Chapter 21: Dantai Chan

Wang Yu had temporarily memorized enough herbal knowledge, and since he was about to report to the herb garden, it would be beneficial to integrate that knowledge through practical experience.

If he could perfect the Night Stealth Charm, others would find it difficult to pinpoint his location, preventing a repeat of the ambush by the Spirit Mazer four days prior.

A wise man keeps his instruments hidden, awaiting the opportune moment!

Only by remaining hidden can one secure a future.

After packing his belongings, Wang Yu set out, knowing he wouldn't return for six months.

Steward Tantai's private herb garden was located within Evil God Plaza, a territory belonging to the Ninth Peak, Evil God Peak. This lineage lacked a Nascent Soul True Monarch; its highest-ranking cultivator was only at the peak of Core Formation, placing them in a lower position within the Spirit Reversal Blood Sect. Consequently, the situation in Evil God Plaza was quite chaotic, with individuals from the other eight peaks having established themselves there to claim a share.

Tantai Chan belonged to Cold Blood Peak, yet her herb garden was situated in Evil God Plaza, demonstrating the significant influence of the Cold Blood lineage. After all, a herb garden is not a minor facility; its growth requires absorbing substantial spiritual energy. Such gardens are often placed directly above spiritual veins and require various formations to be set up to simulate the specific growing environments needed by different spiritual herbs. First-tier spiritual herbs did not have overly strict environmental requirements, so their cultivation should not be too difficult.

Walking straight along the main street, following the quest scroll's directions, Wang Yu finally reached the main entrance two hours later. From the outside, it appeared to be a large courtyard, situated slightly off-center in Evil God Plaza. Inside, the spiritual energy was incredibly dense, almost forming a thin mist. Walls two people high enclosed the entire perimeter, with only the main gate resembling a grand archway, featuring upturned eaves and carvings of unidentified small beasts.

He gently knocked on the gate, which featured a bat-shaped knocker. The eyes of the bronze beast head emitted two beams of light, and the gate only opened after they scanned the quest scroll in his hand.

Wang Yu stepped inside and was immediately greeted by a vast array of spiritual herbs. To the left was Five Essence Grass, a first-tier spiritual herb and one of the main ingredients for refining Grain-Avoiding Pills. To the right was Bone-Strengthening Flower, also a first-tier spiritual herb and a key ingredient for refining Body Tempering Pills. Spiritual herbs themselves are not categorized into low, medium, high, or supreme grades, only differentiated as common, rare, and so on. However, the pills refined from them do have such grades, which are determined by the alchemist's skill.

Steward Tantai's herb garden featured large-scale cultivation, which greatly relieved Wang Yu, as it meant less hassle. This was only the front courtyard, and the two herb fields together contained over a thousand spiritual herbs, representing a considerable value.

In the center was a transparent 'Wind-Through Hall' running front to back, adorned only with a few sheer curtains and wind chimes. The gentle breeze, combined with the garden's pervasive herbal aroma, was incredibly refreshing. A straight line of houses connected to the Wind-Through Hall, effectively dividing the entire herb garden in half. The back garden contained four herb fields where rarer spiritual herbs were cultivated: Yellow Lotus Ganoderma, Frigid Nine-Leaf Grass, Jade Dragon Orchid... and two second-tier spiritual trees, Moonlight Trees. The Moonlight Fruits they bore were not only beneficial for beauty and skincare but also helped Foundation Establishment cultivators practicing Yin-cold cultivation methods to advance their true essence. They ripen only once every ten years, making them a rare variety among second-tier spiritual herbs. Being fruit trees, their ability to produce continuously makes them more valuable than ordinary spiritual herbs.

As Wang Yu looked around, his nostrils twitched, and he suddenly caught a fragrant breeze from his right. He turned to look intently. He saw a figure dressed in a light green, cinched-waist flowing gown, her hair styled in an exquisite cloud bun adorned with a golden hairpin, and a fish-shaped floral ornament with a gold-and-blue gem dot on her forehead. Two wisps of flowing silk draped around her arms and shoulders, and her long legs swayed gracefully as she approached. Her delicate features included long, narrow eyes, and she exuded a unique blend of youthful innocence and alluring charm. However, a bone-chilling coldness emanated from her gaze. While Wang Yu was struck by her stunning beauty, he remained unbewildered.

