Yuan Ming slowly approached, feeling a fresh aura wash over him. It was invisible and intangible, yet it refreshed his heart and delighted his mind, instantly sweeping away every distracting thought.
He extended a hand and gently stroked the slender bamboo, feeling its warm, jade-like texture. An inexplicable joy rose within him.
Beside the bitter bamboo, a hundred flowers vied in splendor and spirit herbs grew lush and green. All of them thrived beneath the protection of the World Tree, each one extraordinarily rare, like treasures nature had specially laid out for this place.
The Five Elements Child was carefully tending these spirit plants by the tree. Sensing Yuan Ming's arrival, he immediately turned around and respectfully bowed to him.
"How is the bitter bamboo growing?" Yuan Ming asked with a smile, waving a hand to indicate that the Five Elements Child need not stand on ceremony.
"The bitter bamboo has reached thirteen thousand years of age and is full of vitality," the Five Elements Child answered, a trace of pride on his face.
He then gave a detailed report on the other transplanted spirit medicines. He knew the condition of every plant like the back of his hand. Yuan Ming nodded repeatedly as he listened, praising the Five Elements Child's skill in cultivating spirit plants.
As they spoke, the two slowly circled the World Tree, inspecting the flourishing expanse of spirit medicines.
Suddenly, Yuan Ming's brows lifted slightly, and his gaze fell upon a figure in the distance.
"Why is she here?" Yuan Ming asked in surprise, pointing at that figure.
Qiu Nü was seated cross-legged, her eyes closed in cultivation. The aura of her cultivation was far stronger than before, and she had already reached the Late Core Formation Stage.
"Five years ago, Qiu Nü successfully advanced to