Chapter 1 : Became A Trash
The sun hung high in the sky, its golden rays bathing the mountain peak in a warm, ethereal glow. The summit was full of lush vegetation and filled with spiritual plants of various shapes and hues swaying gently in the crisp air.
A sudden gust of wind swept across the mountaintop, its chill sharp enough to cut through the lingering warmth, jolting Hao Yu out of his daze.
"I've transmigrated." The thought echoed in his mind. The realization was as surreal as it was unsettling. Hao Yu was no longer the college student he had been in his previous life—a young man juggling unfulfilled dreams, relentless assignments, and the monotony of modern existence. A sudden accident had claimed his life, and instead of finding himself in an eternal void, he had awoken here, in this alien world.
Fragments of unfamiliar memories swirled in his mind, slowly assembling into a coherent picture. This world was a realm of cultivation, a place where humans transcended mortal limitations. Here, people soared through the skies, split mountains with a flick of their fingers, and even shattered stars with their boundless power.
Excitement coursed through Hao Yu's veins. In his old world, he had devoured countless cultivation novels, often fantasizing about such a reality. Who wouldn't dream of leaving behind the mundane and stepping into a world where immortality was within reach?
But as the memories of the original Hao Yu crystallized, his initial excitement dimmed. Harsh reality set in like a heavy shroud. The body he now inhabited wasn't that of a prodigious genius or a chosen one.
Instead, it belonged to a lowly medicine boy in the Heavenly Sword Sect. No noble lineage, no profound inheritance, and, most crushing of all, no extraordinary spiritual roots. Just a nameless servant, tending to spiritual plants.
The bitter truth was like a cold slap to the face. His dreams of immortality seemed impossibly far away.
"Damn it! Where's my system? My cheat? My golden finger?!" Hao Yu's voice rose in frustration. "Fellow transmigrators, forgive me. I've failed to uphold the sacred legacy of our kind!"
He let out a bitter laugh and stared at his trembling hands. His once-excited heart now felt like a stone sinking in a dark, endless sea.
"Five-element spiritual roots…" he muttered, the words dripping with disdain. "The worst possible kind. No talent. No potential. No hope. Just trash."
His fists clenched as a wave of helplessness washed over him. Yet, beneath the despair, a flicker of defiance burned.
"No, I refuse to accept this," he thought fiercely. "Even the dullest ember can ignite a blaze if it's given the right spark. Trash or not, this is my life now. If the heavens look down on me, I'll defy them. If this world won't give me a path, I'll carve one myself!"
Taking a deep breath, he straightened his back, his resolve solidifying.
"Damn, I must have looked pretty cool just now, right? Like a proper novel protagonist," he mused with a self-deprecating chuckle. Yet, surprisingly, he felt no overwhelming joy or despair, just a strange calm.
"Maybe… maybe my old life was a story too," he murmured. "What if this is just another chapter? In the end, I'll live as I want. Wallowing won't change anything."
His thoughts shifted to the concept of spiritual roots—the foundation of cultivation in this world.
Spiritual roots were more than just innate talent; they were the essential connection between a cultivator and the spiritual energy, or Qi, that permeated the world. This energy, an invisible force born of the heavens and earth, manifested in elemental forms: fire, water, wood, metal, and earth.
The roots within a person acted as the medium to sense, absorb, and refine Qi. Like a tree drawing nourishment from the soil, spiritual roots allowed cultivators to channel energy into their bodies. The purer and more attuned the roots, the more efficiently they could absorb Qi.
Low-quality roots drag in chaotic, "impure" energy, bloated with unnecessary elements, necessitating laborious refinement. High-quality roots, however, perform a natural filtration, yielding an uncontaminated flow of spiritual energy ready for direct use.
Once absorbed, this energy is stored and processed within the dantian—a spiritual core situated in the lower abdomen—or channeled through specific meridians.
The dantian acts as a reservoir, holding the refined energy, while the meridians distribute it throughout the body to enhance physical strength, repair injuries, and fuel cultivation growth.
Spiritual roots critically affect the efficiency of this system: inferior roots often leak or waste energy during refinement, while superior roots optimize the process, ensuring minimal loss and maximum gain.
Spiritual roots were classified into tiers based on their effectiveness:
Five-element spiritual roots: The weakest and most common type. These roots are spread across all five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—offering minimal affinity for any one element. Cultivators with such roots face agonizingly slow progress and struggle to break through even the lower stages of cultivation.
Four-element spiritual roots: A marginal improvement over five-element roots. By excluding one element, these roots offer slightly better focus but are still far from ideal.
Three-element spiritual roots: A balanced improvement, allowing for faster absorption and utilization of energy by concentrating on fewer elements.
Dual-element spiritual roots: Highly prized for their synergy, dual-element roots specialize in two complementary elements, achieving a harmonious and efficient flow of energy.
Heavenly spiritual roots: The rarest and most exalted type. These roots align perfectly with heaven's will, offering unparalleled cultivation speed and divine affinity for spiritual energy. Cultivators with heavenly roots are often seen as destined for greatness.
As someone burdened with five-element spiritual roots, Hao Yu found himself at the lowest rung of this unforgiving hierarchy. His roots lacked the focus and efficiency needed for meaningful cultivation, scattering his efforts thinly across all five elements.
Progress was agonizingly slow, and every step forward felt like an insurmountable battle.
"To think I've been given such a trash body," Hao Yu muttered bitterly. "In a world where talent is everything, I'm nothing more than a joke. A pebble on the path, destined to be stepped over as others soar toward the heavens."
The weight of his circumstances pressed heavily on him, but he forced himself to move. Letting out a weary sigh, he bent low to pick a spiritual plant from the soil.
As a medicine boy in the Heavenly Sword Sect, this was his daily grind—tending to the spiritual plants that served as the foundation for the sect's alchemy. These plants were invaluable, the key ingredients for pills that accelerated cultivation, healed injuries, and extended lifespans.
Precision was essential in this task. A single misstep—a stem snapped too early or a root damaged—would render the plant useless for refining. The consequences for carelessness were harsh: deductions from his already meager pay or even expulsion from the sect. Each plant required careful handling, and over time, the original Hao Yu had honed his technique to avoid mistakes.
His reward for this grueling labor? A mere one low-grade spiritual stone per month.
Spiritual stones in this world were more than just currency. Each stone was infused with spiritual energy, meticulously refined and concentrated, making them highly sought after by cultivators. They could be absorbed directly to boost one's cultivation or traded for resources, techniques, and tools.
Hao Yu glanced at the pouch tied to his waist. The original owner of this body had managed to save just four low-grade spiritual stones after months of painstaking work.
His goal had been to save up ten stones to buy a basic sword manual—a rudimentary cultivation technique that would allow him to take his first step on the arduous path of cultivation.
But even that modest dream seemed impossibly distant now. Each spiritual plant in the garden was worth more than his entire monthly salary, and damaging even one would mean not only forfeiting his earnings but also incurring a compensation fee that could take months—or even years—to repay. The mere thought of such a scenario made Hao Yu's stomach churn, as if he'd swallowed a live wasp.
Hao Yu's face twisted into a grimace. But after assimilating all the memories of the original Hao Yu, he discovered an unexpected advantage—herb-picking now felt second nature to him.
It was a strange and pitiful thing to take pride in, yet he couldn't deny a sliver of satisfaction. If there were a grand tournament for plucking herbs, he was certain he'd be crowned champion, perhaps even a legend among medicine boys. "Hao Yu, the Herb Picking God," he thought with a bitter smirk.
With practiced care, he crouched down and gently plucked the first spiritual plant, the Spirit Condensing Plant, from the soil.
As the roots left the earth, something strange happened. A flicker of light passed before his eyes. He blinked. Was that… a notification? His heart skipped a beat.
"Am I hallucinating?" Hao Yu muttered, furrowing his brow. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, blaming fatigue. But when he opened them again, his breath caught. Floating in the air, clear as day, was a glowing message:
[You have seized 5 years of lifespan from first-grade spiritual plant Spirit Condensing Plant.]
Hao Yu froze, staring at the text as his mind reeled. The words burned themselves into his brain, radiating an otherworldly authority. Five years of lifespan? Was this a joke? His lips parted, but no sound came out.
Then it hit him like a tidal wave. The absurdity, the impossibility, the sheer joy.
"I… I have a cheat!" he shouted, his voice echoing across the mountainside. The realization surged through him, adrenaline flooding his veins. He jumped to his feet, laughing like a madman. "I knew it! I'm not some cannon fodder destined to die in obscurity! The heavens have finally smiled on me!"
