Chapter 301: Herb Gathering

As they spoke, they were already locked in battle with the Human-headed Owl.

With Qin Sang and Ge Yuan joining as fresh forces, the power of the Golden Ring Formation surged. The Human-headed Owl, in the early stage of the Demonic Spirit phase, was severely wounded by them seizing the opportunity, now only daring to hover in the distance. Other minor demons were even more hesitant to approach.

The Human-headed Owl attempted to create distance and pick them off one by one, but Qin Sang and the others gave it no opportunity, relentlessly pursuing it. In the blink of an eye, they had traversed more than half the hillside.

Seizing the opportunity, they successively used copper rings to ensnare the Human-headed Owl's wings and talons. This finally subdued the great demon's ferocity somewhat, allowing them to barely maintain control.

Given the rare opportunity, Qin Sang and Shangguan Lifeng immediately withdrew and went their separate ways.

Ge Yuan, still resentful of his earlier embarrassment, activated the yellow copper ring and fiercely attacked the Human-headed Owl. He quickly sent a voice transmission to Qin Sang: "The Blue Dew Lotus is of great use to me. Daoist Master Qingfeng, you must acquire it. I will be eternally grateful!"

At the same time, Qin Sang also received a voice transmission from Yun Youzi, informing him of the locations and types of several spiritual herbs.

It wasn't a wasted effort; beneath that profound yellow energy was indeed the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal!

Upon hearing that the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal truly existed, Qin Sang's heart fluttered, and a surge of excitement welled within him. After patiently listening to Yun Youzi explain the method for breaking the spiritual herb's protective restriction, he immediately dashed towards the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal.

Seeing this, the minor demons swarmed over to attack. However, it wasn't a significant problem. Qin Sang moved to a secluded spot and immediately unleashed the Ten Directions Yama Banner. The ghostly threads burned their spirits, forcing the Human-headed Owls back. Maintaining his speed, he soon spotted the long-awaited spiritual herb.

In a rock crevice, covered by only a thin layer of soil, the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal grew, stubbornly breaking through the rock.

Its leaves were emerald green, broad like lotus leaves, spreading out into a large patch.

A section of its root-stem emerged from the crevice. Its color was identical to the profound yellow energy emitted by the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal, yet it was very inconspicuous, only as thick as a finger with a wrinkled surface, resembling a severely withered tree root.

Nor did it emit a rich medicinal fragrance.

Yet, this was it: the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal, the primary ingredient for the Profound-Pattern Harmony Pill!

Qin Sang's breathing unconsciously grew a little heavier. He took a deep look at the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal, then raised his head, following the light with his gaze, and stared deep into the mist.

What Yun Youzi had told him corroborated his own conjectures, giving him a rough understanding of the spiritual herb's protective restriction.

The restriction here was ingeniously designed; the mountain mist, seemingly harmless, was actually an integral part of it.

Within this yellow light, not only was the profound yellow energy emitted by the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal present, but another part of the restriction was also hidden within, which is why the spiritual herb's aura was so condensed. Those seemingly dim and slender rays of light were precisely that way because the spiritual herbs they once protected were gone.

Once someone attempted to harvest the herb and triggered its aura, the restriction would be activated, unleashing lightning. Yun Youzi speculated that the lightning's power might be related to the spiritual herb's quality.

Qin Sang had already witnessed this terror when Ge Yuan harvested the Blue Dew Lotus. It was so terrifying that it could easily kill cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage; otherwise, the herb would have long since been devoured by the Human-headed Owl.

Precisely because of this, he had to be extremely careful; a single misstep could reduce him to dust beneath the lightning.

Standing still and pondering for a moment, Qin Sang extended his right hand. A small ball of spiritual energy condensed in his palm, and with a flick of his finger, it flew towards the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal.

Pfft!

The spiritual energy couldn't harm the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal at all. Upon touching the outer profound yellow energy, the light subtly rippled, then dispersed the spiritual energy.

