Zhiwei maintained her usual cool demeanor, but there was a hint of worry in her eyes.
Li Qiuyun led Chen Ye, along the winding mountain path of Herb Peak, all the way upward.
Unlike other main peaks, Herb Peak wasn’t surrounded by ethereal mist or filled with pavilions and towers; rather, it felt more like a vast medicinal garden.
On both sides of the mountain path, meticulously tended spirit fields were filled with various kinds of spirit grasses and spiritual medicines, exuding an intoxicating herbal fragrance.
From time to time, disciples could be seen busy in the fields, either using the Cloud Rain Technique to nourish the spirit plants or carefully harvesting mature herbs.
"Though Herb Peak is one of the outer twenty-four peaks, it holds a special position within the sect due to its abundant spiritual medicine production, and disciples from various peaks frequently visit,"
explained Li Qiuyun softly by his side.
Chen Ye nodded silently, his impression of Herb Peak improving even more.
This place was rich in spiritual qi and had an enchanting herbal aroma, making it a peaceful cultivation ground.
Before long, they arrived at an ancient hall, nestled within lush greenery.
Above the hall’s door hung a plaque inscribed with the three large, calligraphic characters "Herb Hall," exuding a sense of stability and gravitas.
"Uncle Chen, this is the Peak Master Hall," Li Qiuyun paused.
"Thank you, Qiuyun," Chen Ye expressed his gratitude.
Li Qiuyun smiled sweetly, "No need for thanks, Uncle Chen. I’ll wait for you here."
Chen Ye took a deep breath and stepped into Herb Hall.
Inside, the light was gentle and the furnishings simple.
On the main seat sat an elder in a brown Taoist robe, his hair half-black and half-white.
The elder’s eyes were slightly closed, as if he were resting.
This person was undoubtedly Pang Tianning, the Peak Master of Herb Peak.
"I am Chen Ye, paying my respects to Peak Master Pang," Chen Ye stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Pang Tianning slowly opened his eyes, his gaze landing on Chen Ye: "So you are Chen Ye, the newly appointed Outer Sect steward?"
"Yes, that’s me," Chen Ye felt slightly speechless; was the old man feigning ignorance?
"Hmm, have a seat," Pang Tianning gestured to a cushion below.
Chen Ye sat down as instructed, silently pondering the Peak Master’s intentions for summoning him.
"I heard you have skills in healing spirit plants, and while at Yunxi District, you were able to treat some diseased seedlings?" Pang Tianning inquired straightforwardly.
"Just a smattering of knowledge, I’m afraid I’ve embarrassed the Peak Master," Chen Ye replied humbly.
Pang Tianning showed no reaction, stroking his beard as he continued:
"Though Herb Peak focuses on cultivating spiritual medicine, its affairs are many and manpower often insufficient. Given your ability with spirit plants and your new steward position, I’ll assign you some tasks."
He paused, looking at Chen Ye:
"Behind Herb Peak lies a neglected medicinal garden called Baiqi Courtyard. It was once a crucial place for cultivating spiritual medicine for the sect, but due to changes in the earth’s veins, spiritual qi grew sparse, and coupled with mismanagement, it gradually fell into ruin. Many spiritual roots remain there, but most are weak and difficult to revive."
"Your task is to oversee Baiqi Courtyard. Coincidentally, Steward Tian had recommended you to manage Peach Mountain Medicine Garden. But a recommendation is just that—a recommendation... Whether you succeed depends on your abilities and performance this time."
Pang Tianning’s tone was flat, revealing no emotion.
"I accept the assignment," Chen Ye immediately agreed.
This wasn’t something he could refuse; even with some reservations, he had to comply.
Pang Tianning’s expression remained unchanged as he nodded: "In that case, off you go. Here’s the Restriction Token for Baiqi Garden. If you have any questions, you may inquire at the Ministry Hall or seek out the disciples there."
...
As Chen Ye exited Herb Hall, Li Qiuyun was already waiting outside.
"Uncle Chen, did the Peak Master trouble you?"
Seeing Chen Ye emerge, Li Qiuyun immediately approached and asked, concern evident on her lovely face.
Chen Ye briefly recounted the task given by the Peak Master.
Li Qiuyun frowned slightly, "Baiqi Garden? That place... Alas, Uncle Chen, Baiqi Garden has been abandoned for years, with sparse spiritual qi. Restoring its vitality could be incredibly difficult. Moreover... the most challenging part is that Baiqi Garden was neglected because it once housed spiritual medicines seized from the Emotion Crossing Sect."
"Such a task is arduous and unappreciative. Restoring it would only be seen as trivial garden upkeep..."
She stopped speaking, but her meaning was clear.
Chen Ye appeared unconcerned, smiling: "No matter, it’s something I have to do anyway."
