Chapter 32: Inner Sect Gardener
Chapter 32: Inner Sect Gardener
Within the Xuanxin Sect’s Inner Sect, disciples had distinctions between high and low status.
Without a certain background and connections, even if one held the title of Inner Sect Disciple, their actual status and treatment were only slightly better than an Outer Sect Disciple’s.
Take Zhu Fuqin for example. As the daughter of one of Violet Cloud Town’s three Elders, when she came to the Xuanxin Sect, she was like a drifting weed with no roots. Although she had a Master, because her talent was average, her Master paid her no attention due to long-term duties at the border. He only left her an ordinary residence to live in, without even a Spirit Gathering Array. She needed to complete contribution tasks for the Inner Sect to earn time in a Training Room.
People like her were not few in the Xuanxin Sect!
Ruan Qing was one of them.
Ruan Qing’s status and situation were even more awkward than Zhu Fuqin’s…
As a Rogue Cultivator, he entered the Xuanxin Sect at a very young age. He struggled at Daoshan Peak for a full twenty years and finally entered the Inner Sect with Third Rank Peak cultivation. Similarly, he was disliked by his Master and could only rely on meager monthly resource allowances to get by, making his cultivation progress very slow.
Ruan Qing’s only strength and advantage was his near-master level skill in caring for Spirit Trees and medicinal plants. Even Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying, the nominal disciples of the Golden Jade Hall, served him very carefully, afraid of any neglect.
For Ruan Qing, Lu Hangzhi, who fought his way into the Xuanxin Sect’s Inner Sect as the top ranker, with Senior Sister Zhu Fuqin guiding him upfront and the famous Senior Brother Leng Wuya looking after him, and now even receiving the Vice Sect Leader’s personal appointment, he was convinced that Lu Hangzhi would definitely become a future rising star within the sect. The moment he received the Qiankun Pouch, he immediately bet everything, ready to cling to this big tree.
Lu Hangzhi was stunned.
“What are you…”
He felt a bit uncomfortable with this Senior Brother’s enthusiasm.
Ruan Qing explained seriously:
“The fruit from a five-hundred-year Spirit Fruit Tree is extremely precious. It is not only delicious but also contains Spiritual Energy effective for cultivators below Fifth Grade. If cared for properly, it can bloom and bear fruit once every five days, producing over a hundred fruits. Senior Brother Hangzhi, you have a total of eighteen five-hundred-year Spirit Fruit Trees. But where can you find so many people to take care of these Spirit Fruit Trees?”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi nodded slightly. That made sense.
“What do you mean.”
“If you entrust them to my care, I can make these Spirit Fruit Trees bear fruit once every four days! All eighteen Spirit Fruit Trees will be like this!”
Lu Hangzhi’s eyes lit up.
One person taking care of eighteen Spirit Fruit Trees was no small task.
“You can make the Spirit Fruit Trees bear over a hundred fruits?”
“While I was at Daoshan Peak, I was fortunate enough to read an ancient text. It contained a method to increase the number of fruits on a Spirit Fruit Tree.”
Ruan Qing answered honestly, “I don’t ask for anything else. I just hope to be able to borrow your Spirit Gathering Array for cultivation when you are resting or away. Of course! Provided it doesn’t affect the fruit bearing of the Spirit Fruit Trees.”
It sounded good, a very sincere job request.
Lu Hangzhi was somewhat tempted.
“Senior Brother Hangzhi, you should agree to him.”
“Master also said his skill in caring for Spirit Trees and medicinal plants is very good. It’s just a pity his talent isn’t great, and also, he’s a bit dumb.”
Ruan Qing wasn’t embarrassed at all. He looked directly at Lu Hangzhi, his expression full of undisguised hope and earnestness.
Lu Hangzhi didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he inquired about Ruan Qing’s current situation and learned some basic details about Ruan Qing before deciding to keep him on a trial basis.
Even though it was just a trial, for Ruan Qing it was an excellent opportunity. Without another word, the latter took the Qiankun Pouch and began bustling about the residence.
