A rare spell of peace

For once, Lin Mo's life entered a brief spell of peace.

The head steward of the Spirit Plant Courtyard was a harsh woman. Normally, she paid the spirit plant farmers no mind, but if any trouble fell into her hands, she would not stop until she had stripped a layer of skin off them.

The spirit plant farmers all knew her temperament, though, and generally avoided making any serious mistakes.

With Liu Xianzong's warning in mind, Lin Mo was especially cautious. He certainly would not offend her.

Every day, he traveled back and forth between his spirit fields and his little courtyard. His cultivation grew steadily, too. Although he still fell far short of those prodigies, he was perfectly content.

"Knowing contentment is what matters."

Two days earlier, Lin Mo had spotted Erhu from a distance-the former servant disciple who was now an inner sect disciple.

Erhu was now a bona fide elite of the Inner Sect. If he cultivated diligently, he would surely be able to break through to Foundation Establishment.

Only a little over a month had passed, yet he already looked noticeably different, carrying himself with an extraordinary air.

Having outstanding talent really is wonderful.

Lin Mo would have been lying if he said he was not envious. But with his precious gourd in his possession, he firmly believed his own future would be even better.

During this period, he had kept drinking one gourd of spirit spring water every two days. He could clearly feel his talent slowly improving as the spirit spring water nourished it.

Occasionally, he would toss in a Fire Spirit Fruit and drink the mixture. The improvement was even more pronounced.

During this time, one stalk of Golden Coin Grass in the spirit fields under Lin Mo's care also "accidentally" died, then was transplanted into his own little courtyard.

"I feel like I'm getting closer and closer to the middle stage of the first level of Qi Refining."

The spiritual energy inside him had yet to be fully absorbed, and his work in the spirit fields was already done. With a rare moment of leisure, Lin Mo and Liu Xianzong each lay on a reclining chair, basking in the sun.

Life could hardly have been sweeter.

"You're progressing so quickly, junior brother. It's been more than half a month now, so why hasn't Steward Cui sent any servant disciples over? If this keeps up, I won't have any time left to cultivate."

Liu Xianzong grumbled.

Without servant disciples, he had to do all the watering, pest removal, and other chores himself.

Even if Lin Mo could help out, Liu Xianzong felt awkward troubling him all the time.

After all, they were both outer sect disciples now. Lin Mo had no obligation to help him.

Unlike Lin Mo, he had no spirit spring water to fall back on. Improving his cultivation depended on effort accumulated day after day.

Lin Mo thought for a moment, then said, "I saw him a few days ago. He told me things have been really strange lately. Fewer and fewer people are coming to join as servant disciples, and he can barely find any suitable ones. Even when he does, places like the Sect Affairs Halls of the Inner Sect and outer sect have to get them first."

Steward Cui was Outer Elder Cui Zhong's nephew. Even he had barely anyone working under him, let alone anyone else.

Somewhat displeased, Liu Xianzong frowned. "That shouldn't happen. We've always been swamped with servant disciples, to the point where we had to dismiss some. How could we possibly be unable to find anyone?"

If there was one thing this world did not lack, it was people.

Yet this situation had still arisen.

Liu Xianzong had heard stewards from other Servant Disciples' Courtyards mention it as well. He found it strange, but for now, all he could do was curse under his breath.

A few days earlier, Steward Cui had sent someone over with word that a newly arrived servant disciple would come today to assist Liu Xianzong.

The shortage of hands was still severe, so Lin Mo would have to wait a little longer.

"Let's take turns, one day each."

Liu Xianzong had seniority, so any newly arrived servant disciple would naturally be sent to him first.

Lin Mo smiled and waved a hand. "No need. I can spare that little bit of time anyway."

It was best to tend his ten mu of spirit fields himself. One more person meant one more chance of his secret being exposed.

Seeing Lin Mo respond this way, Liu Xianzong did not press him. He only offered one piece of advice.

"You've only just been promoted from a servant disciple, so you know their hardships better than anyone. But don't give them too much special treatment. Make them do whatever they're supposed to do. Otherwise, after benefiting from your kindness, they might wag their tongues somewhere they shouldn't. That would only harm you, not help you."

Being pleasant to them was enough. He must not be too softhearted.

Where you sat determined how you thought.

Now that he was an outer sect disciple, he had to act in keeping with his position.

Lin Mo nodded and took the advice to heart.

Before long, Steward Cui brought a young girl of about fourteen or fifteen to the Spirit Plant Garden and handed her over to the two of them.

"Greetings, senior brothers. My name is Qin Sang Sang. You can just call me Sang Sang. Please tell me if there's anything you need done."

It was clear that Steward Cui had already taught her the rules on the way.

The girl had an oval face and delicate features. Although she had not yet grown into them, it was already clear she would be a beauty.

But she was terribly frail and skinny, dressed in ill-fitting, worn-out clothes. She looked timid, and seemed even less spirited than Lin Mo had been when he first arrived.

"Steward Cui, she's so frail. What work can she do?"

Liu Xianzong raised an eyebrow, looking rather dissatisfied.

The girl was so thin that a gust of wind seemed enough to knock her over.

Not just anyone could do the work in the Spirit Plant Garden. It required care, and it was all physical labor.

Lin Mo had cultivated on the mountain for almost three years, and his physique was considerably stronger than an ordinary person's. Even he ended up with an aching back after a morning's work, let alone a little girl like her.

Steward Cui looked helpless.

"You're lucky to get anyone, and you're still being picky? Take her or leave her."

Seeing that Liu Xianzong still wanted to speak, Steward Cui glared the words back down his throat, gave a couple of snorts, and turned to leave.

Before leaving, he made a point of telling Lin Mo that once he found a strong, sturdy servant disciple, he would send him one first.

Of course, whether that would actually happen was another matter.

After Steward Cui bustled away, only the troubled Liu Xianzong and Lin Mo remained, along with Qin Sang Sang, who clutched the hem of her clothes in fear.

"Senior brothers, I-I can work hard. Please, please don't send me away."

She looked ready to burst into tears.

In the end, Liu Xianzong still had a conscience.

That was precisely why Lin Mo had become friends with him.

After thinking for a moment, Liu Xianzong said helplessly, "Fine. You can stay with me. But don't expect any special treatment. You have to finish your work every day before you can sleep, or you won't get anything to eat."

Look at that-he even provides meals.

Lin Mo felt a little pity as he looked at the scrawny girl, but then he sighed and turned to leave.

I could help her for a while, but could I help her for a lifetime?

He hoped she could survive and make a life for herself in this harsh world.