This time, Star Trek replied instantly: "I don't have it here, but as long as it exists in your world, that will do. I won't ask for much—just one stalk in exchange for the supplies you need. We'll analyze it, try to find a suitable substitute.
If nothing in my world can replace it, I'll attempt to cultivate it. If cultivation still fails, then I'll ask you to trade again. One way or another, those lost potions will reappear."
Yun Xi considered the reply and found it reasonable. This way, they could form a long-term cooperative relationship. If mass production became possible in the interstellar era, it would be far faster than her refining one furnace at a time. She answered:
"Alright, if that's the case, I agree to trade.
What I need are intermediate and advanced body-refining techniques, along with the matching body-tempering potions. Is that possible?"
Star Trek: "No problem. When shall we exchange?"
Fleeting Cloud: "After I finish this trial. I'll contact you once I've organized all the pill recipes. Some plants have already gone extinct in your world, so I'll need to attach illustrations and notes on their medicinal properties. That will take a little time."
Yun Xi was meticulous by nature. She wanted a sustainable, long-term collaboration with Star Trek, not just tossing him recipes. Besides, she had to sift through the formulas. Some potions were too powerful—unsuitable for the interstellar era.
On the other end, Star Trek was overjoyed by Yun Xi's careful reply and answered at once:
"Good. As expected, Little Cloud thinks of everything. Hopefully we can find substitutes for all the ingredients. Contact me anytime once you're ready."
"Alright."
After replying, Yun Xi scrolled back through the chat logs, making sure she hadn't missed any important details. Then she logged off. The light-screen vanished the moment she left her thousand-year golden nanmu seat.
Her divine sense swept across every corner of her space. She saw Fei Xia had made a home in the plantation along with her children. Many high-tier spiritual plants grew there. Even the thousand-year Shouyuan Fruit she had used to fool Wei Nanfeng was real, though planted in the outer sections.
At the very center of the plantation grew a seven-colored lotus. Each petal shone with a different hue, casting a soft glow. Fei Xia was tempted, trying to alight on it, but the glowing aura surrounding the lotus pushed her away.
Yun Xi found it amusing and said with a smile: "Fei Xia, that seven-colored lotus has already given birth to spirit. It doesn't want you near. Don't trouble it."
Fei Xia drooped her wings and replied weakly, "Yes, Master."
Meanwhile, Dian Dian had taken advantage of Yun Xi's time online to sneak into Yixian Gate's treasure vault. There he was, drooling over the treasures lined up on shelves. He hopped from one rack to another, playing with everything, to the point Yun Xi could hardly bear to watch.
Still, the treasures her chat group friends had gifted her were all neatly stacked in one corner of the vault, automatically arranged.
With a flicker, Yun Xi appeared inside. She reached out and plucked Dian Dian out of the pile he was rolling in.
Dian Dian had been utterly absorbed in bliss when suddenly his body lifted into the air. Turning his head, he saw it was his master holding him. His little legs flailed as he hurried to explain:
"Master, Dian Dian wasn't doing anything! Just… looking."
Yun Xi pinched him lightly and said:
"I know. But now isn't the time. Once we return to the sect, you'll be responsible for cataloging the vault. I'll even allow you to choose one item for yourself. How about it?"
Dian Dian's tail wagged furiously."Thank you, Master! Dian Dian will definitely sort everything down to the last detail. But Master also promised me a Flower, remember?"
Yun Xi kneaded him in her palm with a chuckle. "You remember that quite clearly."
"Heehee. Of course. That's the spiritual plant I need to upgrade. How could I forget?"
"Fine. I'll give you that too."
As a master who kept her word, Yun Xi agreed readily. She swept her sleeve, sealing the vault with a restriction. Without her permission, not even Dian Dian or Fei Xia could enter.
Then, with another flicker, she arrived at the plantation. From her storage bracelet, she released Xiao Xian, the Xianling Grass.
The moment it appeared, it complained: "Master, I was suffocating in there. You—"
But its words caught in its throat as it realized the environment had changed. Here, the spiritual energy was thick and abundant. "Master, did you enter a secret realm?"
"Yes. But this is actually my fused space," Yun Xi replied with no small amount of pride.
The Xianling Grass stretched out its leaves, shaking off the stiffness before saying, "As expected, I chose the right master."
Yun Xi pointed at the plantation. "Xiao Xian, you can settle down here from now on."
The Xianling Grass didn't answer immediately. Instead, it released tiny blue motes from its leaves, letting them spread through the space. After a while, it shook its leaves and said:
"Master, there's one superior spiritual vein and three mid-grade ones here. That's enough to keep this space running, but if you want to rely on it for cultivation or closed-door training, it's lacking.
It's better if I follow you for now. We should search this secret realm for spiritual veins. If possible, we'll transplant an entire vein into this space. Then you'll never need to worry about cultivation resources again."
Yun Xi almost covered her face. Xiao Xian wasn't even interested in spirit stones—she was already plotting to haul away whole spiritual veins. The pressure on Yun Xi's shoulders grew heavier.
She coughed lightly. "Fine. Since you don't want to stay here, then—"
"Master, please don't keep me in the bracelet. I won't be able to sense any veins."
"Then stay in my sleeve."
With a flick of her hand, Yun Xi tucked the Xianling Grass into her sleeve, then picked up Dian Dian and called Fei Xia to leave the space.
When she emerged, she found the sky gradually darkening. Night was falling.
The Xianling Grass rustled its leaves and transmitted its voice: "Master, the spiritual energy here is indeed dense, but you'd best not cultivate with it."
"I noticed something was wrong the moment I entered this forest," Yun Xi replied. "That's why I've been keeping my protective aura active, only restoring my strength with spirit stones.
When night comes, the beasts here all grow violent and aggressive, constantly attacking outsiders. I spent the entire previous night in battle."
The Xianling Grass rustled again."Master, that's because this secret realm is rejecting certain beings in this region. It's gathering all the 'corrupted things' here to hasten their destruction."
Yun Xi's heart sank. A chilling thought crossed her mind—the so-called corrupted things might be none other than the descendants of the Wu tribe. She asked,"Xiao Xian, are you saying this secret realm has developed its own will?"
"Yes, Master. That would be its realm-spirit."
"Can you communicate with it?"
The Xianling Grass gave a shake. "Master, I came here to plunder spiritual veins. Do you think the realm-spirit would be willing to chat with me?"
Yun Xi pursed her lips. "Then how do you know so much?"
"I've been to countless secret realms, naturally I know."
Hearing the smugness in its tone, Yun Xi decided not to ask further. The more she heard, the heavier her chest felt.
Still, she finally understood why that old crone had been so desperate—resorting to underhanded methods to keep outsiders here. The Wu tribe's descendants weren't just facing issues with their bloodline continuity. Their external crisis was even worse than anyone had imagined.