Flower-Appreciation Gathering (4)

As one of the great renowned sects of the cultivation world, the Profound Heaven Sect naturally lacked no variety of spirit plants. Its territory was vast, and its broad lands provided ample room for spirit plants to grow. The sect's elders all possessed the mighty power to move mountains and fill seas, and when it came to cultivating spirit plants, they had always been lavish in their methods.

If a spirit plant required a particular environment to grow, they only needed to designate the most suitable patch of forest and plant it there. With the proper environment and the care of Spirit Medicine Peak disciples, the spirit plants would naturally flourish.

Medicine King Valley, however, was entirely different. Though the valley was small, it resembled an exquisite little world carved with painstaking care.

The people of the valley, relying on their deep understanding of the habits of every kind of medicinal herb, rationally planned and ingeniously arranged the growing requirements of different herbs.

Every inch of land and every corner had been precisely calculated, as though they had cut pieces of scenery from the native habitats of spirit plants, preserved them, and then carefully pieced them together.

If everyone were allowed to choose solely based on convenience and comfort, they would surely favor the Profound Heaven Sect's deep-pocketed approach. After all, it was simple and straightforward, saving both worry and effort.

But not everyone in the cultivation world possessed the Profound Heaven Sect's abundant foundations and formidable strength. They could only rely on their own wisdom, like the people of Medicine King Valley, using clever ideas under limited conditions to create a unique patch of heaven and earth for spirit plants to survive in.

Like a lively, cheerful butterfly, Lin Mumu flitted lightly through the colorful sea of flowers.

Her crisp cries of amazement rang through the air from time to time like birdsong in the forest. "Wow, come look! This flower is so beautiful! And this grass—how can it shine with such marvelous luster? This is simply unbelievable!"

She appeared carefree and unconcerned with trifles, yet in truth, not even her robes drifting in the breeze brushed against a single flower or leaf. Nor did she foolishly lean closer to touch or smell them.

It was never good to damage something precious. They were guests here, not troublemakers. Besides, there were countless strange flowers and unusual herbs in this world that she had never seen before. If she accidentally touched or smelled some poisonous thing, she would regret it beyond all cure. She was not stupid.

In comparison, Wen Jian seemed far bolder. From the moment he stepped into this area, his gaze had been completely drawn to those rare medicinal herbs, as though some invisible force were tugging him along.

He walked and stopped, his footsteps moving entirely according to the distribution of the medicinal herbs.

At times, he slowly crouched down and carefully parted the grass to identify the herbs; at other times, he leaned forward slightly and gently inhaled their distinctive scent, trying to precisely judge their quality and age through the fragrance.

"Is that really necessary, Ninth Junior Brother? Our Medicine Peak and Beast Peak have plenty of spirit plants too. Look at how fanatical you are—you're making us look like we've never seen the world before. How humiliating—" Lin Huaixu said lazily as he strolled along, letting out a yawn.

It was not that he had no interest in these spirit medicines. If, while reading before, he happened to discover a missed point of knowledge, he would naturally be happy to fill in the gap. But if he discovered that he had barely read almost the entire book, he instead lost all interest in learning it.

Faced with the dazzling array of spirit medicines in Medicine King Valley, he was currently in precisely that state.

"What do you know!" Wen Jian's eyes shone as he retorted excitedly. "What do you know! Is climbing an entire mountain just to see one rare spirit herb the same as taking a few steps and seeing it whenever you want?!"

"...I don't think the Valley Master would be pleased to hear you say that." Lin Huaixu looked utterly speechless.

"Indeed." Ye Jingxuan nodded at the side, deeply agreeing.

Wen Jian's words were by no means an exaggeration, and the disciples present felt them deeply. Otherwise, they would not have been left gaping in amazement at Medicine King Valley's exquisite arrangements.

Even as disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect, this was their first time seeing so many completely different spirit medicines all at once.

Whenever the Profound Heaven Sect was mentioned, the first thing that came to most people's minds was either Misty Spirit Peak, where the sect leader cultivated in seclusion, or Spirit Sword Peak, crowded with disciples.

Yet few knew that within the Profound Heaven Sect's vast territory, the largest area belonged to either Spirit Medicine Peak or Beast Spirit Peak.

