Newcomers to the Valley

This research set Jiang Yun's heart racing. He could hardly wait to fire up a furnace and refine pills.

But he did not even have a furnace right now. The pill room only had an iron pot.

Jiang Yun could not—at the very least, should not—refine pills in an iron pot.

He studied the formulas for these Golden Cores, memorizing every spiritual herb contained within them so he could keep an eye out for these extraordinary medicinal treasures in the future.

As Jiang Yun immersed himself in studying the pill formulas, he heard Jiang Shuanglan return.

When he stepped out of the pill room, he saw a trace of worry on Jiang Shuanglan's delicate face. It seemed things had not gone well.

Jiang Yun asked how things had turned out.

It turned out Jiang Shuanglan had gone to demand justice and wanted the Heavenly Cave's disciplinary department to deal with those people.

However, Chen Yu and Chen Feng had left behind no evidence, and instead appeared to be the righteous party.

The Heavenly Cave could not punish them. It only punished the other two disciples, fining each of them two bottles of Hundred-Grass Liquid.

If not for Jiang Shuanglan's status as a member of the Jiang Family, those two disciples likely would not have been punished at all.

"Brother Yun, what if Xia Weier gets bullied and targeted again? She's so kind that she doesn't know how to fight back. She's afraid of causing me trouble. I brought her to the Heavenly Cave, but instead, I put her in danger."

Jiang Shuanglan cared deeply for Xia Weier, her childhood friend. Her feelings for her were more like those of an older sister toward a younger one.

This younger sister was far too kind and timid, which had always made Jiang Shuanglan feel for her. The cruel world of cultivation was difficult for Xia Weier to adapt to.

"If you're worried, you can bring her here. This whole valley is ours now. It would be good to have her help us develop some medicinal fields. If the yield is good, we can give her a share of the Hundred-Grass Liquid."

Jiang Yun offered a solution to Jiang Shuanglan's worries. An Immortal Seedling held a high status.

He now had some holdings in the Heavenly Cave as well. Having a disciple help tend them was something the Heavenly Cave encouraged.

Jiang Shuanglan's eyes lit up when she heard that. She truly had not considered this before, and she felt a little ashamed.

After becoming cultivation partners, neither of them had dealt with such trivial matters. They had focused solely on cultivation.

These matters should have been hers to manage. She silently resolved to learn more about such things.

If her cultivation talent was lacking, then she would manage these matters well and become Jiang Yun's virtuous helper.

"Alright, then I'll go find Weier tomorrow and bring her over. The valley is so big, we can build another small courtyard outside."

Jiang Shuanglan excitedly held Jiang Yun's arm as she spoke, growing ever more hopeful for their future life.

Early the next morning, Jiang Shuanglan headed out. Bringing Xia Weier over was simple, but they still had to go through the Heavenly Cave's procedures.

Xia Weier had previously worked in Medicine Valley, planting spiritual herbs. She first had to resign from her position there.

Then she would be registered under their name, so the Heavenly Cave would not assign Xia Weier other tasks.

That afternoon, Jiang Shuanglan returned with Xia Weier. She also brought along a little tagalong, Dingdang.

Jiang Yun had no objections. An Immortal Seedling could have ten people registered under their name, and Jiang Yun had made no arrangements for those slots.

He had a good affinity with Little Dingdang. Bringing her along would also let her assist Xia Weier.

Jiang Yun was already quite familiar with Little Dingdang, so he turned a slightly appraising gaze toward Xia Weier.

Xia Weier stood quietly beneath the peach blossom tree. She looked somewhat reserved and uneasy, but she still tried hard to lift her head and accept Jiang Yun's scrutiny.

The eyes were the windows to the soul. Xia Weier's autumn-water eyes were incomparably pure, with a faint mist gathering in them. Her long lashes fluttered, making her seem soft and vulnerable.

Her delicate nose stood high and graceful, her red lips were lustrous and moist, and her youthful body was like a jade willow—light and tender. Her long, glossy black hair, bright enough to reflect light, naturally fell to her waist.

