"Very well."
Fairy Lingyue smiled faintly at Xu Taiping.
For some reason, though the person before her was just a young boy of about ten, she couldn't shake the feeling that his determination was even stronger than that of many adults. He reminded her of someone she had once known.
"Come closer."
Fairy Lingyue suddenly gestured for Xu Taiping to approach.
"Is there something else you wish to instruct me, Fairy?" Xu Taiping asked, somewhat puzzled, as he took a step forward.
"Slap."
At that moment, Fairy Lingyue extended a finger and gently tapped Xu Taiping's forehead.
Before Xu Taiping could react, he felt a refreshing coolness seep into his mind. Immediately, a white sheet appeared in his mind, displaying a prescription and instructions on how to prepare a medicinal decoction.
"Bone-Purging Decoction? There really is a prescription that can help white bones cultivate," Xu Taiping thought, his face lighting up with joy as he reviewed the effects of the prescription.
"Don't be too happy, little one. The Bone-Purging Decoction must be used alongside another decoction. However, the ingredients for that second decoction are too rare. Even if I gave it to you, it would be of no use. Therefore, without the second decoction, you will face some difficulties when using the Bone-Purging Decoction."
Fairy Lingyue poured cold water on his excitement.
"What kind of difficulties?" Xu Taiping immediately asked.
"Without the second decoction, your body will endure excruciating pain when you soak in the Bone-Purging Decoction. It will feel as though your bones are being scraped away, like the torturous method of slow slicing."
Fairy Lingyue's face grew serious as she spoke.
"I'm not afraid of pain," Xu Taiping replied after a moment of thought, shaking his head firmly.
Though Fairy Lingyue was tempted to say that he hadn't experienced such torment yet, and if he did, he wouldn't speak so confidently, for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to say it. She just felt that the words spoken by this boy wouldn't be easily broken.
"Today, I'm in a good mood. Besides the prescription I promised, I'll give you something else."
Fairy Lingyue suddenly smiled, then extended her hand and gently closed it.
In an instant, Xu Taiping saw white light gather like ribbons in her palm. When she opened her hand again, three crystal-like beads appeared in her palm.
The moment these three beads formed, Xu Taiping clearly felt that Fairy Lingyue's figure had become somewhat transparent.
"Whoosh!"
Before Xu Taiping could ask what these beads were, Fairy Lingyue suddenly raised her hand and tossed the three beads into different parts of the herb garden.
After completing this action, Fairy Lingyue began to softly chant a spell. At the same time, pale blue light began to converge around the three beads, forming a mysterious symbol that enveloped the entire herb garden.
"This is a minor version of the Three Talents Gathering Spirit Formation. Although it's not as powerful as the true Gathering Spirit Formation, it will ensure that your herb garden yields three times the harvest over the next year."
After completing the formation, Fairy Lingyue explained weakly to Xu Taiping.
"Three times?" Xu Taiping was initially overjoyed, then he quickly pulled four yellow bean-sized spirit crystals from his pocket and handed them to Fairy Lingyue.
"Fairy, please take these four beans. My grandfather always said that fairness is crucial in transactions, otherwise, they won't last."
Seeing Xu Taiping speak so earnestly, Fairy Lingyue couldn't help but chuckle, but soon her expression became serious.
"Your words are correct. Transactions should be fair. However, your cultivation will greatly benefit from these spirit crystals, so consider them a loan from me. When the next batch of fruit from the Earth's treasure is ready, you can return them."
Hearing this, Xu Taiping thought for a moment before nodding.
"Then when I return them, I'll have to include interest. I'll give you five spirit crystals in return."
"Not bad, not bad. You're learning how to calculate interest," Fairy Lingyue chuckled softly, covering her mouth.
Just then, Fairy Lingyue's figure became even more transparent, and her aura seemed to weaken significantly.
"Little Taiping, my soul is too weak. I need to rest and recuperate in the Earth's treasure for at least a month or two before I can fully recover. For now, you'll need to take care of the herb garden and your own cultivation. Don't hold me back. I still need the Earth's treasure to restore my true form," Fairy Lingyue said in a playful tone.
"Don't worry, Fairy. Cultivation is my own responsibility. I won't hold you back," Xu Taiping said with determination in his eyes.
"That's the right mindset. Cultivation is a personal journey. On the long road of cultivation, others can help you for a time, but they can't help you forever. Ultimately, it depends on yourself."
Fairy Lingyue smiled in satisfaction, then pointed to the withered bean stalk in the garden.
"Taiping, go inside the house and find a shovel. Dig up this bean stalk, then bury it in the center of the herb garden."
"Okay."
Xu Taiping nodded and without further words, turned to head toward the house.
Just as he turned around, Fairy Lingyue, who had been smiling gently, suddenly had a sharp glint in her eyes. She then turned to look at the courtyard wall behind her.
Following her sharp gaze, Xu Taiping saw a pair of eyes glowing faintly blue, peeking into the courtyard.
As soon as Fairy Lingyue turned her head, those eyes clearly noticed her, and the figure quickly rolled off the courtyard wall.
"Whoosh!"
At the same time, Fairy Lingyue's previously ethereal form transformed into a gust of wind and rushed out of the courtyard, slamming the figure rolling off the wall into the air.
"Please spare me, Fairy, please spare me! I'm just a servant ghost, forced by the Tiger Lord of Qingfeng Gorge to come here and harm people!" The figure, which had a pale face and rotting body with visible bones, quickly bowed to Fairy Lingyue.
"Traitors like you are nothing but lowly scum," Fairy Lingyue snorted coldly, then slapped the ghost figure across the air, sending it flying. At that moment, she seemed like a completely different person compared to when she was facing Xu Taiping.
"Wait, I'm not yet fully recovered, and I may not be a match for that Tiger Demon. Killing this servant ghost might bring trouble, so instead of killing it, I'll cast a spell to erase its memory of this place. When Taiping's cultivation is stronger, he can handle that Tiger Demon. It'll be a good experience for him," Fairy Lingyue murmured softly to herself, then smiled contentedly.