Seeing that the restriction seemed unchanged, Qin Sang no longer hesitated. He secretly activated the Nine Dragon Chariot Talisman in his Qi Sea, causing the Flood Dragon spirit to manifest on his body. He swiftly moved to the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal and reached out to grasp the spiritual herb.

Just like Ge Yuan's earlier encounter, as the spiritual herb seemed within reach, the restriction was immediately triggered, and a bright, dazzling net of lightning suddenly burst forth.

Simultaneously, thunderbolts rent the sky above his head, and it seemed Qin Sang was about to suffer the doom of being struck by five thunderbolts.

The power of these lightning bolts was even several times stronger than what Ge Yuan had encountered.

Qin Sang had already anticipated this. He immediately activated the Nine Dragon Chariot Talisman and swiftly retreated, only stopping once the lightning had dissipated. Throughout this process, his gaze remained fixed above, on the point where the spiritual herb's aura and the mist converged.

Just then, Qin Sang heard the angry cries of the Human-headed Owl in the distance. He looked cautiously in the direction of the cries, just in case they hadn't managed to suppress the Human-headed Owl.

Fortunately, the demon was firmly restrained by Yun Youzi and the others, allowing him to focus on breaking the restriction.

Qin Sang withdrew his gaze, then swiftly returned to the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal's side, continuing his probing.

He repeated his probing again and again, and each time, Qin Sang found himself in a rather disheveled state. Yet, a smile gradually appeared on his face as he finally managed to glimpse the profound mysteries of the restriction.

After evading the lightning's pursuit for the last time, Qin Sang stood still to compose himself. Once the spiritual energy within him had settled, his gaze deepened slightly.

Although he had discerned the key to the restriction, breaking it still posed considerable danger.

However, even with significant danger, he had to try.

The Flood Dragon spirit roared silently. Qin Sang had actually activated the Nine Dragon Chariot Talisman's power in advance, and the Ebony Sword floated before him, ready for action.

Qin Sang exhaled slowly, then appeared next to the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal, instantly triggering the restriction.

Facing the countless silver serpents dancing chaotically, Qin Sang's choice this time was surprisingly not to continuously retreat. Instead, he feigned retreat, and once the lightning had slightly dispersed, he charged head-on!

The next moment, Qin Sang's figure was enveloped by the lightning.

At this moment, he completely discarded all thoughts from his mind. His eyes fixed on the twisting silver serpents, he unhesitatingly exerted the fastest speed he could achieve, leaving behind streaks of afterimages.

These afterimages were instantly shattered by the lightning, but Qin Sang himself actually slipped through the gaps in the lightning, flying straight upwards.

The lightning immediately changed direction, relentlessly pursuing him, but Qin Sang only needed that small window of opportunity.

The Ebony Sword shot out, fiercely striking a certain point where the spiritual herb's aura and the mist converged, unleashing a deafening roar, comparable to a massive bell.

The light vibrated intensely for a moment, seemingly without much change.

But Qin Sang's objective had been achieved. He immediately began to flee, and after the lightning dissipated, he repeated the same tactic.

He repeated this process again and again. Though seemingly perilous, Qin Sang was now able to handle it skillfully.

The restriction was not without changes, but Qin Sang grasped each shift firmly.

Boom!

Perseverance paid off; after another loud bang, the light actually dissipated slightly, which greatly encouraged Qin Sang.

However, at this point, the restriction also began to change. The mist surged, and it actually started to automatically repair itself.

Seeing this, Qin Sang's expression subtly changed. He took out a spiritual pill, popped it into his mouth, and continued without a moment's pause.

Finally, the Ebony Sword once again struck the restriction's vital point. The pillar of light dispersed with a 'whoosh', and the lightning behind him simultaneously became extremely dim, its power greatly reduced.

Qin Sang's eyes suddenly lit up. Without hesitation, he turned and charged downwards, bravely enduring the remaining lightning to seize the Profound-Patterned Solomon's Seal!