Chapter 20 - Mastery of Spiritual Herbs

"One cycle for one day, completing a year, with a full set of 730 in total!"

On the vast open field, thousands of servant disciples turned their gaze toward Zhao Heng.

Before their eyes, Zhao Heng had recited the Compendium of Spirit Herbs, a manual that every servant of the Spirit Medicine Garden had access to.

The Compendium of Spirit Herbs contained over ten thousand words, yet Zhao Heng flawlessly recited it without missing a single word. This feat left even many of the Spirit Medicine Garden servants feeling ashamed of themselves.

This scene astonished Zhou Cang and Liu Hong, while a faint gleam appeared in Yun Qingsnow's eyes.

Facing the crowd's surprised gazes, Zhao Heng pretended to be bashful and spoke humbly, "Although I've been working in the mines, I've always been learning about the art of herb cultivation and am confident I can take on this responsibility."

Liu Hong, clearly unprepared for Zhao Heng's display, hesitated for a moment before voicing his doubts again.

"Zhao Heng, cultivating spiritual plants isn't just about reciting theory. Memorizing the compendium is one thing, but without practical experience, how can you ensure there won't be any mistakes?"

Zhao Heng grinned, as if expecting this challenge.

"Deacon Liu, how do you know I don't have any experience?"

Liu Hong let out a cold snort. "That's easy to determine. Let's call upon a servant disciple from the Spirit Medicine Garden to test your knowledge on the spot. That should make things clear."

Zhou Cang, observing the tension between Liu Hong and Zhao Heng, hesitated briefly before nodding. He then instructed the deacon in charge of the Spirit Medicine Garden to personally assess Zhao Heng.

The deacon turned out to be an elderly man with graying hair. Hearing that a miner like Zhao Heng claimed to understand the art of spiritual herbs piqued his curiosity. He proceeded to ask a few obscure questions about spiritual herbs, expecting Zhao Heng to perhaps answer one correctly at best.

To his astonishment, Zhao Heng answered each question fluently and with impeccable accuracy, leaving no room for error.

This left the elder deeply impressed. His gaze toward Zhao Heng now carried a hint of admiration, as if seeing a "raw gem" waiting to be polished.

After a brief pause, the elder retrieved a plant from a pouch at his waist—a vibrant herb with seven distinct types of leaves. With a smile, he looked at Zhao Heng and said:

"Young man, do you recognize this herb? If you can accurately describe its characteristics and determine its growth cycle, you'll pass this assessment."

Hearing this, Zhao Heng focused his gaze on the herb in the elder's hand. A strange sense of familiarity welled up inside him, making the corners of his mouth curve into a peculiar smile.

"Sir, I must admit, I can't determine the growth cycle of this herb," Zhao Heng replied humbly.

The elder's smile widened, as if he had expected this response.

Liu Hong, on the other hand, was overjoyed. If Zhao Heng failed the assessment, he would have no choice but to stay in the mines under Liu Hong's control.

However, Zhao Heng continued, "That's because this herb doesn't have a definitive growth cycle. If I'm not mistaken, it's a hybrid created by grafting seven different spiritual plants together!"

The elder's smile froze, his pupils contracting with shock.

"You… you've actually discerned my 'grafting technique'! Grafting… What a fitting name. Why didn't I think of that?" The elder exclaimed in amazement. He couldn't help but ask further, "And can you identify the seven spiritual plants used in this grafting?"

Zhao Heng assumed a thoughtful expression before hesitantly answering, "If I'm not mistaken, the plants include Snow Lotus Seeds, Drunken Dragon Grass, Returning Spirit Red Fruit, Tranquil Mind Flower… and possibly Blood Crystal Grass?"

He listed all seven plants in an uncertain tone.

The elder was already stroking his beard in excitement, visibly impressed.

"Excellent, truly excellent! To be able to accurately identify all seven plants is beyond my expectations. In fact, you've already passed the assessment. I merely wanted to see how much skill you truly have. From what I can see, your knowledge of spiritual plants in the Servants' Peak Spirit Medicine Garden is second only to mine!"

Hearing the elder's praise and noticing the shocked gazes from the surrounding crowd, Zhao Heng's lips twitched as he suppressed the urge to curse.

You old bastard! Passing the test is one thing, but why did you have to give me an 'extra challenge'? And now you've made me stand out even more. Are you trying to get me killed?

No, I absolutely cannot stay on Servants' Peak any longer!

Fortunately, Zhao Heng had passed the assessment, largely thanks to the late Spirit Medicine Garden servant, Liu Feng. Using his memory-plundering ability, Zhao Heng had inherited Liu Feng's expertise in spiritual plants and the Boulder-Splitting Fist technique.

The earlier recitation of the Compendium of Spirit Herbs and the answers to the elder's questions were all thanks to Liu Feng's knowledge.

In particular, the hybrid plant presented by the elder was something Liu Feng had personally tended to in the past. It couldn't have been more familiar to Zhao Heng.

"Steward Zhou, Deacon Liu, do you now believe I am capable of serving as Senior Sister Yun's assistant in the medicine garden?" Zhao Heng asked confidently.

Zhou Cang nodded in approval. "To pass Deacon He's assessment is no small feat. You've done well. Serve Nephew Yun diligently and bring honor to the Servants' Peak."

"Thank you, Steward Zhou. I will do my best!" Zhao Heng replied.

He cast a glance at Liu Hong, whose face had turned sour. Yet for the moment, Liu Hong dared not say another word.

