Chapter Forty-Two: The Elixir of Illusions

Zhan Yu contacted his people without betraying any emotion and sent out a message that would torment Kuang Shao for quite some time: “Keep a constant watch on Kuang Shao’s movements and report everything immediately to Miss Bai.”

After sending the message, Zhan Yu’s lips curved in a slight smile. His gaze upon Kuang Shao also became much more pleasant—he found him far less of an eyesore.

Miss Bai was by far the most relentless among Kuang Shao’s admirers. With the others, Kuang Shao would simply move on after a breakup, perhaps accompanied by a breakup fee—nothing serious. After all, few people would really persistently cling on. However, Miss Bai was a direct descendant of one of the ten great families of the Imperial Capital, and with her grandfather being a general, Kuang Shao would never dare act irresponsibly with her. If he did, he’d certainly be forced to “pay the price.”

So, beautiful and talented as she was, Kuang Shao was desperate to avoid her. But Miss Bai was not only an outstanding talent of her generation; she was also a quintessential strong woman—a paragon for modern women. Ever since encountering Kuang Shao at the First Military Academy of the Imperial Capital, she had regarded him as her possession, and with her clear-cut passions, she refused to let go.

Zhan Yu, therefore, had no need to deal with Kuang Shao himself; someone else was already waiting to do so.

The potion Xuan Xuan wished to create to alter her appearance was called the “Morphing Elixir.” It had a single function: to transform one’s appearance, with effects lasting only twenty-four hours, though it could be reapplied.

With this elixir, she would no longer have to fear exposing herself in front of her father. The potion worked not by physically altering the body, but by creating an illusion through mental power. When used, it established a special field that induced hallucinations in those nearby.

However, this potion would be ineffective in front of someone whose mental power far exceeded one’s own—it would be easily detected. But with Xuan Xuan’s strength, she had no such worries.

The main ingredient for the elixir was a herb known as “Morphing Grass.” Consuming the grass directly would produce similar effects, though it was unstable and difficult to control. Combined with several other medicinal herbs to stabilize its properties, the “Morphing Elixir” could be successfully concocted.

Xuan Xuan and Zhan Yu had spent a long time researching this on the star network and had nearly confirmed that the primitive planet “Hundred Herbs Star” was home to the plant.

Though primitive and lacking in technological development, Hundred Herbs Star boasted advanced agriculture and was located close to the Imperial Star, supplying it with grains and vegetables.

For Xuan Xuan, the environment was even more ideal: abundant magical elements and a perfect climate for growing all kinds of herbs.

Upon arrival, Xuan Xuan stretched luxuriously—such rich magical energy was simply delightful.

“Shall we get going? It’s still a ways off,” Zhan Yu said to her.

“Yes,” Xuan Xuan replied obediently with a nod.

Zhan Yu released his mech, “Solaris.” Kuang Shao followed suit, deploying his own flamboyant red mech, “Blazing Sun.”

His phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly as he gave Xuan Xuan a seductive smile before climbing into his mech.

The smile made Xuan Xuan shiver with goosebumps.

Zhan Yu gazed at her; Xuan Xuan gave him a gentle smile in return. Though she wore a veil, he could still sense it.

Lightly touching her toes to the ground, she used “Wind Riding Technique” to float up and settle atop Solaris.

She should have custom-ordered a mech long ago, but with no time to learn how to operate one, she continued to ride on Zhan Yu’s Solaris as she always had.

It was convenient for her, and Zhan Yu was more than happy with the arrangement.

She waved at Zhan Yu, who nodded and smiled before entering his mech to begin their journey.

Zhan Yu had gone quite a distance before Kuang Shao snapped out of his daze. The sight of her white dress fluttering in the wind had left him momentarily entranced—her figure was as light as a dancing butterfly, slender hair streaming from beneath her cloak.

He’d thought those photos had been retouched, never expecting reality to be just like that.

What had been a perfect scene now became slightly irksome in his eyes.

He quickly caught up to Zhan Yu, eyes drawn to the hair flying beneath Xuan Xuan’s cloak, feeling an irresistible urge to be closer.

Zhan Yu moved swiftly, while Xuan Xuan, familiar with the environment, gave directions—“Morphing Grass” preferred warm, damp places.

As the surroundings grew more suitable, Xuan Xuan spread out her mental power to search more thoroughly—her strength made things so much easier.

“How’s it going?” Zhan Yu inquired.

