Chapter 18: The Struggle

The spiritual plants were restored to their original state and even improved in grade. The eight disciples were overjoyed; what they had initially deemed hopeless had actually come true!

As for the four who had demanded the IOU, their eyes were filled with envy and their faces turned ashen. When they saw Uncle-Master Wang leading the Outer Sect’s Chief Steward Ji toward them, they regretted their actions so deeply they felt as if their intestines were turning green.

"The Vitality Art! Was that the Vitality Art you just cast?"

Chief Steward Ji, shedding his usual composed demeanor, rushed to Ji Ning’s side in a few strides, his expression one of intense agitation. Ji Ning pursed her lips and nodded slightly. Was this truly the reticent and taciturn Uncle-Master from the Outer Sect?

"It really was the Vitality Art? Was what that book claimed actually true?"

"The Vitality Art? Is that the spell this junior sister just performed?"

Half of the onlookers were farmers, and there were also many outer sect handymen among them. Some had believed in the Vitality Art, while others had scoffed at it. Seeing it with their own eyes, however, was far more convincing than merely hearing rumors. Ji Ning figured that they were now believers.

She did not know if there were any great masters in the world who truly excelled in this art, but the Wood Spirit Formula was definitely genuine. The incantations and hand seals she had used were indeed recorded in the Vitality Art, but the internal circulation technique was actually the Wood Spirit Formula. Since no one had ever seen the real thing, no one would dare to question her.

Uncle-Master Wang, who held the lowest rank, was brimming with questions but dared not speak. After distributing the contribution points to the group, he dutifully dispersed the crowd of onlookers, many of whom had hurried over from the small hut where Chen Xu had died.

When the Law Enforcement Hall was handling the matter, three disciples from the Medicine Valley had arrived to bring Chen Xu and Ji Ning in for a confrontation, but they had returned empty-handed. Soon after, Chief Steward Cui passed by and began chatting with the Law Enforcement Hall officers, mentioning Ji Ning, which piqued everyone’s curiosity. With the end of the month approaching, there was little work to do, and many idle people meant many spectators.

Once the crowd dispersed, Chief Steward Cui walked slowly toward them and nodded at Ji Ning. He had a kind face, round like a Maitreya Buddha, with a smile that seemed permanently affixed. He was slightly stout and wore a thin, brownish-yellow robe with a wine gourd hanging at his waist. As he drew closer, a refined, elegant aroma of wine drifted into her nostrils. Ji Ning’s spirit suddenly stabilized, and her divine sense felt as comfortable as if it were soaking in a hot spring.

Ji Ning lowered her eyes, puzzled, and instantly sealed her sense of smell.

Seeing this, Chief Steward Cui chuckled, his chest vibrating and the fat at his waist trembling. "You have quite the high level of vigilance!" He unhooked the gourd and took a few gulps himself. The sweet, cold wine turned into spiritual energy upon entering his throat, where it was absorbed by the rotating solid sphere in his dantian.

"This is the Heart-Cleansing Dew, a great tonic!" Chief Steward Cui smacked his lips, savoring the wonderful aftertaste. Despite his obvious craving, he forced himself to cap the gourd and put it away. The item was too expensive; he feared he would go bankrupt if he were to drink his fill!

"Drunkard!" Chief Steward Ji spat out the two words with a cold face, his eyes filled with disdain.

Chief Steward Cui showed no sign of annoyance, smiling as he said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk! Chief Steward Ji, could you even afford this if you wanted to talk like that?"

"The spirit stones I earn are earned honestly, unlike some people who collect pay without putting in any real effort. Don't sit back and collect money while you lie around spending it!"

"I don't like the sound of that! Not to mention anything else, who maintains the sect's grand formation day in and day out? Who developed the Medicine Valley's protective barrier? Did you dig it out yourself with a hoe?" Chief Steward Cui’s words were rough but hit the mark.

"Let’s not even talk about the Medicine Valley barrier. Look at what kind of mess you’ve researched! You’ve ruined so many spiritual herbs for no reason. I demand a reduction in the formation maintenance fees."

At the mention of money, Chief Steward Cui became instantly calm. "What does that have to do with me? The one who broke the formation used spirit talismans. If it weren't for the formation's protection, the entire Medicine Valley would have been destroyed. By rights, you should be paying me more."

