A breathtaking scene

"No… I have a hunch that the herb we're looking for is somewhere near," Miko suddenly said, his golden eyes gleaming with excitement.

Nyxia paused and turned to him. "Are you sure?"

Miko nodded eagerly. "Look around. The water element in the air is dense, which means a water source is nearby. But more importantly, have you noticed something strange? There are no beasts here—not even small animals like rats or rabbits. That only means one thing… something much stronger is lurking nearby." His voice dropped slightly, carrying a hint of caution.

Nyxia's expression turned serious. "A powerful beast…" she muttered.

Miko smirked. "Exactly! And that fits the exact conditions we're looking for. The rarer the treasure, the more dangerous its guardian. Let's go!"

They pushed forward, moving swiftly yet cautiously through the thick foliage. After nearly fifteen minutes, a dark cave entrance loomed ahead of them.

Miko's ears perked up as he suddenly exclaimed in excitement, "The herb is inside the cave! The guardian beast isn't nearby right now—this is our chance! Let's go inside."

Nyxia trusted Miko, but she wasn't reckless. Her steps remained steady and careful as she entered the cave. A chilling breeze swept past her, making her shiver slightly. The deeper she walked, the more the darkness wrapped around her like a thick veil.

"Miko," she whispered, her voice echoing slightly in the enclosed space. "If you sense a beast approaching, conceal my aura immediately. We need to stay hidden if necessary."

Miko's glowing body bobbed beside her. "Of course. Just stay alert."

As they ventured deeper, the cave took a sharp turn, and suddenly, a soft, radiant light appeared at the far end. Nyxia's breath hitched. A faint, fragrant aroma filled the air—the scent of rare herbs!

Excitement surged through her veins, but a strange unease settled in her heart at the same time. Her pace quickened involuntarily, a mix of anticipation and nervousness propelling her forward.

When she finally stepped into the illuminated section of the cave, she froze, her eyes widening in pure disbelief.

The scene before her was breathtaking.

A crystal-clear spirit pond shimmered under the soft glow of luminous stones embedded around it, reflecting the gentle ripples on the surface. Surrounding the pond was a lush field of spirit herbs, their vibrant colors and energy radiating with vitality. The sheer concentration of spiritual energy in the air was overwhelming.

Tier 2 and even Tier 3 herbs filled the area!

Miko was equally stunned, his small mouth falling open. "This… This is more than what we needed! This isn't just a herb field—it's a spirit pool! Although it's not at the highest level, in this continent, it's a priceless treasure! How has no one found it before?"

Nyxia took a slow step forward, mesmerized. "So many treasures in one place…" she murmured in awe.

Miko's expression quickly turned serious. "Tsk tsk, your luck is ridiculous. But don't forget, something this precious must be guarded by at least a Tier 7 beast. There's no way it's unprotected. Either the guardian beast is injured… or worse, someone else already dealt with it."

Nyxia's body tensed. "You mean… someone else might be coming here soon?"

Miko nodded grimly. "Exactly. And if they killed a Tier 7 beast, they're definitely stronger than us. We need to grab what we can and get out of here—fast."

Without hesitation, Nyxia moved toward the herbs. But as she gazed at the beautiful spirit pool, a deep feeling of reluctance filled her heart.

"But Miko… I can't take the pool with me." She sighed, her voice filled with regret. "I really love this place. I wish I could make it mine… but all I can do is admire it before we leave."

Miko tilted his head and smirked. "Who said you can't take it?"

Nyxia blinked in surprise. "What do you mean?"

Miko's golden eyes shone mischievously. "It depends on your mental power."

A daring idea formed in his mind. Even if she couldn't take the entire pond, she could at least collect a small portion.

Nyxia's eyes locked onto his.

Miko's smirk widened. "Use your mental power. Surround everything you want to take, and pull it into your space."

Taking a deep breath, Nyxia closed her eyes and focused. She willed her mental power to spread, envisioning the entire spirit pool wrapped within it. Her consciousness trembled slightly as she attempted something she had never done before.

When she finally opened her eyes—the pool was gone.

Miko's jaw nearly hit the ground.

"W-WHAT?!!" he yelped. "You took the entire thing?! Just like that?!"

Nyxia was equally shocked, but her lips slowly curled into an excited smile. Without hesitation, she turned to the herbs and repeated the process. A gentle glow enveloped the entire herb field, and one by one, all the herbs vanished into her portable space.

As soon as she finished, her mental power was completely drained. Her body swayed slightly, exhaustion washing over her like a crashing wave.

Miko, still in complete disbelief, stared at her as if she were a monster.

"What kind of crazy host did I end up contracting with…?!" he muttered under his breath.