After all, the other peaks of the Profound Heaven Sect truly were merely solitary mountain peaks. Even a peak like Spirit Sword Peak, with its twin mother-and-child peaks, was already quite distinctive within the sect.

Spirit Medicine Peak and Beast Spirit Peak, however, were an entire vast mountain range stretching without end.

To ensure the sect's cultivation resources and various supplies could be provided in an abundant, unending stream, countless small secret realms were hidden within those rolling forests.

Each of these small secret realms had its own unique purpose. Some were specifically used to carefully cultivate all kinds of rare spirit plants, providing the sect with abundant medicinal ingredients; others were used to raise spirit beasts whose unusual habits made them unsuitable for free-range rearing outside.

Originally, Spirit Medicine Peak and Beast Spirit Peak had not been separated at all. The two had once been a single whole.

Later, because the spirit beasts were raised too carefully, they gradually grew stronger, and numerous precious spirit medicines were devastated. The once flourishing medicinal fields became a complete mess.

Seeing such a sight, the elder responsible for managing the mountain range flew into a towering rage. In a fit of fury, the elder went straight to a peak in the middle of the range, raised the treasured sword in hand, and slashed down fiercely. Accompanied by a thunderous boom, a deep sword scar appeared abruptly upon the earth.

From then on, that shocking sword scar became the boundary, splitting the mountain range into two. South of the scar was officially designated Spirit Medicine Peak; north of it became Beast Spirit Peak.

From that time onward, an unwritten rule was established: once a powerful spirit beast appeared within Spirit Medicine Peak's territory, Beast Spirit Peak disciples had to accompany it throughout. This was meant to ensure that those precious spirit medicines would not suffer needless harm again.

If a spirit beast damaged a spirit medicine and no Beast Spirit Peak disciple was present when it happened, Spirit Medicine Peak would certainly demand an explanation from Beast Spirit Peak and would never let the matter rest.

For many years, although this rule had always existed, disciples of the two peaks still frequently clashed over such matters due to all manner of complicated factors, their frictions never ceasing.

Once a region grew vast, all sorts of thorny management problems came pouring in. Spirit Medicine Peak was simply too enormous. Apart from a small number of spirit plants that could be called peerless treasures, which received the meticulous care of Spirit Medicine Peak disciples, the vast majority could only fend for themselves and grow wild.

The law of the jungle had always been an unchanging rule of nature, and it applied to plants as well. Spirit plants with compatible natures could coexist and rely on one another, but those with incompatible natures could never gather together and grow in peace.

As the saying went, the more precious a spirit plant was, the harsher and stranger its requirements for its growing environment became. Such harsh requirements would also quietly weed out countless other spirit plants, showing just how overbearing they were.

That was precisely why such a marvelous sight could never appear on the Profound Heaven Sect's Spirit Medicine Peak—the wondrous scene of a large number of rare spirit plants harmoniously coexisting within an extremely limited space, as they did in Medicine King Valley.

Even Spirit Medicine Peak disciples would have to wear out their legs and climb several mountains to see so many rare spirit plants in one go, much less disciples from other peaks.

Ah, being big has its drawbacks too. The same punchable thought arose in everyone's minds without prior agreement, and their expressions were rather helpless.

As they walked, a burst of arguing suddenly came from the other side of the corridor.

Following the sound, they saw two Medicine King Valley disciples arguing until their faces were red. One of them was full of fury as he loudly berated the other, "What exactly is wrong with you? How can you be so clumsy?! This spirit medicine was painstakingly cultivated by the Valley Master with countless efforts, and now you've ruined it just like that!"

The other disciple looked equally aggrieved and hurriedly argued, "I didn't do it on purpose! How was I supposed to know Senior Brother had already drawn spirit energy for it?" His tone carried both helplessness and anxiety.

"Look at the roots, look at the roots! How many times have I emphasized this?! Can't you put some care into it?!" The furious disciple remained relentless, raising his voice even further.

Hearing the quarrel, everyone's curiosity was piqued. They quickened their pace and headed toward its source, wanting to see what was happening.

When they drew close, they saw a medicinal herb standing alone within an already activated isolation formation. It was as though its very vitality had been sucked away, its head hanging weakly. Its leaves were no longer as fresh as before; they had lost their life and turned withered, yellow, and dull.

