54: Chapter 54 Entering the Hundred Herbs Garden

Walking out of the Martial Arts Field, Liu Qingchen suddenly spoke.

“Where did you learn that palm technique for redirecting force?”

Li Changsheng knew he couldn't hide it and said frankly,

“I figured it out myself.”

“I combined my previous martial arts Moves and broke them down from the Qingyuan Formula.”

Liu Qingchen glanced at him but didn't press further.

Li Changsheng's mundane martial arts skills were top-notch even before.

He had already drawn Qi into his body before entering the Qinglan Sword Sect; everyone has their secrets.

He understood.

“I see you have a good talent for cultivation.”

Liu Qingchen looked at Li Changsheng.

“Now that you've become a formal Disciple, have you thought about which department you want to join?”

Li Changsheng thought for a moment and said,

“This Disciple wishes to apply... to enter the Hundred Herb Garden.”

Liu Qingchen paused in his tracks and looked back at him.

“The Hundred Herb Garden?”

“Yes.”

Li Changsheng nodded.

“This Disciple has some insights regarding the cultivation of Spiritual Plants.”

Liu Qingchen was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, but it carried a hint of genuine gratification.

“Good,”

he said.

“I will take you to submit your application.”

The sunlight fell upon the two of them, warm and bright.

In the corner of the warehouse, the Spiritual Plants in those ceramic pots swayed gently in the dim light, their leaves emerald green and full of vitality.

A new stage had begun.

By the time they came out of the Martial Arts Field, the sun was nearing noon.

Li Changsheng followed Liu Qingchen to the Outer Gate Deacon Hall to exchange for a new identity waist token.

The original dusty wooden plaque labeled 'General Affairs · Registered' was taken away and replaced with a palm-sized jade token that was emerald green all over.

The front was engraved with 'Qinglan Sword Sect · Formal Outer Gate Disciple · Li Changsheng', and the back featured a simply sketched pattern of a Spiritual Plant.

That was the mark of the Hundred Herb Garden.

“Congratulations.”

When the registering deacon Disciple handed over the jade token, he rarely showed a smile.

“The Hundred Herb Garden is a good place; it's much more leisurely than our place.”

Li Changsheng took it; it felt warm and smooth in his hand, and he could sense the faint spiritual energy and identity imprint contained within.

After leaving the Deacon Hall, Liu Qingchen stopped walking.

“I have already submitted the application for the Hundred Herb Garden. The manager there said you can go report at any time. When do you plan to go?”

“I'll go today.”

Li Changsheng said.

Liu Qingchen nodded.

“That's fine as well.”

“The manager of the Hundred Herb Garden is surnamed Qin, at Foundation Establishment Late-Stage. He has a mild temperament, but his rules are extremely strict.”

“You only need to follow the rules and work diligently; he won't make things difficult for you.”

He paused, then added,

“Your fellow villager Li Xiaocao is also in the Hundred Herb Garden. She is now a servant boy looking after rare Spirit Medicines. You can look out for each other in the future.”

Li Changsheng felt a slight warmth in his heart and cupped his fists.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Liu, for your care along the way.”

Liu Qingchen looked at him, his gaze becoming complex for an instant before returning to its usual coldness.

“It is the path you walked yourself.”

“I was merely... passing by.”

With that, he turned and left, his white robes quickly disappearing on the mountain path in the distance.

Li Changsheng stood in place, watching that back for a long time before withdrawing his gaze.

He lowered his head and looked at the green jade token in his hand.

A formal Disciple.

This step had taken him half a year.

From Qinghe Town to the Qinglan Sword Sect, from the bloody battle against the demon calamity to the cold shoulders of the General Affairs Hall, from Qi Refining Level 1 to now...

Every step was difficult, but not a single step was taken in vain.

He carefully tied the jade token to his waist and turned to walk toward the General Affairs Hall.

There were still things to pack and people to bid farewell to.

West Courtyard Sundries Warehouse of the General Affairs Hall.

Ding San was squatting at the door munching on a steamed bun. Seeing Li Changsheng approaching from a distance, his eyes lit up, and he scrambled to his feet.

“Junior Brother Li! How did it go?!”

Li Changsheng walked closer and showed him the jade token at his waist.

Ding San stared at that emerald green jade token, his eyes widening into circles, and he even forgot to chew the bun stuffed in his mouth.

After a long while, he swallowed hard and slapped his thigh.

“Holy crap! You really passed?!”

