She remembered the medicinal herb garden at Qing Xu Temple.
Although the temple didn't provide spiritual plants to its outer sect disciples, it did give them some ordinary mountain herbs.
The Deacon Elder allocated them by season according to all the outer sect disciples' cultivation levels and contributions.
They didn't have fertile spiritual fields like this, but everyone still got a share, and everything was orderly.
Direct disciples and inner sect disciples received spiritual plants, and direct disciples could even get them without completing any tasks.
But no one would fight among themselves over them.
Violent conflicts within the sect were strictly forbidden.
They could spar, but whatever the reason, they were never allowed to kill one another.
There were no open conflicts there; at most, people exchanged a few sarcastic remarks.
Since so many troubles started with careless words, the disciples' speech and conduct were also regulated.
But here...
What kind of "fairness" was this?
They had deliberately laid out the best resources and the most tempting benefits for everyone to see, yet set no rules at all.
This was clearly instigating them!
Encouraging the low-ranking disciples to fight among themselves and slaughter one another for such paltry gains, for that twenty percent share!
Keeping them so occupied with infighting that they had no energy left to question or challenge the ruling class.
It was exactly the same as the strict hierarchy at the Food Pavilion and the enormous disparity between the thatched huts and the Immortal Abode!
They were all using the most direct rewards and the cruelest rules to tame them!
Making them accept the law of the jungle, numbing them through constant infighting!
How sinister!
A hundred thoughts raced through Su Ling'er's mind, but she didn't dare show any of them. She could only lower her head and reply:
"Senior Disciple Brother is right. Ling'er has learned her lesson."
The two continued onward, skirting a noisy medicinal field.
But in a secluded corner ahead, the scene was rather strange.
The disciples kept their distance from it, their faces betraying a hint of wariness.
Su Ling'er took a closer look.
There, in the corner, stood a plant about half a person tall, with a plaque beneath it.
The plaque bore the words "Shen Nong."
The plant was pitch-black, its vines twisted, and a huge dark purple bud at its crown opened and closed repeatedly.
An ominous aura seeped faintly from the bud.
"Junior Sister, take a look at this."
"This is the handiwork of our sect's Junior Brother Shen Nong.
"He wanted to combine the devouring Dao of the 'Soul Devouring Vine' with the illusory arts of the 'Bewitching Immortal Flower.'
"Though he didn't succeed, he found another way and created this curious plant."
His eyes gleamed with admiration.
"This flower doesn't harm the body, but it can reveal the heart."
"Anyone who approaches it will see the thing they fear most, deep within their soul."
"Junior Sister, do you know what this means for cultivators like us?"
"Your junior sister doesn't know. Please enlighten me, Senior Disciple Brother."
The junior sister looked at her senior brother with some confusion, trying to learn the secrets of the plant.
"The greatest hurdle on the path of cultivation is the 'Inner Demon Tribulation.'
"It has no form or substance, and strikes directly at the heart.
"So many geniuses have fallen at this very hurdle.
"But this flower can let us glimpse the shadow of our inner demons ahead of time and face our deepest fears.
"If we can observe it often and stay alert, then when the time comes to overcome the tribulation, we'll be more composed and have a better chance of succeeding."
Su Ling'er felt speechless as she listened.
The Inner Demon Tribulation?
I haven't even reached the threshold of Foundation Establishment, and you're talking to me about the Inner Demon Tribulation that Nascent Soul Patriarchs have to worry about?
You're thinking way too far ahead!
With conditions in this Demon Den, it's still uncertain whether I'll even survive long enough to return to Qing Xu Temple and rebuild my meridians.
She grumbled inwardly, but didn't dare let up. She could only pretend to take his words to heart.
Lin Qingfeng seemed to see through her doubts. He changed tack, then circled back to his point.
"Does Junior Sister feel that this tribulation is still far off?"
He sighed, speaking earnestly.
