Field Lessons

Our field lessons on gathering herbs took place the next day.

After a brief explanation, our knowledge was put to the test. We had to gather specific herbs for the potion, the name of which I couldn't bother to remember.

The Elder took us into an enclosed region rich in various herbs for the exam. Even though the place was abundant with numerous plants, finding these specific ones wasn't as easy.

This prompted my friends and me to split up and search individually.

The herb gathering exam was one of the game's episodes. I can't remember which one specifically, but it doesn't matter much. After all, so many episodes didn't happen because of my different actions.

Though we are surely still at Act 1, and using my player's knowledge, I easily found all the spots where the plants were growing. However, that was only possible because they were in very eye-catching spots, and I luckily stumbled into them.

My treasure hunt around the sect grounds for these past two years yielded little to no results. It really can't be helped. The place, in reality, is just too big for me to search thoroughly.

Having collected all the herbs, I still had plenty of free time. So, I took out my small notebook and charcoal pencil to review my sparse notes.

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Existing realms in order from the lowest one: Body Reconstruction, Qi Refinement, Qi Condensation, True Qi, and Foundation Establishment.

Foundation Establishment realm is enough for you to become the outer sect, Elder.

(There are more realms, don't bother now.)

Every realm has nine layers. These layers are divided…

For example:

early-stage Body Reconstruction (1 - 3 layers)

middle-stage Body Reconstruction (4 - 7 layers)

late-stage Body Reconstruction (7 - 9 layers)

Body Reconstruction peak means waiting for the opportunity for a breakthrough.

The cultivation methods, techniques, and weapons are graded the same way: Mortal Grade, Earth Grade, Spirit Grade, and Heaven Grade.

With the exception that the weapons are additionally divided into Low, Mid, High, and Peak.

….

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Reading the notes, I pondered momentarily and took out each plant type from my spatial ring.

The ring itself looked ordinary and had the carrying capacity only for minuscule items; a sect gave it for free to everyone after the first year.

The current ring was packed with various herbs to the maximum. We should have taken only as much as one set of herbs, but my hoarder nature got the better of me, and I collected more.

I mean, this area has restricted entry, so while I am at it, collecting a bit more and selling later seems like a very reasonable idea.

I nodded my head a couple of times, finding my actions completely normal; during the process, a couple of strands of my pink hair got into my mouth, making me almost choke on my own saliva.

'Jeez, I really should cut them down.'

I thought about it, yet every time I tried to do so, people stopped me, looking at me as if I was about to commit a grave sin.

Although, they praised my hair immensely, too. How shiny and pretty they are.

Met with such adoration as a person not used to the praise, I regretfully let them grow.

It somehow became a repetitive event: me complaining about how long my hair was getting and, in return, being praised that they are so beautiful that I shouldn't cut it.

Such a monthly ego boost is pretty welcomed. However, maybe I should have started worrying because the time I spend taking care of my appearance lengthened considerably lately.

Am I starting to become narcissistic? That can't be true, can it?!

Anyway… flipping to the next blank page, I sketched the plants before me.

The exam's difficulty comes from the fact that the teachers never provided visual examples. We have to find the right herbs completely based on their descriptions alone.

My memory capacities aren't the best, but when it comes to visual remembrance, it comes much easier to me.

It still surprises me how well I can draw now. In my previous life, I possessed little to no artistic talent.

'Is it because of my different gender now? It can't be true?'

I pondered as the herb seemed to come alive in the previous blank page. Though rendered in only black, the picture's stark contrasts and masterful shading have created a surprisingly vibrant and lifelike scene.

"Boo!"

The unexpected voice startled me. Without hesitation, I swiftly grabbed the hand that had landed on my shoulder and effortlessly flung the person behind me, sending them flying.

A high-pitched squeal cut through the air just before a person landed heavily in the tall grass a short distance away.

Pausing my movements, I hid my notebook and walked to the mischievous assailant.

Blond, shoulder-length hair that was currently completely disheveled and a wronged expression quickly gave away the person lying on the ground.

"Natalie, you are such a prankster. One day, I will throw you too far."

I said, squatting and poking the girl's round cheeks with my indicating finger.

"Rose! You are such a meanie, help me!"

Natalie exclaimed, yet I remained unresponsive, tormenting her chubby cheeks with my pointy finger.

"Punishing time."

I voiced lightly. Only when she looked about to cry did I pull her up in one swift move.

Natalie is outwardly the mother of the group, but in reality, she is the most childish one. Which, in fact, completely fits her petite and cute appearance.

"Humph… I'll get back to you for this soon. Just wait!"

Natalie said, dusting off her daoism robes.

"Besides, we have an exam, but you laze around doing what? It's my duty as a fellow disciple to awaken your lazy ass."

She continued.

Hearing her saying that my lips couldn't help but turn into a smirk.

"Ha! Is that so? Compared to someone else, I am already done."

I answered.

"What? You are lying. We started our exam not long ago. It's impossible to gather them all already."

Natalie countered.

Finding arguing pointless, I took all the herbs from my storage ring.

"WOW! Just how? I have been looking everywhere, but I only got two needed plants!"

Her mouth took on an 'O' shape, asking excitedly.

"Well, well, I've been working hard, not like someone else."

Placing my thumb on my chin, I mused before answering. Continuing to tease her.

"Ugh!!! I have been trying my best, too, I wasn't slacking."

