Chapter 4: The Sudden Crisis of the Spirit Herb Sparks Suspicion

Before Yun Yao could fully grasp the implications of Jun Mohan’s parting words, "Be careful," she was led to the Spirit Herb Garden.

Instead of the refreshing scent of lush greenery she had anticipated, a faint, decaying odor wafted through the air, causing her heart to sink. As she looked out, the spirit herbs that should have been teeming with vitality were withered in vast stretches. Their leaves were curled, yellowed, and drooping limply, as if their very essence had been drained away. The air felt heavy, stifling, and stagnant.

"This... how is this possible?" Yun Yao was shocked, though she maintained a composed facade. She scanned her surroundings, searching for the cause, only to find the entire garden shrouded in an eerie, deathly silence.

A flurry of hurried footsteps shattered the stillness. Elder Zhao arrived in a rage, his face contorting into a web of wrinkles as he beheld the scene. His sharp eyes, like poison-tipped arrows, pierced through Yun Yao. "Excellent, Yun Yao! You arrive and immediately cause disaster! What on earth have you done to the spirit herbs?!"

Taken aback by the sudden accusation, Yun Yao quickly explained, "Elder Zhao, I have only just arrived. I have done nothing; the herbs were already like this when I got here." She strove to keep her voice calm and innocent, her clear eyes filled with a sense of grievance, as if she were truly suffering a terrible injustice.

In the corner, Xiao Die, who was responsible for the garden’s chores, trembled with fear. She kept her head bowed low, terrified of being implicated. She wanted to say something, but dared not, pressing her lips tightly together and holding her breath, which only deepened the oppressive, tense atmosphere.

Elder Zhao, clearly lacking the patience for explanations, barked, "Preposterous! The herbs were perfectly fine; they only turned this way after you arrived. If it wasn’t you, then who could it be?! Someone, seize her at once and interrogate her thoroughly!"

Several guards stepped forward, attempting to apprehend her. Yun Yao frowned, her figure flickering as she evaded their grasp. Her voice was firm, carrying a hint of defiance: "Elder Zhao, I have told you I did nothing. You cannot frame me like this!" She met his gaze directly, showing no fear.

Just then, a cool, detached voice cut through the air, carrying a trace of imperceptible scrutiny. "What is happening here?" Jun Mohan appeared at the garden entrance. He remained as indifferent and distant as ever, though his gaze lingered on Yun Yao for a moment, his deep eyes seemingly able to pierce through anything.

"Senior Brother, you arrived just in time! This Yun Yao destroyed the garden the moment she arrived. She must be severely punished!" Elder Zhao complained immediately, as if having found a powerful ally.

In the crowd, Chen Xuan wore a smug smile, watching Yun Yao with malicious glee, as if he could already see her in total ruin. He seized the opportunity to fan the flames: "Indeed, Senior Brother. This Yun Yao is always playing petty tricks; she is definitely the one behind this!"

Facing such hostility, Yun Yao remained calm, knowing that clearing her name was the priority. Just as she prepared to speak again, Jun Mohan suddenly interjected, "Do not rush to conclusions. Perhaps... the matter is not as simple as it seems." His gaze swept over the withered herbs, lost in thought. Beside him, Chen Xuan’s smile froze, his face a mask of disbelief.

"Senior Brother?" Elder Zhao looked at him in confusion, unable to understand why he would speak up for her.

Ignoring the elder, Jun Mohan turned to Yun Yao and said calmly, "I will investigate this matter. Until then, stay within the garden and go nowhere else."

Watching his retreating figure, a complex mix of emotions welled up in Yun Yao. She felt as if a pair of eyes were watching her from the shadows, a sensation that made her skin crawl. Who was the one pulling the strings?

As Jun Mohan’s cold silhouette disappeared around the corner, the weight of invisible pressure settled over her. She knew this was no time for idle thoughts; to clear her name, she had to find the cause of the withering herself. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she set off toward the sect's pharmacy.

Inside, the room was lined with ancient medical texts and herbal manuals, the air fragrant with dried plants. She wove through the shelves, her fingers lightly brushing the spines of heavy tomes, searching for any clue regarding the withering of the herbs.

