Evan Yang explained, "This is the soul of the Vine Spirit. It's similar to a human soul—when these beings reach a certain age, they form a spirit core, called a 'spirit soul.'"
"So that's how it works. That's pretty strange," Hannah Nangong said doubtfully.
Evan was about to say something when the green energy entered his body. He was startled, but on closer inspection, realized it had been absorbed by Eldon, the Ancient Tree Soul.
"This benefits me," Eldon said.
"Oh? What kind of benefit?" Evan asked curiously.
"It strengthens me. All of their spirit soul power is transferred to me, but I have to slowly refine it into my own strength," Eldon explained.
"I see. That works," Evan nodded, understanding.
Off to the side, Hannah Nangong asked curiously, "What are you spacing out about?"
"It's nothing," Evan replied. He had too many strange things and secrets on him, so he just smiled and didn't explain further.
"I thought you were possessed or something," Hannah said.
"It's true. I borrowed it from my family, and I didn't expect we'd actually need it," Skyler Shi said.
"That's awesome! With the Aura-Seeker Bead, we can tell which direction has human aura, so it'll really narrow things down," Ray Qing said excitedly, surprised that Skyler Shi had such a great treasure.
Skyler Shi hadn't planned to use it, since there's a downside—the Aura-Seeker Bead burns through Immortal Essence super fast. If you're not careful, it'll drain you dry, unless you're an Emperor, then it's a bit better.
"Skyler, what's got you worried?" Ray Qing asked, seeing Skyler Shi frowning.
"I'm worried because the Aura-Seeker Bead eats up Immortal Essence way too fast," Skyler Shi replied.
"How long can you use it each time?" Ray Qing asked, still a little confused.
"About a quarter of an hour. After that, I need a whole day to recover before I can use it again," Skyler Shi explained.
"That's pretty short... but it's still better than nothing. We use it once, figure out the general direction, then walk until we can use it again the next day. With a planet this big, having a direction makes searching way easier," Ray Qing analyzed.
"Alright, I'll use it now," Skyler Shi said. He took out a bead glowing with white light, closed his eyes, and poured Immortal Essence into it.
In Skyler Shi's mind, several directions lit up with auras, making him a bit suspicious. Were there other people here?
After a moment, Skyler Shi opened his eyes.
"How'd it go?" Ray Qing asked eagerly.
"Looks like there are quite a few people on this planet," Skyler Shi said. "No way! What do we do now?" Ray Qing complained, suddenly feeling a headache coming on.
Skyler Shi thought for a while, then said, "But I can tell they're all in one direction."
"Why?" Ray Qing asked, puzzled.
"One direction shows two auras, while all the other directions have more than two. So I'm guessing it's Evan Yang and that girl—so just two people," Skyler Shi explained.
"Great, let's go!" Ray Qing said happily.
"Yeah, let's head out," Skyler Shi nodded, then led Ray Qing away.
(Irrelevant passage skipped.)
Meanwhile, Evan Yang and Hannah Nangong had no idea the Wood Family had such a magical treasure that could pinpoint human auras—especially useful on a planet with almost no people.
"We've been walking for days and dealt with so many damn plants, but who knows when we'll find that Ten-Million-Year Wood-Heart Core," Hannah Nangong grumbled.
"Let's keep going. Maybe we'll get lucky," Evan Yang said with a smile, though he wasn't confident. The last few days had been brutal—any plant could be deadly. Thankfully, Evan knew how to detox, and Hannah had survived several poisonings and near-death encounters thanks to him.
With water, fire, and earth, Evan Yang finally figured out how to deal with the plants here. Still, there were some especially dangerous moments—he and Hannah Nangong once used earth powers and ended up in range of underground plant attacks.
The roots underground were terrifying—sometimes they'd wrap around you until you died. Evan Yang escaped death several times by relying on the Spirit Tower.
If Evan Yang didn't have so many tricks, detox skills, and the Spirit Tower, he would've died countless times already.
So, after a few days, both of them were extra careful. Many times, they were exhausted, so Evan Yang would bring Hannah Nangong into the Spirit Tower to replenish Immortal Source before heading out again. Sometimes, Evan just controlled the Spirit Tower to walk around, but the tower was still slower than walking, so they'd come out for fresh air.
Like that, the two spent many days—months even—almost losing their tempers, always wary of the plants. When tired, they'd retreat into the Spirit Tower, then Evan Yang would move the tower around.
"It's been months already. This forest is like a bottomless pit, sigh," Hannah Nangong complained.
"Yeah," Evan Yang nodded. Then he said, "How about you rest here while I go out alone?"
"No way, it's way too dangerous for you to go out alone," Hannah Nangong said, worried.
"I've got so many tricks. Why worry about me getting into trouble?" Evan Yang laughed.
"Still, it's safer if I stick with you," Hannah Nangong insisted.
Evan Yang could only helplessly leave the Spirit Tower with Hannah Nangong. Just as he was about to move, a few Phantom Spirit Birds returned. Seeing their message, Evan was suspicious: "There are other people here?"
"What?" Hannah Nangong released her divine sense, finding only forest around, no people at all.
"My Phantom Spirit Birds came back and told me there's a group of people in one direction, and they're dressed weirdly—all in leaf clothes," Evan Yang said, puzzled.
"Primitives?" Hannah Nangong exclaimed.
"Primitive? That's probably not it. Otherwise, they would've been killed by these crazy plants already," Evan Yang replied.
"So who are they?" Hannah Nangong asked, curious.
Evan Yang thought for a moment. "I'm not sure, but judging by their clothes, they must be locals," he said.
"Locals?" Hannah Nangong repeated.
"Maybe. Just look at how they're dressed," Evan Yang said.
"Should we go find them?" Hannah Nangong thought for a moment and asked.
Evan Yang pondered for a bit. "Yeah, if they're really from here, we can ask them. They live here, so they should know a thing or two," he reasoned.
"That's true. Why didn't I think of that? You're the smart one," Hannah Nangong said, agreeing.
Evan Yang nodded, then led Hannah Nangong toward their destination.
On the other side, Skyler Shi's group wasn't nearly as lucky. They had over twenty people, but a few were already dead. Even though they brought detox wood blocks to avoid some poisons, others were still lethal, and people kept dying.
Seeing things going this way, it was only a matter of time before the whole group was wiped out. Skyler Shi and Ray Qing were both worried. One day, someone even suggested leaving the planet.
Skyler Shi cursed them out, so nobody dared mention it again. Until today, after using the Aura-Seeker Bead, Skyler Shi frowned and said, "Weird, why did they change direction?"
"Changed direction? Where did they go?" Ray Qing asked, puzzled.