Chapter 80: Second-Tier Spiritual Botanist

Qin Ming stared at the scene outside the wooden door.

He was utterly dumbfounded.

Beyond the door, a stretch of golden desert appeared abruptly before his eyes.

...

Outside the illusion.

The elders of the Lingyu Sect were watching the direction of the wood array, each discussing among themselves.

“How many disciples do you think will pass the trial and advance to the second rank this time?”

“It’s hard to say. Even the easiest Geng-level illusion has seen only a handful succeed in the past.”

“Old Zhuang, your disciple went in once before. Surely he’s got it in the bag this time?”

“Ah, don’t mention that useless one.”

“What about that boy, Qin Ming? What are your thoughts on him?” Elder Liu stroked his ram’s-horn beard, asking lightly.

Elder Zhuang frowned, pondering for a moment before declaring with certainty, “In my opinion, as long as he doesn’t challenge a high-difficulty illusion, his chances of passing are excellent.”

Elder Gu beside him looked displeased upon hearing this.

“Although the highest record in our Lingyu Sect is passing an A-level trial, in recent years none of the disciples have managed to succeed at such a challenge. Who knows if this time someone will surpass that record.”

As they spoke, time ticked by.

Half a day passed.

A flash of green light flickered near the wooden array, and a figure emerged.

The person wore a look of frustration, making it clear at a glance that he had failed the trial.

“Sigh, I didn’t expect my first time to be the most difficult heart-tempering path among the Geng-level illusions.”

Before long, spirit planters withdrew one after another from the illusion.

So far, not a single one had succeeded.

“This is just too hard. I was tested on my affinity with plants, and had to find the original mother plant in an entire grassland.”

“That’s nothing. My illusion required me to cure several unfamiliar second-rank spirit plants, and I had to finish within the time limit.”

...

Unknowingly, more than half of the spirit planters had already exited the illusion trial.

Still, none had passed.

Just then, a familiar figure emerged from the illusion.

Everyone saw it was Li Yan, the first to enter.

At this moment, his face was alight with excitement.

Behind him, one of the wooden steles in the array lit up, displaying that Li Yan had passed the trial.

He had completed a Wu-level difficulty illusion, taking three and a half hours.

The flow of time within the illusion differed from the outside world; inside, it felt as if one or two years had passed.

Shortly after, a beam of light descended from the wooden array and merged into Li Yan’s spirit planter identification token. The three leaves on its back fused together, gradually transforming into a spirit plant.

This signified his successful advancement to a second-rank spirit planter.

Li Yan, overjoyed, strode quickly to Elder Zhuang Xiran and bowed. “Disciple has not failed Master’s expectations and has passed the trial.”

“Mm, passing a Wu-level trial is no small feat. You have a chance to compete for the top three and obtain a wisp of the Mother Qi of Ten Thousand Woods.” Elder Zhuang Xiran, for once, showed a pleased smile.

But soon after, two other exceptionally gifted spirit planters also passed the trial.

Both had faced illusion trials of Ding-level or higher.

One even completed a Yi-level difficulty illusion trial.

Li Yan’s heart plummeted instantly; if one more spirit planter outperformed him, he would lose hope for a top-three spot.

Another hour passed.

Most of the spirit planters had already withdrawn from the illusion.

So far, only four high-grade spirit planters had passed and advanced to the second rank.

“Seems like there’s only one left?”

“It’s Qin Ming. He still hasn’t come out.”

“He’s been in there so long. Probably failed, right?”

The spirit planters present began to discuss.

No sooner had the words fallen than a green streak of light flashed, and Qin Ming appeared beneath the wooden array.

Just as everyone assumed he had failed, the seven great wooden steles behind him all burst into dazzling light.

A line of text appeared prominently on them:

A-level difficulty trial passed!

Time taken: five hours.

At that moment, the air fell silent.

The elders of Lingyu Sect and the spirit planters present were all in shock.

“Could there be a mistake?”

“An A-level difficulty trial?”

“He almost broke our sect’s historical record.”

“What a pity—just half an hour short.”

For a while, the elders of Lingyu Sect looked at each other, feeling as though they had lost not just a promising disciple, but something far greater.

Thus, the top three of this Grass and Wood Illusion trial were decided.

Qin Ming had rightfully claimed first place.

He himself was filled with mixed emotions; he hadn’t expected the content of the A-level illusion trial to be planting three different spirit plants in a desert.

At the very start, he had to select three suitable spirit seeds out of hundreds of second-rank varieties that could thrive in the desert illusion.

A single misstep in this first choice would result in immediate failure.

Fortunately, his usual study of spirit plant texts had not been in vain.

Relying on his memory, he correctly chose the three spirit plants and entered the cultivation phase.

Initially, he wanted to try passing the trial without relying on any special abilities.

But he soon realized he had underestimated the difficulty of the A-level illusion.

Though he successfully cultivated two second-rank spirit plants, time was running out before he could finish the trial.

For the last plant, he had to resort to using the [Accelerated Maturation] trait.

The trial within the A-level illusion felt like two years had passed, and he gained deeper insight and experience in cultivating second-rank spirit plants.

Upon passing, he also received rewards from within the illusion: no less than seven wisps of ‘Mother Qi of Ten Thousand Woods’ were now in his possession.

Li Yan stared intently at Qin Ming, his heart full of envy, though he could not show it.

Elder Gu’s face was dark, his gaze flickering as he pondered who knows what.

Elder Liu, on the other hand, showed a hint of satisfaction in his smile.

The spirit planters present looked with envy at Qin Ming and the others who had successfully advanced to second-rank.

Qin Ming felt immense joy—after all, he had waited far too long for this moment.

To become a second-rank spirit planter meant that from now on, he would be exempt from the sect’s labor service, regaining his freedom, no longer bound by the sect’s constraints.

Suppressing his excitement, Qin Ming approached the elders of Lingyu Sect and stated directly, “Respected Elders, I have advanced to second-rank spirit planter. According to sect rules, I request the removal of my labor agreement.”

At these words, the elders had nothing to say—after all, this was the rule set when the sect recruited cultivators.

Zhuang Xiran looked conflicted for a moment, then addressed Qin Ming, “We have discussed it among ourselves. Given your talent in the art of spirit plants, we hope you’ll remain in the sect. Your labor service will be lifted regardless, and you may choose to become the disciple of any elder you wish. Would you reconsider?”

“Thank you, Elder Zhuang, for your kind offer, but my mind is made up,” Qin Ming declined without hesitation.

Elder Liu sighed. “So be it.”

“Elder Gu, please bring out the labor agreement register.”

Elder Gu, unwilling, produced an ancient jade slip, glanced at Qin Ming, and handed it to Elder Liu.

Elder Liu scanned the register, then struck out Qin Ming’s name and the associated agreement.

In that moment, Qin Ming felt as though an invisible shackle over him was completely removed.

“Qin Ming, congratulations on becoming a second-rank spirit planter. You are now exempt from the sect’s labor service and have regained your freedom.”

“From now on, you may come and go as you wish, with no further ties to our sect.”

Qin Ming, thrilled at these words, quickly bowed to Elder Liu in thanks.

After all, he owed this opportunity to Chen Qiaoling, who had obtained the spot for him from Elder Liu.

Qin Ming already had plans for his future.

He had no intention of lingering here any longer.

Without paying any attention to the gazes of others, he strode straight out of the Lingyu Sect’s gates, mounted his spirit-light shuttle, and flew toward the direction of Qingyang Market.