He threw his arms wide, as if embracing the heavens themselves, a triumphant grin stretching ear to ear. "With this power, who dares call me trash now? I'll seize the life of anyone who tries! I'll rewrite my fate! Hao Yu, the Immortal Herb Reaper—wait, no, that sounds lame. Hao Yu, the Lifespan Overlord! Yes, much better!"
Chapter 2 : Black-Hearted Leech
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself, his tone shifting to one of reverence. "Oh great system, what are your functions? Enlighten me with your divine wisdom!"
...
Silence.
Hao Yu frowned. "System? Are you… there? Hellooo?" He waited, his excitement waning as the silence stretched on. A minute passed. Then another. His expression soured.
"No… no way. Don't tell me—" A horrifying thought dawned on him. "The system wouldn't… it couldn't just ditch me after giving me hope, right? That's too cruel! Especially for someone as dashingly handsome, modest, graceful, courteous, and generous as I am!"
Panic bubbled up as he paced in small, frantic circles. "No, no, no, this isn't happening. I can't lose my cheat before I've even started! Come on, system! Say something!" His voice cracked, desperation seeping through.
Finally, on a whim, he stopped in his tracks and tried something. "Status!"
To his immense relief, a panel materialized in front of him, its surface glowing faintly. Detailed information filled the screen:
[Name: Hao Yu]
[Lifespan: 14/76 years]
[Spiritual Root: Five-Element (TRASH) Spiritual Root (Lifespan can be used for evolution)]
[Cultivation: First Level of Qi Refining (Lifespan can be used to improve cultivation)]
[Technique: None (Lifespan can be used to increase proficiency once learned)]
Hao Yu let out a long, shaky breath, clutching his chest as though he'd just escaped certain death. "Thank the heavens. The system's still here. It's just… not sentient." He squinted at the panel. "Or maybe it's lazy. Figures."
Reading the information, his mind raced. "So, I can use lifespan to evolve my spiritual roots? Or boost my cultivation? Even improve techniques?" He bit his lip, weighing the possibilities. This was no ordinary system—it was a treasure chest of potential, albeit one with a heavy price.
His gaze lingered on the "Five-Element (Trash) Spiritual Root" description, and a bitter smile crossed his face. "This trashy spiritual root... It's the reason I'm stuck at the bottom of the cultivation ladder. But if I can evolve it..."
Excitement surged within him, and his mind raced. "If I can evolve my spiritual root into something stronger, my efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy will skyrocket. With better roots, I might actually have a chance at cultivation!"
He turned his attention to the rows of mature spiritual plants swaying gently in the breeze. Each one seemed to radiate a faint, alluring light, as if calling out to him. A wide grin spread across his face.
"Well, my dear herbs, it seems your time has come! Your sacrifice will not be in vain!"
Fueled by newfound vigor, Hao Yu darted toward the next plant. One plant after another vanished into his hands, his movements so fluid and frantic that it looked like a crazed beast feasting on prey.
"Oh, Spirit Condensing Plant, thank you for your service. Lifespan acquired! Oh, you too, Golden Leaf Grass? Don't mind if I do!" He moved through the garden like a whirlwind, his laughter ringing through the air.
With each successful harvest, the familiar notification would pop up.
[You have seized 6 years of lifespan from first-grade spiritual plant Golden Leaf Grass.]
[You have seized 8 years of lifespan from first-grade spiritual plant Frost Petal Herb.]
Every notification made his grin grow wider. His earlier weariness was replaced by a manic energy as he worked faster, practically skipping from one plant to the next.
"This is it! Who needs to slog through years of training when I can just hoard lifespan from these plants?" he chuckled.
Fifteen minutes later, Hao Yu stood with a satisfied expression, admiring the neatly picked medicinal plants before him. He had managed to harvest every mature plant in the garden. As he glanced at the status panel, his eyes widened in excitement.
His lifespan had increased to 300 years!
Before this, he only had 76 years of life remaining, but now—he could hardly believe it. The ability to seize lifespan was truly amazing. Yet, as the realization set in, a wave of caution washed over him. He knew that he had to keep this ability a secret. People were unpredictable, and hearts could be darker than the deepest abyss.
If he ever revealed his ability to steal lifespan, he couldn't even begin to imagine how he might meet his end. His soul would be hunted down, tortured forever—he shuddered at the thought. Goosebumps spread across his skin like wildfire.
"Thank goodness I'm a coward... ahem, I mean, a cautious individual," Hao Yu muttered under his breath. "I'll never reveal this to anyone, not even the dearest of people."
Determined, he set his mind on the medicine garden. Who needed to become a formal disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect? Hao Yu was perfectly content with his current situation—seizing lifespan from the plants, improving his qualifications, and steadily advancing his cultivation.
Eventually, I'll become invincible, he thought, dreaming of the future with sparkling eyes. When I'm at the peak, maybe I'll reveal one-hundredth of my power. Hmm, wait... no, no, no! I almost let my heart demon take control just now. I can't be that reckless. Hao Yu quickly corrected his thoughts. I'll only reveal one-billionth of my strength!
Lost in his whimsical fantasies, Hao Yu became completely absorbed in his daydreams, unable to pull himself out.
A few moments passed before the harsh reality struck him again. Sigh... he thought. Right now, I'm just a medicine boy. Becoming invincible is still a long, long way off. But… one day, I'll get there.
He took the basket filled with spiritual plants and walked toward the pavilion where the master of the herb garden resided. Cheng Lao, an elder in his 70s, was tasked with overseeing the garden and managing the spiritual plants.
As Hao Yu approached the pavilion, he noticed Cheng Lao sitting at the table, engrossed in his reading. The old man's white hair and long beard gave him an air of wisdom, yet something about the way he was hunched over the book struck Hao Yu as odd.
Curiosity piqued, Hao Yu glanced at the title on the book Cheng Lao was holding. His eyes widened in disbelief.
"The Forbidden Arts of the Heart..."
The title was enough to make Hao Yu choke on his own breath. For a moment, his mind reeled, and he quickly looked away, feeling an awkward flush creep up his neck.
What kind of book is that for someone his age? Hao Yu thought, his eyebrows twitching. I thought this guy was supposed to be all about cultivation, not... whatever that is.
Trying to regain his composure, Hao Yu stepped into the pavilion, doing his best to act casual. He wasn't about to make a big deal of it, but the image of Cheng Lao reading such a book would probably linger in his mind for a while.
Cheng Lao, unaware of the younger man's awkward glance, simply put the book aside as Hao Yu entered. "Put the basket down," he said, his voice as gruff as ever. "A basic cultivation manual will be given to you. In your spare time, you should read it and train hard. Only by becoming a formal disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect will your cultivation journey truly begin."
Cheng Lao waved his hand, and a book floated off the shelf and into Hao Yu's hands. Hao Yu glanced at the cover, his mind still half-expecting another title that would make him question everything he knew about this so-called "respectable elder."
But alas, there was no shock this time. Instead, he felt a pang of disappointment.
"Ahem," Hao Yu cleared his throat, inwardly justifying himself. "Not that I'm interested in those kinds of books or anything… it's for research purposes! Research, I swear!"
The title of the book was Basic Spirit Gathering Sutra.
"Well, this is underwhelming," Hao Yu thought, his lips twitching into a wry smile. "The most basic of basic techniques. It couldn't get more beginner-friendly than this."
But despite his initial reaction, he quickly shrugged off the disappointment. Basic? So what? In his hands, even the most elementary techniques could become extraordinary. After all, he had the system and its lifespan-seizing function.
Cheng Lao, who was still pretending to be dignified after his earlier "reading session," gave him a few more instructions. "Go back to your courtyard and focus on your cultivation," the old man said with a wave of his hand. "I need to stay here and… comprehend a secret technique."
Hao Yu's eyebrows twitched at those words. He bowed respectfully and left, but his thoughts were anything but respectful.
"Comprehend a secret technique? Really? At your age, you're calling that comprehending? Just admit you're going to bury yourself in more of those… books! Have you no shame, old man? Shameless! Utterly shameless! Thank heavens I'm not like that."
Still shaking his head in mock pity, Hao Yu made his way to his courtyard, which was reserved for medicine boys like him. At the moment, he was its sole occupant.
.....
Night eventually fell. Hao Yu sat cross-legged on his bed in a meditative posture, the moonlight casting faint shadows across his modest room.
He rubbed his hands together with glee, looking at the 300 years of lifespan displayed in his status screen.
