Junior Brother Liu watched as Chen Ye shone brilliantly, not only successfully reviving the nearly withered Fire Cloud Grass,
but also earning praises from Tian Nong and several other examiners. Even Zhou Mingyuan and the Fat Steward gave him high marks, turning his heart into a chaotic mess.
What is going on...?
Could it be that he really is stepping over me?
Junior Brother Liu reluctantly took a few breaths and comforted himself: Never mind, no matter what, he is just a Spirit Plant Master after all...
However, just at this moment.
Suddenly, a young Loose Cultivator angrily said:
"Steward Tian! This is the annual assessment of the Lingyin Sect, could there be some inside story? If it were an ordinary Loose Cultivator, how could he receive assistance from two Stewards? Moreover, this Fire Cloud Grass appears to be on the brink of death, but its true condition is known only to heaven and earth!"
Though this Loose Cultivator was naive, he was somewhat well-known in the Yunxi District.
The other Loose Cultivators below the stage whispered to each other:
"Isn’t this Taoist Friend Bu Feifan from the Myat Pill Pavilion? I’ve heard his family has been medicinal farmers for three generations..."
"I’ve heard too, that Taoist Friend Bu has quite the courage, different from other Loose Cultivators, he has diligently practiced the Spirit Plant Technique since childhood, even at the cost of affecting his cultivation, hoping to enter the sect with his Spirit Plant Technique."
"Hmph! If it weren’t for his father’s considerable inheritance, how could he have ignored worldly affairs, focusing solely on the Spirit Plant Technique! Now, he’s gone and overworked his brain..."
As these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall became subtly complicated.
Some mocked Bu Feifan in secret, while others were busy scrutinizing the various Stewards.
Zhou Mingyuan’s expression remained unchanged, but the Fat Steward was in a panic.
The Fat Steward had already determined that Chen Ye had a connection with Bai Susu, indeed it was possible that he was entering through the back door.
If this matter were to be exposed, it would be he and Zhou Mingyuan who would be in trouble, not Chen Ye and Bai Susu!
How could there still be such a naive cultivator in the world?
The Fat Steward glanced angrily at Bu Feifan, who just snorted coldly, completely ignoring him.
Tian Nong wrinkled his brows slightly, clearly displeased with Bu Feifan’s insinuating words.
"Quiet, quiet!"
Junior Brother Liu angrily stopped the chaos at the scene, shouting in anger,
"What do you know! If Taoist Friend Chen truly had connections within the sect, he would certainly have access to advanced Spirit Plant Techniques, why would he use only basic Spirit Plant Techniques to participate in the contest?"
This statement ignited the Loose Cultivators participating in the Spirit Plant Master assessment.
"What... it’s true, he used the basic Three Spirit Plant Skills! How could these techniques pass the competition?"
"Wait a minute... not long ago, this person went to the Internal Affairs Hall, personally greeted Steward Zhou! I was there that day, too! It’s said that this person also knew Guardian Sun..."
"Impossible, right? Guardian Sun is busy with a multitude of affairs, how could he lower himself to meet with a small medicinal farmer?"
"Exactly! Couldn’t he have mistaken someone else?"
"But I indeed saw, Steward Zhou personally led this person to the depths of the Internal Affairs Hall, with quite a respectful attitude!" The Loose Cultivator who spilled this news spoke with unwavering confidence, fearing others would not believe him.
Most of these people were medicinal farmers also participating in the Spirit Plant Master assessment.
Taking advantage of a naive person stepping forward, they hid in the background, speaking confidently with half-truths and lies.
If this caused the Lingyin Sect to be concerned about its image, leading to Chen Ye failing the assessment, it would undoubtedly give them another chance.
If Chen Ye still passed the assessment, it wasn’t their concern...
In any case, it was all benefit and no harm.
As the scene grew more chaotic, Bu Feifan stubbornly stuck out his neck, staring at Chen Ye with defiance, convinced that he had used the back door.
At this moment, Chen Ye, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
He didn’t look at Bu Feifan, nor did he pay attention to the surrounding discussion; he simply approached the sickly Spirit Plants that belonged to the other examining Loose Cultivators.
"Fellow Taoists,"
Chen Ye’s voice was not loud, but since he was the center of everyone’s discussion, speaking at this moment immediately silenced the noise,
"I, Chen Ye, am but a humble Spirit Plant Master. Today, thanks to the favor of the Stewards, I was fortunate enough to pass. As for whether I truly have any skill, mere words are futile."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Bu Feifan and several other medicinal farmers with discontented expressions, offering a faint smile:
"How about this: For those fellow Taoists who are struggling and clueless in front of their assessment Spirit Plants, allow me to diagnose them on the spot. Success or failure, one look will make it clear. This will also prevent doubts in your hearts and preserve the Lingyin Sect’s reputation for its assessment."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked!
Bu Feifan was stunned; he hadn’t expected Chen Ye to be so direct, publicly offering to diagnose the Spirit Plants of others.
This... if not arrogance, it means he truly possesses extraordinary skill!
It should be known,
these Spirit Plants used for assessment are not ordinary sick plants; they typically suffer from various complex ailments requiring Loose Cultivators to study and treat them meticulously.
It demands both effort and Spiritual Power.
Treating so many in one go is something no ordinary First Tier Spirit Plant Master can do!
"Great! Taoist Friend Chen is indeed straightforward!"
Bu Feifan came to his senses,
"I have an Ink Orchid here, with yellowing leaves and diminishing Spiritual Qi, I would appreciate your help, Taoist Friend Chen!"
