Chapter 28: Exam & Preparation for Expedition.

The morning sun had barely risen when Tian Jue arrived at the Herbalist Pavilion, a secluded building nestled behind the inner sector's northern cliffs. It was built like a sprawling greenhouse palace—glass-paneled domes, open courtyards filled with herbs in bloom, and the faint aroma of spirit grass and earthfire orchids lingering in the air.

A jade plaque hung above the gate:

[Shenxian Sect – Herbalist Division | Auxiliary Hall of Medicine]

He stepped through the gate, flashing his outer disciple token and presenting his Herbalist Certificate embedded with his recently achieved Tier 1 credentials.

A female attendant in pale green robes looked up, startled to see someone so young.

"You're… here for the Tier 2 examination?"

Tian Jue simply nodded.

"I've grown three Tier 2 herbs. I'm here for formal certification."

The attendant hesitated only a moment before bowing and guiding him toward the examination wing. Whispered conversations passed behind them as more herbalist apprentices took note of his presence.

So young… he's still a child...

That spiritual pressure... is he really an outer disciple?

Wait, his token bears an internal seal... someone's backing him?

The Examination Begins

In a quiet, incense-scented hall, three examiners sat waiting behind a long jade table—two elders with green robes trimmed in silver and one middle-aged alchemist in crimson robes with a six-leaf emblem on his shoulder, signifying his Tier 3 rank.

One of the green-robed elders gestured calmly. "State your name and show proof of your independent cultivation of Tier 2 herbs."

Tian Jue summoned three jade boxes from his storage ring and placed them on the stone platform. He opened each:

Blueflame Orchid — vibrant and glowing faintly, perfectly matured.

Cloudveil Grass — with a smooth mist lingering around it, properly rooted.

Jadeleaf Root — firm, rich in essence, and carefully clipped at the neck.

The alchemist leaned forward, surprised. "These are not just matured—they're balanced and brimming with qi. You didn't force their growth."

Tian Jue nodded. "Grown with a Five Elemental cycle method."

The second elder raised an eyebrow. "Where did you learn such a method?"

Tian Jue only replied, "I studied scripture, practiced with spiritual qi, and interpreted herb theory based on elemental resonance."

The three looked at each other. The head examiner nodded.

"Very well. You've passed the first trial."

Trial Two Spirit Herb Diagnosis

A disciple entered with five sealed wooden boxes.

The elder waved his sleeve, and the first box opened.

Inside was a Tier 2 Ironscale Herb, but the leaves were half-yellowed.

"Diagnose the issue and recommend a solution."

Tian Jue stepped forward. He didn't touch the herb—he simply closed his eyes, activated his spiritual sense, and let his qi flow subtly through the herb's aura.

"Soil over-enriched with metal qi. Root channels blocked from nutrient absorption. It's suffering from qi stagnation. I recommend a neutralizing wood-type infusion to restore flow before transplantation into balanced soil."

The alchemist's eyes gleamed.

He used spiritual sense to diagnose a herb's qi flow? At Qi Refinement?

The second box contained a Blossomroot, but it had faint black spots.

Tian Jue sniffed it lightly.

"Tainted air from beast blood. Suggest fire-type cleansing and re-isolation before use in any alchemical formula."

The remaining diagnoses were swift and accurate. The examiners did not hide their surprise.

"Pass."

Trial Three Application Support

The final trial separated herbalists from spirit gardeners.

The alchemist leaned forward. "As a Tier 2 Herbalist, you must understand how your herbs are used by alchemists and physicians. We will test you on both."

A scroll appeared in the air. It listed:

A Tier 2 Fortifying Pill recipe

A Tier 2 Wound Mending Salve formula

A custom diagnosis of an internal organ affliction caused by unstable fire qi

Tian Jue's answers were methodical:

For the pill, he suggested swapping standard Ironleaf with his cultivated Jadeleaf Root, increasing qi absorption by 15%.

For the salve, he proposed a layering method that delayed effect release—ideal for battlefield use.

For the affliction, he recommended Split-Spine Orchid extract in gradually increased doses, fused with cooling water qi herbs to purge inner heat.

