Wasted Spiritual Root to Embark on Demonic Cultivation

Chapter 21

Memorizing herbal knowledge through rote learning was enough for now. Wang Yu happened to be heading to report at the herb garden. Gaining practical experience would help him truly internalize it.

If he could perfect the Night Concealment Mantra, it would become difficult for others to pinpoint his location, avoiding incidents like the ambush by Mind Bewilderment illusion four days ago.

A gentleman hides his edge and strikes when the time is right.

Only through good concealment can there be a future.

After packing his belongings, Wang Yu stepped out the door. He would not return for half a year.

The private herb garden of Deacon Tantai was located within Evil God Alley, which belonged to Evil God Peak, the territory of the Ninth Peak.

This lineage did not have any Nascent Soul cultivators. The strongest among them was only at Peak Core Formation, putting them in the lower ranks within the Blood Reversal Sect. Because of this, the situation in Evil God Alley was chaotic, with cultivators from the other eight peaks establishing a presence and competing for resources.

Although Tantai Chan belonged to Cold Blood Peak, her herb garden was situated in Evil God Alley. This alone reflected the great influence of the Cold Blood lineage. After all, a herb garden was no small facility and required massive amounts of spiritual energy to sustain.

These gardens were typically built directly above spirit veins and protected by various formations, simulating the specific environments needed for different spiritual herbs.

First-rank spirit herbs did not require excessively demanding conditions, so maintenance should not be difficult.
Following the main street and guided by the mission scroll, it took Wang Yu two full hours to reach the main entrance.

From the outside, it looked like a large courtyard, located near the outskirts of Evil God Alley. The spiritual energy inside was thick and almost mist-like.

A wall twice the height of a man enclosed the entire perimeter. Only the main gate stood out as a paifang-style structure, with flying eaves and curled corners, carved with small beasts of unknown origin.

A ring was held in the mouth of a bat-shaped ornament. Wang Yu lightly knocked it.

The eyes of the bronze beast head glowed, and only after scanning the mission scroll in Wang Yuʼs hand did the door respond and open.

He stepped inside. What came into view was a field full of spirit herbs.

On the left was a patch of first-rank Five Essence Grass, one of the main ingredients in crafting Fasting Pills.

On the right was Bone Strengthening Flower, a core ingredient in Body Tempering Pills.

Spirit herbs were not divided into low, middle, high, or supreme grades. Instead, they were categorized as ordinary, rare, and so on. However, the pills they produced were graded, depending on the skill of the alchemist.

The herbs in Deacon Tantai’s garden were grown in standardized plots, which reassured Wang Yu—it meant less hassle.

And this was only the front yard. These two plots together had over a thousand spirit herbs, making the place quite valuable.

At the center stood a breezy open-air pavilion with sheer curtains and wind chimes hanging about. The soft breeze, mingled with the scent of herbs, brought a calming peace to the soul.

Connected to the pavilion was a straight line of buildings dividing the entire garden in half. The rear courtyard contained four herb fields where rarer spirit herbs were grown.

These included Yellow Lotus Ganoderma, Frost Nine-Leaf Grass, Jade Dragon Orchid... and two second-rank spirit trees called Moonlight Trees. Their fruits, Moonlight Fruit, not only enhanced beauty but also strengthened the true essence of Foundation Establishment cultivators who practiced cold-attribute techniques.

They took ten years to mature, and among second-rank herbs, were considered rare. Being fruit trees that continuously produced output made them more valuable than most regular herbs.

As Wang Yu looked around, his nose twitched slightly. A wave of fragrant wind came from the right, and he looked over.

A woman appeared, wearing a pale cyan, waist-tied soft silk dress. Her hair was styled in a delicate cloud bun adorned with golden hairpins. At the center of her brow was a fish-shaped floral ornament inlaid with a golden-blue gemstone.

Two sheer silk sashes floated around her arms and shoulders. Her long legs swayed gracefully as she walked.

