Chapter 30: Deliberate Difficulties

After a night of ceaseless toil, Shen Qinghe finally completed the fusion and mutation of more than a dozen seedlings of Azure Spirit Rice, transforming them into Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice. Forcing herself to endure the exhaustion brought on by depleted spiritual energy, she carefully stored away these precious seedlings.

As the first light of dawn crept across the horizon, Shen Qinghe could no longer restrain her anticipation. After a hasty wash, she hurried towards the spirit fields. Dew from the morning grass dampened the hem of her skirt, but nothing could slow her eager steps.

Upon entering the spirit fields, Shen Qinghe deftly dispelled the protective array, her graceful figure quickly vanishing into the misty haze it cast. She made her way to the designated planting area and took out the spiritual seeds of Azure Spirit Rice.

Now that her mastery of cultivating Azure Spirit Rice was consummate, she no longer needed to perform the complicated rituals she once had. With a flick of her slender hand, the seeds scattered like raindrops, each one landing with precision in its optimal spot for growth. Miraculously, as soon as these seeds touched the spiritual soil, they burst open, tender green shoots pushing through the earth at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Wherever she walked, new sprouts vied to emerge, tracing a vibrant path of life through the field.

Once the sowing of Azure Spirit Rice was complete, Shen Qinghe moved to the area set aside for planting Violet Spirit Ginseng. The seven seeds sown the previous day had already sprouted and were thriving. She summoned her ancient tome and examined the seedlings closely, confirming they were all in excellent condition before retrieving the dozen precious Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice seedlings from her storage pouch.

To avoid harming the young plants, she donned gloves spun from spiritual silkworm thread. Carefully measuring three feet from the Violet Spirit Ginseng, she used her hand as a spade to dig holes of just the right depth. Each seedling was planted with the gentleness one would offer a newborn child.

When she finished, she noticed the dozen seedlings were drooping, their stalks hanging limp in a dejected manner. She summoned her ancient tome again.

Name: Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice (Recorded)
Status: Withered
Growth: 3/10 (Seedling Stage)
Cultivation: Inexperienced (16/50)
Mutation Traits: None
Note: The spiritual rice produced by Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice, when consumed over time, purifies bodily impurities and forms a single Essence Pill, which washes the bones and refines spiritual energy, solidifying one’s foundation.

Seeing the seedlings indeed registered as withered, Shen Qinghe fetched some spring water to irrigate them. The first ladle fell like gentle rain, and the leaves relaxed slightly, but the seedlings remained weak. She frowned and poured a second ladle, yet the recovery was still unsatisfactory.

“Do they really need so much spring water?” she wondered in surprise. Without hesitation, she lifted the entire bucket and poured it evenly around the roots of the seedlings.

As the water seeped in, the Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice finally revived, its leaves unfurling fully, stalks standing tall, a faint spiritual luminescence shimmering along their surfaces. Shen Qinghe couldn’t help but smile at the sight. “Who would have thought Marrow-Cleansing Spirit Rice would be so thirsty?” she murmured, silently tucking this trait away for future reference.

Now came the slow, careful nurturing.

...

Senior Brother Deng and his companions piloted their flying vessel with utmost caution, transporting the captured Wind-Stepping Beast. Ever vigilant for unforeseen dangers, they finally arrived safely at the gates of Azurecloud Sect two days later.

After their identities were verified, the vessel glided past the gates, and the five of them released a collective sigh of relief as their taut nerves finally relaxed.

“This mission turned out to be a narrow escape!” Senior Brother Deng muttered, a look of gratification on his face. The others could hardly conceal their joy, exchanging smiles.

But as they entered the mission hall to report, trouble struck.

A young man in blue, his features sharp and sinister, stepped forward and nudged the Wind-Stepping Beast on the ground with his foot, his brow furrowing.

“What’s wrong with this Wind-Stepping Beast?” he demanded sourly. “It may be breathing, but it’s utterly motionless. Don’t tell me you’ve ruined it!”

At his words, all five felt a sense of foreboding.

Senior Brother Deng frowned and explained, “Shen Chenfeng, the Wind-Stepping Beast is merely paralyzed at the moment. It’ll recover in a few days and won’t suffer lasting harm.”

“A few days?” Shen Chenfeng sneered, giving the beast another kick. “And how am I to know if you’re telling the truth? Besides, how long is ‘a few days’ supposed to be?”

“Well... about three to five days, or at most ten to fifteen,” Senior Brother Deng replied, uncertain. He based his estimate on the judgment of Junior Brother Fang’s Earth Spirit Mouse, which had woken after just two days in a stupor from eating Violet Absolute Ginseng. Although the Wind-Stepping Beast had consumed more, it was also much stronger than the mouse, so it should recover quickly.

“Can’t even give a definite answer?” Shen Chenfeng scoffed, pressing his foot down on the beast. “This Wind-Stepping Beast is the mount specifically requested by Senior Sister Mingyue. If you’ve ruined it, how am I supposed to explain this to her?”

Senior Brother Deng’s expression darkened. “What is it you want, then?”

“It’s simple.” Shen Chenfeng’s lips curled into a malicious grin. “I’ll take the Wind-Stepping Beast to report to Senior Sister Mingyue. As for your mission, it counts as complete. I’ll explain everything to her for you.”

Then his tone shifted. “But with a crippled Wind-Stepping Beast like this, forget about any reward for your mission!”

This was blatant harassment.

Aside from Senior Brother Deng, who managed to remain composed, the other four bristled with barely suppressed rage. Zhou Lin could not restrain himself and lunged forward, “Nonsense! The Wind-Stepping Beast is perfectly fine—on what grounds do you deny us our reward?”

Shen Chenfeng raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhou Lin with a mocking smile. “Deny your reward? I am denying it. What can you do about it? Report me to the elders for arbitration?”

“You—” Zhou Lin’s eyes blazed, ready to explode, but Senior Brother Deng gripped his shoulder, holding him back.

Senior Brother Deng’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, a glint of killing intent flickering in his eyes. Shen Chenfeng caught that look and his face turned cold. “What, Deng Yang, are you thinking of challenging me?”

“...This time, I’ll swallow it,” Deng Yang ground out, his voice low and deadly.

“Senior Brother!” the four cried in unison, but were silenced by Deng Yang’s cutting gesture. They could only suppress their fury, glaring at Shen Chenfeng with eyes that nearly spat fire.

Shen Chenfeng smirked in triumph. “A wise man knows when to yield.”

With that, he swaggered off with the Wind-Stepping Beast in tow.

Watching him swagger away, the four seethed, their fury undiminished.

“Senior Brother Deng!” Junior Brother Fang could not contain himself. “We spent so many resources on this mission, and now Shen Chenfeng gets the benefit for nothing?”

Deng Yang sighed deeply. “In the past, I would never have endured such humiliation...” He paused, his expression bleak as he handed a jade slip to the others. “Take a look at this.”

When the four examined it, they were thunderstruck, their faces turning ashen.

“This... how can it be!” Junior Brother Fang’s voice trembled, his fingers clenching reflexively. “Shen Mingyue has already broken through to the Pseudo-Core stage? She’s only been here less than ten years!”

“I just received the news,” Deng Yang replied gravely, exhaustion etched across his brow. “At her rate, she’ll condense a Golden Core within three years. When that happens, the Shen family’s status in the sect will soar...”

He looked around at his companions, his voice growing heavier. “We’re just inner disciples with no backing. How can we possibly contend with Shen Chenfeng? This time... we have no choice but to accept it.”

The four fell into a heavy silence.