Dawn at Frost Pool Garden
By Xu hour (7-9 AM), Chen Jinshu was already at her three mu of spirit fields, inspecting them with a critical eye.
After yesterday's discoveries about the mysterious spirit vine, unease gnawed at her. What if it drains the fields dry again?
Before heading to the Frost Pool Garden, she had even gone out of her way to question Senior Brother Qian Yidong from the Anju Hall about the origins of the field.
To her surprise, the first thing out of his mouth had been an apology.
"I shouldn't have assigned such an unusual spiritual plot to you," he had said, hurried and ashamed. "Please… don't report this to the Steward Hall on Medicine King Peak."
As it turned out, the Steward Hall wasn't just where duties were coordinated—it was also where disciples, or even supervising senior brothers, could be reported for mismanagement. And if the complaint was validated? Consequences followed. Though not a dismissal, the guilty party would face contribution point deductions, required compensation, and a formal black mark on their record.
Such a record could hinder future promotions into the Inner Sect or reduce the quality of resource exchanges. Qian Yidong clearly knew he had made a mistake and begged her not to submit a complaint.
Chen Jinshu hadn't expected the sect to enforce discipline so rigidly, where even minor oversights were formally recorded. She was still new here. Making enemies over a patch of dirt wasn't worth it—especially not with a senior brother she might need later.
Still, she did want something in return for keeping quiet. In the end, she managed to trade her silence for some useful information.
It turned out, this place—Frost Pool Herb Garden—used to be an ordinary herb garden until the discovery of an Ice Spirit Pearl transformed it.
Long before that, it had been one of Xuanming Sect's premier herb fields, used for centuries to cultivate spiritual plants.
Had it not been for the Ice Spirit Pearl's influence, this would've been one of the most sought-after sites on Medicine King Peak.
"So this vine was here long before me," Chen Jinshu murmured as she filled her newly purchased water jar to the brim. "It's been here since before the land changed. We drove it out of its own home—and now it struggles even to draw in spiritual energy."
Jar in hand, she headed toward the field.
According to her third uncle's spirit planter's manual, it was best to water spiritual seeds daily before they sprouted—the moisture helped awaken their dormant potential. She checked the spiritual energy levels in her field again. They had decreased, but not as dramatically as the day before. This time, the loss seemed like natural absorption from the seeds themselves.
Satisfied, she quickly uncapped her jade flask and began watering.
Then she turned toward the vine. It had retreated deep into the soil, only a small tip still visible above ground. The barrier she had set yesterday remained unbroken.
"It really didn't siphon any spiritual energy last night? So well-behaved?"
Her impression of the vine improved considerably. With a flick of her fingers, she lifted the restriction. As if sensing the shift, the vine cautiously poked its head above the soil.
Chen Jinshu chuckled softly. "Since I'm taking your land, it's only fair I pay some rent. Let's consider this watering interest."
With a lift of her hand, she poured a full three-acre dose of Frost Pond Water directly onto the vine. The moment the chilled water soaked into the earth, the vine absorbed it eagerly. A soft green glow shimmered along its surface.
"It grew by several inches just now?"
Chen Jinshu was stunned by its rapid growth, though the glow dimmed as quickly as it had appeared. Then she noticed—the rot at the vine's roots hadn't healed at all.
"What kind of damage did it suffer to end up like this?"
The roots reminded her of a decaying tree, save for the fact that it hadn't fully succumbed—yet.
"Let's try the Wood Healing Technique," she muttered.
She closed her eyes, recalling the incantation. Softly murmuring the words, she guided a small stream of green wood-element spiritual energy from her dantian and channeled it toward the vine's roots. It was her first time using it—the thread of light was barely the width of her pinky finger.
"Sorry, it's my first time with this technique. Still, maybe it'll help?" she said gently to the vine.
To her surprise, the vine gave a small nod, then slowly wrapped a tendril around her finger in silent gratitude.
Just then, the disciple token at her waist lit up with a dim, cyan glow. She frowned, fed a touch of spiritual power into the token—and a calm, resonant voice echoed from it.
"At the quarter of the hour of Si (9-11 AM), Gu Zhēnrén will deliver a lecture on Spirit Planting in the Hall of Medicine Kings. All disciples are expected to attend."
"Jīndān Zhēnrén? Already?" Chen Jinshu's eyes lit up.
Self-study could only go so far—real progress came with proper guidance.
"I'll give you another round of healing, then," she said to the vine with a smile.
She channeled her green spiritual energy once more, applying the Wood Healing Technique a second time. After another brief watering of her field, Chen Jinshu turned and hurried toward the Hall of Medicine Kings.
Thanks to her Rainbow Step technique, she made quick work of the distance. In just a few minutes, she arrived before the grand hall, where two Foundation Establishment-level senior uncles stood guard.
"Lectures are starting! Disciples who are late won't be allowed in!" one of them called.
Chen Jinshu nodded, flashed her token, and slipped inside. After a quick scan of the room, she picked a cushion near the middle row and sat down, back straight and attentive.
Up ahead sat an elder dressed in a deep black-green robe, a sheer black veil covering his head. His face was kindly, his beard dusted with white.
Two more quarter-hours passed. Gu Zhēnrén glanced toward the entrance. The senior uncles quietly swung the doors shut with a muffled thump, turning away a few panting latecomers.
"Latecomers are barred entry," came their final warning.
Then silence.
"I am Gu Daoyong," the elder finally said. "Third-rank Spirit Planter of Medicine King Peak. Today, I'll be lecturing on the path of the Spirit Planter."
"Greetings, Ancestor Gu!" Chen Jinshu and the rest rose and saluted in unison.
"No need for ceremony," he waved them down.
"Since you've chosen the path of Medicine King Peak, remember this well: before one can become an alchemist, one must first become a competent Spirit Planter. Without understanding a plant's properties, how could you ever refine it into a pill?"
His voice was steady and warm, carrying an irresistible flow that pulled even the most distracted disciple into deep focus. Even Chen Jinshu sat with unwavering attention. His words etched themselves into her mind, impossible to forget.
"Today's topic is the cultivation and stimulation of spirit seeds."
"A spirit seed is the condensed essence of a spiritual plant's life. As long as a trace of life remains, extraordinary methods may revive it..."
Chen Jinshu jotted notes in the margin of her uncle's manual with a slender brush, marking every vital point without disturbing anyone around her.
Time passed.
After three hours, many of the disciples had begun to nod off. Some even entered dreamland entirely.
But Chen Jinshu remained sharply focused, especially when Gu Zhēnrén detailed a method to rapidly heal rotting roots using specialized medicinal treatments.
Just as she leaned forward, eager for more—he stopped speaking.
No elaboration. No follow-up.
"That's all for today," Gu Daoyong announced. "The next lecture will be held in half a month. Be sure to remember what you've learned."
With a flick of his sleeve, a small, brownish-yellow pouch floated into view before him.
He smiled faintly, gesturing to it.
"Hehe, today's assessment. Each of you will draw one spirit seed from this pouch—variety and quality vary. Luck decides your fate. Within the next half month, you are to cultivate it. The best results… will be rewarded."