Her facial features were exquisite, with slender eyes and brows, and a strange allure that was both youthful and seductive. Only the coldness in her gaze pierced to the bone.

Wang Yu was stunned by her beauty but did not lose his composure.

”Disciple Wang Yu of Ice and Snow Pavilion greets Senior Tantai.”

Tantai Chan gave a small nod. Her gaze lingered briefly on Wang Yu’s white hair and obviously aged face, then she lost interest.

”My herb garden... are you capable of tending it?”

Wang Yu nodded, then shook his head.

”Except for these two Moonlight Trees, I have no issue maintaining the other spirit herbs for half a year.”

”Reasonable.”

When she saw the black-blooded disciple token at Wang Yu’s waist, Tantai Chan immediately understood that he was merely an outer sect disciple and handed him a jade slip.

“Inside is the method for nurturing the Moonlight Tree, along with solutions for pest infestations and diseases. I will be entering seclusion for half a year to refine a batch of spirit pills. I may come out earlier or later, but you must ensure that not a single sprig in the herb garden is lost.”

“Disciple accepts the order.”

“Good. The house on the right is for you to stay in, and it contains the tools and seeds needed for tending the herb fields. If any spirit herbs mature, remember to harvest and replant them. Begin your duties today.”

“Yes.”

In the days that followed, Wang Yu became a full-fledged field herbalist. He weeded, caught insects, and patrolled the fields three times a day, embodying diligence and responsibility.

Tantai Chan observed him for a few days. Once she was sure there was no problem, she headed to the refined chamber on the left side of Chuanfeng Hall to enter seclusion.

Wang Yu knew she was an alchemist, but since they had no real connection, it was best not to ask questions. He focused on farming honestly.

In his busy time, he also trained hard.

At this stage, the effect of the Idle Slot could be summarized in four words: diligence makes up for dullness. He needed to circulate his cultivation method on his own to compress spiritual power, completing his first Spirit Refinement to improve the quality of his Qi.

Turning ten into one was no easy feat.

After pushing his meridians to the limit and reaching mental fatigue, he continued to study the Ice Shield technique late into the night before finally resting.

Living a full life made time pass quickly.

In the blink of an eye, it was the thirty-fifth day of Wang Yu’s outer sect life, and one month had passed since he arrived at this private herb garden.

That day.

The gate of Tantai’s herb garden was knocked upon. Wang Yu picked up his herb hoe and went to open the door.

Standing outside was a refined man in blue robes and a cloud-pattern crown. Two long strands of silver-white beard hung from his temples. Though his face looked young, he was clearly quite old.

The aura he exuded was overwhelming to Wang Yu. He was clearly a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Wang Yu quickly saluted.

“Outer sect disciple Wang Yu of Cold Blood Peak greets the Foundation Establishment senior.”

“Rise. You are...?”

“A herb farmer.”

Wang Yu waved his little hoe a few times. The robed cultivator showed a look of sudden realization. “I am here to speak with Junior Sister Tantai. Is she home?”

“Senior Tantai is currently in seclusion refining pills. It’s not appropriate to disturb her. She won’t emerge for at least half a year.”

“Very well. Then deliver this invitation to Junior Sister Tantai on my behalf.”

“Yes.”

After the man left, Wang Yu shut the gate and looked at the red invitation in his hand. The date was set for about eight months later.

“The Xu Family Pill Shop grand opening, inviting Senior Tantai to attend?”

“Xu Family Pill Shop...”

Wang Yu’s mind began to stir. He still had some aspirations toward the path of alchemy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken this job to lay his foundation.

That token worth one thousand contribution points... should he use it to exchange for alchemy inheritance?

He asked himself silently and did not rush.

Learning alchemy was very costly. Unless he used the Idle Slot to take a shortcut, he had no capital to pursue it yet. Better to wait.

Once his spell cultivation was at a decent level, he would go for it.