"Wang Yu, a cultivator from Ice Snow Pavilion, greets Senior Tantai."

Tantai Chan nodded slightly, observing Wang Yu's white hair and distinctly aged face before quickly losing interest. "Do you have confidence in taking care of my herb garden?"

Wang Yu nodded, then shook his head. "Except for these two Moonlight Trees, I'm confident I can maintain the other spiritual herbs for six months without issue."

"That's true." Upon seeing the Black Blood Disciple token on Wang Yu's waist, Tantai Chan instantly understood he was merely an outer disciple and handed him a jade slip. "It contains methods for cultivating the Moonlight Trees, as well as solutions for dealing with pests and diseases," she explained. "I need to enter seclusion for the next six months to refine a batch of spiritual pills. Whether I emerge early or late, you must ensure that not a single herb is missing from the garden."

"Your disciple obeys the command."

"Very good," she said. "The house on the right is yours, and it contains the tools and seeds needed for cultivating the herb fields. If any spiritual herbs mature, remember to harvest and replant them. You can start today."

"Yes—!"

For the next period, Wang Yu became a dedicated herbal farmer, weeding, catching insects, and patrolling the fields three times daily, demonstrating remarkable diligence and responsibility. Tantai Chan observed him for a few days, and after confirming there were no issues, she entered seclusion in the hermitage to the left of the Wind-Through Hall. Although Wang Yu knew she was an alchemist, they had no close relationship, so he deemed it inappropriate to ask too many questions. He simply focused on diligently farming.

Besides his work, he also diligently pursued his cultivation. After all, at this stage, the effect of the 'placement bar' feature could be summarized as "Diligence can compensate for lack of talent." He needed to personally circulate his cultivation method to compress his spiritual energy, thereby completing the first spirit refinement and improving its quality. The difficulty of condensing ten units into one was considerable. He cultivated until his meridians reached their limit, and when his mind was weary from concentration, he would continue to study the Ice Shield Art until midnight before finally resting. A fulfilling life made time seem to pass quickly.

In a blink of an eye, it was the thirty-fifth day of Wang Yu's outer sect life; he had been at this private herb garden for a month.

On this day, a knock sounded at the gate of Tantai's herb garden, and Wang Yu, carrying his hoe, went to open it. Standing before him was an elegant man in a blue robe and cloud-shaped crown, with two long, silvery-white whiskers hanging from his temples. Though his face appeared young, he was likely quite old. The aura he exuded was immense to Wang Yu, indicating he was a powerful Foundation Establishment stage cultivator. Wang Yu quickly bowed and said, "Wang Yu, outer disciple of Cold Blood Peak, greets Senior Foundation Establishment cultivator."

"Rise. Are you..."

"A herbal farmer."

Wang Yu waved his small hoe a few times, and the cloud-crowned cultivator's expression shifted to one of understanding. "I have something to discuss with Junior Sister Tantai," he said. "Is she currently at home?"

"Senior Tantai is in seclusion refining pills and should not be disturbed," Wang Yu quickly replied. "She will not emerge for at least another six months."

"In that case, please deliver this invitation to Junior Sister Tantai on my behalf."

"Yes!"

After watching him leave, Wang Yu closed the gate and looked at the red invitation in his hand, noting the event was approximately eight months away. "The Xu Family's Pill Shop is opening, inviting Senior Tantai to attend the ceremony?"

"The Xu Family's Pill Shop..."

Wang Yu had some thoughts; he still harbored aspirations for the path of alchemy, which was precisely why he was working here, laying a foundation. Otherwise, he might have used his one thousand contribution points to acquire an alchemy inheritance. He pondered this for a moment, but Wang Yu was not in a hurry. Learning alchemy was incredibly expensive, and besides using the 'placement bar' as a shortcut, he lacked the capital to properly study it. He decided to wait a little longer. Once his spell cultivation was nearly complete, he would make the exchange.