"Alright, time to invest!" he declared, his eyes sparkling with ambition. "System, invest 100 years of lifespan into my spiritual roots!"
His mind buzzed with excitement.
"Will it be four-element spiritual roots? Three-element? Maybe I'll skip ahead and get dual-element spiritual roots right away!"
The system didn't leave him hanging for long. Prompts appeared before his eyes.
[You've invested 10 years of lifespan into evolution of spiritual roots. Your five element (Trash) spiritual roots' sensitivity has increased slightly but have failed to transform into four element spiritual roots. ]
[You've invested a total of 100 years of lifespan into evolution of spiritual roots. Your five element (Trash) spiritual roots' has increased sensitivity slightly and have failed to transform into four element spiritual roots. Please invest more.]
Hao Yu froze. His hopeful grin turned into a blank stare, and then into a twitching scowl.
"What… WHAT?!" he whispered harshly, clenching his fists. "Increased sensitivity? Failed transformation? Are you kidding me? 100 years for this?! What kind of black-hearted scam is this?! System, you robber! You swindler! Black-hearted leech!"
If it hadn't been nighttime, Hao Yu would have screamed his curses to the system. Instead, he seethed silently, glaring at the prompts like they owed him an apology.
Chapter 3 : Transforming Spiritual Roots
Moments earlier, Hao Yu had been brimming with excitement, rubbing his hands like a shady merchant about to make the deal of a lifetime. Now, he felt like a customer who'd bought a "miracle pill" only to find out it was just powdered sugar.
"I refuse to believe another 150 years of lifespan won't push my five-element spiritual roots to at least four-element spiritual roots!" Hao Yu declared, his voice brimming with both defiance and desperation.
"System, invest another 150 years of lifespan into evolving my spiritual roots!"
Prompts began to appear before him, each line delivering a mix of suspense and frustration.
[You've invested 10 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your five-element spiritual roots' sensitivity has increased but failed to transform into four-element spiritual roots.]
[You've invested 100 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your five-element spiritual roots' sensitivity has increased but failed to transform into four-element spiritual roots.]
[You've invested 150 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your five-element spiritual roots' sensitivity has increased and has successfully transformed into four-element spiritual roots.]
Hao Yu's heart clenched at the first two prompts. His breath was caught in his throat.
"This can't be happening… all that lifespan wasted?"
But as the final prompt appeared, relief washed over him like a summer rain. He exhaled a shaky breath and slumped back.
"Finally!" he muttered. "If 250 years of lifespan hadn't been enough to evolve my roots, I'd have… I don't even know! Cursed the heavens? Dismantled this system? Or maybe just cried in a corner."
A subtle sensation coursed through his body. Something had changed within him, though he couldn't quite place what. Curious, he followed the cultivation manual given by Cheng Lao and began to refine spiritual energy.
At first, he hesitated, fearing the slow and tedious process he had always struggled with. But the moment he started, his eyes widened in shock.
"The speed… it's nearly nine times faster than before!" Hao Yu exclaimed, awe overtaking him.
The difference was staggering. Refining spiritual energy, which had once felt like drawing water from a dry well, now flowed like a river after a storm.
"I underestimated the grades of spiritual roots," he murmured, a grin spreading across his face. "This… this was worth every year of lifespan I spent!"
As he marveled at his newfound efficiency, his thoughts turned to the highest grade of spiritual roots. His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"If just reaching four-element spiritual roots boosts my speed ninefold, how much faster would I be with dual-element or even heavenly-grade roots? A thousandfold? More?"
The idea electrified him. Determined, Hao Yu resolved to save at least a thousand years of lifespan before attempting his next upgrade.
.....
Four Years Later
The medicine garden remained largely unchanged, save for a few subtle modifications made by Hao Yu. Over the years, he had extended the garden, increasing the production of spiritual plants.
By day, he planted and cared for the garden, meticulously tending to every sprout. By night, he cultivated diligently using the Spirit Gathering Sutra.
Now, four years later, Hao Yu had reached the seventh level of Qi Refining. His progress had been nothing short of astounding, though he had worked tirelessly for every bit of it.
At the one-year mark, when Hao Yu finally saved up a thousand years of lifespan, something extraordinary happened. A new system function was unlocked—Lifespan Investigation.
This function allows Hao Yu to inspect lifespan of others. He can view the remaining lifespan of people, beasts, and even plants within a certain range.
Hao Yu then spent an entire millennium's worth of lifespan to upgrade his four-element spiritual roots to three-element spiritual roots.
Though the cost had been staggering—1,000 years of hard-earned lifespan—he was immensely satisfied with the results. The speed of refining spiritual energy had increased by at least sixfold compared to when he had four-element roots.
Still, this wasn't enough for Hao Yu. For the past three years, he had worked tirelessly, saving every ounce of lifespan he could scrape together.
He reflected on his efforts. His first harvest had been an astonishing windfall—250 years of lifespan in a single day, thanks to the spiritual herbs already being fully mature. These herbs matured every three months, allowing him to harvest four times annually. Through this steady routine, he accumulated 1,000 years of lifespan in the first year alone.
But Hao Yu wasn't content with maintaining the status quo. Over the following three years, he meticulously upgraded the garden, introducing higher-grade herbs and optimizing spiritual energy flow. His improvements paid off—his yield rose to over 425 years per harvest, totaling an impressive 1,700 years annually.
And today marked the moment he would finally achieve the coveted milestone of 5,000 years—a goal he had set for himself.
With this accumulated wealth, he planned to invest heavily in evolving both his spiritual roots and his cultivation techniques. The leap in his abilities would be monumental—or so he hoped.
After tending to the spiritual plants in the garden, Hao Yu noticed several had started showing signs of maturity. These weren't just any plants—they were nourished by special water infused with the energy of spiritual stones.
This water, enriched with spiritual essence, significantly accelerated the maturation process of the plants, making them prime candidates for harvest.
For a brief moment, a mischievous thought crossed his mind: What if I drank some of this spiritual water? Surely it would enhance his cultivation. But the rational part of him quickly doused the idea. If anyone caught him, the consequences would be severe.
Losing his job in the herb garden would mean losing his primary source of lifespan income. Just imagining such a disaster made his stomach churn.
"Focus, Hao Yu," he muttered to himself, shaking his head. "No job, no lifespan. No lifespan, no cultivation. And no cultivation means no future." The risk wasn't worth it.
Once the matured plants were carefully harvested, Hao Yu submitted them to Cheng Lao, as was protocol. Wasting no time, he hurried back to his courtyard. Locking the door behind him, he sat cross-legged on his bed.
His eyes darted around the room, scanning every corner to ensure no one was lurking. Satisfied that he was alone, he took a deep breath.
"Status," he whispered, his voice trembling with excitement and anticipation.
[Name: Hao Yu]
[Lifespan: 18/5021]
[Spiritual Root: Three Element Spiritual Roots (Lifespan can be used for evolution)]
[Cultivation: Seventh Level of Qi Refining (Lifespan can be used to improve cultivation)]
[Technique: Basic Spirit Gathering Sutra (Master) (Lifespan can be used to increase proficiency)]
Seeing the dazzling 5,000 years of lifespan displayed in his status, Hao Yu's heart raced with excitement. His lips curled into a smug grin as a bold thought crossed his mind. Even Soul Transformation cultivators don't have this much lifespan, right?
In this world, cultivation stages were clearly defined: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and finally, Soul Transformation. Hao Yu recalled overhearing a conversation in the library one day, where someone mentioned that Nascent Soul cultivators typically lived for 500 years.
Based on that, he estimated that even Soul Transformation experts couldn't live beyond 2,000 years.
Heh, look at me, a mere Qi Refining cultivator, already outliving top-tier experts. The irony!
Pulling himself out of his triumphant daydream, Hao Yu decided it was time to invest a significant portion of his precious lifespan into evolving his spiritual roots. His eyes gleamed with determination as he gave the command.
"System, invest 1,000 years of lifespan into the evolution of my spiritual roots."
As soon as he spoke, glowing prompts began to appear before his eyes.
[You've invested 10 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your three-element spiritual roots sensitivity has increased slightly but failed to transform into dual-element spiritual roots.]
[You've invested 100 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your three-element spiritual roots sensitivity has increased slightly but failed to transform into dual-element spiritual roots.]
...
[You've invested 1,000 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Your three-element spiritual roots sensitivity has increased slightly but failed to transform into dual-element spiritual roots. Please invest more.]