Suddenly, an old, yellowed book caught her eye, radiating the scent of aged ink. *A Record of Strange Spirit Herbs*—the title seemed to call to her. She opened it eagerly, finding the pages filled with detailed accounts of exotic herbs and their habits. Her heart skipped a beat when she reached a page describing the "Spirit-Devouring Insect." These creatures fed on the essence of spirit herbs, causing them to wither rapidly.

Excited, she flipped through the pages, a glimmer of hope illuminating her path. A faint smile touched her lips. Those around her noticed her change in demeanor and cast curious, envious glances her way. Feeling their gaze, her resolve hardened; she could almost see the moment her name would be cleared.

Without stopping to rest, she returned to the garden. The scorching sun baked the earth like a furnace, waves of heat rising until the very air seemed to burn. The sight of the withered garden was even more shocking now, and the air was thick with a sickening stench of decay.

She knelt, inspecting each withered plant. Her fingertips brushed the dry leaves, feeling their brittle texture, her heart burning with anxiety. She slowly pushed aside the soil at the roots, probing with her fingers to find traces of the insects. Time slipped by; sweat soaked her clothes, and loose strands of hair clung to her forehead. The air was heavy with suppression and helplessness. Her legs began to go numb from the prolonged crouch.

In the corner, Xiao Die watched, wanting to help but fearing Elder Zhao’s wrath, leaving her to pace helplessly, her words trapped in her throat.

Yun Yao stood up, looking at the ravaged garden, her anger growing like wild weeds. She clenched her fists, overcome by a sense of injustice. She had to find proof!

Just then, she saw a familiar figure walking toward her from the distance, a subtle, cold smirk on his lips. It was Chen Xuan. What was he doing here? A flicker of suspicion arose in her heart. She watched his malicious smile, and her internal alarm bells rang.

She walked up to him and blocked his path. "Chen Xuan, what are you doing here?"

Chen Xuan feigned surprise, his tone dripping with hypocritical concern. Yun Yao sneered internally. What was he plotting? She didn't believe he was being kind, but perhaps having an extra pair of hands would help her find the truth faster.

"Then I thank you for your good intentions, Senior Brother Chen," she said flatly, devoid of emotion. She wanted to see what kind of game he was playing.

They walked side by side among the withered herbs. Chen Xuan faked an inspection, sighing repeatedly as if he truly lamented the situation. "Junior Sister Yun, look at how withered these herbs are. What a pity. It seems you are in real trouble this time."

Yun Yao caught the gloating tone in his voice and grew even more vigilant. Pretending not to notice his mockery, she continued to inspect the soil. "Indeed, it is quite strange. I will do my best to uncover the truth."

Suddenly, she noticed the roots of a withered plant where the soil looked disturbed, darker than the surrounding earth, as if it had been moved recently. Her heart skipped a beat. She pointed to it, acting nonchalant. "Senior Brother Chen, look here. Does something seem off?"

A flicker of panic crossed Chen Xuan's face, though he quickly forced a look of composure. He leaned in, his voice sounding strained. "There is nothing, Junior Sister. Are you seeing things?"

Yun Yao sneered. She knelt and brushed away the soil with her fingertips, revealing several tiny black worms wriggling underneath. They were the culprits—the Spirit-Devouring Insects!

"Senior Brother Chen, is this what you call 'nothing'?" Her voice was icy, her gaze piercing him like a sword.

Chen Xuan’s face turned deathly pale, beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead as his eyes darted away. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. The surrounding disciples began to whisper, pointing at him in astonishment.

Yun Yao stood up, a wave of satisfaction washing over her. She looked at him coldly. "Chen Xuan, you plotted so carefully, yet you never expected I would discover your self-directed performance, did you?"

Watching his disheveled state relieved much of her anger, but she knew this wasn't the end. She still needed a way to save the herbs. She remembered the book in the pharmacy, which mentioned a master herbalist living in seclusion within the sect. Perhaps she could help.

Ignoring Chen Xuan, she turned and headed toward the residence of Granny Fang. She reached a courtyard hidden behind a bamboo grove. The gate was closed, and the air was fragrant with herbs. She knocked gently. After a moment, the door creaked open to reveal an elderly woman with a cold, stern expression. She looked at Yun Yao and spoke only two words:

"Come in."