Clear-Sound Jade Bamboo

The look Li Zhouying gave him after her question seemed full of distrust, and Jiang Yang could not help feeling indignant.

Backing down was not his style. He could not resist the urge to prove himself, either, and thought:

It's only tending spirit bamboo. At worst, I'll stay by it every single day from now on. I won't let her look down on me.

With the task already before him, there was no room to go back on his word. His gaze sharpened slightly, and he blurted out:

"Having accepted the assignment, how could I miss the deadline? Please give me your instructions, senior sister."

"Good. Take these things first."

The corners of Li Zhouying's mouth curved briefly as she looked at the spirited young man before her. Then she flicked her sleeve, sending a pile of objects floating before Jiang Yang.

A Jade Box, two booklets, and a small hoe of green-blue jade.

Jiang Yang opened his storage pouch as instructed and put everything inside, then heard Li Zhouying begin her explanation:

"The Jade Box contains three bamboo seedlings. The booklets contain two minor spells: Nurture Spirit, Fortify the Meridians and Finger-Sword Awakening of Insects. The last item is a Ruan Spirit-Jade Shovel."

"This spirit bamboo is called [Clear-Sound Jade Bamboo], a graded spiritual plant of the Qi Refining level. Three plants are just the right number for you to tend."

Li Zhouying paused here, then continued explaining:

"Nurture Spirit, Fortify the Meridians nourishes their Spirit Root and strengthens their root systems. The seedlings are frail, so you'll need this Spell Arts technique once they're in the soil. Finger-Sword Awakening of Insects is a spell that deals damage within a tiny space, meant to handle disturbances from bamboo borers and bamboo weevils. Neither spell is difficult. A little study should be enough for you to master them."

"The little shovel needs little explanation. It's made of Ruan spirit green jade. Spiritual soil is firm and difficult to break apart, so it will make digging easier."

Li Zhouying took her responsibilities seriously and explained everything clearly. Jiang Yang understood her perfectly. Though the spirit bamboo was delicate, it would be planted in spiritual soil, and the Spirit Vigor here was abundant. As long as he tended it carefully every day, the task really was not all that difficult.

"Well? Do you have any other questions?"

Seeing Jiang Yang deep in thought, Li Zhouying asked him.

Jiang Yang did not stand on ceremony and immediately said:

"This disciple still has two questions. First, where should I plant the spirit bamboo? Second, how will the results be assessed?"

He did not want to blunder into another formation; asking first would put his mind at ease. Besides, once the three-month period was up, how would completion be judged? Zhou Yanwei had specifically mentioned that there were grades involved.

Jiang Yang's questions were the same ones most disciples had. Li Zhouying extended a fingertip from her sleeve and pointed around them.

"Anywhere within sight will do. Eleven people came before you. Just keep yours separate from theirs. Spirit Treasures compete for the Spirit Vigor in the earth veins, and planting them too closely will affect their survival."

"As for the assessment, it's simple. If all three survive, you receive an upper grade. Two survivors earn a middle grade, and one earns a lower grade. If none survive, heh..."

Li Zhouying broke off with a cold chuckle, leaving the rest unspoken.

Jiang Yang understood without her spelling it out. Senior Brother Zhou had explained the grades only yesterday. Generally, most completed assignments received a middle grade, meaning the work was satisfactory and free of mistakes.

Upper grades were rare, but most came with additional rewards. Where there was an upper grade, there was also a lower one; if the former meant rewards, the latter meant punishment. Docked stipends and having to redo the work were among the lighter penalties.

Worse than a lower grade was making a complete mess of the job, or even angering the deacon in charge and being sent straight back to the General Affairs Office. That was far more serious.

"I understand. I have no further questions. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, senior sister."

At that thought, Jiang Yang took the task even more seriously and hastily cupped his hands in thanks.

"No need. Go about your work."

With that, she turned to leave, but after only a couple of steps, she suddenly turned back and added:

"Oh, there's one more thing I need to explain. This [Clear Melody Jade Bamboo] has a pure, limpid sound. It must not hear sorrowful cries or witness tears of grief and parting."