She was undoubtedly a beauty no less stunning than Jiang Shuanglan, with a faintly charming innocence and the air of an orchid in an empty valley.

"Don't scare Weier. She's rather timid. Dingdang wanted to come too, so she can help Weier."

Seeing Jiang Yun's seemingly fierce expression, Jiang Shuanglan hurriedly spoke up.

"That's right, Brother Jiang Yun. Sister Weier is even more timid than Dingdang. You'll scare her."

Little Dingdang spoke in an innocent tone.

"It's nothing. I never paid much attention to Weier before. From now on, you're part of our side, so shouldn't I get to know you properly?"

Jiang Yun responded somewhat awkwardly. He had not expected Xia Weier to seem so fragile.

"It's alright, I'm not that timid. I'm just a little nervous, really nervous."

Xia Weier's gentle voice rang out, seeming to tremble slightly. It was clear she had gathered a great deal of courage.

"Don't be afraid. It's not like I'll eat you. I'll have to trouble you to help manage the medicinal fields from now on." Jiang Yun made a small joke.

"Mhm, mhm. I'll definitely work hard."

Xia Weier knew Jiang Yun had agreed. Her tense expression relaxed, and she carefully lowered her head again.

"Although Dingdang is little, Dingdang is also very good at growing medicinal herbs."

Little Dingdang raised her head and looked at Jiang Yun as she spoke seriously.

"Yes, yes, Little Dingdang is the best." Jiang Yun readily agreed with her.

The group chatted for a while longer and discussed the arrangements for the days ahead.

When they began discussing the cultivation of spiritual herbs, Xia Weier gradually spoke more, offering many constructive suggestions.

That evening, Jiang Yun cooked personally and prepared a table full of delicious food to treat the two of them. Little Dingdang ate until her mouth was slick with oil.

Xia Weier returned to her timid, shy manner. She only dared to pick at the dishes before her bit by bit, taking tiny mouthfuls without making a sound.

Some people needed a lifetime to heal from their childhoods.

Xia Weier was one of them. Her parents had died when she was five or six, and though she had guarded their small home, many neighbors coveted it. She had nearly become a beggar.

If an old servant of the Jiang Family had not seen her and taken her in as an adopted daughter, perhaps there would be no Xia Weier today.

He temporarily arranged the two of them in Ye Fan's former room. After some time, Jiang Yun planned to build several new houses.

Their courtyard was over three hundred square meters and quite spacious. When the time came, they could simply build within the courtyard.

Over the next few days, Jiang Yun and Xia Weier discussed the development and planning of medicinal fields in the valley on site.

They also bought some tools in the Heavenly Cave, and Jiang Yun gradually became more familiar with Xia Weier.

The medicinal herbs planted in the Heavenly Cave's fields were mainly used to make Hundred-Grass Liquid.

The main ingredient of Hundred-Grass Liquid was a single spiritual herb. The other auxiliary herbs were ordinary, relatively young ginseng, Solomon's seal, fleeceflower root, and the like.

These ordinary medicinal herbs, if grown in places rich in spiritual essence and allowed to survive for a hundred years, could also become spiritual herbs.

However, the cultivation period was too long. Unless there were Blessed Lands suitable for growing spiritual herbs, which could speed up their growth.

For instance, Jade Cauldron Paradise had Jade Cauldron Blessed Land, where large quantities of spiritual herbs were planted to support the cultivation of Jade Cauldron Paradise's elders and disciples.

Some were also planted in medicinal fields outside, but their potency and growth rate were far inferior to those in Jade Cauldron Blessed Land.

After hearing this, Jiang Yun suddenly understood. No wonder the ancestor lived on the outskirts of Jade Cauldron Blessed Land. He was likely guarding the spiritual herbs, the foundation of Jade Cauldron Paradise.

Since they were going to develop medicinal fields and plant spiritual herbs, seeds were naturally indispensable. Although the Heavenly Cave sold them as well, its selection was not comprehensive.