Crow Immortal
Chapter 15: Obtaining Spirit Fruits

Han Yu returned to his simple stone house and barely had time to catch his breath when two crows, one large and one small, darted into the room like black lightning bolts.

The larger crow landed steadily before Han Yu, then slightly lowered its glossy black head, gently opening its sharp beak. A green twig slowly slid out, bearing at its tip a dazzling blue fruit resembling a gemstone, about the size of a ripe loquat, so translucent it seemed capable of reflecting one's image.

The blue fruit radiated spiritual energy, with wisps of mist-like aura swirling around it while emitting a faint refreshing fragrance that lifted one's spirits.

At that moment, the smaller crow imitated the larger one, obediently lowering its head and spitting out another twig bearing an identical crystalline blue fruit.

A glimmer of delight flashed in Han Yu's eyes as he carefully cradled both spirit fruits in his palms.

"You found spirit fruits?"

After examining them briefly but unable to determine their purpose, he asked, "Do they have owners? Are they from the sect's medicinal garden?"

In response to Han Yu's questions, both crows gently shook their heads in negation.

"Are there more?" Han Yu inquired again.

The crows continued shaking their heads, seemingly indicating these were all the treasures they could find.

Han Yu wasn't disappointed—these two spirit fruits were already excellent finds. Regardless of their effects, even if unsuitable for his own cultivation, they could likely be exchanged for spirit rice or other resources.

"Well done. Today I'll reward you..."

As Han Yu spoke and prepared to condense blood energy to feed the crows, he hesitated—having already used Blood Droplets four times, producing more essence blood was proving difficult.

Just then, the larger crow hopped onto a Spirit-Stealing Mouse corpse, looking at Han Yu expectantly while emitting a soft pleading call.

"Kaa."

Since Han Yu had instructed them to stop making loud noises, it no longer cawed recklessly.

Han Yu was surprised: "You want to eat this Spirit-Stealing Mouse?"

"Kaa." The large crow nodded with a light call.

Seeing this, the smaller crow hurriedly jumped onto another mouse corpse, fearing it might miss out.

Amused by their behavior, Han Yu chuckled—he had no way to handle these two Spirit-Stealing Mice anyway, so giving them as rewards worked perfectly.

"Alright, they're yours. Take them away to eat."

The two crows became visibly excited. The larger one grabbed a mouse, spread its wings and swayed side to side as if dancing, its talons tapping rhythmically like bamboo clappers.

The smaller one proved even more mischievous, deliberately tossing its mouse in the air before catching it steadily, then twirling its tail feathers at Han Yu in a circle.

Watching this playful pair acting like children, Han Yu couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, alright, off you go."

The crows approached, gently pecking near Han Yu to show affection before each grabbing a mouse and flying away.

About two hours later, the two crows returned swaying unsteadily like drunkards, their beaks stained with blood.

After entering the house, they collapsed on the ground in deep sleep.

Had eating the Spirit-Stealing Mice caused problems?

Though puzzled, Han Yu quickly gathered his tattered clothes from earlier, stuffing them haphazardly under his bed to form a crude nest where he placed the unconscious crows.

At dawn the next day, Han Yu checked under his bed to find both crows still lying quietly in the nest, showing no signs of waking. He couldn't tell whether this was good or bad.

If they really died from eating the mice, finding new helpers through Spirit Nurturing would be troublesome.

As usual, he went out to inspect his spirit fields.

Old Taoist Li was already gone, likely having left early for Green Sprout Market to exchange the Spirit-Stealing Mice for spirit rice. Having been to the market multiple times, he knew the route well.

Han Yu, feeling his cultivation was too low with nothing impressive to offer and focused on training, hadn't visited Green Sprout Market even once.

After circling his fields without finding new Spirit-Stealing Mice, Han Yu felt rather pleased.

He then headed toward the fields of Zhang Shan, Sun Kang, and Liu Lan.

Liu Lan was meditating in her field while holding the spirit stone Zhang Shan had given her to boost cultivation speed. Given her spiritual roots and age, having recently broken through to Qi Refining Third Layer, she was in prime cultivation time—clearly not to be disturbed.

Zhang Shan wasn't cultivating but stood in his field frowning at the crops, seemingly deep in thought.

"Senior Brother Zhang."

"Hmm? Junior Brother Han, you're up? Those Spirit-Stealing Mice have been rampant lately. Yesterday I saw you and Li Quan chasing them around." Zhang Shan remarked.

Han Yu nodded: "Right. Those pests bully us for not knowing spells—they only leave when we drive them away with sticks. Otherwise they won't budge. Nasty creatures!"

Zhang Shan's gaze held a probing quality: "Same today?"

"Not today. I checked around and didn't find any."

Zhang Shan commented: "Perhaps they caused trouble at night and aren't active during daytime now. Or maybe they've moved to others' fields."

"Next time you plant, try coordinating with our schedule better. That way we won't all need to drive away pests and mice twice."

Han Yu nodded again: "Understood, Senior Brother Zhang."

Whenever Green Sprout Spirit Rice neared maturity, it attracted pests and rodents. If planting times kept differing, the infestations would negatively affect neighboring fields. Synchronized planting and harvesting would save everyone effort.

Han Yu considered asking Zhang Shan about the spirit fruits—he was knowledgeable and sociable, clearly more so than Sun Kang or Liu Lan.

But remembering Old Taoist Li's warning that Zhang Shan "promised much but delivered little," Han Yu dismissed the idea.

Just then, Zhang Shan suddenly asked: "Junior Brother Han, do you know why Li Quan went out early with that basket on his back?"

Han Yu glanced at Zhang Shan in surprise—the question seemed abrupt.

Worker disciples generally didn't pry into each other's movements or private affairs. Why was he asking about Old Taoist Li's whereabouts?

Though suspicious, Han Yu feigned ignorance: "Taoist Li went out? I thought he was cultivating at home."

Zhang Shan smiled knowingly: "Right, you wouldn't know."

"Junior Brother Han, we're all fellow disciples. Why do you call Li Quan 'Taoist Li'? Did you know each other before joining Wangu Valley?"

"We met on the way to Wangu Valley," Han Yu replied. "Taoist Li taught me many things."

"As fellow disciples, you shouldn't address him that way. If Steward Wang hears, it might cause trouble."

After this remark, Zhang Shan returned to his field and sat down to cultivate, though his slightly furrowed brow suggested lingering dissatisfaction.

Suspicious of Zhang Shan's interest in Old Taoist Li's affairs, Han Yu abandoned any thought of asking about the spirit fruits and headed toward Sun Kang's field.

Sun Kang had just finished cultivating and greeted Han Yu with a smile: "Junior Brother Han, how's the rodent situation in your fields today? Need help driving them away?"