Chapter 73: Wen Yueyao

"To serve as the Herbal Garden Elder..."

Jiang Ye’s aged eyes flickered slightly with interest.

This idle elder post was indeed perfect for him.

From now on, in this herbal garden, he would be the top authority; embezzling would be far easier than sneaking a few Tiankui grass leaves before.

He only took Tiankui grass occasionally; the most valuable item in the garden was actually the Earthfire Ginseng guarded by Chen Lili.

A mature Earthfire Ginseng cost at least several thousand taels on the open market—and even then, it was rarely available.

He cut off his thoughts promptly, his expression unchanged, only offering Luo Song a courteous bow: "Thank you, Peak Master, for your promotion."

"Hahahaha, I should be thanking you, little Jiang!"

The old man burst into laughter, the sound echoing across the peak, making the surrounding air tremble faintly.

He clapped Jiang Ye on the shoulder; that withered palm carried astonishing force, numbing Jiang Ye’s shoulder slightly.

"By the way, as your promotion to Elder, the sect grants you twenty thousand contribution points. Go collect them tomorrow at the Administration Hall, and while you’re there, swap out your token and robes."

At this, Jiang Ye’s eyes flickered with a hint of surprise.

He remembered Wen Yueyao received thirty thousand contribution points upon breaking through to the Golden Core realm.

Clearly, the status of a True Disciple was even more esteemed.

Still, twenty thousand contribution points was no small thing.

It meant he could soon exchange for another Qi-Nourishing technique.

"Little Jiang..."

The old man seemed about to say more, but sudden drowsiness surged over him, and he couldn’t help yawning.

The yawn was so vast it brought tears to his eyes, as if the heavens and earth had darkened.

"Can’t help it—old age makes one sleepy."

He rubbed his eyes; the previously vibrant energy vanished instantly, as if his earlier vigor had been nothing but a final flicker before death.

"Little Jiang, let’s talk another time."

A faint look of disbelief crossed Jiang Ye’s face.

This old man had been lively and energetic, slapping his shoulder one moment—and now, asleep like this the next?

He nodded slightly, about to take his leave.

Thud.

A soft sound.

The old man had already collapsed flat onto the scorching ground, eyes closed, breathing even—he had fallen asleep on the spot.

The ground, baked by the furnace, was blazing hot, yet he felt nothing, even murmuring in his sleep, rolling over, slumbering peacefully.

"..."

Jiang Ye froze slightly.

He stared deeply at the snoring old man—his thin white hair, his bark-like wrinkles, his shriveled, curled frame.

Who could have imagined this was the Peak Master of Tianyangfeng, one of the sect’s top-tier experts?

He did not disturb him, only bowed slightly toward the "sleeping corpse," then turned and walked slowly down the mountain.

After returning to the Tiankui grass garden, Jiang Ye’s mind kept replaying the scene atop the peak—the moment Luo Song’s cloudy old eyes suddenly ignited two real flames, searing his vision until he had to shut them.

"Could that have been some secret technique...?"

He pondered inwardly, his aged eyes half-lidded, filled with thought.

Honestly, he found this technique extremely intriguing.

In combat, if one could suddenly unleash such an effect, blinding the opponent—even for an instant—it could decide life or death.

Moreover, the technique’s effects went beyond that.

Luo Song had seen through the Great Sun Heavenly Flame true qi cultivated within him, as if he’d possessed x-ray vision.

If he could learn this technique, future opponents’ true strengths and weaknesses would be laid bare at a glance.

"Should’ve asked the old man before he fell asleep..."

Jiang Ye sighed inwardly, feeling a pang of regret.

Who could have expected the old man to be so absurd—energetic one moment, slapping his shoulder, and the next, flat on the ground snoring, not even letting him finish his farewell.

At that moment, footsteps suddenly sounded outside the garden.

Jiang Ye turned his gaze slightly and saw Lu Ming and Chen Lili approaching cautiously from a distance.

Their steps were so light, their postures so deferential, as if walking on knife blades.

He had never seen these two walk so "well-behaved" before.

They stopped at the garden entrance, not barging in as usual, but standing properly, bowing respectfully to Jiang Ye:

"Master Jiang..."

Jiang Ye looked at them and shook his head with a faint smile:

"Come in. No need to be so formal."

Hearing this, both exhaled in relief, their tense expressions relaxing noticeably, then stepped into the garden.

"Sit anywhere."

Jiang Ye waved his hand casually toward several green stones before the wooden hut.

He himself remained seated cross-legged, not rising.

After sitting, they exchanged glances, hesitating, neither daring to speak first.

Seeing these two habitual chatterboxes so silent, Jiang Ye chuckled helplessly:

"Say what you want. Am I some kind of monster now?"

