Cultivating Immortality Starts with Planting Techniques

Xiong Yinxiu's death caused little stir within the sect. 

Only a few spirit-farming disciples quietly discussed the matter amongst themselves, but none spread the news beyond their circle. 

After all, which spirit-farming disciple didn't dream of being chosen to tend to the spirit fields of a sect elder? 

Just having the chance to compete was already considered a rare stroke of fortune. 

But Xiong Yinxiu's reckless behavior had ruined their reputation! 

If word got out and became widely known, wouldn't other Foundation Establishment elders hesitate to select assistants from among the spirit farmers in the future, fearing a repeat of this incident?

It was lucky that Xiong Yinxiu died instantly from the elder's palm strike. 

Had she survived, someone might not have been able to resist teaching her a lesson! 

As for the true beneficiary of this debacle Li Ye… 

He had his hands full these days! 

"Gu techniques sinister and unpredictable, but undeniably effective… Truly remarkable methods…" 

Li Ye was deeply absorbed as he flipped through a book, murmuring praise from the heart. 

It was one of the more valuable finds from Xiong Yinxiu's storage pouch. 

Though not even recorded in a jade slip, but rather on some kind of tanned beast hide, it was still a fragment of a Gu technique inheritance.

Compared to the small booklet found on the masked man, which contained only basic introductions to a few Gu insects, this was far more comprehensive.

It not only included foundational knowledge of Gu arts but also detailed the crafting methods of various Gu insects, along with techniques for controlling and defending against them.

As long as one had the resources to invest, refining even a few of these insects could significantly boost combat power. 

Combining this inheritance with other texts in her pouch, it was clear that Xiong Yinxiu had once been quite fortunate in her opportunities. 

Had she obtained the caretaker position, and earned enough contribution points and resources to cultivate Gu insects and master the art 

She might truly have had a shot at building her foundation and becoming an elder one day. 

"It's just a shame you chose to oppose me…" 

Li Ye murmured, a trace of regret flickering across his face. 

"As for refining Gu myself… Right now, I don't have the time or money to invest in that."

For him, whether to improve his cultivation or earn profits, the path of alchemy remained his top priority. 

He was not only stockpiling experience to level up but also refining pills every day. 

Though his current first-tier, low-grade skill had a mediocre success rate, and the Fasting Pills made from spirit rice weren't worth much. 

Given that he had almost no upfront investment, each batch of pills essentially broke even the moment he fired up the cauldron! 

He paused and glanced at his status panel: 

[Gu Technique: Not Yet Initiated (1/1800)] 

"Hmm… Seems the Gu path is quite profound as well…" 

"Better to study it on my own for now, and try refining and mastering a few of the existing Gu insects I have, just to expand my options…" 

"As for fully committing to the Gu arts, that can wait until I've achieved success in alchemy." 

… 

"So this was that wretched woman's trump card…" 

Yao Shaohui and Gu Daojin pored over a book with interest, still cursing under their breath. 

They had personally witnessed Xiong Yinxiu die at Elder Ji's hand. At first, they were shocked and even felt a hint of pity. 

But after Li Ye explained what she had done, their feelings turned to pure hatred. 

Colluding with outsiders to assassinate a fellow sect disciple? That was outright treason! 

And to use malicious Gu insects to sabotage spirit plants 

That directly threatened their interests. 

Completely intolerable! 

Had Elder Ji not been the type to avoid personal entanglements and had a relatively decent temperament, even the timely prevention of her plan might not have saved the three of them from punishment. 

Now, seeing that Li Ye had found a book among her belongings detailing a wide array of spirit flowers, they finally understood why Xiong Yinxiu had been so skilled in tending floral spirit plants.

Flipping through the book, they found dozens of cultivation methods for first- and second-tier spirit flowers. 

Sunfire Flower was just one among many. 

At this moment, Li Ye's willingness to share everything with them freely truly caught them off guard and filled them with gratitude. 

There was even a faint sense of guilt rising in their hearts. 

Ever since Xiong Yinxiu was struck down by the elder, a renewed sense of fear and wariness toward Li Ye had been growing inside them. Over the past few days, their minds had been filled with all sorts of thoughts many of them quite dark.

But now, seeing Li Ye ruthless and decisive when dealing with enemies treat them with such generosity and sincerity, they were genuinely moved!

They carefully transcribed the contents of the book into jade slips. 

With solemn expressions, Yao Shaohui and Gu Daojin both bowed deeply to Li Ye. 

"What are you two doing?" 

Li Ye stepped aside to avoid the bow, though he more or less understood their intent. 

And this was precisely the result he had hoped for by acting this way. 

"Brother Li, we may not have known each other long, but I, Old Gu, have already benefited greatly from your guidance. This bow is simply to express my thanks."

Gu Daojin said earnestly, glancing at Yao Shaohui. 

"The two of us have already discussed it. Compared to your mastery of spirit planting, we're not even in the same league…" 

"Though the competition hasn't been officially decided yet, it's not like our skills are going to suddenly improve overnight. In both technique and favor, we wholeheartedly admit defeat." 

Yao Shaohui chuckled and added, 

"Since that shrew, Xiong Yinxiu chose to walk the road to ruin and went down cleanly… keeping us two around would just be in the way. So we might as well report to the elder that we're withdrawing, and help clear the path for you, Junior Brother!" 

Their spirit farming skills didn't measure up to Li Ye's, and truthfully, their chances had been slim to begin with. On top of that, they'd gained a lot from his advice lately. Given all that, they figured it was better to step aside and build a good relationship with him.

"Such generosity from you both!" 

Li Ye bowed in earnest, then smiled, 

"But this place is rich in spiritual energy. Even if you're truly willing to let me take the position, can you bear to give up such an excellent cultivation spot?" 

"Of course not…" 

Yao Shaohui and Gu Daojin replied sincerely, their faces full of reluctant emotion. 

"But if we don't accept our next assignment and report in soon, the spirit fields reserved for us in the Herb Garden will be reassigned to others!" 

"Now that our chances here are gone, we can't afford to lose our fallback option too!" 

"Ah, so that's the reason!" 

Li Ye laughed in realization, teasing, "I was wondering how you two could bear to give up on such prime cultivation grounds… Well then, I suppose I have no choice but to gratefully accept your kindness."

"If you happen to run into a disciple named Zhang Liangfu after returning to the Herb Garden he was a close friend of mine when I was working the sect fields please look after him for me. I'd appreciate it!" 

"Not a problem at all!" 

Yao and Gu readily agreed. 

… 

"From now on, these spirit fields are mine to manage…" 

Standing on a hillside, Li Ye looked down with excitement and satisfaction. 

The elder, Ji, had gladly approved the voluntary withdrawal of Yao and Gu and had even rewarded them generously for it.

Just like that, Li Ye became the official caretaker of Elder Ji's spirit fields in the back mountain. 

"Guess I'll start by tending to one plot to celebrate!" 

In high spirits after such a lucky turn of events, Li Ye walked straight over to the field he had originally managed and eagerly got to work. 

Before long, the seedlings were visibly thriving taller, healthier, and deeper in color. 

Suddenly, one of them gave off a faint spiritual glow. 

[You used a refined technique to care for a Tier-1 spiritual plant, Blood Grain Rice. It grew stronger. EXP +0.1…] 

[Tier-1 spiritual plant, Blood Grain Rice, is thriving. You've gained Blood Grain Rice Essence (1%)…]

[…] 

At that moment, double blessings arrived! 

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