Its once vivid, glistening color had now completely vanished, leaving behind only decay. The signs of life were swiftly draining from it. It looked barely alive, as though it could completely wither and die at any moment.

Seeing this, Wen Jian's heart tightened. He could not help but hurry forward, crouching down to carefully inspect the herb. Deep concern and pity showed in his eyes as he murmured, "Ah, what a pity."

Shen Yuxi followed close behind and stepped forward as well. His gaze lingered on the medicinal herb for a moment as he quietly pondered, Though this herb appears to have only faint vitality left, it is not completely dead. If treated properly, saving it should not be difficult.

He seemed unable to understand their panic and distress, speaking as though it were only natural. Only after a while did he realize he had misunderstood. Right, when it comes to cultivating spirit plants, Cloudwave Spirit Domain and the Secluded World Domain are the most proficient. Many unique and effective methods of treatment were also mostly passed down from those two domains.

Over here in Lingshu Heaven Domain, unless one belongs to a great sect with a long inheritance and deep foundations, or has happened upon some special fortuitous encounter, one basically has no chance to come into contact with such exquisite methods.

Shen Yuxi swiftly and methodically sorted through the knowledge he knew, and several potentially effective methods of treatment instantly surfaced in his mind.

However, he was not a medical cultivator specializing in this path. He now remembered only a few vague steps, and he truly knew very little about the crucial details. After all, when he had read novels in his previous life, he could not possibly have paid serious attention to such minute particulars. As for exactly how to proceed, he could not remember it no matter what.

Ugh—can't remember! Who knows which three medicinal catalysts are needed specifically? And what the proportions are? Really! What decent person would write such things down in detail? Are novels supposed to be dissertations?!

He was not a medical cultivator, but Wen Jian was! Wen Jian had only heard Shen Yuxi's rough account in his heart when lightning seemed to flash through his mind. In an instant, he found the key point, became suddenly enlightened, and precisely identified the direction for saving the medicinal herb.

"Fellow Daoists," Wen Jian stepped forward half a pace, his voice clear and gentle as spring water as he volunteered, "I am Wen Jian of the Profound Heaven Sect. Perhaps I can give it a try."

The two disciples, who had been arguing fiercely, immediately stopped upon hearing him. They looked Wen Jian up and down. Seeing his assured expression, as though he truly had a plan in mind, and that his Profound Heaven Sect robes did not appear false, they hesitated.

The two quietly thought that the medicinal herb was already near death anyway, so they might as well treat a dead horse as though it were alive. They nodded and agreed to let him proceed.

Having received their consent, Wen Jian did not delay in the slightest. He swiftly crouched down and skillfully took several medicinal herbs from the medicine box he carried with him.

With practiced movements, he ground the herbs one by one. In moments, they became fine powder that gave off a faint medicinal fragrance. Then he took out a small jade bottle and gently poured it, letting a liquid that emitted a soft glow slowly flow out and mix perfectly with the powder.

Afterward, he took out an extremely fine silver needle and lightly dipped it into the mixture. He then moved close to the damaged medicinal herb and, with masterful technique, drew runes upon its roots, stem, and leaves.

After the runes were completed, he formed hand seals with both hands. A gentle, rich current of spiritual power slowly flowed from his fingertips into the medicinal herb.

The two Medicine King Valley disciples watched this entire sequence, their faces full of surprise and their eyes filled with doubt.

Yet as Wen Jian worked, the medicinal herb gradually began to change. Its originally withered yellow leaves started to regain their vitality, while their dull color gradually brightened.

Before long, the herb had recovered most of its vigor. It gently swayed in the breeze, as though displaying its tenacious life force to everyone.

The two Medicine King Valley disciples immediately widened their eyes, disbelief written all over their faces. The younger disciple could not help blurting out in praise, "It really was saved! This... this is too incredible!"

"I have devoted myself to studying the art of medicinal herbs in the valley for more than ten years, yet I have never heard that such a miraculous thing existed in this world." The older disciple was equally astonished. His gaze toward Wen Jian was full of curiosity and admiration. "Fellow Daoist, did you create this method yourself?"

Wen Jian smiled faintly and said modestly, "To be honest, I merely happened to see this method in the sect's ancient records. Today, I only tried it with a hopeful heart."

