Chapter 56: A Display of Astonishing Skill

Qin Yue smiled shyly and said to the stunned onlookers, “It’s just a petty trick, forgive my clumsiness.”

“You forcibly stimulated the vital energy within these rare plants to accelerate their growth. What you did is harming these precious specimens!” Elder Yu strode forward, his face stricken with anguish. “I understand that young people want to prove themselves, but this—well, I don’t care whether you become a guest elder or not. What pains me is the fate of these plants. You are not someone who truly loves them!”

Everyone at the table wore different expressions; even Yue Mingxi looked somewhat troubled, a hint of reproach in his gaze directed at Elder Yu. After all, he was the one who had invited Qin Yue in the first place, thinking that Qin Yue, who wished to join the sect, might have common ground with this expert in botany and alchemy. Of course, he also knew Elder Yu’s temperament—he would certainly not be able to resist testing someone, especially someone with Qin Yue’s recent renown. It was a good chance to see if this so-called prodigy was genuine. After all, to bring in a charlatan would be a minor loss, but for Zhaoyang Sect to lose face would be unacceptable.

He hadn’t expected the young man to be so ambitious, aiming straight for a guest elder position. To be honest, even Yue Mingxi thought Qin Yue might be a little too confident. Sure enough, Elder Yu was immediately provoked. Just now, Yue Mingxi had quietly arranged for someone to bring Elder Yu back, intending to smooth things over and resolve the matter with a few polite words. But the old man was simply too stubborn…

Qin Yue glanced at Yue Mingxi, who seemed about to speak, but this time he did not retreat. There was no harm in feigning humility now and then, but at critical moments, one must show their sword—or risk being dismissed. Besides, it was precisely because he had noticed someone had gone to fetch Elder Yu that he had decided to display his skills so conspicuously. Without a true expert to analyze and explain afterward, even the greatest “miracle” would lose much of its impact.

“Elder Yu, you are a senior; by rights, I should heed your admonition. But your words strike me as somewhat hasty, and your assessment of me rather one-sided,” Qin Yue replied calmly.

“I’ve spent my whole life among flowers and plants—are you saying I know less than a youngster like you?” Elder Yu took a step forward and, with a wave of his hand, drew a potted flower from the center of the table, focusing intently as he examined it.

He would know at a glance whether it had been forcibly stimulated to accelerate its growth!

The next moment, his expression froze.

This ancient flowering tree, nearly at the Dao-level, was brimming with vitality, its essence more abundant than ever—there was not the slightest sign of forced stimulation. Unconvinced, he examined several others in quick succession. Those, just as before, showed their life force in a state of advanced decay.

These trees had illustrious origins! It was said that not long after Zhaoyang Sect was founded, a mighty predecessor brought them out of a forbidden zone. At first, they were treated as supreme medicinal plants, but later, since their blossoms were so beautiful, they were cultivated as potted plants with special soil. Countless years had passed, and even spiritual herbs would age; these trees, once at their prime, now had only a fraction of their former vigor. Yet to the sect, they were living witnesses to history, cherished and carefully tended.

If, as he had just claimed, Qin Yue had forcibly stimulated their life force, everyone present would have felt genuine heartbreak—and perhaps even blamed or resented Qin Yue. Even those ignorant of botany understood what forced stimulation meant: when cultivators were in desperate straits, they might do this themselves, but the consequences could be dire, especially for the elderly—it could hasten decline and even death.

Now everyone awaited Elder Yu’s verdict, while Qin Yue stood quietly, his expression serene.

After a pause, Elder Yu gently returned the pots to their places with a touch of spiritual power. Under the tense gaze of all present, he cupped his hands to Qin Yue.

“Master Qin’s abilities are extraordinary. Not only has the ancient tree suffered no harm, its vital energy has grown more robust, as if it has regained its youth—a second spring, perhaps even…” He glanced at the astonished faces around him, “…perhaps even the chance to advance to a higher state!”

