Chapter Fifty-Nine: Superior Spiritual Herb Cultivator [Please Keep Reading!]

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

Accompanied by Gu Qingzhao, Qin Ming arrived at the Steward Hall of Qingyang Market.

“Pavilion Master Gu, Daoist Qin, please wait a moment. The elders are currently in a meeting,” said the steward on duty, who, noticing Gu Qingzhao’s personal arrival, hurried inside to report.

Inside the Steward Hall, four inner sect elders of the Spirit Feather Sect were deep in discussion.

“I never expected that this young man’s mastery in spiritual botany would be so advanced. Such an extraordinary talent,” one commented.

“Indeed. He has managed to cultivate supreme-grade beast fang rice—a feat that even outshines the disciples under our tutelage.”

“It’s a pity, though… He is not one of our disciples, but rather someone requisitioned from a cultivating family for labor service.”

“I’m inclined to take him as my last disciple and relieve him of his service obligations.”

“With such a talent, who among us wouldn’t be tempted? But I fear he may refuse. You know, Elder Zhuang, these spiritual farmers are often resentful toward the sect.”

“What if his sole aim is to obtain a recommendation, not to join our ranks? How should we proceed then?”

“You mean, this fellow intends to become a second-rank spiritual botanist and then slip from our grasp?”

“Exactly. With his talent, it’s certainly within reach.”

“What do you all suggest?”

“Let’s probe his intentions. If he declines to join, then we’ll simply raise the difficulty of the assessment.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a mid-grade spiritual botanist for life and growing rice for our sect.”

…

Soon after, an elder in a gray Daoist robe emerged from the inner chamber, his white hair and youthful features radiating the aura of a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage.

It was none other than Elder Zhuang Xiran.

“Pavilion Master Gu, what brings you here today? Please, come inside!”

Gu Qingzhao’s voice was clear and fluid as spring water. “I am here to witness Daoist Qin’s advancement to high-grade spiritual botanist.”

Elder Zhuang stroked his beard and smiled. “Ah, that’s not so easily said—this assessment is rather challenging.”

Then, turning to Qin Ming, he continued, “Qin, it’s been a year since we last met. Who would have thought fate would have me as your examiner?”

Qin Ming hadn’t expected Elder Zhuang to be the chief examiner either, and quickly bowed in respect. “Elder Zhuang.”

“No need for formalities. Come with me,” Elder Zhuang said, leading Qin Ming to a secluded courtyard deep within the Steward Hall.

Suddenly, Elder Zhuang stopped and looked at Qin Ming with a gentle expression. “Qin Ming, I wish to take you as my last disciple. Are you willing?”

Caught off guard, Qin Ming paused, pondering for a long moment. Then he replied sincerely, “Thank you for your kindness, Elder Zhuang, but I must decline your generous offer.”

A year ago, he would have leapt at the chance to become Elder Zhuang’s disciple.

But now, with his golden finger in hand, becoming a second-rank spiritual botanist was only a matter of time—and perhaps even the third rank was within reach.

Qin Ming had already made plans: once freed from the Spirit Feather Sect, he’d find a spiritual mountain rich in energy and live peacefully, farming on his own, steering clear of the sect’s internal strife.

All he needed was the recommendation for the Trial of the Verdant Mirage—he had no desire to become a disciple.

…

“I see… Since your mind is set, I won’t force you,” Elder Zhuang replied, his face betraying no emotion.

They continued walking through the courtyard until they reached a small field of spiritual herbs.

Elder Zhuang stopped before a small, withered spiritual tree. Qin Ming looked up and saw that the tree was on the verge of death—its leaves yellowed and limp, its trunk withering in places, vitality draining away.

“This is your assessment. Within half a month, use any means at your disposal to revive this dying Golden Sun Tree, a high-grade spiritual plant.”

“For the next fifteen days, you may not leave this courtyard.”

“If you need any materials, you may ask the Steward Hall to procure them.”

“If you fail to revive the tree within the time limit, or if you cannot revive it at all, you fail the assessment.”

“Do you have any questions?”

Qin Ming replied, “Everything is clear.”

“Do you find the assessment too difficult?” Elder Zhuang asked.

To others, this task was nearly impossible—but for Qin Ming, it posed little challenge.

He knew that the Golden Sun Tree was infamously delicate; if its environment or spiritual energy was subpar, it would wither easily. What made things worse, once decline set in, revival was nearly impossible.

After explaining, Elder Zhuang left with a stern expression, leaving Qin Ming alone.

To make the challenge so difficult was clearly a response to his earlier refusal; Elder Zhuang was displeased.

“Well, there’s half a month. No rush. I’ll wait ten days or so before acting.”

Meanwhile, Elder Zhuang returned to the inner chamber.

The other elders inquired, “Well, Elder Zhuang?”

“Just as you suspected—his talent is exceptional, but his heart is not with the sect.”

“So what assessment did you give him?”

“To revive the Golden Sun Tree.”

“In that case, he’s unlikely to pass.”

…

In the Steward Hall’s guest chamber, Gu Qingzhao and Manager Liao waited over tea. When Elder Zhuang entered, Gu Qingzhao rose and asked, “May I ask what the assessment for high-grade spiritual botanist is this year?”

Elder Zhuang replied with a mild smile, “High-grade spiritual botanists are rare, and the assessment changes yearly. This year, the task for Young Qin is to revive the Golden Sun Tree—no small feat.”

“There’s half a month left, Pavilion Master Gu. There’s no need to wait here every day. I’ll send word when the results are in.”

…

Gu Qingzhao’s star-like eyes flashed with surprise, and her brows knitted slightly. “The Golden Sun Tree? Is the assessment for high-grade spiritual botanists truly so difficult?”

She began to worry whether Qin Ming could pass this ordeal.

Back in the herb garden, Qin Ming paid no mind, swallowed a Gathering Spirit Pill, and sat down to cultivate.

Three days passed.

Elder Zhuang came to check on the progress. Seeing the tree even closer to death and Qin Ming seemingly at a loss, he could only shake his head and sigh.

On the fifth day, Qin Ming asked the Steward Hall to purchase a large assortment of spiritual materials and odd items.

Elder Zhuang couldn’t make sense of his intentions, but to his surprise, Qin Ming finally began working on the tree. Yet the Golden Sun Tree showed no sign of recovery.

By the tenth day, with the deadline fast approaching, Qin Ming judged the time was right and focused his mind on the “Regenerative Spirit Seed” entry.

The moment he activated the entry, a purple spore sprouted from the dying tree’s roots, enveloping them. In moments, the tree absorbed the spore, and it vanished.

From that instant, the previously languishing Golden Sun Tree began to revive.

Elder Zhuang came by as usual, but this time, when he saw the once-withered tree covered in fresh green leaves, his face was awash with disbelief.

“This… How is it alive?”

…

Half an incense stick later, Qin Ming emerged from the courtyard with Elder Zhuang.

To his surprise, Gu Qingzhao and Manager Liao were still there.

Seeing him out five days early, Gu Qingzhao assumed he had failed, for the Golden Sun Tree assessment was notoriously difficult.

Qin Ming approached and greeted them. “Daoist Gu, you’re still here?”

“Just happened to be free today, so I came by,” Gu Qingzhao replied with a gentle smile in her eyes. She hesitated, then asked, “Daoist Qin, how did the advancement assessment go?”

Manager Liao also looked on with curiosity.

Before Qin Ming could answer, Elder Zhuang spoke first.

“Young Qin has passed the assessment and is now a high-grade spiritual botanist.”