Chapter 708: Medicinal Garden Spirit Plants

Unfortunately, in terms of influence, it couldn’t compare to the two major apothecaries with branches spanning half the Cultivation Realm. The Hundred Herbs Hall was only somewhat famous in the vicinity of the Qingyuan Sect. The Spiritual Medicines and Spirit Plants it acquired were mostly first or second-tier. For any slightly higher-grade Spirit Grass, Cultivators would definitely choose to sell to one of the two major apothecaries.

In the courtyard ahead, Liao Bufan was sipping tea. As Elder Chen’s most capable deputy, Liao Bufan naturally took the assigned task to heart. When he learned the order had come directly from Elder Fang himself, he began treating it as a matter of utmost importance.

Compared to Elder Chen, who paid little mind to worldly affairs and mostly buried his head in Artifact Refining and Pill Refining, Liao Bufan was more like the unofficial Elder in charge of all production and construction for the Qingyuan Sect. Unfortunately, his seniority was lacking. He couldn’t match Elder Chen’s status as a veteran from the sect’s founding. No matter how well he performed, he was still just Elder Chen’s deputy.

“Steward Liao, I’ve brought Huang Jing. I’ll let you two talk.”

Ge Xuan tactfully left the two of them alone, pushing the door open and stepping out. Once Ge Xuan was gone, Liao Bufan asked with a broad smile:

“Master Huang, have you been settling in well at the Hundred Herbs Hall all these years? Are you facing any difficulties?”

Huang Jing felt uneasy. He found Liao Bufan’s greeting a bit strange. ‘Where was this concern before? Why ask now? If I really had difficulties, how could you, my superior, possibly not know?’

Liao Bufan was a Steward of Celestial Craft Peak, the most distinguished position below the Elder.

Celestial Craft Peak had one Elder and three Stewards in total. Liao Bufan was primarily in charge of personnel. ‘He came to see me… is he going to transfer me back to Zongshan?’

“I’m not facing any difficulties. I’m quite accustomed to living here. If I may ask, Steward Liao, what is the reason for your visit?”

Huang Jing wasn’t one for beating around the bush, so he asked directly. Liao Bufan, however, maintained his broad smile:

“The Elder wants to see you, so I came at once. Master Huang, you are our Celestial Craft Peak’s most skilled Spirit Plant Master! No matter how the Elder receives you, don’t bring shame upon our Peak. In fact, it was our own Elder Chen who strongly recommended you. If some great opportunity comes of this, don’t forget where you came from.”

Huang Jing was stunned by Liao Bufan’s words. ‘The Elder? Fang Qingyuan?’

He had been with the Qingyuan Sect for many years but had only seen Fang Qingyuan a total of three times. The first was when he had just joined, paying his respects alongside other newly-recruited Cultivators.

The second was during Fang Qingyuan’s 150th birthday celebration, where he wished him well from within the crowd.

As for the third, Fang Qingyuan had been strolling through the sect when Huang Jing happened to spot him, though he never got close enough to exchange words.

‘Now Elder Fang has specifically asked to see me… what could it possibly be for?’

…….

Stepping into the inner sanctum of the Qingyuan Sect, Huang Jing found himself in a place he had never been. As he took in every blade of grass and every tree, his heart filled with apprehension.

Up ahead, Liao Bufan had shed the broad smile he wore at the foot of the mountain; his expression was now serious. He walked ahead, showing Huang Jing only his back.

After climbing several hundred steps, the two arrived at the summit of Qingyuan Mountain. Ahead lay Fang Qingyuan’s residence.

Huang Jing subconsciously straightened his Daoist Robe. He had put on his best one specifically for this meeting with Fang Qingyuan, but since he had bought it years ago, its style was somewhat dated compared to more recent fashions.

“Master Huang, the Sect Leader is just ahead. Let this Daoist Child lead you inside. I will wait for you here.”

After they passed a stone wall carved with a Tai Chi Diagram, Liao Bufan came to a stop. Two attendants, a Golden Boy and Jade Girl, approached to greet them. With a few last words for Huang Jing, he stepped aside to wait.

The two Immortal Children held a copper basin and a silk cloth, gesturing for Huang Jing to cleanse his face. Only after he had done so was he led into the depths of the secluded cave residence.

Inside the spacious hall, Fang Qingyuan was deep in thought on the main seat. Sensing Huang Jing’s arrival, he raised his head to scrutinize him.

For a moment, Huang Jing felt as if his heart had stopped beating entirely. Fang Qingyuan’s gaze carried an invisible pressure that stole his breath.

And in truth, it was so. Fang Qingyuan’s gaze was a spiritual probe, a scrutiny of the soul itself. He needed to confirm that this Huang Jing was not a spy planted in the Qingyuan Sect by the Spirit Wood Alliance.

Fang Qingyuan had always been wary of the Spirit Wood Alliance. It was an unavoidable fact that there were undoubtedly spies from other powers within the Qingyuan Sect.

The Qingyuan Sect had risen too quickly. And while it currently had no intention of expanding further or dominating the region, that didn’t stop its two closest neighbors, the Spirit Wood Alliance and the Li Huo, from being concerned and on guard. Sending in a few spies was just standard procedure.

However, a Spirit Plant Master like Huang Jing, with his obvious origins in the Spirit Wood Alliance, was clearly not on such a mission. There was no other reason for this conclusion: his background was all wrong for a spy. A proper spy needed a completely clean history to have any hope of earning the Qingyuan Sect’s trust.

Just now, Fang Qingyuan had used a Mind Divine Technique to scan the surface of Huang Jing’s thoughts. He found no hidden schemes, and that was enough.

“Huang Jing, I want you to look after a spiritual medicine garden for me for ten years. During this time, you are to have no contact with the outside world. If you have any requests, you may state them now. I will agree to anything within my power.”

Fang Qingyuan wasted no words. The gap in their status was simply too vast; he had no need for gentle persuasion. He simply issued a command for Huang Jing to execute. The most he would do was grant Huang Jing’s current requests, ensuring he could work with peace of mind and without any lingering concerns.