Chapter 77: Top-Rank Spirit Cultivator [Please Follow!]

After one incense stick’s time.

Accompanied by Gu Qing, Qin Ming arrived at the Executive Hall of Qingyang Marketplace.

“Chief Gu, Brother Qin, please wait a moment! Several Elders are inside discussing matters.”

The duty official, seeing that Gu Qingzhao had come in person, hurried inside to report.

Inside the Executive Hall.

Four senior Elders of Lingyu Gate were in discussion.

“Who would have thought this young man’s mastery in spirit cultivation has reached such heights—clearly an extraordinary talent.”

Indeed, he even successfully cultivated supreme beast fang rice, surpassing several of our own unworthy disciples.

“Pity he isn’t one of our Lingyu Gate disciples—he was conscripted from a cultivator family to serve corvée labor.”

“Hmm, I intend to take him as my final disciple and exempt him from corvée.”

“Such a fine talent—I’m tempted too. But I fear he won’t accept. Zhuang, you know how resentful these spirit farmers are toward the sect.”

“What if he only wants the recommendation slot and has no intention of joining us? What then?”

“Are you suggesting this brat aims to become a second-rank spirit cultivator and then break free from our control?”

“Precisely. With his talent, he may very well reach that level.”

“What do you all propose?”

“First, feel out his intentions. If he refuses to join us, raise the difficulty of the examination.”

“It’s not so bad to remain a mid-rank spirit cultivator, growing spirit rice for the sect his whole life.”

“...”

Not long after.

An old man in gray Daoist robes stepped out from the inner chamber, white-haired and ruddy-faced, radiating the spiritual power of Foundation Establishment.

It was none other than Elder Zhuang Xiran! “Chief Gu, what brings you here today? Please, come in!”

Gu Qing’s voice was clear as a spring: “I’ve come to witness Qin’s promotion to top-rank spirit cultivator.”

“Heh, that’s not certain yet. The top-rank spirit cultivator examination is no easy matter.” Elder Zhuang smiled, stroking his beard.

He then turned to Qin Ming.

“Qin boy, after a year’s absence, I never imagined I’d be your examiner. Fate is indeed strange.”

Qin Ming hadn’t expected Elder Zhuang to be the chief examiner; he quickly bowed deeply. “Elder Zhuang.”

“No need for formalities. Come with me.”

Elder Zhuang led Qin Ming to the innermost courtyard of the Executive Hall.

Then he suddenly stopped, his expression gentle as he asked: “Qin Ming, I wish to take you as my final disciple. Will you accept?”

At this question.

Qin Ming froze, pondering long and hard.

He answered seriously: “Thank you, Elder Zhuang, for your kindness—but I must decline.”

In the past, if Elder Zhuang had asked him this, he would have knelt instantly to become his disciple.

But now, with his divine advantage, becoming a second-rank spirit cultivator is merely a matter of time—even third-rank is possible.

Qin Ming had already planned: once free of Lingyu Gate, he’d find a spiritually rich mountain peak, cultivate his own fields, and live in peace—far from sect politics.

All he needed was the recommendation slot to enter the Verdant Illusion Trial—not to join their sect.

“Hmm. Since your mind is made up, I won’t force you.” Elder Zhuang’s face revealed no emotion as he replied coolly.

The two walked through the courtyard.

Elder Zhuang brought Qin Ming before a small plot of spirit medicinal herbs.

The plot contained a variety of spirit plants.

Elder Zhuang led him to a small, stunted spirit tree.

Qin Ming looked up—the tree was on the verge of death, its leaves yellowed and wilted, listless, with parts of its trunk already dried and cracked.

Its vitality was clearly fading fast.

“This is your examination: within half a month, by any means necessary, revive this dying top-rank spirit plant, the Golden Sun Tree.”

“And during these half-months, you must remain within this courtyard.”

“If you need materials, you may request them through the Executive Hall.”