"It is precisely because it is so far away that the ordinary path of cultivation seems so... long and hopeless."
"Junior Sister, forgive my bluntness. With your aptitude, if you follow the usual path, you may truly never reach that step in your lifetime."
"But you still have the Sword Refining Art!"
"A heaven-defying path created for ordinary people!
"It's painful, but it isn't limited by your aptitude!
"Even if you have a Pseudo Spiritual Root and exceptionally poor bones, it can help you break through your limitations and reach Foundation Establishment in one leap.
"If you don't think that's safe enough, you can also take more Foundation Establishment Pills when you break through. Our sect's pills are definitely cheaper than those elsewhere, and their quality is guaranteed.
"And you've seen our sect's reserves of spiritual plants. They can ensure you won't die on the spot.
"If you practice the Sword Refining Art, those senior brothers who practice it too might even help you secure an extra share of cultivation resources!
"Junior Sister! Aren't you tempted?"
Boom!
Su Ling'er's imagination began to run wild.
In her mind...
A world-shaking battle was unfolding.
A figure in black robes stood in midair, facing a disciple of the Gui Xi Sect.
Since Su Ling'er had spent the most time with Lin Qingfeng, the figure looked about eighty percent like him.
He faced a ferocious beast, his expression impassive.
He reached out with his right hand and grabbed at empty air.
"Sword, come!"
He shouted.
Then Su Ling'er felt her body fly forward against her will.
Not toward his side.
But... toward his hand.
A warm, powerful hand gripped her ankle tightly.
Then he held her upside down.
Her head pointed down, her feet up.
The wind rushed into her nose and mouth, her long hair whipping wildly in the air.
She saw the beast's claws come crashing down.
And Lin Qingfeng, gripping her ankle, swung her entire body like a sword!
"Clang—!"
Her head struck the beast's claws, ringing like metal against metal!
Sparks flew everywhere!
No—!!!!!
In her imagination, Su Ling'er let out a bloodcurdling scream.
What kind of thing was that?!
He was going to use my head to fight someone else's—or a beast's?!
Could anyone really come up with a way to cultivate like that?!
A wicked, unorthodox path!
A thoroughly wicked, unorthodox path!
Those lunatics never bothered to figure out how to improve their own cultivation. All they did was dream up these crooked methods!
"Junior Sister? Junior Sister?"
Lin Qingfeng's voice pulled her back from the terrifying vision.
Su Ling'er jolted, her face deathly pale.
"I... I'm fine,"
"It's just... what Senior Disciple Brother said is too... too shocking."
"Ling'er needs more time to understand it. I don't dare rush into it."
"Alas, the Dao heart is indeed the foundation of cultivation. Take your time to understand it."
Lin Qingfeng sighed, seemingly unsurprised.
He walked forward a couple of steps and stopped in front of the eerie black flower.
"In that case, let's not talk about cultivation."
He turned around, his gaze fixed intently on Su Ling'er.
"Junior Sister, would you like to... go over and try it?"
"I'm curious to see what it'll look like to you."
"What is your deepest fear, or..."
"What is your biggest secret?"
Thump!
Su Ling'er's heart gave a heavy beat.
Without thinking, she took a sudden step back.
Her heel landed on a raised stone. She stumbled, nearly falling.
She stared at Lin Qingfeng in terror.
Could it be...
Could he be testing me?!
This sinister flower could reveal the deepest fears and secrets in a person's heart!
If I approach, what will it turn into?
The gates of Qing Xu Temple?
The Sect Master's worried face?
Or the Gu insect I use to send messages?!
Or maybe the bug Gu I use to pass along information in case something goes wrong?!
No matter what it turns into, if I'm exposed, I'm finished!
Then...
Whether I'm refined into a pill or turned into a "human sword"...
I'm afraid I won't get to choose.
What should I do?
What do I do?!
Sect Master, where are you? Hurry and come save your disciple! QAQ!
Before you continue