15: Chapter 15 Herb Garden Mission

Time slipped away quietly as Lin Xuan proceeded with his routine of Cultivating, practicing Spells, and completing sporadic gathering missions. In the blink of an eye, another month had passed.

The Thunder Spiritual Energy within his Dantian, through persistent "stone-and-grass dual cultivation" and the faint feedback from the thunder-attracting vine inside the Spirit-Taming Tower Space, had arduously accumulated to twenty-one strands.

The distance to the thirty-six strands required for Level 1 Qi Refining remained a long and arduous journey.

However, Lin Xuan's resolve had long been honed to be as calm as still water; unhurried and unperturbed, he focused solely on every bit of effort he could exert in the present.

On this day, he went to the Emerald Bamboo Peak Mission Hall as usual to check if there were any suitable low-risk missions.

Unlike the usual quiet, today many Disciples had gathered outside the Mission Hall. Most were young, their expressions carrying the naivety and eagerness of new Disciples, and they were whispering and discussing while surrounding the light screen.

Lin Xuan approached and his gaze swept over the light screen. A newly posted mission was pinned at the top, flickering with a faint green light:

" [Permanent Mission] Qinglin Valley Herb Garden Assistance. Duties: Assist in managing Level 1 Low Grade and some Medium Grade spirit fields, including basic work such as weeding, loosening soil, irrigation, and recording growth status. Requirements: Familiarity with the one hundred basic spirit plants recorded in the 'introduction to hundreds of herbs', and pass the Herb Garden Manager's assessment. Cultivation Level: No limit. Contribution Points: A fixed ten points per month, with possible meager rewards depending on work performance. Number of People: Limit five. Registration Deadline: Three days later. "

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. He had heard Chen Hao mention the "Qinglin Valley Herb Garden"; it was the largest and most relatively well-managed herb garden within the Emerald Bamboo Peak area, mainly growing Level 1 Medicinal Pill raw materials supplied for the daily needs of Outer Sect Disciples.

Such permanent, stable missions were always highly sought after among Early Stage Qi Refining Disciples. Although the reward of ten contribution points per month was not high, it had the advantage of being safe and regular, and offered the ability to come into contact with spirit plants; for Disciples aspiring to the Dao of alchemy or simply wishing to broaden their knowledge, it was an excellent opportunity.

Sure enough, the surrounding Disciples were already getting excited.

"It's Qinglin Valley! Finally recruiting! Wasn't the last recruitment a year ago?"

"Ten points a month... although it's not much, it's a steady stream, and it doesn't delay one's own Cultivation!"

"The key is safety! No need to be like those missions cleaning up Yao Beasts or exploring mines, where you get injured at every turn!"

"Dream on! Did you see the requirements? You need to be familiar with the one hundred spirit plants in the 'introduction to hundreds of herbs'! And you have to pass an assessment! How many of us in Emerald Bamboo Peak can thoroughly master that book?"

"Exactly, I heard the assessment is quite strict. Deacon Wu oversees it personally, and if you get more than three wrong, you're directly eliminated."

"Deacon Wu? That old man who is always poker-faced and has stayed in the herb garden for decades? He is not easy to fool..."

Amidst the discussions, many Disciples looked troubled, clearly lacking confidence in the assessment. Although the 'introduction to hundreds of herbs' was basic, its content was dull, and memorizing the form, habits, medicinal properties, and harvesting/processing points of one hundred plants required hard work. Many Disciples were busy improving their Cultivation after entering the sect and did not pay attention to such "miscellaneous studies."

Lin Xuan, however, felt certain in his heart. Over the past six months, he had almost worn out his copy of the 'introduction to hundreds of herbs'. It was not just to find dew-condensing grass, but he had also repeatedly pondered the characteristics, growth environments, and symbiotic relationships of every spirit plant recorded within, combining it with practice in the back mountains, and had long since known it by heart. Moreover, he had the Herb-Seeking Mouse, a "living atlas" with a subtle perception of plant states, as a secret reference. He had to seize this opportunity.

He did not hesitate, walking straight to the Deacon Disciple in charge of registration and handing over his identity jade token: "Senior Brother, Disciple Lin Xuan, I would like to sign up for the Qinglin Valley Herb Garden assistance mission."

That Deacon Disciple glanced at him, seeing that his aura was only at the edge of Level 1 Qi Refining and his clothing was ordinary, so he expressionlessly recorded it and handed over a bamboo slip with a number written on it: "Number fifty-seven. Assemble outside the Qinglin Valley Herb Garden at the hour of Chen three days later to participate in the assessment. Do not be late."

Three days later, just as the sky brightened, Lin Xuan arrived at Qinglin Valley, which was located in a mountain col on the northwest side of Emerald Bamboo Peak. The entrance to the valley was shrouded in a simple Formation, filled with white mist, leaving only one gateway.

At this moment, no fewer than fifty or sixty people had gathered in front of the gateway, mostly Disciples who had entered the sect at the same time as Lin Xuan or slightly earlier, each of them craning their necks, both expectant and nervous.

Once the hour of Chen arrived, the white mist at the valley entrance fluctuated, and an old man wearing gray Deacon attire, with a stern face and deep wrinkles, walked out with his hands behind his back.

