Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 227: Mountain and River Spirits

Qin Lu stared at the translucent boy floating before him, slowly lowering the Silver Sand Sword.

“Anyang,” he muttered, recalling the texts he had read on supernatural entities.

This boy wasn’t a ghost. Ghosts were born of human resentment and Yin energy, clinging to corpses and feeding on hatred. They were chaotic, weak, and terrified of sunlight—mere pests to a cultivator.

But Spirits were different.

Spiritual Qi existed in everything. Humans absorbed it to cultivate; beasts absorbed it to become monsters. But mountains, rivers, ancient trees, and lakes could also absorb it. Over centuries, they could birth a consciousness—a Spirit.

These beings were born with high intelligence and innate power often rivaling the Foundation Establishment stage. They were the guardians of the land, shaped by the prayers and incense of mortals.

Qin Lu scrutinized the boy. Sure enough, there was a faint, warm aura of incense clinging to his spirit body.

“So, you’re the Mountain God of Qingyu Mountain?” Qin Lu asked, sheathing his sword.

“This junior is indeed,” Anyang replied, bowing respectfully.

“If you’re a god, you should be cultivating in your temple,” Qin Lu said, sitting back down by the fire. He turned a skewer of meat. “Why are you haunting my campsite?”

Seeing the danger pass, Anyang floated closer, eyeing the sizzling meat with undisguised hunger.

“This junior… smelled the roast,” he said sheepishly, rubbing his hands together. “It smelled delicious. I hoped Senior might share a bite.”

Qin Lu raised an eyebrow but gestured to the rack. “Eat.”

Anyang didn’t hesitate. He grabbed a chunk of steaming meat, ignoring the heat, and shoved it into his mouth.

“Mmm! Incredible!” he mumbled, chewing happily. “As expected of a Second Rank flying beast. The texture is divine!”

Qin Lu leaned back against a tree, watching the spirit eat. A small smile played on his lips.

“Kid,” he said casually. “You didn’t come here just for a snack, did you?”

Anyang froze mid-chew. “Why does Senior say that?”

“I never told you what kind of meat it was,” Qin Lu pointed out. “Yet you knew it was a flying beast immediately. That means you watched me kill it.”

He took a sip of wine. “Also, your spirit body is flickering. You’re injured and weak. A god in your condition should be recovering in their domain, not begging for scraps in the woods.”

Anyang’s shoulders slumped. He spat out a gristle and bowed his head.

“Senior has keen eyes. I… I saw you slay that beast with a single strike. Your strength is immense. That is why I came.”

He looked up, his expression desperate. “I have a request.”

“Let’s hear it,” Qin Lu said flatly.

“I need you to kill a monster for me. A mid-stage Second Rank Demon Beast—the [Green Profound Bear].”

Qin Lu didn’t blink. “You’re a Mountain God. Why do you need a human to kill a beast?”

“Because it took my home!” Anyang cried, his voice trembling with grievance. “It barged into Qingyu Mountain, beat me half to death, and kicked me out! I’ve been wandering these woods for half a month, homeless!”

“Ah,” Qin Lu nodded. “So we aren’t on Qingyu Mountain right now?”

“No. My territory is thirty miles north. Please, Senior! Help me reclaim my home and restore peace to the land!”

“Mmm…” Qin Lu stroked his chin, feigning deep thought.

In reality, he wasn’t interested in charity work. Fighting a mid-stage Second Rank beast was risky, and “restoring peace” didn’t pay the bills.

“I won’t ask for free labor!” Anyang added hurriedly, sensing Qin Lu’s reluctance. “If Senior helps me, I will give you a heavy gift!”

“Oh? What kind of gift?”

“A Strange Stone,” Anyang whispered conspiratorially. “It has been gestating in the heart of my mountain for centuries. It is incredibly rare—perfect for artifact forging. I will give it to you!”

Qin Lu’s eyes lit up. A centuries-old spirit material? That could be worth a fortune in Shuntian City.

He stood up, dusting off his robes. “Well, since you put it that way… I suppose I can lend a hand.”

“Thank you, Senior!” Anyang beamed, bowing repeatedly.

“Lead the way.”

Thirty miles was a short jaunt for two Foundation Establishment entities.

Guided by the spirit, Qin Lu soon arrived at the slopes of a rugged, verdant mountain. Anyang pointed a trembling finger toward a large cave entrance halfway up the peak.

“There,” he whispered. “That’s the lair. It’s occupying the Spiritual Spring inside.”

“Got it.”

Qin Lu summoned the Silver Sand Sword, gripping the hilt tight. The air around him began to hum with power.

“Senior,” Anyang asked nervously. “What should I do?”

Qin Lu grinned. “You? Just sit back and watch the show.”

Whoosh!

Before the spirit could reply, Qin Lu launched himself like a cannonball, shooting straight into the maw of the cave.