Digging holes, planting trees, burying them.
His series of actions were very skilled.
What surprised Lu Hangzhi was that before placing each Spirit Fruit Tree, Ruan Qing would first put some Spirit Stones and Spirit Spring water into the hole. Then he would perform the Water Control Art once, ensuring the Spirit Fruit Tree was buried in its new environment when it was most vigorous. He was very meticulous and serious.
In less than an hour, all eighteen five-hundred-year Spirit Fruit Trees were planted, filling the front yard and the sides of the dwelling. They were full of vitality, with Spiritual Energy swirling around, creating a scene just like a paradise.
Then came the six Purple Bamboos…
Ruan Qing was even more serious and cautious when handling the Purple Bamboos.
Purple Bamboos were many times more valuable than five-hundred-year Spirit Fruit Trees. Besides the actions mentioned above, he finally performed the Rainfall Art several times, ensuring the Spiritual Energy was abundant and saturated. Only then did he stop, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Lu Hangzhi had been quietly observing Ruan Qing the whole time, learning while silently nodding.
Truly worthy of being a senior disciple from Daoshan Peak!
Seeing Ruan Qing sit down cross-legged, preparing to use Low-Grade Spirit Stones to recover his Magic Power, Lu Hangzhi smiled and said, “I’m planning to go to the Scripture Library to learn a few spells. You can use my Spirit Gathering Array before I return.”
Ruan Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this. He “sprang” up from the ground:
“Thank you, Senior Brother Hangzhi!”
His main purpose in coming here was to use the Golden Jade Hall’s Spirit Gathering Array to speed up his cultivation. But what he never expected was that happiness would come so quickly.
“Make the most of your time.”
“Yes!”
Ruan Qing hastily rushed into the house.
Xiao Mu and Xiao Ying finished eating the fruit but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, they looked at the yard full of vibrant Spirit Fruit Trees, running around.
“Senior Brother!”
“Can we really come often from now on?”
“Pick and eat the fruits as we please?”
“Of course!”
Lu Hangzhi was amused by the two and nodded affirmatively: “You’ll have as much fruit as you want.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother!”
“Then we’ll be off now. We’ll come back later to see Senior Brother’s trees.”
“Ah! We delayed the task Master gave us…”
Only then did the two remember their main business and ran off in a great hurry.
Lu Hangzhi looked back at Ruan Qing, who was concentrating on cultivating inside the Spirit Gathering Array. Then he turned, left his residence, and headed towards the Scripture Library.
Tomorrow was the sect’s Inner Sect Competition. Since he had already become an Inner Sect Disciple, he should familiarize himself more with the sect’s other spells, even if he might not necessarily achieve a good ranking.
…
The next day.
The Xuanxin Sect Inner Sect Competition.
Over three hundred Inner Sect Disciples gathered on the chessboard-like area from the previous day.
Unlike the Outer Sect Disciples, these Inner Sect Disciples had formed different circles, mainly centered around Fifth-Grade Cultivators, with Third and Fourth-Grade Cultivators surrounding them.
Lu Hangzhi naturally joined Senior Brother Leng Wuya’s side, forming a small circle with the six people there.
Two Fifth-Grade Cultivators, three Fourth-Grade Cultivators, plus the Deputy Sect Leader’s young disciple; the lineup was quite impressive and eye-catching.
The Outer Sect Disciples had uniform attire, but the Inner Sect Disciples had no such restriction. Everyone dressed according to their own preferences in different styles and temperaments. Various Spiritual Artifacts emitted faint glows, complementing each other and creating a spectacular sight.
Lu Hangzhi also noticed that the feuding Senior Brother Xiong Qi and Senior Brother Lü Liang were rarely standing together, winking and making faces at him. He couldn’t help but respond with an awkward smile.
“The number of Inner Sect Disciples is increasing, and the competition will become more and more intense. But this is also a sign of the sect’s prosperity.”
Deputy Sect Leader Chen Ji once again presided over the Sect Grand Competition. As soon as he took the stage, he attracted everyone’s attention.
