Withered Garden Springs Anew, Duobao's Trial

Daoist Duobao's gaze was like two invisible sharp swords, piercing Xuanwei's immortal energy's original form until it was somewhat unstable. There was none of Ma Sui's curiosity and enthusiasm in his eyes, only a bottomless scrutiny and a hint of... imperceptible rejection?

"G-Great... Senior Brother." Xuanwei quickly imitated Ma Sui's manner and bowed respectfully. Inside, his heart was pounding wildly: This esteemed elder was practically the Intercepting Sect's chief manager, second only to Sect Master Tongtian in power! If he took a disliking to him, his future days in the Intercepting Sect would be difficult indeed.

Ma Sui chuckled heartily from the side, trying to smooth things over, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother Xuanwei just joined the sect and was worried about his cultivation expenses, so I pointed him towards that abandoned medicine garden in the back mountains. I didn't expect Junior Brother to have such a talent for nurturing spirit plants. Look at his methods..."

Daoist Duobao's gaze swept over the small, vibrant sprout that had been secondarily stimulated to grow. His eyes flickered, but the seriousness on his face did not diminish in the slightest. "Nurturing spirit plants is indeed a good deed. However, we cultivators should focus on comprehending the Great Dao and diligently cultivating Spiritual Power as our foundation. If we indulge solely in such external arts, obsessing over worldly resources, aren't we abandoning the root for the branches and delaying our Dao path?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, as if he were reciting some dogma.

Xuanwei scoffed inwardly, thinking, The well-fed don't know the hunger of the starving. You, the Saint's chief disciple, lack for nothing in terms of resources, so of course you can preach from a position of privilege. With my frail body, if I don't solve the problem of basic sustenance first, how will I have the energy to comprehend your lofty Great Dao?

But he dared not say this outwardly, only putting on a humble and receptive demeanor. "Senior Brother's reprimand is wise. This disciple will certainly keep it in mind and prioritize cultivation. It's just that I am new and my cultivation is shallow. To travel ten thousand li, one must first take a single step. This method of stimulation, to me, is also a form of cultivation, capable of honing my control over spiritual energy and vitality."

His words were neither subservient nor overbearing. He acknowledged the importance of cultivation while also highlighting his current predicament and the practical value of this "skill."

Daoist Duobao heard this and looked at him deeply, seemingly surprised that this new junior brother was so eloquent and quick-witted.

"Clever words and a pleasing countenance," Daoist Duobao's tone remained indifferent. "Since you are so insistent, I shall give you an opportunity."

He flicked his sleeve, and a stream of spiritual light shot towards Xuanwei, transforming into a token that was neither gold nor jade. An ancient character for "medicine" was carved upon it.

"This is the Restriction Token for the medicine garden in the back mountains. That garden has been abandoned for many years. Not only is it overgrown with weeds, but due to changes in the earth's qi (energy flow), it has also spawned some spirit-absorbing rocks and poisonous mushrooms, and may even attract some minor demons and monsters. If you can clear ten mu of Spirit Field within a month and successfully cultivate any low-grade Spirit Grass, you will have passed my test. Only then can you truly use the medicine garden, and I will no longer interfere with your cultivation in this path."

"If you fail..." Daoist Duobao's tone turned cold. "Then it will prove that your will is not firm and you are easily swayed by external matters. In that case, you will meditate and chant scriptures peacefully in Biyou Palace, and you shall not engage in such miscellaneous tasks for a hundred years!"

One month? Clearing ten mu of wasteland? And successfully growing Spirit Grass? Moreover, it sounded like the place had quite a few problems!

Xuanwei inwardly exclaimed, Good heavens... This isn't a test, it's clearly a show of dominance and extreme pressure! As expected of someone who will become a Buddha in the future, their methods are indeed impressive!

Ma Sui, listening from the side, clicked his tongue. He clearly felt the requirements were too harsh for a minor Earth Immortal, but he dared not refute Daoist Duobao.

