Time hurried by, vanishing as if in a dream. In the blink of an eye, another two years had passed, and Lin Yun had now been in Yellow Maple Valley for five years.
That day, Lin Yun returned from delivering another batch of Flowing Moon Pills to Xin Ruoyin. Buying medicinal herbs at the Heavenly Star Sect's market had delayed him for several days, so he returned a few days later than planned.
When he hurried back to the Hundred Herb Garden, he was surprised to find Martial Uncle Ma there, looking as though he had been waiting for him.
Ever since Lin Yun had begun tending the Hundred Herb Garden, Martial Uncle Ma had rarely visited. He only came occasionally to pick herbs when researching pill refinement, and even then, he always came and went in a hurry.
Why did he look like this on today's visit to the Herb Garden?
"Martial Uncle Ma, what brings you here today?" Lin Yun stepped forward and asked.
Martial Uncle Ma shot Lin Yun an irritated glare before saying, "You brat, you disappear for two or three months every half year. Is anyone supposed to tend my Herb Garden or not? It's only because you've done a good job that I haven't had the Hundred Mechanisms Hall replace you already. Still, for convenience's sake, I've asked them to send another person to help."
After a pause, Martial Uncle Ma added, seemingly offhandedly, "Besides, it's time for the valley to distribute Foundation Establishment Pills again. Won't you need to go into seclusion for at least a few months after taking yours? Am I supposed to tend the Herb Garden myself during that time?"
"Oh, right. Someone else entered the valley with an Ascension Token this year, so the Foundation Establishment Pills already allocated aren't enough. You'd better hurry and collect yours." As he spoke, Martial Uncle Ma urged Lin Yun to go to the sect master for his Foundation Establishment Pill before anything unexpected happened.
Understanding dawned on Lin Yun. Another person had entered the valley with an Ascension Token? That had to be Han the Old Devil.
With that thought, Lin Yun wasted no time. He immediately took his leave of Martial Uncle Ma and hurried off aboard the Leaf-Shaped Dharma Artifact.
Although a Foundation Establishment Pill was of little consequence to Lin Yun, there was no reason to surrender something that rightfully belonged to him.
He arrived at the main hall, met Sect Master Zhong Daoling, and explained why he had come.
Zhong Daoling did not pull any tricks and readily handed Lin Yun his Foundation Establishment Pill.
While giving Lin Yun the pill, Zhong Daoling made no mention of the dispute over Foundation Establishment Pills that had raged over the past few days. Only moments earlier had they finally decided who would receive the last one.
He glanced at the cultivation level Lin Yun displayed and nodded. "Not bad. The eleventh level of Qi Refining. Taking a Foundation Establishment Pill should give you a slim chance of establishing your foundation. I hope you succeed."
Some immortals in the Zu Mountain World loved roaming the mortal realm under ordinary identities, and thus often possessed impressive methods for concealing their auras. Lin Yun had learned quite a few such methods from the Daoist Books those immortals had left behind.
Thus, although Lin Yun's spiritual power had already reached the perfected thirteenth level of Qi Refining, others could only discern the eleventh level.
Not only would a Foundation-Building Stage cultivator like Zhong Daoling fail to see through him, even a Nascent Soul cultivator would not discover Lin Yun's true cultivation unless they examined him carefully.
At Zhong Daoling's words, Lin Yun cupped his hands slightly. "Thank you, Sect Master."
Zhong Daoling waved his hand and merely said, "It's what you're entitled to," before dismissing Lin Yun.
With the Foundation Establishment Pill in hand, Lin Yun returned directly to the Hundred Herb Garden.
Martial Uncle Ma was still waiting there when he returned.
Seeing Lin Yun come back, he asked, "When are you going into seclusion? If you're doing it immediately, I'll tend the Herb Garden until the Hundred Mechanisms Hall sends someone to take over. If you're not in a hurry, wait until your replacement is familiar with the Herb Garden before you begin."
Lin Yun had no intention of losing his chance to fleece the Hundred Herb Garden just to take this Foundation Establishment Pill. He said, "I plan to cultivate a while longer before going into seclusion. Also, Martial Uncle Ma, could I go into seclusion here in the Herb Garden?"
Martial Uncle Ma gave Lin Yun a look and said indifferently, "Do as you please."
