Blue Tyrant's Herb Garden

The Herb Garden of the Blue Tyrant Academy is located in a shady spot on the back mountain.

When everyone arrived, all the lights in the courtyard were already on. A dozen teachers were running back and forth carrying buckets of water, turning the ground into a muddy mess. The air was filled with the smell of medicine and decaying leaves, and the tips of the leaves on the easternmost rows of herbs had turned black.

Teacher Zhou, who was in charge of the Herb Garden, squatted on the ground, sweating profusely with anxiety.

"This batch of Red-Beard Vine was delivered this afternoon, and they were fine when planted. After nightfall, they turned black first, and the Cold-Leaf Grass next to them also started to wilt. I had someone water them, but they withered even faster."

After listening, Tang San first picked up a little damp soil, then used Silver Needle to pierce the root of the Red-Beard Vine. A layer of light red quickly appeared on the tip of the needle.

"Don't water it yet."

The teachers immediately stopped.

Liu Erlong asked, "Is it poisonous?"

"It's not very toxic to humans, but it's a big problem for the nearby herbs." Tang San dug away the topsoil, revealing the intertwined roots. "Red-Beard Vine thrive in heat, and their roots accumulate fiery medicinal sap. Cold-Leaf Grass absorbs moisture at night, and the two medicinal properties collide in the damp soil, causing the roots to stick together."

Teacher Zhou's face turned pale. "Can't we just pull them all out?"

"Pulling it up forcefully will break the main root of the Cold-Leaf Grass."

Tang San walked around the rows of medicinal herbs and pointed to three locations. "First, separate these three rows. Keep the roots of the Red-Beard Vine warm, and draw away the moisture from the Cold-Leaf Grass. Transplant them after the roots on both sides are separated."

Liu Erlong turned to look at the teachers.

The group looked at each other in bewilderment.

Maintaining two temperatures simultaneously in damp soil, while simultaneously allowing the fine roots to separate unseen underground, is a difficult task for ordinary Soul Master. If Fire-Attribute Soul Master applies too much force, the entire root system will scorch; if Water-Attribute Soul Master continues to add water, it will only cause the medicinal broth to spread faster.

Yuan Yu squatted down and pressed his fingers into the soil.

The coolness of the Rosy Cloud Pattern became clearer.

Having spent seven days guarding the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, he had witnessed how Tang San waited for the medicinal effects to subside and how he collected soil along the main root. He also remembered which type of root was most afraid of heat and which type of leaf could not be exposed to fire. He couldn't name all the herbs here, and he had no intention of pretending to know them now.

"Mistress, tell me which side should be hot and which side should be dry."

Tang San glanced at him and nodded, saying, "I'll mark the positions. Don't touch the main root."

He took out a thin rope and stretched three lines across the medicinal ridge, then inserted more than a dozen Silver Needle into the soil. The Silver Needle, at varying depths, marked the locations where the roots of the two herbs intertwined.

Yuan Yu then released the Sun Wheel Blade.

The Water Pattern light up first.

Excess water in the Herb Garden slowly seeped out along the cracks in the soil, forming a thin stream in the furrows. Yuan Yu didn't touch the Cold-Leaf Grass, but only gently dispersed the surrounding moisture until the leaves straightened up again, allowing the Flame Pattern to shine faintly.

The heat traveled into the soil along the Silver Needle that Tang San had inserted.

When the first Silver Needle turned red, Yuan Yu immediately stopped. Tang San reached out to test the temperature of the soil and moved a Silver Needle next to him half an inch to the left.

"Lower it a little more here."

"Good."

The two worked quickly, one identifying the herbs and the other using elemental techniques. Tang San also divided the previously chaotic teachers into several groups: some cleared ditches, some prepared fresh soil, and others held up Wooden Board to block the night wind.

Liu Erlong stood by the field for a while, then waved for the Fire-Attribute Teacher to retreat.

"Listen to those two. Whoever breaks a main root has to come to the back mountain and train with me tomorrow morning."

The teachers immediately became much gentler in their movements.

Half an hour later, the most troublesome part arrived.

The main root of a Red-Beard Vine pierced through two clumps of Cold-Leaf Grass, forming a knot underground. Tang San tried it three times with Silver Needle, his brows furrowing more and more tightly.