Seeing Jiang Ye’s attitude remained unchanged, neither arrogant nor distant, Lu Ming finally relaxed, grinning his familiar sycophantic smile:

"Master Jiang, I heard you’ve been promoted to Herbal Garden Elder?"

Beside him, Chen Lili remained silent but watched Jiang Ye intently, her eyes bright with curiosity and anticipation.

Jiang Ye blinked.

What?

Had this news spread so fast?

He’d only just returned from the peak.

Seeing their curious, expectant gazes, he nodded calmly: "Mm."

Upon hearing his confirmation, both drew a sharp breath and simultaneously pulled out ten thousand taels in silver notes, offering them respectfully: "Congratulations, Master Jiang, on your promotion to Herbal Garden Elder. This is our humble token..."

Jiang Ye shook his head slightly and pushed the notes back: "Didn’t you already give me your token? Take them back."

Seeing he refused, their determination was stubborn; they shoved the notes into his hands anyway, muttering: "Last time was for your Golden Core breakthrough, this time for your promotion—different!"

"Sigh..." Jiang Ye sighed, looking at their stubbornness, his tone weary yet earnest: "Are you trying to tarnish our friendship with silver notes?"

At these words, both froze.

Lu Ming stared, his small eyes wide with disbelief.

Chen Lili, ever emotional, this usually bold, outspoken girl, felt her eyes grow slightly damp, a thin sheen of tears forming.

They clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Ye to say "friendship."

Jiang Ye was now a Golden Core Elder; they were merely two Qi-Condensation disciples, ranking nowhere near the top of Tianyangfeng, worlds apart in status.

Anyone else would have ignored them outright.

But Jiang Ye not only treated them as before—he said they shared friendship...

Ashamed, they withdrew the notes; their expressions now held not just respect, but deeper, genuine reverence.

"Master Jiang, if you ever need anything, just tell us!"

Lu Ming spoke eagerly, his voice louder than usual.

Chen Lili, eyes still red, remained silent but nodded firmly.

Jiang Ye looked at them, a faint smile appearing on his aged face.

He waved his hand:

"Enough standing around."

"Sit and chat. You’ll be helping me with things soon enough."

They exchanged glances, their familiar lively expressions returning, then sat beside him on the green stones.

Lu Ming’s round face beamed with smiles; Chen Lili bit her lip, eyes curved in quiet delight at Jiang Ye’s words—"soon enough to trouble you."

The three then chatted casually—from recent sect affairs to cultivation insights, then to sights in Fucheng.

As they talked, the subject turned to herbs.

Jiang Ye sighed: "I’ve always wanted to buy more Snowyang Grass and Greenwater Silk, but I’ve visited several herb shops in Fucheng and got little."

Hearing this, Lu Ming perked up immediately: "Master Jiang, if you want rare herbs, go straight to the Chen family!"

"Oh? The Chen family?"

Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow.

Knowing Jiang Ye came from a small county and knew little of Fucheng’s power structure, Lu Ming explained:

"Master Jiang, Fucheng has many powerful families."

"But only three truly stand out, with deep roots: the Feng family, the Chen family, and the Yang family."

As he spoke, Chen Lili’s full figure trembled almost imperceptibly; her smiling eyes flickered with complex emotion, her hands instinctively clenching into fists, knuckles whitening.

Jiang Ye noticed the girl’s unusual reaction—but said nothing.

Lü Ming completely failed to notice Chen Lili’s odd behavior, continuing to chatter on:

“Among these three great families, the Feng family’s business spans many areas, the Yang family specializes in ironware, and the Chen family focuses on medicinal herbs.”

“Those rare herbs on the market—the Chen family will surely find a way to obtain them.”

“Jiang Lao, with your current status, just a single word from you at the Chen family would be enough to buy those herbs—no trouble at all.”

Jiang Ye nodded thoughtfully. “Looks like I’ll have to pay the Chen family a visit when I have time.”

He glanced at Lü Ming with a hint of approval. “You kid know quite a bit.”

“Just useless bits of gossip—if they help Jiang Lao, then they’re valuable!”

Lü Ming’s round face beamed brighter with praise, and he added, “By the way, Jiang Lao, besides the three great families, Jin Chen Peak’s Jin Hai’s family, the Jin family, has recently risen to great prominence and shows strong potential to become the fourth great family.”

“The Jin family?”

Jiang Ye’s aged eyes flickered with a hint of amusement.

At that moment, a rapid, light footstep sounded outside the herb garden.

The three turned toward the sound and saw a graceful figure striding swiftly toward them.

Her steps were swift as wind, and in the blink of an eye, she reached the garden’s entrance.

It was Wen Yueyao.

Lü Ming and Chen Lili exchanged a glance, then rose politely to take their leave: “Jiang Lao, Miss Wen is here for you—we’ll take our leave.”

