Memorizing the herb knowledge by rote was sufficient for now. Wang Yu was just about to report to the herb garden; mastering it through practice wouldn't be bad either.
If he could perfect the Night Concealment Curse, others would find it difficult to pinpoint his location, preventing a repeat of the mental confusion ambush from four days ago.
*A gentleman hides his tools and waits for the right moment to act!*
Only by hiding well can there be a future.
After packing his belongings, Wang Yu set out. He wouldn't return for half a year.
Steward Tantai's private herb garden was located within the [Evil God Market], which was under the domain of the Ninth Peak, [Evil God Peak].
This branch had no Nascent Soul True Monarch; its highest cultivation was a Golden Core peak expert, placing it in the lower tier within the Reverse Blood Sect. Consequently, the situation in the Evil God Market was relatively chaotic, with people from the other eight peaks establishing roots there to get a share.
Tantai Chan belonged to Coldblood Peak, yet her herb garden was opened in the Evil God Market. This demonstrated the influence of the Coldblood branch, as herb gardens weren't minor facilities—they required absorbing vast amounts of spiritual energy to grow.
They were often placed directly above spirit veins and required various formation arrays to simulate the different growth environments needed by various spiritual herbs.
First-grade spiritual herbs didn't have overly harsh environmental requirements, so the maintenance difficulty shouldn't be too high.
Walking straight along the main street, following the task scroll's guidance, Wang Yu arrived at the main gate two hours later.
Judging by its appearance, it was simply a large courtyard located towards the outer area of the Evil God Market. The spiritual energy inside was very dense, almost forming a mist.
Walls two people high enclosed all four sides. Only the main gate was a structure resembling a ceremonial archway, with upturned eaves and arched corners carved with unknown small beasts.
The gate had bat-shaped knockers. He knocked gently.
The bronze beast heads' eyes emitted two beams of light that scanned the task scroll in his hand before the gate opened with a sound.
Wang Yu stepped inside and was greeted by a full view of spiritual herbs.
On the left were first-grade spiritual herbs: Five Essence Grass, one of the main ingredients for refining Fasting Pills.
On the right were first-grade spiritual herbs: Bone-Strengthening Flowers, one of the main ingredients for refining Body Tempering Pills.
Spiritual herbs weren't graded into low, mid, high, or peak grades; they only differed as common, rare... etc. But the pills refined from them were graded, determined by the alchemist's skill.
Steward Tantai's herb garden was cultivated on a规模化 (guīmó huà - scaled, industrialized) basis, which reassured Wang Yu—at least it wouldn't be too troublesome.
This was just the front courtyard. The two herb fields combined had over a thousand spiritual herbs, quite valuable.
In the middle was an open hall that allowed wind to pass through, with only a few thin curtains and wind chimes hanging. Under the breeze, combined with the garden's herbal fragrance, it was refreshing.
Connected to the hall was a straight line of buildings, neatly dividing the entire herb garden in half. The backyard was split into four herb fields, growing rarer spiritual herbs.
Yellow Lotus Ganoderma, Ice Nine-Leaf Grass, Jade Dragon Orchid... and two second-grade spirit trees: Moonlight Trees. Their fruit, Moonlight Fruit, not only beautified and nourished the skin but also helped Foundation Establishment cultivators practicing Yin-cold attribute techniques advance their True Essence.
They took ten years to mature each crop. Among second-grade spiritual herbs, they were considered rare varieties. Being fruit trees that could produce continuously made them more valuable than ordinary spiritual herbs.
While Wang Yu was looking around, his nostrils twitched as he suddenly caught a scented breeze coming from the right. He focused his gaze.
He saw a woman wearing a pale green, waist-cinching soft dress, her hair styled in an exquisite cloud bun adorned with a gold步摇 (bùyáo - hairpin with pendants). A fish-shaped floral decoration made of gold and cyan gemstones graced the center of her forehead.
Two flowing ribbons wrapped around her arms and shoulders. Her long legs swayed as she approached.
