Chapter 4: Brewing Power in Secret

As Mei Lan returned to her quarters under the cover of night, she couldn't help but feel the weight of her prize. The Golden Spirit Ginseng was more valuable than any herb she had ever handled, and if anyone in the sect caught even a glimpse of it, she'd attract dangerous attention. Clutching her satchel tightly, she slipped through the shadows until she reached her modest room, quickly bolting the door behind her.

Once inside, she took a calming breath. The small, bare room was her sanctuary, though it offered little in the way of comfort or luxury. A simple mat lay in one corner, her only possession other than her meager belongings. But tonight, she felt as if she possessed the world. Carefully, she took out the ginseng and the other herbs she'd collected, placing them in neat rows on her mat.

Her eyes lingered on the Golden Spirit Ginseng, which pulsed softly, casting a warm, golden glow. Its qi radiated through the room, filling her with a sense of peace and power. But Mei Lan knew it wasn't enough just to admire it—she had to harness it.

Without wasting time, she entered her cultivation space, bringing the ginseng and a few other herbs with her. Inside, the rich qi of the space enveloped her, amplifying her energy and heightening her senses. She knelt by her makeshift workbench, a slab of stone she'd found and polished to use for refining elixirs. In her past life, she'd watched other disciples brew potions, observing their techniques from afar. Now, her own knowledge combined with her cultivation space could finally make her a master of her own fate.

With careful hands, she laid out the ingredients: the Golden Spirit Ginseng, a sprig of Cloud Dew Herb for focus, and a pinch of Iron Root Grass for strength. She focused her qi, channeling it into the ingredients, guiding each one to release its essence. The air grew thick with the potent fragrance of the herbs as they combined into a vibrant, golden liquid that shimmered in the dim light of her space.

This elixir would be her key—a rare mixture that could boost her qi levels, strengthen her body, and clear her mind, accelerating her cultivation to a level no ordinary disciple could reach.

She held up the small vial of liquid, heart pounding. This was the first step to changing her fate.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted the vial to her lips and drank. The potion was warm and rich, flooding her senses as the energy poured into her body. She felt her veins hum, her spirit pulse with power, her very bones buzzing as the qi circulated within her. She sank into meditation, guiding the energy to her core, feeling her dantian expand as it absorbed the potent elixir.

The sensation was overwhelming yet exhilarating. Mei Lan clenched her fists, feeling the strength flow through her muscles. Each breath was easier, each heartbeat stronger. She stayed in this trance for hours, only stirring as dawn's light began to slip into her room outside. When she finally opened her eyes, she felt… reborn.

Her cultivation level had jumped in a single night, reaching a stage that would normally take a year of training to achieve. She flexed her hands, feeling a newfound strength, her mind sharper than it had ever been. She knew she'd barely scratched the surface of her potential, but this small leap forward was enough to give her confidence.

A sudden knock at the door broke her focus. Mei Lan scrambled to conceal the herbs and elixir tools, her heart pounding with panic. She took a steadying breath, composing herself before opening the door.

To her surprise, standing there was Elder Wen, a stern woman with silver-streaked hair and a piercing gaze. The elder rarely interacted with low-ranking disciples unless something important demanded her attention.

"Mei Lan," Elder Wen said, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "You completed your mission in the Jade Serpent Woods."

Mei Lan kept her face neutral, bowing respectfully. "Yes, Elder. I gathered the required herbs and returned as instructed."

Elder Wen studied her with a keen eye, a small frown creasing her brow. "The Jade Serpent Woods are dangerous for a disciple of your level. I had expected injuries at the very least."

Mei Lan's pulse quickened, but she kept her voice steady. "I was fortunate, Elder. I took care and avoided unnecessary risks."

Elder Wen's eyes lingered on her, as if searching for something beyond the words. For a moment, Mei Lan feared the elder could somehow sense the surge of power within her, the boost she'd gained from the ginseng elixir.

After a tense silence, Elder Wen nodded. "You will be assigned a new mission soon. The sect has taken notice of your efforts."

Mei Lan bowed again, hiding her relief. "Thank you, Elder. I will not disappoint."

As the elder turned to leave, Mei Lan closed the door, releasing a shaky breath. The sect was watching her now, and she would need to be more careful than ever. The Golden Spirit Ginseng had given her strength, but it also attracted attention. If she continued to grow too quickly, others would begin to question her abilities, perhaps even accuse her of stealing resources.

But she wouldn't stop. She had come too far to retreat. The power she now possessed was just the beginning.

In the days that followed, Mei Lan returned to her training, pushing her body and mind harder, using her cultivation space each night to refine new elixirs and grow stronger. She was careful to pace her progress, concealing her true strength. She wanted the sect to see her as a diligent but unremarkable disciple, just another face in the crowd.

Yet every step brought her closer to her true goal: to master the art of spiritual farming, to rise in cultivation, and to prove that even a so-called "cannon fodder" could become a force to be reckoned with. And someday, when she was ready, the world would know her name.