My Spirit Farm Is A Love Magnet

The sun dipped low on the horizon as Liu Fei stood at the edge of the eastern forest, a familiar mix of apprehension and determination swirling in her chest. The dense canopy ahead seemed even darker in the fading light, shadows pooling between the trees like a living thing. Her rusty pitchfork was slung over her shoulder, a reluctant companion on this new venture. The weight of her satchel pressed against her side, carrying the bare essentials: a water flask, a few scraps of leftover bread, and an old cloth she hoped wouldn't be needed for bandages.

"Host," the system chirped, its translucent interface popping up in her field of vision, "mission objectives: locate and harvest three bundles of Suncrest Herb. Estimated difficulty: Low to moderate."

"Low to moderate," Liu Fei muttered under her breath. "That's easy for you to say when you're not the one doing the work."

"Host is advised to proceed cautiously," the system continued, ignoring her tone. "The forest contains numerous spirit beasts, some of which may exhibit hostile tendencies."

Liu Fei tightened her grip on the pitchfork. "Of course it does. Fine. Let's get this over with."

Unbeknownst to Liu Fei, a figure lingered in the shadow of the farmhouse, his sharp gaze fixed on her retreating form. Yan Mo, still pale and visibly weakened, leaned heavily against the doorframe. He clenched his jaw as she disappeared into the tree line, the faint rustling of her departure stirring an uncomfortable tension in his chest.

"Foolish human," he murmured, his golden eyes narrowing. Despite his injuries, he pushed himself upright, his movements deliberate but strained. A faint glow pulsed from the markings on his chest as he stepped into the night, his determination overriding the sharp pangs of pain lancing through his body.

The forest was alive with sound—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of nocturnal insects, and the distant hoot of an owl. Liu Fei walked cautiously, her lantern casting a flickering light that barely pushed back the oppressive darkness. She scanned the ground for the telltale golden fronds of the Suncrest Herb, her mind flitting between the promise of rewards and the inherent dangers of the mission.

"System," she whispered, "how am I supposed to find these herbs in all this gloom?"

"Host may use the spirit sense function," the system replied promptly. "Activating will highlight nearby spiritual flora. Cost: 3 Spirit Points."

"You're charging me for this?" Liu Fei hissed. "You're the one who sent me out here!"

"Efficiency comes at a cost," the system replied unapologetically. "Spirit Points ensure streamlined guidance."

Grumbling, Liu Fei reluctantly approved the expenditure. The world around her shifted slightly, faint golden glimmers appearing in her peripheral vision. She adjusted her lantern and moved toward the nearest glow, careful to avoid stepping on exposed roots or triggering any unseen dangers.

The first bundle of Suncrest Herb grew along a patch of moss near a gnarled tree. Its golden fronds swayed gently in the night breeze, a if calling out to her. She crouched and carefully harvested the plant, ensuring its delicate roots remained intact. The system's guidance walked her through the precise process, each action accompanied by a soft ding of acknowledgment.

"Host's technique efficiency: 85%," the system commented. "Slight improvement noted."

"Oh, hooray," Liu Fei muttered, tucking the herb into her satchel. "Maybe next time you can do it for me."

A low growl interrupted her second harvest, sending a chill down her spine. Liu Fei froze, her hand tightening around the pitchfork. The growl grew louder, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of snapping twigs.

"Host," the system warned, "hostile entity detected: Shadowfang Lynx. Threat level: Moderate."

"Moderate?" Liu Fei whispered, her heart pounding. "Why is it never 'nonexistent'?"

The lynx emerged from the underbrush, its sleek black fur shimmering unnaturally in the dim light. Its eyes glowed a piercing green, fixed squarely on Liu Fei. She took a step back, raising the pitchfork defensively.

"Okay, big guy," she muttered, trying to steady her breathing. "I don't want any trouble."

The lynx crouched, muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce. Before Liu Fei could react, a sudden blur of motion passed in front of her. The lynx snarled, its body flung backward as Yan Mo stepped into the clearing, his hand wreathed in faint black flames.

"What are you doing here?" Liu Fei exclaimed, her shock momentarily overriding her fear.

"What does it look like?" Yan Mo replied tersely, his stance defensive. The lynx growled, regaining its footing and circling him warily. "Stay behind me."

Liu Fei wanted to argue but found herself rooted to the spot, her pitchfork feeling woefully inadequate compared to the raw power radiating from Yan Mo. He moved with fluid precision, his attacks forcing the lynx to retreat with each strike. Despite his clear skill, it was obvious that his injuries were slowing him down. Each movement seemed to cost him, his breaths growing heavier with every exchange.

The lynx finally darted into the shadows, its glowing eyes disappearing into the distance. Yan Mo lowered his hand, the flames extinguishing as he staggered slightly. Liu Fei rushed to his side, grabbing his arm to steady him.

"You're hurt!" she exclaimed, her eyes darting to the fresh blood staining his already-tattered robes.

"It's nothing," he said through gritted teeth, though his pallor suggested otherwise.

"Nothing?" Liu Fei snapped. "You're bleeding all over the place! What were you even thinking, following me out here?"

"You'd be dead if I hadn't," he countered, though the effort of speaking seemed to drain him further. "Let's not dwell on trivialities."

Liu Fei scowled but looped his arm over her shoulder, supporting his weight as best she could. "We're going back. And you're not arguing."

On the way back to the farmhouse, Liu Fei's lantern caught on something unusual—a large, motionless form sprawled across the forest floor. She paused, her curiosity piqued despite her worry for Yan Mo.

"System," she said cautiously, "what am I looking at?"

"Identified: Spirit Boar carcass," the system replied. "Cause of death: Unknown. Opportunity: Harvest usable materials, including meat and hide."

Liu Fei stared at the massive creature, its tusks glinting faintly in the lantern light. "Harvest? Are you serious?"

"Spirit Boar materials are valuable for trade and crafting," the system explained. "Effort required: Moderate. Potential rewards: High."

Yan Mo glanced at the carcass, his golden eyes narrowing. "You're not really considering this, are you?"

"I don't have the luxury of passing up opportunities," Liu Fei said, setting the lantern down. "If the system says it's useful, I'm taking it."

With a resigned sigh, Yan Mo leaned against a tree, watching as Liu Fei clumsily set about harvesting what she could. The system guided her through the process, each step more unpleasant than the last. By the time she finished, her hands were sticky with blood, and her satchel was significantly heavier.

"That's disgusting," Yan Mo remarked, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone.

"Says the guy who bleeds all over my floor," Liu Fei shot back, hefting the satchel. "Let's go."

Back at the farmhouse, Liu Fei helped Yan Mo back onto the mattress, her earlier frustration tempered by concern. She fetched fresh water and clean cloths, preparing to tend to his reopened wounds.

"You're reckless," she said softly as she worked. "You should've stayed and rested."

"And let you wander into danger alone?" Yan Mo replied, his voice quieter now. "I couldn't."

Liu Fei's hands paused, her expression softening. "Thank you," she said after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper.

He didn't reply, his eyes closing as exhaustion finally claimed him. Liu Fei sat back with a sigh, her own weariness settling in. Despite everything, a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Host," the system chimed, "mission completed. Reward: +8 Spirit Points and 2 Spirit Coins. Current total: 26 Spirit Points, 2 Spirit Coins."

Liu Fei leaned against the wall, her gaze drifting to Yan Mo's sleeping form. "Well," she murmured, "at least today wasn't boring."