Chapter 111: The Spirit Plant Garden

The Spirit Plantation is situated on the shaded side of Qingyang Peak, located in the exact opposite direction from the various halls.

This plantation does not belong to Qingyang Peak itself; rather, the Pill Hall of the Piao Miao Martial Academy carved out this territory on the peak to cultivate various medicinal herbs. The status of the Pill Hall within the entire Piao Miao Martial Academy is exceptionally high. There is only one such hall in the academy, and it does not have any branches located on Qingyang Peak. Since the Pill Hall personally requested the land for growing spirit herbs, even Xie Yuan would not dare to refuse. Not only must he refrain from refusing, but he must also ensure the plantation is well-maintained to avoid any potential trouble.

The personnel responsible for overseeing and caring for the plantation on Qingyang Peak are not from the peak itself, but are deacons sent directly by the Pill Hall. The entire plantation is kept locked under normal circumstances; unless one has been assigned a specific task, entry is strictly prohibited. Yang Ze knows all of this from Lin Hui. It is clear that this is not Lin Hui’s first time visiting the plantation, as he is well-informed about every detail.

Lin Hui shared much information about the plantation with Yang Ze, but when Yang Ze finally laid eyes on it, he was truly astonished. The plantation occupies a vast expanse of land, covered in patches of spirit fields where various medicinal herbs are planted. Even from a distance, one can sense a pure aura emanating from the plantation. Inside, people are busy tending to each field, checking on the growth of the herbs.

The entire plantation is surrounded by a high wall and protected by a formation. As they stood on higher ground, Yang Ze could clearly see the array shimmering above the plantation, designed both to prevent intruders and to seal the spiritual energy within so it does not dissipate.

"The recovery of spiritual energy between heaven and earth has only been happening for a thousand years. In such a short time, the Piao Miao Martial Academy has secured one of the most energy-rich locations in the Nine Provinces. Because the plantation grows spirit herbs, the sites chosen are the prime spots within these energy-rich areas. Furthermore, as the herbs mature, they also emit spiritual energy, causing the plantation's aura to exceed that of the surrounding environment. If we could cultivate inside, the speed of our progress would surely be much faster," Lin Hui explained, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at the plantation.

Seeing Lin Hui like this for the first time, Yang Ze asked, "Then wouldn't this plantation be a treasure trove for cultivation? Is there anyone cultivating inside?"

"Cultivating in the plantation? You’d be making an enemy of everyone. The Pill Hall treats every single plot of spirit herbs like a treasure; even their own people don't dare cultivate here. If you were to practice breathing techniques inside, you would disrupt the spiritual cycle of the entire plantation. If the spirit fields were to suffer any damage, the people of the Pill Hall would surely kill you. You must never think of cultivating inside. If something goes wrong, don't expect me to help you," Lin Hui warned, fearing that Yang Ze might not grasp the severity of the situation and cause trouble.

Yang Ze, not being a reckless person, nodded in agreement.

"Once we reach the plantation, just follow the task requirements. Do not act on your own, follow my lead, and never touch anything that belongs to them," Lin Hui emphasized once more. By "them," he was, of course, referring to the people of the Pill Hall.

***

Seeing Lin Hui so solemn, Yang Ze promised repeatedly that he would not act rashly. Only then did Lin Hui lead him toward the plantation.

As they reached the entrance, before they could even step inside, the gates suddenly swung open. A registered disciple was thrown out, tumbling several times across the ground until he slammed into a tree and finally came to a stop. Having suffered such a blow, the disciple coughed violently, spitting out several mouthfuls of blood, looking utterly wretched.

A disciple dressed in the robes of the Pill Hall stepped out, looking down at the discarded disciple with cold indifference. "Under the guise of performing a task, you dared to consume the spiritual energy of the herbs within the plantation. Today is merely a small punishment; from this day forward, you are no longer qualified to step foot into any spirit plantation of the academy!"