Saying this, he handed the half-foot high Ink Orchid to Chen Ye.
The leaves of this flower should have been as dark green as jade, yet now they were a waxy yellow, and the flower bud drooped lifelessly, looking as if it was terminally ill.
The other unwilling medicinal farmers, upon seeing this, also took out their problem spirit plants, chattering to Chen Ye about the ailments, with a tone that suggested they were testing his skills.
For a moment, in front of Chen Ye were five or six pots of spirit plants, each with different forms and ailments.
Junior Brother Liu, seeing this scene, secretly rejoiced, hoping fervently for Chen Ye to embarrass himself publicly.
Li Qiuyun, on the other hand, slightly furrowed her delicate brows, not knowing what medicine Chen Ye had up his sleeve. She didn’t understand spirit plants, but she did understand cultivators. Diagnosing so many spirit plants that stumped many medicinal farmers in succession was too exhausting.
On the high platform, Tian Nong and Zhou Mingyuan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of interest in the other’s eyes.
Chen Ye, however, was calm. He first carefully observed the condition of each spirit plant, sometimes picking up a withered leaf to examine it closely, sometimes using his fingertips to gently touch the roots and stems, his expression focused.
A moment later, he spoke with confidence:
"Taoist Friend, this Ink Orchid has suffered from an infestation of Frost Mites, which are hard to observe with the naked eye and parasitize within spirit plants, devouring spiritual qi. After three months of parasitism, they burst forth, but by then, treating it is as difficult as ascending to the heavens."
Bu Feifan was taken aback by these words, racking his brains before recalling the brief mention of Frost Mites in the "Thousand Insects Scripture" passed down in his family; initially, he too didn’t think of Frost Mites.
As for the other medicinal farmers, they had never heard of such a mite and even began to suspect that Chen Ye was making things up.
Bu Feifan, though dejected, explained for Chen Ye: "No... it really is Frost Mites..."
On the platform, Tian Nong nodded slightly in agreement.
...
Afterward,
Chen Ye commented on each plant, analyzing the causes and symptoms of each spirit plant’s ailment with precision and detail.
Just this insight alone made many loose cultivators nod appreciatively in secret.
Then he began to perform the rescue.
His technique was skilled, his spiritual power smooth and flowing like moving clouds and flowing water, sometimes nourishing with rain, sometimes removing with blade techniques, sometimes stimulating new vitality.
Those five or six pots of spirit plants that were originally on the brink of death all regained their vitality in his hands!
The entire square fell silent, everyone stunned by Chen Ye’s miraculous spirit plant technique.
Bu Feifan stepped forward, deeply bowing to Chen Ye: "Senior Chen... Senior Chen’s skills are superb, this junior is fully convinced! I offended earlier, and I hope for your great forgiveness!"
Then, he left in dejection.
The other medicinal farmers who brought out spirit plants looked at each other.
They dared not say a word, retreating into the crowd like turtles pulling their heads back.
The other loose cultivators naturally understood the thoughts of these medicinal farmers.
Bu Feifan was just an unsatisfied youth,
while these others clearly intended to take the opportunity to bring Chen Ye down a notch, in hopes of taking his place.
Therefore, they either mocked or gleefully looked at these medicinal farmers, causing the farmers to blush with shame.
Providing timely help is difficult, but adding insult to injury is easy...
On the high platform, Tian Nong clapped and laughed heartily:
"Good! What a marvelous Chen Ye! Today, this old man has truly had his eyes opened! Such spirit plant mastery should be a model for your generation!"
Following this, an outer disciple who had been in charge of recording came forth with a jade tray holding a steward token.
Changing his previous dismissive tone, he spoke respectfully:
"Steward Chen, congratulations on passing the examination. This is your identity token, please keep it safe."
The jade plaque felt smooth and warm in hand, engraved with the characters "Lingyin."
Chen Ye cupped his hands and said, "Much obliged."
"Steward Chen, no need for courtesy. According to sect rules, Steward Chen must wait in Yunxi District for seven days. Once the matters of the outer sect competition are settled, you may take this token to the Foreign Affairs Hall of our sect to register and formally join our Lingyin Sect."
"Additionally, the sect always treats stewards well. As a new steward, there will be a three-month training period to familiarize yourself with sect regulations, various affairs, and cultivation techniques. During this period, a disciple from the outer sect will be arranged to assist and guide the steward in familiarizing with the sect environment. Hmm... if Taoist Friend has familiar disciples in Yunxi District, that would be even better."
Seven days...
Very well, just right to handle some market affairs.
As for the accompanying person, it must be that companion who was conversing with Junior Brother Liu and Li Qiuyun, right?
Chen Ye overheard earlier that Li Qiuyun intended to return to the sect with him.
He remained expressionless as he gave thanks, but secretly pondered: This matter of the accompanying disciple is indeed an opportunity.
Previously, for the matter regarding Qing Jun, he troubled Li Qiuyun to guide him to the Internal Affairs Hall. Even though those twenty spirit stones were immediately declined by her, the favor still remained.
If I could officially assign her as the accompanying disciple today, it would allow me to repay this favor legitimately.
No need for Chen Ye to seek out Li Qiuyun actively,
that young female disciple with a heroic bearing and a proud figure was already walking towards Chen Ye.
Beside her were a few outer disciples joining in the excitement.
Judging by their faces, these were actually the same disciples who mocked Chen Ye earlier.
But come to think of it, it makes sense. These disciples were stationed in the area near Shunshui Street and were naturally familiar with each other, forming a small circle.
Wherever there are people, there will be jianghu...