"..."

The unfortunate Uncle-Master Wang stood to the side, not daring to let out a breath. Ji Ning, sitting on the ground, felt relaxed, propping her chin on her hands and listening with interest. Watching the chaos was quite fun! She was reluctant to leave; such a scene was a rare sight indeed!

The two stewards argued more and more fiercely. After Chief Steward Cui brought up the merger of the Spiritual Plant Peak, Chief Steward Ji nearly rolled up his sleeves to start a fight. If two Golden Core cultivators were to clash, nothing less than a third-tier barrier could withstand the force, and the Medicine Valley would be in peril! Uncle-Master Wang was frantic.

At the critical moment, Ji Ning, whose face was contorted from suppressed laughter, tilted her head and met Uncle-Master Wang’s pitiful gaze. The Uncle-Master said nothing, his eyes brimming with emotion, looking as if he were about to shed two lines of tears to express his current state of mind.

Uncle-Master Wang was usually very kind to her, and she could not bear to see him in such a predicament, so she suppressed her laughter and asked softly, "Do the two Uncle-Masters have any other business? If not, this disciple will take her leave."

Ji Ning’s words caused a great stir. The two, who were in the heat of the moment, immediately stopped, straightened their robes, stood on either side, and returned to their normal expressions. *Phony, all of it is phony,* Ji Ning sighed.

"Ji Ning, since you have already mastered the Vitality Art, it shows that you have a great interest in planting spiritual herbs and possess significant talent. Would you be willing to come to the Spiritual Plant Hall? I will teach you personally. In time, you will surely become a high-level spiritual planter," Chief Steward Ji said first.

*This Outer Sect Uncle-Master's technique for painting a big picture is a bit weak,* Ji Ning thought, turning to look at Chief Steward Cui.

"A spiritual planter is a title with little substance and is not highly valued. An array master is different. Every barrier, sect formation, and secret realm boundary is inextricably linked to array masters. To put it plainly, once you graduate, you can travel the world with an array disc and earn spirit stones with this skill. It is difficult for a spiritual planter to achieve this; before planting, you have to worry about soil and tools, and after planting, you have to worry about the climate. It's hard to even make a living outside the sect. Little girl, don't be fooled by him." Chief Steward Cui said a great deal, ignoring Chief Steward Ji’s dark expression and murderous glare.

"So, both of you wish to take me on as an outer sect disciple?" Ji Ning asked, biting her fingernail and looking quite troubled.

"Yes."

"That is correct."

The move by the Spiritual Plant Hall was within Ji Ning’s expectations, but the Array Hall... that should be related to Spirit Sword Peak.

After pondering for a while, Ji Ning lifted her head and said respectfully, "This disciple appreciates the kindness of both Uncle-Masters, but this is a major matter. This disciple needs more time to consider. I will also participate in the end-of-year outer sect assessment." At that time, Ji Ning would make her choice.

Chief Steward Ji wanted to persuade her further, but he was stopped by a fan, and he had no choice but to give up.

Before leaving, both men gave her a jade slip containing elementary knowledge on planting and arrays—essentially enlightenment books for children, meant to cultivate interest.

After Ji Ning thanked them one by one, the two Uncle-Masters flew away on their swords together. Their figures shrank rapidly until they vanished.

"Why did you stop me just now?"

Chief Steward Cui looked composed, his fan never leaving his hand. "She is so young yet remains calm despite the praise or humiliation. With this temperament, she will likely go further than us in the future. Why worry about what she chooses? I actually think that whatever she chooses, she will master!"

Born with nine orifices, she was beyond the reach of ordinary people. This child was definitely not something that could be easily contained...

Once the two had completely departed, Uncle-Master Wang’s spirit suddenly collapsed, his legs softening as if he were about to fall. He looked deeply at Ji Ning, gave a few instructions, and then left.

After Uncle-Master Wang left, Ji Ning stood up unsteadily and walked slowly toward the entrance of the Medicine Valley. She had no energy left to run; her whole body felt weak.

When she arrived at the entrance, Ji Ning spotted a familiar person pacing back and forth, as if waiting for someone.