Xuanwei knew he had no retreat. This was not only about the right to use the medicine garden, but also a crucial battle to prove his worth in front of Daoist Duobao, the powerful Senior Brother! If he backed down now, he might as well forget about holding his head high in the Intercepting Sect!

He took a deep breath, his immortal energy in its original form straightened (as much as possible), and he took the token, saying solemnly, "Disciple Xuanwei accepts the order! I will not disappoint Senior Brother!"

Daoist Duobao nodded slightly and said no more. With a flash of his figure, he disappeared from the great hall.

"Junior Brother, you..." Ma Sui leaned over, his chubby face filled with worry. "I've passed by that place occasionally. It's terribly desolate, and there are a few 'Spirit-Devouring Rocks' that are quite troublesome. A month, I'm afraid..."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother, where there's a will, there's a way!" Xuanwei interrupted him, a mixed expression of nervousness and excitement flashing across his face (mental fluctuation). "Isn't it just clearing land and planting crops! We don't have much else, but we have strength (immortal energy) and... a little bit of skill!"

After bidding farewell to Ma Sui, Xuanwei, with the token integrated into his body, flew towards the back mountains of Biyou Palace according to the directions.

Passing through a bamboo forest shrouded in ethereal mist, the scene before him made him gasp.

"Good heavens... This isn't a medicine garden, it's clearly a Primordial World version of a garbage dump?!"

He saw a vast valley where the weeds grew taller than trees, and various thorny vines emitting strange odors were intertwined. Here and there on the ground, patches of dark gray stones, riddled with holes, were exposed. These stones seemed alive, pulsing slightly, greedily absorbing the thin spiritual energy in the surrounding air—these must be the "Spirit-Devouring Rocks" Ma Sui mentioned. Even more, some brightly colored, strangely shaped mushrooms (Poisonous Mushrooms) were scattered about like stars, emitting ominous fluctuations. The entire valley was thin in spiritual energy and permeated with a dead aura.

[Environment Scan: Severe loss of land spiritual energy, soil compaction, rich in impurities. Detected "Low-grade Spirit-Devouring Rocks" x37, "Paralysis Poisonous Mushrooms" x15, "Spirit-Devouring Vines" x8. Overall clearing difficulty: High.]
[Recommendation: Prioritize clearing Spirit-Devouring Rocks and Poisonous Mushrooms, improve earth meridian nodes, and induce spiritual energy backflow.]

"The task is arduous..." Xuanwei sighed, but his gaze became even more determined. He was a man destined to change the fate of the Intercepting Sect; how could he be daunted by such a minor obstacle?

"Let's get to work!"

He first tried to use his immortal energy to form blades to cut the weeds and vines. The effect was mediocre; these plants were unusually tough, and even after being cut, their roots continued to greedily absorb the earth's energy.

He then tried to use the power of the Wutu Source to influence (?) those Spirit-Devouring Rocks. As a result, the rocks, like Taoties that had starved for hundreds of years, tried to absorb his Source instead!

"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!" Xuanwei's temper flared. He recalled a basic "Object-Dispelling Incantation" from the Supreme Pure Immortal Method. Although not very powerful, it should be sufficient for moving these inanimate objects.

He attempted to chant the incantation, and his immortal energy surged, forming an invisible giant hand. He grabbed a Spirit-Devouring Rock the size of a millstone and tried to lift it—

It didn't budge! These rocks not only devoured spirit energy, but they were also damnably heavy!

"I refuse to believe it!" Xuanwei gritted his teeth and activated the Qi-Guiding Chapter of the Chaos Heaven-Opening Art. Although it was only the Qi-Guiding Chapter, the hint of primordial chaos, evolution, and creation contained within it carried an inherent dominance!

He cast the Object-Dispelling Incantation again. This time, the immortal energy hand was faintly tinged with an extremely thin, seemingly all-decomposing chaotic hue!