“I passed.”

Li Changsheng nodded.

“My God!”

Ding San circled around Li Changsheng twice, clicking his tongue in amazement.

“At Qi Refining Level 2, fighting the Qi Refining Level 7 Zhao Yan and holding out for thirty breaths!”

“I heard about it; it’s spread all over the Martial Arts Field! You kid, you're really...”

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped and looked at Li Changsheng, his eyes full of complexity.

“Junior Brother Li,”

his voice suddenly lowered.

“Do you know how long it’s been since our General Affairs Hall produced a formal Disciple?”

Li Changsheng shook his head.

“Three years.”

Ding San held up three fingers.

“A full three years.”

“The last one to pass the exam was a Senior Brother surnamed Zhou three years ago. He’s now a small leader at the Hundred Crafts Academy on Houtu Peak, and I heard he’s doing quite well.”

“You are the first in these three years.”

He sighed, then laughed again, his smile carrying a few hints of genuine envy.

“You kid have a bright future. When you make it big later, don't forget your old brother here.”

Li Changsheng looked at him and suddenly asked, “Senior Brother Ding, do you want to take the exam too?”

Ding San was stunned, then gave a bitter smile.

“Me? My Spiritual Root is even worse than yours. I've been stuck at Qi Refining Level 1 for two years, and my Cultivation Technique is mediocre. What exam would I take... Forget it, forget it, I'm just suited to idling away my days here.”

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then pulled a small cloth bag from his robe and handed it to him.

“What is this?”

Ding San took it and opened it to see three qi gathering pills and ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones inside.

This was how much he had left from the batch Liu Qingchen had sent over.

“Senior Brother Ding,”

Li Changsheng said seriously.

“During this half-year, I owe much to your care. Take these; perhaps they can help you achieve a Breakthrough.”

Ding San was stunned.

He held the small cloth bag, his fingers trembling slightly. He looked at the bag, then at Li Changsheng, and his eyes actually turned a bit red.

“Junior Brother Li, this... this is too valuable, I can't take it...”

“Take it.”

Li Changsheng interrupted him.

“In a place like the General Affairs Hall, there aren't many good people. Senior Brother Ding is the only one who looked at me as an equal. This little bit of stuff is nothing.”

Ding San opened his mouth but couldn't find the words.

After a long while, he wiped his face hard, tucked the cloth bag into his robe, and heavily patted Li Changsheng's shoulder.

“Brother,”

his voice was a bit raspy.

“If you ever need your old brother for anything in the future, just say the word. I'll go through fire and water without hesitation!”

Li Changsheng smiled and said nothing.

He walked into the warehouse and took one last look at the corner where he had stayed for half a year.

Those ceramic pots were still there, and the Spiritual Plants inside still needed care.

But he no longer needed them; the Hundred Herb Garden would have better conditions.

He picked up the most robust pot of clear heart grass and turned to walk out of the warehouse.

At the door, Ding San was still standing there.

“This pot is for you.”

Li Changsheng handed over the clear heart grass.

“Dry it and soak it in water; it can calm the mind and settle the Qi. Perhaps it will be of some help to your cultivation.”

Ding San took it, holding it carefully as if it were some rare and precious treasure.

Li Changsheng took one last look at him, nodded, and turned to walk along the mountain path toward the Hundred Herb Garden.

Behind him, Ding San's voice drifted from afar.

“Junior Brother Li, take care!”

He didn't look back, only raised his hand and waved.

The Hundred Herb Garden was located on the southeastern side of the Qinglan Mountains, covering dozens of acres. It was carved into terraced spirit fields following the mountain's contours.

Looking from afar, emerald colors reached the sky, spiritual mist permeated the air, and the scents of various Spiritual Plants and Spirit Medicines mixed together, forming a unique and refreshing fragrance of flora.

Li Changsheng walked all the way up the stone steps, passing through several simple Restriction gates, and finally arrived at the main entrance of the Hundred Herb Garden.

The gate was a simple wooden archway with the words 'Hundred Herb Garden' written on it. The brushwork was powerful, faintly exuding the essence of botanical vitality.

Under the archway stood a grey-robed old man, holding a pair of large shears and trimming the shrubs by the gate.

Seeing Li Changsheng approach, he lifted his eyelids and glanced, his gaze lingering for a moment on the jade token at Li Changsheng's waist.

“Newcomer?”

“Indeed.”

Li Changsheng cupped his fists.