Chapter 103 – Herbs and a Guest

  Jun De sat at the stone table in his courtyard, leaning forward to study a book in front of him as the warmth of the protective array kept the winter chill at bay. Rows of pots and shallow trays had been carefully arranged throughout the space, each holding herbs or flowers that brimmed with the soft pulse of spiritual energy.

  He ran his finger across the descriptions in the jade-bound manual, comparing the delicate characters written within with the herbs in both his own garden and those that the Alchemy Hall loaned for his studies.

  The books described all the foundational herbs that every Inner Sect Disciple was expected to have a basic knowledge of, even if they didn’t continue their studies in pill refining or tending their own gardens.

  At least, that was according to Elder Mu.

  Jun De suspected that many Inner Sect Disciples didn’t pursue knowledge with the same dedication that she expected, if the reaction of the Alchemy Hall to his request for the manual was any indication.

  They had seemed surprised when he had arrived to pick up Elder Mu’s recommended herb manual, even with her speaking to the Hall beforehand to have them prepared.

  Jun De let out a sigh as he compared the description in the manual of the most common herb in the Qi Condensation stage, Spirit Grass, with a thin, emerald-green stalk that bent as though stirred by a breeze even when the air in his courtyard was still.

  “According to the manual, this herb is supposed to teach patience since spirit grass will grow slowly unless nurtured daily with a cultivator’s spiritual energy.” Jun De said to the small plant, picking up the pot and turning it to study it in detail before placing it back down on the table.

  “I could use some of that right about now.” Jun De muttered dryly.

  He had been following Elder Mu’s training schedule diligently for the past few weeks, with some modifications to allow him more free time. Even then, he barely had time to sleep.

  Jun De could understand how Elder Mu became as powerful as she was now if this was the sort of training she did in the Inner Sect. After a few weeks in the Inner Sect, he was utterly convinced that no one aside from him was stupid enough to follow her training plan.

  He saw the other Inner Sect Disciples working hard, but not to the same degree. They trained and sparred, cultivated and studied techniques, but they also seemed to have plenty of time for leisure.

  Even Zhao Wuxian had adequate free time in his day to strut around with his muscles exposed, flexing and shouting that he was the strongest. If that idiot could get by in the Inner Sect with no one getting on his case, Jun De doubted he had to put in as much effort as he was in order to excel.

  But every time he thought about abandoning the detailed schedule, Mu Yanyu’s face would appear in his mind. He pictured her disappointment and the way she had been concerned for his health and well-being when she entered his courtyard.

  So, inevitably, he would let out a long, tired sigh and get back to work.

  “Cloudveil Lily. Identifiable by its pale, silver petals that are faintly translucent when held up to the light, it gets its name from the way it appears to have been woven from mist. Its fragrance has a calming effect, which is why it is often used in pills to steady one’s mind before attempting a breakthrough.”

  Jun De traced a fingertip across one of the petals, and a slight chill seeped into his skin.

  Setting it down, he looked at another. This one was a twisting vine with leaves that flittered in the light like dull metal.

  “Ironleaf Vine.” Jun De identified it immediately, and he flicked a leaf with his fingernail. Unlike a regular plant, the leaf let out a ringing sound like metal as he struck it.

  “Used to fortify and strengthen bones. You’re the little bastard who has been making my baths so memorable lately.” Jun De cursed.

  Jun De had been following Elder Mu’s recommendation for body tempering, and the herbal baths contained a mixture of ingredients all designed to harden his flesh and bones, while removing impurities.

  Elder Mu hadn’t mentioned that it felt similar to diving beneath an ice-covered pool, followed by extreme heat that left him gasping. Each time he did it, he would hobble back to his courtyard like an old man as his bones creaked and groaned.

  Still, it was effective when combined with the Stonebreaking Fist, and Jun De could already feel it working to improve his constitution.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “A Moonpetal Orchid.” The delicate flower caught his eye next, with petals that gleamed faintly under the courtyard’s array. It shimmered as if it were reflecting starlight despite it being the middle of the day.

  “Yin-aligned, it’s perfect for soothing inner injuries. I bet Senior Sister Bai Xuelian would have some sort of connection with you.” Jun De said to the flower that was sitting still in its own pot, away from the others, so that its strong Yin energy didn’t affect them.

  The last pot contained a small, half-open flower bud that was shaped like a small flame. The Dawnheart Flame inside his Dantian stirred slightly as Jun De picked up the pot and felt a small pulse of fiery Qi it emitted, even in its immature state.

  “You’re a Redflare Bud, and I’m not supposed to touch you directly without coating my fingers in Qi, or you’ll give me a nasty burn.” Jun De reached out with his other hand and pinched its stem gently, all while protecting his fingers with Qi. There was a soft buzzing sound as the plant’s heat came into contact with the trace amount of fire released by the Dawnheart Flame coursing through his Qi.

