Golden-Faced Gentleman

The next day.

A massive white crane descended upon the Ascension Platform, and from its back stepped a handsome, elegant man.

This man was Ren Jichuan, chief disciple of the Five Poisons Sect's Golden-Faced Gentleman.

Several cultivators on the Ascension Platform crowded around him.

"This is my Master's jade command token. I have come to select two disciples to handle odd jobs." The others accepted the jade command token Ren Jichuan handed over and examined it.

"My Master has already spent two hundred merit points. It is recorded clearly on this Jade Talisman," Ren Jichuan said.

According to sect rules, one hundred merit points could purchase one Spirit Awakening Early-stage disciple to run errands and perform chores.

"So it is someone under the Golden-Faced Gentleman. Forgive our disrespect," an older cultivator hurriedly said with a bow.

"The Li Family has sent over a dozen newly advanced cultivators. They are all waiting," a cultivator beside the Ascension Platform told Ren Jichuan.

Ren Jichuan was delighted to hear this. "Then go ask which of them know how to tend Spirit Grass."

Before long, a round-faced cultivator stepped forward to report, "The Li Family disciples all know how to tend Spirit Grass, and they can even refine Spirit Channeling Mirror early-stage pills."

"Senior Brother Ren, these people come from cultivation families. They barely need any teaching and are extremely useful."

"Oh? Then I'll pick two at random." Ren Jichuan looked over the list and selected the first two names. "Li Shuilang, Li Shuidao. Bring these two over for me to inspect."

"Yes!" A disciple at the side immediately responded and left.

Not long afterward, he returned with two youths. Both wore Wide Black Robes and had sword-like brows and starry eyes, strikingly handsome in appearance.

Ren Jichuan nodded in satisfaction. "What are your names?"

"This one is Li Shuilang. Greetings, Senior Ren." The slightly taller youth stepped forward and cupped his hands.

The other, somewhat thinner youth, also bowed. "This one is Li Shuidao."

"Mm." Ren Jichuan asked again, "Do you know how to tend Luokui Grass?"

Li Shuilang frowned. He had never even heard of Luokui Grass, so how could he possibly know how to care for it?

Li Shuidao answered directly, "Luokui Grass has a cold yin nature and must be planted in dark, damp places. The wetter and colder the soil, the better its growth. If decayed leaves are used as soil, the results will be even better."

"Hahaha... Good, good! Cultivation family disciples taught by the Li Family of Divine Wood City truly are extraordinary! These two will do." Ren Jichuan laughed approvingly.

Li Shuilang and Li Shuidao then followed Ren Jichuan onto a great crane.

The great crane rose into the sky, spreading its wings as it flew through a sea of clouds.

In only a short while, the great crane descended toward a mountaintop.

It was a tranquil peak, shaded by lush green trees and rich in Spiritual Energy. Near the cave dwelling stood seven or eight houses, each with its own distinctive character. Flowers and plants had been placed before every door, brimming with life.

At the center lay a broad Spirit Field planted with all manner of Spirit Grass. Outside the Spirit Field, in the courtyard, a graceful Female Cultivator sat drinking tea with a man.

Near the woodshed stood another man in gray, splitting firewood with an axe. He was not wearing the Five Poisons Sect cultivators' "Wide Black Robe," but was dressed entirely like an ordinary mortal.

The entire cave dwelling exuded an atmosphere of peace and comfort. A light mist began to rise at the horizon, carrying a faint fragrance that spread through the air, fresh and pleasant.

Spiritual Energy coiled around the cave dwelling. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell over it, illuminating a captivatingly tranquil vista. The scenery here was as beautiful as a painting, intoxicating to behold.

"This place is truly as picturesque as a poem," Li Shuilang could not help exclaiming.

"Master is drinking tea with Fairy Qin in the spirit herb garden. Please follow me to meet Master," Ren Jichuan said very politely.

"Senior Disciple Brother, if you need anything, simply command us," Li Shuidao said with cupped hands.

The three soon arrived at the Spirit Field. The Spirit Fields of Poison Dragon Ridge grew no grain; every one of them was planted entirely with Spirit Grass.

