Seven Mysterious Spaces: My Rise to Power in the Cultivation World

Zhuang Yu's spiritual energy was being continuously depleted, and he felt a dull ache in his dantian.

Sweat rolled down his forehead and dripped into the fertile soil of the herb garden, where it was instantly absorbed.

He gritted his teeth, trying his best to maintain the shield and withstand Zhao Hai's wave after wave of attacks.

"Ha, is that all you've got?" Zhao Hai noticed Zhuang Yu's fatigue, a sinister smile spreading across his face, his tone filled with contempt. "I thought you were some kind of formidable character, but you're nothing special!"

"That's right, I thought you were so great, but you're just a show-off!" Qian Er mocked sarcastically from the side, his sharp and sarcastic voice as piercing as an owl's.

"Haha, let's see how long he can hold out!" Sun San echoed gruffly, his eyes filled with greedy light, as if he could already see the ecstasy of getting the spirit herb.

Wang Yao was extremely anxious. She clenched her fists tightly, wishing she could rush up to help Zhuang Yu share the burden.

However, she knew perfectly well that with her late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, she would be of no use in a battle of this level and might even become a burden to Zhuang Yu.

Seeing that Zhuang Yu remained unmoved, Zhao Hai's anger intensified.

He increased the output of his spiritual power, and the longsword in his hand shone brightly. Streams of sharp sword energy rushed towards Zhuang Yu like a storm.

"Click——"

With a crisp sound, Zhuang Yu's shield finally gave way, and fine cracks appeared, as if it would shatter completely at any moment.

"It's over, Zhuang Yu!" A ruthless glint flashed in Zhao Hai's eyes as he raised his longsword high, ready to deliver a fatal blow to Zhuang Yu.

Just at this critical moment, an old and majestic voice suddenly rang out in the spirit herb garden: "Stop!" Just as Zhuang Yu was about to give up, an old figure appeared like a ghost and blocked his way.

The visitor was none other than Uncle Sun, the guardian of the Spirit Herb Garden.

His withered hand gripped a lush, verdant cane, the tip of which was carved with a lifelike white crane that radiated a shimmering light.

"You bandits, don't even think about destroying the Spirit Herb Garden!" Sun Bo's cloudy eyes flashed with a sharp light, his tone filled with anger and authority.

He slammed his cane into the ground, and a powerful surge of spiritual energy emanated from him, completely neutralizing Zhao Hai's attack.

"Uncle Sun?" Zhuang Yu was overjoyed. He hadn't expected Uncle Sun to lend a helping hand at such a crucial moment.

Zhao Hai and the others' expressions changed. They never expected that such an inconspicuous spirit herb garden would be guarded by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Seeing this, Wang Yao quickly ran to Zhuang Yu's side and asked with concern, "Brother Zhuang Yu, are you alright?" As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from Zhuang Yu's forehead, her eyes filled with heartache.

"I'm fine." Zhuang Yu smiled slightly at Wang Yao, and took her small hand in his to comfort her.

Feeling the warmth from his palms, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

"Hmph, old man, are you sure you want to meddle in other people's business?" Zhao Hai said with a gloomy face and an unfriendly tone.

Although he was wary of Sun Bo being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the allure of the spiritual herbs was too great, and he was unwilling to give up just like that.

"Hmph, as the guardian of the Spirit Herb Garden, it is natural for me to protect its safety." Uncle Sun snorted coldly and said firmly, "If you know what's good for you, get out of here! Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!"

"If you won't listen to reason, you'll have to suffer the consequences!" A ruthless glint flashed in Zhao Hai's eyes. He winked at Qian Er and Sun San, signaling them to attack together.

However, at that moment, Zhuang Yu suddenly stood up. His gaze swept over Zhao Hai and the others, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips: "Wait..."

With Sun Bo's help, Zhuang Yu no longer had to be distracted by resisting Zhao Hai and the others' attacks, but instead focused all his attention on repairing the formation.

He swiftly formed hand seals, and mysterious runes flew from his fingertips, merging into the broken array.

With his last breath of spiritual energy, the protective formation was finally completely repaired.

In an instant, the once dim and lifeless herb garden seemed to be infused with new life, radiating a dazzling light.

The colorful spiritual herbs swayed in the wind, exuding a rich spiritual energy that was refreshing and invigorating.

The spirit herbs danced merrily among the herbs, their laughter like silver bells, as if celebrating the rebirth of the spirit herb garden.

Seeing this, Uncle Sun's cloudy eyes were filled with relief. He turned to look at Zhuang Yu, a smile appearing on his originally serious face, and his tone became much more amiable: "Young friend Zhuang Yu, I misunderstood you before. I will remember your help to the Spirit Herb Garden."

Zhuang Yu smiled modestly and said, "Uncle Sun, this is what I should do. Protecting the Spirit Herb Garden is everyone's responsibility."

Sun Bo nodded in satisfaction, his eyes filled with admiration as he looked at Zhuang Yu.

He knew that Zhuang Yu, despite his young age, not only possessed extraordinary talent in array formations but also had a sincere heart for protecting spiritual herbs. Given time, he would surely achieve great things.

Although the formation was repaired and the herb garden was temporarily safe, Zhao Hai and the others did not leave.

They stood at a distance, their eyes fixed on Zhuang Yu and Sun Bo with a sinister gaze, like venomous snakes eyeing their prey, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky!" Zhao Hai gritted his teeth in resentment and said in a cold tone, "However, don't be too happy yet! This spirit herb garden will be mine sooner or later!"

After saying that, he turned and left with Qian Er and Sun San, their figures quickly disappearing into the dense forest.

As Zhuang Yu watched Zhao Hai and the others leave, he did not lower his guard. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.

He knew that Zhao Hai and his men would not give up easily and would definitely come back again.

"Looks like I need to start preparing early..." Zhuang Yu muttered to himself, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

Zhao Hai felt extremely resentful when he saw that Zhuang Yu had repaired the formation.

He glared venomously at Zhuang Yu, gritting his teeth as he said, "Kid, you just wait..."