Chapter 401

After returning to his cave dwelling, Ye Fan immediately stored all the spiritual herbs in his space.

Translation: After returning to the cave dwelling, Ye Fan immediately stored all the spiritual herbs in his space.

his space

"Immortal elder sister, are you there? I've bought the spiritual herbs back; they're all in the space."

Translation: "Immortal elder sister, are you there? I've bought the spiritual herbs back; they're all in the space."

"Immortal elder sister"

Upon hearing the sound, Lin Meng instantly darted into the space to inspect.

Translation: Lin Meng heard the voice and instantly flashed into the space to check.

Ye Fan always works efficiently, and this time was no different—he helped purchase over twenty pots.

Translation: Ye Fan has always been highly efficient in his work; this time was no exception, and he helped buy over twenty pots in total.

over twenty pots

Even a casual glance told Lin Meng that these were spiritual herbs; their appearance was somewhat unusual, and they emitted a faint spiritual aura—so much so that even an ordinary person could sense their extraordinariness.

Translation: Just by casually sensing them, Lin Meng knew these were all spiritual herbs; their appearance was already somewhat unusual, not to mention the faint spiritual energy emanating from them—even an ordinary person should be able to tell by feel that these potted plants are extraordinary.

We need to keep the meaning.

"Immortal elder sister, I only bought a small amount this time; the herb garden has rules limiting how much and what types of spiritual herbs each disciple can buy. Any extra must be traded with other disciples or purchased after leaving the sect."

Translation: "Immortal elder sister, I bought only a little this time; the herb garden has regulations—each disciple's purchase amount and variety of spiritual herbs are limited, so any excess can only be traded with other disciples or bought after leaving the sect."

Leave the herb garden sect

"I bought three types of spiritual herbs this time: mostly Clear Spirit Flowers and Joy‑Quiet Grass, plus three pots of Relieve‑Worry Orchid, which are scarce, so I only managed to get three pots."

Translation: "I bought three kinds of spiritual herbs this time—Clear Spirit Flowers and Joyful Secluded Grasses are the most numerous, plus three pots of Worry-Relieving Orchids; due to their scarcity, I could only get three pots."

Lin Meng had a spiritual herb illustrated manual at hand; she recognized these three herbs and could gradually learn about them from the book.

Translation: Lin Meng had a Spirit Herb Compendium in hand; these three spiritual herbs looked familiar to her, so she would slowly learn about them from the book later.

Ye Fan still needed to leave the sect, so Lin Meng didn't drag him along for introductions; she simply said:

Translation: Ye Fan still had to leave the sect, so Lin Meng didn't pull him along to introduce him; instead she said:

"All right, I understand, thank you for your hard work, Ye Fan. Hurry and leave the sect, stay safe, and find me anytime if you need anything."

Translation: "All right, I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Ye Fan—hurry out of the sect, stay safe, and find me anytime if anything comes up."

"Ye Fan isn't having a hard time, so let's just head out of the sect."

Translation: "Ye Fan isn't suffering; then he's off to leave the sect."

Ye Fan boarded a flying vessel and soared away, while Lin Meng promptly moved all the spiritual herbs out of the space.

Translation: Ye Fan rode a flying vessel into the sky and departed; Lin Meng also immediately moved all the spiritual herbs out of her space.

Referring to the spiritual herb illustrated manual, Lin Meng quickly grasped the traits and benefits of these three herbs.

Translation: Referring to the Spirit Herb Compendium, Lin Meng quickly learned the characteristics and effects of these three spiritual herbs.

The Clear Spirit Flower has grass‑like leaves and star‑scattered blossoms that are modest yet pleasing; it slowly releases spiritual energy, and its effect is stronger in a confined space.

Translation: The Clear Spirit Flower has leaf blades like grass, its flowers scattered like stars across the leaves—not striking but quite likable; it slowly releases spiritual energy, and its effect is greater when placed in a smaller space.

Lin Meng simply put all ten pots of Clear Spirit Flowers in the training chamber; though not as potent as a Spirit‑Gathering Formation, it's still better than nothing.

Translation: Lin Meng simply placed all ten pots of Clear Spirit Flowers in the training room; though not as effective as a Spirit Gathering Array, it's better than nothing.

Joy‑Quiet Grass is a grass, but its entire body is deep blue, making it quite distinctive.

Translation: Joyful Secluded Grass is a grass, yet its whole body is deep blue, making it stand out markedly.

More importantly, this herb can absorb nearby toxic gases and miasma, freshening the air, and it also has a special unique function: detecting the surrounding air quality.

Translation: More importantly, this herb can not only absorb nearby toxic gases and miasma, providing fresh air, but also has a special unique function: detecting the surrounding air quality.

If the air quality is poor, the leaves turn toward ink‑black; the bluer they appear, the fresher the air.