A wave of shock swept the room.

Their status forbade them from making an overt fuss, but in that instant, every gaze fixed on Qin Yue changed.

If anyone else had said as much, doubts would have lingered. But coming from this stubborn old man, the words carried immense weight. Though Elder Yu was notorious for his temper and sharp tongue, he was an undisputed authority on plant cultivation.

To enable a spiritual medicine at the Technique-level to advance toward a Dao-level treasure—such a feat was simply miraculous! Even the possibility was enough to leave hearts pounding.

Tang Qingxuan’s eyes sparkled with wonder, Ling Chen’s gaze blazed, and even the young girl Chu Wanqing stared at Qin Yue, wide-eyed with amazement.

—This brother is truly remarkable!

Vice Sect Leader Yue Mingxi, along with Yang Yidong and Dongfang Qingyu, several inner elders, were all beaming with delight.

A guest elder—he must become a guest elder! Not even the Jade Emperor himself could stand in the way now.

Elder Yu bowed deeply to Qin Yue once more. “It was my own foolishness to mistake a pearl for a pebble. Master Qin, you are eminently worthy of becoming our sect’s guest elder. May I ask you to treat the remaining ancient trees as well?”

Qin Yue thought to himself, You really don’t know when to quit, do you? Do you think infusing life force into these trees costs nothing?

Before he could speak, Tang Qingxuan smiled and said, “No need to hurry, Elder Yu. I’m no expert, but a skill like Master Qin’s must surely be taxing. There will be plenty of time in days to come—no need to rush.”

At least this elder sister knows how to care for people. After replenishing himself with the essence of top-tier medicines, he would definitely nurture those trees to perfection!

Doing things well was less important than doing them at the right time. Some deeds needed to be witnessed—restoring these ancient trees would be worth more than a thousand spiritual medicines.

This little episode made the atmosphere at the subsequent banquet all the more harmonious. Yue Mingxi made the decision on the spot: Qin Yue would be appointed a lifelong guest elder of Zhaoyang Sect. The ceremony was scheduled for three days hence.

That very evening, Elder Yu, having had a bit too much to drink, insisted on dragging his “Brother Qin” back to his cave to drink tea and apologize. His enthusiasm brooked no refusal, and Qin Yue had no choice but to accept.

—

All Zhaoyang Sect guest elders had their own separate dwellings, some within the grand palace complex of the sect, others in the mountains outside the city. Elder Yu, being reclusive and fond of his plants, naturally preferred to live away from the crowds.

His cave residence lay more than thirty miles from the sect. The two of them, traveling under night’s cover, soon arrived.

Along the way, Qin Yue’s curiosity was piqued. How did day and night function in such a pocket world?

Elder Yu chuckled, “This place, though called a small world, is more like a vast region enclosed by a powerful barrier—meant to lock in the spiritual energy here and prevent its escape. In essence, it’s the same world as the outside. The formation was likely set up by an immortal cultivator, whose methods were astoundingly clever. They concealed it thousands of feet above the ground, yet it doesn’t affect the sun and moon—the light of day passes straight through…”

Qin Yue marveled inwardly. Such skill truly was remarkable.

When they arrived at Elder Yu’s cave, a group of young disciples watched curiously as their drunken elder returned, arm-in-arm with a handsome young man, their eyes full of wonder.

Just earlier, the elder had stormed out in a rage, cursing that the Bamboo Grove had been extinct for centuries and any so-called heir must be a fraud. How had this man become a close confidant in the span of a single evening?

These young disciples came from both the outer and inner sect; the former, to be blunt, were there to do menial work. Inner sect disciples enjoyed far better treatment, learned much from the guest elders, and if they cultivated a good relationship, might even be accepted as disciples.

Elder Yu ordered the kitchen to prepare a few dishes to accompany wine, then led Qin Yue into his study.