To avoid exposing the fact that he could hear his Second Senior Brother's inner voice, he could only explain it that way.

The two Medicine King Valley disciples gladly accepted this explanation. These words also convinced Shen Yuxi.

That makes sense. After all, the Profound Heaven Sect is the foremost great sect in Lingshu Heaven Domain, with deep foundations. It would not be strange for the Scripture Pavilion to contain records of methods for treating spirit plants from other domains.

The other members of the Profound Heaven Sect did not care that Wen Jian had "taken" Shen Yuxi's credit. In their view, no matter who acted, the favor owed would still be owed to the Profound Heaven Sect.

Moreover, everyone could hear Shen Yuxi's inner voice. Wen Jian alone was able to swiftly find the correct treatment from that chaotic, disordered description and refine it further. That was skill in itself.

Just then, a sound of footsteps approached. Everyone turned to look and saw a woman dressed in purple slowly walking over.

Her features were exceptionally lovely, her brows and eyes carrying both liveliness and gentleness. Her long hair was neatly tied to one side and half-coiled into a bun, swaying softly as she walked. Like an orchid blooming alone in a valley, she was elegant and captivating, yet she also possessed an unyielding air that made people unable to help but like her.

She calmly walked before everyone, slightly bent at the waist in an elegant gesture, and said softly, "Gu Yueyao of Medicine King Valley. I heard the commotion here and came to take a look. Thank you all for lending a hand and saving this spirit medicine."

Only after everyone shifted their gazes away from her did they notice that a group of young people followed behind her. Judging from their attire, half wore Medicine King Valley's distinctive robes, while the other half were unmistakably people from the Azure Rock Sect, familiar to everyone.

At their head stood that young man who always wore an arrogant expression. A faint smile hung on his face now, but his gaze swept back and forth across the group, carrying an indescribable... arrogance? Contempt? Hostility?

Whoa, the female lead is here.

The senior and junior brothers all immediately perked up, their gazes toward Gu Yueyao revealing a trace of curiosity.

Nine Domains Encyclopedia:

○ Spirit Medicine Peak

One of the two largest peaks of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Unlike the other spirit peaks, it was originally connected to Beast Spirit Peak, forming an entire vast mountain range stretching without end. Later, an elder split the mountain with a single sword strike, using the sword scar as a boundary to divide the range in two. South of the sword scar was officially designated Spirit Medicine Peak.

A place where medical cultivators, gu cultivators, and poison cultivators trained.

It was used to carefully cultivate all kinds of rare spirit plants, providing the sect with abundant medicinal ingredients. To ensure the supply of resources, not only were all kinds of formations set throughout the forests, but countless small secret realms were also hidden within.

Most spirit herbs on Medicine Peak were meticulously tended by disciples and must not be touched carelessly. You could easily get beaten to death. Medicine Peak disciples were skilled at crying, making a scene, and drugging people. For a smooth daily life, do not offend them lightly.

○ Beast Spirit Peak

One of the two largest peaks of the Profound Heaven Sect.

Unlike the other spirit peaks, it was originally connected to Spirit Medicine Peak, forming an entire vast mountain range stretching without end. Later, an elder split the mountain with a single sword strike, using the sword scar as a boundary to divide the range in two. North of the sword scar was officially designated Beast Spirit Peak.

A place where beast tamers trained. Servant disciples also lived here.

It was used to raise spirit beasts. To ensure the supply of resources, not only were all kinds of formations set throughout the forests, but countless small secret realms were also hidden within.

It was best not to go up the mountain without Beast Peak disciples accompanying you. The spirit beasts were each raised exceedingly well, full of energy. Those with good tempers loved teasing children, while those with bad tempers loved free punching bags delivered to their doorstep. And they could tattle to their parents.

Their parents might not necessarily be able to beat you, but they had plenty of ways to make your life miserable.

The outer perimeter of Beast Peak marked the edge of the Profound Heaven Sect's sphere of influence, so its defense duties were also extremely heavy.

○ The conflict between Medicine Peak and Beast Peak

Beast Peak and Medicine Peak covered vast territories, yet had very few disciples, making supervision impossible. Spirit beasts often broke into Medicine Peak and caused destruction, but there was no effective way to restrain them. Both sides were aggrieved and helpless.