In the courtyard beside the Spirit Field, a tall man in golden robes chatted and laughed with a fair-skinned woman.

"That is my Master, the Golden-Faced Gentleman. The one beside him is Master's Wife Qin Yue'e. Be sure to show them proper respect," Ren Jichuan reminded them.

"We understand proper etiquette," Li Shuilang said.

The three approached.

"Master, I have brought you the people you wanted. Both of them know how to tend Spirit Grass." Ren Jichuan spoke with a beaming smile.

Li Shuidao and Li Shuilang immediately introduced themselves.

"Li Shuidao, Li Shuilang, we pay respects to Master and Master's Wife." The two knelt together and bowed, their manners exceptionally thorough.

The Golden-Faced Gentleman carefully examined the two of them, then asked with satisfaction, "Where are you from?"

"The Li Family of Divine Wood City."

"The Li Family of Divine Wood City? I have not heard of this cultivation family."

"Our Li Family only moved to Black Mountain fifty years ago," Li Shuidao said.

"Oh... no wonder. Do you two have any experience in this area?" the Golden-Faced Gentleman asked.

Li Shuilang had just been about to say no, though he was willing to follow Master and study diligently.

But Li Shuidao, who was usually not much of a talker, unexpectedly answered before him. "In our family, we managed Spirit Fields. We have considerable experience in this."

Li Shuilang: "..."

Upon hearing this, the Golden-Faced Gentleman was indeed overjoyed.

"Good! Then let me test you—do you recognize all these spirit grasses and medicinal herbs?"

"This..." Li Shuilang looked troubled.

Li Shuidao, however, rose directly to his feet and walked straight into the Spirit Field. Pointing at a patch of short green grass, he said, "This is Luokui Grass. Its leaves are covered in tiny stinging hairs. Once those hairs pierce the skin, they immediately cause confusion, even driving one into a frenzied loss of control."

He then took two more steps and pointed at a vine-like plant bearing pink flowers. "This is Fox Thorn Grass. Its leaves are covered in sharp thorns. If touched carelessly, even a Spirit Channeling Realm cultivator will be left exhausted and utterly powerless."

"This pungent-smelling one is Scorpion Tail Grass. Staying beside this poisonous grass for too long will weaken the body and cause chest tightness and shortness of breath." After speaking, Li Shuidao hurriedly backed away several steps.

He then came to a dark-red fern-like plant. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This is Wuzhi Grass. It is harmless by itself, but if it is picked and left sitting for several days, tiny blood-red granules will grow on its leaves. Those granules are highly poisonous."

"This is Flying Poison Flower! It is fiercely toxic. The yellow stamens at the center of its blossoms emit poisonous gas that corrodes the surrounding environment, making it exceedingly difficult to tend."

"That is Miasma Orchid. For a period each day, it releases miasma. This gas has an extremely powerful hypnotic effect and may cause people to faint or fall into a deep sleep... If a spirit plant cultivator is accidentally struck by the miasma while tending Miasma Orchid, then collapses unconscious within the range of Flying Poison Flower, half a day later, their flesh and blood may well have corroded into bare bones." Li Shuidao spoke with a grave expression.

"Hahaha... You truly were not lying. This old man has really stumbled upon a treasure." Golden-Faced Gentleman laughed heartily.

"Congratulations, Husband. Congratulations, Husband, on gaining such talent." Qin Yue'e rose to her feet, her face likewise full of delight.

"From now on, this Spirit Field will be entrusted to the two of you. Other than tending the Spirit Field, you need do nothing else. If you have any questions regarding cultivation, go ask your Senior Disciple Brother, Ren Jichuan."

"Many thanks, Master."

"Mm..." Golden-Faced Gentleman pondered briefly. "Yue'e is responsible for this Spirit Field, but if anything arises, simply seek her out. So long as you do well, your master will certainly reward you."

"We dare not! We only wish to serve Master, to brave boiling water and tread through fire, to spill our hearts' blood and scatter our brains. We would not dare hope for rewards." Li Shuidao and the other said in unison.