Li Qiuyun noticed his relaxed demeanor, not feigned.
She quietly admired Uncle Chen’s optimism and finally advised, "Uncle Chen, if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me. I have some connections within the sect."
"Certainly, certainly," Chen Ye replied with a smile.
The two chatted casually for a few more moments before Li Qiuyun took his leave, saying he was going to Purple Mist Peak to seek guidance from his father for his cultivation.
...
The evening sunlight poured across the courtyard, casting long shadows of the pear tree.
Qing Jun and Zhiwei, the two young girls, saw him return and got up from their small stools under the eaves to greet him.
"Master, what did Peak Master Pang say?" Qing Jun asked curiously, tilting her small face upward.
"The Peak Master assigned me to take care of an abandoned medicinal garden behind the mountain," Chen Ye answered simply, though he pondered another matter in his heart.
He recalled that when he received steward materials at the Foreign Affairs Hall, there was a book called "Herbal Peak Cultivation Insights."
At that time, he was in a hurry and hadn’t had the chance to peruse it carefully.
Since he was now going to Baiqi Garden, it was necessary to understand these basics clearly.
"You go inside first; I’ll review the sect’s cultivation insights," Chen Ye said to the two disciples.
"Oh," Qing Jun replied, then took Zhiwei’s hand and headed inside.
Chen Ye sat down at the stone table in the courtyard and took out the slightly worn "Herbal Peak Cultivation Insights" from his Storage Bag.
The cover was plain blue hardback, nothing extraordinary about it.
He slowly opened the pages, which were neatly written and detailed the daily cultivation experiences and precautions of Herbal Peak disciples, along with several advanced techniques commonly used by Spirit Plant cultivators.
These techniques were quite costly outside the sect, yet freely given within.
Chen Ye’s gaze was quickly drawn to the insights on the Cloud Rain Technique.
"I see, the key to controlling the condensation and dispersion of Water Spiritual Qi lies in the guidance of ’force’..." Chen Ye muttered to himself, absorbed in the reading.
[Cloud Rain Technique Perfection: Proficiency +10]
Though his Cloud Rain Technique was already perfected, there are always exceptional talents with unique insights across the world. This reading further refined his understanding of the Cloud Rain Technique.
Apart from the Cloud Rain Technique, the insights also recorded two Spirit Plant Techniques: Ganlin Nourishing Technique and Purification Technique, both Tier One Upper Grade Spirit Plant Techniques, containing subtle tips and experiences from predecessors.
Among them, the Ganlin Nourishing Technique was an advanced version of the Fostering Technique.
Its efficacy was far beyond mere fostering, as it nourished the essence of Spirit Plants, stabilizing their vitality.
The Purification Technique was a purification-type magic similar to the Disease Removal Saber, but the two were not directly related techniques.
[Ganlin Nourishing Technique: Proficiency +1]
[Purification Technique: Proficiency +1]
Simply reading and understanding made these techniques appear directly in the proficiency panel, saving him a lot of exploration time, though they were just at the initial stage.
As Chen Ye was immersed in the comprehension of the new techniques, the proficiency panel, rarely active, suddenly stirred slightly in his mind, revealing a small line of text:
[A heritage link exists between the Ganlin Nourishing Technique and the already mastered Fostering Technique. Do you wish to consume the Fostering Technique’s proficiency to enhance the Ganlin Nourishing Technique’s proficiency?]
Chen Ye’s heart leaped with joy, thrilled beyond measure!
"Such a fortunate event?"
Previously, when using hacks in games, he learned only the top-tier skills, never practicing lower-tier techniques with advanced versions. This direct replacement upgrade mechanism was novel.
But since it was transferable, Chen Ye had no hesitation: "Yes!"
With a thought, the section for the Fostering Technique abruptly vanished without a trace from the panel, as if it had never existed.
In its place, the proficiency of the Ganlin Nourishing Technique underwent a significant transformation!
[Ganlin Nourishing Technique Minor Achievement: 69/100]!
He recalled that his Fostering Technique had long reached Perfection: 78/400.
This indicated he’d invested a total of 778 proficiency points to cultivate the Fostering Technique from nothing to perfection.
In other words, it was a ten-to-one conversion ratio.
Although not a complete inheritance, nor even a one-to-one conversion, the ability to transfer the accumulated proficiency of the old technique to a new high-tier technique was an incredible boon!
Furthermore, this also addressed the potential issue of an infinitely expanding skill list.
Chen Ye carefully perceived and realized that the early content of the Ganlin Nourishing Technique was almost identical to the Fostering Technique.
"No wonder it can be converted..."
However, once a skill breaks its limits, it undergoes sublimation, adding content not belonging to the original skill.
Chen Ye was curious, pondering what changes would occur if he were to convert again after the skill limit break.