Only after inquiring did Qin Sang learn that the Yuanzhao Sect's territory was vast indeed. Once a disciple of the Yuanzhao Sect earned the qualification to establish a cave dwelling, they were free to choose any spot with dense spiritual energy in this immense mountain range to build one.
Yuanzhao Peak was the foundation of the sect-protecting grand formation. The Supreme Sect Master cultivated on the main peak, and crucial facilities like the Sect Master's Great Hall were also built around it, which was why this area was called the inner sect.
Following behind Senior Brother Zhu, Qin Sang flew for a time until they reached the outer edge of the sect-protecting grand formation. Senior Brother Zhu descended to the ground and pointed toward a mist-shrouded valley entrance ahead. "Junior Brother Qin, Cloud-Moving Valley lies just ahead. A grand formation protects the valley, and entry requires a Cloud-Moving Valley waist plaque, so this is as far as I can take you. That white cloud magic tool of yours is used to move clouds and bring rain to nourish spiritual plants. Your mustard seed bag contains items like Nine Spirits Sand, all necessary for cultivating spiritual plants... These are your allocation for one month. When the time comes, someone will deliver fresh supplies."
With that, Senior Brother Zhu raised a hand and cast a streak of spiritual power into the valley. A moment later, the mists parted, and a man who looked even older than Martial Uncle Du flew out, yet his cultivation was only at the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage.
The man brought down his flying light and landed before the two of them, looking Qin Sang up and down with an overtly sarcastic tone. "Junior Brother Zhu never enters a temple without a prayer. What a rare guest, what a rare guest... This junior brother looks rather unfamiliar. How should I address you?"
Qin Sang hurriedly bowed. "Junior Brother Qin Sang greets Senior Brother."
Senior Brother Zhu smiled bitterly, showing no anger as he said in a plaintive tone, "Senior Brother Meng, this is Junior Brother Qin Sang, who has just joined the sect and has been assigned to help out in Cloud-Moving Valley. I personally escorted him here, yet you treat me like this."
Senior Brother Meng's eyes lit up. "Old Du was finally willing to spare someone? Oh, I nearly forgot today was the Ascension Assembly."
As if deliberately trying to provoke him, Senior Brother Zhu shook his head. "I heard Martial Uncle Du had personal business today and entrusted Martial Uncle Yu to arrange the chores. Otherwise, several martial uncles were waiting to replenish their staff—it never would have been your turn."
Senior Brother Meng snorted, then suddenly froze. "Martial Uncle Yu? Which Martial Uncle Yu?"
Senior Brother Zhu said impassively, "None other than Junior Brother Yu Hua. Not long ago, he secluded himself for Foundation Establishment and successfully broke through the threshold. In the future, we must address him as Martial Uncle Yu when we meet."
The two looked at each other in silence, their expressions suddenly turning bleak and despondent, as if all their enthusiasm had been drained away.
***
After Senior Brother Zhu took his leave, Qin Sang followed Senior Brother Meng into Cloud-Moving Valley.
Through a few exchanges as they became acquainted, Qin Sang learned that this Senior Brother Meng was named Meng Ruhui and was already eighty-eight years old. Having realized long ago that Foundation Establishment was beyond his reach, he had completely abandoned all thoughts of immortal cultivation thirty years prior, bid farewell to the sect, and gone down the mountain to return home.
However, his parents had long since passed away, and his hometown was filled only with strangers. Disheartened, Meng Ruhui returned to the mountain to take charge of mundane chores, intending to live out the rest of his days within the sect.
Over the past thirty years, his cultivation had gradually ground its way to the peak of the thirteenth layer of the Qi Refinement stage, yet Foundation Establishment remained impossible. In consideration of his diligence, the sect placed him in charge of Cloud-Moving Valley.
Cloud-Moving Valley was formed by several interconnected valleys, each opened up with numerous spiritual fields planted with countless spiritual trees, spiritual bamboos, and spiritual grains, along with no shortage of spiritual herbs.
Meng Ruhui led Qin Sang deeper inside. Along the way, they encountered several senior brothers and sisters who were all in a hurry; after exchanging brief greetings, everyone went about their own business.
