Divine Continent, Anlan Prefecture, Chan Peak Spirit Herb Garden.
The autumn wind soughed, stirring the medicinal fragrance that filled the garden. Great swaths of Seven-Colored Brocade Orchids swayed with the breeze, like streaks of brilliant rainbow clouds shining over the spirit peak, a scene of beauty beyond compare.
As evening drew near, herb farmers carrying medicine baskets came down Chan Peak one after another. They were old and young alike, but all wore tired looks.
Before long, the herb farmers had gathered at the foot of the mountain one after another, gradually splitting into several small groups.
Lin Daqi leaned against a pine tree by the roadside, gazing with a half-smile at a gray-haired old man in ocher clothes a few steps away, and said as if out of concern, "Old Liu, you have to turn in ten dou of Dawn-Eating Orchid Dew this month. You'd better hurry. If you fail the quota again, the supervisor will drive you down the mountain."
The old man in ocher carefully set down his medicine basket, then pounded his aching lower back, a trace of helplessness appearing on his face.
"No need for Brother Lin to worry. This old man got up an hour earlier these past few days. This month's amount should be enough." The old man in ocher turned to look at Lin Daqi, his eyes somewhat cloudy.
Lin Daqi was startled when he heard this. Then he straightened up, strode behind Old Liu, and actually began rummaging through the medicine basket without the slightest attempt to avoid anyone's eyes.
"Hey, hey, Brother Lin, stop!" Seeing this, Old Liu hurriedly rushed forward, trying to stop Lin Daqi's movements.
But he was old and frail, his cultivation only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. How could he compare to a burly