She responded, frustrated.

"The results are what matter, aren't they?"

I stated.

"You are right… Well, I better get moving."

She said, suddenly dejected.

Seeing her lonely, downcast back, I couldn't help but find her a bit pitiful.

That's why…

"Hey!'

I said, seeing her retreating figure.

"Hm?"

"I collected more than I need to. Do you want some?"

Hearing that, her figure strengthened, and she looked fully spirited again. Instantly appearing next to me.

"Haha."

I couldn't help but laugh seeing her little head nodding eagerly.

"So, you want it?"

I said, taking out the herbs she may have been missing.

"Yes!"

Such a big reaction… It makes me want to tease her more.

"Then you know there is nothing for free…"

I slowly spoke.

"I am your friend. Is that not enough?"

She spoke as if I had wronged her. Using these big, bright eyes to soften me.

"Don't worry, nothing excessive. I just want to pet you."

She somehow reminds me of my golden retriever, which I had in my past life before my parents' death.

"Eh? Do you take me for a dog to pet me?"

She asked with doubt.

'Exactly.'

I thought, yet didn't dare to voice it.

"What's wrong with dogs? I love them."

My response had left her utterly lost for words, embarrassment, and irritation on her face.

"So, you want it or not?"

I inquired, with an annoying smirk on my face.

"Fine! I will do it. Just don't mess with my hair too much!"

She huffed, walking to me like she was going to be sacrificed to an evil deity.

'Huh? She actually agreed I was planning to give her the herbs, anyway, but why does she look so embarrassed by it?'

I took a moment to reflect before reaching out my hand to touch her bright, seemingly made-from-gold hair.

Standing before me was a blond girl with her head lowered, looking at the ground. I, on the other hand, was currently gently patting the head of the said girl.

'Softer than my dog. Despite her small head, her hair is remarkably abundant.'

Lost in thought, I gently stroked her hair, my delicate hand moving up and down her head, feeling the silky texture.

'But why does she keep looking at the ground? Does she hate it so much?'

I stopped my hand movements, taking a step back. It was just a joke. I didn't intend to make her uncomfortable.

"Here, take it."

I said, giving her the full set of needed herbs.

She raised her head, her eyes misty, confused.

"Um..."

She muttered, taking the herbs.

"…"

The sudden awkward silence descended between us.

Em… What the hell?

"So… maybe we should head back now that we are done collecting herbs."

I suggested.

"Yeah, I think so too."

She agreed.

"How has your cultivation been going…"

Walking side by side, I asked. While our conversation picked up speed, the earlier awkwardness slowly disappeared as Natalie became cheerful, like always.

Walking back, we met some familiar disciples and greeted those we were acquaintances with.

"Is that Nico and Emily? Let's meet up with them."

Pointed Natalie.

We were supposed to split up and look separately, yet I guess they couldn't last long without each other and met again; Nico and Emily are always inseparable.

'They are so different, like yin and yang, yet they pull each other like two opposite magnets.'

I thought and shook my head, amused. Are childhood friends always like that?

"Hey, you two!"

Shouted Natalie.

It was enough to bring their attention to us. Yet, they appeared somehow flustered.

'Did something happen?'

"You two are together, too? How has it been going? How many herbs have you two found?"

Nico asked, with the same enthusiasm as Natalie. When two extroverts meet, it's kind of scary.

Yet, I have to admit after Natalie joined our group, our conversations have been going smoothly, and there is always a topic to talk about.

Emily is more of a listener, and I only talk when I find the topic interesting.

"You two already done?! How so? Show me?"

Nicko suddenly said because Natalie had been boasting about the fact that we had already gathered every single herb.

"Here, see."

I said, taking out at least a few dozen plants from the storage ring.

Seeing their stupefied expressions, I asked.

"How about you two?"

"Hehe, well, we have been preoccupied with something earlier…"

Nico said, looking at Emily, somehow embarrassed.

"What are you missing?"

I inquired.

"Well, we still need…."

Emily started listing the herbs that were required for the exam.

"So, you actually have nothing? What have the two of you been doing this whole time? Well, anyway, take it. I am not stingy with friends."

I said, giving the herbs to the two of them, somehow helpless.

They accepted them gratefully. However, suddenly, I felt a murderous gaze on my back.

When I turned my head, I noticed an unhappy expression on Natalie's face. She was so expressive that it was easy to decipher her current thoughts.

'You b*tch, you had me pay up, but now you are giving them it for free. I hate you.'

It should be something along these lines or worse. She may be small, but she has quite a temper.

Observing that terrifying expression, I pretended not to see. This obviously made her angry, stomping fiercely, she went to complain to Emily.

I didn't bother too much and kept my conversation with Nico. Who knows, if I open my mouth to her again, I may unknowingly tease her.

There is a limit to the teasing she can handle.

While I was talking with Nico, I noticed that she had a bruise on her neck.

Did some bug bite her? I pondered for a moment if I should bring that up, but she didn't talk about it, and I didn't have any medicine with me, so ultimately, I pretended not to see it.

'Show me the rewards for the challenge that I missed yesterday.'

When the conversation shifted and I wasn't the center of attention, I called in my mind.

[Rewards received]

{Main objective: defeat the forest bandits} (completed)

{Optional objective: protect the villagers} (completed)

[Reward: 10 points, time-space fragment 1/9]