Author Notes
Hello everyone,
I sincerely apologize for the recent lack of updates.
Over the past few weeks, I had my final semester exams for Computer Science Engineering, and during the same time, my family also suffered the loss of a close relative. Because of everything happening at once, I wasn't in the right state of mind to properly focus on translating and maintaining regular updates.
I had scheduled some chapters to go live on Webnovel, but unfortunately, I couldn't continue managing updates properly during this period.
Thank you to everyone who continued supporting me patiently despite the delays. Your support and understanding truly mean a lot to me.
Things are slowly becoming stable again, and I'll do my best to catch up on all missed translations and delayed chapters as soon as possible. I'm also thinking about bringing more works in the future, so I hope you'll continue supporting me.
Thank you again, and I'm deeply sorry for the delays.
— White Devil
END
Inside the guest hall of the Jade Chamber.
Jiang Yan sat at the head seat, gently savoring the tea in his cup.
His eyes lit up, and he murmured:
"The taste is good. More importantly, there's spiritual energy flowing within it. Though it isn't yet true spiritual tea, it's not far off.
Has Liyue already learned how to cultivate spirit herbs?"
At his words, the others—still stuffed from the earlier feast—forced themselves to perk up and quickly sipped their own cups.
Sure enough, though the tea's energy wasn't on par with real spirit herbs, for Teyvat-grown plants it was already extraordinary.
They couldn't help but keep drinking.
"It's not that we cultivated it. We don't have that ability."
Ningguang gave a wry smile, glanced at Lishui, and said:
"Truthfully, we owe this to Senior Brother Lishui."
"Me? When did I cultivate such a thing?"
Lishui looked puzzled at his cup, then narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tell me you snuck into the Spirit Fields?"
Ningguang's face darkened instantly.
"Senior Brother, don't joke like that. How would I dare meddle with the Spirit Fields?"
She cursed inwardly at his loose tongue. Xiao was sitting right here—if he took that seriously, wouldn't she be dragged off?
The Spirit Fields were the lifeblood of Mount Shu, utterly untouchable.
Of all Venti's misdeeds, the harshest punishment he'd ever suffered was when he buried wine under the Spirit Fields.
"…True enough."
Lishui nodded, convinced.
"Every inch of the Fields is planted with spirit herbs, and I watch over them myself. There's no way you could hide something from me.
So where exactly did this come from? Don't tell me you found it in the Mount Shu World?"
Ningguang shook her head with a faint smile.
"Not the Mount Shu World. Teyvat itself—specifically, Jueyun Karst."
Seeing the others' confusion, she elaborated:
"Some time ago, Liyue's martial troops explored deep into Jueyun Karst, reaching the mountain peaks.
Since the revival of spiritual energy, this was the first time mortals—not relying on cultivators—had managed such a feat.
"They climbed the mountain once cultivated by Senior Brother Lishui.
There, they found many of the herbs you once planted. These tea leaves were also discovered on your peak.
"After being bathed in spiritual energy for so long, the herbs had transformed. Especially this tea—it had begun evolving toward true spirit tea.
Perhaps, with time, it will fully transform.
"So the troops brought back some of these herbs.
Though… your peak was crawling with far more—and far stronger—fierce beasts than elsewhere. Likely drawn by the energy of these herbs.
"On their return, they were even ambushed by a peak Foundation Establishment beast. Fortunately, Qiqi happened to be herding corpses nearby and helped them, or the casualties would've been grave."
Everyone suddenly understood. Jean asked in surprise:
"So Jueyun Karst now gives birth to spirit herbs?"
"Not true spirit herbs yet."
Ningguang shook her head.
"They're in a state of transformation. Few in number, but they exist.
As spiritual energy continues reviving, more and more will appear.
"After the discovery, I had the troops monitor the area closely.
On the outskirts of Jueyun Karst, the plants haven't transformed into spirit herbs—only slightly improved in potency.
Only near the very center, the heart of the revival, did these evolving herbs appear.
"My plan is to bring in seeds during the next expedition, plant them near the center, and let them evolve there.
Given time, Teyvat itself could produce spirit herbs."
Jean nodded thoughtfully.
"So, besides beasts, we've now reached the stage where herbs are evolving as well?"