They hurried toward the garden’s exit, bowing slightly with respect as they passed Wen Yueyao: “Greetings, Miss Wen.”

“Mm.”

Wen Yueyao responded indifferently.

“It’s been some time since I last saw Miss Wen.”

Jiang Ye rose with a smile and stepped forward to greet her.

Wen Yueyao hurried to Jiang Ye’s side, felt the scorching heat radiating from his body like the sun, and laughed heartily:

“Hahaha, Jiang Laozi, you’ve kept this from me! If I hadn’t heard the disciples talking today, I’d never have known you’ve successfully formed your Golden Core!”

She scanned him up and down, her eyes filled with awe:

“It’s only been a few weeks since you exchanged for the Qi Condensation method.”

“Your talent rivals even mine.”

Jiang Ye smiled faintly. “I was merely lucky—how could I compare to Miss Wen?”

A spark of curiosity lit up Wen Yueyao’s lovely oval face; she leaned closer and asked, “By the way, Jiang Laozi, which Qi Condensation method did you choose? Was it the ‘Furnace True Fire Qi Condensation Method’...?”

Jiang Ye’s expression remained calm. “After much deliberation, I chose the ‘Great Sun Heavenly Flame Qi Condensation Method.’”

“Ah... huh???”

Wen Yueyao’s expression froze. Her rosy lips parted in utter disbelief and shock.

The girl stood stunned for a long moment.

“Jiang Laozi... you’re not joking with me, are you...?”

Her voice trembled.

“No.”

Jiang Ye nodded calmly.

Wen Yueyao suddenly thrust her head forward, eyes wide and dark, studying Jiang Ye intently as she demanded: “Jiang Laozi, how did you cultivate fire qi??”

So close, Jiang Ye could feel her breath.

Jiang Ye subtly stepped back. “Perhaps... I was just lucky.”

“Lucky? Impossible!”

Wen Yueyao shook her head vigorously, her words coming faster:

“The Peak Master spent three years training the ‘Great Sun Heavenly Flame Qi Condensation Method’—and failed.”

“Zhao Feng even spent over a year on it—and couldn’t generate even a trace of yang fire qi.”

The more she spoke, the more impossible it seemed; her eyes brimmed with confusion and astonishment.

Seeing Wen Yueyao’s relentless determination to get to the bottom of it, Jiang Ye sighed helplessly:

“Perhaps... I have a bit of insight.”

At this, Wen Yueyao fell silent.

She stared at Jiang Ye, her gaze complex beyond words—as if gazing at a monster.

After a long pause, the girl suddenly lifted her head, her beautiful eyes alight with eager excitement: “Jiang Laozi, I want to spar with you—let me test the power of your Great Sun Heavenly Flame true qi. May I?”

Jiang Ye wanted to refuse—he feared his Great Sun Heavenly Flame true qi might injure the girl.

But before he could speak, Wen Yueyao interrupted:

“Jiang Laozi, you’ve just formed your Golden Core—you may not yet be skilled in controlling your true qi. Don’t worry, I’ll hold back—I won’t hurt you!”

Hearing this, Jiang Ye let out a helpless chuckle. “Then I’ll spar with Miss Wen for a few moves.”

“Good!”

Wen Yueyao nodded happily, stepped back, and assumed a stance, bowing slightly to Jiang Ye:

“Jiang Laozi, watch out!”

The instant she finished speaking, she twisted her waist and delivered a vicious whip kick straight at Jiang Ye’s face.

Shhh.

The kick was swift and brutal—air screamed with a sharp whistle.

Crimson fire qi surged along her leg—her Furnace True Fire true qi, refined and scorching.

Clearly, she intended to pit her own true qi directly against Jiang Ye’s Great Sun Heavenly Flame true qi.

Facing the girl’s ferocious kick, Jiang Ye remained calm, raising one hand to meet it.

On his palm, a strand of crimson-gold true qi emerged quietly—like the rising sun: gentle, yet holding astonishing power.

Boom!!!

The moment foot met palm, a muffled explosion ripped through the air.

Then—

Hssss...

The two true qis clashed like fire and water, devouring and burning each other furiously.

But Wen Yueyao’s pupils shrank in horror—her crimson fire qi, like snow before the sun, vanished instantly beneath the crimson-gold qi!

That crimson-gold qi was utterly dominant, crushing through without pause.

“What...”

The girl’s pupils contracted sharply; shock flashed across her face.

In the next instant—

The residual crimson-gold qi burned her shoe to ash, revealing a...

Then, an indescribable odor drifted into Jiang Ye’s nose.

“Ah...”

Jiang Ye froze, his aged face showing rare confusion.

“AHHHH!!!”

At that moment, Wen Yueyao’s scream erupted like thunder over the herb garden.