"Lift!!"

With a low shout (mental roar), the incredibly heavy Spirit-Devouring Rock was actually lifted, albeit shakily! Although it was extremely strenuous and consumed a massive amount of immortal energy, it had indeed moved!

[Successfully moved "Low-grade Spirit-Devouring Rock"! Affinity between Chaos Heaven-Opening Art and Supreme Pure Immortal Method slightly increased! Control over strength improved!]

This was promising!

Xuanwei's spirits soared, and he began the arduous task of being a "rock mover." He carried the Spirit-Devouring Rocks one by one from the Spirit Field area and threw them into the corners of the valley. This process was extremely draining of both mental energy and immortal energy. After moving only a few rocks, he felt dizzy and his energy level was subtly declining.

But he did not stop. If he couldn't move them, he would meditate and recover, then continue moving them. At the same time, he carefully used his immortal energy to isolate the poisonous mushrooms and destroy them one by one.

After a few days, he was exhausted like a dead dog (in gaseous form), but the results were significant. A small portion of the ten mu Spirit Field area had been cleared. Although the land was still barren, at least the unsightly rocks and poisonous mushrooms were gone.

One day, he was struggling with a particularly large Spirit-Devouring Rock. This rock was like a stubborn holdout, lodged firmly at a small earth vein node, making it exceptionally tenacious.

Just as he was exerting all his strength, the chaotic light flashing, and about to pry this "holdout" loose—

An anomaly occurred!

The moment the giant rock was pulled free, the blocked earth vein node beneath it suddenly opened! A not-so-large, but exceptionally pure and gentle Innate Yi Wood Spirit Qi, like a long-suppressed spring, gushed out!

This Yi Wood Spirit Qi and the Wutu Source Core contained within Xuanwei's body had a natural affinity! Upon contact, a wondrous resonance occurred!

Xuanwei's mind was suddenly enlightened. He did not stop it but instead guided this gushing Yi Wood Spirit Qi, mixing it with his own Wutu Source, sprinkling it like sweet dew upon the newly cleared, barren land!

A miracle happened!

The previously compacted, dull soil rapidly softened and darkened before his very eyes! The roots of the remaining weeds quickly withered, decomposed, and turned into nutrients. Strands of vibrant life erupted from the depths of the earth!

Even a few Spirit Grass seeds, buried for who knows how long and long devoid of activity, were now quietly cracking open under the combined nourishment of this pure Yi Wood Spirit Qi and Wutu Source, sprouting tender, emerald-green buds!

[Successfully activated and purified the earth vein (Yi Wood branch)! Land quality improved! Meets "Lower-Grade Spirit Field" standards!]

[Successfully germinated "Withered Spirit-Nourishing Grass Seed" x3! Obtained "Spirit-Nourishing Grass Seedling"!]

[Quest "Duobao's Trial" Completion: 40%!]

Xuanwei gazed at the few Spirit-Nourishing Grass seedlings gently swaying in the breeze, emitting a faint spiritual glow. He then looked at the Spirit Field beneath his feet, now brimming with life. A surge of immense accomplishment and joy washed over him!

He had done it! He had truly revived this dead land!

At this rate, let alone a month, perhaps ten days more and he would completely finish the trial!

However, just as he was basking in his success, ready to press on and expand his gains--

[Warning! Detected multiple unknown energy signatures rapidly approaching the Medicine Garden valley!]

[Energy signature analysis: Mixed, containing Demonic Qi, Plant Essence... Malicious intent evident!]

[Risk assessment: Medium! Suspected "natives" attracted by the revived life and spiritual energy of this area?]

Xuanwei: "..." No way? Just as I finished the basic construction, some thugs want to extort protection fees?!

His "gaze" turned towards the valley entrance, where he saw several streaks of light of varying colors, brimming with Demonic Qi, charging aggressively in his direction!