The room was elegant and serene, lined with bookshelves filled with volumes on botany: from properties to pharmacology, paper scrolls to bamboo slips, and even jade slips decipherable only with spiritual sense.

With a glance, Qin Yue recognized this man as a true expert in the field. Compared to Elder Yu, he himself was unworthy of being Zhaoyang Sect’s guest elder.

Soon, a disciple brought in several steaming dishes, placing them directly on the tea table.

Elder Yu smiled in explanation, “I like to drink a little in my spare time—they’re used to it.”

Once all the dishes were ready, he produced a jar of wine, poured for them both, closed the door, set up a barrier, and then returned to his seat. Raising his cup in a gesture to Qin Yue, he downed it in one gulp.

Qin Yue drank as well, then took a bite of the food—unexpectedly delicious.

Elder Yu set down his cup and looked at Qin Yue. “Brother Qin, don’t mind an old man’s drunken rambling, but you were foolish to come here!”

Qin Yue was taken aback, looking up in confusion. “Elder Yu, I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Ah, do you know why I made things difficult for you today, when we had no prior enmity?”

Qin Yue shook his head. “Was it not because I sought the guest elder position?”

Elder Yu snorted and took another sip of wine. “Why should I care who wants to be guest elder? What difference does it make to me? If your ability is less than mine, I need not bother; if it surpasses mine, all the better—I might even learn a thing or two from you. In such a grand sect, surely there’s room for more than one guest elder?”

“Then why, Elder?” Qin Yue looked at him in puzzlement. “Please, enlighten me.”

Elder Yu said, “Yue Mingxi invited me over with an ulterior motive. He knows I’m blunt, quick-tempered, and love to play the teacher—he clearly meant for me to test you. We all have to play our part; if he wants me to probe, then so be it.” The old man smacked his lips. “When you said you wanted to be guest elder, I figured I’d go hard on you—maybe even shame you into leaving!”

Qin Yue only grew more perplexed.

Elder Yu sighed. “It seems that even if your inheritance truly comes from the Bamboo Grove, you don’t know that bit of history…”

This old man knew a thing or two—he had even heard the true story behind the Bamboo Grove’s destruction?

“The Bamboo Grove’s demise may be tied to this very place!”

Sure enough, Elder Yu revealed what he knew.

“It was all over a supreme medicinal treasure—one that is still being kept in a secret place within Zhaoyang Sect!”

“I’ve seen it once; I truly believe it has surpassed the Dao-level and may be close to an immortal medicine!”

“I come from a different lineage, but an elder in my family was the sworn brother of one of the Bamboo Grove’s elders—a bond of life and death! When they cultivated that supreme treasure, they secretly invited my elder to appraise it.”

“Not long after, disaster befell them… Now do you understand?”

Qin Yue drew a deep breath and said softly, “So that’s why you didn’t want me to join Zhaoyang Sect?”

Elder Yu sighed. “Back then, I thought, if any true heir of the Bamboo Grove came, they must not remain. The ones who destroyed the Bamboo Grove are almost certainly still alive. Think about it: if those old monsters found out, do you think you’d fare well? It’s one thing for others to know—without proof, who would dare slander the world’s foremost sect? But a true heir is another matter. If you ever became strong, you would surely seek revenge for your ancestors!”

Qin Yue said, “But I am not such a person.”

“All the better that you are not, or at least, that you have never claimed to be. What you did today was impressive indeed. With Yue Mingxi and the other elders, Tang Qingxuan and the rest all valuing you, you should be safe enough. But…” The old man hesitated. “All agricultural lineages are one family. You are a great talent, and serving as a guest elder will greatly benefit your cultivation journey. But keep your distance from them. This sect is not as it appears—be wary.”

He raised his cup. “An old man’s drunken rambling—don’t take it amiss.”

Qin Yue, well aware of Zhaoyang Sect’s true nature, rose and bowed deeply to Elder Yu. “You are a man of true character—thank you for your warning. If ever I need guidance in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to advise me.”