Chapter 194: Spirit Plant Department

"Those three are the Head, Deputy Head, and Inspector of our Spiritual Plants Department."

"On the left is Senior Brother Liu Guilong, and on the right is Senior Brother Li Li."

After they sat down, Lu Jun introduced them to Chen Mobai using a voice transmission spell.

"Head, although my Foundation Establishment failed, my cultivation level hasn't dropped. I believe it's better if I continue to hold this True Disciple position."

Liu Guilong, pale-faced, was indeed the True Disciple of the Spiritual Plants Department. However, no sooner had he finished speaking than Li Li, who was opposite him, stood up to refute.

"Senior Brother Liu, you know the sect's rules: the capable hold the position. I'm not trying to take your True Disciple spot; it's just that the year-end sect competition is approaching. Although your cultivation level hasn't dropped, your Foundation Establishment failed, significantly reducing your combat ability. If you lose in the competition, wouldn't that bring shame to our Spiritual Plants Department?"

"Although I may not be exceptionally talented, I am confident I can defeat anyone in the sect, save for a select few prodigies."

"Perhaps Senior Brother Liu should first recuperate. Once you've recovered and completed some sect missions to pay off the contribution points you owe us, I will immediately return this True Disciple position to you."

As soon as Li Li spoke, many fellow disciples around him immediately nodded in agreement. Even some junior brothers next to Liu Guilong himself showed hesitation.

"Senior Brother Liu's excessive attachment to power seems unwise and out of character for him. Could his mind have been affected by his failed Foundation Establishment?" Teng Jie muttered to himself. Lu Jun, who overheard him, couldn't help but nod, thinking it likely.

The two continued to argue, while Chen Mobai sat silently in a corner, observing. By the time they had mostly finished, the three elders above had also finished their tea.

"Such matters are hard to resolve with words alone," a plump Foundation Establishment elder, seated on the far right, said with a chuckle, then proposed the simplest solution. "Nephews, why not settle this with a match according to the sect's combat rules? Whoever wins will be the True Disciple representative of our Spiritual Plants Department."

As soon as this was said, Li Li suppressed a smile and nodded to the three elders above, indicating he had no objection.

Although Liu Guilong's face was pale, a hint of ruthlessness flashed across it. Just as he was about to teach Li Li a lesson, his ear twitched slightly. A flicker of unwillingness appeared in his eyes, but ultimately, he sighed.

"Never mind. We are all fellow disciples; there's no need for confrontation. Nephew Liu, please focus on recuperating for now," the Foundation Establishment cultivator seated in the very center of the three suddenly spoke. Lu Jun introduced him, stating he was Lu Zhiwen, the Head of the Spiritual Plants Department.

"Nephew Li will temporarily assume the True Disciple position."

As soon as Lu Zhiwen spoke, the decision was instantly finalized. The Foundation Establishment elders on both his left and right had no objections, nodding in unison.

In the end, Liu Guilong could only leave dejectedly. When he left, only one Qi Refining junior brother followed him out. The remaining four people all gathered around the new True Disciple of the Spiritual Plants Department, Li Li.

"Come, follow me."

Seeing the three Foundation Establishment cultivators also rise and depart, Lu Jun immediately led Chen Mobai to follow the plump Foundation Establishment elder into a courtyard.

"This is Elder Sun Gaochang from the Hall of Rewards, and he is also our Spiritual Plants Department's Inspector," Teng Jie walked alongside Chen Mobai, explaining the identity of the person they were currently meeting.

As a crucial department responsible for managing the Divine Wood Sect's thousands of acres of medicinal fields, the three Foundation Establishment elders of the Spiritual Plants Department hailed from the three main halls. The Inspector was sent by the Hall of Rewards to oversee the production of spiritual herbs and spiritual rice, preventing corruption. Although his authority was not as great as that of the Head or Deputy Head, no one dared to neglect him. Lu Jun and Teng Jie were considered his associates.

"Have a seat."

After walking through the courtyard, the three entered a study. Sun Gaochang gestured for them to sit, then took a document from Lu Jun and began to read it. It was the mission report detailing their harvest from the three acres of spiritual fields Chen Mobai had planted. When Sun Gaochang saw the per-acre yield, his eyes lit up.

"Is Nephew Chen a new disciple who just joined this year?"

"Yes." Chen Mobai dared not say much, only lowering his head and replying with a feigned look of apprehension.

Sun Gaochang then asked about who guided him into the sect, his spiritual root talent, his current cultivation progress, and even some highly specialized knowledge about cultivating spiritual plants. Chen Mobai answered each question, meticulously choosing his words regarding cultivation to avoid revealing spiritual plant techniques that surpassed those of the Tianhe Realm. It was a difficult task. Nevertheless, after listening, Sun Gaochang's face showed satisfaction. He was indeed a talent in spiritual plant cultivation, especially regarding farming, where he displayed unique insights that even surprised Sun Gaochang.

"Indeed, if your talents can be fully utilized, it would greatly benefit the sect. However, since you haven't been in the sect for long, I can't assign you too heavy a task right away." Sun Gaochang's tone was gentle. He then led the three to a wall in the study where a detailed leather map was hung.

"Nephew Chen, you cultivated seven acres of spiritual fields here, didn't you?" Sun Gaochang pointed to a yellowish-brown triangle on the south side of the Great Wood Ridge map. Chen Mobai looked closely and saw it was labeled "Little Sun Ridge."

"Reporting to the Inspector, it's a bit further from Little Sun Ridge, over here," Lu Jun immediately pointed to three small red dots to the right of Little Sun Ridge.

"Oh, it's over here then. That's perfect. Little Sun Ridge has a Grade 2 high-tier spiritual vein, and there are two acres of medicinal fields at its base, plus over ten scattered acres of spiritual fields nearby. How about we entrust these to Nephew Chen to manage?" Sun Gaochang glanced at the map and immediately used his plump finger to circle the yellowish-brown triangle, encompassing the two small blue dots and a large area of scattered small red dots nearby.

Chen Mobai followed his finger, looking at the outlined area, and remained silent. Such a large area, with spiritual fields scattered in different locations—if he were to cultivate it all by himself, he wouldn't even have time to cultivate daily. This was completely different from what Lu Jun and Teng Jie had told him earlier.

"Does Nephew Chen have any other opinions?"

However, faced with the decision of Foundation Establishment Elder Sun Gaochang, he could only nod in agreement. "The Inspector's arrangement is excellent; I have no objections."

"Alright, Lu Jun, handle the paperwork for Little Sun Ridge for Nephew Chen. It seems there's still a sect disciple looking after those two acres of medicinal fields there. Since it's year-end, just say the harvest wasn't ideal and have him replaced." After Sun Gaochang finished speaking, he waved his hand, signaling that the three of them could withdraw.

Chen Mobai followed Lu Jun back to the main hall of the Spiritual Plants Department. Before he could speak, Teng Jie immediately apologized and explained.

"Junior Brother Chen, Senior Brother Liu Guilong belongs to the Head's faction, and Senior Brother Li Li belongs to the Deputy Head's faction. Only Inspector Sun's line has yet to produce a True Disciple. Work hard; after Senior Brother Li Li, it might well be you."

Chen Mobai's mouth twitched upon hearing this. He, for one, would not fall for it again. He was still too young, but having been lured into the Spiritual Plants Department, he could only accept it for now. If it truly hindered his cultivation, he would simply slack off and stop farming.