"Exactly."
Ningguang said seriously:
"The beasts grow stronger, the danger increases—but so too do the opportunities.
"These herbs may do little for cultivators like us, aside from tasting better with a hint of energy.
But for ordinary people, they are life-changing.
"That's why I'm forming a dedicated herb-gathering force.
These herbs will help Liyue grow stronger, faster."
Jiang Yan gave Ningguang an approving glance.
"Your vision remains as decisive as ever. The revival of spiritual energy will indeed spur the birth of new herbs.
"In time, you'll see many more varieties.
Though they'll never match those naturally birthed in Mount Shu, for mortals they're no less than divine treasures.
"As I've said before, what cultivators dismiss as common weeds are priceless treasures to the mundane.
But remember—herbs always attract beasts. The guardians are rarely easy prey."
Ningguang nodded firmly.
"Thank you for the guidance, Master. I understand."
Jean and the others looked on with envy.
Though Jueyun Karst's revival had brought Liyue countless crises, it also accelerated martial cultivation, placing them far ahead of the other nations.
"Senior Sister Ningguang, may Mondstadt's martial troops join the expeditions as well?" Jean asked suddenly.
"We wouldn't take Liyue's own herbs. We'd bring our own seeds, let them evolve under the energy, and harvest only what we sow.
In essence, it's just borrowing a patch of land in Jueyun Karst. Would that be acceptable?"
Ningguang waved her hand casually.
"No problem.
Jueyun Karst is perilous—strictly speaking, it's beyond our control now.
"If you wish to join, it will even reduce our risks.
But remember, harvesting there is dangerous. The beasts are too strong. You may suffer heavy losses."
Jean only smiled faintly, relieved.
"That's fine. Opportunity always comes with risk. Besides, fighting those beasts will only sharpen Mondstadt's martial path."
Seeing her resolve, Ningguang didn't press further.
"In that case, speak with the Ministry of Civil Affairs later."
"Yes. Thank you, Senior Sister."
At that moment, the Tsaritsa gave Childe a glance, while Furina's eyes lit up as well.
Spirit herbs!
They might not benefit gods like themselves, but for their people, they were a chance to forge new strength at an astonishing pace.
"Senior Sister Ningguang…"
Furina and Childe spoke up at the same time, then paused, exchanging glances.
Ningguang immediately understood their intent. She smiled lightly.
"If your plans are the same as Mondstadt's, then just discuss with the Ministry as well.
"But… if I'm not mistaken, neither of your nations has martial cultivation yet, correct?
I advise you to think twice. Without developing martial paths first, you won't even survive the outer edges of Jueyun Karst, let alone the core.
"There are hundreds of peak Foundation Establishment beasts inside.
Without sufficient strength, you'll never return."
Her words were no exaggeration.
Even Liyue's expeditions to the core consisted only of Grandmasters. Not even Innate-level fighters were allowed.
And even then, they had to move cautiously. If a peak Foundation beast appeared, dozens of Grandmasters could still be wiped out.
Such beasts, in sheer physique alone, rivaled—or even surpassed—Great Grandmasters.
Right now, only Grandmasters were qualified to enter the depths, simply because Liyue lacked true Great Grandmasters.
No matter how rich their resources, most martial experts were still stuck at the Grandmaster bottleneck.
Breaking through required not just strength, but clarity of will—a martial intent and martial heart.
An esoteric, transcendent threshold.
Thus, across all Teyvat, only Liyue—nearest the revival's heart—had birthed martial experts in any number.
Mondstadt's strongest were barely Innate.
As for other nations, most hadn't even acquired martial manuals yet.
Still, Furina and Childe were unwilling to give up. This was their chance.
"Martial manuals aren't a problem," Furina said calmly.
"With some effort, Clorinde and I can earn enough contribution points to exchange for them.
I can also hunt beasts to accelerate Fontaine's martial growth. It won't take long."
Childe nodded firmly.
Though he was the only one in Snezhnaya to start, manuals were cheap. A few days of effort, and they'd be secured.
The key was securing their place in the expeditions.
Seeing their determination, Ningguang didn't refuse. She nodded.
"In that case, when your martial paths have developed sufficiently, you too may negotiate with the Ministry."
To read 220+ future chapters, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554