Baiqi Garden is located in an extremely secluded corner of Herb Peak’s back mountain, shrouded in mist all year round, rarely visited by people.
As Chen Ye made his way there, the scenery grew increasingly desolate.
The mountain path was rugged and overgrown with weeds, the air filled with a faint, peculiar smell of decay mixed with herbs.
When he finally pushed aside the last vine, the full view of Baiqi Garden unfolded before him.
Rather than a "garden," it resembled an abandoned ruin.
The meticulously tended medicinal fields of the past were now covered by weeds half a human’s height, the Spiritual Qi so thin that it was almost non-existent.
In the center of the garden, a few dilapidated thatched cottages stood forlornly, adding to the desolation.
"This place... really is a godforsaken spot," Chen Ye clicked his tongue, yet he wasn’t too disappointed.
For him, as long as he had a quiet place to settle down and focus on cultivation to improve his skills, that was sufficient.
Despite its desolation, Baiqi Garden’s advantage lay in its solitude.
He first conducted a thorough inspection of the garden.
The so-called Spiritual Medicines of the Emotion Crossing Sect were mostly bizarre in shape, exuding a disturbing aura.
Some flowers were as flamboyant as blood, some vines as black as ink, while some orchids emitted a chilling aura.
"Strange," Chen Ye wondered, "the Spirit Vein here is so depleted that these Demon Path Spiritual Medicines of the Emotion Crossing Sect should have long withered. How do they still retain some vitality?"
He shook his head, temporarily suppressing this doubt, and walked towards the few dilapidated cottages.
These would be his resting place here in Baiqi Garden in the future.
When he pushed open the door of the one that appeared most intact, the expected musty smell and dust did not rush out.
Though the interior was simple, with a wooden bed, a wooden table, and several wooden shelves, it was exceptionally clean and tidy, the floor shiny, the tables and chairs spotless.
Although it’s been abandoned for years, who had the leisure to clean it regularly?
Is it the disciples of Herb Peak responsible for the cleaning?
Chen Ye’s gaze wandered around the room and soon noticed a wooden box neatly placed beside the wooden table, along with some items hanging on the shelves.
Upon closer inspection, the items hanging on the shelves weren’t ordinary sundries but a set of exquisite Spirit Plant tools.
Jade hoe, Rain Traveling Shuttle, Bronze Scissors...
Additionally, there was a neatly folded golden Taoist Robe.
"Are these the work kits for the Spirit Plant Master of the Medicinal Garden?"
Chen Ye unfolded it, finding the Taoist Robe’s design ancient and remarkably well-fitting.
"Hey, this isn’t bad."
A slight smile appeared on Chen Ye’s face.
The steward robe he wore now, although also a Magical Artifact with Dust Cleaner effects.
But most of the plants in this garden are Demonic Plants, which may accidentally damage the steward robe.
Better to replace it and avoid much trouble.
After quickly tidying up the tools, Chen Ye didn’t linger, put on the golden Taoist Robe, and returned to the Medicinal Garden.
He took a deep breath, circulating the Spiritual Power of the Evergreen Technique within him, and formed hand seals.
"Cloud Rain Technique!"
Instantly, wisps of Spiritual Qi gathered in the sky above Baiqi Garden, forming a misty drizzle that gently fell over the barren medicinal fields.
[Cloud Rain Technique Perfection: 109/400]
With a thought, Chen Ye activated the Rain Traveling Shuttle.
This Magical Artifact is a regular tool for Spirit Plant Masters, allowing the dissemination of Spirit Plant Techniques over wider areas without moving around.
"Ganlin Nourishing Technique!"
The cyan Spiritual Light, filled with abundant vitality, flowed into the Rain Traveling Shuttle.
Soon after, the Rain Traveling Shuttle shuttled through the medicinal fields, providing targeted nourishment to the most withered Spirit Plants.
He wasn’t in a rush to deal with the demonic aura contained within those Spiritual Medicines but planned to first improve the overall growth environment of Baiqi Garden and restore some Earth Power with these two most basic and gentle Spirit Plant Techniques.
Such spellcasting is very energy-consuming. Fortunately, he was now at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, supported by Master-level Evergreen Technique, with a recovery speed of Spiritual Power far exceeding before.
Even so, by the time he completed nourishing the outskirts of Baiqi Garden, it was already dusk, and both his physical and Spiritual Power were exhausted by more than half.
[Ganlin Nourishing Technique Minor Achievement: 75/100]
[Cloud Rain Technique Perfection: 159/400]
"Not bad, now one day is worth several days before."
The increase in proficiency was unexpected for Chen Ye.
But also anticipated.
Since the breakthrough in cultivation, with successful visualization of Saturn through the Seven Luminaries Soul Nourishing Technique, his leveling speed has far surpassed before!
Chen Ye straightened up, rubbing his somewhat sore lower back.
From morning till dusk, he had hardly stopped.
The Sect’s welfare benefits are good, but the workload is high...
However, Peak Master Pang’s requirement was only to restore the Primordial Qi of the Medicinal Garden, not to heal each Spirit Plant individually, otherwise, even with eight hands, Chen Ye would work himself to death.
As Chen Ye was about to leave, his expression changed slightly as his keen senses caught barely discernible rustling sounds from outside the house.
Someone was outside!
He concealed his aura, silently approached the window, and peered out through a gap in the window.
At the entrance of Baiqi Garden, behind a few half-human-high medicinal herbs, he vaguely saw three to four sneaky figures peeking in the direction of the cottages.
Judging by their clothing, they were clearly Outer Disciples of Herb Peak.
"Hmm?" Chen Ye frowned slightly. Why would these disciples come to this abandoned Baiqi Garden in the dead of night?
The few disciples appeared hesitant, pacing back and forth for a moment, with one seemingly mustering up the courage to take a few steps toward the cottages.
But he was quickly pulled back by his companions, and they whispered fiercely about something, their expressions quite tense.