58: Chapter 58 New Policies for the Herb Garden

On the evening of the third day, Deacon Wu returned.

He gathered everyone immediately. Standing in the center of the medicinal garden, Deacon Wu looked tired, but his eyes remained sharp.

"The quota has been negotiated," he said, getting straight to the point. "Next quarter's production output will increase by one-tenth, not two-tenths."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but they were still worried—one-tenth was not a small amount.

"Additionally, I have secured a batch of extra 'green forest spirit fertilizer' quotas," Deacon Wu continued. "The fertility is mild and can promote growth without damaging the Foundation. It will be distributed according to the needs of the spirit plants in each area, starting tomorrow."

At this, joy appeared on many people's faces. Green forest spirit fertilizer was a premium fertilizer specially made for the medicinal garden; the quota was usually tight, and only precious spirit plants could use it.

"Also," Deacon Wu paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "the General Affairs Hall promises that if the quota is exceeded, the contribution point reward for the excess portion will be doubled."

There was now an incentive.

"Listen clearly," Deacon Wu concluded. "Our fellow Disciples on the front lines are fighting for their lives. For every bit of effort we contribute in the rear, they gain a bit more chance of survival. But remember, the spirit plants are our Foundation; do not destroy the medicinal garden for the sake of quotas. If you have difficulties, come find me."

He spoke very calmly, without grand principles, yet it made everyone feel at ease.

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

Deacon Wu nodded and turned back to the bamboo house. When he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and looked at Lin Xuan: "Lin Xuan, come here for a moment."

Lin Xuan was slightly startled, then followed.

Inside the bamboo house, Deacon Wu poured a cup of tea and pushed it to him: "Your thunder-pattern grass is growing well."

"Thanks to your guidance, Deacon," Lin Xuan took the teacup.

"I am not just being polite," Deacon Wu looked at him. "Thunder-attribute spirit plants are difficult to grow. That you can make the thunder-pattern grass near maturity within five months shows your method is correct. Can your experimental plot have its production quota appropriately increased next quarter? Do you have confidence?"

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment: "With the assistance of the green forest spirit fertilizer, it should be possible."

"Good." Deacon Wu nodded. "If you need any support, just ask. Thunder-attribute spirit plants are strategic resources; if you can grow them well, it will be a great contribution."

"This Disciple understands."

Coming out of the bamboo house, it was already dark.

Lin Xuan returned to his small courtyard. As soon as he entered, the identity jade token at his waist grew slightly warm—it was a message from Li Yan.

"Junior Brother Lin, meet at the old place at noon tomorrow. There is new progress, let's talk in person."

Lin Xuan replied with a "Good."

It seems there is news about the thunder fire jujube.

---

The next day at noon, at that quiet teahouse in the market.

Li Yan was waiting there early. Seeing Lin Xuan enter, he immediately stood up, his face filled with unconcealable joy.

"Junior Brother Lin, sit, sit!"

Lin Xuan sat down, and Li Yan poured him tea personally: "I have good news for you! The thunder fire jujube—it's alive!"

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Li," Lin Xuan said sincerely.

"It's all thanks to your thunder-patterned soil!" Li Yan rubbed his hands excitedly. "We mixed the thunder-patterned soil into the red flame soil according to the ratio you provided to create a mixed substrate. The first batch of fifteen thunder fire jujube seedlings were planted two months ago, and now they have all survived! Moreover, they are growing well, and some have already started to sprout their second pair of true leaves!"

He took out a jade box from his Storage Pouch and opened it. Inside were three jujubes the size of pigeon eggs, dark red all over, with silver patterns on the surface.

"These are the last few jujubes we rescued from an old tree, and we have been using a Formation to maintain their vitality. Now that the new seedlings have taken root, these can be used for research." Li Yan picked one up and handed it to Lin Xuan. "Junior Brother Lin, keep this one. Although most of the spiritual energy has been lost, it is still the fruit of a second-tier spirit plant, and it still has some benefits for Cultivators with thunder and fire attributes."

Lin Xuan took it. The jujube felt warm and smooth in his hand, and he could feel the faint dual thunder and fire spiritual energy within it. For him, a pure Thunder Cultivator, the fire attribute part was useless, but the thunder attribute part was pure and mild, which was indeed a good thing.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li."

"I should be the one saying thank you." Li Yan said solemnly. "Junior Brother Lin, to tell you the truth, the thunder fire jujube project is personally watched by the Peak Master. The failure of the past three years put a lot of pressure on me. Now that there is a Breakthrough, my status within the peak has risen accordingly. This is all thanks to you."

He took out his jade token and transferred 1,440 contribution points to Lin Xuan: "This is the contribution points for 120 catties of thunder-patterned soil."

"Additionally, these are the 'fire Spirit Pills' specialty of Flame Peak, suitable for fire-attribute Cultivators to consolidate their cultivation. You can take them to give to others or use them yourself; it is my token of appreciation."

Lin Xuan looked at the three small jade bottles, each containing ten fire Spirit Pills. This Medicinal Pill cost five contribution points each in the market, so thirty pills were worth 150 points.

Li Yan was indeed generous.