Numerous failed prompts flashed before Hao Yu's eyes, but he remained unfazed. After all, he had previously used 1,000 years of lifespan to evolve his four-element spiritual roots into three-element spiritual roots. Expecting the same amount to transform three-element spiritual roots into dual-element spiritual roots was clearly unrealistic.
"System, invest another 2,000 years of lifespan to upgrade my spiritual roots."
As expected, a series of notifications began to flash before his eyes, each one testing his patience.
[You've invested 10 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Minor improvement have been detected in three-element spiritual root sensitivity. Transformation to dual-element spiritual roots unsuccessful.]
[You've invested 100 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Minor improvement have been detected in three-element spiritual root sensitivity. Transformation to dual-element spiritual roots unsuccessful.]
[You've invested 500 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Minor improvement have been detected in three-element spiritual root sensitivity. Transformation to dual-element spiritual roots unsuccessful.]
...
[You've invested 1500 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Noticeable refinement in three-element spiritual root sensitivity. Transformation to dual-element spiritual roots still unsuccessful.]
[You've invested 2000 years of lifespan into the evolution of spiritual roots. Breakthrough achieved! Your three-element spiritual roots have successfully evolved into dual-element spiritual roots. Congratulations.]
Hao Yu let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, his eyes glued to the final notification. Relief and excitement surged through him, his lips curling into a triumphant smile.
"Finally!" he muttered, feeling an indescribable sense of accomplishment.
With only 2,000 years of lifespan left in his reservoir, Hao Yu contemplated his next move carefully. After a brief moment of deliberation, he resolved to invest 1,500 years of lifespan to upgrade the Spirit Gathering Sutra that Cheng Lao had given him.
"Time to turn this basic manual into something extraordinary," Hao Yu muttered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
As soon as he issued the command, a cascade of notifications began flashing before him, each one bringing a mix of suspense and excitement.
[You've invested 50 years of lifespan into the evolution of cultivation manual - Spirit Gathering Sutra. Minor optimization have been detected in Spirit Gathering Sutra. Refinement efficiency increased slightly.]
[You've invested 100 years of lifespan into the evolution of cultivation manual - Spirit Gathering Sutra. Significant enhancements have been noted. Refinement efficiency improved by 20%.]
[You've invested 500 years of lifespan into the evolution of cultivation manual - Spirit Gathering Sutra. Spirit Gathering Sutra has undergone a qualitative change. Refinement efficiency has been improved by 50℅.]
....
[You've invested 1500 years of lifespan into the evolution of cultivation manual - Spirit Gathering Sutra. Monumental breakthrough! Spirit Gathering Sutra has evolved into Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art. Refinement efficiency doubled. Spiritual energy absorption has been harmonized with dual-element roots for maximum compatibility.]
Chapter 4 : Became Cheng Lao's Disciple
Half a month has passed since he had evolved the Basic Spirit Gathering Sutra into the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art, further enhancing his efficiency. As he watered the nearly mature second-tier herbs in the garden, he heard footsteps approaching.
Turning around, Hao Yu saw Cheng Lao ascending the mountain stairs, accompanied by a boy and girl around eleven or twelve years old.
"Hm? Master is coming? Who are the kids with him? New helpers?"
The thought made Hao Yu's heart clench. His livelihood depended on the medicinal plants he picked. If more people came to share his duties, it would cut into his source of lifespan income.
Forcing a smile, Hao Yu quickly walked over to greet them. When he reached Cheng Lao, he bowed respectfully.
The two children stared at him with curious eyes. Over the years, Hao Yu's well-defined features had sharpened, giving him a mature and handsome appearance. His aura, enhanced by the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art, exuded the dignity of a core disciple from a prestigious sect.
"Hao Yu," Cheng Lao said, his tone calm but firm, "these two are your new junior brother and sister. They will assist you in picking and nurturing the herbs. Take them to settle in and explain the workings of the medicine garden."
"Yes, Master," Hao Yu replied, bowing as Cheng Lao walked away.
The two children, Bing Ning and Du Bin, quickly bowed to Hao Yu in respect. Their politeness pleased him, and he felt a flicker of warmth toward them.
He introduced himself and asked for their names.
Du Bin was dark-skinned, dressed in simple, worn clothes that marked him as a farm boy. Despite his appearance, his bright eyes sparkled with energy.
Bing Ning, on the other hand, was petite and dressed in finer clothes. While not stunning, her pleasant demeanor made her charming in her own way.
"Come, let me show you to your quarters," Hao Yu said with a smile, his calm tone putting them at ease.
As they walked toward the courtyard, Du Bin's curiosity got the better of him. "Senior Brother Hao, are there other helpers in the garden?"
Hao Yu's smile froze for a split second. "No," he said firmly, "I'm the only one who resides here."
Chatting along the way, Hao Yu explained the duties in the medicine garden, though he made it clear that he would handle most of the work involving spiritual plants.
He wasn't about to let anyone interfere with his precious source of lifespan income.
The two children hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. Yet, with a few gentle words and some light persuasion, Hao Yu managed to win them over. Their excitement was almost palpable. As newcomers, they had expected to be burdened with endless chores, leaving them no time to cultivate. But their Senior Brother was different—he didn't pile tasks on them. Instead, he shouldered most of their work himself.
Their talents were mediocre at best. If they couldn't carve out time to cultivate, their dreams of becoming outer disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect would remain just that—a dream.
Hao Yu, sensing their enthusiasm, encouraged them further. He asked them to share their experiences, carefully fostering a bond. After all, they were going to be living together for a long time. Any friction between them would sour the atmosphere, and that was the last thing he wanted.
The Next Day
As dawn broke, Hao Yu began his usual routine, inspecting the spiritual plants in the medicine garden. He carefully checked each one, ensuring they were thriving under his care.
While engrossed in his work, a familiar voice called out from the distance.
"Hao Yu, come to the pavilion. I need to discuss something with you."
Hao Yu straightened, a slight frown on his face. What could Master want now?
Curious but uncertain, he dusted his hands and made his way to Cheng Lao's pavilion.
Inside the Pavilion
Hao Yu entered the room, closing the door behind him. Cheng Lao sat near an alchemy furnace, his expression calm but unreadable. He gestured to a spot across the furnace.
"Sit," Cheng Lao instructed.
Hao Yu obeyed, sitting cross-legged as his thoughts churned. What's this about? Did I do something wrong? Or is Master just going to scold me for missing a plant somewhere?
Cheng Lao's gaze lingered on Hao Yu, and after a moment of silence, he spoke. "I've been observing your work in the medicine garden over the years. You've done well—better than I expected. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed."
Hao Yu blinked, stunned by the unexpected praise. Before he could respond, Cheng Lao continued.
"From today onward, you are no longer just a disciple tending plants. You will be my true disciple. I will teach you everything I know."
For a moment, Hao Yu was speechless. Then, a wave of realization hit him, and he felt a pang of guilt. I thought he was just an old pervert who read questionable books all day...
He glanced at Cheng Lao, who looked surprisingly dignified in the moment. Maybe I misunderstood him... Or maybe those books were... for research?
If Cheng Lao had known what was running through Hao Yu's mind, he might have slapped him on the spot. "Research purposes," indeed.
"Master!" Hao Yu suddenly stood, bowing deeply. His gesture was filled with sincerity and respect.
Cheng Lao's usual gruff demeanor softened as he smiled. "From now on, if there's anything you want to learn, ask me. Don't hold back. I may not have many years left, so this time is precious."
"Disciple, what are your thoughts on alchemy?" Cheng Lao asked after a moment.
Hao Yu's eyes sparkled with excitement. "To be honest, Master, I've always been interested in alchemy!"
Cheng Lao let out a hearty laugh, stroking his beard. "Good! Then we'll start right away."
The atmosphere in the room grew lively as Cheng Lao began teaching Hao Yu the basics of alchemy. He started with controlling the fire in the furnace, his instructions clear and precise.
However, as the lesson progressed, Hao Yu found himself struggling. He accidentally scorched the herbs, melted the cauldron lid, and nearly set the pavilion ablaze twice.
Cheng Lao sat in silence, staring at the smoldering mess. "Maybe I overestimated your talent," he muttered under his breath, though there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
"Master, this is just a warm-up!" Hao Yu said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
Since establishing their master-disciple relationship, the medicine garden became a much livelier place. Cheng Lao, who usually remained cooped up in his room, began stepping out more often. He guided Hao Yu in alchemy and occasionally shared tips with Bing Ning and Du Bin on cultivating herbs.
Bing Ning and Du Bin quickly grew fond of Cheng Lao. "Master is so kind," Bing Ning said one day, her eyes full of admiration.
