A Hidden Paradise

"Ah? Junior Brother Chen, I already told you the downsides."

Le Feng frowned. He strongly discouraged newly inducted disciples from going to the Spirit Medicine Garden; it was irresponsible both to the sect and to themselves.

"Rest assured, Senior Brother Le. My family specializes in growing spirit medicine."

Chen Xun spoke earnestly and cupped his hands solemnly. "Thank you, Senior Brother Le, for clearing up my doubts. I will certainly manage the medicine garden well."

Although outsiders might see Le Feng as meddlesome, Chen Xun, the one being meddled with, did not see it that way. Le Feng had helped him tremendously, and Chen Xun would remember this favor.

"Very well. Junior Brother Chen, you have only just entered the sect. If there is anything you do not understand, you may come find me at my cave dwelling."

Le Feng smiled mildly. Since it was someone else's lineage specialty, he could rest easy. He then took a talisman from his storage pouch and handed it to Chen Xun. "If anything happens, just activate it with spiritual power."

Chen Xun carefully accepted it, a strange glint passing through his eyes, and nodded heavily.

"Junior Brother Chen, cultivate diligently. Do not waste your time. I will be leaving first."

"Yes, Senior Brother Le."

"Moo~~"

Chen Xun and Black Bull watched Le Feng depart, smiles unconsciously rising to both their faces. It felt as though they had returned to that Little Mountain Village of old.

He walked to a raised platform within the hall and said, "Martial Uncle, I wish to manage a medicine garden."

"You may." An aged elder, who looked as if a gust of wind could knock him over, answered airily and produced a jade pendant and a booklet.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle!"

Chen Xun was delighted. Looking at the jade pendant, he saw that it was the restriction token for a certain medicine garden. Without it, one could not enter; forcing one's way in would be treated as invading the sect.

"Kid, a medicine garden is not so easy to manage."

The elder looked half-asleep, and it was hard to tell whether he was sleeping or meditating. "Just bring the spirit medicine here every year as tribute."

"Alright." Chen Xun was brimming with ambition as he nodded in reply.

"This little bull is rather remarkable. It is full of spirituality." The elder looked at Black Bull behind Chen Xun, a trace of interest in his eyes.

"Moo~~"

"Martial Uncle, this is my family's ancestral Black Bull..."

"Kid, hurry along. What are you thinking?!" The elder seemed to perk up somewhat. That disciple's expression made it seem as though he wanted to snatch away a Qi Refining Second Level spirit beast.

"Hehe, then this junior will not disturb Martial Uncle any longer."

Chen Xun smiled awkwardly. He had indeed gotten the wrong idea. This was a great cultivation sect—what spirit beasts did it lack? It was not Nine-Star Valley.

"Old Bull, let's go!"

"Moo~"

Chen Xun happily led Black Bull away. The footsteps of man and bull both became much lighter. At last, they would no longer have to live in constant fear and scheming against others. An immortal sect really was better.

Along the way, whenever they encountered fellow disciples walking ahead, they gave way, their faces full of goodwill, but did not take the initiative to strike up conversation.

Following the jade pendant's guidance, they arrived at a secluded, tranquil valley. Strange flowers and exotic grasses they had never seen before filled the surroundings, and the spiritual energy rushed into their noses, leaving them refreshed and clear-minded.

In the distance stood a great waterfall, white waves tumbling over one another as jade-like, silver-bright droplets splashed into the pool below, accompanied without cease by dazzling, multicolored rays.

Its roar exploded like spring thunder, grand and majestic. This place was like a paradise beyond the world.

"Old Bull, do not run around recklessly!"

While Chen Xun stood dazed, Black Bull had already kicked up its hooves and dashed about, sniffing the floral fragrance as butterflies fluttered around it.

"Moo~~" Black Bull was utterly intoxicated by the place. It hurriedly ran before Chen Xun, its eyes brimming with delight.

"Hahaha..."

Chen Xun wrapped one arm around the bull's head and looked upward. A formation was operating there. He infused spiritual power into the jade pendant, and the formation instantly opened a gap.

"Let's go!"

Chen Xun pulled Black Bull along, sighing endlessly inside. The Five Aggregates Sect was truly enormous; the entire mountain range was sect territory.

