Chapter 85: Worldly Affairs

The Human World

Qin Sang learned through inquiry that the Yuanzhao Sect's sphere of influence was very extensive. Once qualified, disciples could choose any location rich in spiritual energy within the vast mountain range to establish their cave dwellings.

Yuanzhao Peak was the foundation of the Yuanzhao Sect's protective grand formation. The Grand Patriarch cultivated on the main peak, and the Main Hall and other critical areas were also built around it. This area was therefore known as the Inner Sect.

Following Senior Brother Zhu, they flew for a while until they reached the edge of the sect's protective grand formation. Senior Brother Zhu descended to the ground, pointed to the valley entrance ahead, which was obscured by mist, and told Qin Sang, "Junior Brother Qin, that's Xingyun Valley ahead. There's a grand formation inside, and you'll need Xingyun Valley's token to enter. I won't go any further. Your white cloud artifact is used for cloud manipulation and rain-making, which nourishes spiritual plants. The mustard seed pouch contains Nine Spirit Sand and other necessary items, all essential for cultivating spiritual plants. This is one month's supply; someone will deliver a new supply later."

As he spoke, Senior Brother Zhu raised a hand and sent a stream of spiritual energy into the valley. A moment later, the mist in the valley parted, and from within, a person emerged, appearing even older than Martial Uncle Du. Yet, he only possessed a cultivation of the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage.

The person suppressed his flight, landing before them. He glanced at Qin Sang and spoke with a sarcastic tone, "Junior Brother Zhu, you rarely grace us with your presence unless there's something amiss. What a rare guest... a truly rare guest. This Junior Brother looks unfamiliar; what's your name?"

Qin Sang quickly bowed, saying, "Junior Brother Qin Sang greets Senior Brother."

Senior Brother Zhu offered a wry smile, showing no anger. He spoke with a plaintive tone, "Senior Brother Meng, this is Junior Brother Qin Sang, who just joined the sect. He's been assigned to your Xingyun Valley to help, and I personally brought him here. Why are you treating me like this?"

Senior Brother Meng's eyes lit up. "Old Du finally decided to release someone? Oh, I almost forgot today is the Immortal Ascension Assembly."

Senior Brother Zhu seemed to deliberately provoke him. He shook his head and said, "I heard Martial Uncle Du had other matters today and entrusted Martial Uncle Yu with arranging the new handyman. Otherwise, several other Martial Uncles are waiting to replenish their staff, and it wouldn't have been your turn."

Senior Brother Meng snorted, then suddenly froze. "Martial Uncle Yu? Which Martial Uncle Yu?"

Senior Brother Zhu stated calmly, "It's indeed that Junior Brother Yu Hua. He recently went into seclusion to establish his foundation and successfully broke through. From now on, when you see him, you'll need to call him Martial Uncle Yu."

The two looked at each other, speechless. Suddenly, both their faces clouded with weariness. They both looked utterly dispirited.

After Senior Brother Zhu left, Qin Sang followed Senior Brother Meng into Xingyun Valley.

After a few conversations, as they became more familiar, Qin Sang learned that this Senior Brother was named Meng Ruhui. He was now eighty-eight years old. Having long ago determined that Foundation Establishment was hopeless for him, thirty years prior, he had completely abandoned the idea of cultivating immortality, bid farewell to the sect, and returned home.

However, both his parents had long since passed away, and his hometown was now filled with strangers. Dispirited, Meng Ruhui returned to the mountain to take over mundane duties, intending to spend the rest of his life within the sect.

Over the past thirty years, his cultivation had slowly advanced to the peak of the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage. However, Foundation Establishment was now impossible for him, and the sect, acknowledging his diligence, had put him in charge of Xingyun Valley.

Xingyun Valley comprised several interconnected valleys. Numerous spiritual fields had been cultivated in each valley, where countless spiritual trees, bamboo, and grains were cultivated, and naturally, spiritual herbs were indispensable.

Meng Ruhui led Qin Sang deeper into the valley. Along the way, they encountered several senior disciples, all moving with hurried steps. After brief greetings, they each went about their busy tasks.

Witnessing this bustling scene, Qin Sang's heart sank.