Du Bin nodded enthusiastically. "And wise! He knows so much."
Hao Yu, overhearing their conversation, stifled a laugh. If only they knew about Master's 'research' books.
....
Time slipped by quietly, like sand through fingers.
Before Hao Yu realized it, a year had passed, and he turned nineteen. His lifespan now exceeded 2,000 years—a number that made him smirk with a mix of pride and amusement. Who needs candles on a birthday cake when you've got centuries to count?
It was a warm afternoon, and Hao Yu lounged on a recliner in the middle of the courtyard, a book resting lazily in his hands. The fragrance of spiritual herbs wafted from the medicine garden, where rows of carefully tended plants swayed gently in the breeze. Nearby, Du Bin and Bing Ning practiced martial techniques, their grunts and yelps occasionally breaking the serene atmosphere.
Du Bin's stance wobbled, and he nearly tripped over his own feet. Bing Ning sighed, crossing her arms. "You'll never get it right if you keep swinging like that!"
Hao Yu glanced at them and chuckled softly. Juniors are truly a joy to watch. Free entertainment.
He turned back to his book, his thoughts wandering. Ever since "Alchemy" appeared on his attribute panel, Hao Yu had stopped pestering Cheng Lao for lessons. Why struggle through trial and error when he could simply invest lifespan and boost his alchemy skills instantly?
It's not laziness, Hao Yu reassured himself for the hundredth time. It's efficiency. I'm just being resourceful. Right?
A few months back, Hao Yu had asked Cheng Lao for more seeds to expand the medicine garden. The old man had been surprisingly accommodating, trading a variety of seeds from the sect on Hao Yu's behalf.
"Anything else you need, just tell me," Cheng Lao had said, his tone unusually warm. It seemed that becoming a true disciple had its perks—Cheng Lao was now far more generous and attentive, even if Hao Yu sometimes suspected the old man just wanted to unload his responsibilities.
Still, Hao Yu had to admit, Cheng Lao was a responsible master.
....
That afternoon, Hao Yu wasn't cultivating or refining pills. Instead, he was reading a novel titled The Lonely Wanderer. Its premise intrigued him—a story about a man striving for immortality against all odds.
The book brought a wave of nostalgia, reminding Hao Yu of the web novels he had read in his previous life. With a contented sigh, he turned the page, only to freeze in surprise.
Illustrations?
The page was adorned with an intricately drawn image of the protagonist, Xiao Huzi. Hao Yu studied it closely, intrigued. Xiao Huzi was depicted as a handsome, elegant figure with a noble air and a steely determination in his eyes.
Hao Yu's lips curved into a smirk. Handsome, huh? Too bad he's just slightly less handsome than me. If he were on my level, I might've actually considered him a rival. What a pity.
He shook his head dramatically, a mock sigh escaping his lips. "Haizz, being too handsome is truly exhausting. How does one even cope?"
From the corner of the courtyard, Du Bin paused his clumsy practice to glance at Hao Yu, confused. "Senior Brother, did you say something?"
"Nothing, nothing," Hao Yu replied, waving him off. "Focus on not tripping over your own feet!"
Du Bin flushed, resuming his practice with renewed determination, while Bing Ning stifled a laugh behind her hand.
Before long, Hao Yu became fully absorbed in the book. The struggles of Xiao Huzi resonated with him, though he couldn't help but nitpick the occasional flaw in the protagonist's decisions.
Really, Xiao Huzi, you call that a plan? Amateur.
Yet despite his critiques, Hao Yu found himself turning page after page, drawn deeper into the story. He marveled at the vibrant illustrations and intricate plot twists, completely losing track of time.
For the first time in ages, Hao Yu felt a simple, unburdened joy—one that had little to do with cultivation, lifespan, or survival. Maybe life as an immortal bookworm wouldn't be so bad.
Chapter 5 : From Now On, I Will Pursue Steady Life
Hao Yu spent most of his days cultivating, dedicating twelve hours daily to refining Qi. The remaining time wasn't wasted either—he indulged in books, not just The Lonely Wanderer, but also practical texts like the 'The Thousand-Year Petal: Rare and Ancient Spiritual Herbs', 'The Immortal's Garden: A Guide to Cultivating Spiritual Plants' etc. These books had detailed information about spiritual flowers and herbs from all across the world.
Winter had arrived, cloaking the valley in heavy snow. Hao Yu stood at the edge of the medicine garden, directing Du Bin and Bing Ning as they cleared snow from the paths. At the perimeter of each garden, special talismans generated warmth, protecting the spiritual plants from frost.
But these talismans had limits. Once their power expired, snow would reclaim the garden in less than ten minutes.
"Faster, Du Bin! You're moving like a mortal!" Hao Yu called out with a teasing smirk.
"I'm trying, Senior Brother!" Du Bin groaned, his breath visible in the cold air.
Bing Ning rolled her eyes. "You're too soft on him, Senior Brother. He's never going to improve at this rate."
Hao Yu chuckled but didn't press further. As he watched them work, his thoughts drifted to a growing dissatisfaction—his medicine garden wasn't enough anymore. He needed more herbs, more production, and more land.
When spring comes, I'll expand the garden. A bigger harvest means a bigger lifespan.
....
Spring arrived, melting the snow and revealing a landscape ripe for cultivation. At dawn, Hao Yu led Du Bin and Bing Ning up the mountain.
"Chopping down trees is also a form of cultivation," Hao Yu explained, hands clasped behind his back. Dressed in simple white robes, he looked every bit the dignified senior. "You'll use your spiritual energy, and when it's depleted, you'll refine Qi to recover. It's a win-win."
The two juniors nodded, though Du Bin's face betrayed a hint of reluctance. "So… we're cultivating by chopping trees?"
"Yes," Hao Yu replied with a straight face. "Call it Forest Dao Training if it makes you feel better."
While Du Bin grumbled, Bing Ning got straight to work. The two of them, despite being cultivators, were still in the early stages, and it took them half a day to clear a single patch of land.
Once the area was cleared, Hao Yu carefully distributed seeds for the third-tier herb, Azure Flame Petal. As they planted, Hao Yu's mind wandered, already planning what other herbs he could grow here in the future.
By sunset, the group was heading back down the mountain, chatting and laughing.
"Senior Brother," Du Bin began hesitantly, "do you think we'll ever become strong enough to enter the outer sect?"
"You will, if you keep working hard," Hao Yu replied sincerely. "Everyone has their own journey in cultivation. You just need to keep moving forward."
He listened as both Du Bin and Bing Ning shared their goals. Du Bin's ambitions were simple—he wanted to grow stronger to protect those he cared about. Bing Ning, however, remained vague, her reasons clouded by something she wasn't ready to share.
A month passed since they planted the Azure Flame Petals. One quiet night, under a sparse canopy of stars, Hao Yu sat cross-legged on his bed, staring at his attribute panel.
[Name: Hao Yu]
[Lifespan: 18/3051]
[Spiritual Root: Dual Element Spiritual Roots (Lifespan can be used for evolution)]
[Cultivation: Ninth Level of Qi Refining (Lifespan can be used to improve cultivation)]
[Techniques: Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art (Mastered), Alchemy Technique (Beginner) (Lifespan can be use to increase the proficiency)]
Should I push my cultivation level higher using lifespan?
He hesitated. Cheng Lao could refine Foundation Establishment Pills, and as a responsible master, he'd probably give Hao Yu one if he asked. But that would raise questions Hao Yu wasn't ready to answer.
No. It's better to rely on myself. Play it safe.
With that, Hao Yu decided to invest lifespan to advance his cultivation.
[Special Notice: Cultivation is a real process. Transforming the ethereal into the tangible will consume more lifespan than regular cultivation.]
[You focus on refining Qi for one year. Without a Foundation Establishment Pill or a fortunate opportunity, you fail to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.]
Hao Yu's eye twitched as the words appeared. Fail?
But he didn't stop. He continued to invest lifespan, year after year.
Failure.
Failure.
Failure…
After four attempts, his calm façade cracked. Frustration boiled over.
"Damn it! I don't believe this!" he growled. "Let's go for a hundred years!"
Throwing caution to the wind, Hao Yu invested one hundred years of lifespan into his cultivation. If he failed this time, he swore he'd toss his entire book collection into the alchemy furnace!
[You refine Qi for ten years. With your deep mastery of the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art, you forcefully attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm but fail.]
[You refine Qi for fifty years. With your deep mastery of the Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art, you forcefully attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and succeed.]