Seeing such a bustling, laborious scene, Qin Sang's heart could not help but sink.
Eventually, the two arrived at the innermost valley. Compared to other areas, this valley was not particularly large. The slopes on both sides were covered with purple bamboo, while a large herb garden occupied the center.
"Junior Brother Qin, from now on you will be responsible for tending to the spiritual herb garden here. Every so often, you must hand over a set quota of spiritual herbs, and the sect will send someone to collect them. The traits of each spiritual herb and their care methods are all recorded in this jade slip. Some of these herbs are exceedingly delicate, so you must never be careless. If you fail to turn in the required quota, you will not only have your monthly stipend docked, but you could even be expelled from the sect directly. In this valley, you may find any spot you like to carve out a cave dwelling..."
Meng Ruhui reeled off a long list of instructions before hurrying away. Qin Sang rode the wind to the edge of the herb garden in the valley and gazed at the various spiritual herbs within—some blooming in riotous colors, others fresh and dripping green—none of which he had ever seen before.
Sending his spiritual sense into the jade slip to read it thoroughly, Qin Sang's face darkened completely.
That cloud of his was actually called the Five Elements Cloud. Once activated, it could draw the five elements spiritual energy from heaven and earth into the rainwater and cast it down to nourish spiritual plants.
Since every spiritual herb had different characteristics, the frequency and duration of rainfall, as well as the types and amounts of five elements spiritual power infused into the water, were strictly regulated, requiring the user to exercise meticulous control.
If a mistake was made, not only would it fail to aid growth, but it could also damage the herbs; in severe cases, it could cause the herbs to wither and die completely.
The Nine Spirits Sand, on the other hand, was made from the droppings of nine kinds of demon bats. Common spiritual plants only needed a scattering once every ten days and could otherwise be left alone. Spiritual herbs, however, were entirely different—the myriad meticulous requirements were exceedingly complex, giving Qin Sang a growing headache as he read on.
If he followed the jade slip strictly, he would have to spend more than half of each day tending the herb garden, leaving pitifully little time for cultivation.
No wonder Meng Ruhui had left so quickly without giving him any chance to protest.
Qin Sang flew up to an elevation to observe. Deep in the bamboo grove, he spotted a bamboo cottage. Flying over, he found that the structure had fallen into disrepair over the years, the entire building swaying whenever the wind blew. He simply chose a cliff behind the bamboo grove and used his Azure Wave Sword to carve out a simple cave dwelling, sitting down in silence to ponder.
That Martial Uncle Yu had assigned him to Cloud-Moving Valley without ever explicitly stating what he wanted him to do. It was possible that Du Siye's sudden appearance had disrupted his plans.
This left Qin Sang in constant unease.
It was not that Qin Sang had never considered blowing the whistle, but how many other Kuiyin Sect spies were there in the Yuanzhao Sect besides Yu Hua? Could Meng Ruhui be one of them?
Apart from the Yuanzhao Sect's two Golden Core Masters and the sect master, Qin Sang truly dared not trust anyone.
Furthermore, seeing how the Yuanzhao Sect used the Ascension Assembly to lure and slaughter rogue cultivators, if he blew the whistle, would he truly be allowed to redeem his past offenses through merit?
That would be gambling with his life!
If he did blow the whistle, in order to prove that he was telling the truth, the secret of the jade Buddha would inevitably be exposed as well.
Qin Sang now understood more and more about the jade Buddha.
The origin soul was the foundation of an immortal cultivator. The jade Buddha not only protected his origin soul from external evils, but also shielded him from the bewildering effects of the Soul-Bewildering Mirror.
Qin Sang analyzed that this ability likely acted solely upon the origin soul, ensuring that no matter where he was, his origin soul remained unbefuddled and his Dao heart remained steadfast. However, when faced with grand mist formations like the ones in Cloud-Moving Valley or outside the Youshan Cultivation Market, his naked eyes still could not see through them.
Although he still could not determine where the jade Buddha's limits lay, it was conceivable that under its protection, he would possess resistance against magic tools, incantations, vile corruptions, and even formations that damaged the origin soul or confounded the mind.
The jade Buddha was an absolute treasure and could never be revealed under any circumstances.
Chapter 85