"Don't cut it. If the medicinal juice dissipates, the remaining four rows won't be saved."

Yuan Yu gripped the hilt of the sword, and the Rosy Cloud Pattern on the blade slowly illuminated.

The roots in the soil were invisible, yet the moisture and heat each went their own way. He closed his eyes, first letting the trickle flow around the Cold-Leaf Grass, then using the Flame Pattern to adhere to the main root of the Red-Beard Vine. At the point where cold and heat met, he sensed a winding, thin line.

"Found it."

The Sun Wheel Blade remained unsheathed.

He tapped the ground with his scabbard, and the Rock Pattern sank into the soil, steadily lifting the earth beneath the knot. At the same time, Tang San reached out, using his Mysterious Heaven Skill to protect the roots of the Cold-Leaf Grass. The two of them parted to the sides along the curved line. The soil cracked little by little, and crimson roots emerged from the Cold-Leaf Grass, the finest tips of which remained intact.

Teacher Zhou squatted down beside her, even her breathing became soft.

The moment the roots completely separated, the putrid smell in the Herb Garden faded.

Yuan Yu's palm felt slightly cool.

A deep voice resounded from the depths of the Sun Wheel Blade.

"Ten Thousand Manifestations Nine Trials Sixth Trial, Second Segment: Ice and Fire Medicine Discernment, Successful."

"Seven-Day Garden Watch, without damaging the medicinal roots or missing the opportunity. The spiritual affiliation was determined in a different place, thus completing the assessment."

"The Rosy Cloud Pattern Inheritance has been advanced, and my Soul Power has increased by one level."

"The qualification for the Sixth Spirit Ring has been completed, and it will be available at level 60."

A cool energy spread along his meridians. Yuan Yu had just finished the battle in the back mountain, and his Soul Power was already active. Now, as he was carried by the Rosy Cloud Pattern through the area, his aura quickly surpassed level fifty-eight.

Level 59.

The pale rosy clouds formed eight layers on the outside of the blade, one layer upon another, making it difficult to distinguish from a distance.

Mist Breathing Second Form: Eightfold Mist.

Yuan Yu opened his eyes and slowly retracted the Rock Pattern supporting the medicinal root. Tang San checked the roots on both sides and nodded to Teacher Zhou.

"It's ready for transplanting."

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd.

Teacher Zhou didn't rush to have anyone start working. Instead, he pulled out the delivery slip again. The Red-Beard Vine was supposed to be planted separately on the south slope, but the herb merchant, in order to save parking space, packed it in the same batch of wooden crates as the Cold-Leaf Grass, and even the labels on the outside of the crates were wrong. If it hadn't been discovered early tonight, the entire Herb Garden would have had to be turned over completely once the roots of the two herbs were completely entangled.

After Liu Erlong finished reading the receipt, he folded the paper and put it into his sleeve.

"Go find the delivery person tomorrow. Get a refund if it's due, and get compensation for the medicine if it's not. Even though Blue Tyrant has changed its name, we can't let them take advantage of us."

Upon hearing the word "pay back," Flender immediately took on the task.

"I'll go and negotiate in person."

Zhao Wuji glanced at him. "Are you worried that others aren't talking enough?"

Flender pretended not to hear.

Liu Erlong stared at Yuan Yu: "You leveled up again?"

"Um."

"Fifty-seven entered yesterday, fifty-eight just now, fifty-nine now?"

Yuan Yu thought for a moment and said, "Dean, you are indeed reading it a bit too fast."

Teacher Sun stood to the side, holding fresh soil, listening with a twitching at the corner of her mouth.

"Just a little?"

Ma Hongjun plopped down on the edge of the field. "I won't compete with Brother Yu in ranking anymore, it's bad for my health."

Oscar nudged him aside. "Don't sit on the seedlings."

As dawn approached, the last herb was moved into the new bed. The blackened leaf tips still needed to be trimmed, but the roots were all preserved.

When everyone returned to the front courtyard of the academy, they saw two teachers setting up a ladder and slowly taking down the old plaque from the gatehouse.

The seven characters "Blue Tyrant Advanced Soul Master Academy" fell to the ground in the morning light.

Liu Erlong turned to look at Flender.

"Boss Fu, it's time to put your sign up."