The two finally arrived at the innermost valley. Compared to the others, this valley was not large. Its slopes were covered with purple bamboo, and in the center lay a vast herb garden.

"Junior Brother Qin, from now on, you will be responsible for tending to this spiritual herb garden. Periodically, you will need to submit a specific quota of spiritual herbs, and the sect will send someone to collect them. The characteristics of each spiritual herb, along with their nurturing methods, are detailed in this jade slip. Some spiritual herbs are extremely delicate, Junior Brother, so you must not be negligent. Otherwise, if you fail to submit the required herbs, not only will your monthly stipend be entirely withheld, but you may also be directly expelled from the sect. You can freely choose a place within this valley to establish your cave dwelling..."

After a long explanation to Qin Sang, Meng Ruhui hurried away. Qin Sang used his flight technique to reach the herb garden inside the valley. He observed the various spiritual herbs within—some a vibrant medley of colors, others a lush, dewy green—all unfamiliar to him.

After his divine sense entered the jade slip and he read its contents carefully, Qin Sang's face completely darkened.

His cloud artifact was called the Five Elements Cloud. When activated, it could infuse the five-element spiritual energy from the heavens and earth into rainwater, which would then descend, nourishing spiritual plants.

Due to the unique characteristics of each spiritual herb, the frequency and timing of rainfall, as well as the type and amount of five-element spiritual energy infused into the rain, all required careful consideration. The wielder of the artifact needed to control these aspects meticulously.

If a mistake was made, it would not only fail to promote growth but could also damage the spiritual herbs. In severe cases, it could cause them to wither and die completely.

Nine Spirit Sand, on the other hand, was made from the droppings of nine types of demonic bats. Ordinary spiritual plants only required a single application every ten days, needing no further attention. But spiritual herbs were different; the myriad requirements were incredibly complex, causing Qin Sang's head to throb the more he read.

If he strictly followed the instructions in the jade slip, he would have to spend more than half his day tending to the herb garden, leaving him with pitifully little time for cultivation.

No wonder Meng Ruhui had left so quickly, giving him no chance to protest.

Qin Sang flew to a higher vantage point to observe his surroundings. He spotted a bamboo structure deep within the bamboo grove and flew towards it, only to find it dilapidated with age. The entire building swayed precariously with every gust of wind. Resigned, he found a cliff face behind the bamboo forest and used his Verdant Wave Sword to carve out a simple cave dwelling. Then, he sat in quiet contemplation.

Martial Uncle Yu had assigned him to Xingyun Valley but had never explicitly stated his duties. It was possible that Du Siye's sudden appearance had disrupted his plan.

This left Qin Sang feeling uneasy.

It wasn't that Qin Sang hadn't considered informing the sect. But within the Yuanzhao Sect, besides Yu Hua, how many more spies from the Kuiyin Sect lurked? Could Meng Ruhui be one of them?

Besides the two Golden Core Ancestors and the Sect Master of the Yuanzhao Sect, Qin Sang truly dared not trust anyone else lightly.

Moreover, considering the Yuanzhao Sect's practice of using the Immortal Ascension Assembly to lure and kill rogue cultivators, could he truly atone for his actions by providing information?

This was a gamble with his life!

If he were to inform, to prove the veracity of his words, the secret of the jade Buddha would inevitably be exposed.

Qin Sang was now gaining a deeper understanding of the jade Buddha.

The primordial spirit was the foundation of a cultivator. The jade Buddha not only protected his primordial spirit from external malevolent intrusions but also helped him resist the soul-bewitching effects of the Soul-Confusing Mirror.

Qin Sang analyzed that this ability likely only affected the primordial spirit, allowing him to maintain his primordial spirit unclouded and firmly guard his Dao heart, no matter where he was. However, he still couldn't see through cloud and mist grand formations with his naked eyes, such as those outside Xingyun Valley or the Silent Mountain Market.

Although he couldn't yet determine the limits of the jade Buddha, it was conceivable that, under its protection, in the future, when facing artifacts, spells, evil entities, or even formations that could harm the primordial spirit or confuse the mind, he would possess the power to resist them.

The jade Buddha was undoubtedly a supreme treasure. Under no circumstances could its existence be leaked.