power, making it very difficult to deal with.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the Spirit Spring Secret Realm, the four cautiously entered. The scenery within the secret realm was exceptionally secluded, with the central spring crystal clear and shimmering with a faint glow, clearly extraordinary.

Just as they were about to fetch water, a dark shadow darted out from the darkness—it was the Shadow Leopard. The beast's eyes were fierce as it pounced.

Pangu roared and swung his axe to meet the enemy, engaging in a fierce battle with the Shadow Leopard. Ying Zheng and Xu Fu each displayed their unique skills, joining forces to fight the foe.

Bai Lu cast spells to assist them. After a fierce battle, the four of them finally defeated the Shadow Leopard, causing it to dissipate into black smoke.

After the battle, the four arrived at the spring and, following Bailu's instructions, carefully filled a specially made container with the spiritual spring water. Bailu looked at them gratefully: "It is entirely thanks to your great help that we were able to obtain this spiritual spring. This water will also be of great benefit to your cultivation; we may divide it equally."

After obtaining the spiritual spring, the four returned to the open space. Bai Lu took out an ancient scroll and presented it to them: "This is the ancestral 'Spiritual Spring Mind Method,' specifically designed to complement spiritual spring cultivation, greatly enhancing cultivation efficiency. I have no way to repay your kindness today, so I present this scroll, hoping it will be of some benefit to you all."

Ying Zheng and his two companions gratefully accepted the secret manual and decided to study it diligently in the future.

Before parting, Bailu added, "There are still many unsolved mysteries in the Valley of Illusions waiting for you to explore. If you have the time, you might as well delve deeper; you may find even more opportunities."

After bidding each other farewell, Ying Zheng, Xu Fu, and Pan Gu continued their journey of cultivation. Carrying the spiritual spring and the cultivation method, their hearts were filled with anticipation for the future.

Deep within the verdant peaks of the Illusionary Spirit Valley, Ying Zheng, Xu Fu, and Pan Gu continued their exploration. In these days, their understanding of the *Spiritual Spring Heart Sutra* deepened. With the practice of the sutra, they could clearly sense the flow and abundance of true energy, each cell radiating vitality. This transformation enabled them to make significant progress on their path, and their hearts were filled with anticipation for the unknown.

The valley was a breathtaking panorama, shrouded in spiritual energy. Along the way, they encountered numerous rare and precious plants and even legendary beasts. All of this gave them a deeper understanding of the mysteries of the Illusionary Spirit Valley.

One afternoon, sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows. As they passed through the dense, verdant forest, they suddenly heard fierce fighting and heavy breathing ahead.

The three exchanged glances, all seeing the resolve in each other's eyes. They knew someone was in danger, and as cultivators, they couldn't stand idly by. So they moved quietly towards the source of the sound. The bushes concealed them. Hidden among the dense foliage, they saw a young man in blue robes fighting several men in black. The young man was agile and his swordsmanship was exquisite, but he was gradually becoming overwhelmed by the group's attacks. His clothes were torn in several places by sharp blades, and blood soaked his collar.

“These men in black are clearly up to no good,” Xu Fu murmured, his brow furrowed in solemnity.

A cold glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes: "We should help."

Pangu, already filled with righteous indignation, gripped his battle axe tightly: "Such evil cannot be tolerated! Let's take action!"

Before the words were even finished, the three men burst forth from their hiding place, storming into the battle with lightning speed. Their surprise attack threw the men in black into disarray.

Ying Zheng activated his inner energy technique, transforming the true qi in his palm into dazzling sword light that slashed at the enemy; Xu Fu unleashed exquisite fire magic to incinerate the opponent's attack; and Pangu wielded his battle axe, unstoppable in its path. With the three working in perfect harmony, the men in black were quickly routed.

After the battle, the young man in blue stepped forward gratefully and bowed deeply: "Thank you three righteous men for your chivalrous help! If you hadn't arrived in time, I would likely be doomed today."

Ying Zheng waved his hand, indicating that there was no need for formalities, and asked, "What happened here? Why did you clash with these men in black?"

The young man in blue straightened his clothes and respectfully replied, "My name is Li Mubai, a villager from nearby. These men in black are bandits who have been roaming the mountains recently, committing all sorts of atrocities, including arson, murder, and looting. I originally intended to infiltrate their lair to investigate and find an opportunity to rid the people of this menace, but I was discovered and chased here."

Pangu glared angrily upon hearing this: "These wicked people are utterly depraved! Now that we have encountered them, we must rid the people of this scourge and restore peace to the land!"

A resolute glint flashed in Li Mubai's eyes: "If you three righteous men are willing to rid us of this scourge, I am willing to be your guide, leading you straight to the enemy's lair!"

Ying Zheng and the other two exchanged smiles and said in unison, "That suits me perfectly! Let's set off immediately!"

Led by Li Mubai, the four sneaked towards the bandits' hideout under the cover of night. Along the way, Li Mubai explained the bandits' situation and the layout of their stronghold in detail, allowing them to prepare thoroughly.

Night had fallen when they arrived near the bandits' lair. The four men hid in the dark forest to discuss their plan. They ultimately decided that Ying Zheng and Pan Gu would lure the enemy in from the front, while Xu Fu and Li Mu Bai would infiltrate from the rear to sabotage the operation.

With the plan set, the four split up. Ying Zheng and Pan Gu deliberately broke dry branches to make noise, successfully attracting the attention of the bandits. While making noise, they talked loudly, pretending to be travelers who had stumbled upon the place.

"There's movement over there!" a bandit shouted.

"Go check quickly, don't let them get away!" another bandit echoed.

Hearing the commotion, the bandits swarmed towards Ying Zheng and Pan Gu's location, shouting threats. The two fought their way back, leading the bandits away from their stronghold. (End of Chapter)