Within were several large spirit fields, packed with all kinds of bizarrely shaped spirit medicines. Ancient trees twisted like coiling dragons stood around them, fragrant grass carpeted the ground, and faint scents filled the air. Everywhere was teeming with life.

Chen Xun and Black Bull were dazzled by the sight. Some of the spirit medicines were beyond even their recognition.

At the deepest part stood a thatched hut. Outside, a scruffy-haired old man gazed into the distance with longing, looking at Chen Xun as though he had seen his own father.

"You came..."

"I came."

"Moo!"

A chill rose in Chen Xun and Black Bull's eyes. Why did it feel like this old man was on the verge of cultivation deviation?

"Ten years... someone finally came! Hahaha, Azure Heaven has eyes..."

The little old man dropped to his knees, spreading his hands as he sighed toward the heavens. Two streams of clear tears soaked his wrinkled old face.

Qi Refining Ninth Level—an expert. Chen Xun looked at him in confusion. How had he ended up like this? He was worse off than they had been in the Ningyun Mountain Range.

"Junior Brother, Junior Brother! I am going to report for duty. This place is yours now."

The little old man looked thrilled. He released a stream of earth-colored spiritual power, stepped onto his flying sword, and flew past Chen Xun, seemingly unwilling to remain there another instant.

His eyes brimmed with tears. Ten years ago, the sect had forcibly assigned him here, leaving him to live alongside spirit medicines. Not only had his cultivation progressed slowly, but who could understand that loneliness and solitude?

"Hehe." Chen Xun watched his retreating figure, then looked at Black Bull.

"Moo?"

Black Bull could not understand that man's actions either. He was blessed yet did not know it.

They entered the thatched hut, where many books had been placed. They were all notes and insights on cultivating spirit medicines, and Chen Xun accepted every last one without hesitation.

Chen Xun then led Black Bull to the waterfall. Black Bull set down their belongings and charged straight in, splashing up a burst of water.

He sat to one side and opened the little booklet. It listed all varieties of spirit medicine, along with all the rules.

For example, spirit medicines could not be embezzled. Every single plant was recorded in the registers, and every five years, disciples from the Alchemy Hall would come to check the accounts.

The annual tribute quotas and required varieties were all listed within. Chen Xun read them closely, committing every rule to heart.

"Moo~~"

Black Bull's cry rang out from the water. It was not worried at all about the spirit medicines' growth. It had discovered before that their Essence of All Things could be diluted in water.

Moreover, it loved growing spirit medicines. This made it happier than plowing fields ever had.

"Old Bull, that thatched hut will not do. Let's carve out a few caves for ourselves."

Chen Xun looked around. Sheer cliffs rose everywhere, making the place perfectly suited for opening cave dwellings.

"Moo!" Black Bull replied. They were already used to living in caves, and besides, they still needed to grow spirit medicines themselves.

Sword Flight Technique

Chen Xun took a spell manual from his storage pouch, but he did not have a sword. He would need to exchange contribution points for one. The Five Aggregates Sect still had a few tricks up its sleeve.

Moreover, there was a pill within the Five Aggregates Sect that was especially popular among low-level disciples: the Grain-Avoidance Pill. One pill lasted a month, and one would not even need to relieve oneself.

"The sect truly has so many good things, but it also has so many rules."

Chen Xun began reading the Sect Rules again. Private duels were forbidden; if caught, one would be sent to the Law Enforcement Hall to receive whipping punishment. If there were grievances, one had to submit an application and settle matters through a duel on the arena.

Other than disciples carrying out missions beyond the sect, no one could descend the mountain without permission. However, one could leave the mountain twice each year, for one month each time, and the time could be accumulated.

But after reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, there were no longer so many cumbersome regulations. Foundation Establishment cultivators were already the backbone of the sect, figures akin to elders.

"This Five Aggregates Sect is larger than a city. It has everything, so there is no real need to go down the mountain."

Chen Xun murmured, "If we need to trade for spirit medicine, we can go down and take a look. Twice a year is enough. There is no need to draw too much attention within the sect."

"Old Bull."

"Moo~"

Black Bull came running over, dripping wet from head to hoof, its gaze burning as it stared at Chen Xun. It seemed it had not had enough fun yet.