Her features were delicate, with narrow, elongated eyes that carried a strange charm blending youthful innocence and allure. Only the icy intent in her eyes pierced to the bone.
While Wang Yu was amazed by her beauty, he wasn't bewitched.
"Wang Yu of the Ice Snow Pavilion pays respects to Senior Tantai."
Tantai Chan nodded slightly, examining Wang Yu's white hair and noticeably aged face, then lost interest the next moment.
"Can you handle caring for this herb garden?"
Wang Yu nodded, then shook his head. "Apart from these two Moonlight Trees, which I'm unsure about, maintaining the other spiritual herbs for six months shouldn't be a problem."
"Understandable." Seeing the Black Blood Disciple Order at Wang Yu's waist, Tantai Chan immediately understood he was just an outer disciple. She handed him a jade slip.
"It contains methods for maintaining the Moonlight Trees and solutions for dealing with pests and diseases. I need to go into seclusion to refine a batch of spiritual pills. Whether I emerge early or late, you must ensure not a single bit is missing from the herb garden."
"Your disciple obeys."
"Good. The room on the right is for you, along with the tools and seeds needed for maintaining the herb fields. If any spiritual herbs mature, remember to harvest and replant. Start today."
"Yes—"
In the following days, Wang Yu became a herb farmer in the fields, pulling weeds, catching insects, and inspecting the fields three times daily, emphasizing diligence and responsibility.
Tantai Chan watched him for a few days, confirming no issues, before entering seclusion in the quiet room to the left of the hall.
Although Wang Yu knew she was an alchemist, they had no friendship, so it wasn't appropriate to ask too much. He simply focused on老老实实 (lǎolao shíshí - honestly, steadily) farming.
Amid his busy schedule, he also cultivated diligently.
After all, at this stage, the Placement Rack's effect could be summarized in four words: "Diligence can compensate for clumsiness." He needed to circulate the technique himself to compress the spiritual power, complete the first spiritual refinement, and improve its quality.
Condensing ten into one was no easy task.
After cultivating until his meridians reached their limit and he was mentally exhausted, he continued studying the Ice Shield Art until midnight before resting.
When life is fulfilling, time seems to pass quickly.
In the blink of an eye, it was the thirty-fifth day of Wang Yu's outer disciple life. He had been at this private herb garden for a month.
That day,
the gate of the Tantai Herb Garden was knocked. Wang Yu went to open it, holding a small hoe.
He met an elegant man in a blue robe and cloud-patterned crown, with two long strands of silver-white hair hanging from his temples. Though his face looked young, his age was likely not small.
The aura he emitted felt quite vast to Wang Yu—a Foundation Establishment expert. Wang Yu quickly bowed.
"Wang Yu, outer disciple of Coldblood Peak, pays respects to the Foundation Establishment Senior."
"Rise. You are...?"
"A herb farmer." Wang Yu waved his small hoe a few times. The cloud-crowned cultivator showed an understanding expression. "I have matters to discuss with Junior Sister Tantai. Is she home?"
"Senior Tantai is currently in seclusion refining pills and should not be disturbed. She won't emerge for at least six months," Wang Yu replied promptly.
"In that case, deliver this invitation to Junior Sister Tantai on my behalf."
"Yes!"
Seeing him leave, Wang Yu closed the gate and looked at the red invitation in his hand. The event was scheduled for about eight months later.
"Grand opening of the Xu Family Pill Shop, inviting Senior Tantai to attend the ceremony?"
"Xu Family Pill Shop..."
Wang Yu had some thoughts. He still had some interest in the alchemical path; otherwise, he wouldn't be working here—laying the foundation.
Otherwise, should he use that thousand contribution point token to exchange for alchemy legacy?
He asked himself internally but wasn't in a hurry.
Learning alchemy was very expensive. Apart from using the Placement Rack as a shortcut, he lacked the capital to study it. He would wait a bit longer.
Once his spell cultivation was more or less complete, he would exchange for it.
(End of Chapter)