.....
[You refine Qi for one hundred years. Your cultivation breaks through to the Fourth Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm.]
Lines of notifications flashed before Hao Yu's eyes like stars in the night sky.
"Finally!" he thought, a grin tugging at his lips.
But his joy was short-lived. A sudden surge of heat swept through his body, and a chill ran down his spine.
"Wait a second..." His smile vanished. "This... this isn't good."
The Heavenly Spirit Refinement Art activated automatically, drawing in spiritual energy like a whirlpool in the ocean.
Without wasting a moment, Hao Yu leapt from his bed and shot out the window like a startled rabbit. His movements were swift and precise, his figure a blur in the dim moonlight. In mere moments, he was scaling a nearby cliff with the agility of a mountain monkey.
The world around him seemed to buzz with energy. The spiritual energy of the heavens and earth converged toward him, forming an ominous vortex in the night sky.
"If this happened back at the courtyard...someone might have noticed the commotion." Hao Yu thought. Du Bin and Bing Ning might not notice, but Cheng Lao? That old man would sense it immediately.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Hao Yu leapt from the cliff's peak and plunged into the dense forest below. Landing lightly on a tree branch, he used it as a springboard to propel himself deeper into the wilderness. The branches creaked under his weight, and leaves fell like scattered stars in the dark woods.
The vortex of energy followed him relentlessly, growing stronger with each passing second. Trees swayed violently, their roots trembling in the soil.
"This disturbance is way too big!" he cursed inwardly.
After darting through the forest for miles, he finally stopped under a towering tree, its gnarled roots providing a small clearing. Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes and focused, circulating the surging energy within his body.
Pain tore through his meridians as the violent spiritual energy coursed through him, transforming his dantian into a miniature cyclone.
"This hurts more than I expected!" he thought, his face contorting in pain.
But there was also excitement bubbling within him.
"To break through from the Ninth Layer of Qi Refining to the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment in one go... this lifespan thing really works!" His thoughts turned triumphant, though his body screamed otherwise.
As he continued to meditate, the tempest of spiritual energy around him intensified, shaking the very forest. The wind howled like a beast, and fallen leaves danced wildly in the air.
"If a hundred years of lifespan can take me this far... What about a thousand? Could I reach the Golden Core Realm? Maybe even Nascent Soul?" Hao Yu's mind wandered into grand fantasies.
But the roaring vortex around him brought him back to reality.
"This is ridiculous. At this rate, I might accidentally summon a wandering cultivator—or worse, a sect elder!"
The thought of being caught by a powerful cultivator made him shiver more than the storm of energy around him.
Hao Yu focused on steadying his cultivation. During these breakthroughs, if other cultivators showed up, it could mean disaster.
Hao Yu always planned for the worst. His survival depended on it.
"I need to be more cautious!" he muttered, his tone sharp.
He made up his mind. From now on, he would only invest a year of lifespan into cultivation per day. Gradual progress was better than reckless leaps.
Time passed swiftly. The night wind howled through the forest, rustling the trees as Hao Yu sat cross-legged, focusing on stabilizing his breakthrough. His robes flapped like restless wings in the storm of spiritual energy.
Finally, he felt a shift within his dantian.
Foundation Establishment success!
A triumphant smile crossed Hao Yu's face, but it was fleeting. His dantian, now a deeper well of spiritual power, churned with newfound strength. His muscles and bones felt sturdier, his senses sharper. Yet, the transformation was far from over.
Dust and leaves swirled violently around him. His aura surged, growing more intense by the moment.
Foundation Establishment, Second Layer!
Foundation Establishment, Third Layer!
Hao Yu didn't feel excited. His nerves were taut, his eyes scanning the forest. Breakthroughs like this weren't subtle, and if anyone stumbled across him, it could spell trouble.
The Heavenly Sword Sect spanned hundreds of miles but the medicine garden was isolated. But there were still roaming cultivators. Surely, the commotion wouldn't reach anyone too powerful... right?
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Hao Yu's heart sank.
A powerful aura was approaching from the distance.
"No, no, no, this is exactly what I didn't want!"
The storm of spiritual energy around him made moving difficult. He was still transitioning from the third to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment. Running wasn't an option; whoever was approaching would catch up in moments.
His mind raced. This wasn't just trouble—it was life or death.
The aura grew closer. Hao Yu gritted his teeth, suppressing the rising panic. When the individual was within five hundred metres, he/she stopped—only a mountain separated them.
Hao Yu, hidden deep in the dark forest, stood utterly still. Dust and debris swirled around him, obscuring his form like a natural camouflage. His white robe, faintly glowing in the moonlight, blended eerily into the misty night.
For a moment, relief washed over him. The figure hadn't approached further.
"They're cautious too," Hao Yu realized. "They're not sure what's causing this disturbance and don't want to provoke the wrong person."
Still, the tension didn't fade. He couldn't hear what he/she was doing on the other side of the mountain, and the thought of their possible actions kept him on edge.
Minutes passed, each one feeling like an eternity. Finally, the aura began to fade. The individual turned and flew away, leaving the area without incident.
Hao Yu exhaled deeply, his chest heaving as relief flooded through him.
"That was way too close..."
His breakthrough to the fourth layer of Foundation Establishment was complete, but the thrill of success was overshadowed by the fear of what could have been.
"This can't happen again," he muttered, shaking his head. "I was lucky today, but if it had been a powerful cultivator... I wouldn't have lived to see dawn."
He wasted no time. Once the spiritual energy vortex subsided, he rose to his feet and sprinted back to the medicine garden.
The cold night air whipped against his face as he ran, but it couldn't cool the fiery determination in his heart.
"From now on, I'll stick to the plan. Small, careful steps. No more gambling with my life."
The forest grew silent behind him, but Hao Yu couldn't shake the lingering feeling of danger.
Chapter 6 : Become The Head Of Medicine Pavillion
The Next Day
Du Bin stepped out of his small, creaky room, his eyes squinting against the early morning light. His gaze instinctively scanned the courtyard. Beyond the low stone wall, a familiar figure stood under the shade of an old plum tree.
"Senior Brother!" Du Bin called out cheerfully, brushing dust off his robe as he approached.
Hao Yu, dressed in his faded and slightly oversized work clothes, glanced up from tying a bundle of herbs. A faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded.
"Senior Brother, are you heading to the mountain today?" Du Bin asked, his tone laced with curiosity.
"Yes," Hao Yu replied, patting the tools slung over his shoulder. "I'll be heading up this afternoon to gather herbs. Got to restock the medicine pavilion."
Du Bin chuckled nervously. "Good thing you're brave. Last night's wind was howling like an angry spirit. I didn't dare cultivate; I was worried chaotic spiritual energy might mess with my Qi Refining." He flopped onto the grass beneath the tree.
"By the way," Du Bin added, glancing at Hao Yu, "did you hear any strange noises last night? Like, I don't know… mysterious cultivators battling in the distance?"
Hao Yu froze for a brief moment, his mind flashing back to the unknown figure he'd sensed the previous night. Keeping his expression neutral, he replied, "Strange noises? Didn't notice anything."
Still, an unease lingered in Hao Yu's chest. He spent the day harvesting herbs, his thoughts drifting back to the unknown presence. As the sun dipped below the horizon and the moon cast its silvery glow, the tension in his heart remained unresolved.
A new day arrived. Hao Yu stood by the wooden fence, pretending to be engrossed in the yellowed pages of an old manual. Suddenly, movement at the valley entrance caught his attention. Squinting, he saw a figure approaching. The figure was a striking woman clad in flowing white robes.
Her presence was commanding, her almond-shaped eyes sharp yet distant. She carried a sword by her side, and her cold, aloof demeanor radiated a sense of unapproachability.
"That's an outer disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect," Du Bin whispered to Hao Yu, having snuck up beside him. "Her name's Zhao Qingyi. A genius, they say."
Hao Yu's mind raced. An outer disciple? Here? This doesn't look like a casual visit.
Cheng Lao, walked briskly to meet Zhao Qingyi. After a brief exchange, he turned back toward the courtyard. "Disciples, gather at once!" his voice boomed.
Within moments, all the disciples, including Hao Yu, assembled in the courtyard. Zhao Qingyi scanned the group, her piercing gaze lingering momentarily on Hao Yu. He suppressed a shiver and quickly cast his Heavenly Refinement Art to mask his cultivation, lowering it to the Second Layer of the Qi Refining Realm.