“It’s nearby,” Xuan Xuan replied as she searched.

Zhan Yu slowed his steps and, glancing at the dense forest around them, suggested, “Let’s put away the mechs and search on foot. They’re not much use here.”

Xuan Xuan considered this—giant mechs were indeed of little use in the rainforest, where most inhabitants were star-beasts. Larger disturbances were of no concern, and with their strong mental powers, smaller threats could be easily handled.

She nodded, and with another “Wind Riding Technique,” floated down from Solaris to land on a massive banyan tree.

Zhan Yu followed, retracting his mech and perching on a nearby branch.

He looked at the red mech behind him and called out, “Come out.”

Inside, Kuang Shao shot a puzzled look at the two but climbed out nonetheless, stepping onto the tree. “What’s up?”

“We’ll search like this—the mechs are no good here,” Zhan Yu explained.

Kuang Shao took in the dense forest around them, nodding in agreement, though he threw a concerned glance at Xuan Xuan. He and Zhan Yu were used to this environment, but he wasn’t sure if she could adapt.

With a wave, he put his mech away.

“What does the plant we’re looking for look like?” he asked.

“Like this.” Xuan Xuan, now proficient with her smart brain, projected an image of Morphing Grass for Kuang Shao to see.

Kuang Shao lightly shifted his footing, moving to stand beside Xuan Xuan. Though he was fit, as a man he was still heavy enough to make her branch sway and dip under his weight.

He steadied her gently, feeling rather gallant.

Xuan Xuan didn’t mind. She thought he was simply helping, and his earlier pitiful display had earned her sympathy, so she wasn’t particularly bothered.

Zhan Yu, however, frowned.

Kuang Shao leaned in for a better look, but his eyes flicked toward Zhan Yu, inwardly amused. He just knew this reserved man had fallen for the girl before him.

“This plant looks awfully ordinary,” Kuang Shao said with a frown. He wasn’t interested in plants, and this one looked no different from countless others—same leaves, same stem, same roots. Finding it seemed almost impossible.

Xuan Xuan stared at him in disbelief. Ordinary? Morphing Grass was one of the most unique and fascinating plants in the world, with miraculous properties. Though it could cause disorientation in ordinary people, when controlled by mental power or refined into a potion, it could alter appearances—not just for others, but for oneself as well. How was this not extraordinary?

“It’s extremely special!” she insisted.

Seeing her displeased expression, Kuang Shao scratched his nose. Had he upset her again? To him, it really was just an ordinary-looking plant.

Watching his dismissive attitude, Xuan Xuan resolved that the first stalk of Morphing Grass they found would go straight to him.

The rainforest was beautiful—potentially dangerous, but for the three of them, it posed little threat, allowing them to enjoy its unique scenery.

Ancient trees towered overhead, vines tangled everywhere, and exotic plants bloomed in abundance.

Though they hadn’t found Morphing Grass yet, Xuan Xuan discovered many other useful plants, stuffing her pack—and even filling Zhan Yu’s previously empty bag—much to Kuang Shao’s amazement. How could one girl love plants so much?

After collecting sap from a “Killer Vine,” she handed the filled bottle to Zhan Yu, who capped it and tucked it away, then passed her an empty crystal vial, watching her actions intently.

Xuan Xuan bent her head, cut a small incision at the base of the Killer Vine with a wind blade, and collected the brown sap as it flowed in, a smile curving her lips.

One of the rainforest’s most remarkable sights was the “Vine Entwinement.” Vines coiled around massive trees, siphoning their nutrients, and the fiercest could even strangle their hosts to death.

The deadliest among these was the Killer Vine—it not only grew entwined with trees but could also strangle animals and even humans. Its tendrils bristled with sharp spines laced with potent neurotoxic venom. Once ensnared, prey would be paralyzed, soon becoming the vine’s meal.

This special sap could be used to craft powerful anesthetics, something Xuan Xuan found particularly valuable.

After gathering enough, she handed the vial to Zhan Yu and moved on—they couldn’t be far from the Morphing Grass now.

The environment was now perfectly suited to the grass’s growth.

P.S.: This is a novel by Little A~

[bookid==“Space in My Hands”]

Ever since Jiang Le gained her portable space, life took a turn for the whimsical. What? Aliens? Fox spirits? Whatever creatures come, bring them on! Our motto: break free from Earth and frolic across the stars with supernatural powers!