At dusk, Zhou Wuji returned to the Fallen Blossoms Studio.
Yang Tie Ying and Shangqi were eating, and both came out to greet Zhou Wuji when they saw him return.
Zhou Wuji told the two to finish eating first, then shook out his sleeves and tossed out a huge pile of medicinal herbs.
Shangqi had swept the broad flagstones in the courtyard clean.
The weather had been clear these past few days, so the herbs could be laid directly on the ground without getting damp and spoiling.
Leaving them in the Five Spirit Pouch would have been less desirable, as the Yin Qi would still have had some effect on them.
Fortunately, he had returned quickly; the whole trip had taken only about a quarter of an hour.
After eating, Yang Tie Ying and Shangqi cleared out a side room and sorted the herbs onto wooden racks by category.
Yang Tie Ying had helped Zhou Wuji refine pills before. Although he had no interest in pill refining, he had assisted him every day and was quite familiar with sorting herbs.
Shangqi, on the other hand, knew nothing and needed Yang Tie Ying to guide him through everything. Fortunately, Shangqi was clever and had a good memory, and soon he was doing a respectable job.
Zhou Wuji watched from the main room and was quite pleased with how quick-witted Shangqi was.
In truth, those who served as Daoist attendants at the main compound had all passed through several rounds of selection. Whatever their talent for cultivation, they were at least clever children.
Even when children of aristocratic clans came to cultivate, only those with promise were chosen.
Zhou Wuji stood alone and isolated at the main compound, so he could only train the young Daoist attendant at his side as well.