"Two nights ago," Cheng Lao began, his voice steady, "a mysterious cultivator had a breakthrough roughly five miles from the mountain. It's suspected they might be a demonic infiltrator."
Heavens above! A demonic infiltrator? Hao Yu's mind screamed, but outwardly, he furrowed his brow in a perfect imitation of concern.
"Have any of you noticed anything unusual?" Zhao Qingyi asked, her voice as cool as her demeanor.
The disciples exchanged anxious glances. One of them stammered, "No, Senior Sister. Nothing unusual."
Hao Yu seized the moment, masking his unease with a carefully crafted question. "Senior, did you catch a glimpse of this infiltrator? Any clues we can help with?"
Zhao Qingyi's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. "It was too dark that night," she said, her tone edged with frustration.
Meanwhile, Hao Yu subtly activated his lifespan investigation ability to gauge Zhao Qingyi's lifespan. The results nearly made him stumble.
[Zhao Qingyi (Foundation Establishment Realm, 6th Layer): 22/249]
What in the celestial realms! he thought with sarcasm. She's in her twenties and already at thethe Foundation Establishment Realm?
As Zhao Qingyi's scrutiny continued, Hao Yu forced himself to remain calm, though his heart thumped in his chest like a drum. Whatever happens, I need to stay low and keep my cover. The last thing I need is for this prodigy to connect the dots.
Cheng Lao, ever the peacemaker, cleared his throat. "If anyone notices anything strange, report it immediately. For now, return to your tasks."
Zhao Qingyi's gaze lingered on Hao Yu for a heartbeat longer before she turned away.
Phew, Hao Yu sighed inwardly, managing to keep his expression composed. Looks like I dodged that sword for now. But with a prodigy like her sniffing around, I'd better tread carefully.
Cheng Lao said nothing further and quietly retreated to his pavilion. Once Zhao Qingyi's figure disappeared into the distance, Hao Yu and the others dispersed, each returning to their tasks.
Summer arrived in full force, and the scorching heat within the Heavenly Sword Sect seemed to distort the air itself. The sweltering sun beat down mercilessly on the land.
Hao Yu, knee-deep in his work tilling the soil, was drenched in sweat. Wisps of white vapor rose from his body as the relentless sun sapped his energy.
Despite his cultivation, he chose to stick to the strength of a Second Layer Qi Refining cultivator, keeping up the pretense of mediocrity.
"Being a hidden expert isn't glamorous," Hao Yu muttered to himself, wiping his brow. "It's sweaty, boring, and involves far too much dirt."
As night fell, a welcome coolness spread across the valley. Under the soft glow of the moon, Hao Yu slipped away from the medicine garden unnoticed. Three months had passed since Zhao Qingyi's visit, and the memory of her sharp gaze had long faded from everyone's mind.
Tonight marked the beginning of Hao Yu's secret plan—a plan he had carefully devised to increase his cultivation in silence. Every night, he would use a year of his lifespan to power his Heavenly Refinement Art, pushing his strength forward without causing too much of a stir.
This time, the advancement caused only a minor fluctuation. The spiritual energy danced briefly in the air before calming, unnoticed by the other disciples.
The following day, with a casual air, Hao Yu approached Du Bin. "Junior Brother, how was your cultivation last night? No issues, I hope?"
Du Bin, oblivious to Hao Yu's motives, replied with a grin. "Everything was smooth! No strange winds or disturbances at all. Why do you ask, Senior Brother?"
Hao Yu smiled faintly, relief flooding his chest. "No reason. Just checking in."
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. As winter approached, the once-lush mountain was now adorned with frost-covered leaves and icy winds. One crisp morning, Cheng Lao called out to Hao Yu from the pavilion.
"Master," Hao Yu greeted, hurrying over.
Cheng Lao stood in the courtyard, his frail form outlined against the pale winter sun. His once dark hair was now slowly turning white, his beard and eyebrows following suit. Age spots mottled his weathered face.
"Come, Hao Yu," Cheng Lao said with a warm but tired smile. "We're going to the outer sect."
Hao Yu blinked, caught off guard. "The outer sect? Master, why?"
Cheng Lao chuckled softly, a sound both reassuring and melancholic. "Why? Don't you wish to become the next master of the medicine garden?"
The words struck Hao Yu like a lightning bolt. His heart raced, a mixture of excitement and dread flooding his thoughts. "Master... are you all right? You're not—" His voice caught, the unspoken fear evident in his tone.
Cheng Lao waved a hand, his gaze softening as he looked at his disciple. "Don't overthink it, my boy. Walk with me, and I'll explain."
Hao Yu hesitated only briefly before calling out to Du Bin and Bing Ning, instructing them to watch over the medicine garden in his absence. Then, without another word, he hurried to catch up with Cheng Lao.
The elder led the way out of the mountain and into the dense forest. Without the ability to fly on his sword, the journey would be long and arduous. Hao Yu felt a pang of sadness at the sight of his master's slow steps but quickly masked it.
"Master, let me support you," he offered.
Cheng Lao chuckled again, shaking his head. "I'm old, not fragile. Keep your strength for yourself."
As they walked deeper into the forest, Cheng Lao's voice turned softer, yet there was an unmistakable weight to his words. He glanced at the towering trees around them, their bare branches swaying gently in the winter breeze.
"Hao Yu," Cheng Lao began, his gaze fixed ahead, "managing the medicine garden isn't just about growing herbs or meeting quotas. It's about understanding people and the land. Leadership isn't something you inherit—it's something you grow into."
Hao Yu glanced at his master, noting the furrowed lines on his face and the tremble in his voice. There was something deeply personal about this conversation, something Cheng Lao had likely carried in his heart for years.
"Many think the medicine garden is just a place for cultivation herbs, a backwater responsibility that lacks glory," Cheng Lao continued. "But to the sect, it's the lifeblood. Without herbs, without elixirs, even the most talented disciples would falter. Your role won't just be about tending plants—it'll be about nurturing the people under you and protecting what the garden stands for."
Hao Yu nodded. Master must see something in me to say all this, he thought, his usual wit silenced by the sincerity of Cheng Lao's tone.
Cheng Lao paused, leaning slightly on a tree for support. "You'll have to make tough decisions, my boy. Not everyone under your care will be diligent or loyal. Some will take advantage of your kindness; others will demand more than what's fair. You must learn to be fair but firm. Compassionate but not blind. And most importantly—never forget to listen."
Hao Yu's throat tightened. He could see the years of experience behind those words, the sacrifices and struggles etched into Cheng Lao's weary frame.
"Master," Hao Yu said softly, "did you ever regret taking on this responsibility?"
Cheng Lao smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with memories. "Regret? No. But it was never easy. I've made mistakes—trusted the wrong people, pushed myself too hard when I should have rested. Yet, every time I see a young disciple thrive because of the garden's bounty, every time a pill saves a life....I know it's all worth it."
They continued walking in silence for a while, the crunch of frost beneath their feet the only sound. Hao Yu's mind swirled with thoughts. He'd always seen the medicine garden as a place to hide, to cultivate in peace. But now, it felt like so much more—a legacy, a responsibility he wasn't sure he was ready for.
As if reading his thoughts, Cheng Lao spoke again. "You don't need to be perfect, Hao Yu. Just be willing to learn. The garden, the people—it'll all test you. But if you stay true to yourself and put in the effort, you'll grow into a leader worth following."
Hao Yu swallowed hard, the lump in his throat making it difficult to speak. "I'll do my best, Master. I promise."
Chapter 7 : Is Master Going To Die?
Cheng Lao stopped and turned to look at him, his gaze filled with pride and a hint of sadness. "That's all I ask."
As they resumed their walk, Cheng Lao added with a chuckle, "Oh, and one more thing—don't let those juniors slack off too much. They'll use your kindness as an excuse to laze around."
Looking at Cheng Lao's weary steps, Hao Yu thought, I hope this isn't the last journey I'll take with you, Master.
And then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, he added aloud, "Don't worry, Master. When I'm in charge, I'll make sure Du Bin and Bing Ning do all the heavy lifting."
Cheng Lao laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Ah, so you plan to become a tyrant already, do you?"
Hao Yu grinned. "I prefer the term 'efficient leader.'"
The two continued their journey, their laughter echoing softly through the forest, a fragile warmth in the chill of winter.
Snowflakes pirouetted gently in the crisp air, settling like a delicate blanket over the towering outer city nestled between the ridges of the Heavenly Sword Mountains. The city gates stood tall, reaching an imposing height of ten zhang. Streams of people flowed in—some trudging in on foot, others soaring elegantly atop flying swords, and a few arriving on majestic mounts.
