Chapter 28: Elder Withered Wood

After about an hour, a stout disciple clad in a green Daoist robe arrived at the Outer Gate Hall.

“Brother Wang has come… I’ve found you a disciple whose main elemental affinity is Fire Spirit Root—take a look!”

“Fine,” Brother Wang’s expression was grim.

He looked at He Pingsheng and said, “Just Foundation Establishment fourth stage? Can he handle it?”

The disciple’s face twisted in distress: “Brother Wang, how long has it been? No one’s shown interest at all—you know the condition of your Spirit Herb Valley yourself!”

“Alright, let him try first. If it doesn’t work, we’ll keep waiting.”

Brother Wang’s name is Wang Dun.

Foundation Establishment sixth stage.

After hearing the green-robed disciple’s words, Wang Dun took a deep breath and said, “Enough… let it be this way.”

“You…” Wang Dun stared at He Pingsheng. “Release some of your internal Fire spiritual power—I’ll check its quality first.”

“If it’s seven or eight tenths, I’ll take you into the valley for further testing.”

“Yes!” He Pingsheng didn’t dare delay. Slowly extending his right hand, he activated the True Law of Discharge Fire. Instantly, a cluster of Fire-affinity spiritual power surged from his palm.

The flame was crimson, streaked with traces of white.

“Hmm…” Wang Dun was slightly startled. “Not bad—this Fire spiritual power is extremely pure.”

“Come on—retract your power and follow me to the Spirit Herb Valley for further testing!”

Hearing this, He Pingsheng exhaled in relief.

He then followed Wang Dun up the mountain again.

The entire Inner Gate of Grand Void Gate lies atop the mountain.

Last year, He Pingsheng had climbed up and down this mountain several times, each time exhausted.

But now, with his Foundation Establishment fourth stage cultivation base, ascending the mountain was far easier—he could leap dozens of zhang in a single bound, scaling eaves and cliffs as if walking on flat ground.

By mortal standards, he was already a confirmed martial master.

After about half an hour, Wang Dun and He Pingsheng arrived at a valley.

Huh…

Taking a deep breath, He Pingsheng felt the spiritual energy here was more than ten times denser than outside.

Yet, for him, it was of little use.

With a weak Spirit Root, even the finest spiritual energy was useless—he couldn’t refine it fast enough.

“You’re He Pingsheng, right? Follow me—watch your step, don’t wander off!”

Wang Dun led He Pingsheng through the valley.

On both sides of the valley were rows of Spirit Fields.

The fields were planted with various plants.

Most were Spirit Rice.

A few were medicinal herbs.

The deeper they went, the denser the spiritual energy became; by the valley’s innermost point, the plants in the Spirit Fields had all become Spirit Herbs.

Seven-leaf Spirit Herb, Spirit Apricot, Vermilion Fruit, Immortal Bamboo Shoots—everything was present.

But all were merely first-grade herbs.

He Pingsheng recognized them all—he had thoroughly read the [Thirty-Six Alchemical Formulas], and knew every herb listed within.

At the valley’s deepest point lay a patch of crimson plants.

“These are Flame Sun Flowers!” Wang Dun pointed to the crimson plants. “They’re in full bloom now—there are five hundred and sixty plants here, a second-grade Spirit Herb.”

“Come here!”

Not far from the Flame Sun Flowers stood a massive stone.

Wang Dun said, “Release some of your spiritual power onto this stone—it will automatically display the purity of your spiritual power.”

“If you pass, you can stay.”

“Begin.”

“Yes!” He Pingsheng took a deep breath and activated his internal spiritual power.

Fire spiritual power was drawn from his dantian, channeled through his meridians, and finally erupted from his palm.

But this time, He Pingsheng was cautious—he didn’t unleash full power, only about half, then directed it toward the stone.

Hummm…

The stone, as if enchanted, instantly changed color as He Pingsheng’s Fire spiritual power struck it.

From gray to crimson, then crimson to yellow, yellow to gold.

Under Wang Dun’s stunned gaze, He Pingsheng retracted his Fire spiritual power.

“Impressive…” Wang Dun clapped his hands. “Impressive, impressive…”

“Younger brother, you’re only Foundation Establishment fourth stage—yet your Fire spiritual power quality has reached Upper Grade?”

“Your cultivation technique must be extraordinary!”

He Pingsheng’s heart jolted: Dammit—I’ve exposed myself.

Fortunately, Wang Dun added, “Previous disciples—even those at Foundation Establishment seventh or eighth stage—couldn’t reach Upper Grade. Of course, here, Mid Grade is sufficient!”

“Younger brother… come with me to meet Elder Withered Wood.”

“He’s the Elder of our Grand Void Gate’s Spirit Herb Valley.”

“Yes!” He Pingsheng hurried behind Wang Dun.

The two continued deeper into the Spirit Valley; a misty haze had silently risen.

The valley’s deepest point appeared dreamlike, illusory.

Wang Dun explained, “Elder Withered Wood has set up an array here—hence these illusions. You don’t need to come here for routine duties.”

“Don’t dare wander in!”

He Pingsheng said, “Yes.”

As they spoke, they suddenly arrived at a cave entrance.

“Elder Withered Wood!” Wang Dun bowed respectfully before the cave. “I’ve found the one to tend the Flame Sun Flowers—please grant your command!”

No sooner had Wang Dun finished than the thin mist at the cave’s entrance vanished.

Out stepped a frail, short old man.

His skin was like withered wood; his hair and beard were pure white.

He glanced at He Pingsheng and said, “Foundation Establishment fourth stage? Can you endure it?”

Wang Dun gave a bitter smile. “Elder, I’ve searched for days—this is the only one who qualifies.”

“Enough.” Elder Withered Wood pulled out a black token and handed it to He Pingsheng. “This is the Spirit Herb Valley token. With it, you may enter or leave the valley and Grand Void Gate at will.”

“But remember—don’t wander off. If you get beaten up for trespassing on another peak, don’t blame me.”

He Pingsheng took the token. “Yes… I shall remember.”

“Hmm.” Elder Withered Wood continued. “The previous boy did well enough—but he died fighting recklessly outside.”

“The Flame Sun Flowers’ bloom period still has three months left—you’ll complete the rest.”

“Do it well, and I’ll reward you.”

“If you slack off or make mistakes… hah…”

Elder Withered Wood stared at He Pingsheng, sneered twice, then waved his hand. “Go—Wang Dun will teach you how to tend and harvest the Flame Sun Flower pollen.”

“Get out!”

Without waiting for He Pingsheng to reply, the old man turned and reentered the cave.