The physician elder looked stunned. "You've studied alchemy and medicine?"

Tian Jue shook his head. "Only in theory."

He has the instincts of a Tier 3 support herbalist already…

📜 Certification

After a silent exchange among the judges, the first elder stood.

"Tian Jue. You are now certified as a Tier 2 Herbalist of Shenxian Sect. You are qualified to take personal commissions, access the internal garden, and supply herbs to registered alchemists and physicians."

A jade token was passed to him. This one had two overlapping leaves etched into it—a symbol of balance and duality.

The alchemist added, smiling, "You may also attend the next alchemy seminar. Someone like you might be worth recruiting."

Tian Jue bowed lightly and turned to leave.

The murmurs behind him only grew louder.

Outside, the sun was already high. Tian Jue looked at his token, letting it glow faintly in his palm.

First herbalist milestone: achieved.

Now… I prepare for the expedition.

The moment Tian Jue stepped into his courtyard, he felt a subtle shift in the wind.

A journey was approaching.

He walked to his storage room, a small wooden shed on the east side of his house, and opened the doors. Inside were carefully sorted shelves stacked with herbs, pill bottles, vials, scrolls, cloth bundles, and talismans—a miniature inventory system only a cultivator with an organized mind could manage.

This expedition might involve combat, poison, blood loss, and spiritual exhaustion... I need to be ready for everything.

He moved to his workbench and began preparing key medicinal items. The system interface hovered quietly in the background, listing ingredients, dosage windows, and effects. With swift but precise movements, he began crafting:

Restorative Mixture – (6 Vials)

For internal bleeding and qi backlash recovery. Brewed using Cloudveil Grass, Dragon Marrow Bark, and Spirit Milk Droplets.

Acts within 30 seconds. Can stabilize minor organ damage.

Blood-Coagulation Paste – (5 Packs)

For external wounds and limb slashes. Smears onto skin and hardens within moments.

Used in field combat to stop bleeding mid-fight.

Spiritual Focus Pills – (4 Pills)

Enhances clarity and maintains focus during long battles.

Also useful in suppressing mild poison or mental fog.

Windspore Powder – (2 Vials)

Blinds enemies when thrown into the air; extracted from Windshade Dandelions.

Non-lethal but useful for creating openings in battle.

Toxin Detection Papers – (10 Sheets)

Changes color when in contact with poisonous qi or beast fluids.

Essential for field harvesting and eating wild materials.

⚙️ Combat Support Equipment

He opened a small wooden box containing:

Steel-threaded silk wraps – to reinforce his arms when wielding Silver Guard.

Spiritual pressure sealing talisman – one-time use to dampen enemy qi for five seconds.

Emergency escape talisman – transmits qi to trigger a directional jump.

Beast core pouch – a qi-insulated leather bag to store freshly harvested beast cores without leakage.

He looked over it all, then placed the most important supplies into a leather satchel lined with array seals for preservation. The rest were tucked into hidden pockets on his robes and storage ring.

🌿 Personal Touches

Before closing the bag, Tian Jue added two personal items:

A folded letter containing a short note to his mother, in case something happened.

A dried blossom from his courtyard's first Cloudveil Grass bloom—calming his mind when held.

He paused.

His gaze lifted toward the distant mountain range, where the Million Beast Territory loomed.

Huan Tao and I will only touch the outer rings… but even then, danger is inevitable.

Earlier, he had checked the mission hall. His chosen expedition was already logged:

Mission: Outer Ring Beast Material Harvest

Type: Contribution Point Task

Danger Level: Moderate

Reward: Points based on quality of harvested beast cores, blood essence, meat, and hides

Optional: Additional rewards for gathering herbs or subduing dangerous rogue beasts

By the time the sun began to set, Tian Jue had finished.

He sat on the edge of the roof, sipping cooled peach tea Huan Tao had left earlier that morning.

His eyes stayed fixed on the horizon.

I've refined my body.

Gained my certification.

Awakened my spiritual sense.

And now, I will test it all in the wild.