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Chapter 8 - Chapter 8: New Face of the Spirit Fields, The Hundred Herbs Promise

The refined residence courtyard, with its blue-tiled roof and whitewashed walls, was unpretentious yet tidy and elegant, its spiritual energy far surpassing their former dilapidated hut. Lin Feng pushed open the carved wooden window; the moist morning air, carrying the fragrance of spirit plants, flowed in. The five acres of premium spirit fields were enveloped in a pale white spirit gathering formation, misty with condensed spiritual energy. The "Spirit Gathering Grass" seeds delivered by the Pill Hall had already sprouted, tender leaves unfurling, full of vitality. Several attendant disciples were respectfully spreading specially formulated spirit fertilizer between the furrows.

Lin Xiaoya, dressed in a clean pale green cotton dress, flitted like a light butterfly along the field ridges, her rosy cheeks alight with wonder and joy. She crouched beside a newly sprouted Spirit Gathering Grass, extending a delicate finger to gently touch a tender leaf. She turned back in surprise, "Brother! It's saying hello to me! Cool and tingly, feels nice!"

A smile touched Lin Feng's lips as he ruffled his sister's hair. Since her recovery, her innate affinity for plants had become increasingly apparent. He was about to speak when a streak of cyan light approached swiftly from the distance, landing instantly in the courtyard. It was Elder Gu He. The old man looked exceptionally well today, his face ruddy, his gaze fixed on Lin Feng with the fervor reserved for rare treasures.

"Nephew Lin! Is the accommodation comfortable? Is the Spirit Gathering Formation sufficient?" Gu He stroked his beard, his smile genial.

"Many thanks for your esteemed care, Elder. Everything is excellent," Lin Feng replied with a cupped fist salute.

"Good! Good!" Gu He's eyes swept over the vibrant spirit fields, lingering especially long on the small patch of "Jade Marrow Rice" (the name Lin Feng had given his mutated spirit rice) that Lin Feng had deliberately preserved, his eyes filled with admiration. "This old man's visit today has two purposes. First, to see your spirit plants. Second, to bring you momentous news!" He lowered his voice, a thread of excitement in it. "In half a year, the sect's once-in-a-decade 'Hundred Herbs Garden' qualification trials will commence!"

"The Hundred Herbs Garden?" Lin Feng's heart stirred.

"Exactly!" Gu He's eyes shone with yearning. "This garden lies beneath our Profound Heaven Sect's sacred land of spirit plants – Hundred Herbs Peak! It was created by our Founding Patriarch with supreme power, capturing a spiritual eye of the earth veins! Within, spiritual energy condenses into liquid, rich soil radiates prismatic light, and it cultivates countless rare spirit herbs and ancient spirit seeds long extinct in the outside world! If one can enter to cultivate and nurture there, a single day's effort equals a hundred days outside!"

He paused, looking meaningfully at Lin Feng. "More crucially, the Hundred Herbs Garden trials are the primary path for Hundred Herbs Peak to select its true disciples! If you can catch the eye of a Peak Elder, or even... be noticed by that legendary Peak Master..." A trace of awe flickered in Gu He's eyes. "Nephew Lin, with your abilities, this opportunity must not be missed! This old man has already registered you!"

Lin Feng's heart surged with excitement. He clasped his fists solemnly. "This disciple will exert his utmost effort and will not disappoint the Elder's high expectations!"

Gu He nodded with satisfaction. His gaze then fell on Lin Xiaoya, who was watching curiously, and a flicker of surprise crossed his face. "Hmm? Your younger sister seems... particularly attuned to spirit plants?" He had clearly seen the Spirit Gathering Grass she touched momentarily exhibiting a slightly smoother flow of spiritual energy than its neighbors.

Lin Xiaoya hid shyly behind her brother. Gu He chuckled. "Such spiritual sensitivity! This talent reminds this old man of that Heaven-favored daughter of Hundred Herbs Peak – Su Muqing. That girl possesses an innate 'Wood Spirit Physique'. She was taken as the closed-door disciple of Master Yunxia at the tender age of ten! Her art of plant animation can truly turn decay into wonder! Though barely twenty years old now, she is already at the mid Foundation Establishment stage and hailed as the undisputed heir apparent to the Hundred Herbs Peak Mastership!"

"Wood Spirit Physique? Su Muqing..." Lin Feng silently committed the name to memory. Hundred Herbs Peak... truly a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons dwell.

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