"Senior Brother Li is too polite." Lin Xuan put away the fire Spirit Pills. "I will continue to provide the thunder-patterned soil; it will be the same amount next month."

"Good, good, good!" Li Yan nodded repeatedly. "I want as much as you have! If the quality can be further improved, the price can be negotiated!"

After the transaction was completed, the two chatted for a while. Li Yan mentioned that Flame Peak was also preparing for war recently, refining a large number of offensive Magical Artifacts to be sent to the border.

But he also revealed that high-level officials within the peak were privately discussing that although this conflict was large in scale, it had always been controlled below the Foundation Establishment Stage, more like the two sects "training troops" by tacit agreement.

"It is said that the Restriction outside the ruins is too strong, and Golden Core Cultivators cannot enter, so they can only let the juniors fight for it." Li Yan lowered his voice. "Those Old Ancestors above are all watching. The fighting and killing of us at the Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage is probably just a lively show in their eyes."

Lin Xuan nodded. This coincided with his previous guess.

Returning to Emerald Bamboo Peak, Lin Xuan first went to Chen Hao's small courtyard.

Chen Hao had just returned from completing a mission and was practicing his blade in the courtyard. Seeing Lin Xuan come, he put away his blade and smiled: "Why do you have time to come over today?"

"Brought you something." Lin Xuan tossed a small jade bottle.

Chen Hao took it, opened it, and his eyes widened: "Fire Spirit Pills? This is our Flame Peak specialty Medicinal Pill! Where did you get it?"

"Someone gave it to me; I don't need it, it suits you just right." Lin Xuan said lightly. "You have many tasks recently, don't let your cultivation fall behind."

Chen Hao's eyes were slightly red, and he patted Lin Xuan's shoulder heavily: "Brother, thanks!"

"Don't be sentimental." Lin Xuan smiled. "By the way, how is the situation on the front line?"

Chen Hao's expression became serious: "Not too good. Our Flame Peak Senior Brothers went to the periphery of the border last time, not daring to enter the ruins area, just cleaning up the patrol teams of the Xuanyin Sect nearby. They fought three times, two fellow Disciples died, and five were injured. The people of the Xuanyin Sect are ruthless, and their Cultivation Techniques are evil, specializing in attacking the Divine Soul, which is hard to guard against."

He paused: "The Senior Brothers said that this war will have to be fought for a while. We are not strong enough, so we don't need to worry too much."

Lin Xuan took note. It seems that the front line is indeed dangerous, but it has not yet reached the point of total war.

Leaving Chen Hao's place, he went to the medicinal garden again and found Liu Qingyan, who was taking care of the red sun grass.

"Junior Sister Liu."

"Senior Brother Lin?" Liu Qingyan wiped her sweat and walked over.

Lin Xuan handed her a small jade bottle: "This is for you."

Liu Qingyan took it, opened it suspiciously, and then exclaimed: "Fire Spirit Pills?!"

"Senior Brother Li gave them to me, I don't need them. You have wood and fire dual Spiritual Roots, it is just right for you." Lin Xuan said. "The medicinal garden tasks are heavy recently, don't delay your cultivation."

Liu Qingyan held the jade bottle, her face slightly red: "Th-thank you, Senior Brother Lin... This is too valuable..."

"Just Cultivate well." Lin Xuan waved his hand and turned to leave.

Liu Qingyan seemed to have some background, and her personality was quite good, suitable for making friends.

Liu Qingyan watched his back, looked at the Medicinal Pill in her hand, bit her lip, and carefully put it into her bosom.

Returning to his small courtyard, Lin Xuan entered the Spirit-Taming Tower Space.

The Thunder-Light Bug was circling above the thunder-attracting vine, scattering bits of purple light dust as its wings vibrated. In the thunder-patterned soil cultivation area below, the silver fine lines in the soil were clearer, and the quality was slowly improving.

The Pangolin sensed him entering, crawled over, and rubbed against his leg.

Lin Xuan stroked its head and looked at the edge of the space—there, the ordinary spirit soil he had newly moved in was slowly transforming under the infiltration of Thunder Spiritual Energy.

120 catties of thunder-patterned soil per month, 1,440 contribution points.

Coupled with the income from the medicinal garden tasks and occasionally taking on scattered tasks, his stable monthly income was now close to 1,800 contribution points. Among the Disciples at the Qi Refinement Stage, this was absolutely at the wealthy level.

The war outside was tense, and prices were soaring, but for Lin Xuan, who had a stable source of wealth, it had little impact.

He even began to consider whether he should change to a better Magical Artifact or learn another life-saving secret technique.

But all this had to be based on the improvement of strength.

Qi Refinement Stage level three was not enough. The secret of Thunderfall Ravine, the secret under the black iron rock layer in the back mountain, and the underground space in the courtyard... all needed stronger strength to explore.

Lin Xuan exited the space and sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room.

The bamboo shadows outside the window swayed in the moonlight.

He closed his eyes and began to circulate the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder Art.

The Thunder Spiritual Energy surged in the Meridians, like a river entering the sea, gathering in the Dantian. The gas cyclone rotated slowly, and with every rotation, it became more solid.

The road ahead was long, but he already had the capital to stand firm.

Next, it was just step by step, walking steadily and going far.