  Jun De set the pot down and leaned back into his chair, his studies finally finished for the day. The manual urged Disciples not merely to memorize the names and descriptions, but to somehow feel the nature of each herb.

  The soft rustling of the pages of the manual as they were caught in the artificially warm breeze of the courtyard was broken by a loud, rolling laugh that seemed to carry with it as much warmth as the array that drove away the winter cold.

  Jun De’s head lifted from where it leaned against the back of his chair just as the courtyard gate opened. The protective array shimmered faintly before parting to admit a figure that Jun De barely recognized.

  Elder Shen stepped through the gate with his hands clasped behind his back. Unlike before, he now wore blue robes with silver trim, the same as Jun De’s. His hair, which had been grey and silver the last time Jun De had seen him, now had streaks of black, and his complexion was healthier than ever.

  If Jun De had not known better, he would have thought that Elder Shen had shed a decade or more, appearing no more than someone in their late fifties or sixties.

  What shocked Jun De the most was his cultivation. Elder Shen was clearly in the middle stages of Foundation Establishment!

  “Ha! So, it’s true then!” Elder Shen chuckled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners as he surveyed the courtyard and all the plants and herbs Jun De had deposited for his studies from the Alchemy Hall.

  “I was told that one of the newcomers to the Inner Sect, the most talented prodigy of his generation, was burying himself in his studies rather than enjoying all the Inner Sect has to offer. I thought it was just some idle gossip, yet here you are, surrounded by manuals and herbs with your head buried in a book as though the secrets of heaven itself were hidden within it!”

  Elder Shen’s gaze roamed through the rows of herbs on the ground and table. The Spirit Grass swayed back and forth in the Elder’s presence, while the Cloudveil Lily’s petals trembled under the pressure of his Qi.

  With each step closer, Jun De could feel the strength of the Elder’s cultivation, and he couldn’t understand how Elder Shen had managed to achieve Foundation Establishment after being stuck at the Peak of Qi Condensation for so long.

  “Elder Shen, it’s good to see you again.” Jun De rose to his feet and cupped his hands respectfully. Shen Weifeng waved his hand dismissively in response, and his smile grew wider.

  “No need for that, Jun De. As you can see, I’m no longer an Outer Sect Elder. I’ve been elevated to my old position within the Inner Sect. I’m a Disciple once more, the same as you.” Shen Weifeng explained, and Jun De’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Still, I’m impressed with you, Jun De. Most Inner Sect Disciples don’t receive such a fine residence when they first arrive. I suppose I’m not surprised. The Sect values you highly. Although I expected you to spend some time lounging about, testing your strength against your peers and squandering your free time in petty rivalries.”

  “Instead, I find you burying yourself in work. Diligence like that is rarer than talent.”

  Shen Weifeng stopped beside the Moonpetal Orchid and bent slightly to examine it.

  “You’ve been given some fine specimens to study. Not bad, not bad at all!”

  “Elder Mu arranged for everything. Honestly, I would rather spend some time ‘lounging around,’ but she had an entire list of things for me to do, and I didn’t want to disappoint her.” Jun De admitted, relaxing as he quickly eased into the back and forth that he was accustomed to with Elder Shen.

  “Ah! Too right, you don’t want to waste the Elder’s goodwill. Mu Yanyu is the most talented prodigy of her generation, not just in the Tranquil Mountain Sect but possibly the entire Southern Continent. Many people would kill to be in your position, to be on the receiving end of her advice.”

  “But tell me, Jun De, do you truly wish to walk this path? Do you wish to grind your way through every manual, every technique, and every lesson the Sect has to offer?” Shen Weifeng quirked an eyebrow at the youth, and Jun De inclined his head.

  Jun De couldn’t hide his true emotions, and Elder Shen broke out into laughter once again.

  “Good, Good! Diligence and youth but still retaining a spark of stubbornness! You’re just what the Sect needs more of.”

  Shen Weifeng looked around once again, clearly pleased, before resting his hands behind his back again and turning toward the still-open gate.

  “But I believe too much cultivation and study is not good for one’s Dao Heart. Life must be lived! I’ve made that mistake in the past, and I suffered for it. Come with me!” Shen Weifeng declared loudly, gesturing for Jun De to follow.

  His voice carried the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

  Jun De hesitated only long enough to set his herb manual carefully on the stone table beside the array of potted plants. Straightening his robes, Jun De quickly followed in the wake of the former Outer Sect Elder as they walked toward the gate.

  “Where are we going?”

  Shen Weifeng’s laugh boomed across the courtyard, rich and unrestrained, as though everything delighted him now that he had regained his rightful path of cultivation.

  “You’ll see soon enough! The Sect isn’t the only place for cultivation. If you bury your nose in books forever, you’ll wake one day to find the seasons have passed you by, and your Dao Heart will whiter before it has even taken root!”

  Jun De blinked in surprise, and he was about to open his mouth to reply when Shen Weifeng continued.

  “We’re going for a drink in Tranquil City!”