Hao Yu trudged along the winding mountain path, his eyes widening in awe as the city loomed before him for the first time. The grandeur of the outer city left him speechless.
Cheng Lao, walking beside him with a slow yet steady gait, seemed to sense his amazement. He chuckled softly. "The Heavenly Sword Sect has three outer cities. Beyond them lie two inner cities, and at the heart of it all is the main sect city, a place reserved only for the most talented and prestigious."
His voice carried the weight of nostalgia.
Hao Yu glanced sideways at his master, curiosity getting the better of him. "Master, how big is the Heavenly Sword Sect?"
Cheng Lao's footsteps paused momentarily, his gaze distant. "Boundless. Even I don't know its full extent," he admitted with a wry smile before continuing their journey.
For four days, they had traversed mountain paths, leaving Hao Yu increasingly bewildered. He realized just how secluded the Medicine Garden was from the rest of the sect.
When Hao Yu had first joined the Heavenly Sword Sect, he'd been recruited directly into Cheng Lao's Medicine Garden by a passing disciple. This was his first glimpse of the outer city, and it was proving to be far more impressive than he'd imagined.
As they approached the towering gates, Cheng Lao retrieved a token from his sleeve. Hao Yu caught a glimpse of the two characters engraved on its surface: Medicine Pavilion.
Once they stepped inside, the sudden clamor hit Hao Yu like a wave. It was as if an entire world had sprung to life within the walls of the city.
Wait… the gates are sealed with a barrier? No wonder I couldn't hear anything from the outside!
The vibrant cries of street vendors filled the air.
"Spirit-enhancing talismans! Boost your Qi circulation instantly—guaranteed or your spirit stones back!"
"Freshly harvested Thousand-Year Ginseng! Only three roots left—perfect for breakthroughs!"
"Rare beast eggs! Hatch your own spirit beast companion! Limited stock!"
"Dragonbone Armory! Swords forged from True Dragon essence! Test them yourself—cut through steel like butter!"
"Elixirs for every stage of cultivation! From Body Tempering to Nascent Soul, we've got what you need!"
"Protective jade amulets! Survive tribulation lightning with ease! Crafted by a Formation Master!"
Hao Yu's gaze darted around, taking in the bustling streets lined with elegant shops housed in tall, well-crafted buildings. Unlike the chaotic markets of the mundane world, there were no ground stalls here—everything exuded sophistication.
Even a brothel caught his attention, its signboard glittering with bold confidence.
Impressive! So this is the Heavenly Sword Sect's outer city… No wonder it's called the pinnacle of cultivation!
Cheng Lao seemed to notice Hao Yu's amazement and chuckled. "Don't gawk too much, boy. It's just the surface. Focus on what's important."
Despite his master's words, Hao Yu couldn't resist activating his special ability, secretly scanning the lifespans of passersby.
Three cultivators with lifespans exceeding five hundred years… and this is just the outer city? He stifled a gasp, his heart racing. The outer sect is truly a lair of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!
After half an hour of winding through the crowded streets, Cheng Lao led Hao Yu to a grand estate. Above the entrance, three gilded characters gleamed on a large plaque: Alchemy Hall.
The hall was a hive of activity. Disciples bustled in and out, some carrying baskets of herbs, others holding bottles of refined pills. A few appeared worried, their steps hurried, while others laughed in delight, their faces radiant with success.
Hao Yu followed Cheng Lao into the courtyard of the Alchemy Hall, his steps steady but his mind racing with curiosity. Inside, they were greeted by Elder Xian Feng, a Core Formation cultivator who oversaw twenty medicine gardens, making him Cheng Lao's direct superior.
Xian Feng was a fat man draped in a yellow robe that seemed to barely contain his ample figure. His round face wore a kindly smile, giving him the appearance of a benevolent uncle rather than a cultivator of significant power.
In the main hall, they were ushered to sit, and a young disciple brought out tea, the fragrant steam curling into the air.
"Brother Lao, you don't look too well," Xian Feng said, his tone laced with genuine concern.
Hao Yu, standing respectfully beside Cheng Lao, activated his ability to check lifespans.
[Xian Feng (Third Layer of Core Formation Realm): 161/317]
He's lived for 161 years! Hao Yu thought, his face betraying none of the surprise that rippled through his mind.
Cheng Lao chuckled weakly, setting his teacup down with a slight tremble. "To be honest, my time is nearing its end. I've come today not only to hand over the medicinal herbs but also to ensure my affairs are in order. This boy here, Hao Yu, is my chosen successor. I plan to pass the title of Medicine Pavilion Master to him."
Xian Feng's eyes flickered toward Hao Yu, his expression unreadable for a moment before he smiled faintly. "A Qi Refining cultivator at the Second Layer, hmm?" he remarked, his tone neutral but carrying a trace of doubt. "This child must have... untapped potential."
Untapped potential? Hao Yu nearly twitched but kept his composure. Tch, what an elegant way to say I'm weak.
Cheng Lao laughed heartily, though it sounded more like a wheeze. "Potential isn't everything, Brother Xian Feng. This child is pure-hearted and has a patient nature. He's content to remain in the Medicine Pavilion for the rest of his life. Isn't that precisely what the pavilion needs? Someone who can endure?"
Hao Yu bit the inside of his cheek to suppress a wry smile. Pure-hearted? Patient? Content for life? Master, you've certainly painted a saintly picture. If only they knew I'd sell my soul for immortality if needed.
Xian Feng leaned back, stroking his chin thoughtfully. After a moment, he waved to a disciple standing at the entrance. "Bring the Pavilion Master's token."
Time seemed to stretch as they waited, the silence broken only by the occasional clink of teacups. Hao Yu's thoughts raced, but outwardly, he maintained his respectful posture.
When the disciple returned, he carried a bronze token engraved with the characters Medicine Pavilion. Faint spiritual energy radiated from it, and Hao Yu could sense a restrictive spell embedded within the token—a measure of control and security from the sect.
Xian Feng handed the token to Cheng Lao, who in turn passed it to Hao Yu with a solemn expression. "Take this, Hao Yu. From today onward, the responsibilities of the Medicine Pavilion rest on your shoulders."
From that moment on, Hao Yu's new official title within the Heavenly Sword Sect's Alchemy Hall was Master of the Medicine Pavilion.
Feeling a mixture of pride and responsibility, Hao Yu turned to Cheng Lao and asked, "Master, where are we headed next?"
Though he masked it with a calm expression, he was eager to return to the Medicine Garden. A precious batch of herbs was nearing harvest, and he wanted to harvest them quickly.
"We're going to the Servant Hall," Cheng Lao replied without looking back. "To recruit a servant."
The Servant Hall was a short walk from the Alchemy Hall. The air buzzed with whispers and quiet anticipation as potential servants waited anxiously to be selected.
Cheng Lao glanced at Hao Yu. "Take your time and choose. Once you've made your pick, we'll return to Medicine Pavillion."
Hao Yu nodded, his mind already forming a plan.
Time to use my trump card!
Activating his ability, Hao Yu scanned the lifespans of everyone in the square.
Most of the candidates had depressingly short lifespans. Some were even clinging to their final year of life, yet they still stood there, eyes filled with desperate hope.
What a bleak sight. He suppressed a shiver.
As he sifted through the crowd, his gaze landed on a promising candidate—someone with a lifespan exceeding a hundred years.
Not bad, but let's not rush. Let's see what other treasures are hidden in this crowd.
After another sweep, Hao Yu's eyes were drawn to a young monk sitting cross-legged in the far corner of the square. The boy's robes were tattered, his appearance unassuming, and his head bowed as if deep in thought.
Curious, Hao Yu activated his ability again.
[Lin Feng Xian (None): 14/300]
A lifespan of 300 years?!
Hao Yu's eyes widened in disbelief. A mortal with such longevity? Could it be a special physique? Or perhaps some hidden cultivation technique?
Suppressing his excitement, Hao Yu approached the boy. Lin Feng Xian sensed his presence and opened his eyes, revealing a calm, indifferent gaze.
Hao Yu smiled warmly. "Young boy, would you like to join my Medicine Pavilion? It's peaceful work. You won't be overburdened, and you'll have plenty of time to cultivate."
Lin Feng Xian studied Hao Yu for a moment, then gave a single nod.
"Good choice!" Hao Yu said, clapping his hands together.
However, as they left the Servant Hall, Lin Feng Xian didn't utter a single word. Not a greeting, not a question, not even a grunt. He simply followed Hao Yu in complete silence.