“If you fail to revive it within the deadline—or fail entirely—it counts as failure.”

“Do you have any questions?”

Qin Ming replied: “All clear.”

“Do you think this examination is too difficult?” Elder Zhuang asked again.

Qin Ming inwardly thought: this would be nearly impossible for others—but for him, it was trivial.

He knew well.

The top-rank spirit plant, Golden Sun Tree, was extremely delicate; even slight deviations in its environment or spiritual energy would cause it to wither. Worse, once signs of decay appeared, revival was nearly impossible—irreversible.

After giving his instructions, Elder Zhuang turned and left with a stern face.

Qin Ming was alone.

The extreme difficulty of this task was clearly meant as punishment—he knew his refusal had displeased Elder Zhuang.

“Hmm. Half a month remains. No rush. I’ll wait ten or so days.”

Elsewhere.

After returning to the inner chamber, Elder Zhuang.

The other Elders immediately asked: “Zhuang, how did it go?”

“Sigh—just as you predicted. His spirit cultivation talent is exceptional, but his heart isn’t with the sect.”

“What question did you give him for the exam?”

“Revive the Golden Sun Tree.”

“Then, without exception, he’ll fail this exam.”

…

The guest chamber of the Executive Hall.

Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao were sipping tea, waiting. When Elder Zhuang entered,

she rose and asked: “What is the examination question for the top-rank spirit cultivator?”

Elder Zhuang smiled faintly: “Top-rank spirit cultivators are exceedingly rare; the exam questions vary yearly.”

“This year’s question for Qin boy: revive the Golden Sun Tree. Not an easy task.”

“There’s still half a month. Chief Gu, no need to wait here daily. I’ll send word once the result is decided.”

Gu Qingzhao’s star-like eyes flickered with surprise; her eyebrows furrowed slightly. “The Golden Sun Tree? Is the top-rank spirit cultivator exam truly this difficult?”

She began to worry whether Qin Ming could pass.

In the herb field.

Qin Ming ignored everything, swallowed a Spirit Gathering Pill, and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

Three days later.

Elder Zhuang came to check progress. The Golden Sun Tree was nearly dead, and Qin Ming still looked helpless.

He sighed and shook his head.

Day five.

Qin Ming had the Executive Hall procure a large pile of miscellaneous spirit materials.

Elder Zhuang was baffled—he couldn’t fathom what Qin Ming intended.

Yet he was surprised to see Qin Ming tinkering with the Golden Sun Tree, though he couldn’t tell what he was doing.

Still, the tree showed no sign of revival.

Day ten—the half-month deadline loomed.

Qin Ming felt it was time. He mentally tapped the [Regenerative Spirit Seed] entry.

The instant he used it.

A purple spore sprouted at the base of the dying Golden Sun Tree, wrapping its roots.

Quickly, the purple spore was absorbed by the tree and vanished.

The once-withered Golden Sun Tree began, slowly, to regain vitality.

Elder Zhuang came as usual to check.

His eyes widened in disbelief—the withered tree had sprouted lush green leaves.

His face filled with shock: “This—this—how is it alive?”

…

After half an incense stick’s time.

Qin Ming and Elder Zhuang emerged from the inner courtyard.

As he stepped out, he saw Gu Qingzhao and Shopkeeper Liao still waiting.

Gu Qingzhao, seeing him emerge five days early, assumed he had failed—the Golden Sun Tree revival was far too difficult.

Qin Ming walked over and greeted them: “Brother Gu, why are you still here?”

“We’re not waiting—just happened to have free time today and came to see.” Gu Qingzhao’s starry eyes smiled as she hesitated, then asked: “Brother Qin, how did your promotion exam go?”

Shopkeeper Liao also looked on with curiosity.

Before Qin Ming could answer.

Elder Zhuang Xiran spoke first.

"Young Master Qin has passed the examination and been promoted to Top-Grade Spirit Planter."

(End of Chapter)