At this time, Yun Qingsnow spoke up. "Very good. Since you're skilled in cultivating spiritual plants, it seems I made the right choice. Pack your things and report to Qingxia Peak today."

With that, Yun Qingsnow left behind a token and turned to leave.

Zhao Heng accepted the token, feeling as though he had grown wings and could fly straight to Qingxia Peak.

Under the envious and jealous gazes of the other servant disciples, he bid farewell and departed.

As he left, Deacon He from the Spirit Medicine Garden sighed wistfully.

"What a fine seedling. If only he could've joined my Spirit Medicine Garden. Such a pity that my top disciple, Liu Feng, died mysteriously in the assessment area. Who will take care of my precious herbs now?"

Cough, cough.

Hearing this, Zhao Heng gave the elder a sympathetic look and said, "Please take care of yourself, sir. My condolences."

"Thank you, young man!" The elder replied kindly, watching Zhao Heng leave.

Meanwhile, Liu Hong's face was so dark it looked like it might drip water.

Zhou Cang glanced at him and said meaningfully, "I don't care what grievances you have with Zhao Heng, but I strongly advise you not to provoke Yun Qingsnow. If you cross her, no one will be able to protect you."

Liu Hong's heart trembled.

"Steward Zhou, isn't Yun Qingsnow just an outer disciple? Even if her cultivation is impressive, she's still no match for you, right?"

Zhou Cang sneered. "You clearly don't understand. Yun Qingsnow breaking into the Innate Realm is only a matter of time. Additionally, she has already been accepted as a formal disciple by 'that person.' Right now, I can't afford to offend her. In the future… I'll be even less able to."

Hearing this, Liu Hong's mood became even more complicated. He lowered his head, concealing the malice in his eyes.

After leaving the assessment area, Zhao Heng returned to Servants' Peak, quickly packed his belongings, and headed straight for Qingxia Peak.

The Nine Peaks of the Yuhua Sect were vast and interconnected mountain ranges, each with numerous subsidiary peaks, stretching far and wide.

Qingxia Peak, located in the southeast of the sect, was majestic and rich in spiritual energy, standing as an equal to the other eight peaks.

Compared to it, Servants' Peak was nothing more than a small hill.

With the token Yun Qingsnow had given him, Zhao Heng easily entered Qingxia Peak's territory as a servant disciple.

As he stepped into Qingxia Peak, Zhao Heng felt as though he were Grandma Liu visiting the Grand View Garden—a completely new and dazzling world opened before his eyes.

Pavilions, palaces, and temples dotted the mountain. Glowing formations emitted radiant barriers of five colors, guarding the structures.

In the void above, auspicious lights shimmered, cranes soared, and disciples in outer-sect robes traversed the mountain paths.

Everyone carried themselves with pride and strength, exuding an air of extraordinary capability.

What shocked Zhao Heng the most was a beam of white light shooting skyward from near the mountain's peak, breaking through the sect's grand formation and ascending into the heavens. Within the light, Zhao Heng could faintly discern a figure.

"Flying through the air!"

Even though it was just a fleeting sight, Zhao Heng was overwhelmed with excitement. The restrictive formations around the Nine Peaks had always prevented him from witnessing such a spectacle.

Without experiencing it firsthand, it was hard to imagine the impact this scene had on a former youth of the 21st century.

At that moment, Zhao Heng gained a deeper understanding of the extraordinary nature of this world.

Simultaneously, a thought naturally arose in his mind:

"If one day I can also fly through the skies and step into the Innate Realm, how incredible would that be? At that point, anyone who wants to harm me—I'll deal with them first. Just the thought of it feels amazing!"

Although his heart harbored such lofty aspirations, Zhao Heng maintained his usual cautious demeanor.

Keeping his head down, he walked along the edge of the mountain path, careful not to draw any trouble.

Eventually, he arrived at the western slope of the mountain, where a hidden cave estate stood nestled within a dense forest—this was Yun Qingsnow's residence.

The Yuhua Sect had a rule that all formal outer disciples were entitled to their own cave estate.

However, the location and scale of Yun Qingsnow's residence made it stand out, even among the outer disciples.

"You've arrived."

The cave's door opened, and Yun Qingsnow gracefully stepped out, clad in a flowing white dress with her hair styled in a high bun.

Even though it wasn't the first time Zhao Heng had seen Yun Qingsnow, he was still struck by her beauty. She seemed as though she had stepped right out of a painting, so ethereal it felt unreal.

"Senior Sister Yun, thank you for your assistance today!" Zhao Heng said, bowing respectfully with hands clasped.

Zhao Heng knew Yun Qingsnow's actions at the assessment weren't by chance. She had deliberately chosen to recruit him as her servant disciple, a favor he felt obliged to acknowledge.

Yun Qingsnow, however, waved her hand.

"There's no need to thank me. Consider this as me repaying the favor I owe you. Besides, you earned the position through your own abilities. Now that you're here, let me take you to see the medicine garden and familiarize yourself with your new work environment."

With that, Yun Qingsnow walked past Zhao Heng.

As a fragrant breeze drifted by, Yun Qingsnow's elegant figure quickly disappeared far ahead.

Startled, Zhao Heng hurried to keep up. Now in the eighth stage of the Body Tempering Realm, his vitality was abundant, and his speed wasn't slow.

However, Yun Qingsnow's pace was even more astonishing. Without seeming to exert much effort, her figure moved faster and faster until she was nearly out of sight.

Afraid of losing her, Zhao Heng adjusted his footwork. His movements suddenly became ghostly and elusive, his speed increasing sharply as he chased after her…

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