The registered disciple tried to struggle to his feet, but upon hearing those words, he fainted dead away. Seeing this, Yang Ze’s heart grew cold. The people of the Pill Hall were truly tyrannical, and their methods were vicious.

"The academy relies on the Pill Hall for all its medicinal needs, which is why they have always been so overbearing. No one can do anything about them. That registered disciple was simply courting death," Lin Hui’s voice whispered in Yang Ze’s ear.

"What are you two here for?"

No sooner had Lin Hui finished explaining when the cold Pill Hall disciple turned to interrogate them.

"We are here to perform our assigned tasks. This is our documentation, please take a look, Senior Brother," Yang Ze and Lin Hui said in unison, handing over their task slips.

"No need. Go in. Just remember to do your tasks properly. Don't try any funny business, or that man’s fate will be yours."

The Pill Hall disciple led the way. Yang Ze and Lin Hui followed him for about three hundred yards along a path near the spirit fields until they reached a small courtyard.

"There are three hundred water vats in this courtyard. Two hundred are currently empty. There are buckets here; go fetch water from the mountain spring, fill the vats, and then come find me. I will register your completion, and then you may leave."

After giving these instructions, the disciple walked away, leaving them alone. Yang Ze stood in the courtyard, staring at the densely packed rows of vats, stunned. Looking at the buckets in the corner, he couldn't help but gasp. Each vat would take at least ten buckets to fill, and his task was to fill a hundred of them. The mountain spring was at least eight hundred yards away; this was by no means an easy job. Even as martial artists, filling a hundred vats would not be simple.

Yang Ze felt a surge of anger and was about to snap at Lin Hui, only to see that Lin Hui had already picked up two buckets and was walking toward the exit. "Junior Brother Yang, don't waste time. Let's get the work done, and later I'll show you something good."

***

Recalling Lin Hui’s mysterious demeanor, Yang Ze suppressed his anger, picked up two buckets, and followed.

There was a mountain spring nearby, but it was still a distance from the plantation. The people at the plantation didn't want to do this labor, which was why they issued tasks to registered disciples.

After walking for a while, Yang Ze saw the mountain spring, the water flowing rapidly. Just as he was about to fill his buckets, Lin Hui stopped him. He led him further up along the stream, winding through a small trail until they reached a hidden mountain ravine.

Lin Hui produced two gourds, handing one to Yang Ze. "Junior Brother Yang, I discovered this ravine by chance. Don't tell anyone else. The spring water here flows through an underground channel from beneath the plantation, absorbing some of its spiritual energy, which gives the water a faint trace of aura. Consuming it can increase our cultivation speed. However, the water is limited. I only come every half-month to fill one gourd. We mustn't let the stream run dry. Remember, you can only take two gourds' worth a month; any more and we might be discovered. The Pill Hall keeps a close eye on the vicinity of the plantation; if we came here carelessly, we would definitely be caught. That’s why I accept these tasks periodically. Two gourds of this water are worth as much as a Peiyuan Pill. Now do you see why this task is so good?"

Lin Hui spoke in a low voice. The place was small and secluded, which was why it had escaped notice. Yang Ze crouched down, cupped some water in his palm, and tasted a drop. He felt a faint thread of spiritual energy enter his body and his face lit up with joy.

Lin Hui laughed as well. The two quickly filled their gourds before returning to fetch the regular water. With a gourd of spirit water, Yang Ze’s mood improved significantly. He didn't even feel tired carrying the heavy buckets of water.

The two worked until nightfall to fill the hundred vats. Even with their martial physiques, they were exhausted and drenched in sweat. Looking at the filled vats, Yang Ze felt no joy; he had wasted an entire day. If not for the gourd at his waist, he would never have accepted this task again.

Once the job was done, the cold Pill Hall disciple returned. He inspected the courtyard, nodded in satisfaction, and registered their completion. As he prepared to escort them out, a sly grin appeared on Lin Hui’s face.

"Senior Brother, our task is complete, but you haven't given us that thing yet," Lin Hui whispered.