Chapter 7: The Revival of the Spirit Herb Garden

The fading rays of the setting sun gently bathed Yun Yao, casting a delicate golden glow upon her. Clutching several precious spirit herbs awarded by Elder Zhao tightly in her hand, she strode confidently into the desolate spirit herb garden.

Once lush and verdant, the garden now lay barren. A sea of withered weeds covered cracked earth, and a faint scent of decay lingered in the air. Yun Yao’s heart sank slightly; this was far from the thriving garden she had imagined—far more daunting than she had anticipated.

Bending down, she lightly touched the soil beneath her feet. Her fingertips felt its rough texture: dry, hardened, lifeless. Her finely sculpted brows furrowed with worry. The soil’s fertility was clearly insufficient. With only the handful of spirit herbs in her possession, she doubted she could revive this place.

She surveyed the surroundings. The few tools scattered about were rusted beyond use.

Taking a deep breath, Yun Yao sought to calm the anxiety swelling within her. This was indeed a formidable challenge, but she would not give up easily. To fulfill her mission, to prove herself, she must face this adversity head-on.

Yet, the murmurs of doubt buzzed incessantly around her like annoying flies, circling her ears relentlessly.

“Can she really do it? This garden didn’t fall into ruin overnight.”

“Exactly. She couldn’t even tell spirit herbs apart before. How could she restore the garden to its former glory?”

“Don’t be fooled by the little benefits she’s gained now. Maybe it’s all just for show. Wait until she slips up—then it’ll be a spectacle!”

Though these voices were soft, they reached Yun Yao’s ears distinctly. The skepticism and distrust pricked at her heart like needles. A surge of nameless fury rose within her chest, but she quickly suppressed it.

She straightened her back. “Just wait and see,” she vowed silently, a confident smile curling her lips. Turning, she approached a relatively flat patch of earth, knelt down, and began carefully clearing the weeds.

She knew this was only the beginning. Greater challenges awaited.

At that moment, she heard faint footsteps behind her.

Turning around, she saw Jun Muhan walking toward her at a leisurely pace. His gaze was as deep and inscrutable as the stars, betraying no emotion.

Yun Yao’s heart skipped a beat.

“You…” Jun Muhan’s voice was low, carrying a subtle question.

Alone in the spirit herb garden, Yun Yao toiled under the blazing sun. The scorching heat baked the earth, and waves of heat rolled in as if to consume everything.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans slid down her forehead, dripping along her cheeks into the soil, vanishing instantly without a trace.

The hoe in her hand felt unbearably heavy. Every swing felt like lifting a mountain. Her arms ached so fiercely they nearly lost sensation.

During the recent insect plague, she had expended a great deal of magical energy and had yet to fully recover, leaving her weak and fatigued.

The surrounding air was perfectly still, as if frozen in time. Occasional birdcalls echoed in the distance, emphasizing the desolation.

A profound loneliness washed over Yun Yao, as if the entire world had abandoned her.

Gritting her teeth, she fought through the aching body and weary spirit, turning over the soil one scoop at a time—one, two, three…

“Hey, Junior Sister Yun Yao, working so hard, huh?” A sarcastic voice shattered the garden’s silence.

Yun Yao looked up to see Chen Xuan standing at the garden’s entrance, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

She sneered inwardly. She had known this fellow meant no good.

“Senior Brother Chen, do you have any advice?” Yun Yao calmly set down her hoe and asked, though inside her emotions churned like a storm. Outwardly, however, she remained composed.

Chen Xuan had expected Yun Yao to give up and slink away, allowing him to mock her freely.

Unexpectedly, she had persisted, even showing remarkable spirit. This surprised and irritated him.

He had planned to watch her fail, but now, seeing her drenched in sweat, the biting words caught in his throat.

After a pause, he spoke stiffly, “I see you don’t know much about pharmacology. Want me to give you some pointers?”

Yun Yao smiled faintly, thinking, What exactly is this guy up to?

She did not refuse his “kindness” but instead played along smoothly. “Thank you, Senior Brother Chen. I’ve been worried about the growth rate of the spirit herbs.”

Chen Xuan was caught off guard by her initiative and faltered.

“Well… the growth of spirit herbs requires…”

Seeing Chen Xuan’s awkwardness, Yun Yao chuckled inwardly. It seemed his knowledge of pharmacology was rather shallow.

Feigning earnest attention, she nodded now and then, all the while contemplating how to make the most of this opportunity.

“By the way, Senior Brother Chen, I heard the sect’s library holds many ancient texts on pharmacology. I wonder…” Yun Yao deliberately paused, casting a meaningful glance at Chen Xuan.

As the sunset glow faded and night fell, Yun Yao stepped into the sect’s library under starlight.

Inside, towering bookshelves lined the room, rows of aged scrolls exuding a faint scent of ink that was intoxicating.

She browsed slowly along the shelves, her gaze sharp and thorough, missing no detail.

Suddenly, a yellowed ancient scroll caught her eye.

Carefully withdrawing it, she brushed off the dust to reveal the title: “Manual of Spirit Herb Cultivation.”

A surge of joy swelled in her heart. She flipped it open swiftly and found it detailed a special formation for cultivating spirit herbs, capable of significantly enhancing their growth speed and quality.

It was a treasure beyond measure. Excitement sparkled in her eyes.

Fellow disciples cast envious glances her way, whispering, “I never expected Junior Sister Yun Yao to find this ancient text—such luck is truly enviable.”

Late into the night, the library grew silent, with Yun Yao alone remaining.

She studied every step recorded in the text meticulously, jotting down key points on paper.

A sense of unprecedented accomplishment filled her, as if she could already see the spirit herb garden bursting with life anew.

Early the next morning, she arrived at the garden promptly and began setting up the cultivation formation as prescribed.

She worked tirelessly throughout the day, sweat soaking her clothes, yet her face bore a steadfast smile.

Jun Muhan watched her quietly from afar, discreetly offering pills that helped restore magical energy.

Each time she received the medicine, a warm feeling stirred within her. Gratefully, she nodded in acknowledgment, their silent exchanges weaving a subtle bond between them.

With the formation complete, several spirit herbs began to sprout and show signs of vitality.

But the good fortune was short-lived. A few days later, Yun Yao discovered that some of the herbs in the garden were mysteriously afflicted with disease.

Her brows knitted tightly, anxiety burning in her chest. She knelt down to examine the symptoms carefully, but then her movements suddenly halted…