Translation: If the air quality is poor, the leaves' color will shift closer to ink‑black; the bluer the leaves, the clearer the air.

"This is excellent—it's practically a walking environmental monitor!"

Translation: "This thing is great—it's practically a walking environmental monitor!"

Lin Meng checked the color of the Joy‑Quiet Grass, compared it with the book's description, and found the air quality in her training chamber to be quite good.

Translation: Lin Meng glanced at the color of the Joyful Secluded Grass at that moment, compared it with the book's description, and found the air quality in her training room to be quite good.

Lin Meng adored both the Clear Spirit Flower and Joy‑Quiet Grass; they are not only ornamental but also uniquely effective, so they will surely sell well.

Translation: Lin Meng loved both the Clear Spirit Flower and the Joyful Secluded Grass; not only are they ornamental, but their effects are unique, so they'll surely fetch a good price.

Plus the last three pots of Relieve‑Worry Orchid; just from the name you know one of their effects is to relieve worry.

Translation: Moreover, the remaining three pots of Worry‑Relieving Orchid—just from the name you know one of its effects is to relieve worry.

If one feels depressed and stifled, the genuine Relieve‑Worry Orchid can truly elevate a person's mood; its fragrance regulates the heart‑vessels from within, helping to dispel gloom and bring clarity.

Translation: If one is troubled and vexed, the true Worry‑Relieving Orchid can truly raise a person's emotions; through its emitted fragrance it regulates the heart‑vessels from within, helping to dispel gloom and make one feel enlightened.

Not only is its effect excellent, the Relieve‑Worry Orchid is also very beautiful.

Translation: Not only is its effect good, the Worry‑Relieving Orchid is also very beautiful in appearance.

Its petals are heart‑shaped, fading from a deep blue at the base to a light purple at the tips, dreamy and captivating.

Translation: Its petals are heart‑shaped, fading from a deep azure at the base to a light purple at the tips—dreamy and captivating.

Lin Meng particularly liked this Relieve‑Worry Orchid, so she decided to keep the pot with the best growth for herself.

Translation: Lin Meng especially liked this Worry‑Relieving Orchid, so she decided to keep for herself the pot with the best growth.

When her little aunt returns, she will also leave one pot for each of them in their rooms; good things should naturally be enjoyed first by family.

Translation: When the little aunt returns, she'll also keep one pot each for their rooms—good things should naturally be enjoyed first by one's own family.

Purchasing spiritual herbs and ancient potted landscapes was merely a side task; Lin Meng hadn't forgotten her main objective.

Translation: Buying spiritual herbs and antique bonsai was just a side matter; Lin Meng hadn't forgotten the main task.

Ye Heng's side had the seeds bought; they only needed fertilizer.

Translation: Ye Heng's side had the seeds purchased; only fertilizer was still needed.

The seed seller gave her a contact method; she just needs to call to make an online reservation.

Translation: The seed seller gave her a contact method; she just needs to call and place an online order.

Once the fertilizer was purchased, another day passed.

Translation: After buying the fertilizer, another day passed.

After contacting Ye Heng and waiting for him to return to the shelter to exchange the seeds and fertilizer, Lin Meng stayed at home, calmly awaiting the military's contact.

Translation: After staying in touch with Ye Heng and waiting for him to return to the sanctuary to hand over the seeds and fertilizer, Lin Meng stayed at home, calmly awaiting the military's contact.

Several days have passed since the Aperture‑Clearing Pill was issued, and the military should soon have news.

Translation: Several days have passed since giving out the Meridian‑Opening Pill, and the military should soon have news.

At the same time, Chief Li of the Capital City Military's highest command had personally arrived at the secret training base, with everyone on high alert.

Translation: At the same time, at the Jing Shi military's supreme command center, Chief Li had personally come to the secret training base, with everyone standing ready.

"Report, Chief Li: thirty‑three soldiers who have taken the Aperture‑Clearing Pill, including He Fei and the first three users, are all showing steady improvement in vital signs, with no adverse effects."

Translation: "Report to Chief Li, the thirty‑three warriors who have taken the Meridian‑Opening Pill—including He Fei and the other three who were first to use it—have all seen their vital signs steadily rise, with no adverse reactions!"

"Report, Chief Li: all thirty‑three who took the medicine have gained strength far beyond human limits, with acuity, endurance, and physical energy, etc., each showing varying degrees of absolute breakthrough."

Translation: "Report to Chief Li, all thirty‑three who took the pill have gained strength far beyond human limits, and their acuity, endurance, and physical energy, among other aspects, have each shown absolute breakthroughs to varying degrees!"

"Chief Li! Comrade He Fei actually defeated the previous term's army combat champion with just a single punch!"

Translation: "Chief Li! Comrade He Fei actually defeated the previous edition's army combat champion with just a single punch!"

