Chapter 1018: Chapter 533: Capture the King to Catch the Thief First The moon hung high in the sky, yet the Third Elder remained sleepless for a long time. Tossing and turning, Gu Sheng’s words echoed in his ears. "Third Elder, have you ever been to Chimu Peak?" "Third Elder, is it dangerous there?" "Third Elder, I want to make a trip there." Recalling Gu Sheng’s serious yet stubborn demeanor, the Third Elder sighed silently. He knew he couldn’t stop Gu Sheng for long with his persistent nature. As the sky began to brighten, the Third Elder finally got up, lit a candle, and gently began writing. When the sun was high in the sky, Lan Yao knocked vigorously on Gu Sheng’s door. Gu Sheng, wrapping his clothes around him, leaned sideways against the door, looking somewhat displeased at him. "Lan Yao, interrupting one’s peaceful dreams is quite impolite, don’t you know?" "Gu Sheng, I’ve found the key to cultivating the Hundred Spirit Grass!" Interrupted by Lan Yao, Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow lightly. "You found it this quickly?" "Yes, I just realized I’ve been researching in the wrong direction all along. The key to growing the Hundred Spirit Grass isn’t its environment or soil, but its root system. Look here, these roots have been squeezed in a crevice, seemingly a poor growing environment, but actually extremely beneficial for the Hundred Spirit Grass." "So you’re saying the less you care for it, the better it might grow?" "You could say that." Looking at the Hundred Spirit Grass in Lan Yao’s hand, Gu Sheng suddenly asked, "Lan Yao, do you think this Hundred Spirit Grass or the Spirit Grass from Chimu Peak is more impressive?" "Of course, it’s the Spirit Grass from Chimu Peak! Do you know why they call it the Hundred Spirit Grass?" "I don’t know." "Because people can’t obtain the Spirit Grass from Chimu Peak and harbor resentment, so they named this plant the Hundred Spirit Grass, as it’s easier to obtain, and it sounds like it surpasses the Spirit Grass." "Are the two really that different?" Lan Yao pondered for a moment, then casually picked a herb in Gu Sheng’s yard. "Look, the difference between the two is as obvious as comparing this herb to the Purple Spiritual Grass in your hand." Learning this, Gu Sheng nodded thoughtfully. Seeing him like this, Lan Yao leaned in close and asked softly, "Gu Sheng, you really want to go to Chimu Peak?" "Yes, I do. Do you have any suggestions?" "No, my knowledge of Chimu Peak and the Spirit Grass comes only from Jianghu rumors. There are no accurate or feasible clues. If you really want to go, you still need to seek the help of the Third Elder." The conversation circled back, and Gu Sheng sighed helplessly. "I’m not opposed to asking the Third Elder. The problem is, he might not be willing to share." "Actually, the Third Elder is concerned for your safety. After all, Chimu Peak is dangerous. If he tells you, and you rush off only to lose your life there, the Third Elder would feel guilty for the rest of his life." Hearing these words, Gu Sheng looked into Lan Yao’s eyes. "What if I say I won’t lose my life? Do you believe me?" "I do, otherwise, I wouldn’t want to go with you. But whether the Third Elder believes it, I don’t know." Looking at the sky, Gu Sheng sighed silently. As the two fell silent, the voice of the Third Elder suddenly sounded. "Who says I don’t believe? I do." Both looked towards the Third Elder in unison, filled with surprise. Seeing them like this, the Third Elder couldn’t help but chuckle softly. "Why are you staring at me like that? Think I’m lying?" "No, no, it’s just... quite sudden, Third Elder." "Sudden? What sudden?" "Your trust came too suddenly. Third Elder, since you believe I won’t lose my life, can you..." Seeing Gu Sheng hesitating, the Third Elder smiled and placed a piece of parchment in his hand. "Gu Sheng, I trust you won’t lose your life at Chimu Peak. Please don’t betray my trust." Meeting the Third Elder’s solemn gaze, Gu Sheng nodded repeatedly and said earnestly, "Third Elder, rest assured, I’ll leave and return intact. You wait for me at Stone Village. Whether I retrieve the Spirit Grass or not, I will return alive." Hearing Gu Sheng’s words, the Third Elder’s eyes slightly reddened, and he gave a firm pat on his hand. "Brother Sheng, I’ll be waiting for you at Stone Village." "Thank you, Third Elder." "When do you plan to set out?" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮 "I’ll leave tomorrow. But before heading out, I need to visit the Heisha Sect. If I leave for a long time and they come seeking trouble, I’m worried you won’t be able to handle it." "You needn’t worry about that. While Stone Village may have been weakened, we are not to be trifled with. It’s just the Heisha Sect; I can handle them." Gu Sheng pressed his lips together, not refuting the Third Elder, but thoughts were already forming in his mind. Seeing this, the Third Elder sighed softly. "You rest for now. I’ll go prepare some things for you." Knowing what he was about to prepare, Gu Sheng hurriedly stopped him. "Third Elder, there’s no need. You’ve almost exhausted the good things in Stone Village. We have the Purple Spiritual Grass with us, so we don’t need to bring anything else." After a moment of thought, the Third Elder nodded. "True, what I have can’t compare to the Purple Spiritual Grass. In that case, I won’t go to any trouble. Tonight, I’ll arrange a feast for you. May you return soon." After giving Gu Sheng’s hand another pat, the Third Elder turned and left. As soon as he left, Lan Yao rushed in front of Gu Sheng, face filled with excitement. "Gu Sheng, quickly look at what’s inside the parchment?" Gu Sheng opened the parchment, and what caught his eye was a map. The map was detailed, with many difficult paths annotated, showing the maker’s careful attention. As his fingers gently brushed the parchment, Gu Sheng felt deeply grateful. "Making this parchment must have taken quite some time; the Third Elder really put his heart into it." "To protect you, how could the Third Elder not be considerate? But this map only covers the foot of Chimu Peak. If we can’t find the Spirit Grass there, then what?"