Earth Control Technique, Xiao Yunyushu, and Pest-Banishing Finger—these three were the most practical secret arts for planting in Tianxing Sect.
Most planting masters followed this exact combination, including Ma Hongyu himself. Otherwise, Elder Ming wouldn't have specifically picked these manuals for Yun Jin.
Ma Hongyu looked at her and said, "I know these are the same three techniques you exchanged from the Library Pavilion. That shouldn't count as unfair treatment, should it?"
The expressions of the onlookers shifted.
It sounded fair on the surface, but Yun Jin had only been practicing for ten days. No one even knew if she had grasped the basics yet.
To pit her against Ye Cheng…
It was like throwing an egg at a rock.
But the challenge had been proposed by Yun Jin herself. Even if she regretted it now, she would have to push through.
"Of course," Yun Jin replied with a faint smile. "Uncle-Master Ma's method is fair. I have no objections."
Ye Cheng, nervous as ever, murmured, "I… I have no objections either."
Ma Hongyu nodded. With a wave of his sleeve, the spiritual field, which had previously been veiled by a formation, was revealed.
"This field's soil is average at best, only suitable for Yellow-Grade herbs. The herb to be planted today is Anhun Fruit. Each type of herb requires different soil conditions. The two of you will each tend half of the field. To prevent interference, I will erect a barrier that cuts off your view of each other. During the match, neither of you will be able to see what the other is doing."
As he spoke, a tall wall rose at the center of the field, completely blocking the line of sight between them.
"The two sides are identical. Would either of you like to inspect them?"
Yun Jin and Ye Cheng both shook their heads.
Ma Hongyu's face lightened a bit. "Good. Then prepare to begin."
He really hadn't tampered with the field. With so many eyes watching, any trickery could easily be exposed. Besides, under fair conditions, could Ye Cheng possibly lose? He had full confidence in his disciple.
Yun Jin and Ye Cheng entered their respective halves of the field. Once the partition wall was raised, they could no longer see or hear anything from the other side. The spectators, however, weren't affected. They could observe both contestants clearly.
Ye Cheng started feeling anxious as soon as he stepped inside.
Anhun Fruit was a relatively easy spiritual herb to raise, except for one thing—it was extremely picky about soil quality. The soil had to be thoroughly loosened, every clump turned and aerated. Even slight compaction could hinder its growth.
His Earth Control Technique was only at level three. Each activation could manipulate only a small patch of soil. He had to carefully loosen every inch. It was a delicate and exhausting task. Ye Cheng didn't dare waste even a second. He immediately got to work.
Yun Jin, on the other hand, stared at the field but made no move. She looked curious instead.
"Is there a time limit for this round?" she asked.
Ma Hongyu paused, surprised by the question. He hadn't originally planned for one, but now that she brought it up, there was no reason not to add one.
After estimating how long Ye Cheng would need to finish, he replied, "Then let's say two hours."
He signaled someone to light a special incense stick. "This incense burns slowly. When it's fully burnt, two hours will have passed. At that point, we'll move on to the next round."
The incense was placed at the midpoint between the two contestants. Ye Cheng glanced at it and grew even more nervous, speeding up his movements.
Yun Jin looked at the incense, clearly distressed.
Damn it.
She shouldn't have asked!
Two whole hours!
What she could finish in fifteen minutes now required her to wait two hours.
Yun Jin sighed, then drew her sword.
What to do?
Since she had nothing better to do…
Might as well practice her swordplay.
The crowd watched Yun Jin, curious whether she had even learned the Earth Control Technique.
Then they saw her draw a sword.
And start performing what looked like a ritual dance?
???
The peak masters exchanged glances, disappointment flashing in their eyes. They had hoped Yun Jin might bring some surprises. But now, it seemed she simply didn't dare provoke Sect Master Zhao Wuji too much and was using this chance to let Ye Danxia off the hook.
Alas.
The Tianxing Sect was, after all, still Zhao Wuji's domain. The small rebellious thoughts they had secretly nurtured were quietly tucked away.
Zhao Wuji watched Yun Jin's clownish performance and smirked. He glanced at Lin Ya. "With time so tight, why hasn't your disciple started yet? Does she not want to?"
Or was it that she simply couldn't?
Lin Ya, however, nodded seriously. "She probably thinks there's still plenty of time."
Zhao Wuji laughed. "Plenty of time? Even Ye Cheng has to race against the clock to till such a large field, yet she thinks there's plenty of time?"
Lin Ya sighed. "Indeed."
If only they had been told about this long waiting period earlier, knowing Yun Jin, she might have arranged some entertainment. Having already seen her "slightly innovative" version of the Earth Control Technique, he knew she could finish the first trial in no time.
A normal person would have gone all out from the start, tilling the field first before resting.
But Lin Ya understood Yun Jin well by now.
Going all out early? Where was the fun in that compared to a dramatic underdog victory?
His disciple was just playing the fool-before-triumph card again.
Ah.
Such a bright girl—why did she love showing off so much?
Lin Ya looked deeply troubled.
Zhao Wuji saw Lin Ya's defiant tone and worried face, and assumed he was just putting on a brave front. A smug smile curled on Zhao Wuji's lips.
He had even been a little tense these past few days, but now?
Clearly, Yun Jin was yielding to his authority.
That was only natural.
No matter how bold she was, she wouldn't dare defy him openly, not for Ye Danxia. He cast a glance around at the other Peak Masters. All of them had returned to their respectful expressions. Not a single one showed the slightest hint of disobedience.
Zhao Wuji was very pleased.
Yun Jin, without even realizing it, had helped him reestablish his authority.
For that, he would allow her a swift and painless death during the life-and-death arena match.
Yun Jin continued swinging her sword with focused precision. Most onlookers assumed she had given up in despair.
But Elder Jian had been watching carefully the entire time.
His brows furrowed, then relaxed, again and again, his expression full of conflicting thoughts.
Her form was... entirely unrefined.
Yet—
Why did it feel like there was a certain rhythm hidden in her casual movements?
What rhythm was it?
He kept watching, but still couldn't tell.
This disciple was... unique.
But today's trial was about planting. Was she really just giving up?
He had a feeling that wasn't the case.
Elder Jian recalled the fierce light in Yun Jin's eyes the other day, when she said she would walk a path of invincibility.
Someone with a heart set on invincibility... would not surrender so easily.