His figure was thin and gaunt, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and when he swept his gaze over the crowd, it carried a critical air, as if he were examining spirit plants. It was none other than Deacon Wu, who managed the Qinglin Valley Herb Garden, a veteran Peak Qi Refining Cultivator who had stayed at Emerald Bamboo Peak for over forty years; it was said that because he was injured in his early years and had no hope for his Dao path, he poured his heart and soul into managing the herb garden.

"Quiet." Deacon Wu's voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty, and the scene instantly fell silent.

"Applicants, enter the valley in order with your slips. The assessment content is very simple: identify twenty spirit plants randomly designated in the garden, and state their name, main medicinal properties, and two points of attention when harvesting or processing. If you get more than three wrong, you are eliminated. Begin now."

The atmosphere instantly tightened. Everyone lined up and followed Deacon Wu into Qinglin Valley, feeling uneasy. The valley contained a world of its own. Plots of neatly planned spirit fields were distributed in a stepped manner, and the field ridges were paved with small bluestone slabs containing faint Spiritual Qi.

The air was filled with the fresh medicinal fragrance of various spirit plants, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi was significantly richer than in other parts of Emerald Bamboo Peak, though it was also mixed. In the fields, Low Grade spirit plants of various shapes and colors stretched their branches and leaves in the faint mist, most of them growing gratifyingly well.

The assessment took place on the field ridges. Deacon Wu stopped seemingly at random beside different spirit fields and pointed at a certain spirit plant, and the Disciple called by number had to step forward to identify and answer.

"What is this? What are its medicinal properties? What should you pay attention to when harvesting?"

"This... it seems to be 'seven-star grass'? Can... can it stop bleeding? Harvesting..." The Disciple stuttered.

"Wrong, next."

"This is called 'Polygonatum', it replenishes Qi and benefits the spleen... when harvesting, you must leave the root hairs..."

"You only know one, not the other. Before processing Polygonatum, it must be cleaned with morning dew, and iron utensils are forbidden. Next."

A dozen people in a row, and very few could completely answer more than three; most returned in failure, dejectedly being escorted out of the valley. The remaining Disciples were so nervous that their palms were sweating.

"Number fifty-seven." Deacon Wu's voice betrayed no emotion. Lin Xuan took a deep breath and stepped forward.

Deacon Wu pointed to a cluster of plants on the edge of the spirit field with slender, sword-like leaves, serrated edges, and small blue flowers.

"Disciple Lin Xuan." Lin Xuan bowed respectfully, then carefully looked at the plant, his voice steady and clear: "This is 'Blue Star Sword-Leaf Grass', Level 1 Low Grade, slightly cold in nature, its sap has a mild paralyzing and analgesic effect, often used as an auxiliary medicine for 'Clear Heart Powder'. When harvesting, one must use a jade or wooden blade to cut the stem to avoid the sap coming into contact with metal, and it is best to harvest around noon when the Yang Qi is strongest, which can neutralize its cold nature and preserve its medicinal efficacy."

Deacon Wu raised his eyelids slightly, non-committal, and walked to the next spirit field, pointing to a vine with thick, fleshy leaves and reticulated silver veins on the surface.

"This is 'Silver-Vein Polygonum Multiflorum', Level 1 Medium Grade, it replenishes essence and blood, and strengthens tendons and bones. Its tuberous root is used as medicine; one must be careful when digging, and must not damage the main root in more than three places, otherwise the Spiritual Qi will dissipate too quickly. After harvesting, the root must be wrapped in damp spirit soil and placed in a cool place, and it is best to process it within three days."

Next, Deacon Wu pointed to seven or eight more types in succession, including the common dew-condensing grass and perilla leaves, as well as the more obscure "Earth Gall Root" and "Viola tricolor". Lin Xuan answered fluently, not only correctly stating the names and medicinal properties, but even pointing out some detailed points, such as some grasses liking shade and fearing waterlogging, or some flowers needing to be pollinated by bees before they can be harvested, all one by one.

A trace of very faint surprise finally flashed across Deacon Wu's stern face. When Lin Xuan accurately stated that the twentieth plant—a plant growing by a puddle, similar in shape to a reed but with purple ears—was "Water Acorus", and pointed out that its rhizome needed to be collected after autumn and roasted dry over a slow fire to exert its calming effect, the assessment ended.

"What is your name? When did you enter the sect?" Deacon Wu asked, looking Lin Xuan over.

"Disciple Lin Xuan, I entered the sect early last summer." Lin Xuan replied.

"To be able to master the 'introduction to hundreds of herbs' to this extent in less than a year after entering the sect is not bad." Deacon Wu nodded. Although his tone remained flat, this "not bad" coming from his mouth was a rare commendation.

"You are hired. Come here to report at the hour of Chen tomorrow, and someone will assign you an area and explain the specific tasks."

"Thank you, Deacon!" Lin Xuan felt certain in his heart and bowed respectfully.

When he walked out of Qinglin Valley, there were still many Disciples behind him waiting or leaving with their heads hung low. Lin Xuan could feel several gazes of envy and even some jealousy landing on his back, but his expression was calm, and he returned straight to his residence.