"Report, Chief Li: not good! Once the news spread, the comrades couldn't sit still, clamoring to take the Aperture‑Clearing Pill."

Translation: "Report to Chief Li, not good! Once the news spread, the comrades couldn't sit still, clamoring to take the Meridian‑Opening Pill!"

「……」

Translation: "…… " (We keep ellipsis as is.)

Messages flew into Chief Li's ears like wings.

Translation: Messages flew like wings into Chief Li's ears.

Hearing these messages, Chief Li felt as if he were dreaming; the nearby officials could no longer sit still, eagerly scrambling for the slots.

Translation: Hearing these messages, Chief Li felt as if he were dreaming; the few officials beside him could no longer sit still, excitedly scrambling for the slots.

"Old Li, my troops are all excellent; the first batch of Aperture‑Clearing Pills must be reserved for me."

Translation: "Old Li, my troops are all excellent; the first batch of Meridian‑Opening Pills must go to my unit."

"Damn your mother's nonsense! Our unit has no weaklings; everyone is brave and skilled in battle. I say we should immediately hold an internal selection match, allocating the Aperture‑Clearing Pills by rank."

Translation: "Damn your nonsense! Our unit has no weaklings—who isn't brave and good at fighting? I say we should immediately hold an internal selection match and distribute the Meridian‑Opening Pills by rank."

"Miss Lin apparently said that persistently taking the Aperture‑Clearing Pill can more thoroughly clear one's meridians, bringing them closer to cultivators; therefore I think capable seedlings should not be limited in dosage frequency, should be assessed monthly, and whoever is strong can keep taking the pill."

Translation: "That Miss Lin apparently said that continued use of the Meridian‑Opening Pill can more thoroughly clear one's meridians, bringing one closer to a cultivator; therefore I think capable seedlings should have no limit on dosage—monthly assessments, and whoever is strong can keep taking the Meridian‑Opening Pill!"

「……」

Translation: "…… " (ellipsis)

The buzzing in his ears gave Chief Li a headache.

Translation: The chattering in his ears gave Chief Li a massive headache.

He held his forehead and said:

Translation: He supported his forehead and said:

"Quiet down! The matter isn't settled yet; we haven't even got a clue. Are you sure Lin Meng has lots of Aperture‑Clearing Pills? You're treating this pill like cheap cabbage on the market."

Translation: "Quiet down, all of you! The matter isn't settled yet—not a single stroke of the eight characters—do you really believe Lin Meng has lots of Meridian‑Opening Pills? Do you really think this pill is as common as cabbage on the market?"

Chief Li thought further and deeper; after several days of concentrated research, they cannot replicate the Aperture‑Clearing Pill, nor can they even break down its ingredients.

Translation: Chief Li thought further and deeper; after several days of concentrated research, they couldn't replicate the Meridian‑Opening Pill, nor could they even break down its components.

In other words, even Lin Meng might not be able to produce much of it.

Translation: In other words, it's highly likely that even Lin Meng couldn't produce much of it.

These old fogies are scrambling like they're fighting over cabbage, already beginning to worry about distribution once the Aperture‑Clearing Pill is mass‑produced.

Translation: These old fogeys, however, are scrambling like they're fighting over cabbage, already beginning to worry about the distribution problem once the Meridian‑Opening Pill is mass‑produced.

After Chief Li's shout, everyone finally calmed down.

Translation: Chief Li's shout finally calmed everyone down.

"Old Li, quickly summon that little girl again to ask clearly: where does the Aperture‑Clearing Pill come from, and how much does she have on hand? We ought to ask."

Translation: "Old Li, quickly summon that little girl again to ask clearly—where exactly does the Meridian‑Opening Pill come from, and how much does she have on hand? We ought to find out."

"Exactly, that little girl is so young, carrying such a heaven‑defying pill on her person—it's too unsettling. I say we should hurry and bring her over, then protect her tightly."

Translation: "Exactly, exactly, this little girl is so young, carrying such a heaven‑defying pill on her person—it's too unsettling; I say we should hurry and bring her in, giving her strict protection."

"Didn't you secretly send people to check her information? How did it go? Any findings?"

Translation: "Didn't you secretly send people to look up her information? How'd it go—any findings?"

Chief Li, upon hearing this, pinched the bridge of his nose again, sighed, and said:

Translation: Chief Li, upon hearing this, pinched the bridge of his nose again, sighed, and said:

"On this matter, none of you should act on your own; I will handle it personally."

Translation: "On this matter, none of you should act on your own—I'll handle it personally."

"Before that, keep your subordinates under control; the news must not spread further."

Translation: "Before that, keep your subordinates in check—the news must not spread any further."

Now only some well-informed aristocratic families know of this; if it spreads further and the Overseas Forces learn of it, then Lin Meng would be in danger...