At this moment, Jiang Guiju's behavior could only be described as exceptionally strange.

She lay on a large rock, her arms and legs moving incessantly, as if she was doing a breaststroke.

"Has she encountered some different hallucination?"

Li Pu glanced around but found no sign of any water body.

[Caocao!]

At this time, the straw man, having circled the rock, came over to inform Li Pu about the situation.

Thus, following it to the back of the rock, he spotted a feather with red and colorful hues.

The feather's length was about the size of a normal chicken feather, but the key was the faintly emanating iridescent glow, indicating it might be of extraordinary quality.

The multicolored glow was constantly shifting in hue, appearing quite beguiling.

It's quite possible that Senior Jiang fell victim to this feather's mischief.

"Check it out."

Li Pu patted the straw man.

Thus, the straw man raised its watch.

[Beep beep]

[Guardian Beast Feather, F~A+ grade cultivation material]

[Market price, 6000 Crystal Coins each]

"Holy cow."

The feedback left Li Pu completely dumbfounded.

What kind of thing is this, selling for 6000 Crystal Coins?

And what does F~A+ mean? This is a huge range, yet the price has no fluctuations; does this mean even an F-grade can sell for 6000?

The most crucial part is not this, but the phrase "Guardian Beast," which Li Pu had seen before.

The last time he saw this name was on the leaves of the Climbing Wall Vine senior.

"Guardian Beast, Guardian Beast..."

"Could it be that the owner of this feather is akin to the existence like the Climbing Wall Vine senior?"

Standing before the feather, chin in hand, Li Pu dared not act rashly for a while.

Because learning from the previous lesson, perhaps picking up this leaf would attract something?

The phrase "Guardian Beast" made Li Pu recall.

The large stone wall at the southeast junction is where the Climbing Wall Vine senior resides, and it's a Guardian Beast.

The fantasy fog at the northeast junction, clearly this feather is not from the Climbing Wall Vine, indicating there's another Guardian Beast here.

By this logic, the northwest and southwest junctions might also have Guardian Beasts.

But what exactly are they guarding?

Are they guarding Xidu University?

"Seems like this is beyond my comprehension, better ask Wu Guinan or Teacher Li Fan later."

Unable to reach a conclusion, Li Pu started considering how to take the feather.

Regardless of whether it's related or not, at least it can be sold for 6000 Crystal Coins, so why not try?

Since they're all Guardian Beasts, the other party should behave like the Climbing Wall Vine, abiding by rules and not harm students, right?

Otherwise, how could the school tolerate its existence?

Having figured this out, Li Pu prepared to act.

First, he had the straw man tie a rope, carrying Senior Jiang away.

After it left for over ten minutes, Li Pu estimated the timing was right.

He then activated dual-force [Sprint], heading towards the colorful feather.

Whoosh!

In the instant he picked up the colorful feather, he sprinted with all his might, turning into an afterimage.

[Coo coo coo?]

Just as Li Pu had anticipated, mere seconds after his departure, a figure descended from the sky.

It was a large bird, its feathers ever-changing in a kaleidoscope of colors, seemingly the owner of the feather.

Watching in the direction Li Pu left, its avian eyes showed a puzzled expression.

Where did the bait it used for earthworms go?

[Coo coo! Coo coo!] xN

Soon after, more large birds of identical appearance descended.

Each glowing, they gathered into a mass, weaving an even stronger radiance.

[Coo coo!]

Then one large bird collided with its nearest companion.

Pop~

The two birds collided, transforming into a ball of light.

[Coo coo coo!] xN

The third bird crashed into the light ball, the fourth, the fifth... more and more large birds rushed into the light ball.

When all the large birds merged into the light ball, its radiance abruptly diminished.

[Clang!]

Accompanied by a clear and resonant chirp, a majestic big bird, with feathers the same color as the large birds but larger and more luxuriant, emerged from the light.

Hum hum hum!

Flapping its wings, it ascended into the sky, flying in the direction Li Pu had left.

...

Outside the fantasy fog, Hang Xing and Chang Shilian returned together.

The two had collected a total of 3 Bear Tail Grasses.

The course requirement was one plant per person.

But following the plan of saturated collection, each had set their own task to collect 3 plants.

If not summoned back by the safety cable, the two would still be in the fantasy fog.

"Sister, senior, something's wrong!"

Seeing them appear, Chang Shoushang's first reaction was to rush over and report the unexpected situation.

"This is nonsense!"

Hearing the report, Hang Xing was instantly infuriated.

Li Pu, without protective goggles, dared to force his way into the fantasy fog; if this isn't madness, what is?

Moreover, if even Jiang Guiju couldn't withstand the unexpected, could a freshman help even if he found Jiang Guiju?

"You said he tied the safety cable, but now..."

Chang Shilian gazed at the loose safety cable Li Pu had taken.

By now, it was no longer taut, instead lying slack on the ground, indicating either it had broken or Li Pu had untied it himself.

"What should we do now?"

Chang Shoushang's tone carried a hint of urgency.

"Go in and search."

Hang Xing had no other option but to prepare to re-enter the fog: "If we can't find them, the only choice is to ask the teachers for help."

It wasn't unprecedented for students to get trapped in the fantasy fog. Intractable situations sometimes required teachers to rescue them.

Whoosh!

Just as he finished speaking, a shadowy figure suddenly dashed out of the fog.

"Uh..."

As the figure stopped, Chang Shoushang was stunned.

It was Li Pu, carrying Jiang Guiju.

In the final stretch, he overtook the straw man, transferring her onto his shoulder.

[Clang!]

Almost simultaneously, a striking bird call echoed from the fog.

However, it seemed the bird's call had no intention of breaking through the fog; it simply brought a powerful gust of wind.

[Grass!]

Driven by the strong wind, the straw man was blown away, landing heavily on the ground.

Bang!

"Eh? Where is this..."

Coincidentally, Jiang Guiju, who had just lain down, awoke.

"I just fell into a lake, then got chased by a long snake."

"It tried to strangle me, but I finally got away."

"You... what are you doing?"

As she recounted her hallucination, her gaze suddenly caught Li Pu raising his hand.

"Oh, nothing."

Li Pu sheepishly lowered his hand.

Since she woke up on her own, there was no need for him to make a move.

...

...

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