"If anyone nearby starts sobbing bitterly, it will transform into [Mottled Jade Spirit Bamboo]. Though it remains spirit bamboo, our Dawn Rain Peak has no use for it. Remember that. Remember it well."

"Well... I understand. I'll be sure to keep it firmly in mind."

Jiang Yang was taken aback. He had not expected such a delicate, wondrous Spirit Treasure to have this sort of requirement. If its sound lost its purity, even its nature would change. Still, why would a man like him weep bitterly before the jade bamboo? That concern was surely unnecessary.

Li Zhouying did not think Jiang Yang would bawl in front of the Bamboo Grove, either, so she merely offered the reminder in passing before heading toward the pavilion.

Once she had gone some distance, Jiang Yang walked farther in, found a rock, and sat cross-legged on it. Only then did he open his Storage Bag and take out the two spell manuals to read.

A craftsman had to sharpen his tools before doing good work. Once the spirit bamboo was planted, there would be no taking it back, so Jiang Yang intended to learn the two Spells first.

As he leafed through the pages, Jiang Yang gradually became engrossed. Nurture Spirit, Fortify the Meridians was indeed a minor spell, just as Li Zhouying had said. Its principle was simple: use magical power to connect with the earth veins and nourish spiritual plants.

Its meridian circuit was simple, with Magic Power flowing through the twelve primary meridians. After practicing it just a few times, Jiang Yang had already gained a basic grasp of it.

“This Spells technique is good. It's probably useful across the board. If I ever need to tend other Spirit Plants, this Spells technique should come in handy.”

After a moment's thought, Jiang Yang set that booklet down and picked up the other, beginning to study Finger-Sword Awakening of Insects.

This Spells technique was something new to Jiang Yang. It had actually been created specifically to kill insects: hold two fingers together as a sword, channel energy through the three yin meridians, and deal damage within a tiny space.

Interesting, interesting. It may not be very powerful, but does this count as a Sword Art?

Holding the booklet in one hand, Jiang Yang read with keen interest, even flexing his fingers from time to time to try it out.

In the hundred meridians embryonic breath realm, magical power was limited, and cultivation took priority. He had not actually mastered many Spells in the Lower Court. Now, like a hunter delighted at the sight of prey, he naturally could not resist trying his hand.

The Spells he used most often and knew best was the Lightness Spell. The others were simple Spells such as the Clothes-Cleansing Art, Water Condensation, and Luminous Glow. Private fighting was strictly forbidden among Lower Court disciples, so there were few arts for magical combat or inflicting harm.

Never mind. I should get on with the proper work first. I can practice Finger-Sword Awakening of Insects at my leisure. Let's plant the seedlings first.

Jiang Yang had not forgotten his real business, after all. Bamboo-loving insects such as borers and weevils would only come once the plants had sprouted and taken root, so there was no urgent need to master that Spells technique.

Looking around, he saw that the Jade Bamboo nearby grew sparsely. Jiang Yang quickly took out the little green-jade shovel and dug three small holes a short distance apart. Then he opened the Jade Box, carefully lifted out the bamboo seedlings, and planted one in each hole.

He filled the holes with the excavated soil and pressed it firm. Now planted, the seedlings stood a little under two feet tall. Their green leaves were tinged with white and drooped listlessly.

Seeing this, Jiang Yang kept his hands moving, hurriedly forming a hand seal and casting Nurture Spirit, Fortify the Meridians. Magic Power flowed carefully through his meridians, and spiritual light gradually emerged at his fingertip. He bent his finger and directed it onto a seedling.

As the Jade Bamboo received the spiritual light, it immediately improved considerably. Not only did its branches and leaves gradually unfurl, but its roots slowly extended as well, and its slender main stem stood upright, glowing with a clear light.

Without stopping, Jiang Yang cast Spells twice more, tending to every plant. Then he observed their growth for a while before finally relaxing.

After all that work, noon had already passed. With nothing else to do, Jiang Yang was in no hurry to return. He had discovered a hidden benefit to this assignment.

The Spirit Vigor here was rich, even more so than at his new home. He could take advantage of it to cultivate while tending the spirit bamboo.