In the eyes of the Inner Sect Disciples, the identity of the Golden Jade Hall’s Master was clearly more respected than his title as Deputy Sect Leader.
“Alright, enough talk. Everyone has seen yesterday’s Outer Sect competition… The rules for today’s competition are the same as yesterday’s.”
“Eh?”
Lu Hangzhi showed a surprised expression.
Leng Wuya and the others also looked helpless. “Is it really okay to be this casual?”
“If the Demonic Beasts and Monsters are just First, Second, and Third Grade, it’s completely meaningless. It will still come down to who is lucky enough to find companions.”
“Yeah.”
Zhu Fuqin and the others’ expressions turned somewhat unpleasant.
For those among the Inner Sect Disciples whose cultivation wasn’t high, it would be even harder to stand out in a free-for-all environment.
“Don’t worry, everyone. The Demonic Beasts and Monsters have been increased by three grades! Besides the first three grades, Fourth to Sixth-Grade Demonic Beasts have been added. Fourth-Grade Demonic Beasts and Monsters correspond to one thousand Points. Fifth-Grade Demonic Beasts correspond to ten thousand Points. As for Sixth-Grade Demonic Beasts, there are only four in the Trial Space, each at Sixth-Grade Peak cultivation, worth one hundred thousand Points each.”
The audience below broke into an uproar.
“Sixth-Grade Peak Demonic Beasts…”
“I hope I don’t run into one.” Many Third and Fourth-Grade Cultivators prayed silently, including a small number of Fifth-Grade Cultivators.
Only a few cultivators had particularly fervent looks in their eyes, for example… Leng Wuya.
Oh, and also Xiong Qi and Lü Liang.
It seems I forgot to ask these two Senior Brothers about their specific cultivation levels and Inner Sect rankings.
Lu Hangzhi thought to himself.
Afterwards, Master Chen Ji announced the rewards for the Inner Sect Competition…
Lu Hangzhi only listened carefully to the rewards related to the top three: True Disciple status, a Spiritual Peak as a reward, and the bestowal of one Sixth-Grade Spiritual Artifact and a bottle of Tongling Pills. The rewards were exceptionally generous.
“Except for Yun Yi, if you encounter other Inner Sect Disciples, try not to fight them. Find ways to regroup with everyone, conserve your strength, and improve your ranking.”
Leng Wuya very rationally instructed everyone.
The group agreed in unison.
After speaking, Chen Ji announced the official start of the Inner Sect Competition.
The Illusory Real World Illusion Arts unfolded once again.
…
This time, Lu Hangzhi wasn’t as lucky as last time. As soon as the nearby environment solidified, a black shadow shot towards him. By the time he clearly saw the attacking creature, the three-eyed Monster Wolf was already right in front of him, leaving no time to cast spells or use Talismans.
Damn!
Was his first Inner Sect Competition really going to end so quickly with elimination?
Lu Hangzhi was filled with unwillingness.
However…
What happened next was somewhat unexpected.
Targeting the human cultivator’s neck, the Monster Wolf bit down, intending to tear open the throat and drink blood. Unexpectedly, a sudden change occurred.
The furry “scarf” suddenly turned its head, revealing a pair of sharp, slender pupils:
Meow!
The sound was shrill.
As soon as the Mirror Spirit Cat made its move, the Monster Wolf’s biting action suddenly halted. Its whole body stiffened, hanging strangely in mid-air for half a second.
On the high platform, a group of Elders who had been smiling, ready to welcome the first unlucky young man eliminated from the Inner Sect Competition, changed their expressions and exclaimed upon seeing the spirit cat’s eyes:
“Mirror Spirit Cat?!”
“Old Chen, your disciple is really generous! Even this kind of mutated Spirit Beast, he just gives away so casually!”
“That’s a Mirror Spirit Cat! Once cultivated to Third Grade, it can even rival a Sixth-Grade life-preserving Spiritual Artifact!”
“We originally wanted to see this Outer Sect top ranker be the first to get eliminated. Now it seems like his Senior Brothers and Sisters are the ones in trouble.”