A Wood Spirit's Star Voyage

A little weed unexpectedly awakens its intelligence and takes root in a spiritual leyline, secretly siphoning cultivators' blood essence. In just two days, its roots reach three feet deep, outgrowing the roots of trees a decade old. But it lives on the grounds of a cultivation sect, so it has to pass itself off as an ordinary spirit herb. It releases poisonous gas to scare off packs of root-gnawing rats and fools an alchemist's spiritual sense appraisal. While pretending to be obedient and keeping its head down, it secretly seizes territory and squeezes out old shrubs. Even the girl who waters it every day thinks it's just a well-behaved little plant. It has already secretly cultivated a Golden Core, but danger keeps closing in: in a month's time, it will be transplanted and made into medicine. Meanwhile, underground ruins have carved seven runes into its Golden Core, intending to turn it into a tool. How can a mere plant hide its strength and survive under the noses of cultivators?