"Thank you, Martial Uncle Ma."
As they spoke, a streak of green light suddenly flew through the restrictions outside the Herb Garden.
Seeing it, Martial Uncle Ma said, "Hah, that was quick. I hope the Hundred Mechanisms Hall hasn't just found someone to fob me off with."
He then said to Lin Yun, "Let's see what the person they've sent from the Hundred Mechanisms Hall is worth."
Lin Yun nodded in agreement, wondering whether the newcomer would be Han the Old Devil.
"Come in." Martial Uncle Ma's dry voice traveled out of the Herb Garden in a narrow stream of sound, and the garden's restrictions opened.
A moment later, a young man with an ordinary face and slightly dark skin approached the Herb Garden's entrance.
Martial Uncle Ma said impatiently, "Get in here. What are you standing there like an idiot for?"
The young man immediately entered.
"You're the disciple sent by the Hundred Mechanisms Hall? You're far too young, and your cultivation is so poor! Is that Ye fellow trying to fob me off?" At the sight of the young man, Martial Uncle Ma's face darkened in displeasure.
Over the years, he had been very satisfied with Lin Yun's care of the Herb Garden. Even though Lin Yun left for two or three months every half year, he had never considered replacing him.
Had he not been unwilling to delay Lin Yun's seclusion to take the Foundation Establishment Pill, he would never have sought another disciple to tend the garden. In his mind, even this new gardener would only be temporary, but that was still no excuse for sending someone unsuitable.
The young man already knew something of Martial Uncle Ma's temper and immediately bowed. "Disciple Han Li greets Martial Uncle."
When Han Li announced his name, Lin Yun's expression remained unchanged, but he thought, It really is Han the Old Devil.
Martial Uncle Ma glanced at Han Li and pointed at Lin Yun. "This is Lin Yun. I brought you here to help him tend the Herb Garden. Just follow his instructions. But if you still can't do a proper job, you'll have a taste of what's coming to you!"
Han Li froze. Hadn't he specifically chosen this assignment because it would be convenient to use the Little Green Bottle here? Why was someone else in the Herb Garden? Hadn't the assignment said he would be alone?
Although inwardly annoyed, Han Li immediately realized that the transaction was already concluded. It was too late to change assignments now.
He hurriedly bowed to Lin Yun. "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin."
Seeing Han the Old Devil acting so respectfully gave Lin Yun a rather peculiar feeling. A hint of a smile appeared on his face as he said, "There's no need to stand on ceremony, Junior Brother Han."
Martial Uncle Ma continued, "Lin Yun will soon be going into seclusion. Learn how to manage the Herb Garden from him as quickly as you can. Don't hold him up."
Han Li was delighted to hear this. So he would still have the place to himself soon enough. He immediately said, "Understood. I'll diligently learn how to tend the Herb Garden from Senior Brother Lin."
Martial Uncle Ma nodded casually, then told Lin Yun to replace Han Li immediately if he was dissatisfied with him. Only then did he leave the Hundred Herb Garden with his mind at ease.
"Junior Brother Han, I heard you also entered the valley with an Ascension Token? We really do share a connection." After Martial Uncle Ma left, Lin Yun struck up a conversation.
Han Li
Upon hearing this, he immediately understood. He had previously heard that someone before him had also entered the valley with an Ascension Token. Could it really be such a coincidence? Was that person the Senior Brother Lin before him?
Han Li asked in surprise, "Then you also entered the valley with an Ascension Token, Senior Brother Lin?"
Lin Yun smiled. "Indeed. Without an Ascension Token, how could someone with a fake spiritual root like mine enter Yellow Maple Valley? By fighting tooth and nail at the Ascension Immortal Assembly? That would be far too dangerous."
Lin Yun then asked, "Junior Brother Han, do you recognize the medicinal herbs in the Herb Garden?"
Han Li nodded. "I recognize one or two out of every ten."
"Good. It would be troublesome if you didn't recognize any of them. That hut contains some Medicinal Herb Cultivation Notes left by Martial Uncle Ma. You can study them carefully. The other hut contains notes I've made while tending the Herb Garden over the years. If you don't mind, you can read those as well." Lin Yun pointed out two huts in the row to Han Li.
He then added, "Apart from the one I live in, you can choose any of the other huts as your quarters, Junior Brother Han."
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