Chapter 707: Herb Garden Spirit Plants

Although this theory wasn’t recognized by the Cultivation Realm, Fang Qingyuan’s approval was all that mattered. Moreover, the Qingyuan Sect was providing the resources to cultivate these arts, so the disciples didn’t have the courage to refuse.

Currently, Huang Jing was teaching these Qi Cultivation youths how to discern the quality of a medicinal herb. Although they had learned this in their second term at the academy, receiving personal instruction from a Tier Two Middle Grade Spirit Plant Master was a rare experience.

“Profound Sun Grass, a Tier Two Lower Grade Spirit Grass. This grass grows on sun-drenched mountain cliffs. Every day at noon, it absorbs Great Sun Essence, causing its leaves to take on a faint golden hue and contain abundant fire-attribute Spiritual Qi. When consumed by Cultivators or refined into Elixir Pills, it can increase the efficiency of cultivating fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques and enhance their Magical Power. To determine the quality of this Spiritual Medicine, you must examine three aspects. First, the leaves. The deeper the golden luster on the leaves, the higher the plant’s quality and age. For example, take this one before you. Its color is golden-yellow, so its age should be around fifteen years. Second, you must look at the roots. Soil is scarce on cliffs, and the plant is battered by strong winds day and night. Therefore, this grass’s roots must be incredibly thick and strong, like a dragon’s sinew. Take a look here…”

After explaining the Profound Sun Grass, Huang Jing picked up several other Tier Two herbs and began his lecture. These herbs were:

Clear Heart Lotus: Grows in clear, cold springs. Its lotus leaves are emerald green, and its flowers are pure, flawless white. It emits a tranquil and fresh fragrance and has the effect of calming the mind and dispelling Heart Demons. Long-term consumption can help a Cultivator meditate peacefully, increasing the effectiveness of cultivating one’s state of mind.

Nourishing Essence Pinecone: A massive pinecone from a thousand-year-old pine tree, rich in Earth Vein Primordial Qi. When consumed, it can replenish a Cultivator’s True Essence. It is especially suitable for those in the foundational stages of cultivation or for Cultivators who have depleted their primordial energy from over-cultivation.

Demon-Slaying Vine: This plant grows in dark, deep forests. Its vines can absorb the surrounding Evil Qi, refining it into Spiritual Power that purifies malevolent energy and defends against the invasion of external evils.

“Identifying medicinal herbs is a profound field of study. What they teach you in the academy is just the basics. You’ll only truly understand when you’re sitting behind the counter, facing the herbs brought in by Cultivators. If you make a misjudgment, half a year of your stipend will be gone. So, you must commit everything I’ve taught you to heart…”

The three clueless youths nodded vigorously, like naive little rabbits at their first internship. A hint of foolishness shone through their clear eyes, making Huang Jing shake his head inwardly.

“Hey, Old Huang, put aside what you’re doing for a moment. Someone from the sect is here, and they’ve specifically asked to see you. Come with me to the front courtyard to greet them.”

Ge Xuan’s voice came from the doorway. Upon hearing it, Huang Jing instructed the three youths to practice identifying the herbs with their books, then stepped outside and saw Ge Xuan.

This Ge Xuan was one of the Qingyuan Sect’s True Disciples, though he was from an earlier batch. Back then, the Qingyuan Sect’s standards for True Disciples weren’t high; his aptitude was merely a Middle Grade Wood Spirit Root with twenty-nine points.

But the status of a True Disciple wasn’t a lifelong guarantee. You couldn’t just be part of one generation of True Disciples and enjoy the benefits for the rest of your life.

According to the standards for True Disciples, one had to reach Foundation Establishment by age forty and Core Formation by one hundred and ten. If a disciple failed to meet these standards, they would have to fend for themselves and would eventually be stripped of their True Disciple status.

Currently, there were several disciples among the True Disciples with Earth-grade Spirit Root aptitude. Their cultivation had already reached the early to mid-Foundation Establishment Stage, and they had generally achieved Foundation Establishment around the age of thirty.

In comparison, Ge Xuan was relatively old. He had barely managed to reach Foundation Establishment right at the forty-year-old cutoff. Now, at over sixty years of age, he still hadn’t broken through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. After realizing his chances of reaching Core Formation were slim, he had taken on an external role while holding onto the lowest tier of True Disciple status, no longer pinning all his hopes on cultivation.

The benefits for True Disciples were divided into five tiers. The highest tier naturally belonged to Jue Wu Gou, who stood alone at the top with his Celestial-grade Spirit Root aptitude.

The second tier consisted of four Foundation Establishment Cultivators with Upper and Middle Earth-grade Spirit Root aptitudes.

The third tier was for Lower Earth-grade aptitudes; the fourth, for Upper and Middle Superior-grade; and the fifth was for early True Disciples like Ge Xuan, with Upper Middle-grade Spirit Root aptitudes.

Ge Xuan was a slightly chubby Cultivator, a result of the supplementary cultivation art he had pursued. During his time at the academy, Ge Xuan had majored in the art of being a Spirit Chef.

‘What I can’t figure out is why the sect would transfer me, a Spirit Chef, to the Hundred Herbs Hall to be the Chief Shopkeeper. Could it be because Huang Jing is so competent that they don’t need to send another Foundation Establishment Spirit Plant Master who understands herbs?’

Ge Xuan’s hobby was studying food, which, come to think of it, was somewhat related to various medicinal herbs. After all, when stewing meat, one also had to be particular about identifying different herbs. Only then would the resulting medicinal cuisine be truly nourishing.

“Shopkeeper Ge, someone from the sect is here? Who is it?”

Huang Jing was rather surprised. It was unexpected for someone from the sect to ask for him by name. ‘I haven’t done anything wrong recently.’

“It’s Steward Liao Bufan from Celestial Craft Peak. That man is a smooth operator, and naturally tight-lipped. If he doesn’t want you to know something, you’ll never figure it out. But it should be good news. His attitude seemed amicable enough. He’s probably looking for you because he needs your help with something.”

Ge Xuan pulled Huang Jing along, heading straight for the front courtyard. Along the way, any disciples and servants they passed all stopped to bow to the two of them.

The Hundred Herbs Hall occupied a large plot of land. After all, it was one of the sect’s own businesses, so of course the best locations were reserved for them. Therefore, compared to the Qi Yun Trading Company’s external shops like the Licorice Pavilion or the Spirit Medicine Hall, its footprint was a third larger.